JP4315915B2 - Facsimile device, information processing device, program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus capable of transferring received facsimile data, an information processing apparatus connected to the facsimile apparatus, a program, and a computer-readable recording medium on which the program is recorded.

  A conventional facsimile apparatus generally prints on recording paper as soon as facsimile data is received, and the user goes to receive the print result. However, in an office environment or the like, a single facsimile machine is commonly used by a plurality of people, so it takes time for a user who is far away from the facsimile machine to obtain a print result.

An automatic distribution system of received facsimile data for solving such a problem has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The system described in Patent Document 1 has a name list file in which destination data as a transfer destination of received facsimile data is stored in advance, and characters are recognized from the facsimile data based on the destination data stored in the name list file. It is configured to transfer facsimile data to a destination.
JP-A-6-152830

  However, in the system described in Patent Document 1, the transfer destination of the received facsimile data is stored in a file, but since the transfer destination is fixed, the user wants to change the destination printer or for some trouble. If the printer cannot be used, the transfer destination must be changed manually.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and when facsimile data is received, it can always be output by an image forming apparatus that is most convenient for the user who is the addressee of the data. Facsimile apparatus, information processing apparatus connected to the facsimile apparatus, a facsimile data transfer program incorporated in the facsimile apparatus, a default printer notification program incorporated in the information processing apparatus, and a computer-readable record recording these programs Its purpose is to provide a medium.

The present invention is constituted by the following technical means in order to solve the above-described problems.
A first technical means is a facsimile apparatus that transmits and receives facsimile data via a telephone line, and the facsimile apparatus is connected to an information processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus connected to the information processing apparatus via a communication line. The facsimile apparatus is connected via a communication line, and when the facsimile apparatus receives facsimile data via the telephone line, the image specified in the information processing apparatus whose destination is the facsimile data is the user. When the facsimile data is received via the telephone line, the transfer means for transferring the facsimile data to the forming apparatus, the image forming means for forming and outputting an image from the input facsimile data, If the transfer means cannot determine the image forming apparatus designated by the addressee of the data, the facsimile device A second transfer means for transferring data to the image forming means, and a destination of the facsimile data when the transfer means transfers the facsimile data received via the telephone line and when the second transfer means transfers the facsimile data. And a destination notification means for notifying that the information has been transferred to the information processing apparatus as a user .

  According to a second technical means, in the first technical means, the transfer means specifies information for identifying a user name of each information processing device and each information processing device for the information processing device connected via the communication line. A destination resolution table in which information related to the name of the apparatus is recorded in association with each other, and information related to the name of each information processing apparatus and information related to the name or address of the image forming apparatus designated in each information processing apparatus are recorded in association with each other Storage means for storing a default printer table, and when the facsimile data is received via the telephone line, the facsimile data is referred to by referring to the destination resolution table and the default printer table stored in the storage means; For the image forming apparatus already designated by the information processing apparatus to which the addressee is the user, It is obtained by and transferring data.

According to a third technical means, in the first or second technical means, when the transfer means receives information on an image forming apparatus designated by the information processing apparatus from the information processing apparatus via the communication line. And a means for updating the information so as to perform transfer based on the received information.

According to a fourth technical means, in any one of the first to third technical means, the transfer means disconnects the connection between the information processing apparatus and the facsimile apparatus from the information processing apparatus via the communication line. And a means for updating the information so that the information is not transferred to the information processing apparatus as a reception source.

The fifth technical means is a facsimile data transfer program for causing a computer to function as the transfer means in the facsimile apparatus of any one of the first to fourth technical means.

A sixth technical means is an information processing apparatus connectable to the facsimile apparatus in any of the first to fourth technical means via a communication line, and is connected to the facsimile apparatus when the power is turned on or In some cases, there is provided means for transmitting information related to the image forming apparatus designated by the information processing apparatus to the facsimile apparatus via the communication line.

