JPH11196218A - Network facsimile system control method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To surely distribute picture information to the user of a destination terminal by dividing picture information by the unit of a prescribed value when the data quantity of picture information is larger than the prescribed value and transmitting it as plural electronic mail. SOLUTION: A mail server device SM executes the service of collecting and delivering an electronic mail to users using work station equipments WS1 to WSn connected to a local area network LAN and a network facsimile equipment FX. In order to transmit (distribute) facsimile picture information to the equipment WS1 to WSn from the equipment FX, the electronic mail is used. At the time of converting picture information received from another group 3 facsimile equipment through a public network to DCX information being a standard picture data form, when the data quantity exceeds 64 KB, e.g. DCX information is divided by 64 KB and distributed by respectively different electronic mails.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a plurality of workstation devices connected to a local area network and having at least a function of exchanging e-mail via the local area network, and a system for transmitting data on the local area network. An address conversion function that has an exchange function and a function of exchanging facsimile data by a facsimile transmission procedure performed through a public network, and stores sub-address information received by the facsimile transmission procedure in association with a network address corresponding to the sub-address information. Table, and transfers the image information received via the public network to the destination terminal of the network address stored in the address conversion table corresponding to the sub-address information notified from the partner terminal at the time of receiving the image information. A control method of a network facsimile system and a network facsimile device that delivers via a local area network.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a plurality of workstation devices connected to a local area network and provided with at least a function of exchanging e-mail via the local area network, and a function of exchanging data on the local area network. Having a function of exchanging facsimile data by a facsimile transmission procedure performed through a public network, and having an address conversion table storing the subaddress information received by the facsimile transmission procedure and the network address corresponding to the subaddress information in association with each other, The image information received via the public network is transferred to the destination terminal of the network address stored in the address conversion table corresponding to the sub-address information notified from the partner terminal at the time of receiving the image information,
There has been proposed a network facsimile system including a network facsimile apparatus for distributing via a local area network.

[0003] Usually, the distribution of image information from the network facsimile apparatus to the destination terminal is performed using a so-called Internet type electronic mail.

When such a network facsimile apparatus is used, image information from a facsimile apparatus connected to a public network can be distributed to a work station apparatus connected to a local area network. It can be greatly expanded, and is very convenient.

When the connected local area network is connected to the Internet, the image information transmission operation may be performed also to a terminal device connected to another local area network via the Internet. You can do it.

[0006]

However, a network facsimile system using such a network facsimile apparatus has the following disadvantages.

That is, on the Internet,
The e-mail is sequentially transferred through a plurality of mail server devices, and arrives at the mail server device where the intended destination terminal receives the service.

Therefore, the transfer route of the e-mail includes:
There is a possibility that a large number of mail server devices intervene, and among them, a mail server device that limits the data amount of the body information of the electronic mail may exist. For example, 64 KB (kilobyte; 1K = 1024B, 1B = 8 bits) is often applied as the limit value of the data amount of the text information.

By the way, there is a limitation that the body information of an electronic mail must be basically readable information of a 7-bit code. In this case, the image information to be transmitted by the network facsimile apparatus is binary data. And cannot be sent directly.

Therefore, usually, the image information is converted into MIME (described later) format information, and the image information of the MIME information is arranged in the body information of the electronic mail.

On the other hand, the data amount of the image information is relatively large, and in some cases, the data amount of the converted MIME information may exceed the data amount limit of the body information in the mail server device. In such a case, the mail server apparatus discards the e-mail for distributing the image information, and as a result, a situation may occur in which the image information cannot be distributed to the user of the target destination terminal.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide a control method for a network facsimile system capable of reliably distributing image information to a user of a target destination terminal. .

[0013]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention comprises a plurality of workstation devices connected to a local area network and having at least a function of exchanging e-mail via the local area network; In addition to having a data exchange function and a facsimile data exchange function based on a facsimile transmission procedure performed through a public network, sub-address information received by the facsimile transmission procedure and a network address corresponding to the sub-address information are stored in association with each other. An address conversion table is provided, and the image information received via the public network is transmitted to the destination terminal of the network address stored in the address conversion table corresponding to the sub-address information notified from the partner terminal when the image information is received. In a control method of a network facsimile system including a network facsimile apparatus for distributing via a local area network, the network facsimile apparatus accumulates image information received via the public network, while reducing the data amount of the image information. When the image information is larger than the predetermined value, the image information is divided into units of the predetermined value to form two or more divided parts, and the address conversion table is stored in the address conversion table corresponding to the sub-address information notified from the partner terminal when the image information is received. For the destination terminal of the stored network address,
A plurality of e-mails each having image information divided into one or more divided parts as body information are transmitted.

