JP2019106606A - Information processing apparatus, control method thereof and program, and information processing system, control method thereof and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To appropriately control the transmission destination of FAX data.SOLUTION: The apparatus stores the broadcast destinations of FAX data in association with the transmission destination of the FAX data, acquires the transmission destination of the FAX data, and determines whether or not to transmit the FAX data to the transmission destination. When it is determined to transmit the FAX data to the transmission destination, the apparatus performs control to transmit the FAX data to the transmission destination and the broadcast destinations. When it is not determined to transmit the FAX data to the transmission destination, the apparatus performs control not to transmit the FAX data to the transmission destination, but to transmit to the broadcast destinations.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, a control method and a program therefor, and an information processing system, a control method and a program therefor.

  In the FAX server system, there is a mechanism for sending a fax (receipt confirmation fax) to the transmission source to the effect that the receipt has been confirmed after receiving the fax. The target of FAX transmission to the effect that the receipt has been confirmed is not limited to the reply to the sender, but it is also possible to reply to a plurality of destinations set in advance in the same broadcast as the reply to the sender. This mechanism is disclosed in Patent Document 1 below.

JP 2001-86310 A

  However, according to the structure of Patent Document 1, the receipt confirmation fax is not necessary for the transmission source, and even if the receipt confirmation fax is necessary for a plurality of destinations set in advance, the receipt confirmation fax is necessary for the transmission source. However, it has not been possible to realize a mechanism of sending a receipt confirmation fax to a plurality of destinations set in advance without sending a.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to appropriately control transmission of FAX data.

  The present invention transmits the FAX data to the transmission destination by storing the multicast address of the FAX data in association with the transmission destination of the FAX data, an acquisition unit acquiring the transmission destination of the FAX data, and Determining means for determining whether or not the fax data is to be transmitted to the transmission destination by the determination means, the facsimile data is controlled to be transmitted to the transmission destination and the broadcast destination; A transmission control unit configured to control transmission of the FAX data to the broadcast destination without transmitting the FAX data to the transmission destination when the determination unit determines that the FAX data is not transmitted to the transmission destination; It is characterized by

  According to the present invention, the transmission destination of the FAX data can be appropriately controlled.

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing an example of a facsimile system (information processing system) including an information processing apparatus. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the client terminals 101 and 102 and the fax server 103. It is a functional block diagram which shows an example of a functional structure with which the transmission system containing an information processing apparatus (client terminal 101, 102) and a server apparatus (FAX server 103) is provided. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a detailed process in this embodiment. It is a flowchart explaining the flow of a detailed processing of receiving folder distribution processing. It is a data table which shows an example of a table configuration of the reception folder table 610. It is a flowchart explaining the flow of the detailed processing of automatic reply processing. It is a data table which shows an example of a table configuration of the number information table 810. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of fax data 900. FIG. 6 is a view showing an example of receipt confirmation fax data 1000; It is a figure which shows an example of the receipt confirmation fax data 1100 for multicast address.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Although an information system according to a fax is described as one embodiment, the present invention is not limited to a fax, but can be applied to other systems such as e-mail as long as information can be transmitted by other methods. is there.

  FIG. 1 is a system configuration 2 showing an example of a facsimile system (information processing system) including an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The client terminal 101 and the client device 102 suitable for the information processing apparatus of the present invention are, for example, personal computers, have a network communication function, and can perform data communication with the FAX server 103 via the LAN 105 (local area network). .

  The fax server 103 includes a fax communication card 104 having a facsimile transmission function via the public line 106. In this system, it functions as a facsimile server that transmits and receives facsimiles.

  This system is a facsimile system compatible with a TCP / IP network, integrating a facsimile (hereinafter also referred to as FAX), which is one of the most basic communication infrastructure, into a network system including the Internet / intranet.

  Specifically, the FAX server 103 runs a Windows (registered trademark) server of Microsoft Corporation in the United States, mounts the FAX communication card 104, and installs a server module for facsimile system (303 in FIG. 3) described later. PC-based fax transmission and reception can be performed. The transmitted and received fax images and transmitted and received information are digitized and stored in the storage unit of the fax server 103 and centrally managed.

