JP3352763B2 - Facsimile machine - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus connected to a local area network to which at least one terminal is connected, and having a local area network server function and an electronic mail server function in the local network.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A facsimile apparatus which connects to a local area network to which a plurality of terminals are connected and realizes a facsimile server function and an electronic mail server function in the local network has been put to practical use.

In this case, a scanner, a printer (plotter), and a facsimile communication function provided in the facsimile apparatus can be used from each terminal connected to the local network, and resources of the local area network can be used. It can be used effectively.
Further, the electronic mail transmitted from each terminal can be transmitted to a facsimile machine outside the local area network.

[0004]

However, such a conventional apparatus has the following inconveniences.

That is, in a facsimile machine,
Even if the e-mail data can be received, it cannot be recorded and output. For this reason, when sending an e-mail to an external facsimile machine, the destination device function is specified in advance by the sending user of the e-mail. Time and effort were required.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and has as its object to provide a facsimile apparatus that can use an electronic mail function more easily.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides at least one
In a facsimile apparatus connected to a local area network to which two terminals are connected and having a local area network server function and an e-mail server function in this local network, additional information added to the top of a display image of an e-mail received from the terminal Additional information storage means for storing the contents of the e-mail, and when the destination of the e-mail received from the terminal can be logged in to the local area network, the received e-mail is transmitted to the terminal where the user corresponding to the destination is logged in On the other hand, when the destination is not able to log in to the local area network, the designated destination is called, and a predetermined transmission control procedure executed with the destination terminal confirms that the destination terminal can receive e-mail. When I knew, I went to the data transfer procedure The e-mail data is transmitted to the destination terminal, and if the destination terminal knows that the e-mail cannot be received by the transmission control procedure, the line is restored at that point and the display image and the additional information are transmitted to the corresponding facsimile image. It is provided with control means for converting the information into information, temporarily storing the information, calling the same destination again, and transmitting the temporarily stored facsimile image information to the destination terminal.

[0008]

[0009]

[0010]

[0011]

[0012] In a facsimile apparatus connected to a local area network to which at least one terminal is connected and having a local area network server function and an electronic mail server function in the local network, a display image of an electronic mail received from the terminal is displayed. Additional information storage means for storing the contents of the additional information to be added to the head of the e-mail, and when the destination of the e-mail received from the terminal can be logged in to the local area network, the user corresponding to the destination is While sending the received e-mail, if the destination is not able to log in to the local area network, the designated destination is called, and the destination terminal is set in accordance with a predetermined transmission control procedure executed with the destination terminal. That you can receive email Then, the data of the e-mail is transmitted to the destination terminal according to the data transfer procedure, and when the destination terminal knows that the e-mail cannot be received by the transmission control procedure, the line is restored at that time, and the display image and the The additional information is converted to the corresponding facsimile image information, temporarily stored, the same destination is called again, the temporarily stored facsimile image information is transmitted to the destination terminal, and the transmission result at that time is transmitted as an e-mail. It is provided with control means for notifying the user.

Also, in a facsimile apparatus connected to a local area network to which at least one terminal is connected and having a local area network server function and an electronic mail server function in the local network, a display image of an electronic mail received from the terminal Additional information storage means for storing the contents of the additional information to be added to the head of the e-mail, and when the destination of the e-mail received from the terminal can be logged in to the local area network, the user corresponding to the destination is While sending the received e-mail, if the destination is not able to log in to the local area network, the designated destination is called, and the destination terminal is set in accordance with a predetermined transmission control procedure executed with the destination terminal. That you can receive email Then, the data of the e-mail is transmitted to the destination terminal according to the data transfer procedure, and when the destination terminal knows that the e-mail cannot be received by the transmission control procedure, the line is temporarily disconnected based on the content of the e-mail. If it is determined that the line is to be disconnected, the line is restored at that time, the display image and the additional information are converted into the corresponding facsimile image information, temporarily stored, and the same destination is called again. And transmitting control means for transmitting the temporarily stored facsimile image information to the destination terminal, and transmitting the display image and the additional information to the destination terminal while converting the display image and the additional information to the corresponding facsimile image information when it is determined that the line is not disconnected. It is a thing.

[0014] In a facsimile apparatus connected to a local area network to which at least one terminal is connected and having a local area network server function and an electronic mail server function in the local network, a display image of an electronic mail received from the terminal is displayed. Additional information storage means for storing the contents of the additional information to be added to the head of the e-mail, and when the destination of the e-mail received from the terminal can be logged in to the local area network, the user corresponding to the destination is While sending the received e-mail, if the destination is not able to log in to the local area network, the designated destination is called, and the destination terminal is set in accordance with a predetermined transmission control procedure executed with the destination terminal. That you can receive email Then, the data of the e-mail is transmitted to the destination terminal according to the data transfer procedure, and when the destination terminal knows that the e-mail cannot be received by the transmission control procedure, the line is temporarily disconnected based on the content of the e-mail. If it is determined that the line is to be disconnected, the line is restored at that time, the display image and the additional information are converted into the corresponding facsimile image information, temporarily stored, and the same destination is called again. Then, the temporarily stored facsimile image information is transmitted to the destination terminal, and when it is determined that the line is not disconnected, the display image and the additional information are transmitted to the destination terminal while being converted into the corresponding facsimile image information. Control means for notifying the sending user of the e-mail of the transmission result at that time.

