JP4157221B2 - Facsimile machine - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus that performs image communication by arbitrarily using a circuit switching network such as a PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) and a computer network such as the Internet.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As a method for communicating an image with a remote place, a facsimile machine using PSTN or ISDN is generally used. This type of facsimile apparatus is widely used not only in the business field but also in the home because it is easy to operate and can communicate a message even when the other party is absent.
[0003]
Facsimile communication standards using PSTN and ISDN are recommended as G3 facsimile and G4 facsimile by ITU (International Telecommunication Union).
[0004]
The advantage of such a conventional facsimile is that data can be transferred at the fastest communication speed allowed by the bandwidth of the communication line by securing the communication line with the facsimile on the receiving side directly. It is possible to confirm that data has been transmitted reliably by communicating directly with the other party. Alternatively, it is possible to reliably transmit data in order to perform capability negotiation for confirming whether the data format to be transmitted is an acceptable format on the receiving side.
[0005]
On the other hand, with the generalization of the Internet, services that use the Internet instead of the conventional circuit switching network have become popular.
[0006]
In particular, when the transmission distance and the amount of data are large, it is possible to reduce the communication cost by transmitting via the Internet. Therefore, the function of an ordinary facsimile machine has the function of transmitting and receiving images via the Internet. In addition to the above, a facsimile machine is available.
[0007]
In general, a facsimile apparatus having a function of transmitting / receiving an image via the Internet generally transmits / receives an image in the form of an e-mail via a mail server connected via a LAN or the like. That is, transmission / reception of electronic mail (FAX mail) showing an image is directly performed with a mail server, and transmission / reception of FAX mail via the Internet is actually performed by the mail server.
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Therefore, conventionally, when the mail server is not operating normally due to failure or power failure, the FAX mail transmitted from the facsimile apparatus is not accepted by the server and is lost. For this reason, there is a possibility that a FAX mail will not reach the destination even if the transmission is completed in the facsimile apparatus.
[0009]
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and the purpose of the present invention is to reliably transmit an image designated for transmission in a situation where the server is not operating normally to a transmission destination. It is an object of the present invention to provide a facsimile apparatus that can be used.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the present invention can be implemented through a predetermined circuit switched network such as PSTN and via a predetermined computer network such as the Internet via a connected server such as a mail server. In a facsimile apparatus capable of performing facsimile communication, a server monitoring unit such as a LAN interface for monitoring whether or not the server is operating normally, and whether an image to be transmitted is a specific image For example, a specific image designation receiving means such as an important transmission designation receiving means realized by software processing of the CPU, and an image for which a designation as a specific image is accepted by the specific image designation receiving means Before trying to send over the network If it is detected by the server monitoring means that the server is not operating normally, the image to be transmitted is set as a transmission waiting image, for example, a transmission waiting setting means realized by software processing of the CPU; The server monitoring means detects that the server has returned to normal after a predetermined transmission waiting time has elapsed after the transmission waiting image is set as a transmission waiting image by the transmission waiting setting means. Depending on the situation, a re-transmission means such as a FAX mail re-transmission means realized by software processing of the CPU, for example, is transmitted through the computer network.
[0011]
By taking these measures, if the server is not operating normally when attempting to send an image specified as a specific image over a computer network in response to a user request, It is set and held in the image. If the server returns to normal before a predetermined transmission waiting time elapses, a transmission waiting image is transmitted via the computer network. Therefore, even if the server operation is abnormal when the user makes a transmission request, if the server returns to normal before the predetermined transmission waiting time elapses, the image is transmitted via the computer network. Is done.
[0012]
In addition to the above-mentioned invention, the present invention accepts designation of subscriber information such as a destination telephone number for making a call via the circuit-switched network to the destination of the specific image. Subscriber information accepting means such as a destination telephone number designation accepting means realized by the above, and a specific image for which designation of subscriber information is accepted by the subscriber information accepting means is set as a transmission waiting image by the transmission waiting setting means In response to the fact that the server monitoring means continues to detect that the server is not operating normally after a predetermined transmission waiting time elapses, the transmission waiting image is displayed on the circuit switched network. Via a network process realized by, for example, CPU software processing. And a transmission unit.
