JP3549375B2 - Facsimile server device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a facsimile server device, and in particular, is connected to a network and connected to a public line network, and stores message data received via the network in a mailbox for each distribution destination, while connecting to the public line network. The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus connected to a facsimile apparatus via a call, which distributes the stored message data to a facsimile apparatus in which message data is stored in a mailbox corresponding to the facsimile apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
With the recent development of the use of the Internet, facsimile transmission / reception services via various Internet services have been started or are scheduled to start, taking advantage of the Internet's feature that communication charges within the network are free.
[0003]
As a specific example of the facsimile transmission / reception service via the Internet, a facsimile device (network facsimile device) directly connected to a LAN (local area network) connected to the Internet via a gateway is another network facsimile device, or There is a service in which facsimile transmission / reception is performed via the Internet with a network terminal such as a personal computer.
[0004]
The advantage of the facsimile transmission / reception service in this mode is that message data can be transmitted / received by a simple operation peculiar to the facsimile apparatus, and message data can be transmitted / received free even when the destination apparatus is located at a remote place. On the other hand, a disadvantage is that it is necessary to provide a dedicated interface for directly connecting the network facsimile apparatus to the network.
[0005]
On the other hand, most ordinary facsimile apparatuses are used by being connected to a public line network such as a telephone network or ISDN, such as a G3 facsimile apparatus or a G4 facsimile apparatus, and are dedicated for directly connecting to a network. Is not provided separately from the interface with the public line network, so that the user cannot receive the facsimile transmission / reception service via the Internet as it is.
[0006]
Therefore, in order for a normal facsimile apparatus having only an interface with a public line network to transmit message data via the Internet, a server apparatus (ISP server apparatus) of a nearest Internet service provider (ISP) is required. ) To make a line connection, make a dial-up IP connection using a protocol such as Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP), and temporarily connect to the Internet, while using a standard BASE64 or MIME (Multipurpose Internet Message Extensions). , Uuencode, etc., the message data encoded by the encoding method or the e-mail containing the text data itself By transmitting the message to the distribution destination via the ISP server device, the transmission of the message data via the Internet at the communication cost of the local call fee can be performed even if only the interface with the public line network is provided. There is also a form of facsimile transmission / reception service that can be performed with a simple operation.
[0007]
In this type of facsimile transmission / reception service, a normal facsimile apparatus having only an interface with the public line network calls a ISP server apparatus of the nearest Internet connection company in order to receive message data via the Internet. And make a dial-up IP connection using a protocol such as PPP, and while temporarily connected to the Internet, use a protocol such as POP (Post Office Protocol) to send mail for the ISP device itself. The message data stored in the box and addressed to the own device is received as an e-mail having the content of the message data encoded by the encoding method based on BASE64, uuencode, or the like. Or back to the original message data by the decoding method based on such decode-, or receives as a direct text data. As a result, even if only the interface with the public line network is provided, the reception of message data via the Internet can be performed by a simple operation peculiar to the facsimile machine at a communication cost of about a local communication charge.
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, when a facsimile transmission / reception service is provided via the Internet via the public line network as described above, the calling fee is transmitted from the transmission-side facsimile apparatus to the ISP server apparatus to establish a line connection. Even if it is unavoidable to be charged to the facsimile apparatus on the transmitting side, the facsimile apparatus on the receiving side checks whether the message data addressed to the own apparatus is stored in the mailbox for the own apparatus of the ISP server apparatus. In this case, a call can be made to the ISP server device to make a line connection, and the ISP server device cannot be known until it is contacted.
[0009]
Therefore, the facsimile machine on the receiving side periodically transmits the message data addressed to the own device to the ISP server device regardless of whether or not the message data is stored in the mailbox of the own device of the ISP server device. It is necessary to make a call and connect to the line. Even if it is found that the message data addressed to the own device is not stored in the mailbox of the own device of the ISP server device after the line connection, at that time, In addition, a communication fee of about 10 yen for at least 3 minutes is charged to the facsimile machine on the receiving side.
[0010]
Therefore, the communication fee charged to the receiving-side facsimile apparatus is frustrating to shorten the calling cycle to the ISP server apparatus with priority given to prompt reception of message data addressed to the own apparatus, and conversely, In order to save the communication fee charged to the receiving facsimile apparatus, there is a problem that a delay occurs in receiving message data addressed to the own apparatus.
[0011]
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and allows the facsimile apparatus to quickly receive message data addressed to the facsimile apparatus while minimizing a communication fee charged to the facsimile apparatus on the receiving side. It is an object of the present invention to provide a facsimile server device capable of performing such operations.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
To achieve the above object, a facsimile server device according to claim 1 is connected to a network and connected to a public line network, and stores message data received via the network in a mailbox for each delivery destination. Distributing the stored message data to a facsimile apparatus that has been connected to the facsimile apparatus via the public line network and stores the message data in a mailbox corresponding to the facsimile apparatus. In the facsimile server device, a mail management database in which subscriber numbers of the respective facsimile devices to which message data is to be delivered in the public line network are stored as source numbers in association with mailboxes corresponding to the respective facsimile devices, Via the public network Source number detecting means for receiving a source number notification signal transmitted from the public line network based on a source number notification service provided by the public line network and detecting a source number at the time of an incoming call; Responding to an incoming call from the source facsimile apparatus only when the source number detected by the source number detecting means is compared with the mail management database and the message data is stored in the corresponding mailbox. And a delivery control means for delivering message data stored in a mailbox corresponding to the facsimile apparatus.
[0013]
The facsimile server device according to claim 2 is connected to a network and connected to a public line network, and receives message data received through the network. The facsimile machine connected to the public line network is set for each facsimile machine. A facsimile server device for storing the message data stored in the mailbox and delivering the message data stored in the mailbox to the corresponding facsimile device; Said A subscriber number of the facsimile apparatus in the public network as a source number, The sender number, a mailbox corresponding to each of the facsimile machines, and a search matching character string for each delivery time zone And a mail management database in which a delivery time designation table in which the To Based on the outgoing telephone number notification service provided by the public line network , The subscriber number of the facsimile machine The source number As Source number detecting means for detecting, When a call arrives from a facsimile machine Incoming time detecting means for detecting the current time in the above, and the source number detected by said source number detecting means If the message data is stored in the mailbox corresponding to, the delivery time setting table corresponding to the mailbox has a delivery time that matches the incoming time detected by the incoming time detecting means, and A determination unit configured to determine whether a search matching character string corresponding to the matching delivery time is included in a predetermined search target mail header of the message data; Only if Said The call is connected in response to the incoming call from the facsimile machine, Message data And a delivery control means for delivering.
