JP2001061036A - Information service system and its method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To eliminate problems in an information service system employing a portable telephone with a browser function and an information service system for facsimile terminal by merging both systems thereby quickly serving information required for users. SOLUTION: A portable telephone 4 which a browser function transmits a menu page transmission request to a facsimile information server device 1, and the facsimile information server device 1 transmits a menu page to the portable telephone 4 with a browser function as its reply. Thus, a user can easily acquire the menu page. When the menu is displayed on a screen of the telephone 4 with a browser function, the user refers to the menu page to select a required information page. Then the telephone 4 with a browser function transmits a facsimile transmission instruction to the facsimile information server device 1, and the facsimile information server device 1 faxes an information page to the telephone 4 with a browser function.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information providing system, and more particularly, to a system for providing information from an information server to a facsimile machine, and a portable terminal such as a portable radio telephone from a WWW server through the Internet. And a system for providing information.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, similar to accessing a WWW (World Wide Web; hereinafter the same) server on the Internet by a personal computer or the like, information on a WWW server on the Internet using a portable radiotelephone body has been developed. A system to access the server was developed,
Currently, services are being provided. For example, N
I-mode service of TT Mobile Communication Network Co., Ltd., EZaccess of Japan Mobile Communication Network Co., Ltd., and EZWeb of DDI Cellular Group. In the services described above, it is possible to easily access the information server without using a personal computer or other devices by using the liquid crystal screen of the mobile phone as a display device and a keypad as an input device. It has become.

[0003] Recently, facsimile machines have permeated not only offices but also homes, and many information providing services for facsimile machines have been provided.
The prior art of an information providing system using a facsimile machine is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 5-12346 (Title of Invention: "Facsimile Machine and Information Retrieval System and Method of Operating Them", Applicant: American Telephon & Telegraph Company). Has been described.

In a conventional information providing service for a facsimile machine, input / output devices actually operated by a user are a speaker, a numeric keypad, operation buttons, and the like provided on the main body of the facsimile machine. In addition, as a method of notifying the user of what information can be extracted from the menu of the information providing service, that is, a facsimile, a method of providing a voice message through the facsimile device itself, a method of transmitting a menu page by facsimile, a method of transmitting a magazine, etc. There is a method of posting a menu in a publication.

[0005]

However, in a system for accessing an information server using a portable radio telephone main body, a large display area is required because the liquid crystal screen of the portable radio telephone main body is used as a display device. information,
For example, there is a problem that a map or a list including many items cannot be displayed, or even if it can be displayed, it is difficult to see.

On the other hand, in a conventional information providing service for a facsimile machine, it is difficult for a user to obtain a menu of the information providing service, and as a result, a required information page cannot be quickly retrieved. In a method of publishing a menu in a publication such as a magazine, the time of publication in the publication and the time when a user actually browses the publication and receives information provision are time-lagged. There may be a discrepancy between the information service that is available and the menu that is published in the publication, and the method of sending guidance by voice message or facsimile sending the menu page takes time and effort to obtain the menu Because.

[0007] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to solve the respective problems by integrating an information providing system using a portable terminal device and an information providing service for a facsimile machine, thereby making it possible for a user to use the information providing system. It is an object of the present invention to provide an information providing system that can quickly provide the information described above.

[0008]

A first aspect of the present invention is a system for providing information by facsimile transmitting an information page to a facsimile device, and includes a facsimile information server device and a portable terminal device. , And a facsimile device, the facsimile information server device receives a menu page transmission request from a facsimile information server control unit that transmits a facsimile information page to the facsimile device, and a portable terminal device,
To the portable terminal device, a response transmission of a menu page for selecting any one of the plurality of information pages, and
Upon receiving a facsimile transmission instruction from the portable terminal device,
WWW that passes the instruction to the facsimile information server control unit
Includes server part.

In the first aspect of the present invention, first, a menu page transmission request is sent from the portable terminal device to the facsimile information server device, and a menu page is transmitted as a response from the facsimile information server device to the portable terminal device. Thereby, the user can easily obtain the menu page. When the menu page is displayed on the screen of the portable terminal device, the user refers to the menu page and selects a desired information page. Next, a facsimile transmission instruction is sent from the portable terminal device to the facsimile information server device, and the information page is facsimile-transmitted from the facsimile information server device to the facsimile device. This allows the user to retrieve information pages such as maps and lists that cannot be displayed on the screen of the mobile terminal device. in this way,
According to the first aspect, information required by a user can be quickly provided.

[0010] A second invention is an information providing system for providing information by facsimile transmitting an information page to a facsimile machine, via a facsimile information server device provided on the Internet network and a mobile telephone network. And a facsimile device connected to a facsimile information server device via a public telephone network. The facsimile information server device transmits an information page to a facsimile device via a public telephone network. Receiving a menu page transmission request from the facsimile information server control unit and the mobile terminal device, and transmits a menu page for selecting one of the plurality of information pages to the mobile terminal device via the Internet network and the mobile phone network. And the said Receiving the facsimile transmission instructions from the band terminal device includes a WWW server unit to pass the instruction to the facsimile information server controller.

In the second invention, first, a menu page transmission request is sent from the portable terminal device to the facsimile information server device via the portable telephone network and the Internet network, and the facsimile information server device sends the menu page request to the portable terminal device.
A menu page is transmitted as a response through the Internet network and the mobile phone network. Thereby, the user can easily obtain the menu page. When the menu page is displayed on the screen of the portable terminal device, the user refers to the menu page and selects a desired information page. Next, from the portable terminal device to the facsimile information server device,
A facsimile transmission instruction is sent through the mobile phone network and the Internet network, and the information page is facsimile transmitted from the facsimile information server device to the facsimile device through the public telephone network. This allows the user to retrieve information pages such as maps and lists that cannot be displayed on the screen of the mobile terminal device. As described above, according to the second aspect, information required by the user can be quickly provided.

In a third aspect based on the second aspect, the facsimile information server device further includes an information storage section for storing a plurality of information pages and a menu page, and the facsimile information server device is selected when the facsimile transmission instruction from the portable terminal device is selected. Upon receiving the menu page transmission request from the portable terminal device, the WWW server unit extracts the menu page from the information storage unit and transmits a response to the portable terminal device, and transmits the response to the facsimile information server control. The unit is characterized in that, when a facsimile transmission instruction is passed from the WWW server unit, an information page corresponding to the identification number attached to the instruction is taken out of the information storage unit and transmitted by facsimile to the facsimile device.

In the third invention, the facsimile information server stores a plurality of information pages and menu pages. From the portable terminal device to the facsimile information server device, send a facsimile transmission instruction attached with the identification number of the information page selected by the user, and from the facsimile information server device to the facsimile device, the identification number attached to the facsimile transmission instruction Facsimile sending the corresponding information page.

In a fourth aspect based on the third aspect, the facsimile transmission instruction from the portable terminal device further includes the telephone number of the facsimile device, and the facsimile information server control unit transmits the facsimile transmission instruction. When a line is connected, facsimile transmission to a facsimile device is executed.

[0015] In the fourth invention, a facsimile transmission instruction to which the telephone number of the facsimile device is further attached is sent from the portable terminal device to the facsimile information server device.
The facsimile information server makes a call to the telephone number. When the line is connected, facsimile transmission from the facsimile information server device to the facsimile device is executed. In this case, the facsimile transmission fee generated in the public telephone network becomes a burden on the information provider who provides information using the facsimile information server device.

In a fifth aspect based on the fourth aspect, the facsimile transmission instruction from the portable terminal device further includes identification information of the portable terminal device, and the WWW server receives the facsimile transmission instruction. Authentication is performed based on the identification information of the mobile terminal device attached to the instruction, and when the authentication result is valid, the instruction is passed to the facsimile information server control unit.

In the fifth invention, a facsimile transmission instruction further attached with identification information (for example, a telephone number and a password) of the portable terminal device is transmitted from the portable terminal device to the facsimile information server device. Then, in the facsimile information server device, authentication is performed based on the identification information of the portable terminal device attached to the facsimile transmission instruction,
If the authentication result is valid, facsimile transmission from the facsimile information server device to the facsimile device is executed. As a result, it is possible to provide information only to a legitimate user, and as a result, an information provision fee can be collected from the user side.

In a sixth aspect based on the fifth aspect, the identification information of the portable terminal device is a telephone number and a password of the portable terminal device.

In a seventh aspect based on the fifth aspect, a billing device for billing the portable terminal device is provided on the portable telephone network, and the facsimile information server control section controls the information by facsimile transmission. Calculate and sum the information provision fee, which is the price of the provision, and the communication fee for the facsimile transmission, create billing information consisting of the total fee and the telephone number of the portable terminal device, Is notified to the charging device.

[0020] In the seventh invention, the facsimile information server device calculates and sums an information provision fee, which is a value for providing information by facsimile transmission, and a communication fee for the facsimile transmission. Charging information including the telephone number of the mobile terminal device is created and notified to a charging device on the mobile phone network. The charging device charges the mobile terminal device the information provision fee and the facsimile communication fee together with the mobile phone network usage fee based on the notified charging information. As a result, the information provider can collect the information provision fee and the facsimile communication fee borne by the information provider from the user.

In an eighth aspect based on the fifth aspect, the facsimile information server control section calculates an information provision fee, which is a price for providing information by facsimile transmission, and a communication fee for the facsimile transmission, and calculates a total. Then, billing information including the total fee is created.