According to a seventh technical means, in the sixth technical means, when the setting of the image forming apparatus already designated in the information processing apparatus is changed, information on the changed image forming apparatus is transmitted via the communication line. A means for transmitting to the facsimile apparatus is provided.

According to an eighth technical means, in the sixth or seventh technical means, when the power is turned off or when the connection with the facsimile apparatus is disconnected, the connection between the information processing apparatus and the facsimile apparatus is disconnected. Means for sending a notification to the facsimile apparatus via the communication line.

The ninth technical means is a default printer notification program for causing a computer to function as each means in the information processing apparatus of any one of the sixth to eighth technical means.

The tenth technical means is a computer-readable recording medium on which the program in the fifth or ninth technical means is recorded.

  According to the present invention, when facsimile data is received, it is possible to always output the facsimile data with an image forming apparatus that is most convenient for the user who is the addressee of the data.

  A facsimile apparatus according to the present invention transmits and receives facsimile data via a telephone line, and is connected to an information processing apparatus such as a PC via a communication line. It is also assumed that the printer is connected via a communication line to an image forming apparatus such as a printer or a multifunction device having a printer function. The facsimile apparatus according to the present invention can also be applied to a multifunction printer (multifunction machine) having a facsimile function and a facsimile server. When this facsimile apparatus receives facsimile data via a telephone line, the image forming apparatus designated by the information processing apparatus to which the addressee of the facsimile data is the user, that is, the user prints in advance. Transfer means for transferring facsimile data to an image forming apparatus designated as a destination or designated as a default printing destination is provided. Hereinafter, a facsimile apparatus according to the present invention will be described by taking a printer as an image forming apparatus and a PC as an information processing apparatus. A system in which the facsimile apparatus, one or a plurality of printers, and one or a plurality of PCs are connected to each other via a router, a hub, a switching hub, or the like will be referred to as a facsimile data transfer system.

  For example, the facsimile apparatus dynamically acquires the printer set as “normally used printer” on the PC, so that it is possible to always output with the printer most convenient for the user. More specifically, the facsimile apparatus dynamically stores a set of the user and the printer that the user has set as “normally used printer” on the PC, and based on the stored information at the time of facsimile reception, The printer associated with the destination user is identified, and the received FAX data is transferred to the printer for printing. Since the printer should be close to the user, the reception result can be received at a relatively close place. The PC may be a portable computer such as a notebook PC. In this case, it can be assumed that the printer settings are frequently changed as the user moves, and in this case, the present invention is particularly effective. . Note that the present invention can be applied not only when one PC is assigned to one user but also when a plurality of users are assigned to one PC by identification of a user ID or the like.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a facsimile data transfer system according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the example of 1 structure of the facsimile apparatus integrated in the system.

  In the facsimile transfer system illustrated in FIG. 1, the facsimile apparatus 1 transmits and receives data to and from a remote facsimile apparatus via a public telephone network. The facsimile machine 1 is connected to a LAN (Local Area Network). The LAN is connected to another network by the router 2. The router 2 includes a plurality of switching hubs (Switch) 3a, 3b,. . . Such devices are connected, and a network (LAN) having a different subnet address is formed for each port of the router 2. On the LAN, hubs and switching hubs 4a, 4b,. . . There are one or more hosts (PCs 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d,..., Network printers 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d,...) That are one or more information processing apparatuses. Here, the topology of the network is not limited to that illustrated.

  As illustrated in FIG. 2, the facsimile apparatus 1 includes, for example, a power supply unit 11, an operation unit 12, an image processing unit 13, a printer engine 14, and the like, a LAN communication I / F unit 17, a storage unit 18, and a network control unit. 19 and a control unit 16 for controlling them are connected by a bus 15 or the like.

  The power supply unit 11 supplies power to each component included in the facsimile apparatus 1. The operation unit 12 is used by the operator to input image forming conditions, etc., or to perform operations for sending / receiving facsimile data and setting various parameters.