It is preferable that the additional information is set for each destination.

[0016]

Therefore, the user does not need to specify whether the destination of the e-mail is in the local area network or a facsimile machine outside the local area network, so that the e-mail function can be easily used. Can be. In addition, since any additional information can be added and transmitted to the facsimile apparatus, the trouble of transmitting an e-mail to the facsimile apparatus can be saved, and usability is improved.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

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

In FIG. 1, m personal computers PC1, PC2,..., PCm and a facsimile machine I having a local area network server function
The FAX is connected to the concentrator HUB.
These personal computers PC via UB
1, PC2,..., PCm and facsimile machine I
FAX is connected.

Here, the concentrator HUB is, for example, 20
This is for configuring a star-type local area network such as BASE-T (IEEE802.3CSMA / CD). In this local area network system, the control processing and application programs of the personal computers PC1, PC2,..., PCm and the facsimile machine IFAX are based on a so-called multi-window network operating system. I have. The facsimile machine IFAX includes a personal computer P
One or more application programs identical to C1, PC2,..., PCm, or application programs capable of printing files created by those application programs are installed.

FIG. 2 shows an example of the facsimile apparatus IFAX.

In FIG. 1, a CPU (central processing unit) 1
Is an operation control of each part of the facsimile machine IFAX,
The group 3 is for realizing the processing of the facsimile transmission function and the local area network server function, and the ROM (read only memory) 2
A RAM (random access memory) 3 is for storing a main memory and a work area of the CPU 1, and is used for storing various data referred to in processing executed by the PU 1. Is for outputting current time information and the like. RAM 3 and clock device 4
Are backed up by the battery 5.

The scanner 6 is for reading and inputting a document image at a predetermined resolution.
The operation of the scanner 6 is controlled, and various image processing such as pixel density conversion is applied to the image data read by the scanner 6.

The page printer 8 is for recording a high-resolution and high-quality image on plain paper, such as a laser beam printer, and the recording control unit 9 is for controlling the recording operation of the page printer 8. It is.

The operation display section 10 is for directly operating the facsimile apparatus IFAX directly and locally.
The encoding / decoding unit 11 executes a predetermined image encoding / decoding process.

The floppy disk device 12 is for recording / reproducing / erasing data on / from a floppy disk (not shown).
This is for controlling the operation of the floppy disk device 12.

The magnetic disk device 14 is a large-capacity external storage device, and stores system software, system files, a plurality of application software, many e-mail files, many image files, application software files, and the like. . The magnetic disk controller 15 controls the operation of the magnetic disk device 14.

The local area network interface 16 is for connecting to the hub HUB, and the local network control unit 17 is for performing a data transmission operation according to a predetermined local area network control procedure. .

The group 3 facsimile modem 18 implements a group 3 facsimile modem function, and exchanges transmission procedure signals at a low speed (V.21 modem) function and mainly exchanges image information. High-speed modem function (V.33 modem,
V. 29 modem, V.29. 27ter modem etc.).

The network control unit 19 is for connecting the facsimile machine IFAX to a public telephone line network and has an automatic transmission / reception function. The network controller 19 is provided with a handset 20 for talking.

These CPU1, ROM2, RAM3,
Clock device 4, image processing unit 7, recording control unit 9, operation display unit 10, encoding / decoding unit 11, floppy disk control unit 13, magnetic disk control unit 15, local area network control unit 17, group 3 facsimile modem 1
The network controller 8 and the network controller 19 are connected to a system bus 21, and data exchange between these components is mainly performed through the system bus 21.

The e-mail server function provided by the facsimile apparatus IFAX as a part of the local area network function exchanges e-mails in the format shown in FIG. 3, for example.

This e-mail is the source of the e-mail,
It consists of a header part including destination, date and time of transmission, title, and the like, and a body part representing the contents of the e-mail. In the header portion, a column R1 for displaying the reception date and time, a column R2 for displaying the sending user name, an e-mail ID (identification information)
, A column R4 for displaying the destination user name, and a column R5 for displaying the title.

Further, this facsimile apparatus IFAX
When it is recognized that the destination is a facsimile machine, facsimile image data composed of display information of the body part of the e-mail is converted and formed, and the facsimile image data is encoded and compressed and transmitted to the partner terminal. I have.

At this time, a cover letter indicating a destination or the like is added as additional information. In addition, this additional information is configured so that appropriate contents can be added to each destination.
One example is shown in FIGS. 4 (a) and 4 (b).

In the cover letter CL1 (see FIG. 9A), the page size (fixed value) is set in the column R11, the number of pages is set in the column R12, the company name is set in the column R13, the affiliation name is set in the column R14, and the column R15 is set. The name and the transmission date and time in the column R16 and the column R1
The outgoing user names are displayed at 7 respectively.