In the eighth invention, the facsimile information server device calculates and sums an information provision fee, which is a price for providing information by facsimile transmission, and a communication fee for the facsimile transmission, and calculates the total fee. Create accounting information. Then, based on the created billing information, an information provision fee and a facsimile communication fee are charged to the portable terminal device. As a result, the information provider can collect the information provision fee and the facsimile communication fee borne by the information provider from the user.

In a ninth aspect based on the third aspect, the facsimile information server control section determines whether or not the facsimile transmission is successful, and passes the determination result to the WWW server section. The determination result passed from the facsimile information server control unit is notified to the portable terminal device.

In the ninth aspect, the facsimile information server device determines whether or not the facsimile transmission is successful, and notifies the portable terminal device of the determination result.

According to a tenth aspect, in the ninth aspect, the facsimile transmission instruction from the portable terminal device further includes an electronic mail address of the portable terminal device, and the WWW server section transmits the electronic mail address to the portable terminal device. Is notified by e-mail.

In the tenth aspect, a facsimile transmission instruction to which the electronic mail address of the portable terminal is further attached is transmitted from the portable terminal to the facsimile information server. Then, the facsimile information server device determines whether or not the facsimile transmission is successful, and notifies the mobile terminal device of the determination result by e-mail.

In an eleventh aspect based on the second aspect, a WWW server device is further provided on the Internet network, and the facsimile transmission instruction from the portable terminal device is attached with the URL address of the WWW server device. When the WWW server receives the facsimile transmission instruction, the WWW server obtains a WWW page from the WWW server corresponding to the URL address attached to the instruction, converts the WWW page into facsimile data, and converts the converted WWW. It is characterized in that the page is transmitted as a response to the portable terminal device as an information page.

In the eleventh aspect, a facsimile transmission instruction to which the URL address of the WWW server is further attached is transmitted from the portable terminal to the facsimile information server. Then, the facsimile information server device obtains the WWW page from the WWW server device corresponding to the URL address attached to the facsimile transmission instruction, converts the WWW page into a form of facsimile data, and uses the converted WWW page as an information page as a portable information page. Sends a response to the terminal device.
As a result, not only the information page held by the facsimile information server device itself but also the WWW page held by the WWW server can be provided through the facsimile device.

A twelfth invention is an information providing system for providing information by facsimile transmitting an information page to a facsimile device. The facsimile information server device and the mobile telephone network provided on the Internet network are provided. A facsimile device connected to a facsimile information server device via a public telephone network, and the facsimile information server device sends an information page to the facsimile device via the public telephone network. The facsimile information server controller to be transmitted receives a menu page transmission request from the mobile terminal device, and transmits a menu page for selecting one of a plurality of information pages to the mobile terminal device through the Internet network and the mobile phone network. And the carrying A WWW server unit that receives a facsimile transmission instruction from the terminal device, and an information storage unit that stores a plurality of information pages and menu pages. The identification number of the selected information page is attached to the facsimile transmission instruction from the mobile terminal device. When the facsimile transmission instruction is received, the WWW server unit notifies the portable terminal device of the identification number attached to the instruction and the telephone number of the facsimile information server device through the Internet network and the mobile telephone network, and performs facsimile transmission. The information server control unit receives the incoming call from the facsimile device, and when the line is connected, extracts the information page corresponding to the identification number sent from the facsimile device from the information storage unit,
It is characterized in that facsimile transmission is performed to a facsimile device.

In the twelfth aspect, the facsimile information server stores a plurality of information pages and a menu page for selecting any one of the information pages. From a mobile terminal device to a facsimile information server device,
A menu page transmission request is sent through the mobile phone network and the Internet network, and a menu page is transmitted as a response from the facsimile information server device to the mobile terminal device through the Internet network and the mobile phone network. Thereby, the user can easily obtain the menu page. When the menu page is displayed on the screen of the portable terminal device, the user refers to the menu page and selects a desired information page. Next, a facsimile transmission instruction to which the identification number of the selected information page is attached is sent from the portable terminal device to the facsimile information server device via the mobile phone network and the Internet network, and the facsimile information server device transmits the facsimile information to the portable terminal device. The identification number attached to the instruction and the telephone number of the facsimile information server itself are notified. When the identification number and the telephone number are displayed on the screen of the portable terminal device, the user inputs the telephone number to the facsimile machine. Next, when the facsimile machine makes a call to the telephone number and the line is connected, the user inputs the identification number to the facsimile machine. Then, the identification number is transmitted from the facsimile device to the facsimile information server device, and the information page corresponding to the identification number sent from the facsimile device is transmitted by facsimile to the facsimile device. This allows the user to retrieve information pages such as maps and lists that cannot be displayed on the screen of the mobile terminal device. As described above, according to the twelfth aspect, the information required by the user can be quickly provided. In this case, the facsimile transmission fee generated in the public telephone network is borne by the user who receives the information provided from the facsimile information server device.

A thirteenth invention is a method for providing information by facsimile transmitting an information page from a facsimile information server device to a facsimile device in a system including a facsimile information server device, a portable terminal device, and a facsimile device. Sending a menu page transmission request from the portable terminal device to the facsimile information server device, transmitting a menu page for selecting one of the plurality of information pages from the facsimile information server device to the portable terminal device, and transmitting a menu page response. A menu page is displayed on the screen, a facsimile transmission instruction is sent from the portable terminal device to the facsimile information server device, and the information page is transmitted by facsimile from the facsimile information server device to the facsimile device.

A fourteenth invention provides a facsimile information server device provided on the Internet network, a portable terminal device connected to the Internet network via a mobile phone network, and a connection to the facsimile information server device via a public telephone network. Facsimile equipment system,
A method for providing information by facsimile transmitting an information page from a facsimile information server device to a facsimile device, wherein a menu page transmission request is sent from a mobile terminal device to the facsimile information server device through a mobile phone network and the Internet network, and the facsimile information is transmitted. Transmitting a menu page for selecting one of a plurality of information pages from the server device to the portable terminal device through the Internet network and the portable telephone network, displaying the menu page on a screen of the portable terminal device, Sends a facsimile transmission instruction to the facsimile information server device through the mobile phone network and the Internet network, and facsimile-transmits an information page from the facsimile information server device to the facsimile device through the public telephone network. It is a symptom.

According to a fifteenth aspect, in the fourteenth aspect,
The facsimile information server device stores a plurality of information pages and menu pages, and sends a facsimile transmission instruction attached with the identification number of the selected information page from the portable terminal device to the facsimile information server device. To facsimile machines from
It is characterized in that an information page corresponding to the identification number attached to the facsimile transmission instruction is transmitted by facsimile.

According to a sixteenth aspect, in the fifteenth aspect,
From the portable terminal device to the facsimile information server device, a facsimile transmission instruction further attached with the telephone number of the facsimile device is sent, the facsimile information server device makes a call to the telephone number, and when the line is connected, the facsimile information server The facsimile transmission from the device to the facsimile device is performed.

According to a seventeenth aspect, in the sixteenth aspect,
From the portable terminal device to the facsimile information server device, a facsimile transmission instruction further attached with the identification information of the portable terminal device is sent, and in the facsimile information server device, based on the identification information of the portable terminal device attached to the facsimile transmission instruction. Authentication is performed, and when the authentication result is valid, facsimile transmission from the facsimile information server device to the facsimile device is executed.

According to an eighteenth aspect, in the seventeenth aspect,
It is characterized in that the identification information of the mobile terminal device is a telephone number and a password of the mobile terminal device.

According to a nineteenth aspect, in the seventeenth aspect,
A billing device for billing the portable terminal device is provided on the mobile phone network, and the facsimile information server device takes an information provision fee, which is a consideration for provision of information by facsimile transmission, and charges for the facsimile transmission. The communication fee is calculated and summed up, billing information including the total fee and the telephone number of the portable terminal device is created, and the billing device on the portable telephone network is notified.

According to a twentieth aspect, in the seventeenth aspect,
The facsimile information server device calculates and sums an information provision fee, which is a price for providing information by facsimile transmission, and a communication fee for the facsimile transmission, and creates billing information including the total fee. I have.

According to a twenty-first aspect, in the fifteenth aspect,
The facsimile information server device determines whether or not facsimile transmission is successful, and notifies the portable terminal device of the determination result.

According to a twenty-second invention, in the twenty-first invention,
The mobile terminal device transmits a facsimile transmission instruction to which the e-mail address of the mobile terminal device is further attached to the facsimile information server device, and performs notification to the mobile terminal device by e-mail.

According to a twenty-third aspect, in the fourteenth aspect,
A WWW server device is further provided on the Internet network, and a facsimile transmission instruction to which the URL address of the WWW server device is further attached is sent from the portable terminal device to the facsimile information server device, and the facsimile information server device transmits the facsimile information. From the WWW server device corresponding to the URL address attached to the transmission instruction to WWW
Get the page and convert it to facsimile data format,
The WWW page after the conversion is transmitted as a response to the portable terminal device as an information page.

