JP2000295393A - Facsimile equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To surely transmit an image designation to which transmission is designated to a transmission destination in a situation where a server is not operating normally. SOLUTION: A CPU 11 receives designation about whether or not to set important transmission about an image to be transmitted by FAX mail. In the case a mail server 6 operates abnormally when the FAX mail showing the image to which important transmission is designated is about to be transmitted through the Internet 7, the CPU 11 sets the image concerned to a transmission waiting image and holds it in an image storing part 15. When the operation of the server 6 is restored to normality by the time a period when the transmission waiting image is held passes a hold time limit, the CPU 11 transmits the FAX mail showing the transmission waiting image through the Internet 7.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] The present invention relates to a PSTN (Public).
The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus for performing image communication by using a circuit switching network such as a switched telephone network and a computer network such as the Internet.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a method of communicating an image with a remote place,
A facsimile machine using PSTN or ISDN is generally used. This type of facsimile machine is widely used not only in the business field but also in homes because it is easy to operate and can convey a task even when no partner is present.

A facsimile communication standard using PSTN or ISDN is based on ITU (International Telecommunications).
ion Union) as standard recommendations for G3 facsimile and G4 facsimile.

The advantages of such a conventional facsimile are as follows.
The ability to transfer data at the fastest communication speed allowed by the bandwidth of the communication line by securing a communication line with the facsimile on the direct receiving side. Being able to confirm that data has been transmitted reliably by communicating directly with the other party. Alternatively, in order to perform capability negotiation for confirming whether the format of data to be transmitted is an acceptable format on the receiving side, data can be reliably transmitted.

On the other hand, with the generalization of the Internet, services using the Internet instead of the conventional circuit-switched network have become popular.

In particular, when the transmission distance and the data amount are large, transmission over the Internet can reduce the communication cost. Therefore, a function of transmitting and receiving images via the Internet is provided by a normal facsimile apparatus. A facsimile machine equipped in addition to the functions of the FAX has appeared.

A facsimile apparatus having a function of transmitting and receiving images via the Internet generally transmits and receives images in the form of e-mail via a mail server connected via a LAN or the like. Do. That is, transmission / reception of an electronic mail (FAX mail) showing an image is directly performed with the mail server, and transmission / reception of the FAX mail via the Internet is actually performed by the mail server.

[0008]

Therefore, conventionally, when a mail server is not operating normally due to a failure or a power failure, the fax mail transmitted from the facsimile apparatus is not accepted by the server and is lost. Would. For this reason, there is a possibility that a situation may occur in which the facsimile apparatus does not receive the fax mail forever, even though the transmission has been completed.

[0009] The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and a purpose of the present invention is to provide an image for which transmission is specified in a situation where the server is not operating normally.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a facsimile apparatus capable of reliably transmitting data to a transmission destination.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above objects, the present invention provides a method for connecting a network such as the Internet via a predetermined circuit switching network such as PSTN and a connected server such as a mail server. A facsimile machine capable of performing facsimile communication via a predetermined computer network,
A server monitoring unit such as a LAN interface for monitoring whether the server is operating normally, and a specification of whether or not the image is a specific image with respect to an image to be transmitted, for example, software processing of a CPU A specific image designation receiving means such as an important transmission designation receiving means realized by the server and the server when an image whose designation as a specific image has been received by the specific image designation receiving means is to be transmitted via the computer network. If it is detected by the monitoring means that the server is not operating properly, the image to be transmitted is set as a transmission waiting image, for example, transmission waiting setting means realized by software processing of a CPU, The transmission waiting image is set as a transmission waiting image by the transmission waiting setting means. In response to the server monitoring means detecting that the server has returned to normal before a predetermined transmission waiting time elapses, the data is transmitted via the computer network, for example, by software processing of a CPU. Retransmission means such as FAX mail retransmission means to be realized.

