JP2000134407A - Facsimile equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a facsimile equipment by which the user can simply acquire information such as a transmission reception history of using an E mail function by a server and utility charge. SOLUTION: In this facsimile equipment connected to an E mail server 200 connected to the Internet through a public channel 110, after the user uses the terminal to connect to the server 200, the user depresses a dial key or the like of the terminal along with a voice guidance by the server 200 to reply the server by means of a dual-tone multi-frequency DTMF signal or the like. Thus, information on the E mail function such as a list of unreceived mails and a charge list and personal information can be acquired. Furthermore, after the connection to the server 200, an SP phone is automatically selected.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus having an e-mail function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The convenience of an e-mail function has been evaluated, and companies using the e-mail function have been increasing. A personal computer is generally used for use, and requires specialized knowledge such as provider settings, DNS settings, and IP address settings. General users who are not familiar with personal computers use the e-mail function. It is very difficult to do. Further, a facsimile apparatus connected to a public line cannot use the e-mail function.

[0003]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a facsimile apparatus in which a general user who is not familiar with a personal computer can easily use an e-mail function. A facsimile apparatus using the function of an e-mail server connected to the Internet network generally requires connection to the e-mail server and authentication work. When transmitting, it is necessary to input the e-mail address of the transmission partner. In particular, in order for a user to obtain information such as a transmission / reception history and a usage fee using the e-mail function of the server, mail is generally sent from a server company, and it takes time for the information to reach the user.

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a facsimile apparatus in which such information can be obtained by a simple operation.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, the present invention provides input means for designating a number, means for outputting inputted dial data to a line, and means for listening to voice from a server. Is a facsimile apparatus having the following means.

[0006]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The invention according to claim 1 of the present invention is directed to a facsimile apparatus connected to an e-mail server connected to the Internet network via a public line, after a user connects to the server from a terminal. This is a facsimile machine configured so that the user presses the dial keys, etc. of the terminal according to the voice guidance of the server, and responds with a multi-frequency selection signal, etc. And other information relating to the e-mail function, personal information, and the like.

(Embodiment 1) In FIG. 1, reference numeral 101 denotes a CPU for controlling a fax, 102 denotes a ROM in which a program is stored, and 103 denotes a RAM for storing data and the like. 104 is an input of an e-mail address,
And an input device used for various operations. A communication unit 105 controls communication with the e-mail server, a display device 106, and a DTMF signal (multi-frequency selection signal) 107.
Modem / DTMF receiver for sending, 108
Is a line control unit for connecting to a telephone line. 109
Is an LCD display device for displaying various information, guidance messages, and the like.
Will be displayed. A printing device 111 prints the received information. Reference numeral 112 denotes a speaker that outputs voice guidance from the server.

Reference numeral 200 denotes an e-mail server. E-mail server 200 is connected by public line 110. FIG. 2 shows an example of the input device. Reference numeral 113 denotes an e-mail button for instructing an e-mail function, and 114 denotes a START button for instructing start of information acquisition.

For example, FIGS. 3 and 4 show flowcharts when a user connects to a server and obtains information on the e-mail function.
Show. The procedure for extracting information from the server will be described below with reference to FIGS.

First, the user presses the "E-mail" button 113 to retrieve information of the E-mail function (step
500), and “E-mail” is displayed on the LCD display device 109. In this state, the user sets the voice service (step 501). The LCD display 109 displays “ON-SAY SERVICE”. If the user says "STAR
The "T" button 114 is pressed (step 502). In step 503, a call is made to connect to the server. LC
The D display device 109 displays "SETTING". At step 504, the caller is authenticated. If "OK", the server is connected to the server. Also, if the result of the caller authentication is "N
If "G", error processing is performed in step 600.

