JP5145520B2 - Facsimile machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus which is dedicated or incorporated in a multi-function peripheral, including a facsimile reception function via a public line and a file transfer function via a network.

  In the following Patent Document 1, a sender number or a plurality of mail addresses and a sender name are registered on the one-touch dial of a facsimile apparatus on the sender side, one of them is selected, and a destination mail address is designated. Thus, a configuration is disclosed in which a document image is transmitted to a counterpart facsimile machine.

According to this configuration, when the transmission source is an e-mail, it is possible to identify a sender from the same facsimile machine shared by a plurality of people by simply looking at the reception list of the facsimile machine on the receiving side. In the case of facsimile via a public line, it is possible to identify the transmission source only by looking at the reception list.
JP-A-11-306120

  However, if such registration is not performed on the sender side, the benefit cannot be taken advantage of on the receiver side.

  In particular, when transferring facsimile content files received from multiple locations via a public line to a specified folder on a personal computer via a network interface, the folder name is the name of the sender number and a list of folder names is displayed. When displayed or a list of icons is displayed, the sender cannot be easily identified. The same applies to facsimile reception from one place via a public line.

In view of such problems, the object of the present invention is to display a facsimile sender if a folder name list or a folder icon is displayed when a file of facsimile reception contents is transferred to a folder of a personal computer. It is an object of the present invention to provide a facsimile machine that can be easily identified.

In the first aspect of the facsimile apparatus according to the present invention, for example, as shown in FIG.
A receiving unit 1 for receiving facsimile data via a public line;
A storage means 4 for storing a transmission source information table 2 in which a transmission source number and a transmission source name are associated, and transfer destination information 3 including a transfer destination host name and a storage destination parent folder path name;
A source number is extracted from the data 5 received by the receiving unit 1, a source name corresponding to the source number is obtained with reference to the source information table 2, and a first including the source name Folder name determination means 6 for determining the folder name of the storage folder as the storage folder name;
File creation means 7 for creating a file including the contents of the received data;
Network interface 8;
Specify the transfer destination host name, connect to the transfer destination via the network interface 7, communicate with the transfer destination, and whether the folder of the storage destination folder name exists in the path of the storage destination parent folder path name And a transfer control means 9 for transferring the file to this folder.

And a transfer control means 8 for transferring the file to this folder if it exists.

  Here, the transfer destination host name may be an IP address or a computer name, and the storage destination parent folder path name is determined on the transfer destination side without storing the storage destination parent folder path name in the storage unit 4. It may be a configuration. Alternatively, the file may be transferred to a nested folder.

In a second aspect of the facsimile apparatus according to the present invention, in the first aspect, when the transfer control unit makes a negative determination of the existence, the transfer control unit causes a folder with the storage destination folder name to be created in the path, and creates the created folder. In the third aspect of the facsimile apparatus according to the present invention for transferring the file, in the first or second aspect, the folder name determining means 6 may provide that the data received by the receiving unit 1 includes a sender name. Then, the second folder name including the sender name is determined as the storage folder name, and if the sender name is not included, the first folder name is determined as the storage folder name.

In a fourth aspect of the facsimile apparatus according to the present invention, in the third aspect, the folder name determination means 6 sets the transmission source number to the transmission source unless the transmission source name is included in the data received by the reception unit. Add to the information table.

  According to the configuration of the first aspect, the sender number is extracted from the data received by the receiver 1, the sender information table 2 is referred to, the sender name corresponding to the sender number is obtained, The first folder name including the transmission source name is determined as the storage folder name, and if the folder with the storage folder name exists in the transfer destination host, the received content file is transferred to this folder. If the host displays a list of folder names or a list of folder icons, the facsimile sender can be easily identified.

  According to the configuration of the second aspect, even if a folder with the storage folder name does not exist in the transfer destination host, a folder with the storage folder name is automatically created and the file is transferred to this folder. There is an effect.

According to the configuration of the third embodiment, the originating may lack a sender name based on the information table 2, which the storage location if it contains sender name to the data which the receiving unit receives There is an effect that it can be used as a folder name.

  According to the configuration of the fourth aspect described above, if only a sender name is registered in the sender information table 2 and a folder with a folder name including a sender number exists in the transfer destination host, the folder name is There is an effect that the folder name including the corresponding sender name on the sender information table 2 is automatically changed.

  Other objects, configurations and effects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description.

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

  FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing a system to which a facsimile apparatus 10 of the present invention is applied.

  The facsimile apparatus 10 is coupled to an arbitrary facsimile apparatus 12 via a public network 11 and is also coupled to an intranet 13. N personal computers 141 to 14 n capable of communicating with the facsimile machine 10 are coupled to the intranet 13.