In the cover letter CL2, the column R21
, An affiliation name is displayed in a column R22, a page number is displayed in a column R23, a name is displayed in a column R24, a transmission user name is displayed in a column R25, and a transmission date and time are displayed in a column R26.

Note that these company names, affiliations, and
The name is registered in e-mail destination information described later.

As shown in FIG. 5A, the storage area of the magnetic disk unit 14 of the facsimile IFAX includes a system area for storing system software and system files, and a plurality of application software. Application area and a user file area for storing user files.

As shown in FIG. 4B, the user file area includes an e-mail area for storing a plurality of e-mail files, an image information area for storing a large number of image files, and a cover letter described above. It is further divided into a cover letter area for storing and an application data area for storing application files.

For example, e-mail destination information as shown in FIG. 3C is formed for each destination and stored in the system area.

The electronic mail destination information includes a destination ID for identifying each destination, a user name (if any) registered in the local area network, a telephone number, a company name, an affiliation name, a name, and usable data. Is a facsimile data or an e-mail, and includes a cover letter ID indicating a cover letter to be used.

In order to manage the e-mail function, e-mail management information as shown in FIG. 4D is formed for each e-mail and stored in the system area.

The electronic mail management information includes an electronic mail number for identifying each electronic mail management information, a sending user name, a destination ID corresponding to a destination, an electronic mail ID representing an electronic mail file to be processed at that time, It consists of the data size of the body of the e-mail and the transmission result (standby / OK / NG).

The e-mail file is shown in FIG.
As shown in (1), it is composed of an e-mail ID for identifying this e-mail, the above-mentioned header information, and body data.

The cover letters described above are stored in the cover letter area with a cover letter ID for identifying each cover letter added, as shown in FIG.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show another personal computer PC1, PC1 via a local area network.
9 shows a processing example of the facsimile apparatus IFAX when receiving an electronic mail transmission request from PC2,..., PCm.

Any personal computer PC
1, PC2,..., PCm, the facsimile apparatus IFAX accepts the e-mail transmission request (step 101), and the personal computer PC that has issued the e-mail transmission request.
1, PC2,..., PCm, receive an e-mail file and store the received e-mail file (process 102).

Next, e-mail management information relating to the e-mail is created (step 103), and the specified destination I
The electronic mail destination information of D is read (process 104). Then, the contents of the cover letter described above are edited with reference to the cover letter data corresponding to the cover letter ID specified in the e-mail destination information (process 105), and the display contents of the cover letter and the text of the e-mail body part are edited. The facsimile image data corresponding to the display contents is converted and formed (processing 10
6) The facsimile image data obtained thereby is coded and compressed by the coding / decoding unit 11, and the obtained image information is stored as a temporary file (process 107).

At this time, it is checked whether the user name is effectively stored in the e-mail destination information (decision 10).
8). If the result of determination 108 is YES, the e-mail file is transmitted to the personal computers PC1, PC2,..., PCm to which the user of the user name is logged in (process 109).

Then, according to the transmission result at that time, the content of the e-mail management information is updated (step 110), and a transmission result notification message for notifying the transmission result is formed. .., PCm (step 111), and the image information temporarily stored at that time is deleted (step 112).

If the result of determination 108 is NO, the telephone number of the electronic mail destination information at that time is called (process 113), and the called station identification signal C from the partner terminal is sent.
Upon receiving the ED, the non-standard function signal NSF, and the digital identification signal DIS (process 114), the function of the partner terminal is identified, and it is determined whether the partner terminal has only the facsimile function (decision 115).

When the result of decision 115 is YES,
The transmission function to be used at that time is set (process 116).
A non-standard function setting signal NSS for notifying the contents of the set transmission function is transmitted (process 117), and a predetermined modem training procedure is executed at the modem speed set at that time (process 118). Determine the modem speed to use.

Next, the temporarily stored image information is transmitted (step 119), and a predetermined post-transmission procedure is executed (step 11).
0), the line is restored (process 121), and the content of the partner function in the e-mail destination information is updated to a value corresponding to the transmission function at that time (process 122). Then, the process proceeds to the process 110 to execute the subsequent processes.

If the partner terminal has the same function as that of the terminal itself, and if the result of determination 115 is NO, a predetermined e-mail transmission mode is set (step 123) and the e-mail mode is designated. The non-standard function setting signal NSS is transmitted (process 124), and a predetermined modem training procedure is executed at the modem speed set at that time (process 12).
5) Determine the modem speed to be used at that time.

Next, the contents of the e-mail file at that time are transmitted in a predetermined error correction mode (step 126).
When the transmission is completed, a predetermined post-transmission procedure is executed (process 127), the line is restored (process 128), and the process 12
The process proceeds to step S2, where the content of the destination function in the e-mail destination information is updated to a value corresponding to the transmission function at that time, and the subsequent processing is executed.

As described above, in the present embodiment, facsimile image information corresponding to the contents of the e-mail is formed in advance, and the e-mail or facsimile image information is transmitted according to the function of the destination. Even if the designated destination is a facsimile machine, the contents of the e-mail can be transmitted appropriately.

FIGS. 8 and 9 show another personal computer PC1, PC1 via a local area network.
19 shows another processing example of the facsimile apparatus IFAX when receiving an electronic mail transmission request from PC2,..., PCm.

