JP2004222310A - E-mail device and relay and transfer method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve a problem that, after a sender requests a facsimile transmission operation to a NETFAX, the sender cannot find out if the facsimile transmission has been successfully completed, unless the user goes to the installation site of the NETFAX and checks a display part. <P>SOLUTION: The e-mail device is provided with an e-mail receiving means 1 for receiving e-mails, a facsimile transmitting means 6 for converting e-mail data received by the e-mail receiving means 1 to facsimile data and performing the facsimile transmission; and when the facsimile data are transmitted by the facsimile transmitting means 6, and it is checked whether or not the domain name of the recipient has been registered beforehand. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an e-mail apparatus and a relay transfer method for notifying a transmission result of relay facsimile data received via a LAN or a processing result of print data to e-mail addresses of a facsimile transmission request node, a print request node, and an administrator node. Things.

  2. Description of the Related Art A system in which a printing apparatus and a facsimile apparatus are connected to a LAN (Local Area Network) and a print processing and a facsimile transmission processing can be requested from a personal computer connected to the LAN to the printing apparatus and the facsimile apparatus has spread. I have.

  In such a system, typically, the printing apparatus and the facsimile apparatus execute each processing requested from the personal computer and terminate. When the paper runs out or a paper jam occurs, an abnormal message is displayed on a display unit provided in the printing apparatus or the facsimile apparatus. Some facsimile machines have a function of facsimile outputting (printing out) abnormal information. The requester who has requested the printing or facsimile transmission processing from the personal computer to the printing apparatus or the facsimile apparatus determines that the processing has been completed normally unless an abnormal message is displayed on the display unit.

  FIG. 24 shows a network configuration of a LAN to which a printing apparatus and a facsimile apparatus are connected, and FIG. 25 shows functional blocks of a conventional printing apparatus. A printing apparatus 210, a personal computer 211, and a network-connected facsimile apparatus (hereinafter referred to as “NETFAX”) 212 are connected to a LAN 213.

  The printing apparatus 210 includes a CPU 221 for controlling the entire apparatus, a ROM 222 for storing programs, a RAM 223 used as a work area by the programs, a printer unit 224 for performing print processing using a printer protocol such as LPD, and exchanges print data over a LAN. And a LAN interface unit 225 to be used.

  The NET FAX 212 includes a FAX unit that performs facsimile data transmission / reception processing instead of the printer unit 224. Hereinafter, an information processing terminal for a requester to request facsimile transmission or print processing to a NETFAX or a printing apparatus is referred to as a requester node. The personal computer 211 is the requester node.

  The requester node 211 requests the printing device 210 to perform a printing process, and the printing device 210 that has received the request takes in the print data via the LAN 213 and prints it. The requester node 211 requests facsimile transmission to the NETFAX 212 and passes facsimile data via the LAN 213. Send.

  However, in the above-described conventional technique, after the requester node 211 requests the facsimile transmission process to the NETFAX 212, the facsimile transmission is normally performed unless the requester directly goes to the NETFAX installation location and checks the display unit. Can not know whether or not has ended.

  Even if a message indicating an error is printed out from the NETFAX, there is a time lag from when a request for facsimile transmission processing is made to when the message indicating an error is printed out and returned to the user's hand. The fact that it was not done may not be transmitted to the client for a long time.

  In some cases, the fact that the facsimile has been transmitted must be reported to one or more managers separately from the requester who requested the facsimile transmission processing. In such a case, it has been troublesome to report the facsimile transmission result to each manager, and to leave a memo describing the facsimile transmission result for the absence manager.

  When the print request is requested from the client node 211 to the printing apparatus 210, the same problem as in the case of facsimile transmission occurs.

  Also, in the case of print processing, if no error message is displayed on the main unit but the print data requested by you is not easily printed, even if you are waiting for the print queue due to the queue being crowded, check with the queue check command. Unless it is done, it is impossible to know the status, and it takes time to check the printer many times.

  Furthermore, since not all abnormalities are displayed on the display, they may not be displayed on the display, but even if there is a result that you want to know immediately, you may not be able to know until the problem is solved by restarting the system. Was.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems. A facsimile apparatus or a printing apparatus displays a processing result of a processing requested via a LAN, a requester node or an administrator node requesting notification of the processing result. It is an object of the present invention to provide an e-mail device and a relay transfer method that can promptly notify an e-mail to an e-mail and can streamline the operation of notifying the result of a process requested via a network.

  The present invention provides an e-mail receiving means for receiving an e-mail, a facsimile transmitting means for converting e-mail data received by the e-mail receiving means into facsimile data and facsimile transmission, and a storage means in which a domain name is registered. Setting the data immediately before the destination address received by the electronic mail receiving means as a facsimile transmission destination, and if the domain name in the destination address is not registered in the storage means, an error is notified to the mail server. An electronic mail device characterized by returning.

  The present invention provides a relay transfer method for receiving an e-mail, converting the received e-mail data into facsimile data and transmitting the facsimile data, wherein the data immediately before the received destination address is set as a facsimile transmission destination, and If the domain name in the address is not a registered domain name, an error is returned to the mail server.

  According to the present invention, received e-mail data can be converted to facsimile data and transmitted by facsimile. The processing result of the processing requested via the LAN can be promptly notified by e-mail to the requester node or the administrator node.

  Further, it is easy to set a facsimile transmission destination.

  Also, by confirming with a domain name, a request from an unregistered domain name can be excluded.

  In addition, an error notification can be made for the excluded request.

  As described above, the efficiency of the processing requested via the network can be improved.