[0014]
A facsimile server device according to a third aspect is the facsimile server device according to any one of the first and second aspects, wherein the mail management database has a format that can be distributed for each facsimile device to which message data is distributed. Is stored in advance in association with a mailbox corresponding to each facsimile apparatus, while storing the message data received via the network in the mailbox of the distribution destination, the data format of the received message data and the mail A storage control means for storing the received message data in the mailbox only when the format of the deliverable data stored in the mail management database matches the box.
[0015]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the facsimile server device according to the third aspect, when storing the message data received via the network in a mailbox of a distribution destination, the data format of the received message data and If the format of the deliverable data stored in the mail management database does not match the corresponding mailbox, an e-mail containing the message that the received message data was not delivered to the delivery destination is sent to the message. A non-delivery notification means for transmitting the data to a source mail address of the data is further provided.
[0016]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0017]
First, FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a network system including ISP server devices 30a and 30b, which are facsimile server devices according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0018]
In the figure, the ISP server devices 30a and 30b are connected to the Internet 60 and to the public line network 50, respectively. The facsimile apparatuses 10a and 10b are connected to the public line network 50. The public line network 50 provides an outgoing telephone number notification service to subscriber terminals, and the ISP server devices 30a and 30b also provide the outgoing telephone number notification service as one of the public line network 50 subscriber terminals. It has corresponding functions.
[0019]
The facsimile apparatus 10a is a representative example of a facsimile apparatus which receives a service of transmitting and receiving message data via the Internet 60 by the ISP server apparatus 30a. Similarly, the facsimile apparatus 10b also includes an Internet 60 by the ISP server apparatus 30b. 1 is a representative example of a facsimile apparatus which is provided with a message data transmission / reception service via the Internet. In the following description, the facsimile device 10 means either the facsimile device 10a or 10b having the same configuration, and the ISP server device 30 means one of the ISP server devices 30a or 30b having the same configuration. It shall be.
[0020]
The present invention is applied to the ISP server device 30 as a facsimile server device. In order to be able to more clearly explain the configuration and operation of the ISP server device 30, first, the configuration of the facsimile device 10 is described. And operation will be described.
[0021]
First, the configuration of the facsimile machine 10 is shown in FIG. In FIG. 1, a facsimile apparatus 10 includes a system control unit 11, a ROM 12, an RA 13, a scanner unit 14, a plotter unit 15, a clock circuit 16, an operation display unit 17, an encoding / decoding unit 18, a network control unit 19, a fax data It comprises a modem 20, a communication control unit 21, and a system bus 22.
[0022]
Here, the system control unit 11 is a microcomputer that controls each unit of the apparatus according to the control program written in the ROM 12 while using the RAM 13 as a work area.
[0023]
As described above, the ROM 12 is a read-only memory in which a control program for the system control unit 11 to control each unit of the apparatus is stored. The RAM 13 is a random access memory used as a work area of the system control unit 11 as described above, and temporarily stores or receives image data read by the scanner unit 14 as a file for memory transmission. It is also used to temporarily store image data as a file until it is recorded by the plotter unit 15.
[0024]
The scanner unit 14 reads an original image at a predetermined reading line density such as 3.85 lines / mm, 7.7 lines / mm, and 15.4 lines / mm to obtain image data. The plotter unit 15 records and outputs the received image data and text data, and records and outputs (copy operation) the image data read by the scanner unit 5.
[0025]
The clock circuit 16 measures the current time, measures the elapse of the time set in the system control unit 11, and performs a timer operation of notifying the system control unit 11 by an interrupt when the set time elapses. is there. The operation display unit 17 is provided with various keys such as a numeric keypad, a start key, a one-touch dial key, and various setting keys for designating a destination telephone number, accepts various operations by a user, and is configured by a liquid crystal display device or the like. The display is provided with a display for displaying the operating state of the device to be notified to the user and various messages. The detailed configuration of the operation display unit 17 will be described later.
[0026]
The encoding / decoding unit 19 encodes and compresses the transmission image data using a predetermined encoding method such as an MH encoding method or an MR encoding method that conforms to the G3 facsimile, and converts the received image data into an MH encoding method. And decoding / decompression using a predetermined decoding method corresponding to the MR encoding method, and when the image data is transmitted and received as an e-mail as described later, the encoding / decoding processing based on BASE64 or uuencode / udecode. Also do.
[0027]
The network control unit 19 is connected to the public line network 50, and closes / releases a DC loop of the line, detects polarity reversal of the line, detects line release, detects a dial tone, busy tone (busy), and the like. It controls connection to a line such as detection of a tone signal and detection of a call signal, and generation of a dial pulse. The fax / data modem 20 has a 27ter, V.I. 29, V.I. G3 facsimile modem function such as V.17, 32, V.I. 32ter, V.I. 34, which modulates data transmitted to the public line network 50 via the network control unit 19 and demodulates data received from the public line network 50 via the network control unit 19. is there. Further, the fax / data modem 20 also transmits a DTMF signal corresponding to the input dial number.
[0028]
The communication control unit 21 controls the G facsimile communication by the G facsimile protocol based on the ITU-T Recommendation T-30 using the fax / data modem 20 as a fax modem. Further, the communication control unit 21 supports a PPP (Point to Point Protocol) as a data link layer on a physical layer using the fax / data modem 20 as a data modem, and performs dial-up IP to an ISP server device 30 described later. It controls the connection and sends an e-mail containing a normal text by SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) over TCP / IP as a network transport layer, or a normal transmission by MIME (Multipurpose Internet Message Extensions). Transmission of e-mail containing text data such as images other than text encoded as text data, and transmission by POP (Post Office Protocol). Performs control of the reception of e-mail. The system bus 22 is a signal line through which the above components exchange data.