  Then, the client terminal 101 (102) activates a facsimile system client module (302 in FIG. 3) to be described later, thereby confirming transmission / reception data stored in the storage unit of the FAX server 103, and administrator authority. By logging in as described above, various settings on the FAX server 103 side can be made.

  In addition, by installing a printer driver for facsimile, which will be described later, in the client terminal 101 (102), FAX transmission is performed in the same operation as print execution from various document applications on Windows (registered trademark) of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and other OS. It is possible.

  The FAX communication card 104 can transmit and receive FAX data by connecting to either the INS 64 line or the INS 1500 line in addition to the public line 106.

  Fax data is accumulated from each client terminal to the fax server 103 via the LAN 105 which is a TCP / IP network, and is sequentially transmitted by operating the fax communication card 104.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the client terminals 101 and 102 and the FAX server 103. As shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 2, in the client terminals 101 and 102 and the fax server 103, a central processing unit (CPU) 201, a random access memory (RAM) 202, a read only memory (ROM) 203, an input controller via a system bus 204. A video controller 206, a memory controller 207, and a communication I / F controller 208 are connected.

  The CPU 201 centrally controls the devices and controllers connected to the system bus 204.

  The ROM 203 or an external memory 211 (corresponding to a storage unit) which is a storage device may be a control program executed by the CPU 201 such as a BIOS (Basic Input / Output System) or an OS (Operating System), or the mechanism described in the present embodiment. A computer readable and executable program for realizing and various necessary data (including a data table) are held.

  The RAM 202 functions as a main memory, a work area, and the like of the CPU 201. The CPU 201 loads programs necessary for execution of processing from the ROM 203 or the external memory 211 as a storage device to the RAM 202, and executes the loaded programs to realize various operations.

  The input controller 205 controls input from the keyboard 209. The video controller 206 controls display output to a display 210 which is an example of a display unit. The memory controller 207 reads out the information stored in the external memory 211 and controls writing of the information to the external memory 211.

  The communication I / F controller 208 is connected to a communication line to control data transmission and reception. In the case of the client terminal, the communication I / F controller 208 controls transmission and reception of data via the LAN 105, while in the case of the FAX server 103, the communication I / F controller 208 similarly controls transmission and reception of data via the LAN 105. As the FAX communication card 104, control of transmission and reception of data via the public line 106 is also performed.

  In the external memory 211 of the FAX server 103, various tables described later are stored.

  The external memory 211 is a medium for permanently storing information, and the form thereof is not limited to a storage device such as a hard disk. For example, a medium such as a solid state drive (SSD) may be used.

  FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of a transmission system including an information processing apparatus (client terminals 101 and 102) and a server apparatus (FAX server 103).

  The client terminals 101 and 102 each include a facsimile printer driver 301 and a facsimile client module 302. The facsimile printer driver 301 includes a transmission data generation unit 305, a login request unit 306, a transmission screen display unit 307, a transmission destination selection unit 308, an information reception unit 309, and a data transmission unit 310 as functional components.

  In addition, the facsimile client module 302 includes a display control unit 311 as a functional configuration.

  The transmission data generation unit 305 receives, for example, a print instruction of document data generated by the document generation application program, receives drawing information (DDI function: Device Driver Interface) of the document data via the OS (Operating System), Generate data (TIFF image data).

  Since the process of generating TIFF image data is a known technique, the detailed description is omitted. Further, in the present embodiment, TIFF image data is used as a data format of generated FAX data. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and may be PDF format or bitmap format.

  The generation process of FAX data by the transmission data generation unit 305 is performed before the login request by the login request unit 306, and the FAX data is spooled in the external memory in the client terminals 101 and 102. In this way, by performing data generation and spooling processing first, the print processing process by the document application can be released early, and the user resumes the document editing processing using the document application, You can close the file. The output destination of the printer driver 301 for facsimile is a work folder in the client terminal, and the external output port is not designated, and the output is made as a FAX data file in the work folder.