  The present invention relates to a printing apparatus for performing print processing of print data received from a requesting node via a LAN, means for taking in the print data transmitted from the requesting node onto the LAN from the LAN, Means for extracting an e-mail address of a notification destination node serving as a notification destination of a processing result of the printing processing from among the above; a means for detecting a processing result of the printing processing executed on the print data; Means for notifying the electronic mail address of the notification destination node by electronic mail.

  Further, according to the present invention, in the printing apparatus, the detecting unit detects that a processing result of the printing process performed on the print data is a normal end, and the notifying unit detects a normal end. A message indicating that the printing process has been completed normally is sent to the e-mail address of the notification destination node.

  Further, according to the present invention, in the printing apparatus, the detecting unit detects that a processing result of a printing process performed on the print data is abnormal, and the notifying unit detects the abnormality when the abnormality is detected. A message indicating that the printing process is abnormal is notified to the e-mail address of the notification destination node.

  Further, in the printing apparatus, the printing apparatus may further include means for accumulating a plurality of print data taken from the LAN, and correlating an e-mail address of a notification destination node extracted from the print data with the print data of the extraction source. And a means for extracting the e-mail address of the notification destination node corresponding to the print data whose processing result has been detected from the storage means and notifying the notification means.

  Further, in the printing apparatus, the printing apparatus may further include a unit configured to extract a processing result item that can be notified to the notification destination node from the print data captured from the LAN; Means for instructing the notifying means to notify the notification destination node of the processing result if the result is included in the result item.

  Further, in the above-described printing apparatus, when the processing result items extracted from the print data include an item waiting to be printed, and when a print waiting queue state is detected, the number of waiting queues, The attached information including the size is notified to the e-mail address of the notification destination node immediately after receiving the print data.

  The present invention also relates to the printing apparatus, wherein the means for receiving an e-mail via the LAN, a means for extracting an e-mail address of an administrator node from the received e-mail, and an e-mail address of the administrator node And means for notifying the detected result of the processing to the e-mail address of the administrator node by e-mail.

  Further, in the printing apparatus according to the present invention, the processing device may further include a unit configured to extract, from the received e-mail, a processing result item that can be notified to the administrator node; And a means for instructing the notifying means to notify the manager node of the processing result if the information is included.

  According to the present invention, there is provided a processing result notifying method for notifying a notification destination node of a result of a printing process in a printing apparatus, comprising the following step (a): Extracting a mail address, (b) detecting a result of the printing process in the printing apparatus, and (c) notifying the detected processing result to an e-mail address of the notification destination node by e-mail. This is a processing result notification method.

  A facsimile apparatus of the present invention is a facsimile apparatus for facsimile transmitting facsimile data received from a requesting node via a LAN to a destination designated by the requesting node. An extracting unit for extracting an e-mail address of a notification destination node which is a notification destination of a processing result of facsimile transmission from the captured facsimile data, and a transmission process performed on the facsimile data. A detection unit that detects a processing result; and a notifying unit that notifies the detected email of the processing result to the email address of the notification destination node by email.

  Further, the printing apparatus of the present invention is a printing apparatus for performing print processing of print data received from a requesting node via a LAN, wherein a capturing unit for capturing from the LAN the print data transmitted from the requesting node to the LAN, An extracting unit that extracts an e-mail address of a notification destination node that is a notification destination of a processing result of a printing process from the captured print data, and a detecting unit that detects a processing result of a printing process performed on the print data And a notifying unit for notifying the detected processing result to the electronic mail address of the notification destination node by electronic mail.

  According to the facsimile apparatus and the printing apparatus configured as described above, the notification e-mail address can be recognized from the received data, so that the facsimile transmission or print processing results can be both normal and abnormal. Since the result can be notified by e-mail, the side requesting transmission processing or print processing can know the result on the spot. In addition, it is possible to save unnecessary work such as repeatedly going to the facsimile apparatus or the printing apparatus and checking.

  The facsimile apparatus of the present invention stores a storage unit for storing a plurality of facsimile data fetched from the LAN and an e-mail address of a notification destination node extracted from the facsimile data in association with the facsimile data of the extraction source. It has a table and a function of extracting an e-mail address of a notification destination node corresponding to the facsimile data whose processing result has been detected from the table and notifying the notification unit.

  The printing apparatus according to the present invention stores a plurality of print data fetched from the LAN, and stores an e-mail address of a notification destination node extracted from the print data in correspondence with the print data of the extraction source. And a function for taking out the e-mail address of the notification destination node corresponding to the print data whose processing result has been detected from the table and notifying the notification means.

  According to the facsimile apparatus and the printing apparatus configured as described above, when there are a plurality of sides requesting facsimile transmission or print processing, and when a plurality of data are received, a processing result of each data is added to each data. Since it is possible to individually notify each of the notified e-mail addresses for notification, the processing requesting side can obtain only the processing result requested by itself. Also, since one processing requester can request a plurality of data processings and a file name is notified in addition to the processing result, it is possible to immediately know which processing has been completed normally and which processing has been abnormal. .

  The facsimile apparatus of the present invention includes an extraction unit for extracting a processing result item that can be notified to the notification destination node from facsimile data taken in from a LAN, and an item that matches a detected processing result is included in the processing result item. And an instruction unit for instructing the notifying means to notify the notification destination node of the processing result if it is included.

  The printing apparatus according to the present invention further includes an extraction unit that extracts a processing result item that can be notified to the notification destination node from the print data captured from the LAN, and an item that matches the detected processing result is included in the processing result item. And an instruction unit for instructing the notifying means to notify the notification destination node of the processing result if it is included.

  According to the facsimile apparatus and the printing apparatus configured as described above, it is possible to recognize the type of the result information that enables notification in addition to the notification e-mail address from the received facsimile data or print data, thereby performing transmission processing. Alternatively, since the result can be notified only when the result matches the result of the print processing, the processing requesting side can dynamically specify only the type of the result information to be notified at the time of occurrence.

