JP2000324293A - Network facsimile equipment and control method therefor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain network facsimile equipment capable of quickly notifying a transmitting user of the error in destination mail address and its control method. SOLUTION: When connection to a mail server SM could not be finished normally or when a protocol prior to message transmission is not finished normally, the transmission operation of an e-mail is not performed. Because a transmitting original remains in a scanner and a user is able to know an e-mail transmission error in a stage, before transmitting the e-mail since the e-mail transmission error is notified to the user, the effect of quick and also accurate retransmitting operation, etc., is obtained.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a function of performing image information communication using an electronic mail connected to a local area network or the Internet, and a function of connecting a facsimile apparatus connected to a public network via a public network. The present invention relates to a function of exchanging facsimile data using a predetermined facsimile transmission procedure, a network facsimile apparatus having a facsimile apparatus function, and a control method therefor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a function of performing image information communication using e-mail connected to a local area network or the Internet, and a predetermined facsimile transmission between a facsimile apparatus connected to a public network and a public network. A function to exchange facsimile data using procedures,
A network facsimile machine having a facsimile machine function has been put to practical use.

[0003] The use of such a network facsimile apparatus makes it possible to reduce the communication fee for long-distance communication. Further, facsimile communication can be performed from outside the Internet to the user of the workstation device connected to the Internet, which is very convenient.

[0004]

In such a conventional apparatus, when transmitting image information using an electronic mail, a transmission original image is read, and the image data obtained thereby is converted to a TI.
The content is converted into the FF-F format, and then converted into MIME (described later) to create text information to be arranged in the email, and the email is transmitted using the text information.

On the other hand, if the destination mail address specified by the user is wrong, the wrong destination mail address may be found when the electronic mail is actually transmitted to the mail server.

However, in such a case, an error in the destination mail address is not found until the transmission operation of the network facsimile apparatus is started.
The transmitting user takes a long time to notice the situation, and it takes time to retransmit the image information.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide a network facsimile apparatus capable of promptly notifying a transmission user of an error in a destination mail address and a control method thereof.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a function of connecting to a local area network or the Internet and performing image information communication using electronic mail, and a function of connecting to a public network and a facsimile machine via the public network. In a network facsimile machine having a function of exchanging facsimile data using a predetermined facsimile transmission procedure and a facsimile machine function, when transmitting image information using e-mail, connect to a mail server and connect to a mail server. A transmission control means for starting an image reading operation of a transmission original after transmitting destination mail address information or the like designated for the transmission original is provided.

Also, a function of performing image information communication using e-mail connected to a local area network or the Internet, and a predetermined facsimile transmission procedure connected to a public network and a facsimile apparatus via the public network. In a network facsimile machine equipped with a function of exchanging facsimile data and a facsimile machine function, when sending image information using e-mail, it connects to the mail server and is specified to the mail server in the protocol before message transmission. If a normal response is received from the mail server after transmitting the destination mail address information and the like, the image reading operation of the transmission original is started, while if a normal response is not received from the mail server,
A transmission control means for terminating the transmission operation and notifying the error at that time is provided.

[0010] Also, a function of performing image information communication using electronic mail connected to a local area network or the Internet, and a predetermined facsimile transmission procedure connected to a public network and a facsimile apparatus via the public network. In a network facsimile apparatus having a function of exchanging facsimile data using a facsimile apparatus function, a mail address table for storing a destination mail address at which an e-mail has been successfully transmitted, and transmitting image information using an e-mail If the specified e-mail address is stored in the e-mail address table, after the transmission image information is created, connection to the mail server is made and the specified destination e-mail address information and the like are transmitted to the mail server. Later, an e-mail carrying the created image information On the other hand, if the specified e-mail address is not stored in the e-mail address table, the e-mail server connects to the e-mail server and transmits the specified destination e-mail address information to the e-mail server. It is provided with transmission control means for starting an image reading operation.

[0011] Further, a function of performing image information communication using e-mail connected to a local area network or the Internet, and a predetermined facsimile transmission procedure connected to a public network and a facsimile apparatus via the public network. In a network facsimile apparatus having a function of exchanging facsimile data using a facsimile apparatus function, a mail address table for storing a destination mail address at which an e-mail has been successfully transmitted, and transmitting image information using an e-mail If the specified e-mail address is stored in the e-mail address table, after the transmission image information is created, connection to the mail server is made and the specified destination e-mail address information and the like are transmitted to the mail server. Later, an e-mail carrying the created image information On the other hand, if the specified e-mail address is not stored in the e-mail address table, connect to the e-mail server and send the specified e-mail address information etc. to the e-mail server in the pre-message transmission protocol. When a normal response is received from the mail server, an image reading operation of the transmission original is started, and when the normal response is not received from the mail server, the transmission control means for terminating the transmission operation at that time and notifying an error is provided. Things.

[0012] A function of performing image information communication using e-mail connected to a local area network or the Internet, and a predetermined facsimile transmission procedure connected to a public network and a facsimile apparatus via the public network. A function of exchanging facsimile data using a network facsimile apparatus having a facsimile apparatus function;
When sending image information using e-mail, if the domain part of the specified mail address is stored in the domain table, after creating the image information to be sent, connect to the mail server and send it to the mail server. After sending the specified destination mail address information and the like, and then sending the e-mail carrying the created transmission image information, if the domain part of the specified mail address is not stored in the domain table, And a transmission control means for connecting to the mail server and transmitting the designated destination mail address information and the like to the mail server and then starting the image reading operation of the transmission original.