  In the facsimile apparatus 10, an operation panel 21, a scanner 22, a printer 23, an encoding unit 24, a decoding unit 25, a setting memory 26, a FAX data memory 27, a FAX modem 28, and a network interface 29 are coupled to the FAX control unit 20. Yes.

  The FAX control unit 20 includes a nonvolatile memory in which a program is stored, a work area RAM, a CPU that executes the program and controls each element coupled to the FAX control unit 20, the CPU, and these And an interface coupled to the element.

  The operation panel 21 includes a display unit and a key input unit, and is used for inputting setting information or instructions to display a setting screen or an error.

  The encoding unit 24 encodes designated data in accordance with settings, and this encoding includes HM encoding and MR encoding. The decoding unit 25 performs processing reverse to that of the encoding unit 24. The encoding unit 24 and the decoding unit 25 may be a single codec IC or may be configured such that these processes are executed by the CPU according to a program.

  Each of the setting memory 26 and the FAX data memory 27 is a rewritable nonvolatile memory such as a flash memory. The setting memory 26 may be a partial area in the FAX data memory 27.

  The setting memory 26 stores various settings relating to the components in the facsimile apparatus 10 and, as a part thereof, setting values used when transferring the received facsimile contents to a personal computer as shown in FIG. 261 is stored. This setting value includes a flag indicating the presence / absence of transfer, transfer destination information including a transfer destination host name and a storage destination parent folder path name, and a file format for converting received contents into a transmission file. These set values are set by operating the operation panel 21 or the personal computer 14.

  The transfer destination information may be “km.com/FaxRBox”, for example, and the host name may be an IP address. In the following, it is assumed that this host name is that of the personal computer 141. Further, it is assumed that the personal computer 141 is provided with an FTP server, and the FAX control unit 20 is provided with an FTP client.

  The storage destination parent folder path name may be a path name of a virtual folder. In this case, the path of the virtual folder is converted to the path of the actual folder according to the setting in the transfer destination computer.

  The setting memory 26 also stores a transmission source information table 262 as shown in FIG. In this table 262, a sender number and a sender name are registered in association with each other. This registration is performed by operating the operation panel 21 or the personal computer 14.

  The FAX modem 28 includes a modem and an NCU (Network Control Unit).

  When the FAX control unit 20 receives facsimile data from the facsimile apparatus 12 via the public line network 11 and the FAX modem 28, the FAX control unit 20 stores the received facsimile data in the buffer area of the FAX data memory 27, according to the data encoding method. The decoding unit 25 decodes the data and stores the result in the FAX data memory 27.

  If the transfer flag of the transfer setting value 261 is “0”, the FAX control unit 20 supplies the decrypted data to the printer 23 and prints the contents on paper. The process shown in 4 is performed. In the following, the step identification codes in the figure are shown in parentheses.

  (S0) A source number included in the received data stored in the buffer area is extracted. This source number is the one received in the incoming call control by the NCU.

  (S1) The sender information table 262 is searched using this sender number as a key.

  (S2) If this search hits, the process proceeds to step S3, and if not, the process proceeds to step S4.

(S3) The sender name corresponding to the sender number is determined as the storage folder name, and the process proceeds to step S5.

  (S4) The transmission source number is determined as the storage folder name.

  (S5) The FAX control unit 20 creates a file of received contents. That is, the decoded data is converted into the file format set in the transfer setting value 261 by the encoding unit 24 and the file is created.

  (S6) The FAX control unit 20 designates a host name and establishes a TCP / IP connection with the personal computer 141 via the network interface 29. Using the FTP command of the operating system (or according to the FTP protocol without using it), the current folder is transferred to the folder of the storage destination parent folder path name included in the transfer destination information of the transfer setting value 261 for the personal computer 141. Move.

  (S7) It is checked whether or not the folder having the storage destination folder name determined in step S3 or S4 exists in this folder. If it exists, the process proceeds to step S9, and if not, the process proceeds to step S8.

  (S8) Using the FTP command (or according to the FTP protocol), the personal computer 141 is made to create this storage folder in the current folder.

  (S9) The file created in step S5 is transferred into the storage destination folder of the personal computer 141 using the FTP command (or according to the FTP protocol).

  FIG. 5 shows a list of folders created by the method of FIG. 4 in the storage destination parent folder FaxRBox of the personal computer 141.

  According to the first embodiment, the source number is extracted from the data received by the FAX modem 28, the source name corresponding to the source number is obtained by referring to the source information table 262, and the source Name is determined as the storage folder name, and if there is a folder with the storage folder name in the transfer destination computer 141, the file of the received contents is transferred to this folder, so the transfer destination computer 141 displays a list of folder names If a folder icon is displayed as a list, the facsimile transmission source can be easily identified.

