JP2000010884A - Communication device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simplify various settings by using an electronic mail by receiving the electronic mail from a terminal connected to a network and modifying the contents of function setting data stored in a storage means according to commands included in the electronic mail. SOLUTION: At the time of reception, an analog waveform inputted from a line 1-17 is demodulated through an NCU 1-16 and a modem 1-15, the decoded data are stored in a RAM 1-7, and the data are outputted or transferred to a PC from a recording part 1-11 according to a program in a ROM 1-6. In this case, the modem 1-15 modulates transmit data stored in the RAM 1-7 under the control of a CPU 1-1 and outputs the data to a subscriber line 1-17 through the NCU part 1-16. Further, the modem 1-15 inputs an analog signal from the subscriber line 1-17 through the NCU part 1-16 and stores the data generated by demodulating and binarizing the input analog signal in the RAM 1-7.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to electronic mail and FA.
The present invention relates to a communication device capable of transmitting and receiving both X.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a communication apparatus having a function of transmitting and receiving both an electronic mail and a facsimile, for example, a device for converting a received electronic mail into a facsimile data format and transmitting a facsimile data, and an apparatus for transmitting received facsimile data to an electronic mail. Devices for forwarding by mail are known.

[0003]

However, in the above conventional example, it is necessary to input the address of the transfer destination to the device, and the input operation is very complicated. Further, in this type of apparatus, various settings and registrations for further enhancing functions and ensuring security are performed, so that various input operations become more and more complicated.

[0004] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a communication device that can extremely simplify various settings using electronic mail.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic mail transmitting means having an electronic mail address and transmitting and receiving an electronic mail, a facsimile transmitting means transmitting and receiving a facsimile, and a predetermined function setting. It has storage means for storing data, and command execution means for executing a command in the received e-mail, receives an e-mail from a terminal connected to a network, and receives a command based on a command included in the e-mail. And changing the contents of the function setting data stored in the storage means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, an identification means for identifying a user who is going to change function setting data by the electronic mail by at least one authentication method; Storage means for storing function setting data that can be changed in the storage means, and determination means for determining whether to permit change of the function setting data based on the identification result of the identification means and the storage content of the storage means. It is characterized by having.

A third invention according to the present application is the invention according to the first invention, further comprising means for notifying a result of changing the function setting data to a sender of the electronic mail by electronic mail.

[0008] A fourth invention according to the present application is the third invention, characterized by further comprising means for notifying a predetermined manager of the result of the change of the function setting data by electronic mail.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, a storage means for storing a predetermined state of the communication device, a storage means for storing a destination to which an electronic mail is transmitted, and the communication device Means for judging whether or not the communication device has reached the predetermined state, and, when the communication device has reached a predetermined state, transmitting an electronic mail describing the content to a predetermined partner. Transmitting means.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, receiving means for receiving an instruction by electronic mail,
Determining means for determining whether or not the instruction by the electronic mail is valid; analyzing means for analyzing the content to be transmitted as a report based on the instruction by the electronic mail; and communication based on an analysis result of the analyzing means. Collecting means for collecting the status of the device, generating means for generating the status of the communication device collected by the collecting means as report data, and sending the report data generated by the generating means to a preset partner by electronic mail. And transmitting means for transmitting, by electronic mail, a preset content as a report in response to an electronic mail instruction from a preset partner.

A seventh invention according to the present application is directed to a control method of a communication device having an electronic mail address and having electronic mail transmitting means for transmitting and receiving electronic mail and fax transmitting means for transmitting and receiving fax. Storing the function setting data in the storage means, and executing the command in the received electronic mail, receiving the electronic mail from the terminal connected to the network, and setting the command included in the electronic mail to The contents of the function setting data stored in the storage unit are changed based on the information.

An eighth invention according to the present application provides a program for controlling a communication device having an electronic mail address and having electronic mail transmitting means for transmitting and receiving electronic mail and fax transmitting means for transmitting and receiving fax. In a computer-readable storage medium, a step of storing predetermined function setting data in a storage unit, a step of executing a command in the received electronic mail, and a step of receiving an electronic mail from a terminal connected to a network. And a step of changing the contents of the function setting data stored in the storage means based on a command included in the electronic mail.