  In the facsimile apparatus of the present invention, when the processing result item extracted from the facsimile data includes an item waiting to be transmitted, when the state of the waiting queue of facsimile transmission is detected, the number of waiting queues and the queue size are reduced. The attached information is notified to the e-mail address of the notification destination node immediately after receiving the facsimile data.

  In the printing apparatus of the present invention, when the processing result item extracted from the print data includes an item waiting to be printed, when a print waiting queue state is detected, the printing device includes a queue number and a queue size. The attached information is notified to the electronic mail address of the notification destination node immediately after receiving the print data.

  According to the facsimile apparatus and the printing apparatus configured as described above, when the type of the notification possible result information added to the facsimile data or the print data and the processing result match in “print queue waiting”, the notification is performed. The e-mail address is notified of "waiting for print queue" and the number of queues and queue size as its additional information. It is possible to roughly examine whether the process is executed and a message of the normal end is notified. For this reason, print data is not easily output, and it is not necessary to go to the printer several times to check the status, or to check the print queue status using a queue check command.

  A facsimile apparatus of the present invention includes a receiving unit that receives an e-mail via the LAN, an extracting unit that extracts an e-mail address of a manager node from the received e-mail, and an e-mail address of the manager node. A memory for storing, and a notifying unit for notifying an electronic mail address of the manager node of the detected processing result by electronic mail.

  The printing apparatus according to the present invention includes a receiving unit that receives an e-mail via the LAN, an extracting unit that extracts an e-mail address of a manager node from the received e-mail, and an e-mail address of the manager node. A memory for storing, and a notifying unit for notifying an electronic mail address of the manager node of the detected processing result by electronic mail.

  According to the facsimile apparatus and the printing apparatus configured as described above, one or more administrator notification e-mail addresses can be registered in advance by e-mail. When the administrator wants to notify the result, the result can be notified at the same time. In addition, by associating the administrator notification e-mail address with the notification possible result information added to the data, it becomes possible to notify different administrators according to the processing result to be generated. Further, since a plurality of administrator notification e-mail addresses can be registered, one result information can be notified to a plurality of administrators, and conversely, a plurality of result information can be notified to one administrator. As a result, it is not necessary to report each special result to each manager.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
The first embodiment is an example of a communication result notification system for notifying a client node of a processing result of facsimile transmission from a NETFAX by e-mail. Description will be made by taking the network configuration shown in FIG. 24 as an example.

  FIG. 1 shows functional blocks of NETFAX in the communication result notification system. The NETFAX includes a CPU 1 for controlling the entire apparatus, a ROM 2 for storing the program, a RAM 3 for the program to use as a work area, a format conversion section 4, a facsimile data storage section 5, a facsimile section 6, a LAN interface section 7, and a modem 8 , A network control unit 9.

  A procedure necessary for taking in facsimile data from the LAN in the LAN interface unit 7 is executed. The format converter 4 converts the image data of the transmission original received via the LAN into a G3 facsimile format. The received facsimile data is temporarily stored in the facsimile data storage unit 5. The facsimile section 6 performs facsimile data transmission / reception processing. The modem 8 performs necessary modulation or demodulation at the time of data transmission / reception, and the network control unit 9 controls the line.

  FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a process of notifying the result of the facsimile transmission process to the notification e-mail address. In FIG. 24, when notifying the result of the facsimile transmission process from the NETFAX (212) to the requester node (211), the requester node incorporates the e-mail address of the requester node on the network into the header portion of the facsimile data. send.

  In the NETFAX, the facsimile data transmitted from the client node via the LAN is received by the LAN interface unit 7 (st1), and the received facsimile data is temporarily stored in the facsimile data storage unit 5 (st2).

  The CPU 1 recognizes the notification e-mail address added to the received facsimile data from the data (st3), and registers the notification e-mail address in the table 10 provided in the RAM 3 (st4). The image data received as facsimile data is converted by the format converter 4 into a G3 facsimile format (st5).

  On the other hand, the CPU 1 instructs the facsimile unit 6 to perform a facsimile transmission process requested by the requester node. The facsimile unit 6 performs transmission processing of facsimile data that has been format-converted in accordance with the G3 facsimile (st6). The CPU 1 issues an instruction for facsimile transmission processing to the facsimile unit 6 and then detects the result of the facsimile reception processing (st7).

  A notification message based on the processing result in the facsimile unit 6 is determined from the notification messages registered in advance (st8), and the notification message is sent to the notification e-mail address registered in the table 10 by e-mail. Notify (st9). Here, since the requester node 211 is set in the notification e-mail address, the e-mail of the notification message is delivered to the e-mail address of the requester node 211.

  According to the first embodiment, the result of the facsimile transmission process is notified to the facsimile transmission request node by e-mail. Therefore, when the facsimile transmission has been completed normally, the communication result indicating that the transmission has been normally completed can be received by the facsimile transmission request node, and when the transmission has been abnormal, the communication result indicating that there has been a transmission error can be received by the facsimile transmission request node. be able to. This eliminates the need for the client himself to visit the installation location of the facsimile machine and check the display contents (abnormal message) on the display unit. When a message such as notification of non-delivery is output to the display unit, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the message is not correctly transmitted due to, for example, forgetting to check the display unit.

  A case where the NETFAX transfers the reception result of the facsimile data received from the PSTN to the receiving node on the LAN by e-mail will be described.

  A transmitting node that transmits facsimile data transmits an e-mail address of the receiving node on the network in a header portion of the facsimile data.

