JP2001008011A - Communication equipment and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize communication equipment such as a facsimile server or a client of a LAN that can eliminate the need for external designation of a sub-address from the LAN while leaving an advantage of using the sub-address such that the client side is not disturbed by a junk message and to provide a recording medium that is readable by the communication equipment. SOLUTION: In the case of configuring this communication equipment as a client 2 of a LAN 3, a FAX server 1 receiving a message sent from the outside of the LAN 3 without the designation of a sub-address transfers this message to the client 2, and the client 2 refers to sender information(TTI) normally included in the transferred message. In the case that a telephone number of the sender information is registered in telephone directories B1, B2 stored in advance, the client 2 outputs information (sender name) corresponding to the telephone number registered in the telephone directories B1, B2 onto its display device 27.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a communication apparatus capable of eliminating the need to specify a sub-address when facsimile transmission is performed from a LAN outside to a client via a LAN facsimile server, and a communication apparatus readable by this apparatus. It relates to a recording medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, various communication devices compatible with a LAN have been developed. In particular, a facsimile server, which is a server having a facsimile communication function, is connected to a plurality of client computers (hereinafter simply referred to as clients) of a LAN to which the facsimile server is connected, for example, from outside the LAN via a public telephone line network. It is used as a gateway device for transmitting and receiving a facsimile message (hereinafter simply referred to as a message) by interposing between a typical facsimile device.

When a facsimile transmission is performed from a client to a facsimile apparatus outside the above-described LAN via such a facsimile server, for example, a message is read as image data from a scanner connected to the client, or is appropriately read. Image data is generated by the computer program described above, and transmitted together with such image data to a transmission destination (here, the L
The telephone number of the facsimile machine outside the AN is transmitted to the facsimile server. The facsimile server calls the facsimile machine outside the LAN based on the telephone number received from the client, modulates the message received from the client so as to be compatible with the public telephone network, and transmits the modulated message.

On the other hand, in the case of reception, the LAN
An external facsimile machine calls the facsimile server using the telephone number of the facsimile server, and sends a message by designating any client sub-address. The facsimile server receiving this modulates the message so as to be compatible with the LAN, and transfers the message to the client of the designated sub-address.

[0005]

However, in the LAN having the above-described configuration, the facsimile server can distribute messages to the client according to the designated sub-address and transfer the messages to the client. On the other hand, there is an advantage in that a general facsimile apparatus outside the LAN needs to send a message by specifying a sub address of a client.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and refers to source information normally contained in a message sent from outside the LAN without specifying a subaddress, and stores the message in advance. If the telephone number of the sender information is stored in the telephone directory, the information corresponding to the telephone number registered in the telephone directory is output, so that the client side is troubled by the junk message. It is an object of the present invention to provide a communication device such as a facsimile server or a client and a recording medium readable by the device, which can eliminate the need for designation of a subaddress from outside the LAN, while retaining the advantage of the subaddress that there is no subaddress. Aim.

[0007]

A communication device according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises: a storage unit for storing a plurality of telephone numbers and information corresponding to the telephone numbers; a receiving unit for receiving transmission source information of a facsimile message; Output means for reading and outputting information corresponding to the telephone number from the storage means when a telephone number included in the received transmission source information is stored in the storage means.

A communication device according to a second aspect of the present invention is the communication device according to the first aspect, wherein the receiving means receives a facsimile message including the source information together with the source information, and the output means receives the received facsimile message. A message is output together with the information.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a recording medium, comprising: means for causing an apparatus to store a plurality of telephone numbers and information corresponding to the telephone numbers; means for receiving transmission source information of a facsimile message; In the case where a telephone number included in the original information is stored, a program including means for reading and outputting information corresponding to the telephone number is recorded.