A twenty-fourth invention is directed to a facsimile information server device provided on an Internet network, a portable terminal device connected to the Internet network via a mobile telephone network, and a connection to a facsimile information server device via a public telephone network. Facsimile equipment system,
A method for providing information by facsimile transmitting an information page from a facsimile information server device to a facsimile device, wherein the facsimile information server device includes:
A plurality of information pages and a menu page for selecting any one of the information pages are stored, and a menu page transmission request is sent from the mobile terminal device to the facsimile information server device through the mobile phone network and the Internet network, and the facsimile information server device From the mobile terminal to the facsimile information server device via the mobile phone network and the Internet network, and responds to the mobile terminal device by transmitting the menu page on the screen of the mobile terminal device. A facsimile transmission instruction with the identification number of the information page attached is sent, and the facsimile information server notifies the portable terminal of the identification number attached to the facsimile transmission instruction and the telephone number of the facsimile information server itself. The identification number and the telephone number are displayed on the screen of the portable terminal device, the facsimile device makes a call to the telephone number, and when the line is connected, the identification number is sent from the facsimile device to the facsimile information server device, The information page corresponding to the identification number sent from the facsimile machine is facsimile-transmitted to the facsimile machine by the facsimile information server device.

A twenty-fifth invention is a device for facsimile transmitting an information page to a facsimile device, a facsimile information server control unit for facsimile transmitting the information page to the facsimile device, and a menu page transmission request from the portable terminal device. Receiving, the mobile terminal device,
A WWW server unit that transmits a menu page for selecting any one of the plurality of information pages, receives a facsimile transmission instruction from the portable terminal device, and passes the instruction to a facsimile information server control unit. .

A twenty-sixth invention is a facsimile information server device for facsimile transmitting an information page to a facsimile device, a facsimile information server control unit for facsimile transmitting the information page to the facsimile device through a public telephone network, and a portable terminal. Receiving a menu page transmission request from the device, transmitting a menu page for selecting any of a plurality of information pages to the portable terminal device through the Internet network and the portable telephone network, and transmitting a facsimile from the portable terminal device. It has a WWW server unit that receives a transmission instruction and passes the instruction to the facsimile information server control unit.

[0045]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. (First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an information providing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
In FIG. 1, an information providing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes a facsimile information server device 1 provided on an Internet network 2 and a browser function connected to the Internet network 2 via a mobile phone network 5. A facsimile device 6 connected to the facsimile information server device 1 via the public telephone network 3 and a WWW server device 7 provided on the Internet network 2 are provided.

The mobile phone 4 with a browser function is a mobile phone having a browser function for acquiring a WWW page from the WWW server device 7 via the Internet 2 and displaying the acquired page on a screen in addition to a voice call function. .
As the mobile phone 4 with a browser function, for example, NTT
Known mobile phones compatible with i-mode service of Mobile Communication Network Co., Ltd., EZaccess of Japan Mobile Communication Network Co., Ltd., EZWeb of DDI Cellular Group, etc. can be used.

The facsimile device 6 is a known facsimile device having a facsimile communication function, a voice communication function, a function of switching between voice communication and facsimile communication, a key tone transmission function, and the like. The WWW server device 7 has a WW
W pages are stored and transmitted to the mobile phone 4 with a browser function through the Internet network 2 and the mobile phone network 5.
Provide W page.

The facsimile information server device 1 stores a plurality of information pages and a menu page for retrieving necessary information pages, and transmits the menu page to the mobile phone 4 with a browser function through the Internet network 2 and the mobile phone network 5. And an information page to the facsimile machine 6 through the public telephone network 3.

The facsimile information server device 1 having the above-described functions is realized in hardware, for example, by a known general workstation. The software is realized by a known OS and known server software, and server software including a new program for causing the facsimile information server device 1 to execute the information providing method according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the facsimile information server device 1 of FIG. In FIG. 2, the facsimile information server device 1
CPU 15, ROM 16, RAM 17, hard disk 18, Ethernet (registered trademark) interface 19, and RS-232C interface 20
And Ethernet interface 1
9 is connected to the Internet 2 via a router,
The RS-232C interface 20 is connected to the public telephone network 3 via a facsimile modem (see FIG. 3).

The ROM 16 stores a basic program for activating the facsimile information server 1 and performing initial settings. The hard disk 18 stores a plurality of information pages and a menu page. The hard disk 18 further stores programs constituting the OS and server software. When the facsimile information server device 1 is started, the programs are stored in the hard disk 18 by the RA.
Transferred to M17. The CPU 15 operates according to the program stored in the RAM 16, thereby realizing each block of the facsimile information server device 1 shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the facsimile information server device 1 of FIG. In FIG. 3, the facsimile information server device 1 has an Ethernet
et control unit 8, RS-232C control unit 9, TCP /
IP communication control unit 10 and facsimile communication control unit 11
, A WWW server unit 12, an information storage unit 13, and a facsimile information server control unit 14.

The Ethernet control unit 8
In order to perform communication by the net, control of communication hardware (Ethernet interface 19 in FIG. 2), control of a protocol, and the like are performed. The RS-232C control unit 9 controls communication hardware (RS-232C interface 20 in FIG. 3) and protocol control for performing RS-232C communication with the facsimile modem. TCP
/ IP communication control unit 10 is a communication hardware (FIG. 3) for performing TCP / IP communication with the Internet network 2.
Control of the Ethernet interface 19) and protocol control. Note that the Ethernet control unit 8, the RS-232C control unit 9, and the TCP / IP communication control unit 10 are UNIX (registered trademark), Windows
This is a function incorporated in the OS itself such as sNT (registered trademark).

The facsimile communication control unit 11 is connected to the RS-2
The facsimile / modem is controlled through the 32C control unit 9 to perform facsimile communication control. WWW server unit 12
Receives a request from the mobile phone 4 with a browser function and responds with a menu page. WWW server unit 1
2 receives an instruction from the mobile phone 4 with a browser function,
It requests the facsimile information server control unit 14 to transmit the information page to the facsimile machine 6. The WWW server unit 12 is, for example, a Microsoft
Internet Information Server
r "or other known server software.

The information storage unit 13 stores a plurality of information pages,
A menu page for selecting an information page desired by the user is stored. The information page is a page describing, for example, gourmet information and event information in various parts of the country, and has a form of facsimile data (image information) suitable for the facsimile machine 6. The menu page is a page describing a menu for selecting a required page from a plurality of information pages, and has a hypertext mode suitable for the mobile phone 4 with a browser function.

As the menu page, a page describing the general genre to which the information page belongs (upper page), a page describing detailed categorization items of a specific genre (middle page), one by one There is a page describing the title of the information page (lower page). In the information storage unit 13, the storage area is divided into a plurality of directories, and information pages and menu pages are
It is stored in any directory and managed hierarchically. Each title described in the lower menu page and each information page are associated with each other by an identification number.

In the information storage unit 13, as information for charging the mobile phone 4 with a browser function, for example, the telephone number of the mobile phone 4 and the name of the communication carrier (user) of the mobile phone 4 Alternatively, an identification code) and a password (or a password) are stored in association with each other.

The facsimile information server control unit 14
In response to a request from the WW server unit 12, an information page is extracted from the information storage unit 13, and the facsimile communication control unit 1
1 and the facsimile machine 6 through the RS-232C control unit 9. Further, the facsimile information server control unit 14 responds to a request from the WWW server unit 12 to
The WWW page acquired by the WW server unit 12 is transmitted to the facsimile machine 6 through the facsimile communication control unit 11 and the RS-232C control unit 9.

Here, the facsimile information server control unit 14 has a C for creating an interactive WWW page.
GI (Common Gate Way Interfa)
ce) and the like, and the known server software activated by the new server software.

The operation of the information providing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described below. However, the operation until the mobile phone 4 with the browser function becomes accessible to the WWW server device 7 on the Internet network 2 and the transmission from the facsimile information server device 1 to the facsimile device 6 and the connection after the line connection , The operation of facsimile sending information pages is well known,
Description is omitted. In addition, the mobile phone 4 with a browser function
It has an e-mail address and exchanges e-mail with another mobile phone 4 with a browser function through a mail server (not shown) on the Internet network 2. This operation is performed according to the present invention. The description is omitted because it deviates from the purpose.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an outline of the operation of the information providing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 4, in the information providing system according to the first embodiment, first, the mobile phone 4 with a browser function requests the facsimile information server device 1 for a menu page (step F1). Facsimile information server device 1
Provides a menu page to the mobile phone with browser function 4 through the Internet network 2 and the mobile phone network 5 (step F2). Next, mobile phone 4 with browser function
Displays the menu page provided from the facsimile information server device 1 on the screen (step F3).

When the user refers to the displayed menu page and selects an information page to be received, the cellular phone with browser function 4 transmits the selected information page to the facsimile device 6 so that the selected information page is transmitted to the facsimile machine 6. 1 (step F4). In the facsimile transmission instruction in step F4, the mobile phone with browser function 4 checks the identification number of the selected information page, the telephone number of the facsimile device 6 of the transmission destination, the number of the mobile phone with browser function 4 itself, and the password. The number (or password) is notified to the facsimile information server device 1.

In response, facsimile information server device 1
Transmits the selected information page to the facsimile machine 6 through the public telephone network 3 (step F5). In the facsimile transmission process of step F5, the facsimile information server device 1
Authentication is performed based on the telephone number and the password of the mobile phone 4 and, when the authentication is established, a call is made to the facsimile machine 6 having the telephone number notified from the mobile phone 4 with the browser function. Then, when the line is connected, the information page corresponding to the identification number notified from the mobile phone 4 with the browser function among the plurality of stored information pages is transmitted to the facsimile machine 6.

FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing a specific operation example of the information providing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 shows a menu page (or a confirmation page) displayed on the screen of the mobile phone with a browser function 4 of FIG. 1 corresponding to the sequence diagram of FIG. In FIG. 5, it is assumed that the mobile phone with a browser function 4 is already in a state where it can access the facsimile information server device 1.

