JP2001333246A - Internet facsimile equipment and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide Internet facsimile equipment capable of adopting a flexible transmitting form reflecting the request of a recipient in multi-address transmitting. SOLUTION: A RAM 13 stores broadcasting destination information composed of 'mail address', 'destination name' and 'attribute' corresponding to an abbreviated key 16b or one-action key 16c. The 'attribute' is composed of 'transmitting source information', 'text', 'cover page' and 'receiving ability'. Therefore, in multi-address transmitting, the data of electronic mail are transmitted to a mail server after grouping based on the attribute of this broadcasting destination information. As a result, to the recipient, who does not require the transmitting source information or cover page, for example, the transmitting source information or cover page is not transmitted. To the recipient, who requires the transmitting source information or cover page, on the other hand, the transmitting source information or cover page is transmitted. Therefore, the flexible transmitting form reflecting the request of the recipient can be adopted in multi-address transmitting.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an Internet facsimile apparatus and a recording medium, and more particularly, to an Internet facsimile apparatus and a recording medium having a feature in broadcast transmission.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a communication network system in which a facsimile apparatus, a mail server, a personal computer, and the like are connected to each other using a communication network has been widely used. When performing Internet FAX in such a communication network system, first, the facsimile machine converts the read image data into an attached file of an e-mail and transmits the file as an e-mail. On the other hand, in an Internet FAX, a broadcast transmission can be realized from a facsimile machine by writing a plurality of mail addresses together with an e-mail destination.

[0003]

Incidentally, there are cases where it is desired to add sender information to image data read by a facsimile machine, or to attach a so-called cover page as image data. However, in broadcast transmission, whether or not to add source information or a cover page to all destinations has been uniquely determined by the sender. In other words, if there is a receiver who wants to add the sender information and the cover page to all destinations, the sender adds the sender information and the cover page. For this reason, even when there is a receiver that does not need the source information and the cover page at all destinations, the unnecessary source information and the cover page are also transmitted to the receiver.

[0004] On the other hand, if there is a recipient who does not want to add the sender information or cover page even to some of all destinations, the sender adds the sender information or cover page. I didn't. For this reason, a sender who wants to add the sender information and the cover page is transmitted without adding the necessary sender information and the cover page. In other words, it has not been possible to adopt a flexible transmission form that reflects the needs of the recipient.

The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and has the following objects. [1] An object of the present invention is to provide an Internet facsimile apparatus capable of adopting a flexible transmission mode reflecting a request of a receiver in broadcast transmission.

[2] It is an object of the present invention to provide a recording medium capable of adopting a flexible transmission mode reflecting a request of a receiver in broadcast transmission.

[0007]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an Internet facsimile apparatus for performing broadcast transmission to a mail server connected via a communication network. Storage means for storing destination attributes in broadcast transmission, and control means for grouping destinations in broadcast transmission based on the destination attributes stored in the storage means and transmitting e-mail data for each group And with.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in the Internet facsimile apparatus according to the first aspect, the control means includes information on all destinations specified by the broadcast transmission even when the destinations are grouped. To the mail server.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, a grouping process for grouping destinations in broadcast transmission on the basis of destination attributes stored in storage means for storing attributes of destinations in broadcast transmission. And a transmission process for transmitting e-mail data for each group.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment in which an Internet facsimile apparatus according to the present invention is embodied in a facsimile apparatus will be described below with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, a communication network system includes a facsimile apparatus (FA) having a telephone line L1.
X) 1, a gateway (HUB) interconnecting the gateway 2 connected to the Internet via the dedicated line L2, the mail server 3, a plurality of personal computers 4, and each of the devices 1-4.
5, a transceiver 6, an Ethernet (registered trademark) cable 7, an AUI cable 8, and a twisted pair cable 9.

The facsimile machine 1, gateway 2, mail server 3 and personal computer 4 are connected to the hub 5 via a twisted pair cable 9. Hub 5 is an AUI
It is connected to the transceiver 6 via a cable 8.
The transceiver 6 is connected to another transceiver 6 via an Ethernet cable 7. Facsimile machine 1, gateway 2, mail server 3, and personal computer 4
Has an interface for connecting to the twisted pair cable 9. The hub 5 is provided for connecting the twisted pair cable 9 and the AUI cable 8, and functions as a line concentrator in connection with the communication network T. The transceiver 6 is provided for connecting the AUI cable 8 and the Ethernet cable 7.