A plurality of workstation devices connected to a local area network and having at least a function of exchanging e-mail via the local area network; a function of exchanging data on the local area network; A public network having a function of exchanging facsimile data by a facsimile transmission procedure through a network, and having an address conversion table storing sub-address information received by the facsimile transmission procedure and a network address corresponding to the sub-address information in association with each other; The image information received via the local area network is transmitted to the destination terminal of the network address stored in the address conversion table corresponding to the sub-address information notified from the partner terminal when the image information is received. In a control method of a network facsimile system including a network facsimile apparatus for distributing via a work, the network facsimile apparatus accumulates image information received via the public network, and a data amount of the image information is a predetermined value. When the image information is larger than the predetermined value, the image information is divided at the line break position of the received image information to form two or more divided parts, and the sub-address notified by the partner terminal when the image information is received. A plurality of e-mails each having the image information divided into the two or more divided parts as the body information are transmitted to the destination terminal of the network address stored in the address conversion table corresponding to the information. It was done.

A plurality of workstation devices connected to a local area network and having at least a function of exchanging e-mail via the local area network; a function of exchanging data on the local area network; A public network having a function of exchanging facsimile data by a facsimile transmission procedure through a network, and having an address conversion table storing sub-address information received by the facsimile transmission procedure and a network address corresponding to the sub-address information in association with each other; The image information received via the local area network is transmitted to the destination terminal of the network address stored in the address conversion table corresponding to the sub-address information notified from the partner terminal when the image information is received. In a control method of a network facsimile system including a network facsimile apparatus for distributing via a work, the network facsimile apparatus accumulates image information received via the public network, and a data amount of the image information is a predetermined value. When the image information is larger than the predetermined value, the image information is divided within the page of the received image information to form two or more divided parts, and the sub-address information notified from the partner terminal when the image information is received. In response to the above, a plurality of e-mails each having the image information divided into the two or more divided parts as the body information are transmitted to the destination terminal of the network address stored in the address conversion table. Things. When the data amount of one page of the divided image information is larger than the predetermined value, the image information of the page may be further divided by the predetermined value.

Further, when receiving a plurality of e-mails in which the image information of the divided parts is arranged in the body information, the workstation unit concatenates the image information of all the divided parts in the order of division and converts the received image information. It is intended to be created.

[0017] The network facsimile apparatus may further include a "Subject" field of a plurality of e-mails in which the image information of the divided part is arranged in the body information.
When the information indicating the division order is arranged, and the workstation device receives a plurality of e-mails in which the image information of the divided parts is arranged in the body information, the workstation device outputs the “Su”.
The received image information is created by referring to the information indicating the division order arranged in the “bject” field and connecting the image information of all the divided parts in the division order.

[0018]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG.
An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

FIG. 1 shows a network system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, a local area network LAN includes a plurality of workstations WS1 to WS1.
WSn, the mail server device SM, and the network facsimile device FX are connected. The local area network LAN is connected to the Internet via a router device RT, and can exchange various data with a host device or the like connected to another local area network or the like.

Here, the mail server device SM collects and sends e-mails (described later) to users using the workstation devices WS1 to WSn connected to the local area network LAN and to the network facsimile device FX. It provides distribution services.

Further, the workstation devices WS1 to WSW
Sn includes application software for exchanging various data via the local area network LAN (e-mail transmission / reception processing, etc.), application software for processing image information included in e-mail received from the network facsimile machine FX, and the like. Are introduced, and are used by specific users. Here, the specific user is
There may be one or more users.

Also, a network facsimile machine FX
Is an e-mail transmission / reception function in a local area network LAN, a local area network LAN
A predetermined information communication function according to a predetermined point-to-point transmission procedure between the workstation devices WS1 to WSn connected to the public network and a public network (PSTN), and using the public network as a transmission path. It has various transmission (communication) functions such as a transmission function for transmitting image information according to a group 3 facsimile transmission procedure. Further, transmission (distribution) of facsimile image information from the network facsimile machine FX to (the user of) the workstation apparatuses WS1 to WSn is performed using electronic mail.

In this embodiment, basically, data exchange between terminals connected to the local area network LAN is performed by a so-called TCP / IP.
This is performed by applying a combination (a so-called protocol suite) of a transmission protocol up to a transport layer called a transport layer and a communication protocol of a higher layer than that. For example, in the exchange of e-mail data, SMTP (Simple) is used as the upper layer communication protocol.
A communication protocol called Mail Transfer Protocol is applied.

The protocol applied by each terminal to the mail server device SM for confirming the receipt of an e-mail addressed to the user and for requesting transmission is so-called POP.
(Post Office Protocol) or the like can be applied.