  A login request unit 306 is a functional unit called by the facsimile printer driver 301 when a print instruction is received, displays an authentication request screen at the time of logon, and is input by the user via the authentication request screen. A login request is issued by transmitting authentication information including a user ID (user identification information) and a password to a designated server (corresponding to the FAX server 103 in the present embodiment). The logon request is executed by pressing the logon button 1502.

  A transmission screen display unit 307 is a functional unit called by the facsimile printer driver 301 when login authentication is performed.

  The transmission destination selection unit 308 has a function of determining the transmission destination input / designated by the user via the selection screen displayed by the transmission screen display unit 307.

  The information receiving unit 309 communicates with the FAX server 103 to receive an authentication result of login authentication and user authority, and also receives a transmission destination list which is a telephone directory selectable by an authenticated user. Have.

  The data transmission unit 310 performs data transmission to the FAX server 103 so as to transmit the FAX data generated by the transmission data generation unit 305 to the transmission destination determined by the transmission destination selection unit 308. Specifically, the FAX data spooled in the work folder is uploaded to the facsimile system server module of the FAX server 103 along with information on the transmission destination selected and determined by the transmission destination selection unit 308, and data transmission registration is performed. Is done.

  The data generation process by the transmission data generation unit 305 is a process by the printer driver for facsimile 301, and each process by the login request unit 306, transmission screen display unit 307, transmission destination selection unit 308, information reception unit 309, and data transmission unit 310. May be realized as another process (separate service) called from the printer driver 301 for facsimile.

  The display control unit 311 is a functional unit that controls to display a FAX image editing screen.

  Next, the functional configuration of the facsimile system server module 303 will be described.

  A storage control unit 312, an acquisition unit 313, a determination unit 314, a transmission control unit 315, and a creation unit 316 are included.

  The storage control unit 312 is a functional unit that controls to store the multicast address of the fax data in association with the transmission destination of the fax data.

  The acquisition unit 313 is a functional unit that acquires a transmission destination of FAX data.

  The determination unit 314 is a functional unit that determines whether or not to transmit fax data to a transmission destination.

  The transmission control unit 315 is a functional unit that controls to transmit FAC data to a transmission destination or a broadcast destination.

  The creation unit 316 is a functional unit that creates the transmission destination FAX data to be the transmission destination and the multicast destination FAX data to be transmitted to the multicast destination.

  Also, the facsimile system server module 303 performs transmission processing of FAX data that has received data transmission registration from the data transmission unit 310 of the client terminal. Specifically, the facsimile system server module 303 designates the transmission destination (facsimile number) in the FAX communication unit 320 of the FAX communication card 104, and makes a transmission request of FAX data. Then, the FAX communication unit 320 performs facsimile transmission of FAX data to the designated transmission destination via the public line.

  Further, each function in the facsimile system of the present invention is not limited to the configuration described above, and may be provided in either the client terminal or the facsimile server. It is also possible to provide all functions in the client device or facsimile server.

  This is the end of the description of the functional configurations of the client terminals 101 and 102 and the fax server 103 shown in FIG. In addition, the effect structure shown in FIG. 3 is an example, Comprising: According to a use or the objective, it can be suitably changed.

  Next, the flow of detailed processing in the present embodiment will be described using the flowchart shown in FIG.

  In step S101, the CPU 201 of the FAX server 103 receives / acquires FAX data 900 from the public line through the communication device and information on the transmission source (corresponding to the transmission destination) that has transmitted the FAX data 900 (equivalent to acquisition means). To do). The fax data in this case is stored in the external memory 211 as a received image file. For example, it is FAX data 900 shown in FIG.

  In step S102, the CPU 201 of the FAX server 103 performs reception folder distribution processing for distributing the received FAX based on the reception number (dial-in) of the FAX data to the reception folder. The details of this process will be described in detail using the flowchart shown in FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of the detailed process of the receiving folder distribution process.