[0011] By taking such means, if an image specified as a specific image is transmitted via a computer network in response to a user's request and the server is not operating normally, , Is set and held in the transmission waiting image. Then, if the server returns to normal before the predetermined transmission waiting time elapses, the transmission waiting image is transmitted via the computer network. Therefore, even if the operation of the server is abnormal when the user makes the transmission request, if the server returns to normal before the predetermined transmission waiting time elapses,
Images are transmitted over a computer network.

Further, in addition to the above-mentioned invention, the present invention further provides a CPU for receiving designation of subscriber information such as a destination telephone number for calling a destination of the specific image via the circuit switching network. Subscriber information receiving means such as a destination telephone number designation receiving means realized by the software processing of the above, and a specific image for which the designation of the subscriber information has been accepted by the subscriber information accepting means is waited for transmission by the transmission wait setting means. In response to the server monitoring means continuing to detect that the server is not operating properly from the time when the predetermined transmission waiting time elapses after being set to the image, the transmission waiting image is transmitted to the line. A call is transmitted to a callable party based on the subscriber information via the switching network, for example, a network realized by software processing of a CPU. And a network change transmission means.

[0013] If the server operation does not return to normal before the transmission waiting time elapses by taking such means, transmission is performed via the circuit switching network. Therefore, even if the operation of the server remains abnormal for a long period of time, if the transmission destination can also perform communication via the circuit-switched network, the image can be reliably transmitted via the circuit-switched network. Is sent.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to this embodiment.

In this figure, a portion denoted by reference numeral 1 is a facsimile apparatus of the present embodiment. The facsimile apparatus 1 has a CPU 11, a ROM 12, an R
AM 13, information storage unit 14, image storage unit 15, encoding /
Decoding unit 16, scanner 17, printer 18, modem 1
9, NCU 20, telephone control unit 21, line signal detection unit 2
2, a LAN interface 23, an operation / display unit 24, and a clock unit 25.

Then, CPU 11, ROM 12, RAM
13, information storage unit 14, image storage unit 15, encoding / decoding unit 16, scanner 17, printer 18, modem 19,
The NCU 20, the line signal detector 22, the LAN interface 23, the operation / display unit 24, and the clock unit 25 are connected to each other via a system bus 26. Also NCU
A modem 19 and a telephone control unit 21 are connected to 20, and a line signal detection unit 22 is connected to the telephone control unit 21, respectively.

The CPU 11 implements an operation as a facsimile apparatus by performing control processing for performing general control of each unit based on a control program stored in the ROM 12.

The ROM 12 stores a control program for the CPU 11 and the like.

The RAM 13 is used to store various information required for the CPU 11 to perform various processes.

The information storage unit 14 uses, for example, a flash memory and stores various setting information and other information.

The image storage unit 15 is, for example, a large-capacity DRA.
M, a hard disk device, or the like, and temporarily stores received image data and image data waiting to be transmitted.

The encoding / decoding section 16 performs encoding processing for redundancy compression on image data and decodes image data that has been encoded for redundancy compression. is there.

The scanner 17 reads a transmission original and generates image data indicating the transmission original.

The printer 18 prints an image indicated by the image data on a recording sheet.

The modem 19 modulates image data to generate a facsimile transmission signal, or modulates a command given from the CPU 11 to generate a command transmission signal.
Send to TN subscriber line 2. In addition, the modem 19
The facsimile transmission data arriving via the TN subscriber line 2 and given via the NCU 20 is demodulated to reproduce image data, or the command transmission signal is demodulated to reproduce a command.

The PSTN subscriber line 2 accommodated in the PSTN 3 is connected to the NCU 20. And NCU2
0 performs status monitoring, transmission processing to a network, and the like for the connected PSTN subscriber line 2. In addition, NCU20
Sets the signal level while equalizing a facsimile transmission signal transmitted to the PSTN subscriber line 2.

The external telephone 4 is connected to the telephone control unit 21 as needed. Then, the telephone control unit 21 performs a known control process for enabling a telephone call via the PSTN subscriber line 2 using the connected external telephone 4.

Line signal detector 22 receives a signal arriving via PSTN subscriber line 2 via NCU 20 and telephone controller 21, and detects the arrival of a predetermined signal.

