JP2000299745A - Isdn terminal device and its control method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the useless cost of communication and to secure the instancy of communication by transmitting an electronic mail to the designated mail address and notifying the corresponding destination of the transmission of the electronic mail via an ISDN. SOLUTION: The network facsimile devices FX1 and FX2 are connected to an Internet (INET) via a digital network (ISDN) and the Internet service providers ISP1 and ISP2. Each of devices FX1 and FX2 has a function which is connected to a mail server device (MS) and transfers an electronic mail in a prescribed dial-up procedure. When the device FX1 transmits the image information to the device FX2 by an electronic mail, the FX1 calls the FX2 via an ISDN to notify it of the transmission of the image information. Thus, the device FX2 can instantaneously acquire the electronic mail that is addressed to its own terminal and can conveniently secure the instancy of communication of the image information.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an ISDN having a function of using an ISDN as a transmission path, connecting to a network connection function according to a predetermined dial-up connection procedure, and exchanging e-mail with a predetermined mail server. The present invention relates to a terminal device and a control method thereof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an ISDN terminal device having a function of using ISDN as a transmission path, connecting to a network connection function in accordance with a predetermined dial-up connection procedure, and exchanging e-mail with a predetermined mail server is known. Practical.

[0003] Such ISDN terminal devices include I
There is a network facsimile apparatus having a function of exchanging image information using an SDN, exchanging image information using an electronic mail on the Internet, and further having a function of making a dial-up connection to an Internet service provider.

[0004]

By the way, in such a network facsimile apparatus, when acquiring an e-mail, for example, a dial-up connection is made at regular time intervals (for example, 30 minutes) so that an electronic mail addressed to its own terminal is obtained. We ’ve enabled email to be automatically fetched,
Dial-up connection is performed even when an e-mail addressed to the own terminal is not received, so that a communication cost for the dial-up connection increases.

[0005] Further, since a delay time is required for the receiving side to acquire the e-mail after the e-mail is transmitted from the transmission partner until the e-mail is received at the destination, the immediacy of communication is greatly impaired. There was also a situation that was being done.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an ISDN terminal device capable of reducing unnecessary communication costs and securing immediacy of communication, and a control method thereof. And

[0007]

The present invention has a function of using ISDN as a transmission path, connecting to a network connection function in accordance with a predetermined dial-up connection procedure, and exchanging e-mail with a predetermined mail server. The ISDN terminal device further comprises transmission notification control means for notifying, using the ISDN, that the e-mail has been transmitted to the destination corresponding to the specified e-mail address when the e-mail is transmitted to the specified e-mail address. It is a thing.

[0008] In addition, an ISDN terminal device having a function of using ISDN as a transmission path, connecting to a network connection function according to a predetermined dial-up connection procedure, and exchanging electronic mail with a predetermined mail server, is used. A transmission notification control means for notifying that the electronic mail has been transmitted to the destination corresponding to the mail address by a predetermined notification procedure using an ISDN information channel when the electronic mail is transmitted to the mail address. It is a thing.

[0009] Also, in an ISDN terminal device having a function of using ISDN as a transmission path, connecting to a network connection function in accordance with a predetermined dial-up connection procedure, and exchanging e-mail with a predetermined mail server, an ISDN terminal is provided. When an e-mail is transmitted to the specified e-mail address, transmission notification control means for notifying that the e-mail has been transmitted to the destination corresponding to the e-mail address using an ISDN call control signal is provided. is there.

[0010] Further, an ISDN terminal device having a function of using ISDN as a transmission path, connecting to a network connection function in accordance with a predetermined dial-up connection procedure, and exchanging electronic mail with a predetermined mail server, provides a transmission notice. When an e-mail is sent to a designated mail address, the destination corresponding to the e-mail address is registered as a destination to be notified of transmission to the above-mentioned transmission notice destination table storage means. If the e-mail is sent to the destination, a transmission notification control means for notifying that the e-mail has been transmitted using ISDN is provided.

An ISDN terminal device having a function of using ISDN as a transmission path, connecting to a network connection function in accordance with a predetermined dial-up connection procedure, and exchanging electronic mail with a predetermined mail server. When an e-mail is sent to a designated mail address, the destination corresponding to the e-mail address is registered as a destination to be notified of transmission to the above-mentioned transmission notice destination table storage means. It is provided with a transmission notification control means for checking whether or not the e-mail has been transmitted to the destination according to a predetermined notification procedure using an ISDN information channel when the registration has been made. .

An ISDN terminal device having a function of using ISDN as a transmission path, connecting to a network connection function in accordance with a predetermined dial-up connection procedure, and exchanging e-mail with a predetermined mail server. When an e-mail is sent to a designated mail address, the destination corresponding to the e-mail address is registered as a destination to be notified of transmission to the above-mentioned transmission notice destination table storage means. It is provided with transmission notification control means for checking whether or not the e-mail has been transmitted to the destination by using an ISDN call control signal when it is registered. .

Further, an ISDN terminal device having a function of using ISDN as a transmission path, connecting to a network connection function according to a predetermined dial-up connection procedure, and exchanging electronic mail with a predetermined mail server. When an incoming e-mail is received, a notification that an e-mail has been transmitted is received, and the e-mail is connected to a network connection function according to a predetermined dial-up connection procedure, and an e-mail receiving means is provided for receiving an e-mail from a predetermined mail server.

An ISDN terminal device having a function of using ISDN as a transmission path, connecting to a network connection function in accordance with a predetermined dial-up connection procedure, and exchanging electronic mail with a predetermined mail server. When an e-mail is received via an information channel at the time of an incoming call according to a predetermined notification procedure, an e-mail is sent to a network connection function according to a predetermined dial-up connection procedure and an e-mail is received from a predetermined mail server. It is provided with mail receiving means.

Further, an ISDN terminal device having a function of using ISDN as a transmission path, connecting to a network connection function in accordance with a predetermined dial-up connection procedure, and exchanging electronic mail with a predetermined mail server. When an incoming call is received, if the received call control procedure signal includes a notification that the e-mail has been sent, the call control procedure signal connects to the network connection function according to a predetermined dial-up connection procedure and receives an e-mail from a predetermined mail server. It is provided with mail receiving means.

Also, an ISDN terminal device having a function of using ISDN as a transmission path, connecting to a network connection function in accordance with a predetermined dial-up connection procedure, and exchanging electronic mail with a predetermined mail server. Upon receiving a notification that an e-mail has been sent when an incoming call arrives, a visual notification that the transmission notification has been received is made visible, the network is connected to the network connection function according to a predetermined dial-up connection procedure, and an e-mail is transmitted from a predetermined mail server. It has an e-mail receiving means for receiving.

Also, an ISDN terminal device having a function of using ISDN as a transmission path, connecting to a network connection function in accordance with a predetermined dial-up connection procedure, and exchanging electronic mail with a predetermined mail server. When an e-mail is received via the information channel according to a predetermined notification procedure at the time of an incoming call, a visual notification that the transmission notification has been received is visually output, and connection to the network connection function is performed according to the predetermined dial-up connection procedure. And an electronic mail receiving means for receiving an electronic mail from a predetermined mail server.

Also, an ISDN terminal device having a function of using an ISDN as a transmission path, connecting to a network connection function according to a predetermined dial-up connection procedure, and exchanging electronic mail with a predetermined mail server. When an incoming call is received, when the received call control procedure signal includes a notification that the e-mail has been transmitted, the fact that the transmission notification has been received is visually output and connected to the network connection function according to a predetermined dial-up connection procedure. And an electronic mail receiving means for receiving an electronic mail from a predetermined mail server.

Further, upon receiving the notification that the e-mail has been transmitted, the e-mail receiving means immediately connects to the network connection function according to a predetermined dial-up connection procedure, and determines whether to receive an e-mail from a predetermined mail server. Alternatively, it is set whether to connect to the network connection function at a predetermined timing thereafter according to a predetermined dial-up connection procedure and collectively receive a plurality of electronic mails from a predetermined mail server.

Further, an ISDN terminal device having a function of using ISDN as a transmission path, connecting to a network connection function in accordance with a predetermined dial-up connection procedure, and exchanging electronic mail with a predetermined mail server is provided. When an e-mail is sent to a designated mail address, the destination corresponding to the e-mail address is registered as a destination to be notified of transmission to the above-mentioned transmission notice destination table storage means. If the e-mail is sent to the destination, a transmission notification control means for notifying that the e-mail has been transmitted and the importance of the e-mail by using a call control signal of the ISDN is provided.

Further, an ISDN terminal device having a function of using ISDN as a transmission path, connecting to a network connection function according to a predetermined dial-up connection procedure, and exchanging e-mail with a predetermined mail server. When an incoming call is received, when the received call control procedure signal includes a notification that the e-mail has been transmitted and the notification of the importance, the fact that the transmission notification has been received is visually output, and the received importance is a predetermined value. In the case of (1), an electronic mail receiving means for connecting to a network connection function according to a predetermined dial-up connection procedure and receiving an electronic mail from a predetermined mail server is provided.

