JP2000270142A - Communication device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a communication device which is connected to a provider to use the mail service on an internet, can prevent the occurrence of failures by receiving the electronic mails according to the device states and attains the pleasant automatic reception of electronic mails. SOLUTION: In a facsimile device 10 consisting of an NCU 15, a modem 16, an external memory 17, a scanner 18, a plotter 19, etc., a CPU 11 is periodically connected to an ISP(internet service provider) via the NCU 15 to receive the electronic mails from a mail server via the modem 16. Then the CPU 11 confirms the remaining capacity of the memory 17 and a detected error of the plotter 19 before the received electronic mails are stored in the memory 17. When the abnormality is detected, the CPU 11 transmits the electronic mail to the PC(personal computer) of a manager without carrying out the connection control for receiving the electronic mails.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a communication device,
More specifically, the present invention relates to a communication device that can use a mail service by connecting to a provider on the Internet.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With the recent development of communication technology, a mail service for relaying an electronic mail (document) created by a personal computer (PC) or the like and transmitting it to a destination has been provided. Providing email services has been done. Also, in offices and the like where electronic data and e-mail are frequently transmitted and received, e-mail is exchanged via a server connected to an independently constructed network.

Further, facsimile data is transmitted and received between communication terminals, and there has also appeared a type in which the other party can receive the facsimile data as e-mail and output the e-mail as facsimile data. .

[0004]

However, in such a conventional communication device, the presence or absence of an e-mail addressed to the user is periodically checked, and the e-mail stored in the server is automatically received. Is commonly done,
Since the data amount of one or more e-mails stored in the server is not known, depending on the data amount, the memory may be exhausted during reception, and the communication cost is wasted.

[0005] Further, when an electronic mail is recorded and output as facsimile data, a situation may occur in which the electronic mail is stored in a memory in a state where output is impossible, such as a paper exhaustion, thereby affecting other processing.

[0006] Further, since the e-mail is automatically received, the administrator cannot know that such a problem has occurred, cannot recover immediately, and the above problem may occur repeatedly. However, there is a problem that the situation is continued.

Therefore, the present invention prevents the above-mentioned problem from occurring by receiving an e-mail according to the status of the device and notifying the administrator of necessary name information.
An object of the present invention is to enable automatic reception of an electronic mail comfortably.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a server connecting means for connecting to a server for relaying an electronic mail, and a mail for receiving an electronic mail via the server. A communication device comprising: a receiving unit; and a connection control unit that controls a server connection unit and a mail reception unit at a preset interval or at an arbitrary timing to accumulate an e-mail received from a server in a memory. A memory management unit that manages the remaining amount, wherein the connection control unit controls connection for receiving an e-mail when the remaining amount of memory is equal to or less than a preset threshold value based on management information of the memory management unit. Is limited.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect, the server connection means connects to a server of a provider on the Internet that provides a mail service, and the mail reception means Receiving facsimile data using an Internet facsimile service provided by the provider as electronic mail.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first or second aspect, a facsimile function for outputting data received by facsimile by connecting to a facsimile communication network is provided and stored in a memory. It has an output control means for outputting an electronic mail as facsimile data.

In the inventions according to the first to third aspects, connection control for receiving an e-mail is restricted when the remaining memory capacity to be managed is equal to or smaller than a set threshold value. Therefore, even if there is not enough memory remaining, it is possible to prevent a large amount of e-mails stored on the server from being received and prevent the memory from being exhausted halfway, and use the Internet facsimile service. The received e-mail can be recorded and output as facsimile data.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a facsimile function for connecting to a facsimile communication network and outputting data received by facsimile, and a server connection means for connecting to a server of a provider on the Internet providing an electronic mail service. A mail receiving means for receiving, as an e-mail, facsimile data using an Internet facsimile service provided by the provider, and controlling the server connection means and the mail receiving means at predetermined intervals or at an arbitrary timing to receive the data from the server. A communication control means for storing the e-mail stored in the memory in the memory, and an output control means for outputting the e-mail stored in the memory as facsimile data by the output means provided in the facsimile function. Out Output management means for managing the means, wherein the connection control means restricts connection control for receiving an e-mail when data output is impossible based on management information of the output management means. Things.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, when the output means to be managed cannot output, the connection control for receiving the electronic mail is restricted. Therefore, for example, despite the fact that facsimile data cannot be recorded and output due to out of paper, the e-mail received using the Internet facsimile service cannot be recorded and output as facsimile data, and Can be prevented.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, when the connection control for receiving an electronic mail is restricted, the setting is made in advance. In this case, a disabling notification means for transmitting a notification document indicating that the e-mail cannot be received to a destination is provided.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when connection control for receiving an electronic mail is restricted, for example, a notification document indicating that a mail cannot be received addressed to an administrator or the like is sent to, for example, an electronic mail or facsimile. Sent in a document. Therefore, it is possible to immediately know a situation in which e-mail cannot be received.

