JPH11289415A - Store and forward exchange - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To appropriately send/receive image information to/from a computer connected to a computer network. SOLUTION: This store and forward exchange 1 is provided with a communication controller 11 connecting to an exchange 2, a LAN interface 13 connecting to the internet 3, an interface information storage means that stores interface information including an information transmission form and a transmission medium corresponding to destination identification information and a CPU 10 that stores received information from a terminal, retrieves the interface information storage means based on the destination identification information of the information to obtain the corresponding interface information of the transmission form and the transmission medium and transfers the stored information according to the corresponding transmission form to the communication controller 11 or the LAN interface 13 based on the obtained interface information. Through the configuration above, the store and forward exchange service of image information from a facsimile equipment to a computer of a computer network or from the computer of the computer network to the facsimile equipment is made available.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a storage and switching apparatus which can appropriately transmit and receive image information between a facsimile apparatus and a computer connected to a computer network.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional store-and-forward apparatus has been created mainly in consideration of image information communication between facsimile apparatuses, and is capable of transmitting and receiving image information to and from a computer connected to the Internet which is a computer network. Can not.

Therefore, when transmitting image information from the facsimile apparatus side to a computer connected to the Internet, a computer is prepared on the facsimile apparatus side, the original is read by a hand scanner, and the image information is transmitted by E-mail. become. Conversely, since image information of a computer connected to the Internet cannot be directly transmitted, the image information of the computer is printed out by a printer and then input to a nearby facsimile apparatus for transmission.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems of the conventional storage and switching apparatus, and has as its object to provide a communication between a facsimile apparatus and a computer connected to a computer network. It is an object of the present invention to provide a storage and switching device which can appropriately transmit and receive image information.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage and switching apparatus comprising: a switching network interface connected to a switching network; a computer interface connected to a computer network; Interface information storage means in which the interface information of the transmission form and the transmission medium are stored, and when information is sent from the terminal, accumulates the information and searches the interface information storage means based on the destination identification information of the information, Interface information obtaining means for obtaining interface information of the corresponding transmission form and transmission medium; and based on the interface information obtained by the interface information obtaining means, correspond to the stored information from one of the switching network interface and the computer interface. Transfer means for transferring as a transmission form; Characterized by comprising. As a result, the interface information of the corresponding transmission mode and transmission medium is obtained based on the destination identification information of the information. Based on this interface information, the information stored as the corresponding transmission mode from either the switching network interface or the computer interface is obtained. Will be transferred.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, when the computer interface is designated by the interface information corresponding to the destination identification information of the image information, the transfer means creates the document based on the electronic mail rule. And
It is characterized in that image information is added to this document and transferred via a computer interface. Thus, image information can be transmitted from the facsimile apparatus to the computer.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, when the exchange network interface is specified by the interface information corresponding to the destination identification information of the electronic mail, the transfer means converts the electronic mail document into image information. After the conversion, the image information and the image information added to the electronic mail are transferred through the exchange network interface. Thus, image information can be transmitted from the computer to the facsimile machine.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, when the registration to the web site is specified via a computer interface by the interface information corresponding to the destination identification information of the image information, the transfer means is configured to perform the transfer. The image information is converted into a format compatible with the website, and the registration is updated via a computer interface. As a result, image information can be transmitted from the facsimile apparatus to the computer via the website.

[0009]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a storage and switching apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In each drawing, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted. FIG. 1 shows a facsimile system using the storage and switching apparatus according to the embodiment. In this system, a storage exchange 1 is connected to an exchange 2 which is an exchange network and the Internet 3 which is a computer network. The exchange 1 is connected to a plurality of facsimile machines (FAX) 4-1 to 4-n. A personal computer 5 is connected to the Internet 3.

The storage and switching apparatus 1 includes a CPU 10 for overall control of the apparatus, and a communication control apparatus 1 for performing facsimile communication.
1. Magnetic disk drive 1 for storing image information to be communicated
2. It has a LAN interface 13 connected to the Internet 3.

The Internet 3 is connected to a storage and exchange device 6 having the same configuration as the storage and exchange device 1. A plurality of facsimile apparatuses 8-1 to 8-m are connected to the storage and exchange apparatus 6 via an exchange 7 having the same configuration as the exchange 2.

The storage and exchange apparatus 1 is described in detail in FIG.
It is configured as shown in FIG. The CPU 10 includes a processor 20 and a main memory 21. The processor 20 has ports 24-1 to 24-j and a magnetic disk interface 25 via a bus 23.
The AN interface 13 (13-1 to 13-k) is connected.

The ports 24-1 to 24-j are connected to facsimile units 31-1 to 31 having a function of a facsimile machine.
−j is connected, and the facsimile units 31-1 to 31 -j are connected to switching network interfaces 32-1 to 32 -j connected to a line extending from the exchange 2. The switching network interfaces 32-1 to 32-j have a function of receiving a PB signal.

