JP2009171456A - Image communication apparatus, control method thereof and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image communication apparatus, control method thereof and program in which, even when address book information is updated, a time designated transmission job designated by a user can be normally performed. <P>SOLUTION: The present invention relates to an image communication apparatus comprising a time designated transmission function for transmitting a picture information file, registered in job management information, to one or more destinations registered in the job management information at a transmission designated time registered in the job management information. The image communication apparatus comprises address book information including a plurality of registration information items each constituted of a set of a reference value of a destination and destination information registered correspondingly to the reference value. As a destination, the job management information registers therein the reference value in the address book information. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention provides a time designation transmission in which an image information file registered in the job management information is transmitted to one or more destinations registered in the job management information at a transmission designation time registered in the job management information. Registered in the job management information for one or more destinations registered in the job management information at the designated transmission time registered in the job management information The present invention relates to a program executable by a computer of an image communication apparatus having a time designation transmission function for transmitting an image information file.

Conventionally, a time designation transmission function for transmitting an image information file registered in the job management information to one or more destinations registered in the job management information at a transmission designation time registered in the job management information. In the provided image communication apparatus (for example, a facsimile apparatus), as a destination registered in the job management information, for example, a copy of a facsimile number registered in the address book information is used as it is.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 61-25368

  However, in such a conventional apparatus, after the user generates a time-designated transmission job, the facsimile number registered in the address book information is changed, and the facsimile number before the change is registered in the job management information. In such a case, there is a possibility that a call to an appropriate destination cannot be made and a time designation transmission job designated by the user is not normally performed.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and provides an image communication apparatus, a control method thereof, and a program for enabling a time designation transmission job designated by a user to be normally performed even when address book information is updated. The purpose is to do.

  The present invention provides a time designation transmission in which an image information file registered in the job management information is transmitted to one or more destinations registered in the job management information at a transmission designation time registered in the job management information. An image communication apparatus having a function, comprising address book information having a plurality of registration information composed of a destination reference value and destination information registered corresponding to the reference value, and the job management information includes: The reference value of the address book information is registered as a destination.

  The job management information includes address change flag information indicating whether or not the destination information has been changed for each registered destination. When a job list display request is made by the user, the job management information And a means for adding the contents of the address change flag information to a display item.

  In addition, for each destination registered in the address book information, an address lock table in which identification information of job management information in which the destination is registered is registered. When the identification information of one or more job management information is registered in the destination, the information processing apparatus further includes means for notifying the deletion instruction.

  In addition, a time designation transmission function for transmitting the image information file registered in the job management information to one or more destinations registered in the job management information at a transmission designation time registered in the job management information. A control method for an image communication apparatus, comprising: address book information having a plurality of registration information composed of a destination reference value and destination information registered corresponding to the reference value; The reference value of the address book information is registered as a destination.

  In addition, a time designation transmission function for transmitting the image information file registered in the job management information to one or more destinations registered in the job management information at a transmission designation time registered in the job management information. A program executable by a computer of the image communication apparatus provided with address book information including a plurality of registration information including a destination reference value and destination information registered corresponding to the reference value; The management information includes a step of registering the reference value of the address book information as a destination.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, the destination registered in the job management information is a reference value used when referring to the destination information that is the substance of the destination from the address book information, so the destination registered in the address book information. Even if the information is updated, it is possible to acquire appropriate destination information at the time of time-designated transmission, so that it is possible to perform an appropriate transmission operation.

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

  FIG. 1 shows a network system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In the figure, a plurality of workstation devices WS1 to WSn, a mail server device SM, and a network facsimile device FX are connected to the local area network LAN and connected to the Internet via a router device RT. . Therefore, the workstation apparatuses WS1 to WSn, the mail server apparatus SM, and the network facsimile apparatus FX can exchange data with other appropriate terminal apparatuses via the Internet.

  Here, the mail server device SM is a known e-mail collection and distribution service for users using the workstation devices WS1 to WSn connected to the local area network LAN and the network network facsimile device FX. Is to provide.