According to the communication device and the recording medium readable by the device according to the first and third aspects of the present invention, a plurality of telephone numbers such as a telephone directory and information corresponding to the telephone numbers are stored to transmit a message. When the original information (TTI) is received and the telephone number included in the received transmission source information is stored, the information corresponding to the stored telephone number is read out and output. When the communication device according to the present invention is configured as a facsimile server, the communication device refers to a telephone directory stored in the device based on the telephone number of the transmission source information normally included in a message received from outside the LAN. Only when the telephone number is registered in the telephone directory, it can be output to the own device or the corresponding client. Therefore, in this case, information such as the sub address of the client is registered in the telephone directory corresponding to each telephone number. In the case of outputting to the client, for example, the client does not receive a junk message that is not registered.

On the other hand, when the communication apparatus according to the present invention is configured as a client, a facsimile server that has received a message from outside the LAN transfers only the source information contained in the message and transfers the message. Refers to the telephone directory stored in the own device based on the telephone number of the transmitted source information, and only when the telephone number is registered in the telephone directory, the display device or the printing device of the own device. Can be output. Therefore, a junk message that is not registered on the client side is not received.

Regardless of whether the communication apparatus according to the present invention is configured as a facsimile server or as a client as described above, only the source information of the junk message is transmitted to the client. It is possible to configure so as to receive and not receive the text.

According to the communication apparatus of the second aspect, contrary to the above-described configuration, a message including the source information is received together with the source information, and the received message is output together with the information. In particular, when the communication device according to the present invention is configured as a client, the client may receive the text, but may not display or print the junk message, for example. In each of the embodiments described later, such a configuration is shown.

[0014]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings showing the embodiments. Embodiment 1 FIG. FIG. 1 shows a communication device according to the present invention connected to a LAN.
1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment configured as a client of FIG. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a facsimile server (hereinafter, referred to as a facsimile server).
Are the CPU 10, ROM 11, NCU 12, and modem 1.
3, a hard disk drive (hereinafter referred to as HDD) 14,
RAM 15, LAN interface (hereinafter LANI /
F), a printer 17, a scanner 18, an external storage reading unit 19, and the like.

The CPU 10 not only controls the hardware of the FAX server 1 through the bus but also controls the ROM 1
1 for encoding / decoding the image data of the message based on the encoding system such as MH, MR, and MMR based on the computer program stored therein, modem control, and communication procedure. Execute.

The ROM 11 stores various computer programs necessary for the operation of the FAX server 1 in advance.

The modem 13 is connected to a bus and is constituted by a facsimile modem capable of performing facsimile communication. The modem 13 is directly connected to an NCU (Network Control Unit) 12 similarly connected to the bus. The NCU 12 is hardware that performs operations for closing and opening a line with an analog public telephone network (PSTN), and connects the modem 13 to the public telephone network as necessary.

Note that a DSU (Digital Service Unit: subscriber line termination device) may be provided to connect to a digital network (ISDN) of a baseband transmission system.

The HDD 14 is replaced with an RO 11
In addition to storing the computer program stored in M11, various information such as a sub address assigned to each client 2 can be stored. When the communication device according to the present invention is configured as the facsimile server 1 as described above, the configuration is such that a telephone directory included in the client 2 as described later is stored.

The RAM 15 includes an SRAM and a DRAM, and stores temporary data generated when a computer program is executed, and also stores image data such as a message to be transmitted or a received message.

The LAN I / F 16 transmits a fax
Server 1 is connected to one node of LAN 3.

The printer 17 is an electrophotographic printing device, and prints out data such as messages stored in the RAM 15 and data stored in the HDD 14.

The scanner 18 reads a message with a scanner using a CCD and outputs dot image data.

The external storage reading section 19 is composed of a flexible disk drive, a CD-ROM drive, a card reader, or the like, and includes a flexible disk, a CD-RO, and the like.
The computer program is read from a recording medium M ₁ such as an M or an IC card and stored in the HDD 14.

Note that input devices such as a keyboard and a mouse,
A configuration including a display device such as a liquid crystal display device (LCD) or a CRT display, or a configuration including a display device of a touch panel type instead of these devices is also possible.