When the user specifies the URL address of the facsimile information server device 1, the mobile phone with browser function 4 accesses the facsimile information server device 1 and
Requests transmission of a menu page (sequence S10)
1). Upon receiving the menu page transmission request, the facsimile information server device 1 responds with a menu page described in HTML or the like, while the mobile phone 4 with a browser function
The menu page is received and displayed on the screen (sequence S102). An example of the menu page displayed at this time is indicated by reference numeral 101 in FIG.

When the user selects one item (“Nagoya district”) with reference to the menu page 101 displayed on the screen of the mobile phone with browser function 4 in the sequence S102, the mobile phone with browser function 4 selects the item. The notified item is notified to the facsimile information server device 1 (sequence S103). The facsimile information server device 1 having received the notification of the selected item responds with a menu page (more detailed menu page) corresponding to the item, while the mobile phone 4 with the browser function receives the menu page and displays it on the screen. The operation is performed (sequence S104). An example of a menu page displayed at this time is shown in FIG.
It is indicated by 2.

Then, the sequence S is executed between the portable telephone 4 with the browser function and the facsimile information server 1.
103 and the sequence S104, ie, the selection of items and the response of a more detailed menu page are repeatedly performed.
A more detailed menu page is displayed on the screen (sequences S105 and S106). One example of a menu page displayed when this exchange is repeated twice is shown by reference numerals 103 and 104 in FIG.

When the user selects one item (here, an information page to be received by facsimile; "map") with reference to menu page 104 displayed on the screen of mobile phone 4 with a browser function in sequence S106,
Mobile phone with browser function 4 notifies facsimile information server device 1 of the selected item (sequence S10).
7). The facsimile information server device 1 that has received the notification of the selection item includes an input form for having the user write the telephone number, the e-mail address, the password, and the telephone number of the facsimile device 6 of the mobile phone 4 with a browser function. A menu page is responded (sequence S108). An example of the menu page displayed at this time is indicated by reference numeral 105 in FIG.

Referring to menu page 105 displayed on the screen of mobile phone 4 with browser function in sequence S 108, the user sets the telephone number, e-mail address, password, and telephone number of facsimile device 6 of mobile phone 4 with browser function. Enter the numbers one by one, then
When the "Send" button is pressed, the mobile phone 4 with the browser function
Facsimile information server device 1
And a facsimile transmission request is made (sequence S109).

The facsimile information server device 1 having received the facsimile transmission request and the notification of the telephone number and the like performs authentication based on the mobile telephone number and the password. Respond to telephone 4 with a confirmation page indicating that the facsimile transmission request has been accepted (sequence S110). An example of the confirmation page displayed at this time is shown by reference numeral 106 in FIG.

Subsequently, the facsimile information server device 1
Sends a call to the facsimile number notified in sequence S109 (sequence S111). The facsimile device 6 establishes a line connection for the incoming call from the facsimile information server device 1 and starts a facsimile reception operation (sequence S112).

In response to the facsimile machine 6 starting the reception operation, the facsimile information server device 1 describes the information page corresponding to the item notified in the sequence S107 (that is, a map of "French cuisine GHI shop"). Page) in the form of facsimile data in the public telephone network 3
(Sequence S113).

After the facsimile transmission in sequence S113 is completed, the facsimile information server device 1 calculates a communication charge (charge generated in the public telephone network 3) for the facsimile transmission, and calculates the calculated communication charge and the information page. And the information provision fee, which is the price for providing the information. Then, the total amount and the sequence S109
Is notified to a billing device (not shown) managed by a communication carrier that operates the portable telephone network 5 as billing information, and a billing request is made (sequence). S114).

The billing device of the portable telephone network 2 receiving the billing request from the facsimile information server device 1 in the sequence S114 charges the portable telephone 4 with the browser function having the telephone number included in the notified billing information. The total amount (information provision fee and communication fee on the public telephone network 3 side) included in the information and the communication fee of the mobile phone 4 with a browser function are charged. Then, the charging device of mobile telephone network 2 returns a notification to the effect that the charging request has been accepted to facsimile information server device 1 (sequence S115).

When the facsimile information server device 1 receives the reception notification sent from the charging device of the mobile telephone network 2 in sequence S115, the facsimile information server device 1 transmits a facsimile transmission completion notification indicating that the facsimile communication in sequence S113 has been completed in sequence S109. The e-mail address is transmitted to the mobile phone 4 with the browser function having the notified e-mail address (sequence S116). The above is an example of the operation performed by the information providing system.

As described above, in the information providing system according to the first embodiment, the facsimile information server 1
First, upon receiving a request from the mobile phone 4 with a browser function,
A menu page is responded to the mobile phone 4 with a browser function, and the information page selected by the user is transmitted to the facsimile device 6 in accordance with an instruction from the mobile phone 4 with a browser function. Then, the information provider that provides the information providing service using the facsimile information server device 1
An information provision fee and a facsimile communication fee are collected from the user of the mobile phone 4 with a browser function.

Here, the collection of the information provision fee and the facsimile communication fee is performed by the facsimile information server device 1.
Is replaced by an information provider that provides an information providing service, and a communication operator that operates the mobile phone network 5 acts on behalf of the information provider.
For example, when a communication carrier operating the mobile phone network 5 charges a user for a communication fee for the mobile phone 4 with a browser function that is periodically performed on a monthly basis, the information provider fee and the facsimile communication fee are also charged. .

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the facsimile information server device 1 of FIG. Hereinafter, the operation of the facsimile information server device 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 7 and the functional block diagram of FIG. 7 and 2, in the facsimile information server device 1, the WWW server unit 12 receives a menu page transmission request from the mobile phone 4 with a browser function via the TCP / IP communication control unit 10 and the Ethernet control unit 8 (step F101). ). In response to this request, W
The WW server unit 12 retrieves the menu page from the information storage unit 13 and transmits the retrieved page as a response to the mobile phone 4 with a browser function via the TCP / IP communication control unit 10 and the Ethernet control unit 8 (step F1).
02).

In the mobile phone 4 with browser function, one anchor in the menu page received from the facsimile information server device 1 is selected in accordance with the key operation of the user, and the selection result (hereinafter, referred to as the mobile phone 4 with browser function) is selected. , Anchor selection notification) is transmitted.

Next, in the facsimile information server device 1, the WWW server unit 12
0 and an anchor selection notification from the mobile phone 4 with a browser function is received through the Ethernet control unit 8 (step F103). The WWW server unit 12 analyzes the received anchor selection notification and determines whether or not the anchor selected in the mobile phone 4 with a browser function indicates an information page to be transmitted by facsimile (step F104). If the result of the determination in step F104 is negative, that is, if the selected anchor does not indicate an information page, the WWW server unit 12 proceeds to step F104.
Returning to step 102, the menu page corresponding to the selected anchor is retrieved from the information storage unit 13 and transmitted as a response.

If the result of the determination in step F104 is affirmative, that is, if the anchor selected on the mobile phone with browser function 4 indicates an information page, the WWW server unit 12 determines the telephone number of the mobile phone with browser function 4 and A response page is transmitted through the TCP / IP communication control unit 10 and the Ethernet control unit 8 via the TCP / IP communication control unit 10 and a menu page including an input form for the user to write the e-mail address, the password, and the telephone number of the facsimile device 6 (step F105). ).

In the mobile phone 4 with a browser function, a telephone number or the like is input in accordance with the above-mentioned input form received from the facsimile information server device 1. From the mobile phone 4 with a browser function, the input telephone number or the like is input. , And a facsimile transmission request.

Next, in the facsimile information server device 1, the WWW server unit 12
0 and the facsimile transmission request transmitted from the mobile phone 4 with a browser function through the Ethernet control unit 8, a telephone number and the like (that is, a telephone number and an e-mail address of the mobile phone 4 with a browser function, a password,
(The telephone number of the facsimile machine 6) (step F106).

Next, the WWW server section 12 executes step F
The facsimile transmission request received in step F106 is authenticated based on the telephone number and password of the mobile phone with browser function 4 received in step 106 (step F107). If the request is not valid, step F105 is performed. And returns a menu page including the input form as a response, and if it is valid, sends a notification page indicating that the facsimile transmission request has been accepted to the cellular phone with a browser function 4 to the TCP / IP communication control unit. Then, a response is transmitted through 10 and the Ethernet control unit 8 (step F108).

Next, the WWW server section 12 executes step F
The telephone number of the facsimile device 6 and the facsimile transmission request received at 106 are delivered to the facsimile information server control unit 14. In response to the passed request, the facsimile information server control unit 14 executes facsimile transmission (step F109).

The facsimile transmission processing in step F109 is performed as follows. The facsimile information server control unit 14 firstly controls the facsimile communication control unit 11
And request the RS-232C control unit 9 to make a call to the telephone number of the facsimile machine 6, and on the basis of the anchor selection notification received in step F103, the anchor selected in the mobile phone 4 with a browser function. Is retrieved from the information storage unit 13. When the line is connected to the facsimile machine 6,
The facsimile information server control unit 14 transmits the extracted information page to the facsimile communication control unit 11 and the RS-2.
Facsimile transmission is performed through the 32C control unit 9 (step F109).

Next, the facsimile information server control unit 14
Determines the success or failure of the facsimile transmission executed in step F109 (step F110). As a result of the judgment,
If the facsimile transmission is successful, the facsimile information server control unit 14 executes a charging process for the mobile phone 4 with a browser function (step F111), and then the WW
The W server unit 12 transmits an e-mail notifying that the facsimile transmission has been completed to the mobile phone with browser function 4 through the TCP / IP communication control unit 10 and the Ethernet control unit 8 (step F112). Step F
If it is determined in step 110 that the facsimile transmission has failed, the WWW server unit 12 transmits an e-mail notifying that the facsimile transmission has failed to the mobile phone 4 with a browser function (step F113).