[0016]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIGS. 1 to 4 are diagrams showing an embodiment of a communication apparatus according to the present invention, and this embodiment shows an example in which the present invention is applied to a facsimile apparatus.

Referring to FIG. 1, a facsimile machine 10 comprises:
As a configuration for performing normal G3 facsimile communication, a CPU 11 that performs overall control of each unit of the apparatus according to a control program
A ROM 13 for storing control programs and default data, a RAM 13 for storing various information such as driving conditions of each unit of the apparatus and management data (management information) and temporarily storing necessary image data and the like; An operation port 14 in which various input keys such as a display device such as an LCD or LED for displaying various information such as input information or a message to an operator, and ten keys and function keys for inputting settings and instructions by the operator are arranged; P
An NC which is connected to an STN (public line) and executes a predetermined line control at the time of outgoing / incoming to connect or disconnect the line.
U (network controller) 15, a modem 16 for modulating and demodulating image data and various procedural signals during G3 facsimile communication and transmitting / receiving data via the NCU 15, and an external memory 17 capable of storing a large amount of read / received data. A scanner 18 for reading image data from a document to be transmitted, and a plotter 19 for recording and outputting an image on recording paper (or thermal paper) with toner or ink based on the read / received data. Connected by

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the facsimile apparatus 10 performs G3 facsimile communication through the PSTN and transmits and receives e-mails through the PSTN to an Internet service provider (ISP).
The unique e-mail address registered so that the e-mail can be sent / received to / from the mail server by dial-up connection with the access point of the user is stored in the RAM 13, and the e-mail is used by using the Internet facsimile service provided by the provider. The system is configured such that electronic mail can be exchanged between communication terminals such as a personal computer (PC) and a facsimile terminal via the Internet or the PSTN through a server.
By executing various processes of the present invention in accordance with the control program in M12 and modulating / demodulating signals transmitted / received by the NCU 15 for dial-up connection and exchange of e-mail with the mail server by the modem 16, the data is previously stored in the RAM 13 The e-mail is received from the mail server at the interval set in (i.e., any time) and stored in the external memory 17. The e-mail in the external memory 17 is converted into facsimile data and transferred to a connected PC in accordance with, for example, an automatic or manual instruction, is recorded and output as facsimile data by the plotter 19, or has a set mail address. To the communication terminal of the e-mail as it is. That is, the NCU 15 configures server connection means, the modem 16 configures mail reception means, and the CPU 11 configures connection control means and output control means.

The facsimile apparatus 10 includes a CPU 11
Receives an error from the plotter 19 which indicates that the recording cannot be output, such as running out of recording paper, running out of recording medium, or opening the cover, and also monitors and manages the external memory 17.
When the remaining memory capacity of the server becomes equal to or less than a preset threshold value, the dial-up connection for automatically receiving an e-mail from the mail server is skipped (restricted), and as shown in FIG. An error message (a notification document indicating that an error has occurred and the e-mail cannot be received) is created and transmitted as an e-mail to the e-mail address of the PC used by the administrator preset in the RAM 13. That is, the CPU 11 constitutes a memory management unit, an output management unit, and a disable notification unit.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the CPU 11 starts counting by a timer function immediately after turning on the power, and at predetermined time intervals (for example, one hour) (step P1), If the remaining memory capacity of the external memory 17 is not less than the threshold value and the memory is not full (step P2), and if the plotter 19 detects an error and is not in the plotter down state (step P3), the PPP (point) is sent to the Internet service provider. -to-point
protocol) connection (step P4), after the connection is successful, the mail server 1ogin (step P5), and the e-mail addressed to the user stored in the mail server is received by the POP (post office protocol) 3 protocol. After storing in the external memory 17 (step P
6) In addition to disconnecting the connection with the provider, the e-mail is stored or output in accordance with a preset instruction, and this processing is repeated at a set time interval.

On the other hand, when the set time has elapsed (step P1), the remaining amount of memory in the external memory 17 is less than the threshold value and the memory is full (step P2), or the plotter 19 is stopped while the plotter 19 detects an error. In the state (step P3), instead of skipping steps P4 to P6 and performing connection control for receiving an e-mail with the provider, a destination for notifying the occurrence of an abnormality, for example, a PC used by an administrator ( It is searched whether the mail address of the communication terminal is set and registered in advance (step P
7) If the destination is not registered, the process returns to step P1 and waits for the elapse of the next set time. If the destination e-mail address for notification of abnormality is registered, the PPP connection to the Internet service provider is made. (Step P8), and after the connection is successful, the mail server is logged in (step P9), and the SMTP (simple mail t)
An e-mail of an error message for reporting an error including the date and time and the registration contents of the own device as well as the error reason is created and transmitted according to a ransfer protocol (step P10).

Therefore, even though the external memory 17 does not have sufficient remaining memory and the received electronic mail cannot be output, the electronic mail is stored in the mail server by connecting to the provider. It is possible to prevent the memory from being exhausted during the reception of the e-mail. Also, if you restrict the connection control with the provider to receive e-mail,
It is possible to send an e-mail notifying the abnormality to a PC or the like used by an administrator or the like and immediately notify that the e-mail cannot be received.