[0013]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The CPU 1-1 operates in accordance with a program stored in the ROM 1-6, ie, the entire communication apparatus, that is, a binarization processing unit 1-2, a reading unit 1-4, and an image processing unit 1--1.
5, RAM 1-7, nonvolatile RAM 1-8, operation unit 1-
9, display unit 1-10, recording unit 1-11, network I
/ F section 1-12, sensor section 1-13, drive section 1-14,
It controls the modem 1-15 and the NCU 1-16. Hereinafter, each of these units will be described.

First, in the case of copying, the reading unit 1-4
Is converted into black and white by the image processing unit 1-5 and the binarization processing unit 1-2,
Store it in M1-7. Then, when sufficient data for performing the recording process is stored, the data is monochrome-output by the recording unit 1-11.

In the case of a network scanner, R
The digital data stored in the AM 1-7 is output to a computer (PC) via the network I / F 1-12.

In the case of a network printer, the data is output by the recording unit 1-11 based on the data input from the network I / F unit 1-12.

In the case of facsimile transmission, the RAM 1-
7 is encoded, modulated by the modem 1-15, and output to the line 1-17 via the NCU 1-16.

FAX transmission of data from a PC is as follows.
The NUC 1-16 controls the NUC 1-16 based on the destination information transferred from the network I / F 1-12 by encoding the transmission image transferred from the network I / F 1-12 and modulating the data by the modem. Output to line 1-17.

In the case of reception, the analog waveform input from the line 1-17 is converted to the NCU 1-16 and the modem 1
-15, and demodulates and decodes the data through RAM1-
7 and output from the recording unit 1-11 or transfer data to the PC according to the program in the ROM 1-6.

The nonvolatile RAM 1-8 is a battery-backed SRAM, and includes a telephone number unique to the device,
Data such as a user abbreviation, an address book, a user terminal information list, a communication result, and the like are stored.

The operation unit 1-9 includes a start key and a copy key for transmission and reception, a mode key for designating operation modes such as fine for transmitted images and a resolution for standard and copy, a stop key and an address for stopping operation. , A facsimile number, a registration key for registering a name, and the like. Note that the CPU 1-1
Detects the pressed state of these keys and controls each unit according to the situation.

The display section 1-10 is composed of a dot matrix type LCD and an LCD driver.
Various displays are performed based on the control from the PU 1-1.

The recording unit 1-11 includes a DMA controller,
It is composed of LBP (Laser Beam Printer) or inkjet printer head and general-purpose IC, etc.
Under the control of the CPU 1-1, the recording data stored in the RAM 1-7 is extracted and printed out as a hard copy.

The driving section 1-14 controls a stepping motor for driving the paper supply / discharge rollers of the reading section 1-4 and the recording section 1-11, a gear for transmitting a driving force of the motor, and a motor. And a driver circuit for performing the operation.

The modem 1-15 has a 34, V.I. 32,
V. 32 bis, V.I. 17, V.I. 29, V.I. 27te
r, V.R. 23, V.I. 21 (H, L) modems, a clock generation circuit connected to these modems, etc., modulates transmission data stored in the RAM 1-7 under the control of the CPU 1-1, and modulates the NCU 1- 16 to the subscriber line 1-17. Further, the modem 1-15 introduces an analog signal from the subscriber line 1-17 through the NCU unit 1-16, and demodulates the analog signal and stores it in the RAM 1-7.

The NCU unit 1-16 comprises a DC capture circuit, an AC capture circuit, a Ci / reciprocity detection circuit, and a 2-wire 4-wire conversion circuit, and connects the subscriber line 1-17 to the modem 1-15. Things. Furthermore, the handset 1-18 is also NC
It can be connected to U section 1-16.

The sensor section 1-13 includes a recording paper width sensor, a recording paper presence / absence sensor, a document width sensor, and a document presence / absence sensor, and detects the state of the document and the recording paper under the control of the CPU 1-1.

The interface section 1-19 connects the network (LAN) to the apparatus.

Next, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration in a case where the communication devices 2-1 and 2-2 according to the present embodiment are connected to a LAN. Hereinafter, based on FIG. −
Operations 1 and 2-2 will be described.

Communication Device (Internet FAX) 2-1
Works in an environment where email on the Internet is available. That is, the mail gateway 2-3 is connected to the Internet, and all e-mails in the LAN communicate with the Internet via the mail gateway 2-3. The email protocol is SMTP (Si
mple Mail Transfer Protocol)
OP (Post Office Protocol) can also be used. This device supports all connected P
C and the communication device (Internet FAX) 2-2 having the same configuration as the communication device 2-1 can transmit and receive e-mail.