The Internet 7 is connected to the LAN interface 23 via the LAN line 5 and the mail server 6. And the LAN interface 23
Data transmission via the Internet 7 is performed. Further, the LAN interface 23 monitors whether the mail server 6 is operating normally and reports the monitoring result to the CPU.
11 has the function of notifying.

The operation / display unit 24 is provided by a user CPU.
A key input unit for receiving various instruction inputs to the CPU 11 and various information to be notified to the user
It has a display unit and the like for displaying under the control of Eleven.

The clock section 25 always performs a clocking operation and outputs current time information indicating the current time.

As the control means realized by the CPU 11 operating based on the control program stored in the ROM 12, in addition to the well-known general means in a facsimile apparatus, important transmission designation receiving means, transmission wait It has a setting unit, a fax mail retransmission unit, a destination telephone number designation receiving unit, and a network change transmission unit.

Here, the important transmission designation accepting means accepts, for an image designated to be transmitted via the Internet 7, whether or not the image is important.

[0035] The transmission waiting setting means, when the mail server 6 is abnormal when trying to transmit a FAX mail showing an image for which the designation of importance is received by the important transmission designation receiving means, The image is set as a transmission waiting image, and a storage time limit for the transmission waiting image is set.

The facsimile mail retransmitting means, when the mail server 6 has been normally restored before the storage expiration date set for the transmission waiting image set by the transmission waiting setting means has passed, changes the transmission waiting image. The indicated fax mail is retransmitted.

The destination telephone number designation accepting means accepts designation by the user of a destination telephone number indicating a destination when transmitting an image waiting to be transmitted whose expiration date has passed through the PSTN 3.

If the mail server 6 has not been restored normally even after the elapse of the storage period set for the image waiting for transmission set by the means for setting transmission wait, the network change transmission means deletes the image waiting for transmission. PSTN3
To the destination having the specified destination telephone number.

Next, the operation of the facsimile apparatus configured as described above will be described.

First, when transmission of an image via the Internet 7, that is, transmission of a FAX mail, is requested by, for example, a predetermined instruction operation by the user on the operation / display unit 24, the CPU 11 responds to the request. F as shown in
AX mail transmission request processing is executed.

In this FAX mail transmission request process, the CPU 11 first accepts the designation of the destination address by the user (step ST1).

Subsequently, the CPU 11 accepts a selection as to whether or not to designate an important transmission, and checks here whether or not an important transmission has been designated (steps ST2 and ST3).

Here, if the user thinks that the image transmission to be performed is important and needs to be performed reliably, the important transmission designation is performed by a predetermined instruction operation on the operation / display unit 24, for example. Is to choose.

If the important transmission designation is not selected, the CPU 11 takes in the image data by causing the scanner 17 to read a document set on the scanner 17 (step ST4). And CP
U11 performs a normal FAX mail transmission process on the captured image data according to a well-known procedure (step ST5).

When the FAX mail transmission processing is completed, the CPU 11 ends the current FAX mail transmission request processing.

As described above, for an image for which important transmission has not been designated, the FAX mail transmission processing is performed without considering the operation state of the mail server 6.

On the other hand, if the important transmission designation is selected,
The CPU 11 accepts a user's designation of a telephone number (destination telephone number) for calling the destination via the PSTN 3 (step ST6). The reception of the designation here includes the reception of the designation that there is no destination telephone number.

In addition, when the mail server 6 is abnormal, the user receives a designation of a time (holding time) for holding the image (step ST7). At this time, if the holding time is not specified by the user, a predetermined holding time may be specified.

Subsequently, for example, the CPU 11
The image data is captured by causing the scanner 17 to read the original set in the scanner (step ST8).

After that, the CPU 11 confirms the operation state of the mail server 6 based on the monitoring result of the LAN interface 23 (step ST9).

Here, if the mail server 6 is operating normally, the CPU 11 processes the image data fetched in step ST8 into a normal F by a well-known procedure.
An AX mail transmission process is performed (step ST10).

When the FAX mail transmission processing is completed, the current FAX mail transmission request processing ends.