The facsimile machine 1 has a mail address as a client of the mail server 3. The gateway 2 includes a communication protocol for controlling communication with other devices other than the communication network T.
The gateway 2 also has a firewall function for preventing unauthorized entry into the communication network T.

The mail server 3 has a communication protocol (SMTP, POP3, etc.) used for electronic mail. When you send the e-mail with the image data attached,
Internet FAX can be realized. The mail server 3 has a mailbox for each client.

A plurality of personal computers 4 includes a control unit for controlling the entire personal computer 4, and an LCD for displaying various information.
And a storage unit such as a keyboard and mouse for inputting predetermined characters and the like, and a hard disk, etc., for instructing various information displayed on the display unit. Further, the plurality of personal computers 4 are connected to the facsimile machine 1, the gateway 2, the mail server 3 and another personal computer 4, and between the facsimile machine 1 or the mail server 3 and the external facsimile machine via the gateway 2. It has a communication protocol for transmitting and receiving. The plurality of personal computers 4 have mail addresses as clients of the mail server 3.

As shown in FIG. 2, the facsimile machine 1
Are the facsimile machine body 1a and the option board 30
It is composed of The facsimile machine main body 1a
MPU 11, ROM 12, RAM 13, reading unit 14, recording unit 15, operation unit 16, display unit 17, image memory 18,
It comprises a codec 19, a modem 20, an NCU 21, and an option board slot unit 22, and each of the units 11 to 22 is connected via a bus 23.

The MPU 11 controls each part of the facsimile machine 1. The ROM 12 stores a program for controlling the facsimile machine 1. RAM 13
Temporarily stores various information related to transmission / reception and transfer of the facsimile machine 1. The RAM 13 stores the broadcast destination information shown in FIG. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the RAM 13 stores broadcast destination information including a “mail address”, a “destination name”, and an “attribute” corresponding to the shortcut key 16b or the one-touch key 16c. Here, the “mail address” is an item indicating an email address. The “destination name” is an item indicating the name of the recipient having the mail address. That is, only the item of “mail address” is provided with the item of “destination name” in consideration of the case where the destination name is unknown. The “attribute” includes “source information”, “text”, “cover page”, and “reception capability”. Here, the “source information” is an item indicating whether or not the source information is added. “Body” is an item indicating whether to add the body of the e-mail. The “cover page” is an item indicating whether or not a cover page is added as an attached file of an e-mail. "Receiving capability"
This item indicates the capability of the receiving side. Note that “simple mode” in the item of “reception capability” refers to the Internet F
Recording paper A4, resolution 2 which is the minimum capacity in AX
00 × 200 [dpi], indicating the coding method MH.

The reading section 14 reads image data on a document and outputs black and white binary image data. The recording unit 15 is formed of an electrophotographic printer, and records received image data or image data of a document read by the reading unit 14 on recording paper in a recording operation or a copying operation of received image data.

The operation unit 16 includes a numeric keypad (including * and # keys) 16a for inputting a telephone number, an abbreviated key 16b for registering an abbreviated number or transmitting from an abbreviated number, a telephone number or a FAX number registered in advance. One-touch key 16c for designating a one-touch operation, a start key 16d for starting a document reading operation, and a "communication (FA)
X) Communication for setting "operation" or "copy" operation /
Various operation keys such as a copy key 16e are provided. LC
D, etc., of the facsimile apparatus body 1a
Various information such as the operating state of the device is displayed.

The image memory 18 is read by the received image data and the reading unit 14 and is binarized.
The image data encoded according to the R system is temporarily stored. The image memory 18 temporarily stores image data transmitted from the personal computer 4 via the option board slot unit 22.

The codec 19 encodes the image data read by the reading unit 14 in accordance with the MH, MR, MMR system or the like for transmission. The codec 19 decodes the received image data.

The modem 20 modulates and demodulates a facsimile transmission control procedure signal and image data. NCU21
Has a function of closing and opening the telephone line L1, detecting the transmission and reception of a dial signal corresponding to the fax number of the other party, and the like.