The communication protocols such as TCP / IP, SMTP, and POP, and the data format and data structure of the e-mail are respectively IETF (In).
ternet Engineering Task F
orce), an RFC (Request) issued by an organization that summarizes technical content related to the Internet.
st For Comments) document. For example, TCP is RFC793, IP is RFC
793, SMTP is RFC821, E-mail format is RFC822, RFC1521, RFC1522
(MIME (Multi Purpose Mail
Extension)).

Then, the network facsimile apparatus F
X transmits the read document image to another group 3 facsimile apparatus via the public network PSTN, or a local area network LAN (further, the Internet)
To the users of the workstation devices WS1 to WSn via the public network PSTN, and the image information received from another group 3 facsimile device via the public network PSTN to the user corresponding to the sub-address specified at that time. Transfer using e-mail, or workstation WS of local area network LAN
It has a transfer service function for transferring the received image information to a group 3 facsimile apparatus of the public network PSTN corresponding to the designated speed dial.

For an electronic mail received to the terminal itself, the image information arranged in the body information is extracted and recorded and output.

Here, the facsimile image information is binary data, and the electronic mail cannot directly include the binary data. Therefore, a predetermined conversion method (for example,
After being converted into readable information (7-bit character code) by applying the Base64 encoding method, it is included in the electronic mail. Such a format of the body information of the electronic mail is called a MIME format.

FIG. 2 shows a network facsimile machine F
3 shows an example of the configuration of X.

In FIG. 1, a system control unit 1 performs various control processes such as a control process of each unit of the network facsimile apparatus and a facsimile transmission control procedure process. The control facsimile apparatus stores a control processing program to be executed, various data necessary for executing the processing program, and the like, and forms a work area of the system control unit 1. The parameter memory 3 is provided in the network facsimile apparatus. The clock circuit 4 is for storing various kinds of unique information, and outputs current time information.

The scanner 5 is for reading an original image at a predetermined resolution, the plotter 6 is for recording and outputting an image at a predetermined resolution, and the operation display unit 7 is a network facsimile apparatus. , And comprises various operation keys and various display devices.

The encoding / decoding section 8 encodes and compresses the image signal and decodes the encoded and compressed image information into the original image signal.
This is for storing a large number of image information in a coded and compressed state.

The group 3 facsimile modem 10 is for realizing a group 3 facsimile modem function. The group 3 facsimile modem 10 has a low-speed modem function (V.21 modem) for exchanging transmission procedure signals and mainly exchanges image information. High-speed modem function (V.17 modem,
V. 34 modem, V.34. 29 modem, V.29. 27ter modem etc.).

The network controller 11 is for connecting the facsimile apparatus to a public network (PSTN) and has an automatic transmission / reception function.

The local area network interface circuit 12 is for connecting the Internet facsimile apparatus to the local area network LAN.
3 is a communication control process (e-mail transmission / reception process or point-to-point communication process) of various predetermined protocol suites for exchanging various data with other data terminal devices via the local area network LAN. Etc.).

The system control unit 1, system memory 2, parameter memory 3, clock circuit 4, scanner 5, plotter 6, operation display unit 7, encoding / decoding unit 8, image storage device 9, group 3 facsimile modem The network controller 10, the network controller 11, and the local area network transmission controller 13 are connected to an internal bus 14. Data exchange between these elements is mainly performed via the internal bus 14. I have.

Data exchange between the network controller 11 and the group 3 facsimile modem 10 is directly performed.

A network facsimile machine FX
Stores an address conversion table in which the mail address of the user of the distribution destination is registered for the sub address notified from the transmitting side when receiving image information from the public network,
An example is shown in FIG.

This address conversion table stores, for each sub-address, an ID for identifying each distribution destination, a sub-address, and a mail address of the user of the distribution destination.

In this embodiment, image information received from another group 3 facsimile apparatus via the public network is converted into image data in a DCX format, which is a standard image data format in a Microsoft facsimile application. The converted image data is transmitted to the destination user using an electronic mail.

As shown in FIG. 4, this DCX information is composed of header information and image data of one or more pages, and each image data has a format of PCX (a standard image data format in a facsimile application of Microsoft Corporation). Is applied.

[0043] In the header information, index information (position information of the head data, etc.) for each page included in the DCX information is stored. Although not shown, the PCX information also includes header information and image data as a main body, and the header information stores attribute values such as the resolution and size of the image data. The image data of the PCX information may be encoded and compressed by a predetermined method.

In this embodiment, image information received from another group 3 facsimile apparatus via the public network is converted into DC information.
When converted into X information, the data amount is a predetermined value, for example,
When it exceeds 64 KB, the DCX information is converted to 64 KB.
, And split each part (hereinafter, “split part”)
That. ) Are delivered via different emails.

In the "Subject" field in the header information of the e-mail carrying the divided part, the identification information of the image information carried by the e-mail and the division number of the divided part are arranged. Information can be reconstructed.