On the other hand, if the operation of the mail server 6 is abnormal, the CPU 11 sets the image data fetched in step ST8 as the image waiting for transmission (step ST1).
1), keep it in the image storage unit 15; At this time, the destination address and the destination telephone number designated for the set image to be transmitted are stored in the information storage unit 14 in association with the image to be transmitted.

Subsequently, the CPU 11 sets the storage expiration date of the image waiting for transmission set here as a point in time when the storage time accepted in step ST7 has elapsed from the current time indicated by the clock unit 25 (step ST12). The storage expiration date is stored in the information storage unit 14 in association with the transmission waiting image together with the transmission destination address and the transmission destination telephone number.

After that, the CPU 11 sets the FA
The processing at the time of the X-mail transmission request ends.

It should be noted that in the above-described processing at the time of FAX mail transmission request, the processing of step ST2 is performed by the important transmission designation receiving means. The processing in step ST6 is performed by the destination telephone number designation receiving means. Then, the processing of step ST11 and step ST12 is performed by the transmission waiting setting means.

As described above, if the important transmission is designated and the operation of the mail server 6 is abnormal, the FAX mail is not transmitted, and the image data is held in the image storage unit 15 as a transmission waiting image. .

In a situation where the operation of the mail server 6 is abnormal, the CPU 11 repeatedly executes a server recovery management process as shown in FIG. 3 at a predetermined timing such as at a predetermined cycle. This server recovery management process is performed by a fax mail retransmission unit.

In this server recovery management process, the CPU 1
First, the operation status of the mail server 6 is confirmed based on the monitoring result of the LAN interface 23 (step ST21).

If the operation of the mail server 6 has been normally restored, the CPU 11 subsequently checks whether or not the image waiting for transmission is stored in the image storage unit 15 (step ST22).

Here, when there is no image waiting to be transmitted, and when it is determined in step ST21 that the mail server 6 is still abnormal, the CPU 11 terminates the current server recovery management processing.

However, if it is determined in step ST22 that the image waiting for transmission is held in the image storage unit 15, the CPU 11 selects one of the image waiting for transmission held in the image storage unit 15 (step ST22). Step ST2
3). Then, the CPU 11 performs a normal FAX mail transmission process on the selected waiting image for transmission by a well-known procedure (step ST24).

When the FAX mail transmission processing is completed, the CPU 11 deletes the image waiting for transmission transmitted in the FAX mail transmission processing from the image storage unit 15 (step ST25). At this time, information such as a transmission address, a transmission destination telephone number, and a retention period corresponding to the transmission waiting image to be deleted is also deleted from the information storage unit 14.

After that, the CPU 11 proceeds to step ST22.
The processing from step ST25 to step ST25 is repeated until there are no more images waiting to be transmitted held in the image storage unit 15, and the FAX mail transmission processing is performed for all the images waiting to be transmitted held in the image storage unit 15.

Then, the fax mail transmission process is completed for all the waiting images to be transmitted held in the image storage unit 15, and the state is reached in which the waiting images to be transmitted are not stored in the image storage unit 15 at all. Then, the CPU 11 ends the current server recovery management process.

In a situation where the operation of the mail server 6 is abnormal, the CPU 11 performs a transmission waiting image management process as shown in FIG. It is repeatedly executed at a predetermined timing.

In the server transmission waiting image management process, the CPU 11 first selects one of the transmission waiting images held in the image storage unit 15 (step ST31). Then, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the set retention time limit has passed for the selected transmission waiting image by comparing the retention time limit stored in the information storage unit 14 with the current time indicated by the clock unit 25. Yes (step ST3
2).

Here, if the retention period of the selected transmission-waiting image has passed, the CPU 11 subsequently determines whether or not a destination telephone number has been designated for the selected transmission-waiting image. Is performed (step ST33).

If a destination telephone number has been designated for the selected image waiting for transmission, the CPU 11 causes the NCU 20 to make a call to the PSTN 3 using the destination number (step ST34). A normal transmission process is performed on the image waiting for transmission according to the well-known G3 procedure (step ST35).