[0029]
Next, a partial configuration of the operation display unit 17 particularly related to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
[0030]
In the figure, a display 17a is for displaying a character string of a text, and is used for displaying an electronic mail received as a text in addition to an operation state of the apparatus and various messages. The keyboard 17b includes a number of keys for inputting alphabets and various symbols, and is used for inputting an e-mail address. The ten-key 17c is used for inputting a fax number and the like. The start key 17d is for instructing the start of transmission. The stop key 17e is for instructing interruption of the operation. The scroll keys 17f are used to scroll the text data and the like of the e-mail displayed on the display 17a up, down, left, and right.
[0031]
The manual reception key 17g is for forcibly starting the operation of receiving the e-mail destined to the own device stored in the ISP server device 30. The periodical reception key 17h is an operation mode for automatically starting the operation of receiving the e-mail addressed to the own device stored in the ISP server device 30 every time a preset time (for example, 30 minutes) elapses. This key is used to set the “periodic reception” mode. When the regular reception key 17h is pressed by the user, the indicator lamp 17i is lit to indicate that the mode is currently set to the “regular reception” mode. When the regular reception key 17h is pressed again, the indicator lamp 17i is turned on. It turns off to indicate that the mode is not currently set to the “regular reception” mode.
[0032]
Next, the message data transmitted from the facsimile apparatus 10a is transmitted between the facsimile apparatus 10a and the facsimile apparatus 10b configured as described above, via the ISP server apparatus 30a, via the Internet 60, and further transmitted to the ISP server apparatus. The operation of the facsimile machine 10 will be described by taking as an example the case where the facsimile machine 10b receives the data via the 30b. The detailed configuration of the ISP server devices 30a and 30b will be described later.
[0033]
First, a transmission processing procedure on the facsimile apparatus 10a side as a transmission side apparatus will be described with reference to FIG.
[0034]
In the figure, the system control unit 11 of the facsimile apparatus 10a monitors whether a document is set on the scanner unit 14 (No loop of decision 101), and if a document is set (Yes of decision 101), the operation display unit A message "Specify the fax number or e-mail address of the transmission destination and press the start key" is displayed on the display unit 17 (process 102), and the fax number is input using the ten keys 17c or the electronic keypad is used for the keyboard 17c. It is monitored whether a transmission destination is specified by inputting a mail address, pressing a one-touch dial key (not shown), or specifying a speed dial number (No loop of determination 103).
[0035]
Then, if the transmission destination is specified (Yes in decision 103), then the press of the start key is monitored (No loop in decision 104), and if the start key is pressed (Yes in decision 104), the designation is made. It is determined whether the specified transmission destination is a fax number (decision 105). If it is a fax number (Yes in decision 105), a call is made to the designated fax number (processing 106), and the transmission destination is transmitted within a predetermined time. If there is a response from this device (Yes in decision 107), normal facsimile transmission processing is performed (processing 108). That is, the data obtained by encoding the image data of the original read by the scanner unit 14 by the encoding / decoding unit 18 is transmitted by the transmission control procedure based on the G3 facsimile protocol using the facsimile / data modem 20 as a facsimile modem. A facsimile message is transmitted to the transmission destination device.
[0036]
If there is no response from the transmission destination device within the predetermined time in the determination 107 (No in the determination 107), the processing is terminated as it is. If a fax number is specified as the transmission destination in the determination 105, the apparatus of the transmission destination specified by the fax number is another facsimile apparatus connected to the public line network 50. That is, when a facsimile number is specified as a transmission destination, the facsimile apparatus 10a performs the same operation as a normal facsimile apparatus that transmits and receives a facsimile message via the telephone network 50. If there is no response from the device of the transmission destination within the predetermined time in the determination 107, the process is terminated because the device of the transmission destination is in a state where reception is not possible or during communication and no response can be made. Or, if it is not performed, the calling operation is not kept indefinitely, so it can be said that this is an essential process in a practical facsimile machine.
[0037]
On the other hand, if the designated transmission destination is not a fax number but an e-mail address in decision 105 (No in decision 105), the document set on the scanner section 14 is read to obtain document image data (processing 109). Then, the transmission image data is encoded into text data by a BASE64 encoding method or the like, and is converted into an e-mail in a format based on MIME or the like (process 110).
[0038]
Then, a call is made to the subscriber number of the ISP server device 30a in the public line network 50 registered in advance and stored in the RAM 13 (process 111), and it is determined whether there is a response from the ISP server device 30a within a predetermined time. Then, if there is no response (No in decision 112), the process ends as in the case of decision 107.
[0039]
If there is a response from the ISP server device 30b within a certain period of time (Yes at decision 112), a dial-up IP connection using PPP or the like is performed using the facsimile / data modem 20 as a data modem (process 113). The transmission image data converted into the e-mail in the processing 110 is transmitted to the mail address of the transmission destination specified in the judgment 103 (processing 114). In this case, the mail address of the transmission destination is basically the mail address of the facsimile machine 10b that receives the service of the ISP server device 30b. However, the mail address of the transmission destination is addressed to a network terminal such as a personal computer connected to the Internet 60. A mail address may be used. In this case, the destination network terminal uses an e-mail application compatible with MIME or the like to return to the original image data by the BASE64 decoding method or the like, display the image data on a display, print out, or the like. Used.
[0040]
After sending the e-mail in step 114, the call is released (step 115) and the process is completed.
[0041]
As described above, the transmission of message data from the facsimile apparatus 10a is different from the facsimile apparatus in that the destination number is specified as a fax number or a mail address. Easy operation.
[0042]
Next, processing at the time of incoming call in the facsimile machine 10b on the receiving side will be described with reference to FIG.
[0043]
In the figure, the system control unit 11 of the facsimile apparatus 10b monitors the state of the network control unit 19 to monitor whether there is an incoming call via the public network 50 (No loop of the judgment 201), If there is (Yes in determination 201), the reception processing of the facsimile message by the normal G3 facsimile protocol is performed (processing 202). That is, the processing at the time of the incoming call is performed in the same manner as a normal facsimile apparatus which transmits and receives a facsimile message via the public line network 50.
[0044]
Next, a processing procedure when the receiving-side facsimile apparatus 10b receives the electronic mail addressed to the own apparatus stored in the ISP apparatus 30b will be described with reference to FIG.