Also, in a control method of an ISDN terminal device having a function of using ISDN as a transmission path, connecting to a network connection function according to a predetermined dial-up connection procedure, and exchanging electronic mail with a predetermined mail server. When an e-mail is transmitted to the specified e-mail address, the fact that the e-mail has been transmitted to the destination corresponding to the e-mail address is notified by ISDN.
On the other hand, when receiving a notification from the ISDN that an e-mail has been sent when receiving an incoming call from the ISDN, the e-mail is connected to the network connection function according to a predetermined dial-up connection procedure, and an e-mail is received from a predetermined mail server. It was done.

Also, in a control method of an ISDN terminal device having a function of using ISDN as a transmission path, connecting to a network connection function according to a predetermined dial-up connection procedure, and exchanging electronic mail with a predetermined mail server. When an e-mail is transmitted to the specified e-mail address, the fact that the e-mail has been transmitted to the destination corresponding to the e-mail address is notified by ISDN.
On the other hand, when the call is received from the ISDN and the received call control procedure signal includes a notification that the e-mail has been transmitted, the notification to the network connection function is performed in accordance with a predetermined dial-up connection procedure. connection,
The electronic mail is received from a predetermined mail server.

Also, in a control method of an ISDN terminal device having a function of using an ISDN as a transmission path, connecting to a network connection function according to a predetermined dial-up connection procedure, and exchanging electronic mail with a predetermined mail server. A transmission notification destination table storing unit in which destinations to be transmitted are registered, and when an e-mail is transmitted to a designated mail address, a destination corresponding to the mail address is transmitted to the transmission notification destination table storage unit. Check whether the address is registered as a destination, and if it is registered,
While the use of the ISDN call control signal is used to notify that the e-mail has been sent, if the call control procedure signal received from the ISDN includes a notification that the e-mail has been sent, the In addition to visually outputting that a transmission notification has been received, a connection to a network connection function is made in accordance with a predetermined dial-up connection procedure, and an e-mail is received from a predetermined mail server.

Also, in a control method of an ISDN terminal device having a function of using an ISDN as a transmission path, connecting to a network connection function according to a predetermined dial-up connection procedure, and exchanging electronic mail with a predetermined mail server. A transmission notification destination table storing unit in which destinations to be transmitted are registered, and when an e-mail is transmitted to a designated mail address, a destination corresponding to the mail address is transmitted to the transmission notification destination table storage unit. Check whether the address is registered as a destination, and if it is registered,
While the use of the ISDN call control signal is used to notify that the e-mail has been sent, if the call control procedure signal received from the ISDN includes a notification that the e-mail has been sent, the While the transmission notification is visually output, a predetermined timing thereafter connects to the network connection function according to a predetermined dial-up connection procedure, and receives a plurality of e-mails collectively from a predetermined mail server. is there.

Also, in a control method of an ISDN terminal device having a function of using ISDN as a transmission path, connecting to a network connection function according to a predetermined dial-up connection procedure, and exchanging electronic mail with a predetermined mail server. A transmission notification destination table storing unit in which destinations to be transmitted are registered, and when an e-mail is transmitted to a designated mail address, a destination corresponding to the mail address is transmitted to the transmission notification destination table storage unit. Check whether the address is registered as a destination, and if it is registered,
The fact that the e-mail has been sent and the importance of the e-mail are notified using the ISDN call control signal.
When an incoming call is received from the SDN, when the received call control procedure signal includes a notification that the electronic mail has been transmitted and the notification of the importance, the fact that the transmission notification has been received is visually output, and the received importance is displayed. In the case of the predetermined mode, connection to the network connection function is performed in accordance with a predetermined dial-up connection procedure, an e-mail is received from a predetermined mail server, and if the received importance is not in the predetermined mode, predetermined time is determined at a subsequent predetermined timing. According to the dial-up connection procedure described above, a connection to a network connection function is made, and a plurality of electronic mails are collectively received from a predetermined mail server.

The call control signal is a "user / user" information element of the call setup message.

[0028]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG.
An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

FIG. 1 shows an example of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

This communication system is a digital network ISDN
Facsimile machines FX1, F connected to
X2, Internet service providers ISP1 and ISP2 for connecting the network facsimile machines FX1 and FX2 to the Internet INET, and a mail server M installed on the Internet INET
S.

Network facsimile machine FX1, F
X2 has a function of performing group 4 facsimile communication using the digital network ISDN and exchanging image information using Internet INET e-mail.

The network facsimile machines FX1 and FX2 are dial-up connected to Internet service providers ISP1 and ISP2,
By connecting to the Internet INET, it is possible to access the Internet INET mail server device MS and other host devices or server devices.

Here, for example, the network facsimile machine FX1 and the network facsimile machine FX2
Are installed in different areas, the Internet service provider ISP1 is installed in the same area as the network facsimile machine FX1, and the Internet service provider ISP2 is installed in the same area as the network facsimile apparatus FX2.

FIG. 2 shows a network facsimile machine F
4 shows a configuration example of X (FX1, FX2).

In FIG. 1, a system control unit 1 executes various control processes such as an operation control process of the network facsimile machine FX and a group 4 facsimile transmission procedure process. In addition to storing a processing program to be executed and various data necessary for executing the processing program, the work area of the system control unit 1 is configured.

The parameter memory 3 is for storing various information unique to the network facsimile machine FX, and is a battery-backed SRAM.
(Static random access memory) such as a nonvolatile semiconductor memory device in which data can be rewritten.

The clock circuit 4 is for obtaining current time information, the scanner 5 is for reading an original image at the resolution set in the group 4 facsimile apparatus function, and the plotter 6 is for reading the image. At the resolution set for the group 4 facsimile machine function.

The operation display unit 7 is used to operate the network facsimile machine FX. Various operation keys and various display devices such as a liquid crystal display for displaying guidance information to the operator and the like are provided. Consists of

The encoding / decoding section 8 encodes and compresses the image signal by a predetermined encoding method (MMR, JBIG, JPEG, etc.) and decodes the image information in the encoded and compressed state into the original image signal. The image storage device 9
Is for storing various image information such as a transmission image signal, transmission image information, reception image information, and reception image signal.

The ISDN interface circuit 10 is physically connected to the digital network ISDN, and has a layer 1 signal processing function of the digital network ISDN, a D channel (signal channel) signal, and two B channel (information channel) signals. With the integration / separation function.

The D channel transmission control section 11 is for performing transmission control processing such as call control processing performed with the digital network ISDN using the D channel. This is for performing processing when data is exchanged using a channel (information channel).

The Internet transmission control unit 14 executes various communication protocol processes such as exchange of electronic mails via the Internet INET, and communicates with the Internet service providers ISP (ISP1, ISP2) via the digital network ISDN. This is for executing a predetermined connection procedure and realizing a dial-up connection.

Control unit 1, system memory 2, parameter memory 3, clock circuit 4, scanner 5, plotter 6, operation display unit 7, encoding / decoding unit 8, image storage unit 9, D channel transmission control unit 11, B Channel transmission control unit 12, 1
3 and the Internet transmission control unit 14 are connected to an internal bus 15, and various types of information are exchanged between these elements mainly through the internal bus 15.

Here, in this embodiment, basically,
The exchange of data on the Internet INET is a combination of a transmission protocol up to the transport layer called TCP / IP and a communication protocol of a higher layer above it (so-called protocol suite).
Is performed by applying. For example, in the exchange of e-mail data, SMTP is used as the upper layer communication protocol.
(Simple Mail Transfer Pro
Tocol) is applied.

A protocol applied by the network facsimile apparatus to a mail server apparatus MS on the Internet INET for confirming reception of an e-mail addressed to a user or requesting the user to obtain the e-mail is a so-called PO.
P (Post Office Protocol) or the like can be applied.

Further, regarding communication protocols such as TCP / IP, SMTP, and POP, and data formats and data structures of electronic mail, IETF (In)
ternet Engineering Task F
orce), an RFC (Request) issued by an organization that summarizes technical content related to the Internet.
st For Comments) document. For example, TCP is RFC793, IP is RFC
793, SMTP is RFC821, E-mail format is RFC822, RFC1521, RFC1522
(MIME (Multi Purpose Mail
Extension)).

Then, the network facsimile apparatus F
X indicates the image information of the read original image as a digital network ISD
N to other group 4 facsimile machines, image information is transmitted from the Internet service provider ISP to the other network facsimile machine FX via the Internet INET using electronic mail, or is transmitted via the digital network ISDN. The image information received from the other group 4 facsimile apparatus is transferred to the specified mail address by e-mail, or the image information received by e-mail from another user of the Internet INET Is transferred to a group 4 facsimile apparatus of the designated digital network ISDN.