The charging process in step F111 is performed as follows. Facsimile information server control unit 1
Reference numeral 4 denotes a communication fee for the facsimile transmission in step F109 (a fee generated in the public telephone network 3).
Is calculated, and then the calculated communication fee and the information provision fee, which is the price for providing the information page, are added up. Then, the total amount and the telephone number of the mobile phone with a browser function 4 received in step F106 are notified as charging information to a charging device (not shown) managed by a communication company operating the mobile phone network 5. Make a billing request. And
When charging the communication fee of the mobile phone 4 with a browser function to the user of the mobile phone 4 with a browser function by the above-mentioned charging device, the information provision fee and the facsimile communication fee are combined based on the charging information. Done.
The above is the operation of the facsimile information server device 1.

As described above, in the present embodiment, a menu page transmission request is first sent from the mobile phone with browser function 4 to the facsimile information server device 1 through the mobile phone network 5 and the Internet network 2, and the facsimile information server device 1 A menu page is transmitted as a response to the mobile phone 4 with a browser function through the Internet network 2 and the mobile phone network 5. Thereby, the user can easily obtain the menu page. When a menu page is displayed on the screen of the mobile phone 4 with a browser function, the user refers to the menu page and selects a desired information page. Next, a facsimile transmission instruction is sent from the mobile phone 4 with the browser function to the facsimile information server device 1 through the mobile phone network 5 and the Internet network 2, and the information is sent from the facsimile information server device 1 to the facsimile device 6 via the public telephone network 3 Fax the page. This allows the user to retrieve information pages such as maps and lists that cannot be displayed on the screen of the mobile phone 4 with a browser function.

Further, the facsimile information server device 1
A plurality of information pages and menu pages are stored. A facsimile transmission instruction to which the identification number of the information page selected by the user is attached is sent from the mobile phone 4 with the browser function to the facsimile information server device 1,
Facsimile information server device 1 to facsimile device 6
, The information page corresponding to the identification number attached to the facsimile transmission instruction is transmitted by facsimile.

Further, the mobile phone 4 with the browser function sends a facsimile device 6 to the facsimile information server 1.
A facsimile transmission instruction to which the telephone number is further attached is sent, and the facsimile information server device 1 makes a call to the telephone number. Then, when the line is connected, facsimile transmission from the facsimile information server device 1 to the facsimile device 6 is executed. In this case, the facsimile transmission fee generated in the public telephone network 3 becomes a burden on the information provider who provides information using the facsimile information server device 1.

Further, the mobile phone 4 with the browser function sends a facsimile transmission instruction to the facsimile information server device 1 to which the telephone number and password of the mobile phone 4 with the browser function are further attached. Then, in the facsimile information server device 1, authentication is performed based on the telephone number and password of the mobile phone 4 with a browser function attached to the facsimile transmission instruction, and if the authentication result is valid, the facsimile information server device 1 A facsimile transmission to the facsimile device 6 is executed. As a result, it is possible to provide information only to a legitimate user, and as a result, an information provision fee can be collected from the user side.

Further, the facsimile information server device 1
Calculates and sums the information provision fee, which is the price for providing information by facsimile transmission, and the communication fee required for the facsimile transmission, and creates billing information including the total fee and the telephone number of the mobile phone 4 with a browser function. Then, it notifies the billing device on the mobile phone network 5. The charging device charges the information providing fee and the facsimile communication fee to the mobile phone with a browser function 4 together with the usage fee of the mobile phone network 5 based on the notified charging information. This allows
The information provider can collect the information provision fee and the facsimile communication fee paid by the information provider from the user.

In the present embodiment, the telephone number and password of the mobile phone 4 with a browser function required for authentication are
Although the management is performed in the facsimile information server device 1, a configuration in which the management is performed by a communication carrier that operates the mobile phone network 5 may be used instead. in this case,
The facsimile information server control unit 14 determines in step F10
Instead of executing the authentication process of 7, the authentication may be requested to the communication carrier that operates the mobile phone network 5, and the authentication result may be received.

In this embodiment, the user inputs the telephone number and password of the mobile phone 4 with a browser function, and the telephone number and password input by the user are transmitted from the mobile phone 4 with the browser function to the facsimile information server device 1. Notifying (sequence S10 in FIG. 5)
9) is replaced with a message transmitted from the mobile phone with browser function 4 to the facsimile information server device 1 by the mobile phone network 5 (for example, the sequences S101 and S1 in FIG. 5).
03, S105, S107 and S109), the telephone number of the mobile phone 4 with a browser function may be inserted into the menu page transmission request or the notification of the selection item. In this case, the user may use the mobile phone 4 with a browser function.
You do not need to enter and print your phone number and password.

As a method for the mobile phone network 5 to insert the telephone number of the mobile phone 4 with a browser function into a message from the mobile phone 4 with a browser function to the facsimile information server 1, there is, for example, the following method. . The protocol HTTP (Hyper Text Tr) used for accessing the WWW server device 7 on the Internet network 2
transfer protocol) is used as a protocol between the mobile phone network 5 and the facsimile information server device 1, the mobile phone network 5 uses "" in the HTTP header.
The telephone number of the mobile phone with browser 4 can be described in the "User-Agent" field.

Further, in this embodiment, the billing process of step F111 is performed every time the user acquires information by facsimile, but the charges for one month are periodically collected, for example, once a month. Then, the totalization result may be notified from the facsimile information server device 1 to the communication carrier that operates the mobile phone network 5.

Further, in the present embodiment, the information provision fee and the facsimile communication fee are charged to the user of the portable telephone 4 with the browser function, but the charging may not be performed. In this case, the billing process in step F111 can be omitted, and if billing is not performed, authentication is also unnecessary. Therefore, the authentication process in step F107 can be omitted, and the processing load on the facsimile information server device 1 is reduced. on the other hand,
For the user, the trouble of inputting the telephone number and password of the mobile phone 4 with a browser function can be omitted.

In the present embodiment, the billing information (including the total amount of the information provision fee and the facsimile communication fee and the telephone number of the portable telephone 4 with a browser function) created by the facsimile information server device 1 is transmitted to the portable telephone. Telephone network 5
The communication company that operates the mobile phone network 5 notifies the billing device (not shown) provided above and collects the information provision fee and the facsimile communication fee. The operating information provider itself may collect the information provision fee and the facsimile communication fee. In this case, the facsimile information server control unit 14
An information provision fee, which is a value for providing information by facsimile transmission, and a communication fee for the facsimile transmission are calculated and summed up, and billing information including the total fee may be created.

Further, in the present embodiment, in order to authenticate the mobile phone 4 with the browser function, the telephone number and the password of the telephone 4 are used, but it is possible to use only the telephone number or only the password. Good. Alternatively, any identification information that can identify the telephone 4 (or the user) may be used.

Further, in the present embodiment, whether or not the facsimile transmission is successful is notified to the mobile phone 4 with a browser function by e-mail, but may be notified by a method other than e-mail, such as a telephone. Good.

Further, in this embodiment, when a plurality of information pages are transmitted by facsimile, the facsimile information server device 1 transmits the one information page by facsimile every time one information page is selected. (Fig. 7
Step F109) may wait for the user to select a plurality of information pages, and then collectively transmit the plurality of information pages by facsimile. For that purpose, the description method of the menu page transmitted by the facsimile information server device 1 to the mobile phone 4 with the WWW server function needs to be changed so that the group of items selected by the user is retained. It should be added that the fact that a program for holding groups can be realized by CGI is well known to engineers who create information pages of the WWW server device 7.

(Second Embodiment) The configuration of the information providing system according to the second embodiment of the present invention is the same as that of the information providing system according to the first embodiment, and therefore the block diagram of FIG. . Also, the facsimile information server device 1
Since the hardware configuration and the functional configuration of FIG. 1 (see FIG. 1) are the same as those of the first embodiment, the block diagrams of FIGS. 2 and 3 are used. Furthermore, since the outline of the operation of the information providing system according to the second embodiment of the present invention is the same as that of the information providing system according to the first embodiment, the flowchart of FIG.

The operation of the information providing system according to the second embodiment of the present invention is different from that of the first embodiment only in the following two points (1) and (2). (1) In the first embodiment, the information provision fee and the facsimile communication fee are charged to the user through the communication carrier that operates the mobile phone network 5, but in the second embodiment, the user is charged. Do not do.

However, if the billing process is simply omitted in the first embodiment, the facsimile communication fee imposes a burden on the information provider holding the facsimile information providing server device 1. Therefore, (2) In the first embodiment, the facsimile information server device 1 sends a call to the facsimile device 6 at the time of facsimile transmission, but in the second embodiment, the facsimile device 6 transmits the facsimile information server. A change is made to make a call to the device 1.

As described in the above (2), the facsimile machine 6
To make a call to the facsimile information server device 1,
Notifies the mobile phone 4 with the browser function of the identification number of the information page selected by the user and the telephone number of the facsimile information server device 1, and the mobile phone 4 with the browser function notifies the notified identification number. And the phone number on the screen. The user inputs the telephone number displayed on the screen of the mobile phone 4 with the browser function to the facsimile machine 6, and the facsimile machine 6 makes a call to the facsimile information server device 1.