  In the NETFAX, the facsimile unit 6 receives facsimile data from the PSTN (st21), and temporarily stores the facsimile data in the facsimile data storage unit 5 (st22). The CPU 1 recognizes the notification e-mail address of the receiving node inserted in the header portion of the received facsimile data from the data (st23), and registers the notification e-mail address in the table 10 provided in the RAM 3. (St24).

  When facsimile data of one page or all pages is stored in the facsimile data storage unit 5, printing of image data is started (st25). The facsimile reception processing is completed through processing steps from reception of facsimile data to printing.

  The result of the facsimile reception process is detected (st26), and a notification message based on the processing result in the facsimile unit 6 is determined from the notification messages registered in advance (st27). Then, the notification message is notified by e-mail to the e-mail address of the receiving node registered in the table 10 (St28).

  According to the first embodiment, the result of the facsimile receiving process is notified to the receiving node by e-mail, so that the receiving node can know when the facsimile data has arrived. It can be obtained, and the problem that the transmitted facsimile data is hard to reach the destination is solved.

(Second embodiment)
FIG. 3 illustrates a configuration example of a communication network to which the communication result notification system according to the second embodiment is applied. A first requester node 12, a manager node 13, and a NETFAX 14 are connected to the LAN 11 by a personal computer (PC). The NETFAX 14 is connected to the G3 FAX 16 via the PSTN 15 and can perform facsimile communication via a telephone line. A plurality of LANs belong to the Internet 17 to which the LAN 11 is connected, and another client node 19 and a NETFAX 20 exist on one LAN 18 among them. Hereinafter, a description will be given assuming that the NETFAX 14 relays and prints facsimile data.

  FIG. 4 shows functional blocks of the NETFAX 14. The NET FAX 14 includes a FAX control unit 21 and a LAN control unit 30. The facsimile control unit 21 includes a CPU 22 for mainly controlling a facsimile transmission / reception process and a transmission result notification process, a ROM 23 for storing a program executed by the CPU 22, a RAM 24 for registering various tables and used as a work area. I have. Further, the facsimile control unit 21 includes a scanner unit 25 for reading a transmission original, a printer unit 26 for printing image data, a panel unit 27 for inputting various information such as a telephone number and an e-mail address, and modulates facsimile data. A modem 28 for demodulation and a serial interface 29 for exchanging data with the LAN control unit 30 are provided. On the other hand, the LAN control unit 30 includes a CPU 31 for mainly controlling the exchange of facsimile data with the LAN 11, a ROM 32 for storing a program for operating the CPU 31, a RAM 33 for storing data used by the program, and an Ethernet ( (Registered trademark) or the like, and a LAN interface 34 for connecting to the LAN 11 and a serial interface 35 for connecting to the FAX control unit 21.

  When the requester node (12, 19, 20) requests the NETFAX 14 to relay or print the facsimile data, the requester node sends the facsimile data or print data as an e-mail or a frame to the LAN 11 data stream. The requester node sets either the print address or the relay address to the destination address of the e-mail or the frame carrying the facsimile data or print data according to the data content.

  FIG. 5 shows a specific example of the relay address. The relay address includes a password for causing the NETFAX 14 to relay facsimile data, a telephone number of the destination G3 FAX 16, a host name of the NETFAX 14, and a domain name. The part of the destination address sandwiched between # and $ indicates that the telephone number of the G3 FAX 16 is the destination. FIG. 6 shows a specific example of the print address. The NETFAX 14 identifies the relay address and the print address by checking the data arrangement of the destination address.

  In addition, the NETFAX 14 is provided with a mechanism that does not accept a relay from a node other than a specific client node registered in advance. A management table in which the domain name and password of the client node relayed by the NETFAX 14 are registered is prepared in advance and stored in the RAM 24 of the FAX control unit 21.

  FIG. 7 shows the configuration of the management table. If only the relay of the route 3 is permitted and the relay of the routes 1 and 2 is not permitted on the network configuration of FIG. 3, only the domain name of the requester node of the route 3 is registered in the management table.

  FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 show flowcharts of the relay processing of facsimile data in the NETFAX 14. The management table shown in FIG. 7 is backed up and stored in the RAM 24 of the facsimile control unit 21 and is transferred to the LAN control unit 30 at the time of startup.

  A case where a requester's note (personal computer) 12 in the LAN 11 requests the NETFAX 14 to relay facsimile data to the G3 FAX 16 will be described. The requester node 12 transmits data to be transmitted as facsimile data to the NETFAX 14 in an e-mail format. At this time, the requester node 12 sets the relay address and the source address shown in FIG. 5 in the e-mail.

  The NETFAX 14 receives an e-mail of facsimile data to be relayed from the requester node 12 to the G3 FAX 16 at a telephone number dedicated to the relay (st31). The facsimile data part (text data, image data) included in the received e-mail is converted into a facsimile data format.

  Next, the password is checked with reference to the management table transferred to the RAM 33 of the LAN control unit 30 (st32). The password (ifax 001) placed at the head of the relay address shown in FIG. 5 is extracted and collated with the password registered in the management table. If it can be confirmed that there is a matching password in the management table, it is determined that the password is correct (st33). If the password is correct, the source domain name is further checked with reference to the management table (st34). The domain name described in the source address of the received e-mail is extracted, and the extracted source domain name is compared with the domain name in the management table corresponding to the previously checked password. If the source domain name is registered in the management table, it is determined that the facsimile data of the received e-mail may be relayed (st35). Note that a plurality of domain names can be registered for one password.

  Since a password for using the NETFAX 14 for relay is given to a specific client and the password is registered in the management table, the NETFAX 14 can accept only a relay request from the specific client.

  Even if the relay address including the password is leaked to a third party, unauthorized use of the NETFAX 14 can be prevented by restricting the source domain name in the processing in step 34.