  Further, the workstation devices WS1 to WSn include facsimile application software for creating and displaying facsimile image information, and various software for exchanging various data via the local area network LAN (Web browser and electronic software). Various programs such as mail software have been introduced and are used by specific users. Here, the specific user may be one or a plurality of users.

  The network facsimile apparatus FX is connected to the analog public line network PSTN, an electronic mail processing function for exchanging image information and various reports as electronic mails, and this public network is used as a transmission path to perform a group 3 facsimile transmission procedure. G3 facsimile transmission function that performs image information transmission by, and various information registered in its own terminal can be displayed and provided to external devices such as workstation devices WS1 to WSn, and registration information can be registered remotely from external devices Various processing functions such as a Web server function are provided.

  FIG. 2 shows a configuration example of the network facsimile apparatus FX.

  In the figure, a system control unit 1 performs various control processes such as a control process of each part of the network facsimile apparatus FX and a facsimile transmission control procedure process. The system memory 2 is executed by the system control unit 1. The control processing program and various data necessary for executing the processing program are stored, and the work area of the system control unit 1 is configured. The parameter memory 3 including a nonvolatile memory device includes The clock circuit 4 is for storing various types of information unique to the network facsimile apparatus FX, and the clock circuit 4 outputs current time information.

  The scanner 5 is for reading a document image at a predetermined resolution, the plotter 6 is for recording and outputting an image at a predetermined resolution, and the operation display unit 7 operates the network facsimile apparatus FX. It consists of various operation keys and various displays.

  The encoding / decoding unit 8 encodes and compresses the image signal and decodes the encoded and compressed image information into the original image signal. The magnetic disk device 9 is encoded and compressed. This is for storing various file data such as an image information file in a state of being recorded.

  The group 3 facsimile modem 10 is for realizing the modem function of the group 3 facsimile, and is a low-speed modem function (V.21 modem) for exchanging transmission procedure signals, and mainly for exchanging image information. A high-speed modem function (V.17 modem, V.34 modem, V.29 modem, V.27ter modem, etc.) is provided.

  The network control apparatus 11 is for connecting the network facsimile apparatus FX to the analog public line network PSTN, and has an automatic outgoing / incoming function.

  The local area network interface circuit 12 is for connecting the network facsimile apparatus FX to the local area network LAN, and the local area network transmission control unit 13 is connected to other data terminal apparatuses via the local area network LAN. It is for executing communication control processing of various predetermined protocol suites for exchanging various data between them.

  The system control unit 1, system memory 2, parameter memory 3, clock circuit 4, scanner 5, plotter 6, operation display unit 7, encoding / decoding unit 8, magnetic disk unit 9, group 3 facsimile modem 10, network The control device 11 and the local area network transmission control unit 13 are connected to an internal bus 14, and data exchange between these elements is mainly performed via the internal bus 14.

  Data exchange between the network control device 11 and the group 3 facsimile modem 10 is performed directly.

  Here, in the present embodiment, basically, data exchange between terminals connected to the local area network LAN is a transmission protocol up to a transport layer called TCP / IP, and more. This is performed by applying a combination with a higher layer communication protocol (so-called protocol suite). For example, in the exchange of e-mail data, a communication protocol called SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) is applied as an upper layer communication protocol.

Further, as a protocol applied to each mail terminal device SM for confirmation of receiving or obtaining an e-mail addressed to the user, a so-called POP (Post Office Protocol) can be applied.
(The communication protocol such as TCP / IP, SMTP, POP, and the data format and data structure of e-mail are defined by RFC documents issued by IETF. For example, TCP is RFC793, (IP is RFC 793, SMTP is RFC 821, and e-mail formats are defined in RFC 822, RFC 1521, and RFC 1522 (MIME (Multipurpose Mail Extension) format, etc.))

