JP5003873B2 - Multifunction device and control method of multifunction device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a multifunction device having a printer function for printing on a recording medium, a scanner function for reading a document, and a FAX function for transmitting and receiving a FAX document, and a method for controlling such a multifunction device.

  There is an image forming apparatus called a digital multifunction peripheral (hereinafter simply referred to as a multifunction peripheral) including a scanner and a printer. Such a multifunction peripheral includes a scanner function for scanning an image by a scanner unit, a printing function for printing by a printer unit, a copy function for printing an image read by the scanner unit by a printer unit, and a FAX unit for transmitting and receiving a FAX document. It has functions.

  Some of these multifunction peripherals have a function of converting an image read from the scanner unit or an image received by the FAX unit into a file and sending it by e-mail. For example, Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-88612) discloses a scan mail transmission device that is used by being connected to a scanner and a computer network, and has a function as a mail server device and is issued by an operator. And an instruction receiving means for receiving a scan mail transmission instruction with designation of a destination address, and when the scan mail transmission instruction is received by the instruction receiving means, the scanner generates image data of a document, and Scan mail sending means for creating and sending a scan mail that is an e-mail with the destination address designated by the operator as the destination address related to image data, and every time an e-mail addressed to the device is sent , The e-mail is a certain scan mail delivery A notification is sent to notify the user who sent the scan email that the scan email could not be delivered. There is disclosed a scan mail transmission device (multifunction machine) characterized by comprising error mail handling means for processing.

Furthermore, some multifunction peripherals having such a mail transmission function have an address book function for registering a destination to which mail is frequently sent. According to such an address book function, the user only has to select a destination registered in advance when sending the filed image by e-mail, so that it is possible to save the trouble of inputting the e-mail address one by one.
JP 2004-88612 A

  However, in the multifunction device having the address book function as described above, for example, when an address book is provided for each user, a problem that a large amount of storage area of an internal storage device such as a hard disk drive built in the multifunction device is used. was there. For this reason, the address book function of the multifunction peripheral has a problem that the number of addresses that can be registered is limited.

  There is also a situation where a plurality of MFPs with an address book function are connected to one network. In such a case, if one user registers his / her own address book in each multifunction device, the storage area for that person is consumed in each multifunction device. Therefore, in such a case, there is a problem that resources are wasted when viewed as a whole network.

  Therefore, in order to solve these problems, it is conceivable to manage address information related to the address book function of the multi-function peripheral with an LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol) server or the like. However, in order to correspond to the LDAP server, a new problem arises that many resources are used in the multi-function peripheral, and that the administrator of the network needs to manage the LDAP server. .

In order to cope with the above problems, the multi-function device of the present invention includes a mail server connection / communication means for connecting to a mail server and communicating with the mail server, and all mail in a predetermined mailbox of the mail server Mail acquisition request means for making an acquisition request, address information mail search extraction means for searching for and extracting address information mail from a mail server based on the title or header of the mail acquired by the mail acquisition request means, and the address information Address information display means for displaying information on the text of the mail.

  The MFP of the present invention further includes an address information mail deletion request unit that requests the mail server to delete the address information mail when the address information mail is extracted by the address information mail search and extraction unit. And

In addition, the control method of the MFP of the present invention includes a mail server connection / communication step for connecting to a mail server and communicating with the mail server; An acquisition request step, an address information mail search extraction step for searching for and extracting address information mail from the mail server based on the title or header of the mail acquired by the mail acquisition request step, and information on the text of the address information mail. And an address information display step for performing display.

  According to the multifunction device and the multifunction device control method of the present invention, an internal storage device such as a hard disk drive built in the multifunction device is stored in the mail server by storing information related to the address book function of the multifunction device as address information mail. Storage area can be reduced.

  In addition, even when multiple MFPs with address book functions are connected to a single network, address information email stored in the mail server can be referenced from any MFP, resulting in wasted resources. do not do.

  In the multifunction device and the multifunction device control method of the present invention, a normal mail server can be used without modification, so that an excessive burden is not imposed on the network administrator.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment, a multifunction peripheral is described as an example of an image forming apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to a multifunction peripheral, and can be applied to an image forming apparatus such as a copier alone or a facsimile machine. is there.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a system configuration of a multifunction peripheral and its surroundings according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, 10 is a network such as a LAN or WAN, 20 is a telephone line, 100 is a multifunction device, 110 is a control unit that performs main control of the multifunction device, 120 is a FAX unit that transmits and receives a FAX document, and 130 is a recording medium. A printer unit that prints on a document, 140 a scanner unit that reads a document, 150 an operation panel unit that serves as an interface with a user, 160 a network I / F, 170 a USB I / F, 200, 200 ′, 200 '' Is a personal computer, 300 is an external device, and 400 is a mail server.