[0013] Also, a function of performing image information communication using electronic mail connected to a local area network or the Internet, and a predetermined facsimile transmission procedure connected to a public network and a facsimile apparatus via the public network. A function of exchanging facsimile data using a network facsimile apparatus having a facsimile apparatus function;
When sending image information using e-mail, if the domain part of the specified mail address is stored in the domain table, after creating the image information to be sent, connect to the mail server and send it to the mail server. After sending the specified destination mail address information and the like, and then sending the e-mail carrying the created transmission image information, if the domain part of the specified mail address is not stored in the domain table, When a normal response is received from the mail server after connecting to the mail server and transmitting the specified destination mail address information to the mail server in the pre-message transmission protocol, the image reading operation of the transmission original is started, If a normal response is not received from the mail server, the sending operation is terminated at that point and an error notification is sent. Those having a transmission control unit.

[0014] Also, a function of performing image information communication using electronic mail connected to a local area network or the Internet, and a predetermined facsimile transmission procedure connected to a public network and a facsimile apparatus via the public network. A function for exchanging facsimile data using a network facsimile apparatus and a method for controlling a network facsimile apparatus having a facsimile apparatus function. After transmitting the destination mail address information and the like, the image reading operation of the transmission original is started.

[0015] A function of performing image information communication using e-mail connected to a local area network or the Internet, and a predetermined facsimile transmission procedure connected to a public network and a facsimile apparatus via the public network. In the function of exchanging facsimile data using and the control method of a network facsimile device having a facsimile device function, when transmitting image information using e-mail, connect to the mail server when sending the image information to the mail server in the pre-message transmission protocol. On the other hand, if a normal response is received from the mail server after transmitting the specified destination mail address information, etc., the image reading operation of the transmission original is started. The transmission operation is terminated and an error notification is sent. That.

A function of performing image information communication using e-mail connected to a local area network or the Internet, and a predetermined facsimile transmission procedure connected to a public network and a facsimile apparatus via the public network. A function of exchanging facsimile data using a network facsimile apparatus, and a method of controlling a network facsimile apparatus having a facsimile apparatus function. If the specified e-mail address is stored in the above e-mail address table when sending the
After connecting to the mail server and sending the specified destination mail address information etc. to the mail server, the e-mail carrying the created transmission image information is sent, while the specified mail address is stored in the mail address table. If it is not stored, the connection to the mail server is made, and after the designated destination mail address information and the like are transmitted to the mail server, the image reading operation of the transmission original is started.

Also, a function of performing image information communication using electronic mail connected to a local area network or the Internet, and a predetermined facsimile transmission procedure connected to a public network and a facsimile apparatus via the public network. A function of exchanging facsimile data using a network facsimile apparatus, and a method of controlling a network facsimile apparatus having a facsimile apparatus function. If the specified e-mail address is stored in the above e-mail address table when sending the
After connecting to the mail server and sending the specified destination mail address information etc. to the mail server, the e-mail carrying the created transmission image information is sent, while the specified mail address is stored in the mail address table. If it is not stored, it connects to the mail server and sends the specified destination mail address information to the mail server in the pre-message transmission protocol. If a normal response is not received from the mail server while the reading operation is started, the transmission operation is aborted at that point and an error is notified.

A function of performing image information communication using e-mail connected to a local area network or the Internet, and a function of connecting to a public network and performing a predetermined facsimile transmission procedure with a facsimile apparatus via the public network. A function of exchanging facsimile data using a network facsimile apparatus, and a method of controlling a network facsimile apparatus having a facsimile apparatus function. When transmitting the image information, if the domain part of the specified e-mail address is stored in the above-mentioned domain table, after the transmission image information is created, it is connected to the mail server, and the specified mail address is specified to the mail server. After sending the destination mail address information, etc., While sending an e-mail carrying image information, if the domain part of the specified e-mail address is not stored in the domain table, the e-mail server connects to the e-mail server, and specifies the destination e-mail address to the e-mail server. After transmitting information and the like, the image reading operation of the transmission original is started.

Also, a function of performing image information communication using electronic mail connected to a local area network or the Internet, and a predetermined facsimile transmission procedure connected to a public network and a facsimile apparatus via the public network. A function of exchanging facsimile data using a network facsimile apparatus, and a method of controlling a network facsimile apparatus having a facsimile apparatus function. When transmitting the image information, if the domain part of the specified e-mail address is stored in the above-mentioned domain table, after the transmission image information is created, it is connected to the mail server, and the specified mail address is specified to the mail server. After sending the destination mail address information, etc., While sending an e-mail carrying image information, if the domain part of the specified e-mail address is not stored in the domain table, the e-mail server connects to the e-mail server and is specified to the e-mail server in the pre-message transmission protocol. If a normal response is received from the mail server after transmitting the destination mail address information, etc., the image reading operation of the transmission original is started.If the normal response is not received from the mail server, the transmission operation is stopped at that point. This is to notify a termination error.

[0020]

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

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

In FIG. 1, a local area network LAN includes a plurality of workstation devices WS1 to WS1.
WSn, the mail server device SM, and the network facsimile device FX are connected.

Here, the mail server device SM collects well-known e-mails for users using the workstation devices WS1 to WSn connected to the local area network LAN and for the network network facsimile device FX. It provides distribution services.

The workstation devices WS1 to WSW
Various programs such as facsimile application software for creating, displaying, and outputting facsimile image information, and various software for exchanging various data via a local area network LAN are installed in Sn. Is used by the user. Here, the specific user is
There may be one or more users.