  The image processing unit 13 performs processing for converting received facsimile data into image data suitable for printing, and processing for converting image data read by a scanner (not shown) into a facsimile data format. . The printer engine 14 generates print data from the image data converted by the image processing unit 13 into a medium such as paper. The bus 15 constitutes a common transfer path for transferring data among the power supply unit 11, the operation unit 12, the image processing unit 13, the printer engine 14, and the control unit 16. 16 and a transfer path between the LAN communication I / F unit 17, the storage unit 18, and the network control unit 19.

  The LAN communication I / F unit 17 includes a LAN board that can freely connect hubs, switching hubs, routers, and the like using twisted pair cables such as 10BASE-T, 100BASE-T, and 1000BASE-T. Yes. The network control unit 19 also includes a network control unit (NCU) for establishing a call with a remote facsimile machine via a public telephone network and a modem for modulating / demodulating facsimile data.

  The storage unit 18 includes a destination resolution table 18c, a default printer table 18b, and data buffers 18a and 18d used for temporarily storing data when data is transmitted / received to / from the outside. The data buffer 18d stores data to be transmitted / received to / from the telephone network via the network control unit 19, and the data buffer 18a stores data to be transmitted / received to / from the network device via the LAN communication I / F unit 17. To do. The storage unit 18 can also store arbitrary data including setting parameters for controlling the operation of the facsimile apparatus 1.

  The destination resolution table 18c is a table in which information specifying the user name of each PC and information related to the name of each PC are recorded in association with each other for the PC connected via the communication line. In other words, the destination resolution table 18c is a table for acquiring the host name of the destination from the destination read from the received facsimile data. On the other hand, the default printer table 18b is a table in which information relating to the name of each PC and information relating to the name or address of a printer already designated in each PC are recorded in association with each other. In other words, the default printer table 18b is a table for acquiring the printer name (or IP address) whose host name is “set to a normally used printer” from the host name of the destination acquired in the destination resolution table 18c.

  The destination resolution table 18c and the default printer table 18b will be exemplified later with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. The transfer destination determination unit 16b of the control unit 16 transfers the received facsimile data by reading the information from these tables. Determine the destination. As described above, it is preferable that the transfer unit described above includes a storage unit that stores the destination resolution table 18c and the default printer table 18b. In this embodiment, when the control unit 16 receives the facsimile data via the telephone line, the control unit 16 refers to the tables 18c and 18b stored in the storage means, and the addressee of the facsimile data becomes the user. The facsimile data is transferred to the printer designated by the PC. As a result, when facsimile data is received, the received facsimile data is transferred to a printer that is “set as a default printer” by the addressee, so that it can be output at a location close to the addressee.

  The control unit 16 controls the entire facsimile apparatus 1 according to a built-in facsimile data transmission / reception program (firmware). The control unit 16 includes a LAN communication control unit 16a, a transfer destination determination unit 16b, a destination extraction unit 16c, and a FAX communication control unit 16d.

  The FAX communication control unit 16d temporarily stores the facsimile data to be transmitted in the data buffer 18d of the storage unit 18 and transmits it via the network control unit 19 and the telephone line according to transmission control means such as G3 and G4 of the ITU-T standard. The facsimile data temporarily stored in the data buffer 18d is transmitted or, conversely, the facsimile data received via the telephone line and the network control unit 19 according to transmission control means such as ITU-T G3 and G4. The data is temporarily stored in the data buffer 18d of the storage unit 18, and communication of facsimile data via the telephone line is realized.

  The LAN communication control unit 16a temporarily stores data to be transmitted via the LAN communication I / F unit 17 and the LAN cable in the data buffer 18a of the storage unit 18, and packetizes the transmission data. Process, send encapsulated data to the specified destination host (PC, printer, etc.) via LAN cable and various network devices such as hubs, switching hubs and routers, or On the contrary, the encapsulated data received via the LAN cable and the LAN communication I / F unit 17 is sequentially stored in the data buffer 18a of the storage unit 18, and subjected to processing such as decapsulation and the like in the data buffer 18a. The data is stored again, and data communication via a LAN cable is realized.