  If it is determined in step 35 that the mail data from the client node 12 may be relayed, the mail data is sent from the LAN control unit 30 to the facsimile control unit 21 via the serial interface 35.

  The facsimile control section 21 extracts the destination telephone number between the # mark and the @ mark from the relay address of the mail data, and temporarily stores the destination telephone number and the mail data in the RAM 24. The facsimile control unit 21 transmits a log to the administrator node 13 of the administrator who manages the NETFAX (st36). The log transmitted to the administrator node 13 includes a source, a destination telephone number, data contents, and the like. As described above, the source node address and the destination telephone number are notified to the manager node 13 every time there is a relay, so that a situation such as an abnormal increase in the amount of relay can be quickly checked. .

  Next, a call is made to the destination telephone number stored in the RAM 24, and the mail data converted for facsimile is transmitted by facsimile (st37). Then, the text data indicating the transmission result is stored in the text portion of the e-mail (st38), and the first page transmitted by facsimile in the e-mail is stored as an attached file (st39). The e-mail storing the transmission result and the first page is transmitted to the source address (st40).

  If the password or the domain name is different in the processing of step 33 or 35, an error is returned to the mail server (st41). An error mail is returned from the mail server to the requester node.

  With reference to FIG. 10, the notification process for notifying the requester node of the communication result will be described in detail. This communication result notification process corresponds to steps 38 to 40 described above.

  When the client node 12 requests the NETFAX 14 for relay transmission, the NETFAX 14 converts the electronic mail into facsimile data (image data). At this time, the destination telephone number and the source address are extracted from the destination address and the source address of the mail data, and a management table as shown in FIG. 8 is created, and the facsimile data is transmitted to the destination requested by calling the destination telephone number. Is transmitted (st51).

  The NETFAX 14 detects the transmission result by the same processing as that of the existing facsimile machine (st52). In a memory (for example, a part of the RAM 24) for displaying on the display unit, if transmission is normally completed, transmission OK is stored as transmission / reception history, and if transmission is not successful, transmission NG is stored.

  When the transmission history is stored in the memory in the process of step 52, the contents of the transmission result are checked (st53). In the case of transmission NG, the text data of the message indicating the transmission abnormality is read from the memory (st54). If the transmission is OK, the text data of the message indicating the completion of the transmission is read from the memory (st55).

  Although the text data is read from the memory when the transmission is completed and when the transmission is abnormal, the text data may be read in only one of the cases.

  When the text data corresponding to the transmission abnormality or the text data corresponding to the transmission completion is generated, the source address stored in the management table shown in FIG. Take out. The source address, which is the address of the client node 12, is set as the mail address of the communication result mail (st56). The text data of the communication result message created in steps 54 and 55 is copied to the text / Plain portion of the communication result mail (st57). Further, the first page of the image data transmitted and processed in step 51 in response to the relay request is cut out (st58), and the cut out image data is converted to Base64 and copied to the image part (st59). That is, the cut image data is filed and attached.

  Then, an e-mail in which the text data of the communication result message is inserted in the text part and the image data of the first page is attached to the image part is sent to the sender address which is the address of the client node (st60).

  As a result, when the requester node 12 requests the NETFAX 14 to relay to the G3 FAX 16, when the transmission processing is completed, the NETFAX 14 sends the communication result message and the e-mail attached with the image data of the first page. come. Therefore, the requester does not go to the place where the NETFAX 14 is installed to check the transmission result, and can immediately know the transmission result after the transmission processing is completed.

  Also, in the case where a relay request is made with the source (domain name) falsely, the transmission result notification is returned to the source set in the mail data. Since it is not returned, the false requester can be excluded from the result notification service. Also, the third party node that used the domain name without consent will be notified of the result of sending e-mail that has not been requested by the third party, so the third party will be using their own domain name illegally Can be found.

  FIG. 11 shows a sequence for transferring a transmission result and the like from the facsimile control unit 21 to the LAN control unit 30. All the mail data received by the NETFAX 14 from the requester node is managed by the facsimile control unit 21. When the source address of the management table is passed from the facsimile control unit 21 as a reply mail address, the LAN control unit 30 sets the reply mail address as the destination of the result notification mail. When the transmission result text is passed from the facsimile control unit 21 to the LAN control unit 30, the transmission result text is copied to the text part of the result notification mail.

  As described above, by managing all data on the facsimile control unit 21 side, complicated control is possible, and delivery confirmation can be performed under the same control as ordinary mail transmission, thereby simplifying the program configuration. . Further, since the normal facsimile control unit 21 has a higher CPU function than the LAN control unit 30, the facsimile control unit 21 can handle larger data by managing the data.

(Third embodiment)
The third embodiment is a communication result notification system in which a printing apparatus that has received a print processing request via a network notifies a print processing result by e-mail. The printing apparatus in the communication result notification system according to the third embodiment is arranged on a network shown in FIG. 24, and receives print data via the network.

  FIG. 12 is a basic configuration diagram of a printing apparatus in the communication result notification system according to the third embodiment. The printing apparatus includes a CPU 41 for controlling the entire apparatus, a ROM 42 for storing a program describing the processing contents of the CPU 41, a RAM 43 used as a program data area, and a printer unit 44 for performing a printing process using a printer protocol such as LPD. And a LAN interface unit 45 for exchanging print data on the LAN.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a process of notifying the result of the print process to the notification e-mail address. Upon receiving the print data requested to be printed from the client node (st70), the printing apparatus recognizes the notification e-mail address added to the received print data from the data (St71).

  When notifying the requester node that requested the print processing of the print processing result, the sender address added to the print data can be used as the notification e-mail address, so it is necessary to add a special notification e-mail address. There is no. If the requester node differs from the notification destination node of the print processing result, the requester node sets the e-mail address of the notification destination node in the print data as the notification e-mail address.