Further, the network facsimile machine FX
Is an e-mail processing function for exchanging image information and various reports as e-mail, and image information transmission by a group 3 facsimile transmission procedure by connecting to a public network (PSTN) and using the public network as a transmission path. It has a transmission function to perform

FIG. 2 shows a network facsimile machine F
3 shows an example of the configuration of X.

In FIG. 1, a system control unit 1 controls each unit of the network facsimile machine FX.
The system memory 2 stores various control processes such as a facsimile transmission control procedure process. The system memory 2 stores a control process program executed by the system control unit 1 and various data necessary for executing the process program. The parameter memory 3 stores various kinds of information unique to the network facsimile machine FX. The clock circuit 4 stores current time information. Is output.

The scanner 5 is for reading a document image at a predetermined resolution, the plotter 6 is for recording and outputting an image at a predetermined resolution, and the operation display unit 7 is a network facsimile apparatus. It is used to operate the FX, and includes various operation keys and various display devices.

The encoding / decoding section 8 encodes and compresses the image signal and decodes the encoded and compressed image information into the original image signal.
This is for storing a large number of image information in a coded and compressed state.

The group 3 facsimile modem 10 is for realizing a group 3 facsimile modem function. The group 3 facsimile modem 10 has a low-speed modem function (V.21 modem) for exchanging transmission procedure signals and mainly exchanges image information. High-speed modem function (V.17 modem,
V. 34 modem, V.34. 29 modem, V.29. 27ter modem etc.).

The network controller 11 is for connecting the facsimile apparatus to a public network (PSTN) and has an automatic transmission / reception function.

The local area network interface circuit 12 is connected to the network facsimile machine F
X is connected to the local area network LAN, and the local area network transmission control unit 13
This is for executing communication control processing of various predetermined protocol suites for exchanging various data with other data terminal devices.

The system 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 device 9, group 3 facsimile modem The network controller 10, the network controller 11, and the local area network transmission controller 13 are connected to an internal bus 14. Data exchange between these elements is mainly performed via the internal bus 14. I have.

Data exchange between the network controller 11 and the group 3 facsimile modem 10 is directly performed.

Here, in this embodiment, basically,
Data exchange between terminals connected to the local area network LAN is a so-called TCP / I
This is performed by applying a combination (a so-called protocol suite) of a transmission protocol up to a transport layer called P and a communication protocol of a higher layer than that. For example, in the exchange of e-mail data, SMTP (Simple) is used as the upper layer communication protocol.
A communication protocol called Mail Transfer Protocol is applied.

As a protocol applied by each terminal to the mail server device SM for confirming reception of an e-mail addressed to the user or requesting the user to obtain the e-mail, a so-called POP is used.
(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 mails, 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 machine F
X transmits the read document image to another group 3 facsimile apparatus via the public network PSTN, or a local area network LAN (further, the Internet)
To the users of the workstation devices WS1 to WSn via the public network PSTN, and the image information received from another group 3 facsimile device via the public network PSTN to the user corresponding to the sub-address specified at that time. Transfer using e-mail, or workstation WS of local area network LAN
It has a transfer service function for transferring the received image information (by e-mail) to a group 3 facsimile apparatus of the designated public network PSTN.

For an electronic mail received at the terminal itself, image information arranged in the body information is extracted, 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.

FIG. 3 shows an example of an e-mail used for transmitting image information.

This e-mail is a multi-part MIME-format e-mail having a plurality of body parts, and includes a transmission date (“Date” field), a destination mail address (“To” field), and a source mail address. (“From” field), a mail header part including predetermined information, a text part part for carrying text data, and a binary part part for carrying image information. The binary part contains image information. M
MIME encoded data obtained by the IME conversion is arranged.

The image information carried by e-mail is obtained by compressing the original image data by MH coding,
F format, so M
As the IME encoded data, the TIFF-F data obtained by MIME conversion is arranged.

Here, in the TIFF-F format,
Since image data of a plurality of pages can be collected as one file, data of one transmission image information file including a plurality of pages can be arranged in one binary part.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example in which the transmission side SMT is used when transmitting an electronic mail.
P client (for example, network facsimile machine FX or workstation device WS1 to WSn) and receiving-side SMTP server (for example, mail server device SM)
2 shows an example of a communication protocol performed between the server and the server.

First, the transmitting-side SMTP client requests a connection connection to the receiving-side SMTP server using the TCP port 25. The receiving-side SMTP server that has received the connection connection request responds with the code “220” as a connection response, and an appropriate comment character string (in this case, “msrva1.abc.c”).
o. jp Service ready ”) to the sending SMTP client.

The transmitting-side SMTP client that has received the connection response then uses the command “HELO” to send the host name of its own terminal (the argument of the command, in this case, “if
axa. abc. co. jp ”) to the receiving-side SMTP server. When the receiving-side SMTP server receives the command "HELO" normally, the code "250" indicating a normal response and the server host name as a comment (in this case, "msrva1.abc.co.j
p ") to the sending SMTP client.

Upon receiving the normal response, the transmitting-side SMTP client sends a command "MAIL FROM: <ifaxa@abc.c" to notify the source mail address.
o. jp> ”to the receiving-side SMTP server. Here, the source mail address is the command “MAIL
FROM: ”argument <ifaxa@abc.co.j
It is set in the part of <p> which is enclosed by "<" and ">".