  Also, MIME (Multi Purpose Mail Extension) that defines communication protocols such as TCP / IP and SIP and a method for encoding a message exchanged with a partner terminal at the time of communication is issued by each IETF. Specified by the RFC document. For example, RFC is defined as RFC793, IP is defined as RFC793, SIP is defined as RFC3856, RFC3857, RFC3858, RFC3994, etc., and MIME is defined as RFC2045-2049. Further, basic specifications of processing functions of Web services and Web browsers are defined by standardization organizations such as W3C (WWW Consortium).

  Therefore, in the present specification, detailed description of those protocols and data structures is omitted.

  In the present embodiment, the network facsimile machine FX has address book information that can be referred to when specifying a destination, and stores it in the parameter memory 3. As this address book information, a plurality of address information is registered as shown in FIG. Each address information includes an address ID, a destination name, and an address information used as a reference value for identifying each address information and referring to the address book information as shown in FIG. It consists of a facsimile number (telephone number) that is a substance.

  Further, the magnetic disk device 9 of the network facsimile machine FX is provided with an image information storage area for storing a plurality of image information files, as shown in FIG. A unique number (image information file number) for identifying each image information file is assigned to the image information file stored in the image information storage area. Here, since the magnetic disk device 9 is a nonvolatile memory device, the image information file stored in the magnetic disk device 9 is held in the image information storage area unless deleted.

  The network facsimile apparatus FX has a time designation transmission function for transmitting the image information file designated by the user to one or more destinations designated by the user at the transmission time designated by the user. An example of job management information (hereinafter simply referred to as “job management information”) referred to when executing a function is shown in FIG. This job management information is stored in the parameter memory 3.

  The job management information includes a job ID for identifying each job management information, a transmission time designated by the user, a transmission address table for storing one or more destinations designated by the user, and designation by the user It consists of a transmission image information file number for storing the image information file number of the image information file that has been recorded.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 4E, the transmission address table includes the number of destinations (Na) held by the transmission address table, and transmission address information (address ID) of one or more destinations designated by the user. Each transmission address information includes an address change flag for storing whether or not the address (facsimile number) has been changed.

  Further, the network facsimile apparatus FX is provided with an address lock table as shown in FIG. This address lock table is stored in the parameter memory 3.

  The address lock table includes one or more address lock information. Each address lock information includes an address ID and a job management in which the address ID is registered in the transmission address table, as shown in FIG. One or more job IDs of information are registered.

  With the above configuration, when the user instructs a time designation transmission job, the system control unit 1 executes a process as shown in FIG.

  First, the user sets a transmission document on the scanner 5, operates the operation display unit 7 to specify a time designation transmission job, inputs a transmission time, and refers to address book information to specify one or more destinations. Input (processing 101).

  As a result, new job management information is created (process 102), the input transmission time is stored in the job management information (process 103), the input destination is stored in the transmission address table (process 104), and the transmission address is stored. For one or more destinations stored in the table, the job ID of the created job management information is stored in the address ID of the address lock management table, and the address lock management table is updated (process 105).

  Next, the image of the transmission original set on the scanner 5 is read (processing 106), and the image data obtained thereby is encoded and compressed by the encoding / decoding unit 9, and the image information obtained thereby is stored in the magnetic disk device 9. Save (process 107). Then, the transmission image information file number is stored in the job management information (process 108).

  FIG. 6 shows an example of a time designation transmission process performed by the system control unit 1.

  First, it is checked whether there is a transmission job whose transmission time has passed (decision 201). When the result of determination 201 is YES, the transmission address table is read from the job management information of the transmission job, one transmission address information is selected from the transmission address table (process 202), and the address ID of the transmission address information is set. A corresponding facsimile number is acquired by referring to the address book information, and a call is made to the acquired facsimile number using the PSTN. Thereafter, predetermined group 3 facsimile transmission processing is executed, and job management information The image information of the transmission image information file number is transmitted to the destination at that time (process 203).

  When the transmission operation to one destination is completed, transmission history information relating to the transmission operation is created and stored (process 204). From the address lock management information, the job of the job management information registered in the address ID of the destination The ID is deleted (process 205).