Further, the connected PC is set to (1) the registered authority (level 0) as an administrator of the communication apparatus.
(2) PC 2-11 having authority (level 1) for registering / changing the address of the communication device;
(3) PC-12 having the authority (level 2) only to send and receive e-mail FAX via this communication device; (4) PC2-1 not allowing access to this communication device (level 3)
5. (5) PC2 with authority (level S) permitted to read and write information for maintenance of this communication device
-18 and stored in a memory (RAM 1-7) as a table as shown in FIG.

The authority described above is not limited to the authority given to the hardware of the PC, but may be given to the user. Further, the number of PCs to which each authority has been given takes an arbitrary value. Also, LAN
Can be connected to various peripheral devices, and can take various forms.

Next, the operation of the network system having the above configuration will be described in several cases.

(1) An operation of sending an electronic mail received by an Internet FAX to a PSTN FAX An electronic mail as shown in FIG. 5 is transmitted from a PC, which is given a transmission right (level 2), to the Internet FAX 2-1. I do. If the ID and the password are authenticated using the table shown in FIG. 7 and the command relay is found,
The attached contents are converted into TIFF (Tag Image File Format) format. Alternatively, information previously converted to the TIFF format by the PC may be attached to the electronic mail.

The telephone number of the relay destination is read, and the converted information is transmitted according to a known facsimile procedure. At this time, the facsimile cover page may be automatically created by writing the destination information on the e-mail. Further, necessary information may be extracted from the destination list shown in FIG. 6 and used.

(2) Operation of reading an original by Internet FAX and transmitting image data to each terminal A one-touch key on the operation unit 1-9 of the Internet FAX 2-1 is used to select a destination selected from a table as shown in FIG. On the other hand, the reading unit 1 of the Internet FAX 2-1
Attach the image read in step -4 to an e-mail and send it.
In a simultaneous distribution, etc., it is possible to reduce the trouble of distributing copies, delay due to circulation, and waste of resources caused by making unnecessary copies.

The destination of the electronic mail is not limited to the LAN, but may include another PC 2-14 via the Internet. By doing so, an e-mail can be sent like a facsimile. In addition, the scanned original is
The information may be converted into text by CR software and transmitted as electronic mail. Further, by inputting the sender's ID with the one-touch key on the operation unit 1-9, necessary information of the sender information in the table of FIG. 7 may be added to the electronic mail to which the read image is attached.

(3) Operation of reading an original by Internet FAX, transmitting the original to a database allocated for each classification item, and storing it in the database corresponding to the classification selected by the one-touch key on the operation unit 1-9 of the Internet FAX 2-1 Then, the image read by the Internet FAX 2-1 is sent by e-mail. A LAN compatible filer can be realized,
It can be viewed from a PC with a TIFF viewer.

Further, by authenticating the ID and the password, the access can be made from outside the gateway 2-3. Further, the setting change electronic mail is also used for the change maintenance of the classification name and the corresponding file name (electronic mail address name). Internet FAX
Can output necessary documents.

(4) An operation of outputting an electronic mail from a terminal on the Internet by an Internet FAX An electronic mail transmitted from a PC 2-14 on the Internet is received by the Internet FAX 2-1 so that a conventional facsimile apparatus can be used. Can be received as follows. It is possible to receive and automatically output order forms, delivery notes, etc. using this Internet FAX regardless of whether it is in Japan or overseas. Since a large amount of slips are automatically output, there is no need to output the slips from a PC.

(5) The original read by the Internet FAX is sent to the partner Internet FAX via the Internet.
And the other party's Internet FAX is PSTN
Operation for Sending to X An image is read by the Internet FAX 2-1 and a destination is selected from the pre-registered address book shown in FIG. When a destination registered for Internet relay is specified, the read image is converted into a TIFF format, and an electronic mail with information of a transmission source, a password, etc. is transmitted to the destination address.

Internet FA receiving e-mail
X2-2 confirms the source address, password, etc.,
If the other party is registered in advance, the transmission is made to the facsimile 2-6 using a publicly known facsimile procedure using the PSTN line. Also, a cover page may be created and attached based on the attached information of the sender. Further, there are cases where it is more advantageous to transmit via the Internet or it is more advantageous to transmit directly via the PSTN line. Therefore, it is preferable to be able to select which to use on a menu screen.