The command "MAIL FROM: <if
axa @ abc. co. jp> ”, the receiving-side SMTP server sends the received argument“ <ifax @ ab
c. co. jp>", and checks the format of the source mail address.
In this format check, if the character "@" is included in the source mail address, it is other than the own domain, and it is checked whether the address format is appropriate. In addition, the character "＠"
If it is not included, it is for your domain,
Check if it is a registered e-mail address.
Note that this format check may further include a different form of inspection (such as Alias) depending on the setting status of the receiving-side SMTP server.

When it is determined that the format check is normal, the receiving-side SMTP server transmits a code "250" indicating a normal response and a character string "OK" indicating that the format check has been completed normally as a comment. Side SMTP
Send to client.

The sending-side SMTP client that has received the normal response then sends the command “RCP TO: <ifaxb1@xyz.co.
jp> ”to the receiving-side SMTP server. Here, the destination mail address is the command "RCP T
O: ”argument“ <ifaxb1@xyz.co.jp
It is set in the part of <> and <> of >>.

The command “RCP TO: <ifaxb
1 @ xyz. co. jp> ”, the receiving SM
The TP server receives the argument “<ifaxb1 @ xy
z. co. jp>", and the same format check as described above is performed on the destination mail address.

When it is determined that the format check is normal, the receiving-side SMTP server transmits a code "250" indicating a normal response and a character string "OK" indicating that the format check has been completed normally as a comment. Side SMTP
Send to client.

In this way, when the connection to the SMTP server is completed, the checking of the source mail address and the destination mail address is completed, and the preparation for sending the electronic mail is completed, the sending SMTP client sends the command “DATA”. It sends out and instructs the receiving SMTP server to shift to the data phase.

The receiving side S that has received the command "DATA"
The MTP server returns the code "250" to respond normally
"Start", which indicates the start of e-mail input as a comment and the code indicating the end of e-mail input
t mail input; end with <CR
/ LF>. <CR / LF> ”to the transmitting-side SMTP client. Here, in this case, “<C
R / LF>. When the sequence <CR / LF> is sent, the end of the e-mail is notified to the receiving-side SMTP server.

The sending-side SMTP client that has received the normal response sends out the header information and body information of the e-mail to the receiving-side SMTP client sequentially as a send message, and when all the data has been sent, the sending SMTP client specifies the end code. The sequence “<CR / LF>. <CR / LF>” is transmitted.

When receiving the end code, the receiving side SMTP
The server checks whether the transmitted message at that time has been normally received. If the message has been received normally, a code "250" indicating a normal response and a character indicating that the format check has been normally completed as a comment are provided. Column "O
K "to the sending SMTP client.

The sending-side SMTP client that has received the normal response sends a command “QUIT” notifying the end of the transmission of the e-mail to the receiving-side SMTP server. When this command [QUIT] is received, the receiving side S
The MTP server starts the distribution operation of the received e-mail, and at the same time, the code “221” and an appropriate comment character string (in this case, “msrva1.abc.co.
jp Service Closing transmi
session channel)) to the sending SMTP client.

The transmitting side SMT receiving the code "221"
The P client issues a connection disconnection request to the receiving-side SMTP server.

According to the above procedure, the sending SMTP client sends an e-mail to the receiving SMTP server.

Here, in the following description, of the above-mentioned protocols, after the transmitting-side SMTP client sends a connection connection request, the receiving-side SMTP server sets the code “250” and the comment “Start mai”.
l input; end with <CR / LF>.
The part up to sending <CR / LF> ”to the sending-side SMTP client is called a“ pre-message transmission protocol ”. After the sending-side SMTP client starts sending outgoing messages, the receiving-side SMTP server sets the code. "250" and the comment "OK"
The part up to transmission to the client is called a "message transmission protocol", and is from the transmission of the command "QUIT" by the transmitting SMTP client until the transmitting SMTP client issues a connection disconnection request to the receiving SMTP server. The part is called "post-message transmission protocol".

Therefore, the sender's mail address and the destination mail address are checked to some extent by the receiving SMTP server.
An abnormality can be determined, and the user can be notified of the fact before the actual transmission of the e-mail is started.

FIG. 5 shows an example of a process for transmitting image information using an electronic mail according to the present invention.

When the original is set on the scanner 5 (the result of the judgment 101 is YES), the destination mail address is input (process 102), and the start key of the operation display section 7 is pressed to instruct the start of transmission (step 102). The result of decision 103 is YE
S).

When the transmission start is instructed, the network facsimile machine FX sends the SMT of the mail server SM.
It connects to the P server (process 104) and executes the above-described predetermined pre-message transmission protocol (process 105).

When the pre-message transmission protocol is completed, a mail header as described above is created for the electronic mail at that time, and the mail header is transmitted to the SMTP server (process 106).

Next, one page of the original is read by the scanner 5 (process 107), and the image data obtained thereby is converted into the above-mentioned TIFF-F format (process 108), and the obtained TIFF-F format is obtained. Is converted to MIME data (process 1).
09), and transmits the MIME data to the SMTP server (process 110).

Then, it is checked whether or not the next page is set in the scanner 4 (judgment 111).
If the result is YES, the process returns to step 107 to transmit the image information of the document image of the next page.

When the transmission of image information has been completed for all transmission originals and the result of determination 111 is NO, the above-mentioned predetermined message transmission protocol is executed (process 112), and this transmission operation is performed. To end.

FIG. 6 shows another example of a process for transmitting image information using electronic mail according to the present invention.