  Here, it is checked whether or not the transmission to all the destinations stored in the transmission address table is completed (decision 206). When the result of judgment 206 is NO, the process returns to the process 202 and the transmission operation is performed for the next destination. Do. When the result of determination 206 is YES, the time designation transmission operation at this time is terminated.

  FIG. 7 shows an example of processing executed by the system control unit 1 when the change of the address information registered in the address book information is designated by the user. Here, the address information change instruction includes a case where the user appropriately operates the operation display unit 7 and a case where the instruction is based on the Web server function. In the latter case, for example, the user of the workstation device WS1 operates the Web client (Web browser) to connect to the Web server of the network facsimile device FX, requests browsing of the address book information, and obtains the target address information. This is done by specifying and instructing to update the specified address information.

  First, when an address change operation is accepted (process 301), it is checked whether or not there is job management information in which the address information as the operation target is stored in the transmission address table (process 302, determination 303).

  When such job management information is found and the result of determination 303 is YES, one of such job management information is selected (processing 304), and the address change flag of the corresponding transmission address information is set (step 304). Process 305). This address change flag is reset when job management information is generated.

  It is checked whether or not the processing has been completed for all the job management information found in the processing 301 (determination 306). When the result of the determination 306 is NO, the processing returns to the processing 304 and the subsequent processing is performed for other job management information. Execute. When the result of determination 306 is YES, for example, a reserved data change message as shown in FIG. 8B is displayed to the user who has instructed the address change operation (process 307).

  When the user selects “execute” from the display screen (the result of determination 308 is YES), data change processing is performed on the address information operated by the user (processing 309). If the user selects “Cancel” and the result of determination 308 is NO, processing 309 is not executed.

  If the job management information stored in the transmission address table is not found as the address information to be operated, and the result of determination 303 is NO, a data change message as shown in FIG. Is displayed (processing 310), the process proceeds to determination 308, and the subsequent processing is executed. In this case, the process 309 is executed when the user selects “execute” on the data change message display screen, and the process 309 is not executed when “cancel” is selected.

  In this way, when the user tries to update any address information by operating the address book information, if there is a transmission job that uses the address information, the user is notified of that fact. The user can clearly determine whether to continue or cancel the updating of the address information.

  FIG. 9 shows an example of processing executed by the system control unit 1 when the job list display during reservation is designated by the user. Here, the job list display command includes a case where the user appropriately operates the operation display unit 7 and a case using the Web server function. In the latter case, for example, the user of the workstation device WS1 operates the Web client (Web browser) to connect to the Web server of the network facsimile device FX and request a list of jobs being reserved.

  First, when the user instructs to display a list of reserved jobs (process 401), one piece of job management information is selected (process 402), and it is checked whether the job is related to a time-designated transmission job with a transmission time set. (Decision 403). When the result of determination 403 is YES, the display of the job management information selected at that time is added to the list of reserved jobs (processing 404). Here, it is checked whether or not the processing has been completed for all job management information (determination 405). When the result of determination 405 is NO, the processing returns to processing 402, and the subsequent processing is repeated for the remaining job management information.

  When processing for all job management information is completed and the result of determination 405 is YES, for example, a reserved job list display screen as shown in FIG. 10A is formed.

  It waits until the user selects a job from this reserved job list display screen (decision 406). When the user selects a job (the result of determination 406 is YES), the transmission address table is read from the job management information of the job ID (process 407).

  Then, one piece of transmission address information is selected from the read transmission address table (process 409), and the contents of the address information and the contents of the change flag are added to the destination list display screen (process 409).

  Here, it is checked whether or not the processing has been completed for all the address information (decision 410). When the result of determination 410 is NO, the processing returns to processing 408 and the remaining address information is processed.

  When the processing is completed for all address information and the result of determination 410 is YES, for example, a destination list display screen as shown in FIG. 10B is displayed to the user.

  In this way, the user can clearly recognize whether the address information (facsimile number) has been changed for each destination by finding the target transmission job from the job list display screen and displaying the destination list display screen. can do.