  In the system around the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 1, personal computers 200, 200 ′, 200 ″ such as clients and the multifunction peripheral 100 are connected via a network 10. Further, the FAX unit 120 of the MFP 100 is configured to be connected to the telephone line 20 and the USB I / F 170 is connected to the external device 300 such as a mobile phone or a digital camera.

  The multi-function device 100 includes a control unit 110 that performs main control of a multi-function device main body including an information processing device, an operation panel unit 150 that is an input / output device that receives user input operations, and a scanner unit that scans and reads a document / image. 140, a printer unit 130 that performs printing on printing paper or the like, and a FAX unit 120 that performs FAX transmission / reception. In other words, the multifunction peripheral 100 has a scanner function, a printing function, a copy function that combines the scanner function and the printing function, and a FAX transmission / reception function.

  Each of the information processing mechanisms of the multifunction peripheral 100 is configured by, for example, a general-purpose computer system, and each component or function is realized by, for example, executing a computer program written in a storage unit. Such storage means includes a volatile storage means for temporarily reading and writing, and a nonvolatile storage means for retaining the stored contents even when the power is turned off. Generally, a non-volatile storage device such as a hard disk drive is used for the address book function of the multifunction peripheral. In the present invention, the storage area of such a storage device such as a hard disk drive can be reduced. .

  The scanner unit 140 includes a document table (not shown) on which a document can be placed and an optical system that reads the document table. The document table of the scanner unit 140 is provided with a document size detection sensor that can detect the size of the document placed on the document table. Further, the multifunction peripheral 100 may be provided with an ADF (Automatic Document Feeder) that automatically and continuously feeds documents to the scanner unit 140.

  The data read by the scanner unit 140 is once stored in a storage unit (not shown) of the control unit 110. The control unit 110 outputs the document image data read by the scanner unit 140 from the printer unit 130 as it is or at a set magnification according to the designation from the operation panel unit 150 or the like (copy function of the MFP 100). , Transmitted from the FAX unit 120 through a telephone line (FAX function of the multifunction device 100), or transmitted to the personal computers 200, 200 ′, 200 ″ via the network I / F 160 and the network 10 (multifunction device). 100 scanner functions).

  The printer unit 130 forms an image on a recording sheet. The printer unit 130 employs a method of forming a latent image on a photoconductor with a laser or an LED line head, or directly ejects ink onto a recording sheet. A well-known hardware configuration such as an ink jet method employing the method can be used. The control unit 110 causes the printer unit 130 to perform predetermined paper output based on an instruction from the operation panel unit 150, the personal computers 200, 200 ′, and 200 ″, or an external device 300 such as a mobile phone or a digital camera. Is. That is, the printer unit 130 receives image data read by the scanner unit 140, FAX data received by the FAX unit 210, data from application software of the personal computers 200, 200 ′, 200 ″, and from the external device 300. The image data is output on paper.

  The FAX unit 120 is connected to the telephone line 20 and is received by a FAX transmission / reception unit (not shown) that transmits / receives a FAX, a transmission buffer that temporarily stores transmission data to be transmitted by the FAX transmission / reception unit, and a FAX transmission / reception unit. A FAX section memory is provided for constituting a reception buffer for temporarily storing received data.

  When the FAX unit 120 receives the image data read by the scanner unit 140 from the control unit 110, the FAX unit 120 temporarily stores the image data in the FAX unit memory 121 and transmits it by FAX. When the transmission is completed, the FAX unit 120 deletes the transmitted data stored in the FAX unit memory 121.

  In addition, when the FAX unit 120 receives data transmitted by FAX from the telephone line 20, the FAX unit 120 temporarily stores the received data. The stored received data is sent to the control unit 110 and printed by the printer unit 130. The FAX unit 120 performs FAX transmission / reception independently of other components in the MFP 100. That is, when the FAX unit 120 receives transmission data from the multi-function device 100, the FAX unit 120 performs FAX transmission independently of the multi-function device 100, and receives FAX data if it is transmitted from the telephone line 20.