For example, consider DCX information composed of three pages of image data as shown in FIG. In this case, the data length of the header information and the image data of three pages is 128 KB, and when this is divided by 64 KB, two divided parts are formed as shown in FIG.

Then, the data of the divided parts are converted into MIME information and set in the body information of the e-mail, and as shown in FIG. 6, "Subject" in the header information of the e-mail carrying the first divided part.
In the “ct” field, “FAX Message 8
10355555-1234 (1/2) ", and in the" Subject "field in the header information of the e-mail carrying the second divided part,
"FAX Message 810355555-123
4 (2/2) ".

Here, of the information arranged in the “Subject” field in the header information of the electronic mail carrying the first divided part, “FAX Message”
Indicates that the content of the body information of the e-mail is a facsimile message (facsimile document; image information). The next “81035555-1234” indicates the identification name of the facsimile message, and the next “(1/1 /
"2)""means the first of the two divided parts. That is, the last "(1/2)" is a division number representing the division order.

If the image is not divided, "Subj
The content of the “ect” field is “FAX Message
e 810355555-1234 ", and the division number is not added.

On the other hand, the workstation devices WS1 to WSW
In Sn, when an e-mail is received, “FAJ” is entered in the “Subject” field of the header information of the e-mail.
If "XMessage" is arranged, the content of the body information of the electronic mail is recognized as a facsimile message.

Further, the following "81035555-123"
4 ", the identification name of the facsimile message is recognized, and if a division number is added subsequently, it is recognized as an electronic mail of a divided part. In this case, the process waits until all the e-mails with the same identifier and to which the continuous division numbers are added are received. When all e-mails with the same identifier and with a continuous division number are received, they are arranged in the order of the division number, the body information is converted into the original divided part data, and they are arranged in the order of the division number. Then, the original DCX information is restored.

In this way, the DCX having a large data amount
When transmitting the information, the DCX information is divided by a predetermined value (for example, 64 KB) which is assumed to be a data length limit value of the body information of the e-mail in the mail server device, and transmitted by a plurality of e-mails. Such a facsimile document can also be appropriately distributed to the destination user.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show an example of processing executed by the network facsimile machine FX when an incoming call is detected from the public network.

First, when an incoming call is detected (the result of judgment 101 is YES), the incoming call is answered (process 102), and a pre-transmission procedure of a predetermined group 3 facsimile transmission procedure is executed (process 103). A transmission function to be performed is set, a modem training procedure is executed, a modem speed to be used at that time is determined (step 104), an image information receiving procedure is executed, image information is received, and the received image information is received. The data is stored in the image storage device 9 (process 105).

When the image information receiving operation is completed, a predetermined post-transmission procedure is executed (step 106), and the line is restored (step 107).

Next, it is checked whether or not the sub address signal SUB indicating the distribution destination is received at that time (decision 108). If the sub address signal SUB is not received and the result of the decision 108 is NO, the image storage device 9 to read out the received image information,
To obtain the original image data (process 109), transfer the image data to the plotter 6, and record and output the received original (process 110). Then, the received image information for which recording has been completed is deleted from the image storage device 9 (process 111), and this operation ends.

When the sub-address signal SUB is received and the result of determination 108 is YES, the received image information stored in the image storage device 9 is converted into the above-described DCX information (process 112). The data amount of the DCX information is checked (process 113).

When the data length of the DCX information exceeds a predetermined value and the result of determination 114 is YES,
The DCX information is divided by the specified data length (processing 11
5) The header information of each divided part including the above-mentioned "Subject" field is created (process 116), and the data of each divided part is converted into MIME information to create body information (process 117). The distribution electronic mail of each divided part composed of the body information is transmitted to the mail server device SM.
(Step 118). The sub address signal S
The mail address registered in the address conversion table corresponding to the UB is set as the destination address of the header information.

Next, the received image information and the DCX
The information is deleted from the image storage device 9 (process 119), and this operation ends.

If the data length of the DCX information does not exceed the predetermined value and the result of determination 114 is NO, the header information including the above-mentioned "Subject" field is created (processing 120), and the DCX information MIM
The information is converted into E information to create body information (step 121), and a delivery electronic mail including the header information and the body information is transmitted to the mail server SM (step 122). Further, the mail address registered in the address conversion table corresponding to the sub address signal SUB is set as the destination address of the header information.

Next, the received image information and the DCX
The information is deleted from the image storage device 9 (process 123), and this operation ends.

FIG. 9 shows the workstation devices WS1 to WS1.
An example of a process executed when an e-mail is received by WSn is shown. Note that this processing is performed by a so-called MUA (M
This is a part of the operation of an email user agent (e-mail software).

When the e-mail is received (the result of decision 201 is YES), the e-mail is received and stored (step 20).
2) Check the "Subject" field of the header information (step 203) to check whether the received e-mail is a facsimile message (decision 204).