[0045]
In the figure, the system control unit 11 of the facsimile apparatus 10b determines whether the manual reception key 17g has been pressed (No in the judgment 301 and No loop in the judgment 302) or the regular reception mode when the mode is not the regular reception mode. In this case, it is monitored whether the manual reception key 17g has been pressed or whether a predetermined time (for example, 30 minutes) has elapsed (No in the judgment 301, Yes in the judgment 302, No loop in the judgment 303). Is pressed (Yes in decision 301) or after a predetermined time has passed (Yes in decision 303), a call is made to the subscriber number in the public line network 50 of the ISP server device 30b (process 304), and It is monitored whether there is a response within the time (decision 305), and if there is no response within a fixed time (No of decision 305), the call is released. Process 306), the flow returns to decision 301.
[0046]
If there is a response within a certain period of time (Yes in decision 305), a dial-up IP connection using PPP or the like is performed using the fax / data modem 20 as a data modem (process 307), and the ISP server device 30b sends a POP message from the ISP server device 30b. The e-mail addressed to the own device is received (step 308). The e-mail received at this time may be from the facsimile machine 10a, or may be from another network terminal connected to the Internet 60.
[0047]
After receiving the e-mail addressed to the own device in step 308, the call is released (step 309), and the received e-mail is processed according to the content (step 310). More specifically, if the content of the received e-mail specified by “Content-Type:” in the mail header in the format specified by RFC1521 / RF1522 is image data, the encoding / decoding unit The decoded image data is returned to the original image data, and the original image data is recorded on recording paper by the plotter unit 15. If the content is the text itself, the font is expanded and recorded on the recording paper by the plotter unit 15, or the display unit 17a, and performs processing such as scrolling according to the operation of the scroll key 17f by the user.
[0048]
As described above, the facsimile apparatus 10 can transmit and receive a normal facsimile message to and from another facsimile apparatus via the public line network 50, and can also transmit image data, text data, and the like via the Internet 60 via the ISP server apparatus 30. Message data can be transmitted and received.
[0049]
However, when the facsimile machine 10 receives message data via the Internet 60 via the ISP server device 30 by e-mail, conventionally, the e-mail addressed to the facsimile device 10 that has been calling for dial-up IP connection is used. Regardless of whether the e-mail addressed to the facsimile apparatus 10 is stored in the facsimile apparatus 10 because the line is connected to the facsimile apparatus 10 regardless of whether or not the e-mail is stored in the facsimile apparatus 10, The line to the ISP server device 30 is connected, and at least a basic call charge is charged to the facsimile device 10 from the public line network 50 as communication cost.
[0050]
This is because the ISP server device 30 cannot conventionally specify the calling facsimile device 10 before the line is connected and the communication fee is charged, so the calling facsimile device 10 cannot be specified. This is a problem that occurs because the mailbox corresponding to the device 10 cannot be specified before the line is connected.
[0051]
On the other hand, in recent years, the public line network 50 has started a service called a calling telephone number notification service, in which a subscriber number of a calling subscriber terminal is notified to a called subscriber terminal as a calling number.
[0052]
A common use of the calling phone number notification service is that if the user of the called terminal sees the calling number notified by the calling phone number notification service and displayed by the called terminal and does not want to talk, the handset If you want to leave the phone off-hook and talk, you can use the handset off-hook to talk.
[0053]
In that case, the receiving terminal (user) can specify the calling terminal (user) before the line is connected and the charging state is started, so that there is no need to perform an unwanted call / communication, and Also for the user), there is an advantage that the call / communication is refused after the line is connected and charged, and the communication fee is not charged unnecessarily.
[0054]
Therefore, the ISP server device 30 as the facsimile server device according to the present invention uses the outgoing telephone number notification service provided by the public line network 50 to provide the facsimile device 10 with a message data reception service via the Internet 60. Can be provided at low cost.
[0055]
Before describing the configuration and operation of the ISP server device 30 therefor, a description will be given of a line connection procedure based on a calling telephone number notification service provided by the public line network 50, which is a premise thereof.
[0056]
First, the connection operation sequence in the calling telephone number notification service shown in FIG. 7 will be described. In the figure, the transmitting terminal corresponds to the facsimile device 10 transmitting to the ISP server device 30 according to the present embodiment, and the ID receiving terminal and the receiving terminal both correspond to the ISP server device 30. In addition, a subscriber line exchange in the public line network 50 accommodating the calling terminal and a subscriber exchange in the public line network 50 accommodating the ID receiving terminal and the receiving terminal are conveniently shown as one exchange. However, the switches may actually be different.
[0057]
In the connection operation sequence shown in FIG. 7, the calling terminal goes off-hook (phase F1), closes the DC circuit with the exchange, and dials the subscriber number (telephone number) of the called terminal (phase F2). ).
[0058]
In response, the exchange inverts the polarity of the subscriber line accommodating the ID receiving terminal corresponding to the telephone number designated by the calling terminal from the calling terminal (phase F3) and sends an ID receiving terminal activation signal (phase F3). Phase F4). It should be noted that the ID receiving terminal activation signal differs from the general calling signal only in cadence, and has the same other signal characteristics.
[0059]
Upon receiving the ID receiving terminal activation signal from the exchange, the ID receiving terminal returns a primary response signal to the exchange by closing the DC loop of the line (phase F5).
[0060]
Upon receiving the temporary response signal, the exchange sends the calling terminal ID of the calling terminal to the ID receiving terminal as a modem signal, and the ID receiving terminal receives the signal (phase F6).
[0061]
Here, the data format of the calling ID received by the ID receiving terminal will be described with reference to FIG.
[0062]
In the drawing, the signal of the calling ID includes start of heading (SOH) indicating the start of heading of an information message, a header indicating transmission of information from the exchange to the terminal, and STX (start of text) indicating the start of text and the end of heading. ), And a message body preceded by SI (shift in) indicating that the graphic character is to be used for Roman characters, followed by an ETX (end of text) indicating the end of the text, and an error detection code (CRC).
[0063]
Further, the message body includes a service type, a message length indicating the number of bytes of the message, and parameters.
[0064]
Further, the parameter is composed of a parameter type, a parameter length, and information content. As shown in FIG. 9A, the parameter type is divided into two types according to the parameter type value. If the type value is “0010001”, the parameter name is the calling telephone number, that is, the information content is It indicates that it is the telephone number of the calling terminal to be notified. If the type value is "0010010", it indicates that the parameter name is the ID non-notification reason, that is, the information content indicates that the telephone number of the calling terminal is non-notification and the reason for the non-notification. ing.