For an electronic mail received to the terminal itself, the image information arranged in the body information is extracted and recorded and output.

Here, the facsimile image information is binary data, and the electronic mail cannot directly include the binary data. Therefore, a predetermined conversion method (for example,
After being converted into readable information (7-bit character code) by applying the Base64 encoding method, it is included in the electronic mail. Such a format of the body information of the electronic mail is called a MIME format.

In this embodiment, the network facsimile machine FX has an ISP connection table as shown in FIG. 3 as information for connecting to the Internet service provider ISP and using electronic mail.

The ISP connection table includes an ISP telephone number indicating a telephone number of the ISP, an ISP connection user name indicating a user name when logging on to the ISP, and IS
IS indicating the password used to log on to P
P connection password, POP server name indicating the name of the POP server to be accessed when receiving e-mail,
P used to get e-mail from POP server
OP server connection user name (mail address), POP
A POP server connection password used for authentication when acquiring an e-mail from the server, and an SMTP server name indicating the name of the SMTP server that distributes (transmits) the e-mail are registered.

FIG. 4 shows an example of a call control procedure performed by a telephone terminal connected to ISDN with ISDN. Here, the network facsimile machine F
X also executes the same procedure as this procedure for the call control procedure.

That is, the calling terminal first sets the circuit switching mode as the transfer mode, sends a call setup message SETUP designating the destination terminal to the destination to the ISDN, requests the call setting with the destination terminal, and requests the ISDN. Sends a call setup message SETUP to the designated destination terminal to make a call. Further, the ISDN sends a call setting acceptance message CALL_PROC for notifying the call setting status to the calling terminal.

When the called terminal detects an incoming call, if the own terminal is ready to receive a call, it sends a call message ALERT to ISDN, and the ISDN sends a call message ALERT to the calling terminal to call the called terminal. Notify that it has started.

When the user picks up the handset and answers the incoming call, the called terminal sends a response message CONN to the ISDN.
And the ISDN sends a response message CONN to the calling terminal to notify that the called terminal has accepted the call.

The ISDN sends a response confirmation message CONN_ACK to the destination terminal to confirm the response of the destination terminal. At that time, a B channel for data transmission (call) between the calling terminal and the destination terminal is established. Once established, a call operation using the B channel is appropriately performed between the user of the calling terminal and the user of the called terminal.

When the call ends and the user of the calling terminal returns to the handset first and goes on-hook, the calling terminal sends a disconnect message DISC to ISDN to request the release of the B channel, and the ISDN sends a release message REL.
Is sent to the calling terminal to notify that the B channel has been restored. On the other hand, the ISDN sends a disconnect message DISC to request the release of the B channel to the called terminal, and the called terminal sends a release message REL to the ISDN to notify that the B channel has been restored.

As a result, the originating terminal sends a release completion message REL_COMP for notifying the completion of channel disconnection to IS
In response to the DN, the B channel between the calling terminal and the ISDN is released. At the same time, the ISDN sends a release completion message REL_COMP to the destination terminal,
The B channel between the terminal and the destination terminal is released. Thereby, the B channel set between the calling terminal and the called terminal is completely released.

In this way, the B channel is set between the calling terminal and the called terminal, data transmission is performed, and when the data transmission ends, the B channel is released.

When the call connection initiated by the calling terminal is disconnected, a disconnection message DISC is responded to the calling terminal,
A disconnect / release procedure may be initiated.

As shown in FIG. 5, each message for ISDN call setting is a protocol identifier for identifying a protocol specification (format, sequence, etc.) for defining a layer 3 call control message, and the message is The call number to identify which call is involved, the message type to identify the content of each message, the required information elements that are always added to each message, and the information required for each message. It consists of additional information elements that are added accordingly. The required information elements are 0, 1 according to the message type.
Alternatively, a plurality is set, and 0, 1, or a plurality of additional information elements are arranged according to the situation.

As shown in FIG. 6, the call setup message SETUP has "transmission capability" as an essential information element, and as additional information elements, for example, "calling number", "calling subaddress", "calling number", It has information elements such as “destination subaddress”, “lower layer compatibility”, “higher layer compatibility”, and “user / user”.

The outline of these information elements will be described.

The “transmission capability” information element indicates whether the content of the information to be transmitted is voice, unrestricted digital information, restricted digital information, 3.1 KHz audio, 7 KHz audio, or video. Capability, transfer mode indicating whether the switching function used is circuit switching or packet switching, information transfer speed indicating information transfer speed, information indicating information transfer mode, information indicating user information protocol, etc. Consists of

The “calling number” information element is the ISDN of the calling terminal.
The "calling subaddress" information element represents a number and is used for purposes such as terminal identification on the calling terminal side.
The “destination number” information element indicates the ISDN number of the destination terminal. The “destination subaddress” information element is used for purposes such as terminal identification on the destination terminal side.

The "lower layer consistency" information element is used for a communication possibility check with the partner terminal.
The basic content is the same as the "communication capability" information element. Further, the "lower layer consistency" information element includes more detailed contents.

The "higher layer compatibility" information element is used for checking compatibility with the partner terminal, and includes, for example, telephone, group 2 / group 3 facsimile, group 4 facsimile, mixed mode, teletex,
Displays which terminal function is provided among terminal functions such as Videotex, Telex, Audio-Visual, and Message Handling System.

The “user / user” information element is used for transmitting information between users, and the content of the “user / user” information element is transmitted transparently without being interpreted by ISDN. It is transmitted to the other user.

In this embodiment, when the network facsimile machine FX transmits image information using electronic mail, the network facsimile machine FX sends the digital network ISDN to the destination at that time.
To notify that image information has been transmitted using electronic mail (hereinafter referred to as “transmission notification”).

Therefore, a transmission management table as shown in FIG. 7 is provided.

This transmission management table is a set of a destination mail address for storing the mail address of the network facsimile machine FX as a destination, and a destination number which is an ISDN number of the destination corresponding to the destination mail address. Information for each destination.

The user can set whether or not to send the transmission notification to the network facsimile machine FX, and the setting contents are stored in a transmission notification flag as shown in FIG. .

FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 show an example of processing when the network facsimile machine FX transmits image information to another network facsimile machine FX using electronic mail.

When there is a transmission request from the user (decision 101)
Is YES), the destination e-mail address is entered by an appropriate method (for example, by registering it in advance with a one-touch dial and operating the one-touch dial, etc.) (process 102), and the start key ( (Not shown) is operated to wait until transmission start is instructed (NO loop of judgment 103).

When transmission is instructed and the result of determination 103 is YES, each original set on the scanner 5 is read, and the image data obtained thereby is encoded and compressed by the encoding / decoding section 8, The image information obtained thereby is stored in the image storage device 9 (process 104).

Then, the image information is converted into predetermined MIME information to create the body information of the electronic mail, and
The header information of a predetermined e-mail is created, and the e-mail including the header information and the body information is stored (processing 10).
5).

As described above, when the creation and storage of the electronic mail are completed, a call is made to the Internet service provider ISP using the digital network ISDN based on the contents of the ISP connection table (process 106), and the digital network ISD
N predetermined call setting procedures are executed (step 107), and an information channel is established (step 108).

Next, using the established information channel, a predetermined dial-up connection procedure is executed to connect to the Internet service provider ISP (step 10).
9) Processing 10 based on the contents of the ISP connection table
The e-mail saved in step 5 is transmitted to the mail server MS (step 110).

As described above, when the transmission of the electronic mail is completed, a predetermined disconnection procedure is executed to disconnect from the Internet service provider ISP (process 111), and the information channel is terminated (process 112).

Next, a predetermined call disconnection release procedure is executed (process 113), and the connection with the digital network ISDN is terminated.

Here, it is checked whether the transmission notification flag is set and the transmission notification is set (step 114). When the result of the determination 114 is YES, a call is made to the destination number corresponding to the destination at that time using the digital network ISDN (process 11).
5) Execute a predetermined call setup procedure of the digital network ISDN (process 116) to establish an information channel (process 11).
7).

Next, using the established information channel, a predetermined transmission notification procedure is executed to notify the destination that image information has been transmitted using electronic mail (Process 1).
18). When the transmission notification procedure ends, the information channel is terminated (step 119), a predetermined call disconnection release procedure is executed (step 120), and the connection with the digital network ISDN is terminated.

On the other hand, when the transmission notification flag is reset and the result of determination 114 is NO, this operation ends at that point.

FIGS. 11 and 12 show an example of a process executed by the network facsimile machine FX when an incoming call is detected.

When an incoming call is detected (the result of decision 201 is YE
S), the contents of the received call setup message SETUP are analyzed (step 202), and it is checked whether or not communication with the partner terminal is possible (decision 203).

When the result of the judgment 203 is NO,
The incoming call at that time is ignored (process 204), and this operation ends.