The main memory 21 is provided with interface information storage means 22 for storing information transmission mode and transmission medium interface information corresponding to the destination identification information. This interface information storage means 22 is actually a table shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 10, and the table of FIG. 3 corresponds to the terminal ID (identification information).
Terminal attributes, addresses such as telephone numbers, and image data format information are stored. The table of FIG. 4 stores homepage (website) numbers, Internet addresses / home directories, and file names. FIG.
The table stores terminal attributes, telephone numbers, image data format information, and device numbers corresponding to terminal IDs (identification information).

The processor 20 operates in the main memory 21 based on a program corresponding to the flowchart shown in FIG. 5, and functions as an interface information acquisition unit 28 and a transfer unit 29. When the information is sent from the terminal, the interface information acquiring means 28 accumulates the information in, for example, the magnetic disk device 12 and searches the interface information storage means 22 based on the destination identification information of the information.
The corresponding transmission mode (terminal attribute, image data format) and interface information (address, etc.) of the transmission medium are obtained. The transfer means 29, based on the interface information obtained by the interface information obtaining means 28, exchanges the switching network interfaces 32-1 to 32-j with the LAN interfaces 13-1 to 13- which are computer interfaces.
k, the stored information is transferred as a corresponding transmission form. Further, the processor 20 has a function of accessing the Internet 3 via the LAN interface 13 by a program in the main memory 21 (a service function for homepage registration, etc.).

The operation of the storage and switching apparatus configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
The processor 20 has a port 24 (24-1 to 24-j).
Alternatively, it waits for information to arrive from the LAN interface 13 (S1), and upon detecting the arrival of the information, stores the received information (including the destination information and the source information) in the magnetic disk device 12 and sends it to the distribution queue. Stack (S2).
This delivery queue stores the storage destination address of the corresponding reception information.

Further, the processor 20 searches the delivery queue to check whether there is information to be delivered (S3), and if there is no information to be delivered, returns to step S1 to continue the processing. If there is information to be distributed, the received information (including the destination information and the source information) is extracted from the magnetic disk device 12, and the destinations are obtained by searching the tables shown in FIGS. S4) It is determined whether the destination is a facsimile machine, a computer, or a homepage (S5).

In the above, if the destination is a facsimile machine, the source is detected (S6). If the source is the facsimile machine, the stored information is the information sent from the facsimile machine (basically, the image). Information), distribution is performed by facsimile procedure (S7). However, when character information transmitted from the G4 facsimile apparatus is distributed to the G3 facsimile apparatus, the character information is converted into image information before transmission.

FIG. 6 shows a procedure for distributing information between two facsimile machines corresponding to the case where the processing from step S1 to S7 is performed. In this example, document information is transmitted from the G3 facsimile machine (FAX) A to the G4 facsimile machine (FAX) B. First, when a call is made from the G3 facsimile apparatus A to the storage and exchange apparatus 1 and a primary answer tone is received, destination information (here, identification information 0002 of the facsimile apparatus B) and source information (here, identification of the facsimile apparatus A). Information 0
001) is transmitted by the PB tone, and then the start button is operated. As a result, the image information corresponding to the document is sent to the storage and exchange device 1. Then, when the transmission is normally performed, the storage and exchange apparatus 1 notifies the facsimile apparatus A of the normal end, and the communication ends. Then, in the storage and exchange apparatus 1, the processing of steps S1 to S3 as described above is performed, the terminal attribute G4 is extracted from the table of FIG. 3 corresponding to the destination information 0002 in step S4, and the terminal attribute G4 is extracted in step S5. Detects that the destination is a facsimile machine. In step S6, since the terminal attribute G3 is stored in the table of FIG. 3 corresponding to the transmission source information 0001, the process proceeds to step S7. Then, the image information is distributed to the facsimile apparatus B according to the G4 procedure sent from the facsimile apparatus A (S7).

On the other hand, in step S6, when it is detected that the transmission source is a computer, E-mail
The document manuscript of (e-mail) is converted into image information and used as the first image information, and the attached file (image information) added to the E-mail is delivered as the image information of the second and subsequent pages (S
8).

FIG. 7 shows a procedure for distributing information from a personal computer (personal computer) to a facsimile machine, corresponding to the case where the processes from steps S1 to S8 are performed. In this example, the identification information of the personal computer is 0003, and the destination information is 00.
01. In a personal computer, E-m
The destination information 0001 is described in the e-mail document, image information to be transmitted by facsimile is added to the attached file, and the file is transmitted to the E-mail address of the storage and switching apparatus 1. The storage and switching apparatus 1 transmits the E-ma via the LAN interface 13.
In step S4, the e-mail is analyzed to obtain the destination information 0001, and the terminal attribute G3 is obtained from the table in FIG. The destination is detected as a facsimile machine from the terminal attribute G3 in step S5. In step S6, since the Internet is stored in the table of FIG. 3 corresponding to the transmission source information 0003, the process proceeds to step S8. Then, the facsimile apparatus A converts the E-mail (e-mail) document manuscript sent from the personal computer (PC) into image information to obtain the first image information, and adds the attached file (image information). ) Is distributed as image information of the second and subsequent sheets (S8).