After connecting to the server in step 505, the terminal automatically switches to the speaker (SP) phone mode. In step 506, voice guidance is played from the server. The user inputs the number of the item of information to be taken out from the input device (step 507). The operation information input from the input device is sent to the server by a DTMF signal (multi-frequency selection signal). For example, if the user selects “1”,
The information is sent by DTMF signal to the server, which responds by sending a voice message asking if the information should be retrieved or redone (step 50).
8). The user selects whether to retrieve the information by pressing “*” or “#” or to start over.

When the user presses "#", the information is sent to the server by a DTMF signal, and in response, the server sends out a voice message guiding information that can be extracted (step 510).

According to the voice message from the server, the user selects an item of information to be taken out and clicks "START".
The button 114 is pressed (step 511). Accordingly, the server transmits the target information, and the facsimile apparatus receives the information and prints the information by the printing device 111. In the same manner, if an item is selected in accordance with the voice guidance and the number is input from the input device, the information to be extracted can be received.

Since all of the communications described above are performed by DTMF signals, for example, a user can send and receive an E-mail by inputting necessary information as long as there is a facsimile apparatus capable of transmitting a DTMF signal even when going out. Further, by performing communication with the e-mail server 200 using the DTMF signal, e-mail can be transmitted and received without a dedicated device or software.

Although the embodiment has been described above, the content of information, the content of voice guidance, and the operation keys obtained by the user are not limited.

[0016]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a facsimile apparatus capable of acquiring information relating to an e-mail function, personal information, and the like by allowing a user to easily operate according to voice guidance from a server. This has the effect.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram using a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary view showing an example of an input device of the facsimile apparatus of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a procedure for extracting information from a server in a system using the facsimile apparatus according to the embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure for extracting information from a server in a system using the facsimile apparatus according to the embodiment;

[Explanation of symbols]

 101 CPU 102 ROM 103 RAM 104 Input device 105 Line control unit 109 Display device 110 Public line 111 Printing device 112 Speaker 113 E-mail button 114 Start button 200 E-mail server

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Shinya Hiroki 1006 Kazuma Kadoma, Osaka Prefecture F-term (reference) 5B089 GA11 GA26 HA01 HA10 JA05 JA31 JB03 JB05 JB15 JB21 KA03 KC58 KG01 LB03 LB12 LB13 LB13 LB14 5C062 AA29 AB22 AB23 AB26 AC38 AE14 AF08 5C075 AA90 AB90 CA03 CD18 CD21 5K030 GA17 HA06 HB04 HC02 HD05 JT01 JT05 KA01 KA02 KA13

Claims (4)

[Claims] In a facsimile apparatus connected to an e-mail server connected to an Internet network via a public line, after a user connects to a server from a terminal, the user dials the terminal according to voice guidance of the server. A facsimile apparatus characterized in that it is configured to respond by a multi-frequency selection signal by pressing a key. 2. A function for automatically switching to a speakerphone mode after connection to a server.
A facsimile machine as described. 3. A facsimile machine connected by a public line to an e-mail server connected to an Internet network, an input device used for inputting information and performing various operations,
An e-mail button for instructing e-mail communication, a send button for instructing transmission, a line control unit for connecting to a telephone line, a means for detecting a multi-frequency selection signal, A facsimile apparatus comprising: a signal transmitting unit; and a display device, wherein communication with an e-mail server is performed using a multi-frequency selection signal. 4. A facsimile apparatus connected by a public line to an e-mail server connected to the Internet network, a storage unit for storing data and the like, an input device used for various operations, and a telephone line. A line control unit, a display device, an e-mail button for instructing an e-mail function, a START button for instructing start of information acquisition, a printing device for printing received image information, and a speaker, When the user operates the e-mail button, sets the voice service, and operates the START button,
In accordance therewith, a call is made to connect to a server having an e-mail function, and after authentication with the server is established, the mode is switched to the speakerphone mode, voice guidance from the server is output from the speaker, and a user button is pressed. A facsimile apparatus comprising: a control unit that sends operation information to a server by a multi-frequency selection signal and controls the image information sent from the server to be printed by the printing device.