  The CPU 41 registers the notification e-mail address recognized from the print data in a reply address table provided in the RAM 43 (st72). The CPU 41 instructs the printer unit 44 to perform a printing process. As a result, the print processing of the received print data is executed (st73). If the print processing has been executed, the result of the print processing in the printer unit 44 is detected (st74). A notification message according to the detected processing result is determined (st75), and the notification e-mail address previously registered in the reply address table T1 is extracted. A notification message is notified to the notification e-mail address by e-mail (st76).

  FIG. 14 shows a processing flow when the result of the print processing detected in step 74 is a normal end. First, the result of the print processing is detected (st81), and it is confirmed that the print processing has been completed normally (st82). When it is confirmed that the process has been completed normally, a message indicating that the process has been completed is notified to the notification e-mail address registered in the reply address table T1 by e-mail (st83). If it is determined in step 82 that the process has not been completed normally, a message indicating that the process has been completed normally is not notified.

  FIG. 15 shows a processing flow in the case where the result of the print processing detected in step 74 is abnormal termination. The result of the print processing is detected (st84), and it is determined whether or not the print processing has ended abnormally (st85). If it can be confirmed that the print processing has been abnormally terminated, a message indicating the abnormality is notified to the notification e-mail address registered in the reply address table T1 (st86). If not abnormal, no abnormal message is notified.

  As described above, according to the third embodiment, the e-mail address for notifying the processing result can be known directly from the received print data. The result can be notified. Therefore, there is no need for the client who has requested the print processing to go to the place where the printer device is installed, and the print processing result can be obtained on the spot.

  The side requesting the print processing can easily execute the print processing based on the above by specifying the e-mail address to be notified and pressing the setting button in the dialog box displayed on the personal computer.

  Also, once the e-mail address to be notified is set, the dialog box will not be displayed at the next print processing request and there is no need to set the e-mail address for notification again, but it can be changed if necessary. It becomes possible.

(Fourth embodiment)
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  The fourth embodiment is a system in which a printing apparatus that has received a print processing request via a network notifies the result of the print processing by e-mail. The basic configuration is the same as that of the third embodiment. The printing device is arranged on the network shown in FIG. 24, and receives print data via the network.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a process of notifying the processing result of each of a plurality of print data received from a plurality of print processing requesters to each notification e-mail address added to each of the plurality of print data.

  When a plurality of print data are received from a plurality of request nodes at the same time (st90), all print data are stored in a storage secured in the RAM 43 (st91). The respective notification e-mail addresses are recognized from the print data stored in the storage (st92), and the recognized notification e-mail addresses are registered in the reply address table T1 in association with the respective print data and stored. (St93). Print processing is performed for each print data (st94), and it is detected whether the result of the print processing is normally completed or abnormal (st95). The respective notification messages are determined based on the result (st96), and the respective notification messages are notified to the respective notification e-mail addresses corresponding to the print data obtained by referring to the table T1 (st97).

  FIG. 17 shows a correspondence table T1 between the print data registered in step 93 and the notification e-mail address. The reception number is determined according to the order in which the print data was received. The notification e-mail address is a notification e-mail address added to the print data, and the notification e-mail address is associated with the reception number. In the illustrated example, the print data of the reception number 1 has a notification e-mail address of 123.456.789.00, and the print processing result of the print data is notified to the address.

  As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, the e-mail address for notifying the result of each print processing is added to all of the plurality of print data received from the plurality of print processing requesters. Can obtain the result of the processing individually.

(Fifth embodiment)
Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  The fifth embodiment is a system in which a printing apparatus that has received a print processing request via a network notifies the result of the print processing by e-mail. The basic configuration is the same as that of the third embodiment. The printing apparatus is arranged on the network shown in FIG. 24 and receives print data via the network.

  FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a process of notifying the notification e-mail address of the result when the result of the print processing matches the reportable result information specified in the print data.

  The requester node 211 adds the notification e-mail address and the type of the processing result to be notified (notifiable result information) to the print data requested to the printing apparatus.

  The printing apparatus receives print data from the client node 211 via the network (st101). The notification e-mail address and the type of notification possible result information are recognized from the received print data (st102). The noticeable result information recognized from the print data is registered in the reply address table T1 in correspondence with the notification e-mail address in the table T1 (st103).

  FIG. 19 shows a table T1 in which the notification e-mail address registered in step 103 is associated with the type of notification possible result information. The number set in the table T1 is a numerical value uniquely assigned (corresponding to one to one) for each print data. Further, the notification e-mail address recognized in step 102 and the type of the notification enabled information result are described in association with each other. A plurality of notification possible result information can be specified for one notification e-mail address. In the example shown in the figure, the notification e-mail address of the print data indicated by the number 1 is 123.456.789.00, and the print result includes three types of “paper jam”, “communication error”, and “paper out”. Only in such a case, a message indicating the result is notified to the e-mail address.

  After setting the notification e-mail address and the notification enable result information in the table T1, print processing for printing the print data is performed (st104). If the print processing has been executed, the result of the print processing is detected (st105). Then, it is checked whether or not the notifiable result information corresponding to the detected processing result is registered in the notifiable result information corresponding to the corresponding number in the table T1 (st106). When it is confirmed that the notification possible result information that matches the detected processing result is registered in the table T1 (st107), a notification message corresponding to the processing result is determined from the notification messages registered in advance (st108). ), And notifies the determined notification message to the electronic mail address in the table T1 by electronic mail (st109).

  In the process of step 107, when the notification possible result information that matches the processing result is not registered in the table T1, the notification by the electronic mail is not performed.