[0065]
As shown in FIG. 9B, the specific contents of the information contents regarding the two types of parameters, “calling telephone number” and “ID non-notification reason”, are as follows. The “ID non-notification reason” is one character indicating the reason for non-notification.
[0066]
As shown in FIG. 9C, the reason why the caller ID is not notified, which is indicated by one character in the case of “ID non-notification reason”, is “rejection by caller” and “caller ID notification service” Outgoing out of service area "or" Public phone outgoing ".
[0067]
The reason why the ID is not notified is “rejection by the caller” when the caller terminal dials by adding “184 (Iyo)” before the telephone number to be dialed to specify the receiver terminal, or when making a call. This is the case where the terminal side sets a non-notification source number in a line contract with the public line network 50. However, in the present embodiment, when calling the facsimile machine 10, when calling the ISP server 50, “184 (Eyeyo)” is added before the subscriber number in the public line network 50. It is assumed that a line contract for setting the source number to non-notification has not been made with the public line network 50.
[0068]
Now, returning to FIG. 7, upon receiving the calling ID in phase F6, the ID receiving terminal returns a reception completion signal to the exchange by releasing and cutting off the DC loop of the line (phase F7).
[0069]
Upon receiving the reception completion signal in phase F7, the exchange sends a normal paging signal to the receiving terminal, and the receiving terminal receives the signal (phase F8). The exchange transmits a ringback tone to the transmitting terminal at the same time as transmitting the calling signal to the receiving terminal (phase F9).
[0070]
The terminating terminal that has received the calling signal from the exchange in phase F8 is automatically a terminal that performs data communication such as a facsimile apparatus, or is a terminal that performs conversational communication such as a telephone, and is off-hook by the user using a handset. By closing the DC of the line, a secondary response signal is returned to the exchange (phase F10). A line is established between the calling terminal and the called terminal by the exchange receiving the secondary response signal, and thereafter communication such as conversation (call) and facsimile communication according to a predetermined protocol such as the G3 facsimile protocol are performed. (Step F11). After the call or communication is completed, the line is disconnected in the same manner as a general communication terminal device accommodated in a telephone line by releasing the DC loop of the line by on-hook of the handset or automatically. In this case, the calling terminal is charged for the communication fee from the public line network 50 after the receiving terminal performs a secondary response in the fuse F10 and the call or communication of the fuse F11 is started.
[0071]
Next, the configuration of the ISP server device 30 as a facsimile server device according to the present invention, which has a function corresponding to the calling telephone number notification service as described above, will be described with reference to FIG.
[0072]
In the figure, a network I / F 38 is a physical layer / data link layer interface with the Internet 60. The network adapter driver 37 controls the network layer / transport layer, supports the TCP / IP protocol, and controls data transmission / reception with the Internet 60 via the network I / F 38. The mail control unit 36 controls transmission and reception of e-mail by SMTP via the network 60 via the network adapter driver 37 and the network I / F 38. The clock circuit 40 measures the current time, and the mail control unit 36 can know the current time by reading the clock circuit 40 as needed.
[0073]
The network control units 35a and 35b are interfaces with the public line network 50 for two channels connected to the public line network 50, respectively, for closing and releasing the DC loop of the line and for inverting the polarity of the line. It controls connection with a line, such as detection, detection of line release, detection of a dial tone, detection of a tone signal such as a busy tone (busy), detection of a call signal, and generation of a dial pulse.
[0074]
The modems 34a and 34b are connected to the public network 50 via network controllers 35a and 35b, respectively. 32, V.I. 32ter, V.I. 34, and modulates data to be transmitted to the public line network 50 via the network control units 35a and 35b, and modulates data received from the public line network 50 via the network control units 35a and 35b. It is to demodulate. Further, the modems 34a and 34b also transmit DTMF signals corresponding to the input dial numbers. Also, the modems 34a and 34b receive the calling ID signal transmitted as a modem signal from the public line network 50 based on the calling telephone number notification service, and change the calling source number included in the information content of the calling ID signal. It has a function to detect.
[0075]
A communication port 33 accommodating the modems 34a and 34b is connected to a communication port driver 32. The communication port driver 32 controls a dial-up IP connection using PPP or the like in a data link layer on a communication port as a physical layer, and performs data control. It controls the network layer / transport layer on the link layer and supports the TCP / IP protocol. The communication control unit 31 performs a POP server function on the TCP / IP protocol, and distributes the electronic mail passed from the mail control unit 36 to the network control unit 35a or the network control unit 35b via a line connection. This is for controlling distribution to the destination facsimile machine 10. Further, the communication control unit 31 also performs overall control of each unit of the ISP server device 30.
[0076]
The mail control unit 36 stores each message data received as an electronic mail via the Internet 60 until the facsimile apparatus 10 of the distribution destination makes a dial-up IP connection and requests the distribution of the electronic mail. A mailbox group 39a corresponding to the destination facsimile machine 10 is secured in the storage device 39. Each mailbox constituting the mailbox group 39a is associated one-to-one with each record of the mail management database 39b stored in the storage device 39, and is managed by the mail management database 39b. .
[0077]
FIG. 11 shows the configuration of the mail management database 39b.
[0078]
In the figure, each record of the database is composed of fields of “source number”, “mailbox name”, “distributable data format”, “distribution time setting table”, and “reception flag”. .
[0079]
The field "source number" is a subscriber number in the public line network 50 of the facsimile machine 10 for which the ISP server device 30 provides a message data transmission / reception service. This is for specifying the corresponding mailbox by comparing with the source number notified by the service.
[0080]
The field “mailbox name” is a name given to each mailbox in the mailbox group 39a to distinguish each mailbox, and the email address itself of the facsimile machine 10 corresponding to each mailbox on the Internet 60 It is.
[0081]
The field “distributable data format” is used to register the data format of message data that can be received and processed by the facsimile machine 10 corresponding to each mailbox name, and is generally used as text data itself “text” or image data format. This is a field in which, among typical “tiff” and “dcx”, which is a general format of image data in an e-mail, etc., those which can be received and processed by each facsimile apparatus 10 are registered in advance.
[0082]
The fields of the distribution time setting table are for setting the distribution time for each received e-mail for each mailbox.