When the result of the judgment 203 is YES, the response message CONN is sent to the digital network ISDN.
(Process 205) and an information channel is established (process 206).

Here, the partner terminal at that time is group 4
Check whether the device is a facsimile machine (determination 20).
7) If the result of determination 207 is YES, a predetermined group 4 facsimile incoming call process is executed (process 208).

When this group 4 facsimile incoming call processing is completed, the information channel is terminated (processing 20).
9) Execute a predetermined call disconnection release procedure (process 21)
0), the connection with the digital network ISDN is terminated, and the operation at this time is terminated.

On the other hand, if the other terminal is not a group 4 facsimile machine and the result of determination 207 is NO, it means that a transmission notification request has been made from another network facsimile machine FX.

Therefore, in this case, a predetermined transmission notification receiving procedure is executed using the information channel at that time, and a transmission notification is received from the partner terminal (step 211).
When the transmission notification receiving procedure is completed, the information channel is terminated (process 212), a predetermined call disconnection release procedure is executed (process 213), and the connection with the digital network ISDN is temporarily terminated.

Next, in order to receive an e-mail, the IS
Digital network ISDN based on the contents of the P connection table
A call is made to the Internet service provider ISP using (step 214), a predetermined call setup procedure of the digital network ISDN is executed (step 215), and an information channel is established (step 216).

Next, using the established information channel, a predetermined dial-up connection procedure is executed to connect to the Internet service provider ISP (step 21).
7) Log in to the POP server based on the contents of the ISP connection table (process 218).

If the login to the POP server has succeeded (the result of determination 219 is YES), an e-mail is received from the POP server (step 220). The user logs off (process 221).

When the reception of the e-mail is completed, a predetermined disconnection procedure is executed to disconnect from the Internet service provider ISP (process 222), and the information channel is terminated (process 223).

Next, a predetermined call disconnection release procedure is executed (process 224), and the connection with the digital network ISDN is terminated.

As described above, in the present embodiment, when the network facsimile machine FX transmits image information to another network facsimile machine FX using electronic mail, the network facsimile machine FX on the transmission side is used.
Sends a call using the digital network ISDN to the receiving-side network facsimile machine FX and notifies the receiving-side network facsimile machine FX that image information has been transmitted using electronic mail. E-mail can be immediately obtained, and the immediacy of image information communication can be ensured, which is convenient.

Further, since whether or not to perform transmission notification can be set for each unit of the network facsimile machine FX, for example, an operation desired by an administrator can be performed, which is convenient.

In the above-described embodiment, when the transmitting network facsimile machine FX notifies the receiving network facsimile machine FX that the image information has been transmitted using electronic mail, the digital network IS
Since communication is performed using the information channel of the DN, a communication fee is charged for the transmission notification.

The occurrence of such a communication fee can be solved by notifying the information for transmission notification using the “user / user” information element of the call setup message SETUP.

In this case, FIG. 13 shows an example of transmission notification information arranged in the “user / user” information element.

The transmission notification information includes a transmission notification information identification ID for indicating that this information is transmission notification information,
A sender ID representing the sender (e-mail address of the sending user, etc.), a sent mail ID for identifying the e-mail that sent the image information (“Message-
The value of the “ID:” field or the like can be applied), and the transmitted mail capacity indicating the data amount of the e-mail that transmitted the image information.

FIG. 14 and FIG. 15 show another example of the processing when the network facsimile machine FX transmits image information to another network facsimile machine FX using electronic mail in this case.

If there is a transmission request from the user (decision 301)
Is YES), the destination e-mail address is input by an appropriate method (for example, beforehand registered in the one-touch dial and operating the one-touch dial, etc.) (process 302), and the start key ( (Not shown) is operated to wait until transmission start is instructed (NO loop of determination 303).

When transmission is instructed and the result of determination 303 is YES, each original set on the scanner 5 is read, and the image data obtained thereby is encoded and compressed by the encoding / decoding section 8. The image information obtained thereby is stored in the image storage device 9 (process 304).

Then, the image information is converted into predetermined MIME information to create the body information of the electronic mail, and
The header information of a predetermined e-mail is created, and the e-mail including the header information and the body information is stored (step 30).
5).

As described above, when the creation and storage of the electronic mail are completed, a call is made to the Internet service provider ISP using the digital network ISDN based on the contents of the ISP connection table (process 306), and the digital network ISD is executed.
N predetermined call setting procedures are executed (step 307), and an information channel is established (step 308).

Next, using the established information channel, a predetermined dial-up connection procedure is executed to connect to the Internet service provider ISP (step 30).
9) Based on the contents of the ISP connection table, process 30
The e-mail stored in step 5 is transmitted to the mail server MS (step 310).

As described above, when the transmission of the electronic mail is completed, a predetermined disconnection procedure is executed to disconnect from the Internet service provider ISP (process 311), and the information channel is terminated (process 312).

Next, a predetermined call disconnection release procedure is executed (process 313), and the connection with the digital network ISDN is terminated.

Here, it is checked whether the transmission notification flag is set and the transmission notification is set (step 314). If the result of decision 314 is YES, based on the email sent at that time,
The transmission notification information described above is created, and a "user / user" information element in which the transmission notification information is set is created (process 315).

Next, the call setting message SE in which the “user / user” information element created in the process 315 is arranged at the transmission destination number corresponding to the transmission destination of the electronic mail at that time.
The TUP is sent to make a call (process 316).

At this time, since no call setup is performed with the partner terminal, the call setup procedure is forcibly terminated (step 31).
7), the operation at this time ends.

On the other hand, if the transmission notification flag is reset and the result of determination 314 is NO, this operation ends at that point.

FIGS. 16 and 17 show another example of the processing executed by the network facsimile apparatus FX when an incoming call is detected.

When an incoming call is detected (the result of decision 401 is YE
S), the contents of the received call setup message SETUP are analyzed (process 402), and it is checked whether or not communication with the partner terminal is possible (decision 403).

When the result of decision 403 is NO,
This operation is terminated by ignoring the incoming call at that time (process 404).

When the result of decision 403 is YES, the call setup message SETU received at that time is
It is checked whether or not P includes a “user / user” information element (decision 405).

Call setup message SE received at that time
If the TUP does not include the "user / user" information element and the result of determination 405 is NO, a response message CONN is sent to the digital network ISDN to perform a group 4 facsimile communication operation with the partner terminal. (Process 406) to establish an information channel (process 4).
07), a predetermined group 4 facsimile incoming call process is executed (process 408).

When the group 4 facsimile reception processing is completed, the information channel is terminated (processing 40).
9) Execute a predetermined call disconnection release procedure (process 41)
0), the connection with the digital network ISDN is terminated, and the operation at this time is terminated.

On the other hand, if the call setup message SETUP received at that time contains the “user / user” information element, and the result of determination 407 is YES, a transmission notification request is sent from another network facsimile machine FX. And so on.

Therefore, in this case, the call control procedure at that time is forcibly terminated (process 411), and the contents of the received “user / user” information element are analyzed (process 41).
2).

It is determined whether or not the content of the received “user / user” information element includes transmission notification information (decision 413).

If the content of the received "user / user" information element includes transmission notification information and the result of determination 413 is YES, the contents of the ISP connection table are received in order to receive an e-mail. Based on the above, a call is made to the Internet service provider ISP using the digital network ISDN (process 414), a predetermined call setup procedure of the digital network ISDN is executed (process 415), and an information channel is established (process 416).

Next, using the established information channel, a predetermined dial-up connection procedure is executed to connect to the Internet service provider ISP (step 41).
7) Log in to the POP server based on the contents of the ISP connection table (process 418).

If the login to the POP server has succeeded (the result of determination 419 is YES), an e-mail is received from the POP server (step 420). The user logs off (process 421).

As described above, when the reception of the electronic mail is completed, a predetermined disconnection procedure is executed to disconnect from the Internet service provider ISP (process 422), and the information channel is terminated (process 423).

Next, a predetermined call disconnection release procedure is executed (process 424), and the connection with the digital network ISDN is terminated.

As described above, in this embodiment, when the network facsimile machine FX transmits image information to another network facsimile machine FX using electronic mail, the network facsimile machine FX on the transmission side is used.
Makes a call to the receiving network facsimile machine FX using the digital network ISDN and carries transmission notification information using the "user / user" information element of the call setup message SETUP for the call. ,
The receiving-side network facsimile machine FX can immediately acquire an e-mail addressed to the terminal itself, and can ensure the immediacy of image information communication, which is convenient. Without doing so, communication costs can be reduced.

Further, since whether or not to send a transmission can be set for each unit of the network facsimile machine FX, for example, an operation desired by an administrator can be performed, which is convenient.

In the above-described embodiment, the transmission notification flag is used to set whether or not to perform the transmission notification for each network facsimile machine FX. If the setting can be made for each destination, more detailed communication management can be performed.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 18, a transmission management table to which information indicating the necessity of transmission notification is added is used.