If the received e-mail is not a facsimile message and the result of determination 204 is NO, a predetermined e-mail reception process is executed (process 2).
05), this operation ends.

When the received electronic mail is a facsimile message and the result of judgment 204 is YES, it is checked whether or not it is a divided facsimile message (decision 206).

If it is not a divided facsimile message and the result of determination 206 is NO, the body information of the received e-mail is replaced with the original image data (DCX
(Step 207), and save history information as shown in FIG. 10 is created and stored for the stored DCX information (Step 208), and this operation ends.

In the case of a divided facsimile message, if the result of determination 206 is YES,
The e-mail received so far is checked to determine whether all the divided parts have been received (decision 209).
If all divided parts have not been received, judgment 209 is made.
When the result of (1) is NO, this operation is terminated at that time.

If all the divided parts have been received and the result of determination 209 is YES, the e-mail of each divided part is arranged in the order of the division number (step 21).
0), the body information of the e-mail of each divided part is converted into the original divided image data (process 211), and the image data of each divided part is connected in the order of the division number to restore the original DCX information. The DCX information is saved (process 212), save history information is created and saved for the saved DCX information (process 213), and this operation ends.

The storage history information is for managing the storage history of facsimile messages, and includes a mail number, the number of divisions, a message ID of an e-mail carrying a divided part or a non-divided part, transmission source information, and,
It consists of the file name of the saved DCX information.

Therefore, the user can specify the image information distributed from the network facsimile machine FX from the file name and display the image information based on the storage history information.

When a facsimile message is received as described above, the fact may be notified to the user, and the stored DCX information may be displayed on the screen for the user.

As described above, in the present embodiment, when DCX information having a large data amount is transmitted, the predetermined value (for example, 64KB) and D
Since the CX information is divided and sent by multiple e-mails,
Such a facsimile document can also be appropriately distributed to the destination user.

FIGS. 11A and 11B show another example of the division mode of the DCX information.

In this case, the total data length of the header information and the image data for three pages is 128 KB, and when this is divided by 64 KB and at the page boundary, first, as shown in FIG. The header information and the image data of the first and second pages fit into one divided part. Here, since the image data of the third page is larger than 64 KB, the image data of the third page is further converted to 64 KB.
Divide into two by KB. Therefore, in this case, three divided parts are formed.

Then, the data of this divided part is described in “Subject” in the header information of the electronic mail carrying each.
In the “ct” field, as shown in FIG.
Message 810355555-1234: F
1 "," FAX Message 810355555-
1234: F2 (1/2) "," FAX Message
e 810355555-1234: F2 (1/2) ".

Here, among the information arranged in the “Subject” field in the header information of the electronic mail carrying the first divided part, “FAX Message”
Indicates that the content of the body information of the e-mail is a facsimile message (facsimile document; image information), the next “81035555-1234” indicates the identification name of the facsimile message, and the next “: F1 /
"2" is one of the two divided parts having the same identifier.
It is the th thing.

In the information arranged in the “Subject” field in the header information of the e-mail carrying the second divided part, “: F2 / 2 (1/2)” is
This is the second of the two divided parts having the same identifier, and the second divided part is divided into two, and is the first divided part.

Further, among the information arranged in the “Subject” field in the header information of the electronic mail carrying the third divided part, “: F2 / 2 (2/2)”
Is the second of the two divided parts having the same identifier, and indicates that the second divided part is divided into two and is the second divided part.

Therefore, in this case, “Subject
In the information arranged in the “ct” field, “: F1 /
2 ",": F2 / 2 (1/2) ",": F2 / 2 (2 /
2) "is a division number representing the division order.

FIGS. 13, 14 and 15 show an example of processing executed by the network facsimile machine FX when an incoming call is detected from the public network in this case.

First, when an incoming call is detected (the result of determination 301 is YES), an incoming call is answered (process 302), and a pre-transmission procedure of a predetermined group 3 facsimile transmission procedure is executed (process 303). A transmission function to be performed is set, a modem training procedure is executed, a modem speed to be used at that time is determined (process 304), an image information receiving procedure is executed, image information is received, and the received image information is received. The image data is stored in the image storage device 9 (process 305).

When the image information receiving operation is completed, a predetermined post-transmission procedure is executed (step 306), and the line is restored (step 307).

Next, it is checked whether or not the sub address signal SUB indicating the distribution destination is received at that time (decision 308). If the sub address signal SUB is not received and the result of the decision 308 is NO, the image storage device 9 to read out the received image information,
To obtain the original image data (step 309), transfer the image data to the plotter 6, and record and output the received document (step 310). Then, the received image information for which recording has been completed is deleted from the image storage device 9 (process 311), and this operation ends.