  The destination extraction unit 16c transmits the received facsimile data from the received facsimile data received via the network control unit 19 and temporarily stored in the data buffer 18d of the storage unit 18 under the control of the FAX communication control unit 16d. A process for extracting information on the destination indicating the destination is performed.

  As described above, the transfer destination determination unit 16b refers to the destination resolution table 18c, acquires the host name of the destination from the extracted destination, and further refers to the default printer table 18b to obtain an entry corresponding to the host name. , The transfer destination printer is determined, and a transmission instruction is issued to the LAN communication control unit 16a.

  3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a facsimile data reception processing procedure in the system shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a table construction procedure in the system shown in FIGS. .

  The facsimile data transfer system illustrated here is a system that transfers facsimile data using the default printer table 18b and the destination resolution table 18c. First, (1) this data transfer process is executed with the reception of facsimile data as a trigger.

  When the facsimile data is received, (2) the destination is recognized from the facsimile data. As a destination extraction method, a method of recognizing characters corresponding to the destination portion from the received facsimile data is used. The destination extraction method is also disclosed in Patent Document 1, and the description thereof is omitted. Next, (3) based on the destination recognized in (2) above, the corresponding host name (illustrated by PC 5a) is acquired from the destination resolution table 18c. (4) The printer name or IP address of the printer (exemplified by the printer 6a) that is “set as the default printer” for the host name acquired in (3) above is acquired from the default printer table 18b, and (5 ) Transfer the target facsimile data to the printer.

  On the other hand, the transferred printer (illustrated by the printer 6a) (6) outputs the facsimile data. In the above (5), if the printer set as “normally used printer” cannot be determined from the table, that is, if the corresponding printer is not found in the table entry, the facsimile apparatus 1 performs output. May be. (7) Simultaneously with (5) above, a FAX output notification is sent to the recipient (destination) PC (illustrated by PC 5a). As an example of the notification method, a method of using the IP address for the destination host name acquired in (4) above and transmitting notification data to the address can be applied.

  Here, the processing related to the above (5) when the transfer destination printer cannot be determined will be described. In order to execute this processing, the facsimile apparatus 1 is assumed to include the following second transfer means in the control unit 16. When the second transfer means receives the facsimile data via the telephone line, even if the transfer means refers to the destination resolution table 18c and the default printer table 18b, the destination of the facsimile data is designated. If the printer 6a cannot be identified, the facsimile data is transferred to an image forming unit (not shown) provided in the facsimile apparatus 1. This image forming unit is a part normally provided in a facsimile machine, and includes an image forming unit that forms and outputs an image from input facsimile data. For example, the image forming unit converts the image data processed by the image processing unit 13 into print data by the printer engine 14, and performs printing on a paper medium or the like based on the print data. According to this embodiment, the facsimile apparatus 1 can output the received facsimile data when the destination cannot be identified or when the corresponding printer 6a is not connected to the LAN.

Next, the transfer notification process (7) will be described. In order to execute this processing, the facsimile apparatus 1 is assumed to include the next destination notification means in the control unit 16. The destination notifying means indicates that when the facsimile data received via the telephone line is transferred to the printer 6a, the destination of the facsimile data is transferred to the printer 6a to the PC 5a which is the user of the facsimile data. Notice. Similarly, when the second transfer unit transfers the facsimile data received via the telephone line to the image forming unit of the facsimile apparatus 1, the destination notification unit notifies the PC 5a to which the destination of the facsimile data is the user. The fact that it has been transferred to the image forming unit of the facsimile apparatus 1 (that is, the fact that it has been printed by the facsimile apparatus 1) is notified. According to this form, the addressee of the data can recognize the printer 6a and the facsimile apparatus 1 that output the received facsimile data.