  The copy function of the multifunction peripheral 100 is set in the control unit 110 by the user operating the operation panel unit 150. From the operation panel unit 150, a copy magnification setting, a document image size setting, and an output paper size setting related to the copy function can be set. Based on these settings, the control unit 110 can copy the MFP 100. Perform the function. The copy function of the multifunction peripheral 100 performs copy magnification processing on the original image data read by the scanner unit 140, and outputs the result to paper of a size specified by the printer unit 130.

  The hardware of the operation panel unit 150 is roughly composed of a display unit composed of an LCD for performing display related to an operation, and a touch panel unit capable of inputting by pressing with a finger or the like. The display unit and the touch panel unit are configured to overlap each other, and the user can perform various settings of the MFP 100 by operating the touch panel unit with a finger while referring to the display on the display unit. ing. A well-known technique can be used about the specific structure of the input mechanism by a touchscreen part, and the display mechanism by a display part. The operation panel unit 150 can perform various functions such as a FAX function, a printer function, and a copy function of the multi-function peripheral 100, a preview display of a read image, a preview display of an image in a process of processing the read image, For example, mail transmission settings and address book editing.

  The mail server 400 is a server computer in which server software for sending and receiving electronic mail is installed. In the present invention, commonly used POP / SMTP and IMAP can be used as server software for sending and receiving e-mail without any modification.

  Next, the mail transmission function in the multifunction peripheral 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. The mail transmission function of the multi-function device 100 is to send an image by scanning the image read by the scanner unit 140 or the image received by the FAX unit 120 as a file. In order to realize such a mail transmission function, a known technique described in Patent Document 1 or the like can be used.

  Furthermore, the multifunction peripheral 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention has an address book function associated with the mail transmission function as described above. Such an address book function is to register a destination to which mail is frequently sent, and can be realized by using general software related to electronic mail.

  Next, registration of an address book in the multifunction machine according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing steps for newly registering an address book in the multifunction peripheral according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an address information mail used by the multifunction peripheral according to the embodiment of the present invention for managing the address book. FIG.

  In the MFP 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention, address book information is placed in the mail server 400. For this purpose, the MFP 100 creates an address information mail for managing the address book. .

  The step of newly registering the address book shown in FIG. 2 generally includes the creation of the address information mail and the transmission of the address information mail to the mail server 400.

  In FIG. 2, when a new address book registration flow is started in step S <b> 100, in step S <b> 101, the user who is newly registering an address book receives user name information from the hardware of the operation panel unit 150. input. Hereinafter, an example in which “Hirano Chihiro” is input as a new user name will be described.

  In step S102, information relating to a designated mailbox in which address information mail for address book management is to be placed is input. Here, it is assumed that “abc@bsw072.hro.epson.co.jp” is input as information relating to such a designated mailbox.

  In step S103, information such as a destination to be registered in the address book is input. Here, “Name: Patent Taro, Email: tokkyo.taro@jpo.go.jp”, “Name: Practical Jiro, Email: j24-jiro@jpo.go.jp”, “ It is assumed that “name: trademark Hanako, e-mail address: hanako-s@jpo.go.jp” and “name: design Saburo, e-mail address: i-saburo@jpo.go.jp” are entered.

  In step S104, an address information mail is created based on the information input in steps S101 to S103. Here, for example, “MFP Address Info” is necessarily added to the title of such address information mail. The title of the address information mail is not necessarily limited to this, and an appropriate character string can be used. In the present embodiment, such a title is used.

  FIG. 3 shows an address information mail automatically generated by the multifunction device 100 in step S104. As shown in FIG. 3, “MFP Address Info” is assigned as the title of the address information mail. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the contents of the input in steps S101 to S103 are reflected in the mail.

  The destination information registered in the address book is described as the body of the address information mail, and is described in a predetermined format such as name, comma, mail address, and line feed as shown in FIG.

  Next, the exchange between the MFP 100 and the mail server 400 in the new address book registration will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an address book new registration sequence in the multifunction machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 4, when an address book new registration request operation by the user is performed from the operation panel unit 150 to the multifunction peripheral 100 in step S200, the user is prompted to perform an input operation in step S201. This step S201 corresponds to the previous steps S101 to S103. Next, in step S202, the multi-function device 100 creates an address information mail based on the user input operation. This step S202 corresponds to step S104. In step S203, the multi-function device 100 transmits the created address information mail to the designated mail box to the mail server 400. This step S203 corresponds to the previous step 105. New registration of the address book is completed by the above steps. That is, the mail server 400 need only receive address information mail in a designated mailbox. As described above, in the present invention, the address book information of the multifunction peripheral 100 can be registered without any modification to the mail server 400.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a data structure of a mailbox in the mail server 400. The figure shows various mailboxes in the mail server 400 and emails (only titles) stored in those mailboxes. As shown in the drawing, the title “MFP Address Info” is stored in a mail box of “abc@bsw072.hro.epson.co.jp” mixed with various mails.