When the sub address signal SUB is received and the result of determination 308 is YES, the received image information stored in the image storage device 9 is converted into the above-described DCX information (process 312). It is checked whether the DCX information includes image data of a plurality of pages (decision 313).

When the DCX information includes a plurality of pages of image data and the result of decision 313 is YES,
The DCX information is divided by the specified data length and in page units (processing 314), and it is checked whether or not any of the divided pages exceeds the specified data length (decision 315). If some of the divided pages exceed the specified data length,
If the result of decision 315 is YES, the DCX information for that page is further divided.

Next, for each divided part, header information of each divided part including the above-mentioned “Subject” field is created (step 317), and data of each divided part is converted to MIME information to create body information (step 317). Processing 3
18), the distribution e-mail of each divided part including the header information and the body information is transmitted to the mail server device SM (Step 319). Further, the mail address registered in the address conversion table corresponding to the sub address signal SUB is set as the destination address of the header information.

Next, the received image information and the DCX
The information is deleted from the image storage device 9 (process 320), and this operation ends.

When the DCX information does not include the image data of a plurality of pages and the result of the judgment 313 is NO, it is checked whether or not the data amount of the DCX information exceeds a prescribed data length (decision 321).

When the data length of the DCX information exceeds the predetermined value and the result of the judgment 321 is YES,
The DCX information is divided by the specified data length (processing 32
2), the header information of each divided part including the above-mentioned “Subject” field is created (process 323), and the data of each divided part is converted into MIME information to create text information (process 324). The distribution electronic mail of each divided part composed of the body information is transmitted to the mail server device SM.
(Step 325). The sub address signal S
The mail address registered in the address conversion table corresponding to the UB is set as the destination address of the header information.

Next, the received image information and the DCX
The information is deleted from the image storage device 9 (process 326), and this operation ends.

If the data length of the DCX information does not exceed the predetermined value and the result of the judgment 321 is NO, the header information including the above-mentioned "Subject" field is created (processing 327). MIM
The information is converted into E information to create body information (step 328), and a delivery electronic mail including the header information and the body information is transmitted to the mail server SM (step 329). Further, the mail address registered in the address conversion table corresponding to the sub address signal SUB is set as the destination address of the header information.

Next, the received image information and the DCX
The information is deleted from the image storage device 9 (process 330), and this operation ends.

In this case, the processing to be executed when the workstation apparatus WS1 to WSn receives the e-mail is the same as that shown in FIG. 9, and the description is omitted.

As described above, in the present embodiment, when DCX information having a large data amount is transmitted, the predetermined value (for example, a predetermined value (for example, 64KB)
In addition, since the DCX information is divided for each page and transmitted by a plurality of e-mails, such a facsimile document can be appropriately distributed to the destination user.

FIGS. 16A and 16B show still another example of how DCX information is divided.

In this case, the total data length of the header information and the image data for three pages is 128 KB, and when this is divided by 64 KB and at the page boundary, first, as shown in FIG. The header information and the image data of the first and second pages are included in one divided part, and the image data of the third page is of another divided part.

In this case, in order to allow each divided part to be displayed independently, each divided part is provided with DCX information header information indicating only image data included in the divided part. Create and
Add.

However, in this case, the image data of the third page is 64 KB including the newly added header information.
The image data of the third page, which is larger than the third page, is further divided into two at 64 KB. So, in this case,
Three divided parts are formed.

In this case, “Subject” in the header information of the electronic mail carrying the data of each divided part.
As the contents of the “ct” field, the same contents as those in FIG. 12 can be applied.

FIG. 17, FIG. 18, and FIG. 19 show an example of processing executed by the network facsimile machine FX when an incoming call is detected from the public network in this case.

First, when an incoming call is detected (the result of the judgment 401 is YES), an incoming call is answered (process 402), and a pre-transmission procedure of a predetermined group 3 facsimile transmission procedure is executed (process 403). A transmission function to be performed is set, a modem training procedure is executed, a modem speed to be used at that time is determined (process 404), an image information reception procedure is executed, image information is received, and the received image information is transmitted. The image is stored in the image storage device 9 (process 405).

When the image information receiving operation is completed, a predetermined post-transmission procedure is executed (step 4306), and the line is restored (step 407).

Next, it is checked whether or not the sub address signal SUB indicating the distribution destination is received at that time (decision 408). If the sub address signal SUB is not received and the result of the decision 408 is NO, the image storage device 9 to read out the received image information,
To obtain the original image data (step 409), transfer the image data to the plotter 6, and record and output the received document (step 410). Then, the received image information for which recording has been completed is deleted from the image storage device 9 (process 411), and this operation ends.

When the sub address signal SUB is received and the result of determination 408 is YES, the received image information stored in the image storage device 9 is converted into the above-described DCX information (process 412). It is checked whether the DCX information includes a plurality of pages of image data (decision 413).