As described above, in the present embodiment, when the external memory 17 is in a full memory state or when the plotter 19 is down due to running out of recording paper, the connection control for receiving an e-mail is restricted, and an abnormality is detected. Since the notification e-mail is sent to the administrator, etc., the e-mail can be received when the memory is not full and the plotter is not down (no need to restrict connection control). Even if you can not receive,
It is possible to immediately return to a state in which an e-mail can be received after the memory data is discharged or the recording paper is replenished.

Therefore, it is possible to comfortably automatically receive, record, and output electronic mail without wasting communication costs and without obscuring the electronic mail.

In the present embodiment, a case will be described in which a connection is made to another communication device such as a mail server of a provider through the PSTN. However, a facsimile device that can be connected to an ISDN line, and transmission and reception of mail through a LAN line are performed. Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to a network-compatible facsimile machine, and when an electronic mail of an abnormality notification is transmitted via a LAN line, it is advantageous in terms of communication costs.

Further, the abnormality notification is not limited to electronic mail,
It goes without saying that a normal facsimile number may be registered as a destination and then transmitted by facsimile.

Further, the present embodiment can be applied not only to a facsimile apparatus but also to a communication terminal having a function of storing and outputting an electronic mail. The facsimile communication function can be added as an option (for example, PCfax). The present invention can also be suitably applied to a communication terminal that can.

[0028]

According to the present invention, when the remaining memory capacity is small or when facsimile data cannot be output, the connection control for receiving an e-mail is restricted, so that it is not necessary to restrict the connection control. Occasionally, an e-mail can be received without running out of memory, and the received e-mail can be recorded and output as facsimile data without storing the received e-mail.

When connection control for receiving e-mail is restricted, an e-mail notifying that the e-mail cannot be received is transmitted to an administrator or the like, so that data in the memory can be processed or recording paper can be replenished. As a result, it can be immediately restored to a state in which e-mail can be received.

Therefore, the electronic mail can be comfortably and automatically received and used without wasting the communication cost and without affecting other processing by a large amount of the electronic mail stored in the memory. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a communication device according to the present invention, and is a block diagram illustrating a schematic overall configuration thereof.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram showing the connection environment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the control.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing message contents to be notified;

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Facsimile apparatus (communication apparatus) 11 CPU (connection control means, output control means, memory management means, output management means, disable notification means) 14 operation port 15 NCU (server connection means) 16 modem (mail receiving means) 17 external memory 18 Scanner 19 plotter

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04N 1/21 H04L 11/20 101B 9A001 1/32 F term (Reference) 5B089 GA11 GA21 GB04 HA10 JA05 JA31 JB17 KA04 KA12 KB04 KC30 5C062 AA02 AA13 AA30 AB43 AC22 AC28 AC30 AC43 AF02 AF15 5C073 AA03 BC02 CD03 CD07 5C075 CA14 CD07 CE14 CF04 5K030 HA06 HB04 LB16 LC01 MB15 9A001 HZ23 JJ12 JJ14 JJ25 JJ27 LL09 LL09 LL02

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A server connecting means for connecting to a server for relaying electronic mail, a mail receiving means for receiving electronic mail via the server, a server connecting means and mail at predetermined intervals or at any timing. A connection control means for controlling the receiving means and accumulating the e-mail received from the server in the memory, comprising: a memory management means for managing the remaining amount of memory, wherein the connection control means A communication device, wherein when the remaining amount of memory is equal to or less than a preset threshold value based on management information of the means, connection control for receiving an e-mail is restricted. 2. The server connection means connects to a server of a provider on the Internet that provides a mail service, and the mail reception means receives facsimile data using an Internet facsimile service provided by the provider as electronic mail. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein: 3. A facsimile function for outputting data received by facsimile by connecting to a facsimile communication network, and further comprising output control means for outputting e-mail stored in a memory as facsimile data. Or the communication device according to 2. 4. A facsimile function for connecting to a facsimile communication network to output data received by facsimile, server connection means for connecting to a server of a provider on the Internet that provides an electronic mail service, and an Internet facsimile provided by the provider. A mail receiving means for receiving facsimile data using the service as an e-mail, and a connection for storing the e-mail received from the server in a memory by controlling the server connecting means and the e-mail receiving means at a preset interval or at an arbitrary timing A communication device comprising: a control unit; and an output control unit configured to output the e-mail stored in the memory as facsimile data by an output unit provided in the facsimile function, wherein the output management unit manages the output unit provided in the facsimile function. The communication device, wherein the connection control means restricts connection control for receiving an e-mail when data output is impossible based on management information of the output management means. 5. An incompatibility notifying means for transmitting a notice document indicating that e-mail cannot be received to a preset destination when connection control for receiving e-mail is restricted. 5. The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.