Any personal computer PC
1, PC2,..., PCm, the facsimile apparatus IFAX accepts the e-mail transmission request (process 201), and the personal computer PC that has issued the e-mail transmission request.
1, PC2,..., PCm, receive an e-mail file and store the received e-mail file (process 202). Next, e-mail management information relating to the e-mail is created (step 203), and the e-mail destination information of the designated destination ID is read (step 20).
4).

At this time, it is checked whether the user name is effectively stored in the e-mail destination information (decision 20).
5). If the result of the judgment 205 is YES, the e-mail file is transmitted to the personal computers PC1, PC2,..., PCm to which the user of the user name is logged in (process 206).

Then, the content of the e-mail management information is updated according to the transmission result at that time (step 206), and a transmission result notification message for notifying the transmission result is formed. .., PCm that are logged in (step 207).

If the result of determination 205 is NO, the telephone number of the electronic mail destination information at that time is called (process 209), and the called station identification signal C from the partner terminal is sent.
Upon receiving the ED, the non-standard function signal NSF, and the digital identification signal DIS (process 210), the function of the partner terminal is identified, and it is checked whether the partner terminal has only the facsimile function (decision 211).

When the result of decision 211 is YES,
The transmission function used at that time is set (process 212),
A non-standard function setting signal NSS for notifying the contents of the set transmission function is transmitted (process 213), and a predetermined modem training procedure is executed at the modem speed set at that time (process 214). Determine the modem speed to use.

Next, the contents of the above cover letter are
Edit by referring to the cover letter data corresponding to the cover letter ID specified in the e-mail destination information (processing 21).
5) The facsimile image data corresponding to the display content of the cover letter and the display content of the body of the e-mail is converted and formed (process 216), and the obtained facsimile image data is encoded and compressed by the encoding / decoding unit 11. (Process 21
7), transmitting the image information obtained thereby (processing 21)
8).

Then, a predetermined post-transmission procedure is executed (step 219), the line is restored (step 220), and the facsimile image data formed at that time is deleted (step 22).
1) Update the content of the partner function in the e-mail destination information to a value corresponding to the transmission function at that time (process 222).
Then, the process proceeds to the process 207 to execute the subsequent processes.

If the partner terminal has the same function as that of the terminal itself, and if the result of determination 211 is NO, a predetermined e-mail transmission mode is set (process 223), and the e-mail mode is designated. A non-standard function setting signal NSS is transmitted (process 224), and a predetermined modem training procedure is executed at the modem speed set at that time (process 22).
5) Determine the modem speed to be used at that time.

Next, the contents of the e-mail file at that time are transmitted in a predetermined error correction mode (process 226).
When the transmission is completed, a predetermined post-transmission procedure is executed (step 227), and the line is restored (step 228).
The process proceeds to step S2, where the content of the destination function in the e-mail destination information is updated to a value corresponding to the transmission function at that time, and the subsequent processing is executed.

As described above, in the present embodiment, facsimile image information corresponding to the contents of an electronic mail is formed only when the destination is a facsimile machine, so that waste of resources is eliminated. Can be. Further, since the e-mail or the facsimile image information is transmitted, the contents of the e-mail can be appropriately transmitted even if the designated destination is the facsimile apparatus.

FIGS. 10 and 11 show another personal computer PC via a local area network.
1, PC2,..., PCm, shows still another processing example of the facsimile apparatus IFAX when receiving an electronic mail transmission request.

Any personal computer PC
1, PC2,..., PCm, the facsimile apparatus IFAX accepts the e-mail transmission request (process 301), and the personal computer PC that has issued the e-mail transmission request.
1, PC2,..., PCm, receive an e-mail file and store the received e-mail file (process 302). Next, e-mail management information relating to the e-mail is created (step 303), and the e-mail destination information of the designated destination ID is read (step 30).
4).

At this time, it is checked whether the user name is effectively stored in the e-mail destination information (decision 30).
5). If the result of determination 305 is YES, the e-mail file is transmitted to the personal computers PC1, PC2,..., PCm to which the user of the user name is logged in (process 306).

Then, the content of the e-mail management information is updated according to the transmission result at that time (step 306), and a transmission result notification message for notifying the transmission result is formed. .., PCm that have logged in (Step 307).

If the result of determination 305 is NO, the telephone number of the electronic mail destination information at that time is called (step 309), and the called station identification signal C from the partner terminal is sent.
Upon receiving the ED, the non-standard function signal NSF, and the digital identification signal DIS (process 310), the function of the partner terminal is identified, and it is checked whether the partner terminal has only the facsimile function (decision 311).

If the result of decision 311 is YES,
The line is temporarily disconnected and restored (process 312). In that state,
The contents of the cover letter described above are edited with reference to the cover letter data corresponding to the cover letter ID specified in the e-mail destination information (process 313), and the display contents of the cover letter and the display contents of the body part of the e-mail are displayed. The facsimile image data corresponding to is converted and formed (process 314), the facsimile image data obtained thereby is coded and compressed by the coding / decoding section 11, and the image information obtained thereby is temporarily stored (process 315).