When an original is set on the scanner 5 (the result of the judgment 201 is YES), the destination mail address is inputted (process 202), and the start key of the operation display section 7 is pressed to instruct the start of transmission (step 202). The result of decision 203 is YE
S).

When the transmission start is instructed, the network facsimile machine FX transmits the SMT of the mail server SM.
It connects to the P server (process 204) and checks whether or not the connection was successful (decision 205).

When the connection to the SMTP server is successful and the result of determination 205 is YES, the above-mentioned predetermined message transmission protocol is executed (processing 2
06), it is checked whether the pre-message transmission protocol has been completed normally (decision 207).

When the pre-message transmission protocol ends normally and the result of determination 207 is YES, the e-mail transmission operation is continued.

That is, first, a mail header as described above is created for the electronic mail at that time, and the mail header is transmitted to the SMTP server (processing 20).
8).

Next, one page of the original is read by the scanner 5 (process 209), and the image data obtained thereby is converted into the above-mentioned TIFF-F format (process 210), and the obtained TIFF-F format is obtained. Is converted to MIME data (process 2).
11), and transmits the MIME data to the SMTP server (process 212).

Then, it is checked whether the next page is set in the scanner 4 (decision 213), and the decision 213 is made.
If the result is YES, the process returns to step 209 to transmit image information of the document image of the next page.

When the transmission of image information has been completed for all transmission originals and the result of determination 213 is NO, the above-described predetermined message transmission protocol is executed (processing 214), and this transmission operation is performed. To end.

On the other hand, if the connection to the SMTP server could not be made normally and the result of decision 205 is NO, or if the pre-message transmission protocol did not end normally, the result of decision 207 is When the answer is NO, an e-mail transmission error is displayed on the operation display unit 7 together with the error reason (for example, “destination mail address error”) (processing 215), and this processing ends with an error.

As described above, in this embodiment, the SMTP
If the connection to the server cannot be terminated normally, or if the pre-message transmission protocol has not terminated normally, the e-mail will not be sent and the user will be notified of the e-mail transmission error. Therefore, the user can know the e-mail transmission error before the e-mail in which the original to be transmitted remains in the scanner 5 is transmitted, so that the resending operation and the like can be performed quickly and accurately. Can be.

In the above-described embodiment, the same operation is performed for all the image information transmission operations. However, the e-mail is transmitted to the destination e-mail address to which the e-mail has been successfully transmitted once again at the next opportunity. It can be expected that it can be transmitted properly.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 7, an e-mail address table for registering destination e-mail addresses to which e-mail can be transmitted normally is provided, and the destination e-mail address designated by the user is registered in this e-mail address table. In this case, as in the related art, if an e-mail transmission operation is performed after an e-mail is created, the user can be released from the operation of the network facsimile machine FX at an early stage, and the usability of the network facsimile machine FX can be improved. Is greatly improved.

FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 show an example of a process for transmitting image information using an electronic mail in this case.

When an original is set on the scanner 5 (result of determination 301 is YES), the destination mail address is input (process 302), and the start key of the operation display unit 7 is pressed to instruct the start of transmission (step 302). The result of decision 303 is YE
S).

When the transmission start is instructed, it is checked whether or not the destination mail address input at that time is registered in the mail address table (decision 304).

If the destination mail address entered at that time is not registered in the mail address table and the result of determination 304 is NO, the network facsimile machine FX connects to the SMTP server of the mail server SM. Then, it is determined whether or not the connection has succeeded (step 306).

If the connection to the SMTP server is successful and the result of determination 306 is YES, the above-mentioned predetermined message transmission protocol is executed (process 3).
07), it is checked whether the pre-message transmission protocol has been completed normally (decision 308).

If the pre-message transmission protocol has been completed normally and the result of determination 308 is YES, the destination mail address at that time is additionally registered in the mail address table (process 309), and then the e-mail transmission operation is performed. To continue.

That is, first, a mail header as described above is created for the electronic mail at that time, and the mail header is transmitted to the SMTP server (process 31).
0).

Next, one page of the original is read by the scanner 5 (process 311), and the image data obtained thereby is converted into the above-mentioned TIFF-F format (process 312), and the obtained TIFF-F format is obtained. Is converted to MIME data (process 3).
13), and transmits the MIME data to the SMTP server (process 314).

Then, it is checked whether the next page is set in the scanner 4 (judgment 315).
If the result is YES, the process returns to step 311 to transmit the image information of the document image of the next page.

If the transmission of image information has been completed for all transmission originals and the result of determination 315 is NO, the above-mentioned predetermined message transmission protocol is executed (process 316), and this transmission operation is performed. To end.

On the other hand, if the connection to the SMTP server could not be made normally and the result of decision 306 is NO, or if the protocol before message transmission did not end normally, the result of decision 308 is If the answer is NO, an e-mail transmission error is displayed on the operation display section 7 together with the error reason (for example, "destination e-mail address error") (process 317), and this process ends with an error.

If the destination mail address entered at that time is registered in the mail address table, and the result of determination 304 is YES, e-mail data is created and transmitted collectively. .

That is, first, a mail header as described above is created and stored for the electronic mail at that time (process 318).

Next, one page of the original is read by the scanner 5 (step 319), and the image data obtained thereby is converted into the above-mentioned TIFF-F format (step 320), and the obtained TIFF-F format is obtained. Is converted to MIME data (process 3).
21), the MIME data is stored in the image storage device 9 (process 322).