FIGS. 19 and 20 show an example of processing in this case when the network facsimile machine FX transmits image information to another network facsimile machine FX using electronic mail. This processing shows a case where the transmission notification is performed using the information channel.

When there is a transmission request from the user (decision 501)
Is YES), the destination e-mail address is input by an appropriate method (for example, by registering the address with a one-touch dial in advance and operating the one-touch dial, etc.) (process 502), and the start key ( (Not shown) is operated to wait until transmission start is instructed (NO loop of judgment 503).

When the start of transmission is instructed and the result of decision 503 is YES, each original set on the scanner 5 is read, and the image data obtained thereby is encoded and compressed by the encoding / decoding section 8. The image information obtained thereby is stored in the image storage device 9 (process 504).

Then, the image information is converted into predetermined MIME information to create the body information of the electronic mail, and
The header information of a predetermined e-mail is created, and the e-mail including the header information and the body information is stored (step 50).
5).

As described above, when the creation and storage of the electronic mail are completed, a call is made to the Internet service provider ISP using the digital network ISDN based on the contents of the ISP connection table (process 506), and the digital network ISD
N predetermined call setup procedures are executed (step 507), and an information channel is established (step 508).

Next, using the established information channel, a predetermined dial-up connection procedure is executed to connect to the Internet service provider ISP (step 50).
9) Based on the contents of the ISP connection table, process 50
The e-mail stored in step 5 is transmitted to the mail server MS (process 510).

As described above, when the transmission of the e-mail is completed, a predetermined disconnection procedure is executed to disconnect from the Internet service provider ISP (process 511), and the information channel is terminated (process 512).

Next, a predetermined call release procedure is executed (process 513), and the connection with the digital network ISDN is terminated.

Here, for the destination mail address at that time, the corresponding transmission notification necessity information is acquired (step 5).
14) It is checked whether "transmission notice required" is set (judgment 515). If the result of determination 515 is YES, a call is made to the destination number corresponding to the destination at that time using the digital network ISDN (process 51).
6) Execute a predetermined call setup procedure of the digital network ISDN (process 517) to establish an information channel (process 51).
8).

Next, using the established information channel, a predetermined transmission notification procedure is executed to notify the destination that image information has been transmitted using electronic mail (Process 5).
19). When the transmission notification procedure is completed, the information channel is terminated (step 520), a predetermined call disconnection release procedure is executed (step 521), and the connection with the digital network ISDN is terminated.

On the other hand, when “transmission notification not required” is set in the corresponding transmission notification necessity information, the result of decision 515 is NO.
, This operation ends at that time.

FIGS. 21 and 22 show another example of the processing when the network facsimile machine FX transmits image information to another network facsimile machine FX using electronic mail in this case. Note that this process shows a case where a transmission notification is performed using the “user / user” information element.

If there is a transmission request from the user (decision 601)
Is YES), the destination e-mail address is input by an appropriate method (for example, beforehand registered in the one-touch dial and operating the one-touch dial) (process 602), and the start key ( (Not shown) is operated to wait until transmission start is instructed (NO loop of determination 603).

When the start of transmission is instructed and the result of decision 603 is YES, each original set on the scanner 5 is read, and the image data obtained thereby is encoded and compressed by the encoding / decoding section 8. The image information obtained thereby is stored in the image storage device 9 (process 604).

Then, the image information is converted into predetermined MIME information to create the body information of the electronic mail, and
The header information of the predetermined e-mail is created, and the e-mail including the header information and the body information is stored (step 60).
5).

As described above, when the creation and storage of the e-mail are completed, a call is made to the Internet service provider ISP using the digital network ISDN based on the contents of the ISP connection table (processing 606), and the digital network ISD
N predetermined call setup procedures are executed (process 607), and an information channel is established (process 608).

Next, using the established information channel, a predetermined dial-up connection procedure is executed to connect to the Internet service provider ISP (step 60).
9), processing 60 based on the contents of the ISP connection table
The e-mail saved in step 5 is transmitted to the mail server MS (process 610).

As described above, when the transmission of the electronic mail is completed, a predetermined disconnection procedure is executed to disconnect from the Internet service provider ISP (process 611), and the information channel is terminated (process 612).

Next, a predetermined call disconnection release procedure is executed (process 613), and the connection with the digital network ISDN is terminated.

Here, for the destination mail address at that time, the corresponding transmission notification necessity information is obtained (processing 6).
14) It is checked whether "transmission notification required" is set (determination 615). If the result of decision 615 is YES, based on the email sent at that time,
The transmission notification information described above is created, and a "user / user" information element in which the transmission notification information is set is created (process 616).

Next, the call setting message SE in which the “user / user” information element created in the processing 616 is arranged at the transmission destination number corresponding to the transmission destination of the electronic mail at that time.
The TUP is transmitted to make a call (process 617).

At this time, since the call setting is not performed with the partner terminal, the call setting procedure is forcibly terminated (processing 61).
8) The operation at this time is terminated.

On the other hand, if the transmission notification flag has been reset and the result of determination 615 is NO, this operation ends at that point.

As described above, in this embodiment, it is possible to set whether or not to perform transmission notification for each destination, so that transmission notification management can be performed very flexibly.

By the way, in the above-described embodiment, when a transmission notification is received from another network facsimile machine FX, an e-mail is obtained unconditionally. If you do it at time intervals, Internet service provider IS
Since the number of dial-ups to P can be limited, the communication charge can be further reduced.

Further, the user can designate whether or not to acquire an e-mail in conjunction with the reception of the transmission notification, and the designated contents are stored in the reception interlock flag shown in FIG.

FIGS. 24 and 25 show an example of a process executed by the network facsimile machine FX when an incoming call is detected in this case.

When an incoming call is detected (the result of decision 701 is YE
S), the contents of the received call setup message SETUP are analyzed (process 702), and it is checked whether or not communication with the partner terminal is possible (decision 703).

When the result of decision 703 is NO,
The incoming call at that time is ignored (process 704), and this operation ends.

When the result of decision 703 is YES, the call setup message SETU received at that time is
It is checked whether or not P includes a “user / user” information element (decision 705).

The call setup message SE received at that time
If the TUP does not include the "user / user" information element and the result of determination 705 is NO, a response message CONN is sent to the digital network ISDN to perform a group 4 facsimile communication operation with the destination terminal. (Process 706) to establish an information channel (process 7).
07), a predetermined group 4 facsimile incoming call process is executed (process 708).

When this group 4 facsimile incoming call processing is terminated, the information channel is terminated (processing 70).
9) Execute a predetermined call disconnection release procedure (process 71).
0), the connection with the digital network ISDN is terminated, and the operation at this time is terminated.

On the other hand, if the call setup message SETUP received at that time contains the “user / user” information element, and the result of determination 705 is YES, a transmission notification request is sent from another network facsimile machine FX. And so on.

Therefore, in this case, the call control procedure at that time is forcibly terminated (process 711), and the contents of the received "user / user" information element are analyzed (process 71).
2).

It is checked whether or not the content of the received “user / user” information element includes transmission notification information (decision 713).

When the content of the received “user / user” information element includes the transmission notification information and the result of determination 713 is YES, first, the operation display section 8 indicates that the transmission notification has been received. Display output is performed (process 714).

When the transmission notification display is completed, it is checked whether the reception interlocking flag at that time is set (judgment 715). If the reception link flag is reset and the result of determination 715 is YES, an unprocessed mail flag indicating that unprocessed electronic mail addressed to the terminal is stored in the mail server MS is set. (Process 716) This operation ends.

On the other hand, if the reception interlocking flag is set and the result of determination 715 is YES, in order to receive the e-mail, the Internet is used by using the digital network ISDN based on the contents of the ISP connection table. Call the service provider ISP (process 717),
A predetermined call setup procedure of the digital network ISDN is executed (step 718), and an information channel is established (step 719).

Then, using the established information channel, a predetermined dial-up connection procedure is executed to connect to the Internet service provider ISP (processing 72).
0), log in to the POP server based on the contents of the ISP connection table (process 721).

If the login to the POP server has succeeded (the result of determination 722 is YES), an e-mail is received from the POP server (step 723). The user logs off (process 724).

As described above, when the reception of the electronic mail is completed, a predetermined disconnection procedure is executed to disconnect from the Internet service provider ISP (process 725), and the information channel is terminated (process 726).

Next, a predetermined call disconnection release procedure is executed (process 727), and the connection with the digital network ISDN is terminated.

FIG. 26 shows an example of a process for acquiring an electronic mail.

This processing is performed at a predetermined interval (for example, 30 minutes).
When activated, first, it is checked whether the unprocessed mail flag is set and there is an unprocessed mail (decision 801). When the result of the judgment 801 is NO, this operation is immediately terminated.