  The default printer table 18b is always constructed with the latest information so that the printer as the transfer destination is always determined based on the settings on the current PC by the data transfer process described with reference to FIG. It is necessary to keep. Therefore, for example, the following processes (1) to (6) may be executed (see FIG. 4).

  First, as processing on the PC (illustrated by the PCs 5a and 5b), (1) When the PCs 5a and 5b are connected to the network for the first time, information on “setting of a printer to be used normally” is transmitted to the facsimile machine 1. Here, if there is no “ordinary printer”, it is not transmitted. Next, as processing on the facsimile machine 1 side, (2) the facsimile machine 1 adds an entry to the default printer table 18b.

  In order to execute the processes (1) and (2), the PCs 5a and 5b, when turned on or connected to the facsimile apparatus 1 via a communication line (printer information) (Name and / or address) is transmitted to the facsimile apparatus 1 via a communication line. On the other hand, on the facsimile apparatus 1 side, when the transfer means receives information on the designated printer from the PC (for example, PC 5a) via the communication line, the information is transferred based on the received information. It has a means to update. By adopting this form, it becomes possible to store the host name of the PC and the information of the printer when the PC is connected to the LAN.

  When the PC is connected to the network for the second time or later, (3) the update information is transmitted to the facsimile machine 1 every time the “normally used printer setting” is changed by the PCs 5a and 5b. The entry of 18b is updated.

  In order to execute the processes (3) and (4), when the settings of the designated printer are changed, the PCs 5a and 5b send the information related to the changed printer to the facsimile apparatus 1 via the communication line. Means for transmitting are also provided. On the other hand, on the facsimile apparatus 1 side, when the transfer means receives information on the designated printer from the PC (for example, PC 5a) via the communication line, the information is transferred based on the received information. It has a means to update. By adopting this form, when the setting of “ordinary printer” is changed on a PC, the host name of the PC and information on the printer can be stored.

  (5) Notify the facsimile apparatus 1 that the PCs 5a and 5b have been turned off. (6) Considering that there is often no change in the physical positional relationship when the notification of (5) is received, the facsimile apparatus 1 does not have to delete the entry in the default printer table 18b. Also good. Here, the PC model (installation type / portable) may be determined, and if it is portable, the entry may be deleted.

  In order to execute the processes (5) and (6), the PCs 5a and 5b cannot communicate with the facsimile apparatus 1 when the power is turned off or when the connection with the facsimile apparatus 1 via the network is disconnected. It is assumed that there is provided means for transmitting a notification to the effect that the connection between the PCs 5a and 5b and the facsimile apparatus 1 is disconnected to the facsimile apparatus 1 via a communication line. On the other hand, on the facsimile apparatus 1 side, when the transfer means receives a notification that the connection between the PC 5a and the facsimile apparatus 1 is disconnected from the PC (for example, the PC 5a) via the communication line, the receiving PC 5a It is assumed that there is a means for updating the information so as not to transfer the data. When the PC is disconnected from the LAN, such as when the power is turned off, the transfer process based on the previous information does not always reach the printer near the destination, and the entry is used when the PC is moved Therefore, by adopting this form, it becomes possible to delete such unnecessary entries and keep the table size appropriately.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the destination resolution table used in the processing of FIG. 3, and FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the default printer table used in the processing of FIGS.

  The destination resolution table 31 illustrated in FIG. 5 (the destination resolution table 18c in FIGS. 2 and 3) is used to acquire the host name of the destination based on the destination read from the received facsimile data. The destination resolution table 31 records words used as destinations of facsimile data and corresponding host names. For example, a word used as a destination of facsimile data corresponds to the name or department name of a recipient of facsimile data. The host name corresponds to a host name such as a PC used by the recipient. Further, a configuration in which a plurality of words used as a destination are associated with one host name may be used. In addition, all host names that may be received by the facsimile apparatus need to be stored in the destination resolution table 31. Further, in consideration of misrecognition of the destination, it is possible to devise such as recording only the last name without writing all the names.