When the line is connected to the facsimile information server device 1, the user inputs the identification number displayed on the screen of the mobile phone 4 with a browser function to the facsimile device 6, and in response, the facsimile device 6 The identification number is transmitted to the facsimile information server device 1. Upon receiving the identification number from the facsimile machine 6, the facsimile information server device 1 transmits a response to the information page corresponding to the received identification number. If facsimile transmission is performed in this way, the facsimile communication fee will be borne by the user. That is, the user pays a facsimile communication fee to a communication company that operates the public telephone network 3.

It should be noted that the facsimile machine 6 makes a call to the facsimile information server device 1 and, after connecting the line,
The operation of specifying an information page to be received by a key tone and performing facsimile reception of the information page is well-known, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram showing a specific operation example of the information providing system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 shows a menu page (or a guide page) displayed on the screen of the mobile phone 4 with a browser function of FIG. 1 corresponding to the sequence diagram of FIG. 8, sequences S201 to S207 are the same processing as sequences S101 to S107 in FIG. 5. In FIG. 9, menu pages denoted by reference numerals 201 to 204 are denoted by reference numerals 101 to 104 in FIG. This is similar to the menu page shown (see the first embodiment). However, in the present embodiment, it is assumed that each of the information pages stored in the information storage unit 13 of the facsimile information server device 1 is given a fixed identification number in advance.

In sequence S206, referring to menu page 204 displayed on the screen of mobile phone 4 with a browser function, when the user selects one item (here, information page desired to be received by facsimile; "map"),
Mobile phone with browser function 4 notifies facsimile information server device 1 of the selected item (sequence S20).
7). The facsimile information server device 1 having received the notification of the selection item responds with a guide page describing the telephone number of the facsimile information server device 1 (sequence S20).
8). An example of the guidance page displayed at this time is indicated by reference numeral 205 in FIG.

Referring to the guide page 205 displayed on the screen of the mobile phone with browser function 4 in sequence S208, when the user inputs the telephone number of the facsimile information server device 1 to the facsimile device 6, the facsimile device 6 A call is sent to the facsimile information server device 1 (sequence S209).

The facsimile information server device 1 makes a line connection for an incoming call from the facsimile device 6 (sequence S210). When the line is connected, the user inputs the identification number described on the guide page 205 displayed on the screen of the mobile phone 4 with the browser function in the sequence S208 to the facsimile machine 6, and accordingly, the facsimile machine 6 , The entered identification number in the form of a key tone,
The data is transmitted to the facsimile information server device 1 and the receiving operation starts (sequence S211).

Facsimile information server device 1 receives the key tone transmitted in sequence S211 and analyzes it. In response to the fact that the facsimile machine 6 has entered the receiving operation, the information page corresponding to the identification number notified from the facsimile machine 6 (in the example of FIG. 9, a map of "French cuisine GHI shop" is described. Page) in the form of facsimile data via the public telephone network 3 (sequence S212). The above is an example of the operation performed by the information providing system.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the facsimile information server device 1 of FIG. Hereinafter, the operation of the facsimile information server device 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 10 and the functional block diagram of FIG. Steps F201 to F204 in FIG.
This is the same processing as steps F101 to F104.
10 and 2, if the determination result in step F204 is negative, that is, if the selected anchor does not indicate an information page, the WWW server unit 12 proceeds to step F204.
Returning to 202, the menu page corresponding to the selected anchor is retrieved from the information storage unit 13 and transmitted as a response.

If the determination result of step F204 is affirmative, that is, if the anchor selected on the mobile phone 4 with the browser function indicates an information page, the WWW server unit 12 determines the identification number of the information page and the facsimile information. The guide page (the page indicated by reference numeral 205 in FIG. 9) in which the telephone number of the server device 1 is described is set to T
A response is transmitted through the CP / IP communication control unit 10 and the Ethernet control unit 8 (step F205).

In the mobile phone 4 with the browser function, the guide page received from the facsimile information server device 1 is displayed on the screen. The user refers to the information page,
When the identification number of the information page and the telephone number of the facsimile information server device 1 are input to the facsimile device 6,
The facsimile machine 6 makes a call to the telephone number.

Next, in the facsimile information server device 1, the facsimile information server control unit 14 receives a call from the facsimile device 6 through the facsimile communication control unit 11 and the RS-232C control unit 9 and establishes a line connection (step S1). F206). When the line is connected, the facsimile device 6 transmits the identification number of the information page input by the user.

Next, in the facsimile information server device 1, the facsimile information server controller 14 receives the identification number transmitted from the facsimile device 6 through the facsimile communication controller 11 and the RS-232C controller 9 (step F207). ). Next, the facsimile information server control unit 14 extracts the information page corresponding to the identification number received in step F207 from the information storage unit 13. Then, the extracted information page is sent to the facsimile device 6 and the facsimile communication control unit 11 and the RS-
Facsimile transmission is performed through the 232C control unit 9 (step F208). The above is the operation of the facsimile information server device 1.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the facsimile information server device 1 stores a plurality of information pages and a menu page for selecting one of them. A menu page transmission request is sent from the mobile phone with browser function 4 to the facsimile information server device 1 through the mobile phone network 5 and the Internet network 2,
A menu page is transmitted as a response from the facsimile information server device 1 to the mobile phone 4 with a browser function via the Internet network 2 and the mobile phone network 5. Thereby, the user can easily obtain the menu page.

When the menu page is displayed on the screen of the mobile phone 4 with a browser function, the user refers to the menu page and selects a desired information page. Next, a facsimile transmission instruction to which the identification number of the selected information page is attached is sent from the mobile phone 4 with the browser function to the facsimile information server device 1 through the mobile phone network 5 and the Internet network 2, and from the facsimile information server device 1. The identification number attached to the facsimile transmission instruction and the telephone number of the facsimile information server device 1 itself are notified to the mobile phone 4 with the browser function.

When the identification number and the telephone number are displayed on the screen of the mobile phone 4 with a browser function, the user inputs the telephone number to the facsimile machine 6. Next, when the facsimile machine 6 makes a call to the telephone number and the line is connected, the user inputs the identification number to the facsimile machine 6. Then, the identification number is transmitted from the facsimile device 6 to the facsimile information server device 1, and the information page corresponding to the identification number sent from the facsimile device 6 is transmitted by facsimile to the facsimile device 6.

As a result, the user can take out information pages such as maps and lists that cannot be displayed on the screen of the mobile phone 4 with a browser function. in this case,
The facsimile transmission fee generated in the public telephone network 3 becomes a burden on the user who has received the information provided from the facsimile information server device 1.

In the present embodiment, the accounting and the authentication for the accounting are not performed, but the same accounting and authentication processing as in the first embodiment may be performed. Further, the facsimile transmission completion notification is not performed, but the same facsimile transmission completion notification processing as in the first embodiment may be performed.

Further, in the present embodiment, a plurality of information pages stored in the information storage unit 13 are each given a fixed identification number in advance. At the point in time when the notified information page is notified, for example, the WWW server unit 12 may assign an identification number valid for a certain period to the information page.

(Third Embodiment) The configuration of the information providing system according to the third embodiment of the present invention is the same as that of the information providing system according to the first embodiment, and thus the block diagram of FIG. . Also, the facsimile information server device 1
Since the hardware configuration and the functional configuration of FIG. 1 (see FIG. 1) are the same as those of the first embodiment, the block diagrams of FIGS. 2 and 3 are used.

In FIG. 1, the facsimile information server device 1 acquires a WWW page from the WWW server device 7 through the Internet network 2. And the acquired WW
Converts W page to facsimile data and WW after conversion
The W page is provided to the facsimile machine 6 through the public telephone network 3. 2, the WWW server unit 12 receives an instruction from the mobile phone 4 with a browser function, and acquires a WWW page from the Internet network 2 side. Then, it requests the facsimile information server control unit 14 to transmit the obtained WWW page to the facsimile device 6. The other blocks perform the same operation as in the first embodiment.

The outline of the operation of the information providing system according to the third embodiment of the present invention is similar to that of the first embodiment.
The flowchart of FIG. 4 is used. However, the following (3)
(3) is different from the first embodiment.
That is, in FIG. 4, (3) the menu page that the facsimile information server device 1 transmits in response to the mobile phone 4 with the browser function in step F2 includes the URL address of the WWW page and the facsimile device 6 that is the destination of the WWW page. An input form for entering a phone number is included. (4) In the facsimile transmission instruction in step F4, the mobile phone 44 with the browser function and the W input by the user
The facsimile information server device 1 is notified of the URL address of the WW page and the telephone number of the facsimile device 6.

(5) The facsimile transmission process in step F5 is performed as follows. First, the facsimile information server device 1 requests the WWW server device 7 belonging to the URL address notified from the mobile phone 4 with a browser function to a WWW page corresponding to the URL address. When the WWW page is sent from the WWW server device 7, the facsimile information server device 1 makes a call to the telephone number notified from the mobile phone 4 with a browser function. Then, when the line is connected to the facsimile device 6, the facsimile information server device 1 transmits the WWW page acquired from the WWW server device 7 to the facsimile device 6.

FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing a specific operation example of the information providing system according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 corresponds to the sequence diagram of FIG.
2 shows a menu page (or a confirmation page) displayed on the screen of the mobile phone 4 with a browser function in FIG. 1. In FIG. 11, sequences S301 and S302 correspond to those in FIG.
Is the same as the sequence S101, S102 (see the first embodiment). However, the sequence S30
The menu page transmitted as a response in step 2 includes an input form for inputting the URL of the WWW page and the facsimile number. An example of the menu page displayed at this time is indicated by reference numeral 301 in FIG.