When the transmission process is completed, the CPU
11 deletes the transmitted image waiting for transmission from the image storage unit 15 (step ST36). At this time, information such as a transmission address, a transmission destination telephone number, and a retention period corresponding to the transmission waiting image to be deleted is also deleted from the information storage unit 14.

On the other hand, if the destination telephone number has not been designated for the selected image to be transmitted, the CPU
Reference numeral 11 denotes an image storage unit 15 for storing the selected transmission waiting image.
(Step ST37). At this time, information such as a transmission address, a transmission destination telephone number, and a retention period corresponding to the transmission waiting image to be deleted is also deleted from the information storage unit 14.

That is, if the destination telephone number is not specified for the selected waiting image, the transmission of the waiting image is abandoned. And in this case C
The PU 11 outputs, for example, an error message to the operation / display unit 2.
Then, abnormal termination processing such as displaying at step 4 is performed (step ST38), and the user is notified that transmission was not possible.

Now, the deletion of the image waiting for transmission in step ST36 and the abnormal termination processing in step ST38 are performed, and the processing relating to the selected image waiting for transmission is completed, or the processing of the image selected for transmission waiting is completed. It is determined in step ST32 that the retention period has not expired, and when it is not necessary to perform the process on the selected transmission-waiting image, the CPU 11 determines whether another transmission-waiting image is retained in the image storage unit 15. (Step ST
39).

If there is an image waiting to be transmitted that has not been selected in the current image management processing, the CPU 1
1 repeats the processing of step ST31 and thereafter, and performs processing relating to the transmission-waiting image that has not been selected yet.

When the processing for selecting all the transmission waiting images held in the image storage unit 14 at the start of the current transmission waiting image management processing is completed, the CP
U11 ends the current transmission waiting image management process.

In the above-mentioned transmission waiting image management processing, the processing of steps ST34 to ST36 is performed by the network change transmission means.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the FAX
If the operation of the mail server 6 is abnormal when the transmission of the mail is requested, the image data to be transmitted by the FAX mail is set as the transmission waiting image without executing the FAX mail transmission processing. Will be retained. Then, the transmission waiting image is transmitted as a fax mail when the operation of the mail server 6 has been normally restored before the retention period set for the transmission waiting image has passed.

Therefore, even if the operation of the mail server 6 is abnormal when the transmission of the FAX mail is requested, the FAX mail is transmitted after the operation of the mail server 6 is restored to the normal state. Thus, image transmission can be performed reliably.

If all of the images are held as transmission waiting images, the load on the CPU 11 is reduced when a fax mail transmission request is flooded while the operation of the mail server 6 is abnormal. Increase or the image storage unit 15
However, in the present embodiment, the image set as the image waiting to be transmitted is limited to the image for which the important transmission is designated, so that the above-described problem can be avoided.

Further, in the present embodiment, the image waiting for transmission for which the transmission destination telephone number is specified is transmitted by the G3 procedure via the PSTN 3 when the retention period has expired. Even in the case where the transfer is not restored, the image transmission can be surely performed.

Further, in this embodiment, the user can arbitrarily set the period for holding the image waiting for transmission, so that an appropriate period according to the importance of each image, the expiration date of the information indicated by the image, etc. The image waiting for transmission can be held for a long period of time.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, in the above embodiment, the user can arbitrarily set the retention time for each image, but a common retention time may be used. The storage time in this case may be fixed or variable.

In the above embodiment, the Internet 7
Although the image is transmitted in the form of an e-mail via the e-mail, the present invention can be applied to a case where the image is transmitted in a form other than the e-mail. Therefore, the server
It is not limited to the mail server 6.

In the above-described embodiment, the G3 system is used as a communication procedure via the PSTN 3. However, the present invention can be applied to a case where another system such as the G2 system or a unique system is used.

In the above embodiment, the PSTN 3 is used as the circuit switching network.
The present invention can be applied to a case where another network such as a DN is used.

In the above embodiment, the Internet is used as the computer network. However, the present invention can be applied to other networks such as a LAN and a WAN (Wide Area Network).