Next, the same destination is called again (process 3).
16), a predetermined pre-transmission procedure is executed (step 317), and the image information temporarily stored at that time is transmitted (step 318);
A predetermined post-transmission procedure is executed (process 319), the line is restored (process 320), the image information temporarily stored at that time is deleted (process 321), and the contents of the partner function of the e-mail destination information are deleted. The value is updated to a value corresponding to the transmission function at that time (process 322). Then, the process proceeds to the process 307 to execute the subsequent processes.

As described above, in this embodiment, if the destination is a facsimile machine, the line is temporarily disconnected to form facsimile image information corresponding to the contents of the electronic mail.
Since the same destination is recalled and the facsimile image information formed at that time is used, the line connection time can be reduced, and the communication cost can be reduced. Further, since the e-mail or the facsimile image information is transmitted, the contents of the e-mail can be appropriately transmitted even if the designated destination is the facsimile apparatus.

FIGS. 12 and 13 show another personal computer PC via a local area network.
1, PC2,..., PCm show still another processing example of the facsimile apparatus IFAX when receiving an e-mail transmission request.

Any personal computer PC
1, PC2,..., PCm, the facsimile apparatus IFAX accepts the e-mail transmission request (processing 401), and the personal computer PC that has issued the e-mail transmission request.
1, PC2,..., PCm, receive an e-mail file and store the received e-mail file (process 402). Next, e-mail management information relating to the e-mail is created (step 403), and the e-mail destination information of the designated destination ID is read (step 40).
4).

At this time, it is checked whether the user name is effectively stored in the electronic mail destination information (decision 40).
5). If the result of determination 405 is YES, the e-mail file is transmitted to the personal computers PC1, PC2,..., PCm to which the user of the user name is logged in (process 406).

Then, the content of the e-mail management information is updated according to the transmission result at that time (step 406), and a transmission result notification message for notifying the transmission result is formed. .., PCm that are logged in (step 407).

When the result of determination 405 is NO, the telephone number of the electronic mail destination information at that time is called (process 409), and the called station identification signal C from the partner terminal is sent.
Upon receiving the ED, the non-standard function signal NSF, and the digital identification signal DIS (process 410), the function of the partner terminal is identified, and it is checked whether or not the partner terminal has only the facsimile function (decision 411).

When the result of decision 411 is YES,
It is checked whether the data amount of the e-mail at that time is equal to or larger than a predetermined value and the disconnection condition is satisfied (decision 41
2). Here, the disconnection condition is for checking whether the time required to form facsimile image information corresponding to an electronic mail is longer than a predetermined value.

If the result of determination 412 is YES, forming facsimile image information in the connected state will increase the communication time and increase the communication cost unnecessarily.
3). In this state, the contents of the above cover letter are edited with reference to the cover letter data corresponding to the cover letter ID specified in the e-mail destination information (step 41).
4) The facsimile image data corresponding to the display content of the cover letter and the display content of the body part of the e-mail is converted and formed (processing 415), and the obtained facsimile image data is encoded and compressed by the encoding / decoding unit 11. Then, the obtained image information is temporarily stored (process 416).

Next, the same destination is called again (process 4).
17), a predetermined pre-transmission procedure is executed (step 418), and the image information temporarily stored at that time is transmitted (step 419);
A predetermined post-transmission procedure is executed (process 420), the line is restored (process 421), the image information temporarily stored at that time is deleted (process 422), and the content of the partner function of the e-mail destination information is changed to The value is updated to a value corresponding to the transmission function at that time (process 423). Then, the process proceeds to the process 407 to execute the subsequent processes.

Further, when the result of the determination 412 is NO, it means that the communication cost is not so high even if the facsimile image information is formed in the connected state. Therefore, at this time, the transmission function used at that time is set (processing 424), and the non-standard function setting signal NSS for notifying the contents of the set transmission function is transmitted (processing 4).
25) Then, a predetermined modem training procedure is executed at the modem speed set at that time (process 426), and the modem speed used at that time is determined.

Next, the contents of the above cover letter are
Edit by referring to the cover letter data corresponding to the cover letter ID specified in the e-mail destination information (process 42).
7) The facsimile image data corresponding to the display content of the cover letter and the display content of the body of the e-mail is converted and formed (process 428), and the facsimile image data obtained thereby is encoded and compressed by the encoding / decoding unit 11. (Process 42
9), and transmits the image information obtained thereby (processing 43).
0).

Then, a predetermined post-transmission procedure is executed (step 431), the line is restored (step 432), and the facsimile image data formed at that time is deleted (step 43).
3) The process proceeds to step 433 to update the content of the destination function in the e-mail destination information to a value corresponding to the transmission function at that time, and execute the subsequent processing.

If the partner terminal has the same function as that of the terminal itself, and the result of determination 411 is NO, a predetermined e-mail transmission mode is set (process 434), and the e-mail mode is designated. A non-standard function setting signal NSS is transmitted (process 435), and a predetermined modem training procedure is executed at the modem speed set at that time (process 43).
6) Determine the modem speed to be used at that time.