Referring to menu page 301 displayed on the screen of mobile phone 4 with a browser function in sequence S302, the user inputs a URL address of one WWW page and a facsimile number, that is, a facsimile machine to which the WWW page is transmitted. When the "send" button is pressed, the mobile phone with browser function 4 notifies the facsimile information server device 1 of the input URL address and facsimile number, and transmits the facsimile. Make a request (sequence S30)
3).

The facsimile information server device 1 that has received the notification of the URL address and the facsimile number and the facsimile transmission request displays the confirmation page indicating that the notification and the request have been received on the portable telephone 4 with the browser function.
Is transmitted as a response (sequence S304). At this time, an example of the confirmation page displayed on the mobile phone 4 with the browser function is as follows.
This is indicated by reference numeral 302 in FIG.

Next, the facsimile information server device 1
In the sequence S303, a request is made to the WWW server device 7 belonging to the URL address notified from the mobile phone 4 with a browser function for a WWW page corresponding to the URL address (sequence S305), and the WWW server device 7
The WWW page corresponding to the URL address is transmitted as a response to the facsimile information server device 1 (sequence S
306).

When the WWW page is sent from WWW server device 7, facsimile information server device 1 makes a call to the facsimile number notified from portable telephone 4 with a browser function in sequence S303 (sequence S307). The facsimile device 6 establishes a line connection for the incoming call from the facsimile information server device 1 and starts a facsimile reception operation (sequence S308).
Then, when the line is connected to the facsimile device 6, the facsimile information server device 1 converts the WWW page acquired from the WWW server device 7 in sequence S306 into facsimile data and transmits it to the facsimile device 6 (sequence). S309). The above is an example of the operation performed by the information providing system.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of the facsimile information server device 1 of FIG. Hereinafter, the operation of the facsimile information server device 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 13 and the functional block diagram of FIG. 13 and 2, in the facsimile information server device 1, the WWW server unit 12
A menu page transmission request is received from the mobile phone 4 with a browser function via the P communication control unit 10 and the Ethernet control unit 8 (step F301). In response to this request, the WWW server unit 12 retrieves a menu page (in this case, a menu page indicated by reference numeral 301 in FIG. 11) from the information storage unit 13, and retrieves the retrieved page from the TCP / IP communication control unit 10 and Etherne
A response is transmitted to the mobile phone with browser function 4 through the t control unit 8 (step F302).

In the mobile phone 4 with the browser function, the menu page 3 received from the facsimile information server 1 is
01 is displayed on the screen. Mobile phone with browser function 4
With reference to the menu page 301 displayed on the screen of the user, the user inputs the URL address of one WWW page,
When the facsimile number is input, the URL address, the facsimile number, and the facsimile transmission request are transmitted from the mobile phone 4 with the browser function to the facsimile information server device 1.

Next, in the facsimile information server device 1, the WWW server unit 12 transmits
Is received through the TCP / IP communication control unit 10 and the Ethernet control unit 8 (step F303). Next, the WWW server unit 12
Are the TCP / IP communication control unit 10 and the Ethernet
U received in step F303 through the t control unit 8.
A request is made to the WWW server device 7 belonging to the RL address for a WWW page corresponding to the URL address (step F304).

When a WWW page corresponding to the URL address is transmitted as a response from the WWW server device 7, the facsimile information server device 1
Is the TCP / IP communication control unit 10 and the Ethernet
The WWW page is received through the t control unit 8 (step F305). Next, the facsimile information server control unit 14 sets the facsimile communication control unit 11 and the RS-23
A call is made to the facsimile number received in step F303 through the 2C control unit 9 (step F30).
6).

The facsimile device 6 establishes a line connection for the incoming call from the facsimile information server device 1 and starts a facsimile reception operation. Then, when the line is connected to the facsimile device 6, in the facsimile information server device 1, the WWW server unit 12 transfers the WWW page received in step F305 to the facsimile information server control unit 14. Facsimile information server control unit 1
4 converts the delivered WWW page into facsimile data and transmits it to the facsimile machine 6 (step F307). The above is an example of the operation performed by the information providing system.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the facsimile information server 1
Sends a facsimile transmission instruction to which the URL address of the WWW server device 7 is further attached. Then, the facsimile information server device 1 obtains a WWW page from the WWW server device 7 corresponding to the URL address attached to the facsimile transmission instruction, converts the WWW page into facsimile data, and converts the converted WWW page as an information page. A response is transmitted to the mobile phone 4 with a browser function. As a result, not only the information pages held by the facsimile information server device 1 itself, but also the W
The WW page can also be provided through the facsimile machine 6.

In this embodiment, the accounting and the authentication for the accounting are not performed. However, the same accounting and authentication processing as in the first embodiment may be performed. Further, the facsimile transmission completion notification is not performed, but the same facsimile transmission completion notification as in the first embodiment may be performed.

Further, in the present embodiment, at the time of facsimile transmission, transmission is performed from the facsimile information server device 1 side, but transmission may be performed from the facsimile device 6 side as in the second embodiment.

Further, in this embodiment, a plurality of WWW
When transmitting a page by facsimile, the facsimile information server device 1 obtains the one WWW page from the WWW server device 7 and transmits it by facsimile every time the URL of one WWW page is input (FIG. Eleven steps F307) waits for the user to finish inputting the URLs of the plurality of WWW pages,
The W pages may be collectively acquired from the WWW server device 7 and transmitted by facsimile.

In the first to third embodiments, the portable telephone 4 with a browser function is used as a terminal device for instructing the facsimile information server device 1 to perform facsimile transmission.
However, a portable information terminal having a browser function without a communication function may be used instead. In this case, if a mobile phone is connected to the above-mentioned mobile information terminal via a data communication adapter or the like, facsimile transmission to the facsimile information server device 1 through the mobile phone network 5 and the Internet network 2 as in the case of the mobile phone 4 with a browser function. You can give instructions.

Alternatively, if a data communication modem adapter or the like is connected to the above-mentioned portable information terminal, it can be connected via the public telephone network 3 and the Internet network 2 (note that the public telephone network 3 and the Internet network 2 are owned by an Internet service provider. Connected via a device that performs facsimile transmission) to the facsimile information server device 1.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an information providing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention (also used in the second and third embodiments).

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the facsimile information server device 1 of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the facsimile information server device 1 (first embodiment) of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an outline of an operation of the information providing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention (also used in the second and third embodiments).

FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing a specific operation example of the information providing system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows a menu page (or confirmation page) displayed on the screen of the mobile phone with a browser function 4 of FIG. 1 corresponding to the sequence diagram of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an operation (first embodiment) of the facsimile information server device 1 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram illustrating a specific operation example of the information providing system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 shows a menu page (or a guide page) displayed on the screen of the mobile phone with a browser function 4 of FIG. 1 corresponding to the sequence diagram of FIG.

FIG. 10 shows a facsimile information server device 1 (second
3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing a specific operation example of the information providing system according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

12 shows a menu page (or a confirmation page) displayed on the screen of the mobile phone with a browser function 4 of FIG. 1 corresponding to the sequence diagram of FIG.

FIG. 13 shows a facsimile information server device 1 (third
3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 facsimile information server device 2 Internet network 3 public telephone network 4 mobile phone with browser function 5 mobile phone network 6 facsimile device 7 WWW server device 8 Ethernet control unit 9 RS-232C control unit 10 TCP / IP communication control unit 11 facsimile communication control Unit 12 WWW server unit 13 information storage unit 14 facsimile information server control unit

Claims (26)