[0083]
FIG. 12 shows a first example of a distribution time setting table for one mailbox.
[0084]
In the figure, the distribution time is set in a plurality of stages. In other words, two delivery times are set: a late-night time zone “AM 1:00 to 3:00” where communication costs are cheaper, and “immediate” indicating delivery as soon as possible upon receipt.
[0085]
At each delivery time, the sender's email address is registered. From the sender's email address registered at each delivery time, an e-mail received to the mailbox (the corresponding facsimile machine 10) Regardless of the receiving time, the electronic mail is delivered to the facsimile machine 10 connected via dial-up IP to receive the delivery of the electronic mail addressed to the own device at the delivery time to which the source mail address belongs.
[0086]
This allows the user of the facsimile machine 10 corresponding to each e-mail address to immediately register the sender's e-mail address of the destination that he or she wants to receive immediately. By registering the source mail address of the other party desired to be delivered to the band in "AM 1:00 to 3:00", it is possible to achieve both the immediacy of e-mail delivery and the reduction of communication cost.
[0087]
In the distribution time setting table shown in FIG. 12, the source mail explicitly registered in the distribution time setting table is prepared in preparation for receiving an e-mail from another unknown mail address for which the distribution time cannot be explicitly set. The source mail addresses other than the addresses are registered at the delivery time “immediately”.
[0088]
FIG. 13 shows a second example of the distribution time setting table for one mailbox.
[0089]
Also in the figure, the distribution time is set in a plurality of stages. In other words, two delivery times are set: a late-night time zone “AM 1:00 to 3:00” where communication costs are cheaper, and “immediate” indicating delivery as soon as possible upon receipt.
[0090]
Each delivery time is associated with a search target header and a search matching character string. Specifically, “Subject” indicating the title of the e-mail is specified as the search target header among the various fields of the header specified in RFC822 and RFC1521, and the search matching character string is not particularly urgent. "Normal" indicating that the mail is a normal electronic mail and "immediately" indicating that the mail should be delivered immediately are predetermined.
[0091]
The sending user can specify the urgency of the transmitted e-mail by including a character string such as "normal" or "immediately" in the "Subject" field of the e-mail header, which indicates the urgency of the transmitted e-mail. The degree of sex can be notified to the ISP server device 30 on the receiving side.
[0092]
Note that the search target header is not limited to “Subject”, and may be another field of the mail header, or may be a search target within the mail text. Also, the search target character string can be set arbitrarily.
[0093]
Further, in the distribution time setting tables shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the distribution time is set to two levels, but may be set to three or more levels.
[0094]
Returning to FIG. 11, the delivery time setting table shown in FIG. 12 or FIG. 13 contains the delivery time setting table shown in FIG. 12 or FIG. 13 in the field “delivery time setting table” of the record corresponding to each mailbox in the mail management database 39b. Is registered according to the user's request of the facsimile machine 10 corresponding to the above.
[0095]
The field “reception flag” is set to “ON” when one or more electronic mails are stored in the corresponding mailbox, and is set to “OFF” when no electronic mail is stored in the corresponding mailbox. Field.
[0096]
Next, a mail reception processing procedure in the ISP server device 30b configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG.
[0097]
In the figure, the mail control unit 36 monitors the reception of an e-mail via the Internet 60 (No loop of the judgment 401), and when the e-mail is received (Yes of the judgment 401), the header part of the received e-mail The destination mailbox, that is, the mailbox name is specified by the “To:” field of “.”, And the deliverable data format corresponding to the mailbox name is confirmed by referring to the mail management database 39b (process 402).
[0098]
Then, the data format of the e-mail received in the judgment 401 is confirmed by the “Content-Type:” field in the header part or the like (process 403). If the data format confirmed in the process 403 is included in the distributable data format confirmed in the process 402 and can be distributed (Yes in decision 404), the e-mail received in decision 401 is sent to the destination It is stored in the mailbox of the mailbox name (process 405). Further, the reception flag corresponding to the mailbox name in the mail management database 39b is turned ON (process 406), and the process returns to the judgment 401. If one or more electronic mails have already been stored in the mailbox corresponding to the mailbox name at the time of the process 406, the process simply proceeds to the process 406 where the reception flag is kept ON. Not just.
[0099]
In the case where the distribution is impossible in the determination 404 (No in the determination 404), even if the e-mail which is known to be undeliverable is stored, the received e-mail only wastes the storage capacity of the storage device 39, and thus the received e-mail is received. In addition to discarding the e-mail (processing 407), it is determined that the transmitted e-mail was not delivered to the delivery destination to the source mail address specified by the “From:” field of the header of the e-mail received in the determination 401. The e-mail of the non-delivery report is returned with the content indicating that the data format of the transmitted e-mail is a data format that cannot be delivered (process 408), and the process returns to the judgment 401.
[0100]
As a result, in the mailbox corresponding to each facsimile device 10b, only e-mails in a data format that can be delivered to each facsimile device 10b are stored. In response to the fact that the e-mail of the non-delivery report has been returned to the source mailbox in process 408, the facsimile machine of the distribution destination, which has subsequently called to receive the e-mail addressed to the own device, has been sent. It is also possible to send an e-mail for an error report.
[0101]
Next, an incoming call processing procedure via the public line network 50 in the ISP server device 30b will be described with reference to FIGS. The incoming call processing procedure shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 is a processing corresponding to the reception processing procedure in the facsimile machine 10b shown in FIG.
[0102]
15 and 16, the communication control unit 31 of the ISP server device 30b monitors the state of the network control units 35a and 35b to receive a call, that is, the line polarity corresponding to the phase F3 in the sequence of FIG. Is monitored to determine whether or not is inverted (No loop of determination 501).
[0103]
If there is an incoming call (line polarity inversion) (Yes in decision 501), the reception of the ID receiving terminal activation signal is monitored in response to phase F4 (No loop in decision 502). A temporary response signal is transmitted by closing the DC loop (step 503), the reception of the source ID signal corresponding to the phase F6 is monitored (No loop of decision 504), and when it is received (Yes of decision 504), A reception completion signal due to a break in the DC loop is transmitted corresponding to phase F7 (process 505).