Next, the contents of the e-mail file at that time are transmitted in a predetermined error correction mode (processing 437),
When the transmission is completed, a predetermined post-transmission procedure is executed (step 438), and the line is restored (step 439).
Then, the process goes to 3 to update the content of the destination function of the e-mail destination information to a value corresponding to the transmission function at that time, and execute the subsequent processing.

As described above, in this embodiment, when the destination is a facsimile machine, if the time required to form facsimile image information corresponding to an e-mail is longer than a predetermined value, the line is temporarily disconnected. The facsimile image information corresponding to the contents of the e-mail is cut off, the same destination is re-called, the facsimile image information formed at that time is formed, and the facsimile image information corresponding to the e-mail is required. If the time does not become longer than the specified value, leave the line connected,
Since the facsimile image information corresponding to the content of the e-mail is formed, the line can be used effectively.

FIGS. 14, 15, and 16 show a facsimile apparatus IFA for receiving an electronic mail transmission request from another personal computer PC1, PC2,..., PCm via a local area network.
13 shows another processing example of X.

Any personal computer PC
1, PC2,..., PCm, the facsimile apparatus IFAX accepts the e-mail transmission request (process 501), and the personal computer PC that has issued the e-mail transmission request.
1, PC2,..., PCm, receive an e-mail file and store the received e-mail file (process 502). Next, e-mail management information relating to the e-mail is created (step 503), and the e-mail destination information of the designated destination ID is read (step 50).
4).

At this time, it is checked whether the user name is effectively stored in the electronic mail destination information (decision 50).
5). If the result of determination 505 is YES, the e-mail file is transmitted to the personal computers PC1, PC2,..., PCm to which the user of the user name is logged in (process 506).

Then, the content of the e-mail management information is updated according to the transmission result at that time (step 506), and a transmission result notification message for notifying the transmission result is formed. .., PCm that have logged in (step 507).

If the result of determination 505 is NO, it is checked whether or not the content of the destination function in the electronic mail destination information at that time is "facsimile" (determination 511). If the result of determination 511 is YES, the contents of the cover letter described above are edited with reference to the cover letter data corresponding to the cover letter ID specified in the e-mail destination information (process 512), and the cover letter The facsimile image data corresponding to the display contents and the display contents of the body part of the e-mail is converted and formed (process 51).
3) The facsimile image data obtained thereby is coded and compressed by the coding / decoding unit 11, and the obtained image information is stored as a temporary file (process 514).

Next, the telephone number of the electronic mail destination information at that time is called (process 515), and the called station identification signal CED, the non-standard function signal NSF, and the digital identification signal DIS from the partner terminal are transmitted. Upon reception (process 516), the function of the partner terminal is identified, and it is checked whether the function of the partner terminal has been changed (decision 517).

If the result of determination 517 is NO, the transmission function to be used at that time is set (step 518), and the non-standard function setting signal NSS notifying the contents of the set transmission function is sent out (step 518). 519), a predetermined modem training procedure is executed at the modem speed set at that time (process 520), and the modem speed used at that time is determined.

Next, the temporarily stored image information is transmitted (process 521), and a predetermined post-transmission procedure is executed (process 52).
2), the line is restored (process 523), the image information temporarily stored at that time is deleted (process 524), and the contents of the partner function of the e-mail destination information correspond to the transmission function at that time. The value is updated to a value (process 525). And processing 5
07, and the subsequent processing is executed.

If the partner terminal has the same function as that of its own terminal and the result of determination 517 is NO, a predetermined e-mail transmission mode is set (processing 526), and the e-mail mode is designated. The non-standard function setting signal NSS is transmitted (process 527), and a predetermined modem training procedure is executed at the modem speed set at that time (process 52).
8) Determine the modem speed to be used at that time.

Next, the contents of the e-mail file at that time are transmitted in a predetermined error correction mode (processing 529),
When the transmission is completed, a predetermined post-transmission procedure is executed (step 530), and the line is restored (step 531).
Then, the process proceeds to step S4, where the temporarily stored image information is deleted, and the subsequent processing is executed.

Also, the content of the partner function of the electronic mail destination information at that time is "E-mail", and
If the result of step 11 is NO, the telephone number of the e-mail destination information at that time is called (step 532), the called station identification signal CED and the non-standard function signal NS from the partner terminal.
F, and receives the digital identification signal DIS (step 533), identifies the function of the partner terminal, and checks whether the function of the partner terminal has been changed (decision 534). When the result of the determination 534 is NO, the process shifts to step 526 to transmit the e-mail and execute the subsequent processing.

If the result of determination 534 is YES, it is checked whether the data amount of the e-mail at that time is equal to or larger than a predetermined value and the disconnection condition is satisfied (determination 535).

If the result of determination 535 is YES, forming facsimile image information in the connected state will increase the communication time and increase the communication cost unnecessarily.
6). In this state, the contents of the above cover letter are edited with reference to the cover letter data corresponding to the cover letter ID specified in the e-mail destination information (step 53).
7) facsimile image data corresponding to the display content of the cover letter and the display content of the body part of the e-mail is converted and formed (process 538), and the facsimile image data obtained thereby is encoded and compressed by the encoding / decoding unit 11. Then, the obtained image information is temporarily stored (process 539).