Then, it is checked whether the next page is set in the scanner 4 (decision 323), and the decision 323 is made.
If the result is YES, the process returns to step 319 to accumulate image information of the document image of the next page.

When the image information has been stored for all the transmitted originals and all the data of the electronic mail have been stored, the network facsimile machine FX connects to the SMTP server of the mail server SM ( Process 32
4), execute the above-mentioned predetermined pre-message transmission protocol (process 325).

When the pre-message transmission protocol ends, the above-described message transmission protocol processing is executed, and
The stored e-mail data (mail header and MIME data) is transmitted to the SMTP server (step 32).
6) When the transmission of the e-mail is completed, the above-mentioned predetermined message transmission protocol is executed (processing 327),
This transmission operation ends.

In the above-described embodiment, a mail address table for registering a destination mail address to which an e-mail can be transmitted normally is provided, and a destination mail address designated by a user is registered in this mail address table. In the same manner as before, the e-mail is sent after the e-mail is created, but as shown in FIG. 10, the domain part of the destination e-mail address to which the e-mail can be sent normally is registered. If the domain part of the destination e-mail address specified by the user is registered in this domain table, the e-mail is sent after the e-mail is created, as in the past. The same effect can be obtained.

FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 show an example of a process for transmitting image information using an electronic mail in this case.

When a document is set on the scanner 5 (the result of the determination 401 is YES), the destination mail address is input (process 402), and the start key of the operation display unit 7 is pressed to instruct the start of transmission (step 402). The result of decision 403 is YE
S).

When transmission start is instructed, it is checked whether or not the contents of the domain part of the destination mail address input at that time are registered in the domain table (decision 404).

If the domain part of the destination mail address entered at that time is not registered in the domain table and the result of determination 404 is NO, the network facsimile machine FX
M is connected to the SMTP server (process 405), and it is checked whether or not the connection was successful (decision 406).

If the connection to the SMTP server is successful and the result of determination 406 is YES, the above-mentioned predetermined message transmission protocol is executed (process 4).
07), it is checked whether the pre-message transmission protocol has been completed normally (decision 408).

When the pre-message transmission protocol is completed normally and the result of the judgment 408 is YES, the contents of the domain part of the destination mail address at that time are additionally registered in the domain table (step 40).
9) Continue the e-mail transmission operation.

That is, first, a mail header as described above is created for the electronic mail at that time, and the mail header is transmitted to the SMTP server (step 41).
0).

Then, one page of the original is read by the scanner 5 (process 411), and the image data obtained thereby is converted into the above-mentioned TIFF-F format (process 412), and the obtained TIFF-F format is obtained. Is converted into MIME data (process 4).
13), and sends the MIME data to the SMTP server (process 414).

Then, it is checked whether the next page is set in the scanner 4 (judgment 415).
When the result is YES, the process returns to the process 411 to transmit the image information of the document image of the next page.

If the transmission of image information has been completed for all transmission originals and the result of determination 415 is NO, the above-described predetermined message transmission protocol is executed (processing 416), and this transmission operation is performed. To end.

On the other hand, if the connection to the SMTP server could not be made normally and the result of decision 406 is NO, or if the pre-message transmission protocol did not end normally, the result of decision 408 is When the answer is NO, an e-mail transmission error is displayed on the operation display section 7 together with the error reason (for example, "destination e-mail address error") (step 417), and this processing ends with an error.

If the contents of the domain part of the destination mail address entered at that time are registered in the domain table and the result of determination 404 is YES, e-mail data is created and And send.

That is, first, a mail header as described above is created and stored for the electronic mail at that time (process 418).

Next, one page of the original is read by the scanner 5 (process 419), and the image data obtained thereby is converted into the above-mentioned TIFF-F format (process 420), and the obtained TIFF-F format is obtained. Is converted into MIME data (process 4).
21), the MIME data is stored in the image storage device 9 (process 422).

Then, it is checked whether the next page is set in the scanner 4 (decision 423), and the decision 423 is made.
If the result is YES, the process returns to step 419 to accumulate image information of the document image of the next page.

When the accumulation of the image information has been completed for all the transmission originals and all the data of the e-mail have been stored, the network facsimile machine FX connects to the SMTP server of the mail server SM ( Process 42
4), execute the above-mentioned predetermined message transmission protocol (process 425).

When the pre-message transmission protocol ends, the above-described message transmission protocol processing is executed,
The stored e-mail data (mail header and MIME data) is transmitted to the SMTP server (processing 42).
6) When the transmission of the e-mail is completed, the above-mentioned predetermined message transmission protocol is executed (processing 427).
This transmission operation ends.

In the above-described embodiment, the description has been given of the case of the network facsimile apparatus having the function of the group 3 facsimile apparatus and connecting to the public network by using the PSTN. The present invention can be similarly applied to a network facsimile apparatus connected to a public network using ISDN.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the case where SMTP is applied as the MTA of the mail server device has been described. However, the present invention can be similarly applied to the case where another MTA is used.

[0120]

As described above, according to the present invention,
If the connection to the mail server cannot be terminated normally,
Alternatively, if the pre-message transmission protocol does not end normally, the e-mail transmission operation is not performed and the user is notified of the e-mail transmission error. Since an e-mail transmission error can be recognized before the e-mail is transmitted, the resending operation can be performed quickly and accurately.

Further, a mail address table for registering a destination mail address to which an e-mail can be transmitted normally is provided. When a destination mail address designated by a user is registered in this mail address table, the same as the conventional case. In addition, when an e-mail is transmitted after the e-mail is created, the user can be released from the operation of the network facsimile apparatus at an early stage, and the usability of the network facsimile apparatus is greatly improved.