[0013]
As a result of such measures, if the server operation does not return to normal before the transmission waiting time elapses, transmission is performed via the circuit switching network. Therefore, even if the server operation remains abnormal for a long period of time, if the transmission destination can also perform communication via the circuit switching network, the image can be reliably transmitted via the circuit switching network. Is sent.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0015]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to this embodiment.
[0016]
In this figure, the part denoted by reference numeral 1 is the facsimile apparatus of this embodiment. The facsimile apparatus 1 includes a CPU 11, ROM 12, RAM 13, information storage unit 14, image storage unit 15, encoding / decoding unit 16, scanner 17, printer 18, modem 19, NCU 20, telephone control unit 21, line signal detection. Unit 22, LAN interface 23, operation / display unit 24, and clock unit 25.
[0017]
CPU 11, ROM 12, RAM 13, information storage unit 14, image storage unit 15, encoding / decoding unit 16, scanner 17, printer 18, modem 19, NCU 20, line signal detection unit 22, LAN interface 23, operation / display The unit 24 and the clock unit 25 are connected to each other via a system bus 26. The NCU 20 is connected to a modem 19 and a telephone control unit 21, and the telephone control unit 21 is connected to a line signal detection unit 22.
[0018]
The CPU 11 realizes an operation as a facsimile machine by performing control processing for overall control of each unit based on a control program stored in the ROM 12.
[0019]
The ROM 12 stores a control program for the CPU 11 and the like.
[0020]
The RAM 13 is used for storing various information necessary for the CPU 11 to perform various processes.
[0021]
The information storage unit 14 uses, for example, a flash memory and stores various setting information and other information.
[0022]
The image storage unit 15 uses, for example, a large-capacity DRAM or a hard disk device, and temporarily stores received image data and image data waiting to be transmitted.
[0023]
The encoding / decoding unit 16 performs encoding processing for compression of redundancy on image data and decodes image data that has been encoded for compression of redundancy.
[0024]
The scanner 17 reads a transmission original and generates image data indicating the transmission original.
[0025]
The printer 18 prints an image indicated by the image data on a recording sheet.
[0026]
The modem 19 modulates image data to generate a facsimile transmission signal, or modulates a command given from the CPU 11 to generate a command transmission signal. These transmission signals are transmitted to the PSTN subscriber line via the NCU 20. Send to 2. The modem 19 arrives via the PSTN subscriber line 2 and demodulates the facsimile transmission data given via the NCU 20 to reproduce the image data, or demodulates the command transmission signal to reproduce the command.
[0027]
A PSTN subscriber line 2 accommodated in the PSTN 3 is connected to the NCU 20. Then, the NCU 20 performs state monitoring, transmission processing to the network, etc. on the connected PSTN subscriber line 2. The NCU 20 also equalizes the facsimile transmission signal transmitted to the PSTN subscriber line 2 and sets the signal level.
[0028]
An external telephone 4 is connected to the telephone control unit 21 as necessary. Then, the telephone control unit 21 performs a known control process for enabling a telephone call via the PSTN subscriber line 2 using the connected external telephone 4.
[0029]
The line signal detection unit 22 receives a signal arriving via the PSTN subscriber line 2 via the NCU 20 and the telephone control unit 21 and detects the arrival of a predetermined signal.
[0030]
The Internet 7 is connected to the LAN interface 23 via the LAN line 5 and the mail server 6. The LAN interface 23 performs data transmission via the Internet 7. The LAN interface 23 has a function of monitoring whether the mail server 6 is operating normally and notifying the CPU 11 of the monitoring result.
[0031]
The operation / display unit 24 includes a key input unit for receiving various instruction inputs to the CPU 11 by the user, a display unit for displaying various types of information to be notified to the user under the control of the CPU 11, and the like. .
[0032]
The clock unit 25 always performs a timekeeping operation and outputs current time information indicating the current time.