[Claims] 1. A system for providing information by facsimile transmitting an information page to a facsimile device, comprising: a facsimile information server device, a portable terminal device, and a facsimile device, wherein the facsimile information server device includes: A facsimile information server control unit for facsimile transmitting the information page to the facsimile device, and a menu page transmission request from the portable terminal device, and the portable terminal device selects one of the plurality of information pages. And a WWW server unit which receives a facsimile transmission instruction from the portable terminal device and passes the instruction to the facsimile information server control unit. 2. A system for providing information by facsimile transmitting an information page to a facsimile device, comprising: a facsimile information server device provided on the Internet network; A facsimile device connected to the facsimile information server device via a public telephone network, wherein the facsimile information server device transmits the information page to the facsimile device via the public telephone network. A facsimile information server control unit to be transmitted, and a menu page transmission request from the portable terminal device, for selecting one of the plurality of information pages to the portable terminal device through the Internet network and the portable telephone network. Menu page And response transmission, and the receiving facsimile transmission instruction from the portable terminal device includes a WWW server unit to pass the instruction to the facsimile information server control unit, the information providing system. 3. The facsimile information server device further includes an information storage unit that stores a plurality of the information pages and the menu page, and a facsimile transmission instruction from the portable terminal device includes an identification of the selected information page. When a menu page transmission request is received from the mobile terminal device, the WWW server unit takes out a menu page from the information storage unit and transmits a response to the mobile terminal device, and the facsimile information server control unit Receiving a facsimile transmission instruction from the WWW server unit, retrieves an information page corresponding to an identification number attached to the instruction from the information storage unit, and transmits the information page to the facsimile device by facsimile. The information providing system according to claim 2. 4. The facsimile transmission instruction from the portable terminal device further includes a telephone number of the facsimile device. The facsimile information server control unit, when the facsimile transmission instruction is passed, responds to the instruction. The information providing system according to claim 3, wherein a call is made to the attached telephone number, and when a line is connected, facsimile transmission to the facsimile machine is executed. 5. The facsimile transmission instruction from the portable terminal device further includes identification information of the portable terminal device. When the WWW server receives the facsimile transmission instruction, the WWW server unit attaches the identification information to the instruction. 5. The information providing method according to claim 4, wherein authentication is performed based on the identification information of the portable terminal device, and when the authentication result is valid, the instruction is passed to the facsimile information server control unit. system. 6. The information providing system according to claim 5, wherein the identification information of the portable terminal device is a telephone number and a password of the portable terminal device. 7. A charging device for charging the mobile terminal device is provided on the mobile phone network, and the facsimile information server control unit controls information which is a price for providing information by facsimile transmission. The provision fee and the communication fee required for the facsimile transmission are calculated and summed up, and billing information including the total fee and the telephone number of the portable terminal device is created. The information providing system according to claim 5, wherein the information is notified. 8. The facsimile information server control unit,
6. The method according to claim 5, further comprising calculating and summing an information provision fee, which is a price for providing the information by facsimile transmission, and a communication fee for the facsimile transmission, and generating accounting information including the total fee. Information providing system described in. 9. The facsimile information server control unit,
Determine whether or not the facsimile transmission was successful, pass the determination result to the WWW server unit, the WWW server unit, the determination result passed from the facsimile information server control unit, to the portable terminal device 4. The information providing system according to claim 3, wherein the information is notified. 10. The facsimile transmission instruction from the portable terminal device further includes an e-mail address of the portable terminal device, and the WWW server unit performs notification to the portable terminal device by e-mail. The information providing system according to claim 9, wherein: 11. WWW on the Internet network.
A server device is further provided; a facsimile transmission instruction from the portable terminal device is attached with a URL address of the WWW server device; and the WWW server unit receives the facsimile transmission instruction and receives the instruction. Acquiring a WWW page from a WWW server device corresponding to the URL address attached to the URL, converting the WWW page into a form of facsimile data, and transmitting the converted WWW page as the information page to the portable terminal device as a response. The information providing system according to claim 2, wherein 12. A system for providing information by facsimile transmitting an information page to a facsimile device, comprising: a facsimile information server device provided on an Internet network; A facsimile device connected to the facsimile information server device via a public telephone network, wherein the facsimile information server device transmits the information page to the facsimile device via the public telephone network. A facsimile information server control unit to be transmitted, a menu page for receiving a menu page transmission request from the mobile terminal device, and selecting one of the plurality of information pages on the mobile terminal device through the Internet network and the mobile phone network. Meet Transmitted,
And a WWW server unit that receives a facsimile transmission instruction from the mobile terminal device, and an information storage unit that stores a plurality of the information pages and the menu pages. The facsimile transmission instruction from the mobile terminal device is selected. When the identification number of the information page is attached, and the WWW server unit receives the facsimile transmission instruction, the WWW server unit transmits the identification number attached to the instruction and the telephone number of the facsimile information server device to the Internet network. Notifying the portable terminal device through the portable telephone network, the facsimile information server control unit receives an incoming call from the facsimile device and, when a line is connected, corresponds to the identification number sent from the facsimile device. Retrieving an information page from the information storage unit, Characterized by facsimile transmission to the Utsuwaate, the information providing system. 13. A method for providing information by facsimile transmitting an information page from a facsimile information server device to a facsimile device in a system including a facsimile information server device, a portable terminal device, and a facsimile device, A menu page transmission request is sent from the device to the facsimile information server device, and a menu page for selecting any of the plurality of information pages is transmitted from the facsimile information server device to the portable terminal device, and the portable terminal is transmitted. Displaying the menu page on the screen of the device, sending a facsimile transmission instruction from the portable terminal device to the facsimile information server device, and facsimile transmitting the information page from the facsimile information server device to the facsimile device. And transmits, information providing method. 14. A facsimile information server device provided on an Internet network, a mobile terminal device connected to the Internet network via a mobile phone network, and connected to the facsimile information server device via a public telephone network. In a system including a facsimile device, a method for providing information by facsimile transmitting an information page from a facsimile information server device to a facsimile device, wherein the mobile terminal device to the facsimile information server device, A menu page for sending a menu page transmission request through the Internet network, and selecting one of the plurality of information pages from the facsimile information server device to the portable terminal device through the Internet network and the portable telephone network. Transmitting a response, displaying the menu page on the screen of the portable terminal device, sending a facsimile transmission instruction from the portable terminal device to the facsimile information server device through the portable telephone network and the Internet network, and transmitting the facsimile information server device. Transmitting the information page by facsimile to the facsimile machine through the public telephone network. 15. The facsimile information server device,
A plurality of the information pages and the menu page are stored, and a facsimile transmission instruction to which the identification number of the selected information page is attached is transmitted from the portable terminal device to the facsimile information server device. 15. The information providing method according to claim 14, wherein an information page corresponding to the identification number attached to the facsimile transmission instruction is transmitted to the facsimile device by facsimile. 16. A facsimile transmission instruction further attached with a telephone number of the facsimile device from the portable terminal device to the facsimile information server device, wherein the facsimile information server device makes a call to the telephone number, 16. The information providing method according to claim 15, wherein when a line is connected, facsimile transmission from the facsimile information server device to the facsimile device is executed. 17. A facsimile transmission instruction further attached with identification information of the portable terminal device is sent from the portable terminal device to the facsimile information server device, and the facsimile information server device attaches the facsimile transmission instruction. 17. Performing authentication based on the identification information of the portable terminal device, and when the authentication result is valid, executing facsimile transmission from the facsimile information server device to the facsimile device, Information provision method described. 18. The information providing method according to claim 17, wherein the identification information of the portable terminal device is a telephone number and a password of the portable terminal device. 19. A billing device for billing the portable terminal device is provided on the portable telephone network, and the facsimile information server device provides information which is a value for providing the information by facsimile transmission. The charge and the communication charge required for the facsimile transmission are calculated and summed up, billing information including the total charge and the telephone number of the portable terminal device is created, and the billing device on the portable telephone network is notified. The information providing method according to claim 17, wherein the information is provided. 20. The facsimile information server device,
18. The method according to claim 17, further comprising calculating and summing an information provision fee for providing information by facsimile transmission and a communication fee for the facsimile transmission, and creating accounting information including the total fee. Information provision method described in. 21. The facsimile information server device,
16. The information providing method according to claim 15, wherein it is determined whether or not the facsimile transmission is successful, and the result of the determination is notified to the portable terminal device. 22. A facsimile transmission instruction to which the electronic mail address of the mobile terminal device is further attached is sent from the mobile terminal device to the facsimile information server device, and the notification to the mobile terminal device is performed by electronic mail. 22. The information providing method according to claim 21, wherein: 23. WWW on the Internet network
A server device is further provided; a facsimile transmission instruction to which the URL address of the WWW server device is further attached is sent from the portable terminal device to the facsimile information server device; and the facsimile information server device transmits the facsimile transmission instruction. URL address and WWW corresponding to
The information according to claim 14, wherein a WWW page is obtained from a server device, converted into a form of facsimile data, and the converted WWW page is transmitted as a response to the mobile terminal device as the information page. Delivery method. 24. A facsimile information server device provided on an Internet network, a portable terminal device connected to the Internet network via a mobile phone network, and connected to the facsimile information server device via a public telephone network. In a system including a facsimile device, a method for providing information by facsimile transmitting an information page from a facsimile information server device to a facsimile device, wherein the facsimile information server device includes a plurality of the information pages, and any one of them. And a menu page transmission request is sent from the portable terminal device to the facsimile information server device through the mobile phone network and the Internet network, and a menu page transmission request is transmitted from the facsimile information server device to the facsimile information server device. Transmitting a menu page as a response to the band terminal device through the Internet network and the mobile phone network, displaying the menu page on a screen of the mobile terminal device, and transmitting the mobile phone network from the mobile terminal device to the facsimile information server device. And transmitting a facsimile transmission instruction attached with the identification number of the selected information page through the Internet network, and transmitting the facsimile information from the facsimile information server device to the portable terminal device with the identification number attached to the facsimile transmission instruction; Notifying the telephone number of the information server device itself, displaying the identification number and the telephone number on the screen of the portable terminal device, the facsimile machine making a call to the telephone number, and the line being connected. Then, the facsimile device sends the facsimile information Sending the identification number to the server apparatus, the corresponding information page with the identification number sent from the facsimile machine, the facsimile information server apparatus is characterized in that the facsimile transmitted to the facsimile apparatus, the information providing method. 25. An apparatus for facsimile transmitting an information page to a facsimile device, comprising: a facsimile information server control unit for facsimile transmitting the information page to the facsimile device; and a menu page transmission request from a portable terminal device. To the portable terminal device, a menu page for selecting one of the plurality of information pages is transmitted as a response, and a facsimile transmission instruction from the portable terminal device is received, and the instruction is transmitted to the facsimile information server control unit. WW to pass
A facsimile information server device having a W server unit. 26. An apparatus for facsimile transmitting an information page to a facsimile apparatus, a facsimile information server control unit for facsimile transmitting the information page to the facsimile apparatus through a public telephone network, and transmitting a menu page from the portable terminal apparatus. Receiving the request, transmitting a menu page for selecting one of the plurality of information pages to the portable terminal device through the Internet network and the portable telephone network,
A facsimile information server device including a WWW server unit that receives a facsimile transmission instruction from the portable terminal device and passes the instruction to the facsimile information server control unit.