Next, the same destination is called again (processing 5).
40), a predetermined pre-transmission procedure is executed (process 541), and the image information temporarily stored at that time is transmitted (process 542).
A predetermined post-transmission procedure is executed (process 543), the line is restored (process 545), the image information temporarily stored at that time is deleted (process 546), and the process proceeds to process 525, where the electronic mail destination information is sent. Is updated to the value corresponding to the transmission function at that time, and the subsequent processing is executed.

If the result of the determination 535 is NO, it means that the communication cost is not so high even if the facsimile image information is formed in the connected state. Therefore, at this time, the transmission function to be used at that time is set (processing 546), and the non-standard function setting signal NSS notifying the contents of the set transmission function is transmitted (processing 5).
47) The predetermined modem training procedure is executed at the modem speed set at that time (process 548), and the modem speed to be used at that time is determined.

Next, the contents of the above cover letter are
Edit by referring to the cover letter data corresponding to the cover letter ID specified in the e-mail destination information (processing 54
9) facsimile image data corresponding to the display content of the cover letter and the display content of the body part of the e-mail are converted and formed (process 550), and the facsimile image data obtained thereby is encoded and compressed by the encoding / decoding unit 11. (Process 55
1) The image information obtained thereby is transmitted (process 55).
2).

Then, a predetermined post-transmission procedure is executed (process 553), the line is restored (process 554), and the facsimile image data formed at that time is deleted (process 55).
5) The processing shifts to processing 525 to update the content of the destination function of the e-mail destination information to a value corresponding to the transmission function at that time, and executes the subsequent processing.

As described above, in this embodiment, when the function used at the time of the previous transmission to the destination of the electronic mail is a facsimile apparatus, the facsimile image information corresponding to the electronic mail is formed in advance, so that the efficiency is improved. Good e-mail transmission can be realized.

FIG. 16 shows the facsimile apparatus IFAX
3 shows an example of processing when an incoming call is detected.

When an incoming call is detected, first, an incoming call is answered (process 601), and the called station identification signal CED and the non-standard function signal N
An SF and a digital identification signal DIS are transmitted (process 602), and a non-standard function setting signal NSS is received from the partner terminal (process 603). At that time, it is checked whether or not the facsimile function is designated (decision 604).

If the result of decision 604 is YES, the transmission function of the terminal itself is set to the content specified by the non-standard function setting signal NSS (process 605), and a predetermined speed is set at the modem speed set at that time. A modem training procedure is performed (operation 606) to determine the modem speed to be used at that time.

Next, the image information is received (process 607).
The received image information is decoded into the original image data by the encoding / decoding unit 11 (process 608), and the obtained image data is transferred to the page printer 8 to record and output the received image (process 609).

Then, a predetermined post-transmission procedure is executed (process 610), the line is restored (process 611), and a series of reception operations is completed.

If the e-mail mode is set and the result of determination 604 is NO, an e-mail reception mode is set for the terminal itself (process 612) and the modem speed set at that time is set. A predetermined modem training procedure is executed (process 613) to determine a modem speed to be used at that time.

Next, the contents of the e-mail file at that time are received and stored in a predetermined error correction mode (process 614). When the reception of the e-mail file is completed, a predetermined post-transmission procedure is executed (step 615), and the line is restored (step 616). Next, the e-mail received and stored at that time is transmitted to the specified destination (process 617), and this series of receiving operations is completed.

The present invention can be similarly applied to a local network system other than the system configuration of the embodiment described above. Further, in the above-described embodiment, a facsimile apparatus having a group 3 facsimile apparatus function is used. However, the present invention can be similarly applied to a facsimile apparatus having a group 4 facsimile apparatus function. Can be. Also, ISDN can be used as the communication line.

[0117]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Since the user does not need to specify whether the destination of the e-mail is in the local area network or the facsimile machine outside the local area network, the e-mail function can be used easily. In addition, since any additional information can be added and transmitted to the facsimile apparatus, it is possible to save time and effort in transmitting an e-mail to the facsimile apparatus, and obtain an effect of improving usability.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a local network system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a facsimile apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an electronic mail.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a cover letter.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of various information used in the facsimile apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a part of a processing example of the facsimile apparatus when receiving an electronic mail transmission request from a personal computer via a local area network.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing another part of the processing example of the facsimile apparatus when receiving an electronic mail transmission request from a personal computer via a local area network.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a part of another processing example of the facsimile apparatus when receiving an electronic mail transmission request from a personal computer via a local area network.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing another part of another processing example of the facsimile apparatus when receiving an electronic mail transmission request from a personal computer via a local area network.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a part of still another processing example of the facsimile apparatus when receiving an electronic mail transmission request from a personal computer via a local area network.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing another part of still another processing example of the facsimile apparatus when receiving an e-mail transmission request from a personal computer via a local area network.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a part of still another processing example of the facsimile apparatus when receiving an electronic mail transmission request from a personal computer via a local area network.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a part of still another processing example of the facsimile apparatus when receiving an electronic mail transmission request from a personal computer via a local area network.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a part of still another processing example of the facsimile apparatus when receiving an electronic mail transmission request from a personal computer via a local area network.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing another part of still another processing example of the facsimile apparatus when receiving an electronic mail transmission request from a personal computer via a local area network.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the remaining part of still another processing example of the facsimile apparatus when receiving an electronic mail transmission request from a personal computer via a local area network.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a reception process of the facsimile apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 PC1 to PCm Personal computer HUB Concentrator IFAX Facsimile machine