The FAX server 1 has the above-described hardware configuration, and transmits a call from a communication device (not shown) having a facsimile communication function such as a general facsimile device outside the LAN 3 via a public telephone network. It is configured to receive a message including original information, and transfer the received message (text + source information) to the client 2.

Each client 2 is composed of a personal computer or the like, and includes a CPU 20, a ROM 21,
An HDD 24, a RAM 25, a LAN I / F 26, a display 27, an external storage reading unit 29, and the like are provided.

The CPU 20 controls not only the hardware of the client 2 but also the ROM 2 via the bus.
On the basis of the computer program stored in the FAX server 1, a computer program for searching a telephone directory, displaying and managing data transferred from the FAX server 1, which will be described later, is executed.

The ROM 21 stores various computer programs necessary for the operation of the client 2 in advance.

The HDD 24 is replaced by an RO
In addition to storing the computer program stored in M21, each client 2 stores in advance a telephone directory individually provided. In addition, this phone book
The data may be transferred from the FAX server 1 or may be read from an external storage reading unit 29 described later.

The RAM 25 includes an SRAM, a DRAM, and the like, and stores temporary data generated when a computer program is executed, and also stores a message to be transferred to the FAX server 1 or a message transferred from the FAX server 2. Store the image data.

The LAN I / F 26 connects the client 2 to one node of the LAN 3 via this.

The display 27 is a liquid crystal display (LC)
D) or a display device such as a CRT display;
The information transferred from the X server 1, the management information of the telephone directory, and the like are displayed.

The external storage reading section 29 is composed of a flexible disk drive, a CD-ROM drive, a card reader, or the like.
M, or reading the computer program from the recording medium M ₂ such as an IC card, and stored in HDD 24.

The client 2 as the communication apparatus according to the present invention has the above-described hardware configuration, receives a message received from the outside of the LAN 3 and transferred by the FAX server 1, and is included in the received message. Referring to the telephone directory stored in the HDD 24 based on the telephone number of the transmission source information, and if the telephone directory is registered in the telephone directory, the source name (name) and the like stored in the telephone directory corresponding to the telephone number Is displayed on the display 27 to notify the user of the client 2 of the arrival of the message.

As shown in FIG. 1, the telephone directory individually provided by each client 2 is configured as a database in which a telephone number and its name are one data.

The client 2 selects and stores the transferred message based on the name corresponding to the telephone number stored as a telephone directory. Such a function will be described below. I do.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of CPU 10 of FAX server 1 when FAX server 1 in the first embodiment receives a message (text + source information) from outside LAN 3. First, the CPU 10
Waits for an incoming call from the telephone network (step 11),
If there is no incoming call, step 11 is repeated with a predetermined time period. On the other hand, when there is an incoming call, the CPU 10
If this is a message, it is received (step 12) and R
The message is stored in the AM 15 and the line is disconnected as the reception of the message is completed (step 13).

Subsequently, the CPU 10 checks whether or not the received message specifies a subaddress or an F-code indicating a confidential function (step 14). If the subaddress or the F-code is not specified, the CPU 10 receives the message. The transmitted message (source information + text) is transmitted to all the clients 2 via the LAN 3 (step 15). On the other hand, if the sub-address or the F-code is specified, the specified sub-address or the FAX server 1
F read from the data table for F code provided in
The CPU 10 transmits the received message (source information + text) via the LAN 3 only to the client 2 having the sub-address corresponding to the code (step 1).
6). Of course, if the F-code is specified, it is transmitted as confidential. The CPU 10 repeats the processing from step 11 again after steps 15 and 16.

FIG. 3 shows the CPU 20 of the client 2 when the client 2 receives the message (text + source information) transferred from the FAX server 1 in FIG.
7 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of FIG.
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a screen configuration displayed on the display 27 of the client 2 during the processing in FIG.

First, the CPU 20 waits for reception of the message (text + source information) transmitted by the FAX server 1 in step 15 or 16 shown in FIG. 2 (step 21).
If there is no reception, step 21 is repeated with a predetermined time period. On the other hand, if there is a reception, the CPU 20
By referring to the telephone number of the transmission source information included in the received message, it is confirmed whether or not this telephone number is registered in the telephone directory (step 22).