[0104]
Then, the communication control unit 31 passes the transmission source number obtained from the calling ID signal received in the determination 504 to the mail control unit 36, and the mail control unit 36 searches the mail management database 39b for a corresponding record (processing 506). Then, it is determined whether the reception flag of the searched record is ON, that is, whether one or more e-mails are stored in the mailbox corresponding to the source number (decision 507), and when the reception flag is OFF, (No in decision 507), the process ends.
[0105]
In other words, the ISP server device 30b performs only up to phase F7 of the sequence of FIG. 7 as an ID receiving terminal, ignores the call signal transmitted from the exchange of the public line network 50 in phase F8, and No secondary response signal due to the closing of the DC loop 10 is sent to the exchange.
[0106]
Accordingly, if no e-mail to be delivered to the source facsimile machine 10b that has arrived to receive the delivery of the e-mail addressed to the own device is stored, the communication cost is charged in phase 11 Do not migrate. Therefore, even if the facsimile device 10b frequently calls the ISP server device 30b to receive the e-mail quickly, if the e-mail addressed to the own device is not stored in the ISP server device 30b, Since the determination 305 in the reception processing procedure shown in FIG. 6 is No and the processing from the determination 301 is repeated, unnecessary communication costs are not charged to the facsimile apparatus 10b.
[0107]
By the way, in the judgment 507, when the reception flag is ON (Yes in the judgment 507), the clock circuit 40 is further read to check the current time (step 508), and the distribution time setting table is referred to. Then, the electronic mail stored in the corresponding mailbox is searched (determination 509).
[0108]
As a result of the search, the current time confirmed in the process 508 corresponds to one of the distribution times set in the distribution time setting table (always applicable if the distribution time is “immediate”), and the mailbox In the e-mails stored in, there is an e-mail to be delivered having supplementary information (a source mailbox or a search matching character string) corresponding to the delivery time, that is, the delivery time illustrated in FIG. In the setting table, whether there is an e-mail from the source mail address corresponding to the distribution time, or in the distribution time setting table illustrated in FIG. 13, the search target header corresponding to the distribution time includes It is determined whether there is an e-mail containing the search matching character string (determination 510).
[0109]
As a result, if there is no e-mail to be delivered (No in decision 510), the process ends as it is in the case of No in decision 507. As a result, the e-mail addressed to each facsimile device 10b is distributed according to the distribution time conditions set for each facsimile device 10b based on the distribution time setting tables illustrated in FIG. 12 and FIG. As a result, it is possible to distribute urgent e-mails at a time when communication charges are low at night.
[0110]
If there is an e-mail to be delivered in decision 510 (Yes in decision 510), a secondary response signal is transmitted to the exchange by closing the DC loop corresponding to phase F10 (process 511), and phase F11 is reached. To the communication state.
[0111]
By shifting to the phase F11, a communication fee is charged to the facsimile machine 10b of the transmission source, which is necessary and significant for the distribution of the e-mail.
[0112]
When the call between the facsimile device 10b and the ISP server device 30b is connected by the process 511, a dial-up IP connection by PPP is performed (process 512), and the ISP server device 30b acts as a POP server to the incoming facsimile device 10b. Is transferred to the facsimile machine 10b (process 513). In this case, the e-mail to be transferred is an e-mail stored in the mailbox corresponding to the facsimile machine 10b, and as a result of the search in the process 509, the e-mail determined to be delivered in the judgment 510. It is.
[0113]
After transferring the e-mail in step 513, the e-mail transferred in step 513 is deleted from the mailbox corresponding to the incoming facsimile machine 10b (step 514). Then, it is determined whether or not there is one or more untransferred e-mails in the mailbox (determination 515). If not (No in decision 515), the reception flag corresponding to the mailbox is turned off (process 516), and the process ends. It should be noted that, in the judgment 515, Yes, the e-mail left in the mailbox and the e-mail subsequently accumulated by the e-mail reception processing of FIG. 14 are transmitted from the facsimile apparatus 10b by the reception processing shown in FIG. The incoming call process shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 that is performed every time there is an incoming call will eventually be delivered to the facsimile machine 10b of the delivery destination.
[0114]
In the above-described embodiment, the facsimile apparatus 10 calls the ISP server apparatus 30 by calling the ISP server apparatus 30 as a form in which the facsimile apparatus 10 receives the message data addressed to the own apparatus stored in the ISP server apparatus 30. Although the description has been given of an example in which a connection is made and a dial-up IP connection is made to receive message data addressed to the own device as an e-mail, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the facsimile device 10 calls the ISP device 30 Call connection, and message data addressed to the own device is polled and received as a facsimile message by the G3 facsimile protocol, or polled and received as a binary file by a binary file transfer (BFT) which is an extended function of the G3 facsimile protocol. Those applicable similarly in signal form.
[0115]
In the above-described embodiment, the present invention is applied to the case where the ISP server device 30 transmits and receives e-mails of message data via the Internet 60, which is the widest network. However, the present invention is not limited by the size of the network or the data transfer protocol in the network, and can be similarly applied to the case where the communication is performed via another network.
[0116]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first aspect of the present invention, the mail management database includes, as a source number, a subscriber number of each facsimile apparatus to which message data is to be distributed in the public line network, and a mailbox corresponding to each facsimile apparatus. The source number detecting means is transmitted in advance from the public line network based on an outgoing telephone number notification service provided by the public line network when an incoming call is received via the public line network. When the incoming call number notification signal is received and the caller number is detected, the distribution control means compares the caller number detected by the caller number detection means with the mail management database and sends the corresponding mail. Only when message data is stored in the box, a call connection is made in response to an incoming call from the originating facsimile machine. In order to deliver the message data stored in the mailbox corresponding to the facsimile device, it is necessary to perform communication for the delivery of the message data. No fees are charged. Therefore, the communication fee charged for the source facsimile apparatus to receive the message data addressed to itself can be minimized. Further, even if the source facsimile apparatus frequently calls the facsimile server apparatus according to the present invention, the call is made only when message data addressed to the own apparatus is stored in the facsimile server apparatus according to the present invention. Since the connection is not made, the source facsimile apparatus can call the facsimile server apparatus according to the present invention for receiving message data addressed to itself at a much shorter time interval than before, and If the facsimile server device according to the present invention stores message data addressed to the own device, an effect is obtained that the message data can be received quickly. Also, since the mailbox corresponding to the source facsimile machine can be specified before the call connection, it is much faster than the conventional case where the search for the mailbox corresponding to the source facsimile device is started after the call connection. A secondary effect that enables the search of the mailbox can be expected.