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04N 1/00-1/00 108 G06F 13/00 351-357 H04L 12/00-12/26 H04L 12 / 50-12/66

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. A facsimile apparatus connected to a local area network to which at least one terminal is connected and having a local area network server function and an electronic mail server function in the local network, a display image of an electronic mail received from the terminal. Additional information storage means for storing the contents of the additional information to be added to the head of the e-mail, and when the destination of the e-mail received from the terminal can log in to the local area network, the terminal corresponding to the destination While sending the received e-mail, if the destination is not able to log in to the local area network, the designated destination is called, and the destination terminal is set in accordance with a predetermined transmission control procedure executed with the destination terminal. Know that you can receive e-mail Transmitting the e-mail data to the destination terminal in accordance with the data transfer procedure, and recognizing that the destination terminal is not capable of receiving the e-mail by the transmission control procedure, recovers the line at that time, and displays the display image and the additional information. Is converted into corresponding facsimile image information, temporarily stored, the same destination is called again, and the temporarily stored facsimile image information is transmitted to a destination terminal. 2. A facsimile apparatus connected to a local area network to which at least one terminal is connected and having a local area network server function and an electronic mail server function in the local network, a display image of an electronic mail received from the terminal. Additional information storage means for storing the contents of the additional information to be added to the head of the e-mail, and when the destination of the e-mail received from the terminal can log in to the local area network, the terminal corresponding to the destination While sending the received e-mail, if the destination is not able to log in to the local area network, the designated destination is called, and the destination terminal is set in accordance with a predetermined transmission control procedure executed with the destination terminal. Know that you can receive e-mail Transmitting the e-mail data to the destination terminal in accordance with the data transfer procedure, and recognizing that the destination terminal is not capable of receiving the e-mail by the transmission control procedure, recovers the line at that time, and displays the display image and the additional information. Is converted to the corresponding facsimile image information and temporarily stored, the same destination is called again, the temporarily stored facsimile image information is transmitted to the destination terminal, and the transmission result at that time is transmitted to the e-mail sending user. A facsimile apparatus comprising control means for notifying. 3. A display image of an e-mail received from a terminal in a facsimile apparatus connected to a local area network to which at least one terminal is connected and having a local area network server function and an e-mail server function in the local network. Additional information storage means for storing the contents of the additional information to be added to the head of the e-mail, and when the destination of the e-mail received from the terminal can log in to the local area network, the terminal corresponding to the destination While sending the received e-mail, if the destination is not able to log in to the local area network, the designated destination is called, and the destination terminal is set in accordance with a predetermined transmission control procedure executed with the destination terminal. Know that you can receive e-mail Transmitting the data of the e-mail to the destination terminal according to the data transfer procedure, and if the destination control terminal finds out that the e-mail cannot be received by the transmission control procedure, the line is temporarily cut off based on the contents of the e-mail. If it is determined whether or not to disconnect the line, the line is restored at that time, the display image and the additional information are converted into the corresponding facsimile image information and temporarily stored, and the same destination is called again, The apparatus further comprises control means for transmitting the temporarily stored facsimile image information to the destination terminal, and transmitting the facsimile image information to the destination terminal while converting the display image and the additional information to the corresponding facsimile image information when it is determined that the line is not disconnected. Facsimile machine characterized by the above-mentioned. 4. A facsimile apparatus connected to a local area network to which at least one terminal is connected and having a local area network server function and an electronic mail server function in the local network, a display image of an electronic mail received from the terminal. Additional information storage means for storing the contents of the additional information to be added to the head of the e-mail, and when the destination of the e-mail received from the terminal can log in to the local area network, the terminal corresponding to the destination While sending the received e-mail, if the destination is not able to log in to the local area network, the designated destination is called, and the destination terminal is set in accordance with a predetermined transmission control procedure executed with the destination terminal. Know that you can receive e-mail Transmitting the data of the e-mail to the destination terminal according to the data transfer procedure, and if the destination control terminal finds out that the e-mail cannot be received by the transmission control procedure, the line is temporarily cut off based on the contents of the e-mail. If it is determined whether or not to disconnect the line, the line is restored at that time, the display image and the additional information are converted into the corresponding facsimile image information and temporarily stored, and the same destination is called again, The temporarily stored facsimile image information is transmitted to the destination terminal, and when it is determined that the line is not disconnected, the display image and the additional information are transmitted to the destination terminal while being converted into the corresponding facsimile image information. A facsimile apparatus comprising a control unit for notifying a transmission user of an e-mail of a transmission result. 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the additional information is set for each destination.
A facsimile apparatus according to claim 3 or claim 4.