  The default printer table 32 in FIG. 6 (the destination resolution table 18b in FIGS. 2 to 4) is “set as a normally used printer” in the PC when the PC is connected to the network as described in FIG. When the printer name or IP address of the printer is notified to the facsimile apparatus, the combination of the PC name and the printer name or IP address is stored. Here, the case where the PC is connected to the network refers to the case where the power of the PC connected to the LAN is turned on, or the case where the PC that is turned on is connected to the LAN.

  Further, when a printer set as “normally used printer” is changed in each PC, the same notification is sent from the PC, so that the corresponding entry can be updated. When the PC is turned off, the facsimile apparatus may be notified that the PC has been turned off, and the facsimile apparatus that has received the notification may delete the PC entry. By doing so, the storage capacity of the default printer table 32 can be saved.

  With the above notification from the PC, the facsimile apparatus can recognize the printer that the PC is “set as a normally used printer”, and the received facsimile data to the PC can be used as the printer.

  As described above, the default printer table 18b and the destination resolution table 18c illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 are used, and the received facsimile data is transferred to the printer close to the destination by the series of procedures illustrated in FIGS. Can be output.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the data transfer process in the facsimile data reception process illustrated in FIG. With reference to FIG. 7, an example of processing in the control unit of FIG. 2 when the facsimile apparatus receives facsimile data will be described.

  When the facsimile apparatus receives facsimile data via the telephone line, the destination is determined from the received facsimile data (step S1). As a destination extraction method, a method of recognizing characters corresponding to the destination portion from the received facsimile data is used. In step S2, the destination resolution table is referred to obtain the destination PC (host) name determined in step S1. If there is no entry for the destination in the destination resolution table, the process proceeds to step S3, where the facsimile data is output by the facsimile machine, and the processing when the facsimile machine receives the facsimile data is terminated. Here, the case where there is no entry for the destination in the destination resolution table corresponds to the case where the destination determination is not complete or there is a possibility of an error. Thus, it is preferable that the present invention can cope with misrecognition of a destination.

  In step S2, if an entry for the destination exists in the destination resolution table, the process proceeds to step S4, and the default printer table is acquired in order to acquire the printer whose host name is “set as a default printer” acquired in step S2. refer. If there is no entry for the host name in the default printer table, the process proceeds to step S3, where the facsimile data is output by the facsimile machine, and the process when the facsimile machine receives the facsimile data is terminated.

  If it is determined in step S4 that an entry for the host name exists in the default printer table, the process proceeds to step S5, the facsimile data is transferred to the printer corresponding to the host, and the process proceeds to step S6. In step S6, a notification that the facsimile data has been output to the printer is transmitted to the host that is the original destination of the facsimile (the host name acquired in step S2), and the processing when the facsimile apparatus receives the facsimile data is terminated. To do.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining processing for always building the default printer table illustrated in FIG. 4 with the latest information. With reference to FIG. 8, an example of processing in the control unit of FIG. 2 when the facsimile apparatus receives a notification from the PC (host) will be described.

  When the facsimile apparatus receives the notification via the communication line, it is determined whether the notification is a notification relating to “ordinary printer” at the transmission source host (step S11). If the notification is related to “normally used printer”, the process proceeds to step S12, and the set of the transmission source host name and the information related to “normally used printer” (printer name and / or IP address) is recorded / updated in the default printer table. Then, the processing when the facsimile apparatus receives a notification from the host ends.

  If it is determined in step S11 that the notification is not related to “ordinary printer”, the process proceeds to step S13, and the notification indicates that the transmission source host is turned off or the transmission source host is disconnected from the LAN. It is determined whether it is a notification (hereinafter referred to as a power OFF notification). If the notification is a power-off notification, if necessary, the entry relating to the transmission source host is deleted from the default printer table and the table is updated (step S12), and the process when the facsimile apparatus receives the notification from the host is performed. finish. If it is determined in step S13 that the notification is not a power OFF notification, appropriate processing (if there is other processing) is performed (step S14), and processing when the facsimile apparatus receives notification from the host is performed. finish.