A domain table for registering the domain part of the destination mail address to which the e-mail can be transmitted normally is provided. If the domain part of the destination mail address specified by the user is registered in this domain table, In the same manner as in the related art, if an e-mail transmission operation is performed after an e-mail is created, the user can be quickly released from operating the network facsimile apparatus, and the usability of the network facsimile apparatus is greatly improved. The effect is also obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a network facsimile machine FX.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an e-mail used when transmitting image information.

FIG. 4 shows a transmission-side SMTP client (for example, a network facsimile machine FX or a workstation WS1-WSn) and a reception-side SMTP when sending an e-mail.
6 is a time chart showing an example of a communication protocol performed between the server (for example, the mail server device SM).

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process when transmitting image information using an electronic mail according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating another example of a process when transmitting image information using an electronic mail according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a mail address table.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing still another example of the process when transmitting image information using electronic mail according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart (continued) showing still another example of the processing when transmitting image information using electronic mail according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a domain table.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing another example of a process when transmitting image information using an e-mail according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart (continued) showing another example of the processing when transmitting image information using electronic mail according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 FX network facsimile machine SM mail server device

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI theme coat ゛ (reference) H04L 29/02 H04L 13/00 301B H04N 1/32 F term (reference) 5C062 AA02 AA13 AA29 AA30 AA35 AE14 AF02 AF15 5C075 AB90 BA08 CD07 CD22 CE08 CE14 5K030 GA12 HA06 HB04 HC02 HC14 HD03 JT05 KA01 KA13 5K034 AA05 CC04 EE12 HH01 HH02 9A001 CC04 CC06 CC08 DD10 JJ14 JJ35 JJ35