The option board slot section 22 has an option board 3 for connecting to the communication network T.
0 is equipped. That is, the option board 30
Is provided in the option board slot section 22, the connection to the communication network T becomes possible.

As shown in FIG.
Is composed of an MPU 31, a ROM 32, a RAM 33, an image memory 34, a data conversion unit 35, a PC card interface 36, a PC card type memory 37, a communication protocol control unit 38, and a network interface 39. Are connected via a bus 40.

The MPU 31 controls each component of the option board 30. The ROM 32 stores a program for controlling the option board 30. RAM
33 temporarily stores various information related to the option board 30. The image memory 34 stores the image data sent from the personal computer 4.

The data conversion unit 35 includes a TIFF, a BM transmitted from the personal computer 4 via the communication network T.
Image data such as P, GIF, JPEG, PCX, DCX, etc. can be stored in MH, MR, MMR format, TIFF-MH, TIF
The image data is converted into image data of F-MR, TIFF-MMR or the like. Conversely, the MH, MR, MMR system, TIFF-MH, TIFF-
In order to convert image data such as MR, TIFF-MMR, etc. into a format that can be easily handled by a plurality of personal computers 4, a TIF
The image data is converted into image data such as F, BMP, GIF, JPEG, PCX, and DCX.

The PC card interface 36 is
The PC card type memory 37 is accessed via the PC card adapter 36a based on the control signal from the PU 31. The PC card type memory 37 is "PC Card Standard"
Compliant with, for example, a flash memory (EEPROM), and stores data relating to transmission / reception via the option board 30. That is, even if the power of the facsimile machine 1 is stopped or a power failure occurs, data related to transmission and reception is not lost.

The communication protocol control unit 38 communicates with other devices on the communication network T via the network interface 39, or with the network interface 3
9 and a communication protocol for controlling communication with other devices other than the communication network T via the public line network or the like. Specifically, for example, it includes SMTP (mail transmission protocol), POP3 (mail reception protocol), and a salutation communication protocol specified by the Salutation Consortium.

Next, the operation when broadcasting from the facsimile machine 1 via the mail server 3 and the gateway 2 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. This operation is executed under the control of the MPU 11 based on a program stored in the ROM 12.

When an e-mail is created by the facsimile machine 1 and an instruction for broadcast transmission is given, in step S1 shown in FIG. 5, grouping is performed based on the attribute of the destination (grouping). processing). That is, RA
Grouping is performed based on the attributes of the broadcast destination information stored in M13. That is, the case where the settings of “source information”, “text”, “cover page”, and “reception capability” in the attributes of the broadcast destination information shown in FIG.
They are grouped as one group. However, if the receiving ability exceeds the setting for broadcast transmission, it is regarded as the same and grouped. Specifically, the broadcast transmission setting is A
In the case of the recording paper of No. 4 and the receiving ability of A3,
If the broadcast transmission setting is a resolution of 200 × 200 [dpi] and the reception capability is 600 × 600 [dpi], or if the broadcast transmission setting is an MH coding method and the reception capability is MH , MR, and MMR.

In step S2, the aforementioned step S
E-mail data (header,
(Including text and attachments). That is,
The destinations grouped in step S1 have the same or the same attribute. Therefore, e-mail data is created for each group.

In step S3, a mail transmission command is transmitted to mail server 3. That is,
The destination mail address is transmitted to the mail server 3. At this time, mail transmission commands are transmitted to the mail server 3 by the number of destinations grouped in step S1.

In step S4, the aforementioned step S
The data of the e-mail created in 2 is transmitted to the mail server 3 (transmission processing). At this time, as the header information, header information describing all the designated destinations of the broadcast transmission is transmitted.