  Next, a method for referring to the address book information stored in the mailbox of the mail server 400 in the above-described state with the multi-function peripheral 100 will be described. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an address book calling sequence in the multifunction machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 6, an example is described in which information in the address book of the user name registered in advance is called.

  In step S300, when the user performs an operation for calling the address book information on the operation panel unit 150, in step S301, the multi-function peripheral 100 sends the mail box “abc@bsw072.hro.epson.co. “jp” is requested to obtain all mails. In response to this, the mail server 400 transmits all the mail in “abc@bsw072.hro.epson.co.jp” to the multi-function device 100.

  Note that the processing request to the mail server 400 in step S301 and the transmission processing in step S302 can be performed within the range of functions normally possessed by the mail server. In the present invention, no modification is made to the existing mail server. It is not necessary.

  In step S303, the multi-function device 100 searches for the address information mail from all the received mails. At this time, the title information of the mail is used, and a search is made for all the mail titles having the character string “MFP Address Info”.

Step S304 shows a state in which such a search has succeeded and the address information mail (the mail shown in FIG. 3) having the title “MFP Address Info” has been successfully extracted.

In step S305, the control unit 110 of the multifunction peripheral 100 creates display data of the operation panel unit 150 based on the extracted address information mail. That is, from the address information mail shown in FIG. 3, the user name “Hirano Chihiro” and the address book registration information “name: patent Taro, mail address: tokkyo.taro@jpo.go.jp”, “name: practical use” “Jiro, email address: j24-jiro@jpo.go.jp”, “Name: trademark Hanako, email address: hanako-s@jpo.go.jp”, “Name: Saburo Design, email address: i-saburo @ jpo .go.jp "is extracted and displayed on the hardware of the operation panel unit 150. One example of an address book display in the hardware of the operation panel unit 150 is shown in FIG.

  The display data extraction process on the operation panel unit 150 may use a procedure for obtaining prescribed information from the prescribed description of the address information mail, and may appropriately use a conventionally known appropriate technique.

  Next, a method for updating the address book information stored in the mailbox of the mail server 400 by the multi-function device 100 will be described. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an address book update sequence in the multifunction machine according to the embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 8, a description will be given of an example in which information in the address book of the user name registered earlier is called and updated.

  In step S400, when the user performs an update request operation on the address book information on the operation panel unit 150, in step S401, the multifunction peripheral 100 sends a mail box “abc@bsw072.hro.epson.co” to the mail server 400. .Jp "is requested to obtain all mails. In response to this, the mail server 400 transmits all the mail in “abc@bsw072.hro.epson.co.jp” to the multi-function device 100.

  Note that the processing request to the mail server 400 in step S401 and the transmission processing in step S402 can be performed within the range of functions normally possessed by the mail server. In the present invention, no modification is made to the existing mail server. It is not necessary.

  In step S403, the multi-function device 100 searches for the address information mail from all the received mails. At this time, the title information of the mail is used, and a search is made for all the mail titles having the character string “MFP Address Info”.

  Step S404 shows a state in which such a search has been successful and the address information mail (mail shown in FIG. 3) having the title “MFP Address Info” has been successfully extracted. The control unit 110 of the multifunction device 100 creates display data of the operation panel unit 150 based on the address information mail.

  After confirming receipt of the address information mail in step S404, the multi-function device 100 makes a mail deletion request to the mail server 400 in step S405. The purpose of such an address information mail deletion request is to reduce the capacity of the mail server 400 by not placing data relating to a plurality of address information mails in the mailbox of the mail server 400. It is to do. Secondly, in order to avoid a situation in which a plurality of multi-function peripherals share one address book as described later, the address information mail is updated twice. It is.

  The mail server can process the mail deletion request to the mail server 400 in step S405 within the range of functions normally possessed by the mail server. In the present invention, no modification is made to the existing mail server. Is not required.

  In step S406, the multi-function device 100 receives the user name “Hirano Chihiro” from the address information mail and “Name: Patent Taro, mail address: tokkyo.taro@jpo.go.jp”, which is address book registration information. “Name: Practical Jiro, Email: j24-jiro@jpo.go.jp”, “Name: Trademark Hanako, Email: hanako-s@jpo.go.jp”, “Name: Saburo Design, Email: i -saburo@jpo.go.jp "is extracted and displayed on the hardware of the operation panel unit 150.