  In this way, the facsimile data transfer system according to the present embodiment determines the destination from the received facsimile data, and identifies the destination PC (host) name based on the destination. Then, the received facsimile data is transferred and output to a “normally used printer” associated with the acquired host name, whereby the facsimile data can be printed out at a location close to the destination.

  Here, the control unit 16 described in FIG. 2 will be supplementarily described. 2 is actually a central processing unit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or MPU (Micro Processing Unit), and a ROM (Read Only Memory; ROM containing a facsimile data transfer program; However, it is preferably a rewritable ROM) and a RAM (Random Access Memory) as an execution area in which the central processing unit reads and executes the firmware. Thus, the present invention can also adopt a form as a facsimile data transfer program. The program may be a program for causing the central processing unit to execute at least facsimile data transfer processing according to the present embodiment. That is, this program is a program that is incorporated in a facsimile machine and causes the central processing unit in the facsimile machine to function as the transfer means (and other means) described above.

  The PC described in FIG. 1 and the notification processing to the facsimile apparatus actually stores software including a central processing unit such as a CPU and MPU and a program for performing notification of “ordinary printer”. A ROM (rewritable ROM) and a RAM as an execution area in which the central processing unit reads and executes the program are configured. As described above, the present invention can also adopt a form as a default printer notification program for performing notification of “ordinary printer”. This program may be a program for causing the central processing unit to execute at least the default printer notification process according to the present embodiment. That is, this program is a program that is incorporated in a PC and causes the central processing unit to function as each means in the PC.

  Next, a configuration example of the general information processing apparatus illustrated in FIG. 9 will be described as an example of the PC. The information processing apparatus 40 includes a general-purpose PC, and an input device 44 such as a keyboard, a mouse, a recording medium reading device, a network device for input from other devices, and the like for displaying various information. Communication devices such as display devices 45 such as CRT (Cathode-ray Tube), LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and PDP (Plasma Display Panel), network connection devices (network boards for connecting to the network and performing communication) Communication device 46 such as a device), an external output device (not shown) such as a printing device or a recording medium recording device, a hard disk or ROM 43 storing the program, and a CPU 41 for executing the program stored therein. And its fruit The RAM 42 as a row area is illustrated as a main component and connected by a bus 47. This program may be provided with a graphical user interface (GUI) for the display device 45 so that the user can easily use it for various settings. Information handled by these devices is temporarily stored in the RAM 42 at the time of processing, and then stored in various ROMs 43 and hard disks, and is read, corrected, and written by the CPU 41 as necessary. The description here can also be applied to a facsimile data transfer program incorporated in the control unit 16 in the facsimile apparatus 1 of FIG.

  Furthermore, the present invention can adopt a form as a computer-readable recording medium on which a program on the facsimile apparatus side, a program on the PC side, or data as described above is recorded. As such a recording medium, specifically, a CD-ROM, a magneto-optical disk, a DVD-ROM, an FD, a flash memory, and various other ROMs and RAMs can be assumed. Then, the functions according to the present invention are facilitated by recording and distributing the program as described above on a recording medium. The program on the facsimile machine side is, for example, a facsimile machine by loading the recording medium as described above into an information processing apparatus such as a computer, reading the program by the information processing apparatus, and transferring the program to the control unit of the facsimile apparatus. It can be stored executable on the device. The program on the PC side, for example, loads the recording medium as described above into the PC and reads the program by the PC, or stores the program in a recording medium such as a hard disk provided in the PC, The functions according to the present invention can be executed by reading as necessary.