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A function of performing image information communication using e-mail connected to a local area network or the Internet, and performing a predetermined facsimile transmission procedure between a facsimile apparatus connected to a public network and a public network. In a network facsimile machine with a function of exchanging facsimile data and a facsimile machine function, when sending image information using e-mail, it connects to the mail server and the destination mail address specified for the mail server A network facsimile apparatus comprising transmission control means for starting an image reading operation of a transmission original after transmitting information or the like. 2. A function for connecting to a local area network or the Internet to perform image information communication using electronic mail, and a function for connecting to a public network and performing a predetermined facsimile transmission procedure with a facsimile apparatus via the public network. A network facsimile machine with a function of exchanging facsimile data using a facsimile machine function, when sending image information using e-mail, connects to the mail server and is specified to the mail server in the pre-message transmission protocol. If the mail server responds normally after sending the destination mail address information etc.
A network facsimile apparatus comprising: a transmission control unit that starts an image reading operation of a transmission original and, when a normal response is not received from a mail server, terminates the transmission operation at that time and notifies an error. 3. A function for connecting to a local area network or the Internet to perform image information communication using e-mail, and a function for connecting to a public network and performing a predetermined facsimile transmission procedure with a facsimile apparatus via the public network. In a network facsimile machine having a function of exchanging facsimile data using a facsimile machine function, an e-mail address table for storing a destination e-mail address at which e-mail transmission can be completed, and when transmitting image information using e-mail If the specified e-mail address is stored in the e-mail address table, after the transmission image information is created, connection to the mail server is made and the specified destination e-mail address information and the like are transmitted to the mail server. Later, an e-mail carrying the created image information is sent. On the other hand, if the specified mail address is not stored in the above mail address table, after connecting to the mail server and transmitting the specified destination mail address information and the like to the mail server, the image of the transmission original is A network facsimile machine comprising transmission control means for starting a reading operation. 4. A function of performing image information communication using electronic mail connected to a local area network or the Internet, and performing a predetermined facsimile transmission procedure between a facsimile machine connected to a public network and the public network. In a network facsimile machine having a function of exchanging facsimile data using a facsimile machine function, an e-mail address table for storing a destination e-mail address at which e-mail transmission can be completed, and when transmitting image information using e-mail If the specified e-mail address is stored in the e-mail address table, after the transmission image information is created, connection to the mail server is made and the specified destination e-mail address information and the like are transmitted to the mail server. Later, an e-mail carrying the created image information is sent. On the other hand, if the specified e-mail address is not stored in the e-mail address table, the e-mail is connected to the e-mail server, and the e-mail is transmitted after transmitting the specified e-mail address information to the e-mail server in the pre-message transmission protocol. When a response is normally received from the server, the image reading operation of the transmission original is started, and when the response is not normally received from the mail server, the transmission operation is terminated at that point and an error notification is provided. A network facsimile machine characterized by the following. 5. A function for connecting to a local area network or the Internet to perform image information communication using e-mail, and a function for connecting to a public network and performing a predetermined facsimile transmission procedure with a facsimile apparatus via the public network. In a network facsimile machine with a function of exchanging facsimile data using a facsimile machine function, a domain table that stores the domain part of the destination e-mail address where e-mail transmission has been completed, and image information is transmitted using e-mail If the domain part of the specified e-mail address is stored in the above-mentioned domain table, connect to the mail server after creating the transmission image information, and specify the destination mail address information specified for the mail server. Etc., and then transmit the created image information While sending mail, if the domain part of the specified mail address is not stored in the domain table, connect to the mail server and send the specified destination mail address information etc. to the mail server A network facsimile apparatus comprising transmission control means for starting an image reading operation of a transmission original. 6. A function connected to a local area network or the Internet for performing image information communication using e-mail, and a predetermined facsimile transmission procedure connected to a public network and a facsimile apparatus via the public network. In a network facsimile machine with a function of exchanging facsimile data using a facsimile machine function, a domain table that stores the domain part of the destination e-mail address where e-mail transmission has been completed, and image information is transmitted using e-mail If the domain part of the specified e-mail address is stored in the above-mentioned domain table, connect to the mail server after creating the transmission image information, and specify the destination mail address information specified for the mail server. Etc., and then transmit the created image information If the domain part of the specified e-mail address is not stored in the above-mentioned domain table while sending the e-mail, the e-mail server connects to the e-mail server and receives destination e-mail address information specified for the e-mail server in the pre-message transmission protocol. If the response is normally sent from the mail server after sending the message, the image reading operation of the transmission original is started, while if the response is not normally sent from the mail server, the sending operation is terminated at that point and an error notification is sent. A network facsimile machine comprising means. 7. A function of performing image information communication using e-mail, connected to a local area network or the Internet, and performing a predetermined facsimile transmission procedure between a facsimile apparatus connected to a public network and the public network. A function of exchanging facsimile data using a network facsimile apparatus and a method of controlling a network facsimile apparatus having a facsimile apparatus function. A method for controlling a network facsimile apparatus, wherein an operation of reading an image of a transmission original is started after transmitting destination mail address information and the like. 8. A function connected to a local area network or the Internet for performing image information communication using e-mail, and a predetermined facsimile transmission procedure connected to a public network and connected to a facsimile apparatus via the public network. The function of exchanging facsimile data and the method of controlling a network facsimile machine with a facsimile machine function.When sending image information using e-mail, connect to the mail server and send the mail If the mail server responds normally after sending the specified destination mail address information,
A method for controlling a network facsimile apparatus, wherein an operation for reading an image of a transmission original is started, and if a normal response is not received from a mail server, the transmission operation is terminated at that point and an error is notified. 9. A function connected to a local area network or the Internet for performing image information communication using e-mail, and a predetermined facsimile transmission procedure connected to a public network and connected to a facsimile apparatus via the public network. A function for exchanging facsimile data using a network facsimile apparatus, and a method for controlling a network facsimile apparatus having a facsimile apparatus function. If the specified e-mail address is stored in the above e-mail address table when sending the e-mail address, create the transmission image information, connect to the mail server, and specify the destination e-mail address information for the mail server. Carry the above created transmission image information after transmitting While sending the child mail, if the specified mail address is not stored in the above mail address table, after connecting to the mail server and sending the specified destination mail address information etc. to the mail server, A method for controlling a network facsimile apparatus, wherein an image reading operation of a transmission original is started. 10. A function for connecting to a local area network or the Internet to perform image information communication using electronic mail, and a function for connecting to a public network and performing a predetermined facsimile transmission procedure with a facsimile apparatus via the public network. A function of exchanging facsimile data using a network facsimile machine and a method of controlling a network facsimile machine having a facsimile machine function, comprising: a mail address table for storing a destination mail address at which an e-mail has been successfully transmitted; If the specified e-mail address is stored in the above e-mail address table when sending the e-mail address, create the transmission image information, connect to the mail server, and specify the destination e-mail address information for the mail server. Etc., and then send the created If the designated e-mail address is not stored in the e-mail address table while the e-mail is transmitted, the e-mail is connected to the e-mail server, and the destination e-mail address information and the like specified for the e-mail server in the pre-message transmission protocol are transmitted. When a normal response is received from the mail server after transmission, the image reading operation of the transmission original is started, and when the normal response is not received from the mail server, the transmission operation is aborted at that point and an error notification is made. A method for controlling a network facsimile apparatus. 11. A function connected to a local area network or the Internet to perform image information communication using e-mail, and a predetermined facsimile transmission procedure connected to a public network and connected to a facsimile apparatus via the public network. A function of exchanging facsimile data using a network facsimile apparatus, and a method of controlling a network facsimile apparatus having a facsimile apparatus function. When transmitting image information, if the domain part of the specified e-mail address is stored in the domain table, after the transmission image information is created, it is connected to the mail server, and the specified mail address is transmitted to the mail server. After sending the destination mail address information, etc., While sending the e-mail carrying the image information, if the domain part of the specified e-mail address is not stored in the domain table, the e-mail is connected to the mail server, and the destination e-mail address information specified for the mail server And the like, after which the image reading operation of the transmission original is started. 12. A function of performing image information communication using electronic mail connected to a local area network or the Internet, and performing a predetermined facsimile transmission procedure between a facsimile apparatus connected to a public network and the public network. A function of exchanging facsimile data using a network facsimile apparatus, and a method of controlling a network facsimile apparatus having a facsimile apparatus function. When transmitting image information, if the domain part of the specified e-mail address is stored in the domain table, after the transmission image information is created, it is connected to the mail server, and the specified mail address is transmitted to the mail server. After sending the destination mail address information, etc., While sending an e-mail carrying image information, if the domain part of the specified e-mail address is not stored in the domain table, the e-mail server connects to the e-mail server and is specified to the e-mail server in the pre-message transmission protocol. If a normal response is received from the mail server after sending the destination mail address information, etc., the image reading operation of the transmission original is started. If the normal response is not received from the mail server, the transmission operation is stopped at that point. A method for controlling a network facsimile apparatus, wherein an error is notified.