When the DCX information includes a plurality of pages of image data and the result of determination 413 is YES,
The DCX information is divided into pages each having a prescribed data length (step 414), and it is checked whether any of the divided pages exceeds the prescribed data length (decision 415). If some of the divided pages exceed the specified data length,
If the result of decision 415 is YES, the DCX information for that page is further divided.

Next, for each divided part, a new D
The header information of the CX information is created and added (process 41).
7), the header information of each divided part including the above-mentioned “Subject” field is created (step 418), and the data of each divided part is converted into MIME information to create body information (step 419). The distribution electronic mail of each divided part composed of the body information is transmitted to the mail server device SM.
(Step 420). The sub address signal S
The mail address registered in the address conversion table corresponding to the UB is set as the destination address of the header information.

Next, the received image information and the DCX
The information is deleted from the image storage device 9 (process 421), and this operation ends.

When the DCX information does not include the image data of a plurality of pages and the result of determination 413 is NO, it is checked whether or not the data amount of the DCX information exceeds a specified data length (determination 422).

When the data length of the DCX information exceeds the predetermined value and the result of determination 422 is YES,
The DCX information is divided by the specified data length (processing 42).
3) The header information of each divided part including the above-mentioned “Subject” field is created (step 424), and the data of each divided part is converted to MIME information to create body information (step 425). The distribution electronic mail of each divided part composed of the body information is transmitted to the mail server device SM.
(Step 426). The sub address signal S
The mail address registered in the address conversion table corresponding to the UB is set as the destination address of the header information.

Next, the received image information that has been transmitted and the DCX
The information is deleted from the image storage device 9 (process 427), and this operation ends.

If the data length of the DCX information does not exceed the predetermined value and the result of determination 422 is NO, the header information including the above-mentioned “Subject” field is created (processing 428), and MIM
The information is converted into E information to create body information (step 429), and a delivery electronic mail including the header information and the body information is transmitted to the mail server SM (step 430). Further, the mail address registered in the address conversion table corresponding to the sub address signal SUB is set as the destination address of the header information.

Next, the received image information having been transmitted and the DCX
The information is deleted from the image storage device 9 (process 431), and this operation ends.

In this case, the processing to be executed when the workstation apparatus WS1 to WSn receives the e-mail is the same as that shown in FIG. 9, and the description thereof will be omitted.

As described above, in the present embodiment, when DCX information having a large data amount is transmitted, a predetermined value (for example, 64KB)
In addition, since the DCX information is divided for each page, new header information is added for each divided part, and the divided parts are transmitted by a plurality of e-mails, such facsimile documents can be appropriately distributed to the destination user. it can.

In the above-described embodiment, the case where DCX information is applied as the image data to be transmitted to the workstation device has been described. However, the present invention is also applicable to the case where image data of other data formats is applied. And can be applied. At this time, for example, FIG.
As shown in (b), when a format of image data in which header information indicating the attribute of the image data is added to the top of each page is applied, as shown in FIG. When the data is divided into pages and the data length of one page exceeds a specified value,
The page can be divided in such a manner as to be divided.

The prescribed data length applied to divide the image data is not limited to 64 KB in the above embodiment.

[0117]

As described above, according to the present invention,
When transmitting DCX information with a large data amount, a predetermined value (for example, 64K) assumed to be the data length limit value of the body information of the e-mail in the mail server device
Since the DCX information is divided in B) and transmitted by a plurality of e-mails, there is an effect that such a facsimile document can be appropriately distributed to the destination user.

When transmitting DCX information having a large data amount, the mail server apparatus uses a predetermined value (for example, 64 KB) which is assumed to be the data length limit value of the body information of the e-mail, and is transmitted in page units. DCX
Since the information is divided and transmitted by a plurality of e-mails, there is an effect that such a facsimile document can be appropriately distributed to the destination user.

Also, when transmitting DCX information having a large data amount, the mail server apparatus uses a predetermined value (for example, 64 KB) which is assumed to be the data length limit value of the body information of the e-mail, and uses a page unit. DCX
Since the information is divided, new header information is added to each divided part, and the divided parts are transmitted by a plurality of e-mails, such a facsimile document can be appropriately distributed to the destination user.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a network system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a network facsimile machine FX.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an address conversion table.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of DCX information.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of a division mode of image data.

FIG. 6 shows “Subject” in the header information of the e-mail.
The schematic diagram for explaining an example of the contents of the “ct” field.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a part of an example of a process executed by the network facsimile machine FX when an incoming call is detected from the public network.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the remaining part of an example of processing executed by the network facsimile apparatus FX when an incoming call is detected from the public network.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing executed when an email is received by the workstation devices WS1 to WSn.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of storage history information.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram for explaining another example of a mode of dividing image data.