When the result of the judgment 801 is YES, a call is made to the Internet service provider ISP using the digital network ISDN based on the contents of the ISP connection table in order to receive an electronic mail (process 802). A predetermined call setting procedure of the digital network ISDN is executed (step 803), and an information channel is established (step 804).

Next, using the established information channel, a predetermined dial-up connection procedure is executed to connect to the Internet service provider ISP (step 80).
5) Log in to the POP server based on the contents of the ISP connection table (process 806).

Here, if the login to the POP server has succeeded (the result of determination 807 is YES), an e-mail is received from the POP server (step 808). The user logs off (processing 809).

As described above, when the reception of the electronic mail is completed, a predetermined disconnection procedure is executed to disconnect from the Internet service provider ISP (process 810), and the information channel is terminated (process 811).

Next, a predetermined call disconnection / release procedure is executed (step 812) to terminate the connection with the digital network ISDN, and then the unprocessed mail flag is reset (step 813), and this operation ends. .

As described above, in this embodiment, when a transmission notification is received from another network facsimile machine FX, an e-mail is obtained immediately or at a fixed time interval depending on the setting of the reception interlocking flag. In the activated process, it is possible to specify whether or not to acquire an e-mail, so that the e-mail reception mode can be set to a user's desired mode, which is convenient for operation.

Further, when a transmission notification is received from another network facsimile machine FX, the fact is displayed on the operation display unit, so that the user can recognize that there is image information addressed to his / her own terminal. It is convenient.

The visible display of the transmission notification is not limited to a method of displaying a message on the operation display unit.
It can also be realized by a method of creating a transmission notification reception report and recording and outputting the report from a plotter.

In the above-described embodiment, the e-mail acquisition operation is performed by the network facsimile machine FX on the receiving side irrespective of the content of the image information to be transmitted. Thus, the e-mail acquisition operation can be controlled.

In this case, first, using the “user / user” information element, the transmitting side network facsimile machine FX
As shown in FIG. 27, information indicating the degree of importance of the image information is added to the transmission notification information transmitted to the receiving-side network facsimile machine FX.

When the receiving network facsimile machine FX receives the transmission notification information having the importance value of a predetermined value (for example, emergency, etc.), it immediately starts an e-mail acquisition operation and sets the importance value to a value other than the predetermined value. (For example,
When the transmission notification information (normal or the like) is received, an unprocessed mail flag is set, and an e-mail is obtained in an e-mail obtaining process started at predetermined time intervals.

In this manner, the image information having a high degree of importance is immediately received, and the other information is received at an appropriate timing later, so that the urgency of communication can be ensured. Communication costs can be reduced.

FIGS. 28 and 29 show an example of processing in this case when the network facsimile machine FX transmits image information to another network facsimile machine FX using electronic mail. Note that this process shows a case where a transmission notification is performed using the “user / user” information element.

When there is a transmission request from the user (decision 901)
Is YES), the destination e-mail address is input by an appropriate method (for example, beforehand registered in the one-touch dial and operating the one-touch dial, etc.) (process 902), and the start key ( (Not shown) is operated to wait until transmission start is instructed (NO loop of judgment 903).

When transmission start is instructed and the result of decision 903 is YES, each original set on the scanner 5 is read, and the image data obtained thereby is encoded and compressed by the encoding / decoding section 8. The image information obtained thereby is stored in the image storage device 9 (process 904).

Then, the image information is converted to predetermined MIME information to create the body information of the electronic mail, and
The header information of a predetermined e-mail is created, and the e-mail including the header information and the body information is stored (step 90).
5).

As described above, when the creation and storage of the electronic mail are completed, a call is made to the Internet service provider ISP using the digital network ISDN based on the contents of the ISP connection table (process 906), and the digital network ISD
N predetermined call setup procedures are executed (step 907), and an information channel is established (step 908).

Next, using the established information channel, a predetermined dial-up connection procedure is executed to connect to the Internet service provider ISP (step 90).
9) Based on the contents of the ISP connection table, process 90
The e-mail saved in step 5 is transmitted to the mail server MS (step 910).

As described above, when the transmission of the electronic mail is completed, a predetermined disconnection procedure is executed to disconnect from the Internet service provider ISP (process 911), and the information channel is terminated (process 912).

Next, a predetermined call disconnection release procedure is executed (process 913), and the connection with the digital network ISDN is terminated.

Here, for the destination mail address at that time, the corresponding transmission notification necessity information is obtained (step 9).
14) It is checked whether or not "transmission notice required" is set (decision 915). When the result of determination 915 is YES, the importance of the image information transmitted at that time is determined (step 916), and the above-described transmission notification information including the importance is transmitted based on the electronic mail transmitted at that time. make,
A "user / user" information element in which the transmission notification information is set is created (process 917).

Next, the call setting message SE in which the “user / user” information element created in the processing 917 is arranged at the transmission destination number corresponding to the transmission destination of the electronic mail at that time.
A TUP is sent to initiate a call (process 918).

At this time, since no call setup is performed with the partner terminal, the call setup procedure is forcibly terminated (step 91).
9), end the operation at this time.

On the other hand, when the transmission notification flag has been reset and the result of determination 915 is NO, this operation ends at that point.

FIGS. 30 and 31 show an example of a process executed by the network facsimile machine FX when an incoming call is detected in this case. Note that the e-mail acquisition processing can be realized by the same processing as that in FIG.

When an incoming call is detected (the result of judgment 1001 is Y
ES), the contents of the received call setup message SETUP are analyzed (process 1002), and it is checked whether or not communication with the partner terminal is possible (decision 1003).

If the result of the judgment 1003 is NO, the incoming call at that time is ignored (process 1004), and this operation ends.

When the result of decision 1003 is YES, the call setup message SET received at that time is
It is determined whether the UP contains the "user / user" information element (decision 1005).

The call setup message SE received at that time
If the TUP does not include the “user / user” information element and the result of determination 1005 is NO, a response message CONN is sent to the digital network ISDN in order to perform a group 4 facsimile communication operation with the destination terminal.
(Process 1006), an information channel is established (process 1007), and a predetermined group 4 facsimile incoming call process is executed (process 1008).

When this group 4 facsimile incoming call processing is completed, the information channel is terminated (processing 10).
09), and executes a predetermined call disconnection release procedure (process 101).
0), the connection with the digital network ISDN is terminated, and the operation at this time is terminated.

On the other hand, if the call setup message SETUP received at that time contains the “user / user” information element and the result of determination 1005 is YES, a transmission notification request is sent from another network facsimile machine FX. And so on.

Therefore, in this case, the call control procedure at that time is forcibly terminated (step 1011), and the contents of the received "user / user" information element are analyzed (step 101).
2).

It is checked whether or not the content of the received “user / user” information element includes transmission notification information (decision 1013).

If the content of the received "user / user" information element includes transmission notification information,
When the result of step (1) is YES, first, the fact that the transmission notification has been received is displayed on the operation display section 8 (step 101).
4).

When the transmission notification display is completed, the value of the importance of the transmission notification information at that time is determined (step 101).
5) Check whether the value is equivalent to the value to be received immediately (decision 1016).

When the result of this determination 1016 is YES, an unprocessed mail flag indicating that unprocessed electronic mail addressed to the terminal is stored in the mail server MS is set (process 1017). To end.

On the other hand, in the case where the importance value of the transmission notification information at that time corresponds to the value to be immediately received, and if the result of determination 1016 is YES, the ISP connection table of the ISP connection table is received in order to receive the e-mail. Based on the contents, a call is made to the Internet service provider ISP using the digital network ISDN (process 1018), and the digital network ISDN is called.
(Step 1019) to establish an information channel (Step 1020).

Next, using the established information channel, a predetermined dial-up connection procedure is executed to connect to the Internet service provider ISP (processing 102).
1) Log in to the POP server based on the contents of the ISP connection table (process 1022).

If the login to the POP server has succeeded (the result of determination 1023 is YES),
The e-mail is received from the server (process 1024). When the reception of the e-mail is completed, the user logs off the POP server (process 1025).

As described above, when the reception of the e-mail is completed, a predetermined disconnection procedure is executed to disconnect from the Internet service provider ISP (process 1026), and the information channel is terminated (process 1-27).

Next, a predetermined call disconnection release procedure is executed (process 1028), and the connection with the digital network ISDN is terminated.

As described above, in this embodiment, information indicating the importance of the image information is added to the transmission notification information transmitted from the transmission-side network facsimile machine FX to the reception-side network facsimile apparatus FX, and When the facsimile machine FX receives the transmission notification information with the importance value of a predetermined value (for example, urgent), the e-mail acquisition operation is started immediately, and the transmission of the importance value other than the predetermined value (for example, normal) is performed. When the notification information is received, the unprocessed mail flag is set, and the e-mail is acquired in the e-mail acquisition processing started at a predetermined time interval, so that the image information having high importance is immediately received. Others are received at the appropriate timing later, and it is said that the urgency of communication can be ensured. In, it is possible to reduce the communication fee.