[0117]
According to the second aspect of the invention, in addition to the same function and effect as the first aspect, the distribution time of the message data stored in the mailbox of each facsimile apparatus to which the message data is to be distributed is determined. A search match string that can be included in a given mail header, specifically It can be set for each character string indicating the speed of distribution. Therefore, message data that does not require urgency can be delivered at a time when communication charges in the middle of the night are inexpensive, so that the sending facsimile machine can save communication charges, and urgent message data can be delivered immediately. There is an advantage that it is possible to flexibly deal with the problem.
[0118]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, the mail management database also stores in advance a deliverable data format for each facsimile device to which message data is to be distributed, in association with a mailbox corresponding to each facsimile device. On the other hand, when storing the message data received via the network in the mailbox of the delivery destination, the data format of the received message data and the deliverable data stored in the mail management database corresponding to the mailbox. Only when the format matches, the storage control means for storing the received message data in the mailbox is further provided, so that even if the message data is in a data format that cannot be processed even if it is distributed to the facsimile machine of the distribution destination, Unnecessarily accumulated or delivered to mailbox It is not to be. Therefore, there is an advantage that the storage capacity of the mailbox can be effectively used, and a useless communication fee is not charged to the facsimile machine of the distribution destination.
[0119]
According to the invention according to claim 4, when storing the message data received via the network in the mailbox of the distribution destination, the mail management is performed in accordance with the data format of the received message data and the mailbox. If the data format does not match the distributable data format stored in the database, an e-mail is sent to the source mail address of the message data, indicating that the received message data has not been distributed to the distribution destination. Since the non-delivery notification means is further provided, an effect is obtained that the transmission source of the message data in the data format that cannot be distributed can be notified that the transmitted message data has not been distributed to the desired distribution destination.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a network system including an ISP server device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a block configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of an operation display unit of the facsimile apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a transmission processing procedure in the facsimile apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an incoming call processing procedure in the facsimile apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a reception processing procedure in the facsimile apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a line connection operation sequence corresponding to a calling telephone number notification service.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a data format of a calling ID.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration of a data format of a calling ID.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a block configuration of an ISP server device according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a mail management database.
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a first example of a distribution time setting table.
FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a second example of a distribution time setting table.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a mail reception processing procedure in the ISP server device according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an incoming call processing procedure in the ISP server device according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an incoming call processing procedure in the ISP server device according to the embodiment of the present invention, together with FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
10a, 10b facsimile machine
11 System control unit
12 ROM
13 RAM
14 Scanner section
15 Plotter section
16 Clock circuit
17 Operation display
17a Display
17b keyboard
17c numeric keypad
17d Start key
17e Stop key
17f scroll key
17g Manual reception key
17h Subscription key
17i Indicator LED
18 encoding / decoding unit
19 Network control unit
20 Fax data modem
21 Communication control unit
22 System bus
30a, 30b ISP server device
31 Communication control unit
32 Communication port driver
33 Communication port
34a, 34b modem
35a, 35b Network control unit
36 Mail control unit
37 Network Adapter Driver
38 Network Interface
39 storage devices
39a Mailbox group
39b Mail management database
40 Clock circuit
50 Public line network
60 Internet

Claims (4)

A facsimile apparatus connected to a network and connected to a public line network, stores message data received via the network in a mailbox for each delivery destination, and performs call connection via the public line network. A facsimile server device that distributes the stored message data to a facsimile device in which message data is stored in a mailbox corresponding to the facsimile device;
A mail management database in which subscriber numbers of the respective facsimile apparatuses to which message data is to be distributed in the public line network are associated with mailboxes corresponding to the respective facsimile apparatuses as a source number, and the public network is stored in advance. Source number detection for receiving an outgoing telephone number notification signal transmitted from the public line network based on the outgoing telephone number notification service provided by the public line network and detecting the source number when receiving an incoming call via the public line network Means, and the source number detected by the source number detecting means is compared with the mail management database, and only when the message data is stored in the corresponding mailbox, the incoming call from the source facsimile apparatus is accepted. The call is connected in response, and the message stored in the mailbox corresponding to the facsimile machine is Facsimile server apparatus characterized by comprising a distribution control means for distributing the Jideta. Connected to a network and connected to a public line network, message data received via the network is stored in a mailbox set for each facsimile machine connected to the public line network, and A facsimile server device for delivering the message data stored in the facsimile device to the corresponding facsimile device,
With the subscriber number of the facsimile apparatus in the public line network as a source number, this source number, a mailbox corresponding to each of the facsimile apparatuses, and a delivery matching character string set for each delivery time zone A mail management database that is associated with the time specification table;
When a call arrives from the facsimile apparatus, based on the calling telephone number notification service the public network is provided, and the source number detecting means for detecting a subscriber number of the facsimile device as the source number,
Incoming time detecting means for detecting the current time at the time of receiving from the facsimile machine ,
When message data is stored in the mailbox corresponding to the source number detected by the source number detecting means, the incoming call detected by the incoming time detecting means is stored in the distribution time setting table corresponding to the mailbox. A determination unit that determines whether there is a delivery time that matches the time and whether a search matching character string corresponding to the matching delivery time is included in a predetermined search target mail header of the message data; ,
The determination by the determination unit only when affirmative, to call connection in response to a call from the facsimile apparatus, facsimile server apparatus characterized by comprising a distribution control means for distributing the message data. The mail management database also stores in advance a deliverable data format for each facsimile device to which message data is to be distributed, in association with a mailbox corresponding to each facsimile device, while receiving a message received via the network. When storing the data in the mailbox of the delivery destination, only when the data format of the received message data matches the deliverable data format stored in the mail management database corresponding to the mailbox, the 3. The facsimile server device according to claim 1, further comprising a storage control unit configured to store the received message data in the mailbox. When storing the message data received via the network in a delivery destination mailbox, the data format of the received message data and the deliverable data format stored in the mail management database corresponding to the mailbox. If the message data does not match, a non-delivery notification means for transmitting an e-mail to the source mail address of the message data indicating that the received message data was not delivered to the delivery destination is further provided. The facsimile server device according to claim 3, wherein:

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