If registered, the CPU 20
The name corresponding to the telephone number is read from the telephone directory and the display 27 displays a “FAX arrival” dialog as shown in FIG. 4 (step 23). This "FAX
In the "arrival of" dialog, a name such as "XX car" is displayed, so that the user of the client 2 can easily confirm the source of the received message. Then, the CPU 20
As shown in FIG. 5, a folder having this name is created in a predetermined area of the HDD 24, and the received message is put in the created folder (step 24). In step 24, for example, if a folder named “XX car” already exists, the CPU 20 does not create a new folder but puts the received message in this folder.

On the other hand, if it is not registered in step 22, the CPU 20 refers to the setting flag of "unregistered folder" and checks whether or not an unregistered folder is set (step 25). If an unregistered folder is set, the CPU 20 further sets “unregistered”.
It is confirmed whether or not the notification is set (step 26). If the notification is set, the CPU
20 displays a “FAX Arrival” dialog as shown in FIG. 4 with a name of “unregistered” (step 27). As shown in FIG.
The received message is put into the created folder in a predetermined area (step 28). Step 28
In this case, even when a folder named “unregistered” already exists, a received message is put in this folder without creating a new folder. on the other hand,
If the setting is to not notify in step 26, the CPU 20 puts the received message in the created folder without displaying a dialog (step 28). By not displaying the dialog in this way, even if the user working on the client 2 receives a so-called junk message, it is not necessary to process the junk message.

Further, if the unregistered folder is not set in step 25, the CPU 20 checks whether or not the setting is to notify "unregistered" (step 29). When the notification is set, the CPU 20 determines “F” as shown in FIG.
AX arrival ”dialog is displayed (step 30),
As shown in FIG. 6, a folder having the name of the telephone number of the sender information is created in a predetermined area of the HDD 14, and the received message is put in the created folder (step 31).
On the other hand, if the notification is not set in step 29, the CPU 20 creates a folder with the name of the telephone number of the sender information as shown in FIG. 6 without displaying the “FAX arrival” dialog. And put the received message in the created folder (step 3
1). In step 31, even if a folder having this telephone number as a name already exists,
Causes a received message to be put in this folder without creating a new folder.

As described above, according to the setting of the unregistered folder, the user can select two types of display modes as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

After step 24, 28, or 31, the CPU 20 waits for detection of a user operation to open any of the folders (step 32). Step 32 is repeated. On the other hand, if there is an operation to open the folder, C
The PU 20 displays the last received message in this folder on the display 27 (step 33).
Note that the processing from step 21 is repeated again after step 33.

Embodiment 2 In the present embodiment,
The FAX server 1 receives a message including transmission source information from a communication device (not shown) having a facsimile communication function such as a general facsimile device outside the LAN 3 via a public telephone network, and receives the received message. First, only the sender information of the client 2
Is configured to transfer the body of a message in response to a transfer request from the client 2, each client 2 as a communication device, and a LAN 3 and FA connected to the client 2.
The hardware configuration of the X server 1 is the same as that of the first embodiment, and the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted to avoid duplication of description.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of CPU 10 of FAX server 1 when FAX server 1 according to the second embodiment receives a message (text + source information) from outside LAN 3. First, the CPU 10
Waits for an incoming call from the telephone network (step 41),
If there is no incoming call, step 41 is repeated at a predetermined time period. On the other hand, when there is an incoming call, if this is a message, it is received (step 42) and stored in the RAM 15, and the line is cut off upon completion of the message reception (step 43).

Subsequently, it is checked whether or not the received message specifies a subaddress or an F code indicating a confidential function (step 44). If the subaddress or the F code is not specified, the CPU 10 determines whether the received message has a subaddress or an F code. Only the source information of the received message is transmitted to all the clients 2 via the LAN 3 (step 45). on the other hand,
If a sub address or F code is specified,
The CPU 10 determines the designated sub address or FA
Only the client 2 of the sub address corresponding to the F code read from the F code data table provided in the X server 1 transmits the source information of the received message via the LAN 3 (step 46).