In step S5, it is determined whether transmission has been completed for all broadcast transmission destinations. In other words, it is determined whether the transmission of all the groups grouped in step S1 has been completed. Then, if the transmission has been completed, this processing is terminated.
On the other hand, if the transmission has not been completed, the process returns to step S2. Then, transmission is performed to all destinations of the broadcast transmission. In other words, transmission of all groups is performed.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the following operations and effects can be obtained. (1) The RAM 13 stores “e-mail address”, “destination name”, and the like corresponding to the shortcut key 16b or the one-touch key 16c.
Broadcast destination information composed of "attributes" is stored.
The "attribute" is composed of "source information", "text", "cover page", and "reception capability". For this reason, in the broadcast transmission, the data of the e-mail is transmitted to the mail server 3 after being grouped based on the attribute of the broadcast destination information. As a result, for example, the sender information and the cover page are not transmitted to the recipient who does not need the sender information and the cover page. On the other hand, the sender information and the cover page are transmitted to the recipient who needs the sender information and the cover page. Therefore,
In the broadcast transmission, a flexible transmission form that reflects the needs of the receiver can be adopted.

(2) Even if the destinations are grouped based on the attribute of the broadcast destination information stored in the RAM 13, all the destinations specified in the broadcast transmission are used as the header information of the e-mail and the mail server 3 Is sending to. In other words, the same header information is transmitted to all destinations. For this reason, the recipient of the broadcast transmission is received as an e-mail similar to the normal broadcast transmission. Therefore, even if grouping is performed, the recipient of the broadcast transmission can know other recipients designated by the broadcast transmission.

The above embodiment can be embodied with the following modifications. -After grouping, the priorities among the groups may be further determined. Specifically, a case where the number of e-mail addresses input from the shortcut key 16b is larger is given priority,
There may be a case where priority is given to one having a larger number of e-mail addresses input from the one-touch key 16c. With this configuration, the priority of the e-mail transmitted from the mail server 3 can be determined in advance.

In the above-described embodiment, after grouping based on the attributes of the destinations, according to the number of destinations in the description column of the destinations in the group, ie, “To”, “Cc”, and “Bcc”, The priority of sending the e-mail may be determined. With this configuration, the priority of the e-mail transmitted from the mail server 3 can be determined in advance. Specifically, there may be a case where the group having the largest number of “To” columns has the highest priority. With such a configuration, priority is given to the order of the number of destinations described in the “To” column. For this reason, it is very effective especially when the broadcast transmission has a content requiring a reply.

Further, technical ideas other than the claims grasped from the above embodiment and the like will be described below together with their effects. [1] In the Internet facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, the control means, after grouping on the basis of the attribute of the destination, further determines the priority order among the groups, and based on the priority order, An Internet facsimile machine that sends mail data to a mail server. With this configuration, the priority of the e-mail transmitted from the mail server can be determined in advance.

[2] In the Internet facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, the control means groups the e-mails based on the attributes of the destinations, and further, based on the number of destinations in the destination entry column in the group. Internet facsimile machine that determines the order of priority for sending data to a mail server. With this configuration, the priority of the e-mail transmitted from the mail server can be determined in advance.

[0041]

Since the present invention is configured as described above, it has the following effects. According to the first or second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to adopt a flexible transmission mode that reflects a request of a receiver in broadcast transmission.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a recording medium capable of adopting a flexible transmission mode reflecting a request of a receiver in broadcast transmission.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a communication network system.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the facsimile apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an option board.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing broadcast destination information.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation at the time of broadcast transmission.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Facsimile apparatus as an Internet facsimile apparatus, 3 ... Mail server, 11 ... MPU which comprises control means, 12 ... ROM which comprises control means, 13 ... RAM which comprises storage means and control means, T ... Communication network S1 ... grouping processing, S4 ... transmission processing.

Claims (3)

[Claims] In an Internet facsimile apparatus for performing broadcast transmission to a mail server connected via a communication network, a storage means for storing an attribute of a destination in the broadcast transmission, and a destination stored in the storage means An Internet facsimile apparatus comprising: a control unit for grouping destinations in broadcast transmission based on the attribute of the group and transmitting electronic mail data for each group. 2. The Internet facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control means transmits information on all destinations specified by the broadcast transmission to the mail server even when the destinations are grouped. Facsimile machine. 3. A computer, comprising: a grouping process for grouping destinations in broadcast transmission based on destination attributes stored in storage means for storing attributes of destinations in broadcast transmission; A recording medium on which is recorded a program for executing a transmission process of transmitting mail data.