In addition, various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0088]

According to the present invention, there is provided a facsimile apparatus capable of performing facsimile communication via a predetermined circuit switching network and a predetermined computer network via a connected server. Server monitoring means for monitoring whether or not the image is operating, for the image to be transmitted, a specific image designation receiving means for receiving designation of whether the image is a specific image,
When trying to transmit an image for which designation as a specific image has been accepted by the specific image designation accepting unit via the computer network, the server monitoring unit has detected that the server is not operating normally. Then, the transmission waiting setting means for setting the image to be transmitted as the transmission waiting image, and a predetermined transmission waiting time elapses after the transmission waiting image is set as the transmission waiting image by the transmission waiting setting means. A retransmission means for transmitting the data via the computer network in response to the server monitoring means detecting that the server has returned to normal before the user has made a transmission request. Even if the operation of the server is abnormal, the server can return to the normal state until the predetermined transmission waiting time elapses. , The image becomes to be transmitted via a computer network, the image server has been performed Outgoing in situations that are not operating normally, so that the facsimile apparatus capable to reliably transmitted to the destination.

Further, according to the present invention, in addition to the above-mentioned invention, subscriber information receiving means for receiving designation of subscriber information for making a call to the destination of the specific image via the circuit switching network, The server operates normally from the time when the specific image for which the designation of the subscriber information is received by the information receiving means is set as the transmission waiting image by the transmission waiting setting means until a predetermined transmission waiting time elapses. Network change transmission means for transmitting the image waiting for transmission to the other party who can make a call based on the subscriber information via the circuit switching network, in response to the server monitoring means continuing to detect that there is no image. So
Even if the operation of the server remains abnormal for a long period of time, if the destination can also communicate via the circuit-switched network, the image can be transmitted reliably via the circuit-switched network. As a result, the facsimile apparatus can reliably transmit an image for which transmission has been specified in a situation where the server is not operating normally to the transmission destination.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure at the time of FAX mail transmission request processing by a CPU 11 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure at the time of server recovery management processing by a CPU 11 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure at the time of a transmission waiting image management process by a CPU 11 in FIG. 1;

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Facsimile apparatus 2 ... PSTN subscriber line 4 ... External telephone 5 ... LAN line 6 ... Mail server 7 ... Internet 11 ... CPU 12 ... ROM 13 ... RAM 15 ... Image storage unit 16 ... Encoding / decoding unit 17 ... Scanner DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 18 ... Printer 19 ... Modem 20 ... NCU 21 ... Telephone control part 22 ... Line signal detection part 23 ... LAN interface 24 ... Operation / display part 25 ... Clock part 26 ... System bus

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04N 1/32 H04N 1/32 J

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A facsimile apparatus capable of performing facsimile communication via a predetermined computer network via a predetermined circuit switching network and via a connected server, wherein the server operates normally. Server monitoring means for monitoring whether or not an image is to be transmitted; a specific image specification receiving means for receiving a specification as to whether or not the image is a specific image; and designation of a specific image by the specific image specification receiving means. If the server monitoring means detects that the server is not operating normally when attempting to transmit the accepted image via the computer network, the image to be transmitted is waited for transmission. Transmission waiting setting means for setting the image, the transmission waiting image, the transmission waiting setting means In response to the server monitoring means detecting that the server has returned to normal before the predetermined transmission waiting time elapses after being set as the transmission waiting image, the image is transmitted via the computer network. A facsimile apparatus comprising: 2. Subscriber information receiving means for receiving designation of subscriber information for calling out to the transmission destination of the specific image via the circuit switching network, and designation of subscriber information by the subscriber information receiving means. The server monitoring means detects that the server is not operating normally between the time when the specific image received is set as the transmission waiting image by the transmission waiting setting means and a predetermined transmission waiting time elapses. 2. A network change transmitting means for transmitting the image waiting for transmission to the other party who can make a call based on the subscriber information via the circuit switching network in response to the continuous transmission. A facsimile machine as described.