  Step 407 is a step of updating the address book information displayed on the hardware of the operation panel unit 150 by a user operation. A user interface for such an address book information update operation may appropriately employ a known method.

  When the completion of the update step by the user operation is input to the multi-function device 100, a new address information mail based on the update information is created in step S408.

  In step S409, the multi-function device 100 transmits the created address information mail to the designated mail box to the mail server 400. The update registration of the address book is completed by the above steps.

  In addition, although the example of assigning “MFP Address Info” to the title of the address information mail has been described so far, a title capable of specifying the user name is assigned, such as “MFP Address Info Hiran Chihiro”. In addition, when searching and extracting address information mail in the multifunction device 100, if it is set to search and extract with a title character string including the user name, the address book of a plurality of users can be stored in one mailbox. It can also be set to manage.

  Further, heretofore, when address information mail is searched / extracted in the MFP 100, the target character string has been described as the mail title. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and is included in other header information. It can also be set to a string.

  Next, a case where the multifunction device according to the embodiment of the present invention configured as described above is connected to a plurality of networks and the address book is managed by the plurality of multifunction devices will be described. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a configuration in which the multifunction peripheral according to the embodiment of the present invention is connected to a plurality of networks. FIG. 9 shows a state where a plurality of multifunction peripherals 100, 100 ′, 100 ″ are connected to one mail server 400 on the network 10. Assume that each of the multifunction peripherals 100, 100 ', and 100' 'has an address book management function using the mail server 400 as described above.

  In such a case, according to the multi-function device of the present invention, a method of registering a new address book from the multi-function device 100 and calling and referring to the same address book with the multi-function device 100 ′ ′ Can be done. That is, the multifunction device 100 creates a new address information mail, registers it in the mail server 400, and uses the address information mail on the mail server 400 from the multifunction device 100 ′ ′. That's fine. According to the utilization method of the present invention, since the address book is not registered for each multifunction device, the computer resources on the network 10 are not wasted.

  As described above, according to the multifunction peripheral and the control method of the multifunction peripheral of the present invention, the information related to the address book function of the multifunction peripheral is stored in the mail server as address information mail, so that the internal of the hard disk drive or the like built in the multifunction peripheral The storage area of the storage device can be reduced.

  In addition, even when multiple MFPs with address book functions are connected to a single network, address information email stored in the mail server can be referenced from any MFP, resulting in wasted resources. do not do.

  In the multifunction device and the multifunction device control method of the present invention, a normal mail server can be used without modification, so that an excessive burden is not imposed on the network administrator.

1 is a diagram showing a system configuration of a multifunction peripheral and its surroundings according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the step of the new registration of the address book in the multifunctional device which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the address information mail which the multifunctional device which concerns on embodiment of this invention uses for management of an address book. It is a figure which shows the address book new registration sequence in the multifunctional device which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 6 is a diagram showing a data structure of a mailbox in the mail server 400. FIG. It is a figure which shows the address book calling sequence in the multifunctional device which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a display of the address book in the hardware of an operation panel part. It is a figure which shows the address book update sequence in the multifunctional device which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration in which a multifunction peripheral according to an embodiment of the present invention is connected to a plurality of networks. FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Network, 20 ... Telephone line, 100 ... MFP, 110 ... Control part, 120 ... FAX part, 130 ... Printer part, 140 ... Scanner part, 150. ..Operation panel section, 160 ... Network I / F, 170 ... USB I / F, 200, 200 ', 200 "... Personal computer, 300 ... External device, 400 ... Mail server

Claims (3)

A mail server connection communication means for connecting to the mail server and communicating with the mail server;
Mail acquisition request means for requesting acquisition of all mails in a predetermined mailbox of the mail server;
Address information mail search and extraction means for searching and extracting address information mail from the mail server based on the title or header of the mail acquired by the mail acquisition request means;
An address information display means for displaying information of the text of the address information mail. 2. The composite according to claim 1, further comprising address information mail deletion request means for requesting the mail server to delete the address information mail when the address information mail is extracted by the address information mail search extracting means. Machine. A mail server connection communication step of connecting to the mail server and communicating with the mail server;
A mail acquisition request step for requesting acquisition of all mails in a predetermined mailbox of the mail server;
An address information mail search and extraction step for searching and extracting address information mail from the mail server based on the title or header of the mail acquired by the mail acquisition request step;
An address information display step for displaying the information of the text of the address information mail.

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