  Further, even if there is no folder with the storage folder name in the transfer destination computer 141, a folder with the storage folder name is automatically created and the file is transferred to this folder.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic flowchart showing facsimile received data transfer processing according to the second embodiment of the present invention, corresponding to FIG. In this flowchart, step S10 and step S11 are added to that of FIG. 4, and the process proceeds to step S10 when a negative determination is made in step S2.

(S10) If the caller name is received in the incoming call control stage, the process proceeds to step S11. Otherwise, the process proceeds to step S4.

Incidentally, the sender name is included in the sender name field in the facsimile communication protocol information, it is necessary to facsimile apparatus on the transmitting side and the receiving side is configured to perform transmission and reception of this field, manufacturers Depends on.

(S11) The sender name is determined as the storage folder name, and the process proceeds to step S5.

  The other points are the same as in the first embodiment.

According to the second embodiment, since it is determined that the storage destination folder name if originating contains sender name from the source that is not registered in the source information table 262 to the data it receives a facsimile, The effect described in the first embodiment is further enhanced.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic flowchart showing facsimile received data transfer processing according to the third embodiment of the present invention, corresponding to FIG. In this flowchart, step S10 executed before step S0 and step S11 are added to FIG.

(S10) If a caller name is received in the incoming call control stage, the process proceeds to step S11; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S0.

(S11) The sender name is determined as the storage folder name, and the process proceeds to step S5.

  The other points are the same as in the first embodiment.

According to the third embodiment, if the sender name is included in the facsimile received from the sender, this is preferentially determined as the storage folder name, so that the name change on the sender side can be automatically handled.

  FIG. 8 is a schematic flowchart showing facsimile received data transfer processing according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, corresponding to FIG. In this flowchart, steps S10, S11 and S12 are added to that of FIG.

(S10) If a caller name is received in the incoming call control stage, the process proceeds to step S11; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S0.

(S11) The sender name is determined as the storage folder name, and the process proceeds to step S0.

  If a negative determination is made in step S2, the process proceeds to step S12.

(S12) If the caller name is received in the incoming call control stage, the process proceeds to step S5; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S4.

  The other points are the same as in the first embodiment.

According to the fourth embodiment, a sender name which a facsimile received from the source, since the sender names Metropolitan hit in the search of the source information table 262 are both added to the storage destination folder name, Example The effect described in 1 is enhanced.

  FIG. 9 is a schematic flowchart showing facsimile received data transfer processing according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention, corresponding to FIG.

  In this flowchart, step S13 and step S14 are added to that of FIG. 4, and if a negative determination is made in step S2, the process proceeds to step S13, and if an affirmative determination is made, the process proceeds to step S14.

  (S13) The sender number is additionally registered in the sender information table 262, and the process proceeds to step S4.

  (S14) Due to the processing in step S13, there is a line in the source information table 262 in which only the source number is registered. Therefore, if the sender name is NULL (empty) even if it hits, the process proceeds to step S4, and if not, the process proceeds to step S3.

  The other points are the same as in the first embodiment.

  According to the fifth embodiment, if the transmission source number is not registered in the transmission source information table 262, it is automatically added and registered. Therefore, the user operates the operation panel 21 or the personal computer 141 to transmit the transmission source information table. 262 is displayed, and only the sender name corresponding to the sender number is input and registered.

  FIG. 10B shows the source information table 262 registered in this way with respect to FIG.

  Even if the sender name is registered in the fifth embodiment, the destination storage folder name remains the sender number, and it is not easy to identify the sender.

Therefore, in the sixth embodiment of the present invention, the name of the storage destination folder is automatically changed to the sender name.

  This process is performed according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 11, and is started when the user operates the operation panel 21 or the personal computer 141 to give a storage folder name change instruction.

  (S20) First, as described in the fifth embodiment, the sender information table 262 is displayed, the sender name corresponding to the sender number is entered in the blank of the sender name, and a registration instruction is given.

  (S21) The same process as step S6 of FIG. 4 is performed.

  (S22) In accordance with the FTP protocol, it is checked whether or not the folder name of the transmission source number exists in the storage destination parent folder. If it exists, the process proceeds to step S23, and if not, this process ends.

  (S23) With reference to the sender information table 262 using this folder name as a key, the corresponding sender name is acquired. This folder name is changed to the acquired sender name according to the FTP protocol.

  According to the fifth embodiment, if only a sender name is registered in the sender information table 262 and a folder having a folder name including the sender number exists in the transfer destination computer 141, the folder name is changed to the sender information. There is an effect that the folder name including the corresponding sender name on the table 262 is automatically changed.

  Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described, the present invention includes various other modifications, and realizes other combinations of the components described in the above-described embodiments and the functions of the components. Other configurations using other configurations, and other configurations that would be conceived by those skilled in the art from these configurations or functions, are also included in the present invention.

  For example, the structure which applied the automatic registration of Example 5 to Examples 2-4 may be sufficient.

  Moreover, the structure which comprises the said Examples 1-4 as a transfer mode, or equips Example 5 and the Examples 2-4 after the said application as a transfer mode, and the user selects one may be sufficient.

  In addition, the present invention only needs to have at least a facsimile reception function via a public line and a transfer function to a personal computer via a network, or a facsimile apparatus that does not include the scanner 22 or the printer 23, or an electronic mail and a facsimile. Internet facsimile machines having a mutual conversion function with the Internet.

  Instead of using the FTP protocol, the HTTP protocol, the HTTP server on the personal computer 141 side, and the CGI program added thereto may be used to create a folder, change the folder name, etc. using the CGI program. . Further, the configuration may be such that these are performed by a Web service on the personal computer 141 side using a SOAP protocol or the like.

  The sender information table 262 may be an address book.

  The transfer destination folder may be a nested (multi-layer) folder. For example, if the sender name is a combination of a company name and one of multiple department names, create a folder for each department name in the company name folder and create a file in the corresponding department name folder. It may be configured to transfer.

  Further, the characteristic configurations of the fifth and sixth embodiments can be applied to a case where a facsimile apparatus is provided with an external storage device and a folder is created in the external storage device without performing transfer to a personal computer.

1 is a schematic block diagram showing a system to which a facsimile apparatus of the present invention is applied. (A) is an explanatory diagram of setting values used when transferring facsimile reception contents to a personal computer, and (B) is an explanatory diagram of a transmission source information table including fields of a transmission source number and a transmission source name. is there. It is a schematic block diagram explaining the principle of this invention. It is a schematic flowchart which shows the facsimile reception data transfer process which concerns on Example 1 of this invention. It is folder icon list explanatory drawing in the transfer destination computer after the process of FIG. 4 was performed. It is a schematic flowchart which shows the facsimile reception data transfer process which concerns on Example 2 of this invention. It is a schematic flowchart which shows the facsimile reception data transfer process which concerns on Example 3 of this invention. It is a schematic flowchart which shows the facsimile reception data transfer process which concerns on Example 4 of this invention. It is a schematic flowchart which shows the facsimile reception data transfer process concerning Example 5 of this invention. FIG. 10A is an explanatory diagram of a sender information table that is the processing result of FIG. 9, and FIG. 10B is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which a blank of this table is filled by a user. It is a schematic flowchart which shows the storage destination folder name change process which concerns on Example 6 of this invention. It is folder icon list explanatory drawing in the transfer destination computer after the process of FIG. 11 was performed.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10, 12 Facsimile apparatus 11 Public line network 13 Intranet 141 Personal computer 20 FAX control part 21 Operation panel 22 Scanner 23 Printer 24 Encoding part 25 Decoding part 26 Setting memory 261 Transfer setting value 262 Source information table 27 FAX data memory 28 FAX Modem 29 Network interface

Claims (1)

A receiving unit for receiving facsimile data via a public line;
A storage means for storing a transmission source information table in which a transmission source number and a transmission source name are associated, and a forwarding address;
A sender number is extracted from the data received by the receiving unit, and the sender information table is referenced, and if the sender name corresponding to the sender number exists in the table, the sender name is stored in the storage folder. If it does not exist, the sender number is determined as the storage folder name , and if the sender number included in the data received by the receiver does not exist in the sender information table, Folder name determining means for additionally registering the sender number in the sender information table ;
An operation panel;
In response to an instruction input via the operation panel or the network interface, the contents of the source information table are displayed, and the source number exists but the source name corresponding to the source number is blank. In response to input via the operation panel or the network interface, the input source name is additionally registered in the source information table, and the transfer control means is configured to transmit the source number and the outgoing call. A folder name change instruction means for giving an original name and instructing a folder name change;
File creation means for creating a file including the contents of the received data;
A network interface;
Connect to the transfer destination address via the network interface, and communicate with the transfer destination of the transfer destination address to check whether or not a folder with the storage folder name exists. Transfer control means for creating a folder with the storage folder name in the path if it does not exist, and transferring the file to the created folder;
The transfer control means further connects to the transfer destination address via the network interface in response to the folder name change instruction, communicates with the transfer destination of the transfer destination address, and stores the storage destination. It is determined whether or not there is a folder with a folder name including the sender number in the path of the parent folder path name. If the determination is affirmative, the folder name is changed to a folder name including the sender name.
Facsimile device comprising a call.

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