In step S5 of FIG. 5, when it is detected that the destination is a computer, E-mai
1 is set by a character, the image information transmitted and stored by facsimile is converted based on the image data format information corresponding to the terminal ID in the table of FIG. 13 to distribute (S9).

FIG. 8 shows a facsimile apparatus A corresponding to the case where the processing from step S1 to S9 is performed.
1 shows a procedure of information distribution to a personal computer (PC). First, when a call is made from the G3 facsimile apparatus A to the storage and exchange apparatus 1 and a primary answer tone is received, destination information (here, the identification information 0003 of the personal computer) and source information (here, the identification information of the facsimile apparatus A) 0001) is transmitted by the PB tone, and then the start button is operated. As a result, the image information corresponding to the document is sent to the storage and exchange device 1. Then, when the transmission is normally performed, a notification of normal termination is given from the storage and exchange apparatus 1 to the facsimile apparatus A,
The communication ends. Then, in the storage and exchange apparatus 1, the processing of steps S1 to S3 as described above is performed, and
In step S4, the Internet is extracted from the table shown in FIG. 3 in correspondence with the destination information 0003. In step S5, since the terminal attribute is the Internet, it is detected that the destination is a personal computer. When it is detected that the destination is a computer, the source information 0001 and the like are set in the E-mail by characters, and the image information transmitted and stored by facsimile is stored in an image data format corresponding to the terminal ID 0003 in the table of FIG. Information (g
If is converted on the basis of if and attached file is delivered from the LAN interface 13 by E-mail using the address corresponding to the terminal ID 0003 in the table of FIG. 3 (S9).

When it is detected in step S5 in FIG. 5 that the destination is a homepage, the image information transmitted and stored by facsimile is converted into image data format information corresponding to the homepage number in the table shown in FIG. Is converted based on the web interface (W
eb) Register or update in the directory corresponding to the home page of the server (S10).

FIG. 8 shows a procedure for registering (updating) information from the facsimile apparatus A to the homepage, corresponding to the case where the processing from step S1 to S10 is performed. The procedure for transmitting image information from the G3 facsimile apparatus A to the storage and exchange apparatus 1 is the same as in the case of FIG. However, in order to indicate that the information is registered (updated) on the homepage, destination information indicating registration on the homepage,
For example, "50 *" is transmitted by a PB tone, and then the homepage number 0001 is transmitted by a PB tone. In the storage and exchange apparatus 1, the processing of steps S1 to S3 is performed, and the table of FIG. 4 is used in step S4 corresponding to the destination information "50 *" indicating registration to the homepage, and the destination information is set to " 50
* ", The registration to the homepage is detected. When the registration to the homepage is detected, the image information transmitted and stored by facsimile is stored in the image data format information corresponding to the homepage number 0001 in the table shown in FIG. gif is obtained from the file name, and the image data format is converted based on the file name. Register or update (S10). For registration on the homepage, for example, frt (file transfer protocol) can be used.

In FIG. 11, the store-and-forward apparatus 1 is installed in Japan, and the store-and-forward apparatus 6 is installed in the United States, to which a facsimile apparatus A and a facsimile apparatus U are connected, respectively. Facsimile machine A
1 shows an example in which image information is distributed to a facsimile apparatus U via the Internet 3. Storage and exchange device 1,
6 is provided with the tables shown in FIG. The device number in this table is the terminal ID
This is the number of the storage and switching apparatus to which the facsimile apparatus (identification information) belongs, and is information corresponding to the installation country. If the device number is not for the home country, the distribution destination is a computer.

First, when a call is made from the G3 facsimile apparatus A to the storage and exchange apparatus 1 and a primary answer tone is received, destination information (here, identification information 0004 of the facsimile apparatus U) and transmission source information (here, the facsimile apparatus 1). A identification information 0001) is transmitted by a PB tone, and then the start button is operated. As a result, the image information corresponding to the document is sent to the storage and exchange device 1. And
When the transmission is normally performed, the storage and switching apparatus 1 notifies the facsimile apparatus A of the normal end, and the communication ends.

In the storage and exchange apparatus 1, the processing in steps S1 to S3 as shown in FIG. 5 is performed. In step S4, the apparatus number 002 is extracted from the table in FIG. 10 corresponding to the destination information 0004. Since the destination is not the device of the home country from the device number 002, it is detected that the destination is a computer.