[0033]
Control means realized by the CPU 11 operating based on the control program stored in the ROM 12 include important transmission designation receiving means, transmission waiting setting means, in addition to known general means in a facsimile machine, It has a FAX mail retransmitting means, a destination telephone number designation receiving means, and a network change transmitting means.
[0034]
Here, the important transmission designation accepting unit accepts designation of whether or not the image is designated as important for the image designated for transmission via the Internet 7.
[0035]
The transmission waiting setting means displays the image when the mail server 6 is abnormal when trying to transmit a FAX mail indicating an image that has been designated as important by the important transmission designation accepting means. In addition to setting an image waiting for transmission, a storage deadline is set for the image waiting for transmission.
[0036]
The FAX mail re-transmission means transmits the FAX indicating the transmission waiting image in response to the normal recovery of the mail server 6 until the storage expiration date set for the transmission waiting image set by the transmission waiting setting means expires. Resend mail.
[0037]
The destination telephone number designation accepting means accepts designation by the user of a destination telephone number indicating a destination when a transmission waiting image whose storage period has expired is transmitted via the PSTN 3.
[0038]
When the mail server 6 does not recover normally even after the storage period set for the transmission waiting image set by the transmission waiting setting unit elapses, the network change transmission unit transmits the transmission waiting image via the PSTN 3. To the destination that has the destination phone number specified.
[0039]
Next, the operation of the facsimile apparatus configured as described above will be described.
[0040]
First, when transmission of an image via the Internet 7, that is, transmission of a FAX mail, is requested, for example, by a predetermined instruction operation by the user on the operation / display unit 24, the CPU 11 responds accordingly as shown in FIG. Executes processing for requesting FAX mail transmission.
[0041]
In this FAX mail transmission request processing, the CPU 11 first accepts designation of a transmission destination address by the user (step ST1).
[0042]
Subsequently, the CPU 11 accepts selection of whether or not to designate important transmission, and confirms whether or not important transmission is designated here (step ST2 and step ST3).
[0043]
Here, when the user thinks that the image transmission to be performed is important and needs to be surely performed, for example, the important transmission designation is selected by a predetermined instruction operation on the operation / display unit 24. It is supposed to be.
[0044]
Therefore, if the important transmission designation is not selected, the CPU 11 captures image data by causing the scanner 17 to read a document set on the scanner 17, for example (step ST4). Then, the CPU 11 performs a normal FAX mail transmission process according to a known procedure for the captured image data (step ST5).
[0045]
When the FAX mail transmission process is completed, the CPU 11 ends the current FAX mail transmission request process.
[0046]
As described above, the FAX mail transmission process is performed without considering the operation state of the mail server 6 for the image for which the important transmission is not designated.
[0047]
On the other hand, if the important transmission designation is selected, the CPU 11 accepts designation by the user of a telephone number (transmission destination telephone number) for making a call to the transmission destination via the PSTN 3 (step ST6). The acceptance of designation here also includes acceptance of designation that there is no destination telephone number.
[0048]
In addition, when the mail server 6 is abnormal, the user's designation of the time (holding time) for holding an image is accepted (step ST7). At this time, if the holding time is not specified by the user, a predetermined holding time may be specified.
[0049]
Subsequently, the CPU 11 captures image data, for example, by causing the scanner 17 to read a document set on the scanner 17 (step ST8).
[0050]
After that, the CPU 11 confirms the operation state of the mail server 6 based on the monitoring result on the LAN interface 23 (step ST9).
[0051]
If the mail server 6 is operating normally, the CPU 11 performs a normal FAX mail transmission process according to a well-known procedure for the image data captured in step ST8 (step ST10).
[0052]
Then, when the FAX mail transmission process is completed, the current FAX mail transmission request process is terminated.
[0053]
On the other hand, if the operation of the mail server 6 is abnormal, the CPU 11 sets the image data fetched in step ST8 as a transmission waiting image (step ST11) and keeps it stored in the image storage unit 15. At this time, the destination address and destination telephone number specified for the set transmission waiting image are stored in the information storage unit 14 in association with the transmission waiting image.