  In step S201, the CPU 201 of the FAX server 103 searches the reception folder table 610 using the incoming call number (dial-in) of the FAX data received in step S101 as a key. For example, it is the reception folder table 610 of FIG. In the reception folder table 610, a reception folder 601, an incoming call number (dial-in) 602, and an automatic reply 603 are stored in association with each other. A reception folder 601 is information indicating a folder for storing the received FAX data. An incoming call number (dial-in) 602 is a number of a sender of fax data. The automatic reply 603 is a flag indicating whether fax data to the effect that receipt has been received is automatically replied to the incoming call number 602.

  In step S202, the CPU 201 of the FAX server 103 determines whether a reception folder associated with the incoming call number (dial-in) exists (corresponding to a determination unit). Specifically, it is determined whether the incoming call number of the transmission source of the FAX data received in step S101 exists in the incoming call number 602 or not. If there is a reception folder associated with the incoming call number (dial-in), the process proceeds to step S203. If the linked reception folder does not exist, the process proceeds to step S204.

  In step S203, the CPU 201 of the FAX server 103 stores the FAX data received in step S101 in the reception folder 601 linked to the incoming call number (dial-in) 602 in the reception folder table 610.

  In step S204, the CPU 201 of the FAX server 103 stores the FAX data received in step S101 in the common folder of the reception folder 601 in the reception folder table 610. The common folder is a folder in which FAX data in which the reception folder associated with the incoming call number (dial-in) 602 does not exist is stored.

  This is the end of the description of the flowchart shown in FIG. In this way, it can be sprinkled whether or not the fax data received in step S101 is to be automatically replied.

  It returns to the explanation of FIG.

  In step S103, the CPU 201 of the FAX server 103 determines whether the automatic reply 603 corresponding to the reception folder 601 in which the FAX data received in step S101 is stored is ON / OFF. If it is ON, the process proceeds to step S104. In the case of OFF, the process ends without performing an automatic reply process to the transmission source.

  In step S104, the CPU 201 of the FAX server 103 performs an automatic reply process to the transmission source of the FAX data received in step S101. The detailed process flow of the automatic reply process will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  FIG. 7 is a flow chart for explaining the flow of the detailed processing of the automatic reply processing.

  In step S301, the CPU 201 of the FAX server 103 analyzes the non-reply check box 901 in the FAX data 900 received in step S101 by optical character recognition (OCR). Specifically, for example, an area where optical character recognition is to be made is set in advance in the return unnecessary check column 901 of the FAX data 900 shown in FIG. 9, and it is analyzed whether or not the area is checked. The processing of optical character recognition is a well-known technique, and thus the details thereof will be omitted.

  In step S302, the CPU 201 of the FAX server 103 proceeds to step S401 if the return unnecessary check column 901 in the FAX data 900 is not checked as a result of analysis by optical character recognition (OCR). “If there is a check in the reply unnecessary check box 901 in the FAX data 900, the process proceeds to step S303.

  In step S303, the CPU 201 of the FAX server 103 creates reception confirmation fax data 1000 (corresponding to transmission destination fax data) (corresponding to creating means). As the contents of the receipt confirmation fax data 1000, the addressee name (company name), a sentence notifying that the fax has been received, the reception completion time, the number of sheets for reception completion, and the reduced first page of the reception fax are embedded. For example, it is the receipt confirmation fax data 1000 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 10, a message 1001 indicating that the message has been received is included.

  In step S304, the CPU 201 of the FAX server 103 refers to the number information table 810 shown in FIG. 8 for the incoming call number 602 searched in step S201 and determines whether the multicast reply number 802 is set in the number information 801. Determine if If it is determined that at least one multicast reply number 802 is set, the process proceeds to step S305; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S306.

  In step S305, the CPU 201 of the FAX server 103 sends the reception confirmation FAX data 1000 created in step S303, the transmission source that transmitted the FAX data in step S101, and the broadcast reply determined to be set in step S304. It transmits to the number 802 (it corresponds to a transmission control means).

  In step S306, the CPU 201 of the FAX server 103 transmits the reception confirmation FAX data 1000 created in step S303 to the transmission source that transmitted the FAX data in step S101 (corresponding to a transmission control unit).

  As described above, when there is a broadcast reply number set in advance, it is possible to reduce the time and effort of the user by transmitting the FAX data to be sent back to the transmission source also to the broadcast reply number.