(6) An image is sent from the facsimile on the PSTN network to the Internet FAX, and the FAX on the PSTN is sent from the partner Internet FAX via the Internet.
Operation for Sending to AX The image received from the facsimile 2-5 connected to the PSTN is attached to an electronic mail and sent to the designated Internet FAX 2-2 via the Internet.
The received Internet FAX 2-2 has at least one destination F based on the header or data registered in advance.
The AX number is read and transmitted (relay, broadcast). As a result, the Internet with fixed communication charges can be used effectively,
Communication charges for long-distance communication on the TN network can be saved.

(7) The service request consumables, defects, etc. are self-analyzed from the Internet FAX to the maintenance company by electronic mail, and when it is necessary to call a service person, a request is sent by electronic mail. Attached operation and operation of maintenance and software version upgrade by e-mail from service company Internet FAX 2-1 maximizes its performance as automatic reception, network printer, network scanner or copier of each terminal. Therefore, if there is a shortage of consumables or trouble occurs, the effect is large.

Therefore, when a shortage of consumables, trouble occurs, or when the possibility of occurrence is detected in advance, a report is transmitted by electronic mail to a preset maintenance company. The received e-mail is transferred to the service person in charge, and prompt response can be taken.

Further, in the case of a failure or the like, a more detailed Internet FAX state can be diagnosed by transmitting a diagnostic program from a service company using an electronic mail and receiving an automatic answer or a detailed report reply. Becomes By ascertaining and preparing for the problem before the service person goes to the site, more efficient service can be provided.

At this time, security is assured by accepting the diagnosis mail only when the ID and the password of the service company registered in advance match. Further, the program changed for improving the performance of the Internet FAX may be rewritten via electronic mail.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the communication device in the present embodiment. Hereinafter, the operation of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart.

First, in step 101, a mail is received from a PC connected to the LAN. The received electronic mail has a format as shown in FIG. Next, step 10
In step 2, it is read whether there is a user setup command in the electronic mail.

Here, if there is no user setup command, the operation as an Internet FAX is started in step 103.

If there is a user setup command, it is determined in step 104 from the sender ID and the user registration list of FIG. 6 registered in advance, to which level the client is permitted to change and read. .

Then, if the client does not have the right to execute the specified command, step 105
Send a rejection email notifying that you do not have the right. Further, if necessary, the client at which address instructs what command and e-mail is sent to the administrator about the rejection. This also has the effect of changing your registration to give you authority, or alerting you to being targeted by hackers.

If the client is an authorized client,
In step 106, it is confirmed by a password whether the authorized client is the principal.

If the passwords do not match, at step 107, a rejection mail is sent to the client notifying that the passwords do not match. Furthermore, an E-ma in which an incorrect password has been entered more than a preset number of times.
When the il is received, an e-mail is sent to the administrator as to which command of which address the client instructed and rejected as necessary.

If the passwords match, the setting is changed in step 108 in accordance with the command sentence.
Then, in step 109, it is notified that the
Email changer. In step 110, the system administrator is notified of the correct change by e-mail. Thus, the process is completed.

In the example of the electronic mail shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, MIME is an e-mail standard called Multipurpo.
se Internet Mail Extensions, indicating that this email can handle not only text, but also images and sounds. Also, Japanese codes can be used by Char-set. And [command] and [end of comm
Only the commands between and] are extracted and executed.

As described above, one embodiment of the present invention has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can take various forms within the scope of the present invention. For example, the wired communication network PSTN may be an ISDN line. In addition, the destination address is set for each sender, and the ID is set.
May be used.

A program for executing the above-described operation is stored in a storage medium such as a floppy disk, a hard disk, a CD-ROM, a memory card, and the like, which is loaded into a communication device and executed by the CPU. May be. The storage medium in this case is also included in the present invention.

[0060]

As described above, according to the first, seventh, and eighth aspects of the present invention, the input / change operation can be easily performed by changing the registered contents of the communication device by electronic mail. There is an effect that can be done. In addition, there is no need to provide expensive input means with good operability in the operation unit of the communication device main body, and the cost can be reduced. In addition, there is no need to provide an expensive display unit with good visibility on the display unit of the communication device main body, and the cost can be reduced.

According to the second aspect of the present invention,
By identifying users and limiting the functions that can be performed for each user, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of troubles caused by carelessly changing settings, and to prevent unauthorized use of the communication device from outside. There is an effect that can be.