After step 45 or 46, it is confirmed whether a message transfer request has been received from the client 2 (step 47). If no message transfer request has been received, the CPU 10 executes this processing. To end. On the other hand, when a message transfer request is received, the CPU
10 transmits only the requested message or body part to the client 2 via the LAN 3 (step 4).
8). Of course, if the F-code is designated, in steps 46 and 38, it is transmitted as confidential. Note that the CPU 10 returns to step 4 after step 48.
The processing from step 1 is repeated.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of the CPU 20 of the client 2 when the client 2 receives the source information of the message transferred from the facsimile server 1 in FIG. 7, and FIG. 9 and FIG. , The display 27 of the client 2 during the processing of FIG.
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a screen configuration displayed on the screen.

First, the CPU 20 waits for the reception of the sender information of the message transmitted by the facsimile server 1 in step 45 or 46 shown in FIG. 7 (step 51). Repeat in a cycle.
On the other hand, if there is a reception, the CPU 20 refers to the telephone number of the received transmission source information and confirms whether this telephone number is registered in the telephone directory (step 52).

If registered, the CPU 20
The name corresponding to this telephone number is read from the telephone directory and displayed on the display 27 as "FAX arrival" as shown in FIG.
A dialog is displayed (step 53). Then, as shown in FIG. 9, a folder having this name is created in a predetermined area of the HDD 24 (step 54). Step 54
For example, if a folder named “XX automobile” already exists, a new folder is not created.

On the other hand, if not registered in step 52, the CPU 20 further refers to the setting flag of "unregistered folder" and confirms whether or not an unregistered folder is set (step 55). If an unregistered folder is set, the CPU 20 further sets “unregistered”.
It is confirmed whether or not the notification is set (step 56). If the notification is set, the CPU 2
0 displays a “FAX Arrival” dialog as shown in FIG. 4 with the name “unregistered” (step 57), and stores a folder named “unregistered” in the HDD 24 as shown in FIG.
(Step 58). In step 58, even if a folder named “unregistered” already exists, the CPU 20 does not create a new folder. On the other hand, if the notification is not set in step 56, the CPU 20 creates an “unregistered” folder without displaying a dialog (step 58). By not displaying the dialog in this way, even if the user working on the client 2 receives a so-called junk message, it is not necessary to process the junk message.

Further, when the unregistered folder is not set in the step 55, the CPU 20 checks whether or not the setting is to notify "unregistered" (step 59). If the notification is set, the CPU 20 displays the “FAX arrival” dialog as shown in FIG. 4 using the telephone number of the caller (step 6).
0), as shown in FIG. 10, a folder having the name of the telephone number of the sender information is created in a predetermined area of the HDD 24 (step 61). On the other hand, if the notification is not set, the CPU 20 creates a folder with the name of the telephone number of the sender information as shown in FIG. 10 without displaying the “FAX Arrival” dialog (step S1). 6
1). In step 61, even if a folder having this telephone number as a name already exists,
Will not create a new folder.

As described above, according to the setting of the unregistered folder, the user can select two types of display forms as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10.

After steps 54, 58, or 61, the process waits for the detection of a user operation to open any of the folders (step 62). Step 62 is repeated. On the other hand, if there is an operation to open the folder, C
The PU 20 transmits a transfer request for a message corresponding to this folder to the FAX server 1 via the LAN 3 (Step 63), and transmits the FAX at Step 48 shown in FIG.
In response to the message (or its text) being transferred from the server 1, it is received (step 64).

The CPU 20 displays the received message (or its text) on the display 27 in the same manner as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 (step 65). Note that the processing from step 51 is repeated again after step 65.

Further, the received message (or its text) is written as shown in steps 24, 28 and 31 in FIG.
It is good also as a structure which puts in the corresponding folder.