FIG. 12 shows “Subj” in the header information of the e-mail.
FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram for explaining another example of the content of an “ect” field.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a part of another example of the processing executed by the network facsimile apparatus FX when an incoming call is detected from the public network.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing another portion of another example of the processing executed by the network facsimile apparatus FX when an incoming call is detected from the public network.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the remaining part of another example of the processing executed by the network facsimile apparatus FX when an incoming call is detected from the public network.

FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram for explaining still another example of a division mode of image data.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a part of still another example of the processing executed by the network facsimile apparatus FX when an incoming call is detected from the public network.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing another part of still another example of the processing executed by the network facsimile apparatus FX when an incoming call is detected from the public network.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the remaining part of another example of the processing executed by the network facsimile apparatus FX when an incoming call is detected from the public network.

FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram for explaining another example of a mode of dividing image data.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code FI H04N 1/32

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of workstation devices connected to a local area network and having at least a function of exchanging e-mail via the local area network; a function of exchanging data on the local area network; A public network having a function of exchanging facsimile data by a facsimile transmission procedure through a network, and having an address conversion table storing sub-address information received by the facsimile transmission procedure and a network address corresponding to the sub-address information in association with each other; The image information received via the local area network is transmitted to the destination terminal of the network address stored in the address conversion table corresponding to the sub-address information notified from the partner terminal when the image information is received. A method for controlling a network facsimile system including a network facsimile apparatus for distributing via a network, the network facsimile apparatus accumulating image information received via the public network, and a data amount of the image information is a predetermined value. When the image information is larger than the predetermined value unit, the image information is divided into two or more divided parts and stored in the address conversion table corresponding to the sub-address information notified from the partner terminal when the image information is received. And transmitting a plurality of e-mails each having the image information divided into the two or more divided parts as body information to a destination terminal having the network address. 2. A plurality of workstation devices connected to a local area network and having at least a function of exchanging e-mail via the local area network; a function of exchanging data on the local area network; A public network having a function of exchanging facsimile data by a facsimile transmission procedure through a network, and having an address conversion table storing sub-address information received by the facsimile transmission procedure and a network address corresponding to the sub-address information in association with each other; The image information received via the local area network is transmitted to the destination terminal of the network address stored in the address conversion table corresponding to the sub-address information notified from the partner terminal when the image information is received. A method for controlling a network facsimile system including a network facsimile apparatus for distributing via a network, the network facsimile apparatus accumulating image information received via the public network, and a data amount of the image information is a predetermined value. When the image information is greater than the predetermined value, the image information is divided at the line break position of the received image information to form two or more divided parts, and the sub address notified by the partner terminal when the image information is received. Transmitting a plurality of e-mails each having the image information divided into the two or more divided parts as body information to the destination terminal of the network address stored in the address conversion table corresponding to the information. A method for controlling a network facsimile system. 3. A plurality of workstation devices connected to a local area network and having at least a function of exchanging e-mail via the local area network; a function of exchanging data on the local area network; A public network having a function of exchanging facsimile data by a facsimile transmission procedure performed through a network, and having an address conversion table storing sub-address information received by the facsimile transmission procedure and a network address corresponding to the sub-address information in association with each other; The image information received via the local area network is transmitted to the destination terminal of the network address stored in the address conversion table corresponding to the sub-address information notified from the partner terminal when the image information is received. A method for controlling a network facsimile system including a network facsimile apparatus for distributing via a network, the network facsimile apparatus accumulating image information received via the public network, and a data amount of the image information is a predetermined value. When the image information is larger than the predetermined value, the image information is divided by the page unit of the received image information to form two or more divided parts, and the sub-address information notified from the partner terminal when the image information is received. And transmitting a plurality of e-mails each having the image information divided into the two or more divided parts as the body information to the destination terminal of the network address stored in the address conversion table corresponding to the above. A method for controlling a network facsimile system. 4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein when the data amount of one page of the divided image information is larger than the predetermined value, the image information of the page is further divided by the predetermined value. A method for controlling a network facsimile system. 5. The workstation device, when receiving a plurality of e-mails in which the image information of the divided parts is arranged in the body information, connects the image information of all of the divided parts in the order of division to convert the received image information. Claim 1 or Claim 2 or Claim 3 or Claim 4
The control method of the network facsimile system described in the above. 6. The network facsimile machine,
In the "Subject" field of a plurality of e-mails in which the image information of the divided part is arranged in the body information, information indicating the order of division is arranged, and the workstation device converts the image information of the divided part into the body information. When a plurality of arranged e-mails are received, the "Subj"
7. The network facsimile system according to claim 5, wherein the received image information is created by referring to the information indicating the division order arranged in the "ect" field and connecting the image information of all the divided parts in the division order. Control method.