According to the third description of the present application,
It is possible to prevent in advance erroneous distribution when a change in setting is not recognized, and it is possible to check whether the setting has been correctly performed. Further, there is an effect that the setting made by the user can be confirmed and the partner can recognize that the unauthorized use cannot be performed.

According to the fourth description of the present application,
This has the effect that the user's usage status in the system and the content of the problem can be easily grasped, and that unauthorized access can be promptly notified from outside, and the damage caused by the unauthorized use can be stopped quickly.

According to the fifth description of the present application,
If the device is in a preset state, notify the administrator or service company of the situation in detail,
There is an effect that accurate, prompt and efficient care is possible.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention,
By providing a more detailed analysis result to the status confirmation email from the administrator or service company,
There is an effect that accurate, prompt and efficient care is possible.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a network system provided with the communication device illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an electronic mail used in the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an electronic mail used in the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a destination list used in the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an authority level registration table used in the embodiment.

[Description of Signs] 1-1 CPU, 1-2 Binary processing unit, 1-4 Reading unit, 1-5 Image processing unit, 1-6 ROM, 1-7 RAM, 1- 8 Non-volatile RAM, 1-9 Operating section, 1-10 Display section, 1-11 Recording section, 1-12 Network I / F section, 1-13 Sensor section, 1-14 Drive section 1-15 Modem 1-16 NCU 1-17 Line 1-18 Handset 1-19 Interface

Continuation of the front page F term (reference) 5B089 AA16 AB01 AC06 AD11 AE05 CE01 DD04 EA20 5C062 AA29 AA35 AB38 AB42 AC28 AC38 AC43 AC58 AE13 AF02 AF12 BA04 BD09 5C075 AB90 BA05 BB07 CA14 CD02 CD13 CD25 EE02 5K030 HC17 HA01 JA05B01 KA08 KA13 KA18

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An electronic mail address,
Electronic mail transmitting means for transmitting and receiving electronic mail, FAX transmitting means for transmitting and receiving FAX, storage means for storing predetermined function setting data, and command executing means for executing a command in the received electronic mail, A communication device which receives an electronic mail from a terminal connected to a network, and changes the contents of function setting data stored in the storage means based on a command included in the electronic mail. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the identification means identifies a user who is going to change the function setting data by the electronic mail by at least one authentication method, and stores function setting data that can be changed for each user. A communication unit, comprising: a storage unit that performs a determination based on an identification result of the identification unit and a storage content of the storage unit; and a determination unit that determines whether to permit change of function setting data. . 3. The communication device according to claim 1, further comprising means for notifying a sender of the electronic mail of a result of changing the function setting data by electronic mail. 4. The communication device according to claim 3, further comprising means for notifying a predetermined manager of the result of the change of the function setting data by electronic mail. 5. The storage device according to claim 1, wherein the storage device stores a predetermined state of the communication device, the storage device stores a destination to which an electronic mail is transmitted, and whether the communication device is in the predetermined state. Determination means for determining whether or not the communication device is in a predetermined state, and transmitting means for transmitting an electronic mail describing the content thereof to a predetermined partner. Communication device. 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein: receiving means for receiving an instruction by electronic mail; determining means for determining whether the instruction by electronic mail is valid; and transmitting as a report based on the instruction by electronic mail. Analyzing means for analyzing the contents to be performed; collecting means for collecting the state of the communication device based on the analysis result of the analyzing means; generating means for generating the state of the communication device collected by the collecting means as report data And transmitting means for transmitting the report data generated by the generating means to a preset partner by electronic mail, and by means of an electronic mail from the preset partner, reports preset contents. A communication device for transmitting by electronic mail. 7. Having an electronic mail address,
Electronic mail transmission means for transmitting and receiving electronic mail, and fax
A method of controlling a communication device having a facsimile transmission means for transmitting and receiving a fax, comprising: a step of storing predetermined function setting data in a storage means; and a step of executing a command in the received e-mail. Receiving an electronic mail from the terminal and changing the contents of the function setting data stored in the storage unit based on a command included in the electronic mail. 8. Having an electronic mail address,
Electronic mail transmission means for transmitting and receiving electronic mail, and fax
Storing a predetermined function setting data in a storage device in a computer-readable storage medium storing a program for controlling a communication device having a facsimile transmission unit for transmitting and receiving a command in the electronic mail; Executing, and receiving an electronic mail from a terminal connected to the network, and changing the content of the function setting data stored in the storage unit based on a command included in the electronic mail. A storage medium storing a program to be executed.