  In step S401, the CPU 201 of the FAX server 103 refers to the number information table 810 shown in FIG. 8 for the incoming call number 602 searched in step S201 and determines whether the multicast reply number 802 is set in the number information 801. Determine if If it is determined that at least one multicast reply number 802 is set, the process proceeds to step S402; otherwise, the process ends.

  In step S402, the CPU 201 of the FAX server 103 creates the reception confirmation fax data for multicast address 1100 (corresponding to multicast address fax data) (corresponds to a creation unit). As shown in FIG. 11, the multicast address receipt confirmation fax data 1100 is fax data for replying only to a multicast address other than the sender. Unlike the normal receipt confirmation fax data 1000 created in step S303, the multicast address receipt confirmation fax data 1100 includes a message 1101 indicating that a reply to the transmission source has not been made. In this way, by notifying the broadcast destination that the receipt confirmation has not been sent back to the transmission source, the receipt notification is simply given, and appropriate fax data is sent according to the transmission destination. There is an effect that can be done.

  In step S403, the CPU 201 of the FAX server 103 returns the multicast address receipt confirmation fax data 1100 to the configured multicast reply number 802. When multiple broadcast reply numbers 802 are set, broadcast return is performed (corresponding to transmission control means).

  As described above, according to the present invention, the transmission destination of FAX data can be appropriately controlled.

  The present invention is also applicable to, for example, an embodiment as a system, an apparatus, a method, a program, a storage medium, etc. Specifically, the present invention may be applied to a system composed of a plurality of devices. The present invention may be applied to an apparatus consisting of two devices. Note that the present invention includes one that directly or remotely supplies a program of software that implements the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or an apparatus. The present invention also includes the case where the information processing apparatus of the system or apparatus achieves the same by reading and executing the supplied program code.

  Therefore, the program code itself installed in the information processing apparatus to realize the functional processing of the present invention by the information processing apparatus also implements the present invention. That is, the present invention also includes a computer program itself for realizing the functional processing of the present invention.

  In that case, as long as it has the function of a program, it may be in the form of an object code, a program executed by an interpreter, script data supplied to an OS, or the like.

  Examples of recording media for supplying the program include a flexible disk, a hard disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, an MO, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, and a CD-RW. There are also magnetic tapes, non-volatile memory cards, ROMs, DVDs (DVD-ROMs, DVD-Rs) and the like.

  In addition, as a program supply method, a browser on a client computer is used to connect to an Internet home page. Then, the program can be supplied by downloading the computer program of the present invention itself or a compressed file including an automatic installation function from the home page to a recording medium such as a hard disk.

  The present invention can also be realized by dividing the program code constituting the program of the present invention into a plurality of files and downloading each file from different home pages. That is, the present invention also includes a WWW server which causes a plurality of users to download program files for realizing the functional processing of the present invention by the information processing apparatus.

  In addition, the program of the present invention is encrypted, stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, and distributed to users, and the user who has cleared predetermined conditions downloads key information that decrypts encryption from the homepage via the Internet. Let Then, it is possible to execute the program encrypted by using the downloaded key information and install it in the information processing apparatus.

  Also, the information processing apparatus executes the read program to realize the functions of the above-described embodiment. In addition, an OS or the like operating on the information processing apparatus performs a part or all of the actual processing based on the instruction of the program, and the functions of the above-described embodiment may be realized by the processing.

  Furthermore, the program read from the recording medium is written to a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted in the information processing apparatus or a function expansion unit connected to the information processing apparatus. Thereafter, based on the instruction of the program, a CPU or the like provided in the function expansion board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the function of the above-described embodiment is also realized by the processing.

  The embodiments described above merely show examples of implementation in practicing the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention should not be interpreted in a limited manner by these. That is, the present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from the technical concept or the main features thereof.