It is a figure which shows the example of 1 structure of the facsimile data transfer system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a facsimile apparatus incorporated in the system of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a reception process procedure of facsimile data in the system shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. It is the schematic which shows an example of the table construction procedure in the system shown in FIG.1 and FIG.2. It is a figure which shows an example of the destination resolution table used in the process of FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a default printer table used in the processes of FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining a data transfer process in the facsimile data reception process illustrated in FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining processing for always building the default printer table exemplified in FIG. 4 with the latest information. FIG. 25 is a diagram for describing a configuration example of a general information processing apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Facsimile apparatus, 2 ... Router, 3a, 3b ... Switching hub, 4a, 4b ... Hub / switching hub, 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d ... PC (host), 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d ... Network printer, 11 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS ... Power supply part, 12 ... Operation part, 13 ... Image processing part, 14 ... Printer engine, 15 ... Bus, 16 ... Control part, 16a ... LAN communication control part, 16b ... Transfer destination determination part, 16c ... Destination extraction part, 16d ... FAX communication control unit, 17 ... LAN communication I / F unit, 18 ... storage unit, 18c, 31 ... destination resolution table, 18b, 32 ... default printer table, 18a, 18d ... data buffer, 19 ... network control unit, 40 ... Information processing device, 41 ... CPU, 42 ... RAM, 43 ... ROM, 44 ... Input device, 45 ... Display device, 46 ... Communication device, 47 ... Bus.

Claims (10)

A facsimile machine that transmits and receives facsimile data via a telephone line,
The facsimile apparatus is connected via a communication line to an information processing apparatus and an image forming apparatus connected to the information processing apparatus via a communication line.
Transfer that transfers the facsimile data to the image forming apparatus designated by the information processing apparatus whose destination is the facsimile data when the facsimile data is received via the telephone line Means ,
Image forming means for forming and outputting an image from the input facsimile data;
When facsimile data is received via the telephone line, if the transfer means cannot determine the image forming apparatus designated by the addressee of the data, the facsimile data is transferred to the image forming means. A second transfer means;
When the transfer means transfers the facsimile data received via the telephone line and when the second transfer means transfers, the facsimile data is transferred to the information processing apparatus as the user. A destination notification means for notifying the effect;
A facsimile apparatus comprising:   The transfer means records information relating to a user name of each information processing apparatus and information relating to the name of each information processing apparatus in association with the information processing apparatus connected via the communication line. And a storage means for storing a default printer table in which information relating to the name of each information processing apparatus and information relating to the name or address of an image forming apparatus designated in each information processing apparatus are associated and recorded, When the facsimile data is received via a line, the information processing apparatus in which the addressee of the facsimile data is a user is referred to by referring to the address resolution table and the default printer table stored in the storage means 2. The facsimile data is transferred to a designated image forming apparatus. Facsimile device as claimed. When the information processing apparatus receives information about the designated image forming apparatus from the information processing apparatus via the communication line, the transfer unit updates the information to perform transfer based on the received information. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 , further comprising means. When the transfer means receives a notification that the connection between the information processing apparatus and the facsimile apparatus is disconnected from the information processing apparatus via the communication line, the transfer means transfers the information to the information processing apparatus that is the reception source. facsimile apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises means for updating the information so as not. As the transfer means in the facsimile apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the program for facsimile data transmission for causing a computer to function. An information processing apparatus connectable to the facsimile apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4 via a communication line, wherein the information processing apparatus is turned on when the power is turned on or connected to the facsimile apparatus. An information processing apparatus comprising means for transmitting information relating to an image forming apparatus designated by the apparatus to the facsimile apparatus via the communication line. When the setting of the image forming apparatus designated by the information processing apparatus is changed, the information processing apparatus includes means for transmitting information relating to the changed image forming apparatus to the facsimile apparatus via the communication line. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6 . When the power is turned off or the connection with the facsimile apparatus is disconnected, a notification that the connection between the information processing apparatus and the facsimile apparatus is disconnected is transmitted to the facsimile apparatus via the communication line. the information processing apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that it comprises means for. As each unit of the information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 8, the program for the default printer notification for causing a computer to function. A computer-readable recording medium on which the program according to claim 5 or 9 is recorded.

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