  According to the fifth embodiment, the print processing requesting side can dynamically specify the notification e-mail address and the type of the reportable result information. The message can be received at the requester node only when it occurs.

(Sixth embodiment)
Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  The sixth embodiment is a system in which a printing apparatus that has received a print processing request via a network notifies the result of the print processing by e-mail. The basic configuration is the same as that of the third embodiment. The printing apparatus is arranged on the network shown in FIG. 24 and receives print data via the network.

  FIG. 20 illustrates a case where the print processing result is “waiting for print queue” and the notification possible result information specified in the print data includes “waiting for print queue”. It is a flow which shows the process which notifies a result.

  The requester node 211 sets “print queue waiting” as one of the reportable result information in the print data requested to the printing apparatus.

  The printing apparatus receives, from the requester node 211, print data in which “notification of print queue” is set in the reportable result information (st110). The noticeable result information including the notification e-mail address added to the received print data and “waiting for print queue” is recognized from the print data (st111). The notification e-mail address recognized from the print data is registered in the reply address table T1, and the notification possible result information including “print queue waiting” is registered corresponding to the notification e-mail address (st112).

  The printing apparatus performs print processing for printing the print data received in step 110 (st113). At this time, if another print request has been received, the print request requested this time is in a “print queue waiting” state. Therefore, it is detected whether or not a state of “waiting for print queue” has occurred in this printing apparatus (st114). When the CPU detects a state of “waiting for print queue” when instructing the printer unit to perform the printing process, the CPU determines whether “waiting for print queue” is registered in the reportable result information registered in the table T1. Check (st115). As a result of the check, when it is confirmed that “print queue waiting” is registered (st116), the number of waiting queues and the queue size as the additional information are obtained (st117). A notification message including the number of queues and the queue size in the attached information is determined (st118), and the notification message is notified to the e-mail address corresponding to the result information in the table T1 (st119).

  If "waiting for print queue" is not registered in the processing of step 116, the processing result is detected again when the print job is shifted from the waiting queue to the next print processing, and the same processing as in the fifth embodiment is performed. Notify the result.

  According to the sixth embodiment, even if the print state does not end normally due to “waiting for print queue”, the state and the attached information can be obtained. It gives a rough idea of where the process will be executed and finished. As a result, it is troublesome to go to the printing apparatus many times to check, and if it takes a long time to print out, another work can be performed during that time. The waiting time may be calculated based on the number of queues and the queue size.

(Seventh embodiment)
Next, a seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  The seventh embodiment is a system in which a printing apparatus that has received a print processing request via a network notifies the result of the print processing by e-mail. The basic configuration is the same as that of the third embodiment. The printing apparatus is arranged on the network shown in FIG. 24 and receives print data via the network. An administrator node, which is a destination of the print result, is arranged on the network.

  FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a process of notifying an administrator notification e-mail address registered in advance by e-mail of the print processing result.

  The administrator node, the requester node, or another node notifies the printing apparatus of an administrator notification e-mail address, which is the e-mail address of the administrator node, by e-mail in advance.

  The printing apparatus receives an e-mail for notifying the administrator notification e-mail address (st120), and recognizes the administrator notification e-mail address from the e-mails (st121). The e-mail address for use is registered in the administrator notification address table T2 (st122). The administrator notification address table T2 is secured in the RAM of the printing apparatus.

  For example, when a printing process is requested to a specific printing apparatus, a print result may need to be transmitted to an administrator. In such a case, prior to requesting the printing apparatus to perform the printing process, the requester node notifies the administrator node of the administrator node e-mail address.

  Upon receiving the print data (st123), the printing apparatus recognizes the notification e-mail address added to the print data (st124) and registers the recognized notification e-mail address in the reply address table T1. (St125). Print processing for printing the received print data is performed (st126), and the processing result is detected (st127). A notification message based on the detected processing result is determined (st128), and the determined notification message is stored in the administrator notification email address registered in the table T2 in step 122 and the notification email address registered in the table T1 in step 125. Each is notified (st129).

  According to the seventh embodiment, the result of the print processing can be notified not only to the requester node but also to the administrator node by e-mail.

(Eighth embodiment)
Next, an eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  The eighth embodiment is a system in which a printing apparatus that has received a print processing request via a network notifies the result of the print processing by e-mail, and the basic configuration is the same as that of the third embodiment. The printing apparatus is arranged on the network shown in FIG. 24 and receives print data via the network. A plurality of administrator nodes that are destinations of print results are arranged on the network.

  In the eighth embodiment, the type of noticeable result information registered in advance by e-mail in correspondence with the administrator notification e-mail address and the notification specified in the print data in correspondence with the notification e-mail address When the type of the possible result information matches the actual print processing result, the result is notified to each e-mail address.

  FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing a process of notifying the administrator notification e-mail address and the notification e-mail address of the result when the type of the notification possible result information matches the actual print processing result.

  The administrator node notifies the printing apparatus of an e-mail including the e-mail address of the manager node (e-mail address for manager notification) and the reportable result information.

  The printing apparatus receives the e-mail (st130), and recognizes the e-mail address A for administrator notification and the type of the reportable result information from the received e-mail (st131). An e-mail address A for administrator notification and the type of the notification-enabled result information are extracted from the e-mail, and are associated with each other and registered in the administrator result information table T3 (st132).

  FIG. 23 shows an administrator result information table T3. In the administrator result information table T3, the administrator notification e-mail address registered in step 132 and the reportable result information (notification message type) are described in association with each other. The administrator result information table T3 is secured in the RAM 43 of the printing apparatus. A plurality of notification possible result information can be designated for one administrator notification e-mail address. In the illustrated example, the administrator notification e-mail address indicated by the number 1 is 123.456.789.00, and the print result is one of three types: “paper jam”, “communication error”, and “paper out”. Indicates that a message indicating the result is notified to the electronic mail address destination.