100 information processor 201 CPU
202 RAM
203 ROM
204 system bus 205 input controller 206 video controller 207 memory controller 208 communication I / F controller 209 keyboard 210 display 211 external memory

Claims (8)

Storage means for storing the broadcast destination of the fax data in association with the transmission destination of the fax data;
An acquisition unit for acquiring a transmission destination of fax data;
A determination unit that determines whether to transmit the fax data to the transmission destination;
When it is determined by the determination unit that the FAX data is to be transmitted to the transmission destination, the facsimile data is controlled to be transmitted to the transmission destination and the broadcast destination, and the determination unit is configured to transmit the FAX data An information processing apparatus comprising: a transmission control unit configured to control transmission to the broadcast destination without transmitting the FAX data to the transmission destination when it is determined not to transmit to the destination. The apparatus further comprises a creation unit that creates transmission destination FAX data to be transmitted to the transmission destination and multicast destination FAX data to be transmitted to the broadcast destination.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmission control means transmits the transmission destination FAX data to the transmission destination, and controls to transmit the broadcast destination FAX data to the broadcast destination. . The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the FAX data is FAX data indicating confirmation of reception of FAX data received from the transmission destination. A control method of an information processing apparatus, comprising: storage means for storing a broadcast destination of the FAX data in association with a transmission destination of the FAX data,
An acquisition step of acquiring a transmission destination of fax data;
A determination step of determining whether to transmit the fax data to the transmission destination;
When it is determined in the determination step that the fax data is to be transmitted to the transmission destination, the facsimile data is controlled to be transmitted to the transmission destination and the broadcast destination, and the fax data is transmitted in the determination step. A transmission control step of controlling transmission of the FAX data to the broadcast destination without transmitting the FAX data to the transmission destination when it is determined that transmission to the destination is not performed. Method. It is a program that can be executed by an information processing apparatus including storage means for storing a broadcast destination of fax data in correspondence with a transmission destination of the fax data,
The information processing apparatus
An acquisition unit for acquiring a transmission destination of fax data;
A determination unit that determines whether to transmit the fax data to the transmission destination;
When it is determined by the determination unit that the FAX data is to be transmitted to the transmission destination, the facsimile data is controlled to be transmitted to the transmission destination and the broadcast destination, and the determination unit is configured to transmit the FAX data The program is characterized in that when it is determined that transmission to the destination is not performed, the program is functioned as a transmission control unit that controls transmission to the broadcast destination without transmitting the FAX data to the transmission destination. Storage means for storing the broadcast destination of the fax data in association with the transmission destination of the fax data;
An acquisition unit for acquiring a transmission destination of fax data;
A determination unit that determines whether to transmit the fax data to the transmission destination;
When it is determined by the determination unit that the FAX data is to be transmitted to the transmission destination, the facsimile data is controlled to be transmitted to the transmission destination and the broadcast destination, and the determination unit is configured to transmit the FAX data An information processing system comprising: transmission control means for controlling not to transmit the FAX data to the transmission destination but to transmit to the broadcast destination when it is determined that the transmission is not to the destination. A control method of an information processing system, comprising: storage means for storing a broadcast destination of the FAX data in association with a transmission destination of the FAX data,
An acquisition step of acquiring a transmission destination of fax data;
A determination step of determining whether to transmit the fax data to the transmission destination;
When it is determined in the determination step that the fax data is to be transmitted to the transmission destination, the facsimile data is controlled to be transmitted to the transmission destination and the broadcast destination, and the fax data is transmitted in the determination step. A transmission control step of controlling transmission of the fax data to the broadcast destination without transmitting the fax data to the transmission destination when it is determined not to transmit to the destination; Method. It is a program that can be executed by an information processing system including storage means for storing a broadcast destination of the fax data in association with a transmission destination of the fax data,
The information processing system,
An acquisition unit for acquiring a transmission destination of fax data;
A determination unit that determines whether to transmit the fax data to the transmission destination;
When it is determined by the determination unit that the FAX data is to be transmitted to the transmission destination, the facsimile data is controlled to be transmitted to the transmission destination and the broadcast destination, and the determination unit is configured to transmit the FAX data The program is characterized in that when it is determined that transmission to the destination is not performed, the program is functioned as a transmission control unit that controls transmission to the broadcast destination without transmitting the FAX data to the transmission destination.

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