When it is detected that the destination is a computer, source information 0001 and the like are set in the E-mail by characters, and the image information transmitted and stored by facsimile transmission corresponds to the terminal ID 0004 in the table of FIG. It is converted based on the image data format information (gif) and attached as a file.
The data is distributed from the LAN interface 13 by E-mail using an E-mail address (for example, stored in the main memory 21) corresponding to the device number corresponding to the device number 04 (S9).

This e-mail is received by the storage and switching device 6 via the Internet 3. Store and exchange device 6
Is processed as transmitted from the computer as shown in FIG. 7 and delivered to the facsimile machine U.

As described above, the facsimile manuscript (image information or the like) transmitted from the facsimile apparatus can be converted into a format that can be displayed on the screen by the browser and transmitted to the computer network. A manuscript can be transmitted. In addition, from a computer connected to the computer network, information on the screen and image information read by the scanner can be transmitted to the facsimile apparatus by E-mail. Although the Internet has been described above as an example of a computer network, a computer network such as an intranet may be used. Also,
Although a LAN interface is used for connection via LAN, an interface for performing dial-up IP connection may be used.

[0032]

As described above, according to the storage and switching apparatus of the first aspect, the corresponding transmission mode and transmission medium interface information can be obtained based on the information destination identification information, and based on this interface information, From either the switching network interface or the computer interface,
Since the stored information is transferred in a corresponding transmission form, the image information can be stored and exchanged from the facsimile apparatus to the computer on the computer network or from the computer on the computer network to the facsimile apparatus.

As described above, according to the storage and switching apparatus of the second aspect, when the computer interface is specified by the interface information corresponding to the destination identification information of the image information, it is based on the rules of electronic mail. Since the cover is created, image information is added to the cover, and the image is transferred via the computer interface, the image information can be transmitted from the facsimile apparatus to the computer by electronic mail.

As described above, according to the storage and switching apparatus of the third aspect, when the switching network interface is specified by the interface information corresponding to the destination identification information of the electronic mail, the cover of the electronic mail is displayed. Since the image information is converted into image information and the added image information is transferred via the switching network interface, the image information sent from the computer by e-mail can be transmitted to the facsimile machine.

As described above, according to the storage and switching apparatus of the fourth aspect, the registration (update) to the website is specified via the computer interface by the interface information corresponding to the destination identification information of the image information. In such a case, the image information is converted into the web-compatible format and transferred via the computer interface, so that the image information can be transmitted from the facsimile apparatus to the computer via the website.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a system using a storage and exchange device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a storage and switching apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing contents of a table used in the storage and exchange apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing contents of a table used in the storage and exchange apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the storage and switching apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a view for explaining communication between facsimile apparatuses using the storage and switching apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is an exemplary view for explaining communication from the computer to the facsimile apparatus using the storage and switching apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is an exemplary view for explaining communication from the facsimile apparatus to the computer using the store and forward apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is an exemplary view for explaining registration processing to a homepage using the storage and exchange apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a view showing contents of a table used in the storage and exchange apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining communication between a facsimile machine belonging to two storage and switching devices installed in different countries, in which two storage and switching devices are installed.

[Explanation of symbols]

1,6 storage and exchange device 2,7 exchange 3 internet 4-1 to 4-n
Facsimile machine 5 Personal computer 8-1 to 8-m
Facsimile device 10 CPU 11 Communication control device 12 Magnetic disk device 13 LAN interface

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An exchange network interface connected to an exchange network, a computer interface connected to a computer network, and an interface information storage storing an information transmission mode and transmission medium interface information corresponding to destination identification information. Means, when information is sent from a terminal, accumulates the information, retrieves the interface information storage means based on destination identification information of the information, and obtains interface information for obtaining interface information of a corresponding transmission form and transmission medium. And transfer means for transferring the stored information as a corresponding transmission form from one of the switching network interface and the computer interface based on the interface information obtained by the interface information obtaining means. Storage and switching equipment. 2. The transfer means according to claim 1, wherein, when a computer interface is designated by interface information corresponding to the destination identification information of the image information, a document is created based on an e-mail rule, and the image information is added to the document. 2. The storage and switching device according to claim 1, wherein the data is transferred via a computer interface. 3. The transfer means converts an electronic mail document into image information when an exchange network interface is specified by interface information corresponding to the destination identification information of the electronic mail, and outputs the image information and the electronic mail. 2. The storage and switching apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image information added to the data is transferred via an exchange network interface. 4. When the registration to the website is designated via the computer interface by the interface information corresponding to the destination identification information of the picture information, the transfer means converts the picture information into a format corresponding to the website. 2. The storage and exchange apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the registration and update are performed through a computer interface.