  Upon receiving the print data (st133), the printing apparatus recognizes the notification e-mail address B added to the print data and the type of the reportable result information from the print data (st134). The noticeable result information corresponding to the notification e-mail address B is registered in the result information correspondence table T4 (st135). The result information correspondence table T4 has the same data configuration as that of FIG. 19 and is secured in the RAM 43 of the printing apparatus.

  The printing device performs the printing process of the print data received (st136), and detects the processing result (st137). It is checked whether or not result information that matches the detected processing result is registered in the result information correspondence table T4 (st138). If result information that matches the processing result is registered, the result information is determined as a notification message (st139). ). If the result information that matches the processing result is registered in the processing of step 139 (st140), the notification message is notified to the e-mail address B of the requester node registered in the result information correspondence table T4 ( st141). If there is no matching result information in the process of step 138, nothing is performed.

  Further, it is checked whether or not there is result information matching the processing result in the management result information table T3 (st142). If it is confirmed that result information matching the processing result is registered (st143), The notification message is notified to the administrator notification e-mail address A registered in the management result information table T3 (st144). If they do not match in the processing of step 142, nothing is performed.

  As described above, according to the eighth embodiment, a plurality of administrator notification e-mail addresses can be registered by e-mail in association with the noticeable result information. The result can be notified to a plurality of managers as needed.

  The method of notifying the result of print processing described in the third to eighth embodiments is applied to the communication result notification system of facsimile transmission described in the first embodiment or the second embodiment.

  In the first embodiment or the second embodiment, as shown in the third embodiment, a normal end message and an abnormal end message are notified to the requester node by e-mail according to the detection result of the facsimile transmission or reception processing. I do.

  Further, in the first embodiment or the second embodiment, when a transmission processing request or a reception processing request of a plurality of facsimile data is received as shown in the fourth embodiment, a notification is made from among the respective facsimile data. The e-mail address for use is extracted and registered in a table as shown in FIG. 17, and individual transmission processing or reception processing is notified to the e-mail address extracted in the table.

  Further, in the first embodiment or the second embodiment, as shown in the fifth and eighth embodiments, a request is made by adding noticeable result information requiring notification at the requester node to facsimile data, In NETFAX, a table as shown in FIG. 19 is created. When the result information registered in the table matches the result of the transmission or reception processing, the requester node is notified.

  Further, in the first embodiment or the second embodiment, as described in the sixth embodiment, the transmission waiting state of facsimile data is detected, and when the transmission waiting state occurs, the requester node or Notify the administrator node of the wait status by e-mail.

  In the first embodiment or the second embodiment, tables as shown in FIGS. 19 and 23 are created as shown in the seventh and eighth embodiments, and print processing and facsimile transmission processing of print data are performed. And the processing shown in FIG. 22 is performed instead of the facsimile data.

  The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention is suitable for use in a communication system in which facsimile data transmission processing is requested to a facsimile device on a network.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the facsimile apparatus in the communication result notification system according to the first embodiment. Flow chart showing the procedure for notifying the facsimile output result to the notification e-mail address FIG. 7 is a network configuration diagram showing a request route to a facsimile apparatus in the communication result notification system according to the second embodiment. Functional block diagram of a facsimile apparatus in a communication result notification system according to a second embodiment FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a relay address added to mail data in the second embodiment. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a print address added to mail data in the second embodiment. Configuration diagram of password and domain name management table Diagram showing destination phone number and source address extracted from facsimile data FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an overall procedure for notifying a notification e-mail address of a transmission result in the second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a procedure for mailing a transmission result in the second embodiment. Sequence diagram for sending transmission results between control units Functional block diagram of a printing apparatus in a communication result notification system according to a third embodiment FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for notifying a notification e-mail address of a print result in the third embodiment. Print result normal result notification flow diagram in the third embodiment Flow chart of abnormal print result notification in the third embodiment FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure for notifying each print result to a plurality of notification e-mail addresses in the fourth embodiment. FIG. 14 is a table showing a correspondence between print data and a notification e-mail address according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a procedure for notifying a result when a print result and noticeable result information match in the fifth embodiment. FIG. 14 is a table showing a correspondence between a notification e-mail address and a notification possible result information in the fifth embodiment FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a procedure for notifying a result when waiting for a print queue in the sixth embodiment. 7 is a flowchart showing a procedure for notifying a print result to an administrator notification e-mail address in the seventh embodiment. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a procedure for notifying a result when a print result matches the administrator-notifiable result information according to the eighth embodiment. FIG. 13 is a table showing correspondence between an administrator notification e-mail address and notification possible result information in the eighth embodiment. Existing system configuration for printing and facsimile transmission via LAN Functional block diagram of a conventional printing device

Explanation of reference numerals

1 CPU
2 ROM
3 RAM
4 Format conversion unit 5 Facsimile data storage unit 6 Facsimile unit 7 LAN interface unit 8 Modem 9 Network control unit

Claims (2)

  E-mail receiving means for receiving e-mail, facsimile sending means for converting the e-mail data received by the e-mail receiving means to facsimile data and facsimile transmission, and storage means with a domain name registered, The data immediately before the destination address received by the e-mail receiving means is set as a facsimile transmission destination, and an error is returned to the mail server if the domain name in the destination address is not registered in the storage means. Email device.   In a relay transfer method for receiving an e-mail, converting received e-mail data into facsimile data and transmitting the data by facsimile, the data immediately before the received destination address is set as a facsimile transmission destination, and a domain in the destination address is set. A relay transfer method wherein an error is returned to the mail server if the domain name is not registered.

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