[0054]
Subsequently, the CPU 11 sets the storage time limit of the transmission waiting image set here as the time when the storage time accepted in step ST7 has elapsed from the current time indicated by the clock unit 25 (step ST12). The storage period is stored in the information storage unit 14 in association with the transmission waiting image together with the transmission destination address and the transmission destination telephone number.
[0055]
After that, the CPU 11 ends the current FAX mail transmission request processing.
[0056]
In the above fax mail transmission request processing, the processing of step ST2 is performed by the important transmission designation receiving means. Further, the process of step ST6 is performed by the destination telephone number designation receiving means. The processing of step ST11 and step ST12 is performed by the transmission wait setting means.
[0057]
As described above, if the important transmission is designated and the operation of the mail server 6 is abnormal, the FAX mail is not transmitted, and the image data is held in the image storage unit 15 as a transmission waiting image.
[0058]
Now, in a situation where the operation of the mail server 6 is abnormal, the CPU 11 repeatedly executes a server recovery management process as shown in FIG. 3 at a predetermined timing such as every predetermined period. This server recovery management process is performed by a FAX mail re-transmission means.
[0059]
In this server recovery management process, the CPU 11 first checks the operating state of the mail server 6 based on the monitoring result on the LAN interface 23 (step ST21).
[0060]
If the operation of the mail server 6 has been restored normally, the CPU 11 subsequently checks whether or not an image waiting for transmission is held in the image storage unit 15 (step ST22).
[0061]
Here, if there is no image waiting for transmission, and if it is determined in step ST21 that the mail server 6 remains abnormal, the CPU 11 ends the current server recovery management process.
[0062]
However, if it is determined in step ST22 that the image waiting for transmission is held in the image storage unit 15, the CPU 11 selects one of the images waiting for transmission held in the image storage unit 15 (step ST23). . Then, the CPU 11 performs a normal FAX mail transmission process according to a known procedure for the selected transmission waiting image (step ST24).
[0063]
When the FAX mail transmission process is completed, the CPU 11 deletes the transmission waiting image transmitted in the FAX mail transmission process from the image storage unit 15 (step ST25). At this time, information such as a transmission address, a transmission destination telephone number, and a retention period corresponding to the transmission waiting image to be deleted is also deleted from the information storage unit 14.
[0064]
After that, the CPU 11 repeats the processing from step ST22 to step ST25 until there is no transmission waiting image held in the image storage unit 15, and FAX mail transmission processing is performed for all transmission waiting images held in the image storage unit 15. I do.
[0065]
Then, in response to the fact that the FAX mail transmission processing has been completed for all the transmission waiting images held in the image storage unit 15 and the transmission waiting image has not been held in the image storage unit 15 at all, the CPU 11 This server recovery management process ends.
[0066]
Incidentally, in a situation where the operation of the mail server 6 is abnormal, the CPU 11 performs a transmission waiting image management process as shown in FIG. 4 at a predetermined timing such as every predetermined period in addition to the server recovery management process described above. Repeatedly.
[0067]
In this server transmission waiting image management process, the CPU 11 first selects one of the transmission waiting images held in the image storage unit 15 (step ST31). Then, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the set holding deadline has passed for the selected transmission waiting image by comparing the holding deadline stored in the information storage unit 14 with the current time indicated by the clock unit 25. (Step ST32).
[0068]
Here, if the retention period of the selected transmission waiting image has expired, the CPU 11 subsequently determines whether or not a transmission destination telephone number is specified for the selected transmission waiting image ( Step ST33).
[0069]
If a destination telephone number is designated for the selected transmission waiting image, the CPU 11 causes the NCU 20 to make a call to the PSTN 3 using the transmission destination number (step ST34), and then continues to select the transmission waiting to be selected. A normal transmission process is performed on the image by a well-known G3 procedure (step ST35).