In the above embodiment, the digital network I
Although the present invention has been applied to a network facsimile apparatus using SDN as a transmission path, the present invention can be similarly applied to other equivalent ISDN terminal apparatuses.

[0220]

As described above, according to the present invention,
When a certain network facsimile device transmits image information to another network facsimile device using electronic mail, the transmitting network facsimile device makes a call to the receiving network facsimile device using the digital network ISDN. Since the image facsimile apparatus FX is notified that the image information has been transmitted using an e-mail, the network facsimile machine FX on the receiving side can immediately obtain the e-mail addressed to the terminal itself, thereby ensuring the immediacy of the image information communication. And it is convenient.

Further, whether or not to send a transmission can be set for each unit of the network facsimile machine FX. Therefore, for example, it is possible to operate the system in a manner desired by the administrator, which is convenient. Also get.

When one network facsimile apparatus transmits image information to another network facsimile apparatus by using electronic mail, the network facsimile apparatus on the transmission side transmits a digital network ISDN to the network facsimile apparatus on the reception side. And a call setup message SETU for the call.
Since the transmission notification information is carried using the "user / user" information element of P, the receiving network facsimile apparatus can immediately acquire the e-mail addressed to the terminal itself, and secure the immediacy of the image information communication. This is convenient because it can be performed, and there is no charge for transmission notification, and the communication cost can be reduced.

Further, since it is possible to set whether or not to perform transmission notification for each destination, there is also obtained an effect that transmission notification management can be performed very flexibly.

When a transmission notification is received from another network facsimile machine, an e-mail is immediately obtained or the e-mail is transmitted at a certain time interval depending on the setting of the reception interlocking flag. Since it is possible to specify whether to acquire, it is possible to set the receiving mode of the e-mail to the desired mode of the user,
There is also an advantage that the operation is convenient.

Further, when a transmission notification is received from another network facsimile apparatus, the fact is displayed on the operation display unit, so that the user can recognize that there is image information addressed to his / her own terminal. It also has the effect of being convenient.

Further, information indicating the importance of the image information is added to the transmission notification information transmitted from the transmission-side network facsimile apparatus to the reception-side network facsimile apparatus. For example, upon receiving the transmission notification information (e.g., urgent), the e-mail acquisition operation is started immediately, and when the transmission notification information having an importance other than the predetermined value (for example, normal) is received, the unprocessed mail flag is set. In the e-mail acquisition process that is set and started at predetermined time intervals, an e-mail is acquired, so that those with high importance of image information are immediately received, and those other than that are appropriately processed later. Received at an appropriate timing, it is possible to secure urgency of communication and reduce communication charges Get the effect of say.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a communication system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a network facsimile machine FX (FX1,
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of FX2).

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an ISP connection table.

FIG. 4 shows a telephone terminal connected to ISDN,
9 is a time chart illustrating an example of a call control procedure performed between the call control unit and a call control unit;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a signal format of each message for ISDN call setup.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a signal format of a call setup message SETUP.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a transmission management table.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a transmission notification flag.

FIG. 9 shows a network facsimile machine FX which transmits another network facsimile machine F using electronic mail.
9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing when transmitting image information to X.

FIG. 10 shows a network facsimile machine FX
10 is a flowchart (continued) illustrating an example of processing when transmitting image information to another network facsimile machine FX using an electronic mail.

FIG. 11 shows a network facsimile machine FX,
5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process executed when an incoming call is detected.

FIG. 12 shows a network facsimile machine FX,
7 is a flowchart (continued) showing an example of processing executed when an incoming call is detected.

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing an example of transmission notification information arranged in a “user / user” information element of a call setup message SETUP.

FIG. 14 shows a network facsimile machine FX
9 is a flowchart illustrating another example of a process for transmitting image information to another network facsimile machine FX using electronic mail.

FIG. 15 shows a network facsimile machine FX
10 is a flowchart illustrating another example of a process for transmitting image information to another network facsimile machine FX using electronic mail (continued).

FIG. 16 shows a network facsimile machine FX,
9 is a flowchart illustrating another example of a process executed when an incoming call is detected.

FIG. 17 shows a network facsimile machine FX
10 is a flowchart (continued) showing another example of the process executed when an incoming call is detected.

FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram showing another example of the transmission management table.

FIG. 19 shows a network facsimile machine FX
9 is a flowchart showing still another example of a process for transmitting image information to another network facsimile machine FX using electronic mail.

FIG. 20 shows a network facsimile machine FX
11 is a flowchart (continued) illustrating still another example of the process when transmitting image information to another network facsimile machine FX using electronic mail.

FIG. 21 shows the network facsimile machine FX
9 is a flowchart showing still another example of a process for transmitting image information to another network facsimile machine FX using electronic mail.

FIG. 22 shows a network facsimile machine FX
15 is a flowchart illustrating still another example of the process of transmitting image information to another network facsimile machine FX using electronic mail (continued).

FIG. 23 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a reception interlocking flag.

FIG. 24 shows a network facsimile machine FX
5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process executed when an incoming call is detected.

FIG. 25 shows the network facsimile machine FX
7 is a flowchart (continued) showing an example of processing executed when an incoming call is detected.

FIG. 26 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process when acquiring an e-mail.

FIG. 27 is a schematic diagram showing another example of the transmission notification information arranged in the “user / user” information element of the call setup message SETUP.

FIG. 28 shows a network facsimile machine FX
9 is a flowchart showing still another example of a process for transmitting image information to another network facsimile machine FX using electronic mail.

FIG. 29 shows a network facsimile machine FX
13 is a flowchart (continued) showing still another example of the process when transmitting image information to another network facsimile machine FX using electronic mail.

FIG. 30 shows the network facsimile machine FX
9 is a flowchart illustrating another example of a process executed when an incoming call is detected.

FIG. 31 shows a network facsimile machine FX
10 is a flowchart (continued) showing another example of the process executed when an incoming call is detected.

[Explanation of symbols]

FX, FX1, FX2 Network Facsimile Machine ISDN Digital Network INET Internet ISP1, ISP2 Internet Service Provider

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) 9A001 F term (Reference) 5B089 GA11 GA21 GB04 HA03 HA10 JA31 JB03 JB22 KA02 KA16 KB04 KB06 KG01 5C062 AA02 AA13 AA29 AA34 AC35 AF02 5C075 AB03 AB90 BA08 CD07 CF04 5K030 HA01 HA06 HC05 JL08 JT02 KA01 KA04 KA06 LB02 LD13 LD14 LE13 5K101 KK02 LL03 PP07 9A001 CC04 JJ14 JJ27 KK56

Claims (22)