  FIG. 11 shows an example of processing executed by the system control unit 1 when deletion of address information registered in the address book information is designated by the user. Here, the address information deletion command includes a case where the user appropriately operates the operation display unit 7 and a case where the web server function is used. In the latter case, for example, the user of the workstation device WS1 operates the Web client (Web browser) to connect to the Web server of the network facsimile device FX, requests browsing of the address book information, and obtains the target address information. This is done by specifying and instructing deletion of the specified address information.

  First, when an address deletion operation is accepted (process 501), it is checked whether there is job management information in which the address information to be deleted is stored in the transmission address table (process 502, decision 503).

  When such job management information is found and the result of determination 503 is YES, for example, a deletion impossible message as shown in FIG. 8C is displayed (processing 504), and the deletion operation at that time is displayed. Is prohibited.

  If such job management information is not found and the result of determination 503 is NO, the address information to be deleted is deleted from the address book information (process 505).

  In this way, when the address information that the user is trying to delete is registered in the destination of any time-designated transmission job, the deletion of the address information is prohibited, so appropriate time-designated transmission processing is performed. It can be done continuously.

  By the way, when the address information is changed and when the address information is deleted, an e-mail for notifying the occurrence of each event is created and sent to a predetermined administrator user. The administrator user can be notified of changes and deletions.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to the network facsimile apparatus FX has been described. However, the present invention can be similarly applied to other apparatuses having the same image communication function. it can.

1 is a block diagram showing a network system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The block diagram which showed the structural example of the network facsimile apparatus FX. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of address book information, address information, an image information file storage mode in an image information storage area, job management information, and a transmission address table. Schematic which showed an example of the address lock table and address lock information. The flowchart which showed an example of the process which the system control part 1 performs when a user instruct | indicates the time designation | designated transmission job. The flowchart which showed an example of the time designation | designated transmission process which the system control part 1 performs. The flowchart which showed an example of the process which the system control part 1 performs, when the change of the address information registered into address book information is designated by the user. Schematic which showed an example of the data change message, the data change message during reservation, and a deletion impossible message. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed by the system control unit 1 when a reserved job list display is designated by a user. Schematic diagram showing an example of a reserved job list display and a destination list display. The flowchart which showed an example of the process which the system control part 1 performs, when deletion of the address information registered into address book information is designated by the user.

Explanation of symbols

1 System Control Unit 2 System Memory 3 Parameter Memory 9 Magnetic Disk Device

Claims (5)

Provided with a time designation transmission function for transmitting an image information file registered in the job management information to one or more destinations registered in the job management information at a designated transmission time registered in the job management information. An image communication device,
Address book information having a plurality of registration information composed of a destination reference value and a set of destination information registered corresponding to the reference value,
The image communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the reference value of the address book information is registered as a destination in the job management information. In the job management information, address change flag information indicating whether or not the destination information has been changed for each registered destination is added,
2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for displaying the list information of the job management information and adding the contents of the address change flag information to a display item when a job list display request is made by a user. Image communication device. For each destination registered in the address book information, an address lock table in which identification information of job management information in which the destination is registered is registered;
The apparatus further comprises means for notifying the deletion instruction when identification information of one or more job management information is registered in the destination of the address lock table when the destination is instructed by the user. The image communication apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. Provided with a time designation transmission function for transmitting an image information file registered in the job management information to one or more destinations registered in the job management information at a designated transmission time registered in the job management information. A method for controlling an image communication apparatus, comprising:
Address book information having a plurality of registration information composed of a destination reference value and a set of destination information registered corresponding to the reference value,
The control method of an image communication apparatus, wherein the reference value of the address book information is registered as a destination in the job management information. Provided with a time designation transmission function for transmitting an image information file registered in the job management information to one or more destinations registered in the job management information at a designated transmission time registered in the job management information. A program executable by the computer of the image communication apparatus,
Address book information having a plurality of registration information composed of a destination reference value and a set of destination information registered corresponding to the reference value,
A program comprising the step of registering the reference value of the address book information as a destination in the job management information.