[0070]
When the transmission process is completed, the CPU 11 deletes the transmitted transmission waiting image from the image storage unit 15 (step ST36). At this time, information such as a transmission address, a transmission destination telephone number, and a retention period corresponding to the transmission waiting image to be deleted is also deleted from the information storage unit 14.
[0071]
On the other hand, if the transmission destination telephone number is not specified for the selected transmission waiting image, the CPU 11 deletes the selected transmission waiting image from the image storage unit 15 (step ST37). At this time, information such as a transmission address, a transmission destination telephone number, and a retention period corresponding to the transmission waiting image to be deleted is also deleted from the information storage unit 14.
[0072]
That is, if the destination telephone number is not specified for the selected transmission waiting image, the transmission waiting image is abandoned. In this case, the CPU 11 performs an abnormal termination process such as displaying an error message on the operation / display unit 24 (step ST38), and notifies the user that transmission has failed.
[0073]
Now, the transmission waiting image is deleted in step ST36 and the abnormal termination process in step ST38 is performed, and the processing related to the selected transmission waiting image is completed, or the selected transmission waiting image has an expiration date. If it is not too long, it is determined in step ST32, and if it is not necessary to perform processing related to the selected transmission waiting image, the CPU 11 checks whether another transmission waiting image is held in the image storage unit 15. (Step ST39).
[0074]
If there is a transmission waiting image that has not yet been selected in the current transmission waiting image management process, the CPU 11 repeats the processing from step ST31 onward, and performs processing related to the transmission waiting image that has not yet been selected.
[0075]
When the processing for selecting all the transmission waiting images held in the image storage unit 14 at the start of the current transmission waiting image management processing is completed, the CPU 11 ends the current transmission waiting image management processing. To do.
[0076]
In the above-described transmission waiting image management processing, the processing from step ST34 to step ST36 is performed by the network change transmission means.
[0077]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, if the operation of the mail server 6 is abnormal when the transmission of the FAX mail is requested, the FAX mail is transmitted without executing the FAX mail transmission process. The image data to be set is set as the transmission waiting image and held. The transmission waiting image is transmitted as FAX mail in response to the normal recovery of the operation of the mail server 6 until the retention period set for the transmission waiting image expires.
[0078]
Therefore, even if the operation of the mail server 6 becomes abnormal when the transmission of the FAX mail is requested, the FAX mail is transmitted after the operation of the mail server 6 is restored normally. Transmission can be performed reliably.
[0079]
If all images are held as transmission waiting images, an increase in the load on the CPU 11 may occur when a fax mail transmission request is inundated while the operation of the mail server 6 is abnormal. Although there is a possibility that problems such as overflow of the image storage unit 15 may occur, in the present embodiment, the image set as the transmission waiting image is limited to those for which important transmission is designated, so that the above-described problems can be avoided. ing.
[0080]
In this embodiment, since the transmission waiting image for which the destination telephone number is designated is transmitted by the G3 procedure via the PSTN 3 when the retention period has passed, the mail server 6 does not recover over a long period of time. Even in this case, image transmission can be performed reliably.
[0081]
In this embodiment, since the user arbitrarily sets the period for holding the transmission waiting image, the period is set to an appropriate period according to the importance for each image, the expiration date of the information indicated by the image, and the like. It is possible to hold a waiting transmission image.
[0082]
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, in the above embodiment, the user can arbitrarily set the retention time for each image, but a common storage time may be used. In this case, the storage time may be fixed or variable.
[0083]
In the above embodiment, the image is transmitted via the Internet 7 in the form of an e-mail. However, the present invention can be applied to the case where the image is transmitted in a form other than the e-mail. Therefore, the server is not limited to the mail server 6.
[0084]
In the above embodiment, the G3 method is used as a communication procedure via the PSTN 3, but the present application can also be applied to the case where other methods such as the G2 method and the original method are used.
[0085]
In the above embodiment, the PSTN 3 is used as the circuit switching network. However, the present invention can be applied to the case where other networks such as ISDN are used.
[0086]
In the above embodiment, the Internet is used as the computer network. However, the present invention can also be applied to the case where other networks such as a LAN and a WAN (Wide Area Network) are used.