[Claims] 1. An ISDN terminal device having a function of using ISDN as a transmission path, connecting to a network connection function according to a predetermined dial-up connection procedure, and exchanging electronic mail with a predetermined mail server. Sending notification e-mail to a destination corresponding to the e-mail address, using ISDN to notify that the e-mail has been transmitted to the destination corresponding to the e-mail address. apparatus. 2. An ISDN terminal device having a function of using ISDN as a transmission path, connecting to a network connection function according to a predetermined dial-up connection procedure, and exchanging electronic mail with a predetermined mail server. A transmission notification control means for notifying that the electronic mail has been transmitted to the destination corresponding to the mail address by a predetermined notification procedure using an ISDN information channel when the electronic mail is transmitted to the mail address. An ISDN terminal device. 3. An ISDN terminal device having a function of using ISDN as a transmission path, connecting to a network connection function according to a predetermined dial-up connection procedure, and exchanging electronic mail with a predetermined mail server. When an e-mail is transmitted to the e-mail address provided, transmission notification control means for notifying that the e-mail has been transmitted to the destination corresponding to the e-mail address using the ISDN call control signal is provided. An ISDN terminal device. 4. An ISDN terminal device having a function of using ISDN as a transmission path, connecting to a network connection function according to a predetermined dial-up connection procedure, and exchanging electronic mail with a predetermined mail server. When an e-mail is sent to a specified mail address, the destination corresponding to the e-mail address is registered as a transmission notification destination in the transmission notification destination table storage means. An ISDN terminal device comprising transmission notification control means for notifying, using ISDN, that an e-mail has been transmitted to the destination when the transmission has been performed. 5. An ISDN terminal device having a function of using ISDN as a transmission path, connecting to a network connection function according to a predetermined dial-up connection procedure, and exchanging electronic mail with a predetermined mail server. When an e-mail is sent to a specified mail address, the destination corresponding to the e-mail address is registered as a transmission notification destination in the transmission notification destination table storage means. Check that the e-mail has been sent to the destination if it is registered.
An ISD comprising transmission notification control means for performing notification according to a predetermined notification procedure using an information channel of a DN.
N terminal device. 6. An ISDN terminal device having a function of using ISDN as a transmission path, connecting to a network connection function according to a predetermined dial-up connection procedure, and exchanging electronic mail with a predetermined mail server. When an e-mail is sent to a specified mail address, the destination corresponding to the e-mail address is registered as a transmission notification destination in the transmission notification destination table storage means. Check that the e-mail has been sent to the destination if it is registered.
An ISDN terminal device comprising transmission notification control means for notifying using a DN call control signal. 7. An ISDN terminal device having a function of using ISDN as a transmission path, connecting to a network connection function in accordance with a predetermined dial-up connection procedure, and exchanging e-mail with a predetermined mail server. When receiving a notification that an e-mail has been transmitted upon receiving an e-mail, an e-mail receiving means for connecting to a network connection function according to a predetermined dial-up connection procedure and receiving an e-mail from a predetermined mail server is provided. ISDN terminal equipment. 8. An ISDN terminal device having a function of using ISDN as a transmission path, connecting to a network connection function in accordance with a predetermined dial-up connection procedure, and exchanging e-mail with a predetermined mail server. When an e-mail is received via an information channel at the time of an incoming call according to a predetermined notification procedure, an e-mail is sent to a network connection function according to a predetermined dial-up connection procedure and an e-mail is received from a predetermined mail server. An ISDN terminal device comprising mail receiving means. 9. An ISDN terminal device having a function of using ISDN as a transmission path, connecting to a network connection function in accordance with a predetermined dial-up connection procedure, and exchanging electronic mail with a predetermined mail server. When an incoming call is received, if the received call control procedure signal includes a notification that the e-mail has been sent, the call control procedure signal connects to the network connection function according to a predetermined dial-up connection procedure and receives an e-mail from a predetermined mail server. I comprising a mail receiving means.
SDN terminal equipment. 10. An ISDN terminal device having a function of using ISDN as a transmission path, connecting to a network connection function in accordance with a predetermined dial-up connection procedure, and exchanging e-mail with a predetermined mail server. Upon receiving a notification that an e-mail has been sent when an incoming call arrives, a visual notification that the transmission notification has been received is made visible, the network is connected to the network connection function according to a predetermined dial-up connection procedure, and an e-mail is transmitted from a predetermined mail server. An ISDN terminal device comprising an electronic mail receiving means for receiving. 11. An ISDN terminal device having a function of using ISDN as a transmission path, connecting to a network connection function in accordance with a predetermined dial-up connection procedure, and exchanging e-mail with a predetermined mail server. When an e-mail is received via the information channel according to a predetermined notification procedure at the time of an incoming call, a visual notification that the transmission notification has been received is visually output, and connection to the network connection function is performed according to the predetermined dial-up connection procedure. And an e-mail receiving means for receiving an e-mail from a predetermined mail server. 12. An ISDN terminal device having a function of using ISDN as a transmission path, connecting to a network connection function in accordance with a predetermined dial-up connection procedure, and exchanging e-mail with a predetermined mail server. When an incoming call is received, if the received call control procedure signal contains a notification that the e-mail has been transmitted, the fact that the transmission notification has been received is visually output and connected to the network connection function according to a predetermined dial-up connection procedure. And an electronic mail receiving means for receiving an electronic mail from a predetermined mail server.
DN terminal device. 13. The e-mail receiving means, upon receiving the notification that the e-mail has been transmitted, immediately connects to a network connection function according to a predetermined dial-up connection procedure, and determines whether to receive an e-mail from a predetermined mail server. Or setting whether to connect to a network connection function according to a predetermined dial-up connection procedure at a predetermined timing thereafter and receive a plurality of e-mails collectively from a predetermined mail server is set. The ISDN terminal device according to claim 8, claim 9, claim 10, claim 11, or claim 12. 14. An ISDN terminal device having a function of using ISDN as a transmission path, connecting to a network connection function in accordance with a predetermined dial-up connection procedure, and exchanging electronic mail with a predetermined mail server. When an e-mail is sent to a specified mail address, the destination corresponding to the e-mail address is registered as a transmission notification destination in the transmission notification destination table storage means. If the e-mail has been sent to the destination, the ISDN
An ISDN terminal device comprising transmission notification control means for notifying using a call control signal of (1). 15. An ISDN terminal device having a function of using ISDN as a transmission path, connecting to a network connection function in accordance with a predetermined dial-up connection procedure, and exchanging e-mail with a predetermined mail server. When an incoming call is received, when the received call control procedure signal includes a notification that the e-mail has been transmitted and the notification of the importance, the fact that the transmission notification has been received is visually output, and the received importance is a predetermined value. In the case of (1), there is provided an electronic mail receiving means for connecting to a network connection function according to a predetermined dial-up connection procedure and receiving an electronic mail from a predetermined mail server.
DN terminal device. 16. A method of controlling an ISDN terminal device having a function of using ISDN as a transmission path, connecting to a network connection function according to a predetermined dial-up connection procedure, and exchanging electronic mail with a predetermined mail server. When an e-mail is transmitted to the specified e-mail address, the destination corresponding to the e-mail address is notified using the ISDN that the e-mail has been transmitted, and when the e-mail is received from the ISDN, the e-mail is transmitted. Upon receiving the notification of the transmission, the connection to the network connection function is performed according to a predetermined dial-up connection procedure, and an e-mail is received from a predetermined mail server.
A control method for an SDN terminal device. 17. A method for controlling an ISDN terminal device having a function of using ISDN as a transmission path, connecting to a network connection function according to a predetermined dial-up connection procedure, and exchanging electronic mail with a predetermined mail server. When an e-mail is sent to the specified e-mail address, the destination corresponding to the e-mail address is notified using an ISDN call control signal that the e-mail has been sent, while an incoming call from the ISDN When the received call control procedure signal includes a notification that the e-mail has been transmitted, the connection to the network connection function is performed in accordance with a predetermined dial-up connection procedure, and the e-mail is received from a predetermined mail server. A method of controlling an ISDN terminal device. 18. A control method for an ISDN terminal device having a function of using ISDN as a transmission path, connecting to a network connection function according to a predetermined dial-up connection procedure, and exchanging electronic mail with a predetermined mail server. A transmission notification destination table storing means in which destinations to be transmitted are registered, and when an e-mail is transmitted to a specified mail address, a destination corresponding to the mail address is transmitted to the transmission notification destination table storage means. It checks whether or not it has been registered as a destination, and if it has been registered, the IS sends an e-mail to that destination.
While the notification is made using the DN call control signal, when an incoming call is received from the ISDN, if the received call control procedure signal includes a notification that the e-mail has been transmitted, it is visible that the transmission notification has been received. A method for controlling an ISDN terminal device, comprising outputting to a network connection function according to a predetermined dial-up connection procedure and receiving an e-mail from a predetermined mail server. 19. A method of controlling an ISDN terminal device having a function of using an ISDN as a transmission path, connecting to a network connection function according to a predetermined dial-up connection procedure, and exchanging electronic mail with a predetermined mail server. A transmission notification destination table storing means in which destinations to be transmitted are registered, and when an e-mail is transmitted to a specified mail address, a destination corresponding to the mail address is transmitted to the transmission notification destination table storage means. It checks whether or not it has been registered as a destination, and if it has been registered, the IS sends an e-mail to that destination.
While the notification is made using the DN call control signal, when an incoming call is received from the ISDN, if the received call control procedure signal includes a notification that the e-mail has been transmitted, it is visible that the transmission notification has been received. The control of the ISDN terminal device, wherein the connection is made to the network connection function according to a predetermined dial-up connection procedure at a predetermined timing thereafter, and a plurality of e-mails are collectively received from a predetermined mail server. Method. 20. A control method for an ISDN terminal device having a function of using ISDN as a transmission path, connecting to a network connection function according to a predetermined dial-up connection procedure, and exchanging electronic mail with a predetermined mail server. A transmission notification destination table storing means in which destinations to be transmitted are registered, and when an e-mail is transmitted to a specified mail address, a destination corresponding to the mail address is transmitted to the transmission notification destination table storage means. It checks whether it is registered as a destination, and when registered, notifies the destination that the e-mail has been sent and the importance of the e-mail using the ISDN call control signal, When an incoming call is received from ISDN, an e-mail is sent to the received call control procedure signal. When the notification of the transmission is received, the notification that the transmission notification is received is visually output. When the received importance is in a predetermined mode, the connection to the network connection function is performed according to a predetermined dial-up connection procedure. If an email is received from a predetermined mail server and the received importance is not in a predetermined mode,
A method for controlling an ISDN terminal device, wherein a connection is made to a network connection function in accordance with a predetermined dial-up connection procedure at a predetermined timing thereafter, and a plurality of electronic mails are collectively received from a predetermined mail server. 21. The call control signal is a "user / user" information element of a call setup message, wherein the call control signal is a "user / user" information element. The ISDN of claim 15.
Terminal device. 22. The ISDN terminal device according to claim 17, wherein the call control signal is a “user / user” information element of a call setup message. Control method.