[0060]

As described in detail above, a communication apparatus according to the present invention and a recording medium readable by the apparatus store a plurality of telephone numbers such as a telephone directory and information corresponding to the telephone numbers, and store a message. Is received, and when a telephone number included in the received source information is stored, the information corresponding to the stored telephone number is read and output. For example,
When the communication apparatus according to the present invention is configured as a facsimile server, the communication apparatus refers to a telephone directory stored in the apparatus based on the telephone number of the transmission source information normally included in a message received from the outside of the LAN. Only when the telephone number is registered in the telephone directory, it can be output to the own device or the corresponding client. Therefore, in this case, information such as the sub address of the client is registered in the telephone directory corresponding to each telephone number. In the case of outputting to the client, the client does not receive, for example, a junk message that is not registered.

On the other hand, when the communication device according to the present invention is configured as a client, a facsimile server which has received a message from outside the LAN, has only the source information included in the message transferred, and transfers the message. Refers to the telephone directory stored in the own device based on the telephone number of the transmitted source information, and only when the telephone number is registered in the telephone directory, the display device or the printing device of the own device. Can be output. Therefore, a junk message that is not registered on the client side is not received.

[0062] Regardless of whether the communication apparatus according to the present invention is configured as a facsimile server or as a client as described above, only the source information of the junk message is transmitted to the client. It is possible to configure so as to receive and not receive the text.

Also, contrary to the above-described configuration, the communication apparatus according to the present invention is particularly configured to receive a message including the source information together with the source information and output the received message together with the information. Is configured as a client, the client also receives the body,
The present invention has an excellent effect such that the junk message can be configured not to be displayed or printed, for example.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment in which a communication device according to the present invention is configured as a client of a LAN.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating processing performed by a CPU of the FAX server when the FAX server receives a message (text + source information) from outside the LAN according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of a client CPU when the client receives a message (text + source information) transferred from the FAX server in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a screen configuration displayed on a display of a client during the processing of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing a screen configuration displayed on a display of a client during the processing of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing a screen configuration displayed on a display of a client during the processing of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the processing performed by the CPU of the FAX server when the FAX server receives a message (text + source information) from outside the LAN in the second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the processing contents of the CPU of the client when the client receives the source information of the message transferred from the FAX server in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing a screen configuration displayed on a display of a client during the processing of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing a screen configuration displayed on a display of a client during the processing of FIG. 8;

[Explanation of symbols]

1 facsimile server (FAX server) 2 client 3 LAN 20 CPU 21 ROM 24 a hard disk drive (HDD) 26 LAN interface (LAN I / F) 27 display B _1, B ₂ phonebook M ₂ recording medium

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI theme coat ゛ (reference) H04N 1/00 107 F term (reference) 5C062 AA35 AB23 AB38 AB42 AC22 AC38 AC58 AE14 AF01 AF03 BA00 5C075 AB90 CA90 CD07 CD25 CF04 5K030 GA18 HA07 HB04 HC02 HC14 HD06 HD09 JT05 JT06 KA06 LB02 LD14 5K036 AA15 BB01 DD11 EE01 JJ04 JJ13 5K101 KK01 LL01 LL05 NN18 NN21 PP03 PP07 QQ04 QQ07 QQ10

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A storage means for storing a plurality of telephone numbers and information corresponding to the telephone numbers, a receiving means for receiving transmission source information of a facsimile message, and a telephone number included in the received transmission source information being said telephone number. An output unit for reading and outputting information corresponding to the telephone number from the storage unit when the information is stored in the storage unit. 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the receiving means receives a facsimile message including the source information together with the source information, and the output means outputs the received facsimile message together with the information. Communication device. 3. A means for causing a device to store a plurality of telephone numbers and information corresponding to the telephone numbers; a means for receiving source information of a facsimile message; and a telephone number included in the received source information. Means for reading and outputting information corresponding to the telephone number when is stored in the storage medium.