[0087]
In addition, various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.
[0088]
【The invention's effect】
The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus capable of performing facsimile communication via a predetermined computer network via a predetermined circuit switching network and via a connected server. Server monitoring means for monitoring whether or not, specific image designation receiving means for accepting designation as to whether or not the image is a specific image, and designation as a specific image by the specific image designation receiving means. If it is detected by the server monitoring means that the server is not operating normally when an accepted image is to be transmitted via the computer network, the image to be transmitted is awaiting transmission. The transmission waiting setting means for setting the transmission waiting image and the transmission waiting image by the transmission waiting setting means. In response to detection by the server monitoring means that the server has returned to normal after a predetermined transmission waiting time elapses after the image is set as a waiting image, re-transmission is performed via the computer network. Transmission means, even if the server operation is abnormal when the user makes a transmission request, if the server returns to normal before a predetermined transmission waiting time elapses, the image is displayed. This is a facsimile machine that can be transmitted via a computer network and can reliably transmit an image designated for transmission in a situation where the server is not operating normally to a destination.
[0089]
In addition to the above invention, the present invention provides subscriber information receiving means for receiving designation of subscriber information for making a call via the circuit switching network to a destination of the specific image, and the subscriber information receiving means. The server is not operating normally after the specific image for which the designation of the subscriber information is accepted is set as the transmission waiting image by the transmission waiting setting means until a predetermined transmission waiting time elapses. A network change transmitting means for transmitting the image waiting for transmission to the other party that can be called by the subscriber information via the circuit switching network in response to the detection by the server monitoring means. Even if the operation of the system remains abnormal for a long time, if the destination can also communicate over the circuit-switched network, A facsimile apparatus capable of reliably transmitting an image that has been designated for transmission in a situation where the server is not operating normally to a transmission destination, through the line switching network. Become.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when a FAX mail transmission request processing is performed by a CPU 11 in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for server recovery management processing by a CPU 11 in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when a transmission waiting image management process is performed by a CPU 11 in FIG. 1;
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Facsimile apparatus 2 ... PSTN subscriber line 4 ... External telephone 5 ... LAN line 6 ... Mail server 7 ... Internet 11 ... CPU
12 ... ROM
13 ... RAM
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 15 ... Image memory | storage part 16 ... Encoding / decoding part 17 ... Scanner 18 ... Printer 19 ... Modem 20 ... NCU
21 ... Telephone control unit 22 ... Line signal detection unit 23 ... LAN interface 24 ... Operation / display unit 25 ... Clock unit 26 ... System bus

Claims (2)

In a facsimile apparatus capable of performing facsimile communication via a predetermined circuit network and a predetermined computer network via a connected server,
Server monitoring means for monitoring whether or not the server is operating normally;
Specific image designation accepting means for accepting designation of whether or not the image to be transmitted is a specific image;
Subscriber information designation accepting means for accepting designation of subscriber information for making a call via the circuit-switched network to a destination of an image whose designation as a specific image is accepted by the specific image designation accepting means;
It is detected by the server monitoring means that the server is not operating normally when attempting to transmit an image that has been designated as a specific image by the specific image designation accepting means via the computer network. Then, transmission waiting setting means for setting the image to be transmitted as a transmission waiting image,
Re-transmission means for repeatedly checking the server monitoring result by the server monitoring means at a predetermined timing, and transmitting the transmission-waiting image via the computer network if the server operation returns to normal;
Determination means for determining whether or not a predetermined holding time has elapsed since the transmission waiting setting means repeatedly set the image as a transmission waiting image at a predetermined timing;
When the determination unit determines that a predetermined holding time has elapsed, the transmission waiting image is transferred to a party that can make a call based on the subscriber information received by the subscriber information designation reception unit via the circuit switching network. A network change transmission means for transmitting;
A facsimile apparatus comprising: Holding time designation accepting means for accepting designation of the predetermined holding time when designation as a specific image is accepted by the specific image designation accepting means;
The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:

Images