JP2001156970A - Document distribution system for automatic facsimile transmission - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a document distribution system for automatic facsimile transmission, with which a document is transmitted to facsimile equipment on the side of a client without printing the document on a paper medium and a document is transmitted from a facsimile server in a shortest distance to a client in the case of transmitting the document to the client. SOLUTION: When key information corresponding to the client is received from a personal computer 1, an AP server 2 acquires order information and FAX transmission destination information corresponding to this key information from a DB server 3. The AP server 2 prepares document image data from the order information and prepares transmitting instruction data from the FAX transmission destination information. The AP server 2 transmits the document image data and the transmitting instruction data to a FAX server 4 closest to the client.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a form distribution system by automatic facsimile transmission for automatically transmitting a form to a facsimile machine located at a remote place, and more particularly to executing a basic business by giving an instruction from a host computer and a client side. The present invention relates to a form distribution system based on automatic facsimile transmission for automatically transmitting a form, which is a document in which necessary information is collected, to a remote facsimile machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a form sending operation, a form is
It was formed as a printed matter on a paper medium and sent as a printed matter to the other party. However, the following points have been pointed out in the form sending operation for sending the printed matter to the destination in this way.

[0003] First, it has been pointed out that a form sending operation for forming a form as a printed matter and sending it to the other party places an unnecessary load on a worker who performs this work.

[0004] At present, although the order processing is automated, it is rare that all customers have installed online terminals. Therefore, as described above, in the form sending operation for sending a form to a customer, it is necessary for the sending side to form the form once as a printed matter on a paper medium and send the form as a paper medium to the customer by a facsimile machine or the like. there were.

[0005] Therefore, the worker must print the form on a paper medium and perform facsimile transmission of the form as a paper medium, compared to sending the form using the online terminal. It was pointed out that the work was complicated.

[0006] Also, the form must be sent to each customer. Therefore, when there are many customers who need to send the form, the worker has to print the form on a paper medium for each customer and send the form as a paper medium to each customer. For this reason, the form sending operation that must be performed by the worker increases the load on the worker.

[0007] Further, there is a case where the form must be sent to the same customer a plurality of times. In this case, the above work must be performed a plurality of times for the same customer, and the work is duplicated. Therefore, it is pointed out that a worker who performs the above-mentioned form sending work is subjected to an unnecessary load. Further, it has been pointed out that transmission costs are required because the form must be transmitted to the customer by facsimile transmission or the like.

[0008] As described above, it has been pointed out that the form sending operation is complicated, and accordingly, the worker who performs the form sending operation is unnecessarily burdened. .

Second, it has been pointed out that maintenance of documents is not easy. In the above-mentioned form sending operation, it is necessary to arrange, distribute, and manage the forms printed as paper media for each place where the forms need to be referred to.

[0010] Therefore, it has been pointed out that it is difficult to efficiently maintain documents. Therefore, it has been difficult to promptly respond to an inquiry from a customer.

Third, it has been pointed out that the form sending operation requires a long communication distance. In the form sending operation, it is necessary to send a form printed on a paper medium to a customer. Here, when transmitting a form to a distant customer, the communication distance becomes long. Therefore, if the number of forms printed on a paper medium is large, the cost required for the facsimile transmission becomes very high.

A first prior art related to a facsimile automatic distribution system for automatically distributing image information of a form remotely is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-217969.

According to the first prior art, a form is created by superimposing form content data input from a host computer by a user on a form form registered in advance, and facsimile transmission to the other party at an arbitrary time. It is done by doing. This eliminates the need to print the form on a paper medium. Further, a business partner who has only an existing facsimile machine can use this facsimile machine, so that it is not necessary to separately introduce an online terminal.

As a second prior art relating to a form data facsimile transmission system for automatically transmitting form data generated by the above table processing apparatus to a destination facsimile apparatus, one disclosed in JP-A-5-225085 is disclosed. is there.

According to the second prior art, in a form data facsimile transmission system including an information processing apparatus and a facsimile apparatus, data is read from a print registration file stored in the information processing apparatus, and a program is used. This is performed by automatically transmitting data from a facsimile apparatus connected to the information processing apparatus to a desired destination facsimile apparatus. As a result, there is no missing item necessary for the form, and the form can be accurately transmitted to the facsimile machine of the other party to which the form is transmitted.

A third prior art related to a facsimile server system for providing a facsimile communication function to a client user in a client server system constructed on a LAN (Local Area Network) is disclosed in JP-A-6-233040. There is something.

According to the third prior art, the client transfers the document data to the FAX server. Then, the FAX server sends the sentence data to an appropriate remote F
This is performed by transferring the data to the AX and transmitting it by facsimile.

The above-mentioned remote FAX is classified according to the operation level which becomes lower in the order of communication, scheduled transmission, and not scheduled transmission. Then, the text data is transferred to the remote FAX having the lowest operation level, and facsimile transmission is performed.

A parameter table for periodically storing the correspondence between the destination subscriber number and the abbreviated number or the correspondence between the destination subscriber number and a predetermined input key of the scanning control means is stored in the remote FAX. Send.

This makes it possible to distribute the load of the FAX communication processing requiring the most real-time processing to the remote FAX.

[0021]

However, in the first prior art, a form is formed as a printed matter on a paper medium.
It is no longer necessary to facsimile the form as a paper medium, and the work load on the worker is reduced. However, no measure has been shown for the difficulty in maintaining and managing the document.

Further, the first prior art does not show any countermeasure that the communication distance is lengthened by the customer and as a result, the cost required for facsimile transmission becomes high. .

According to the second prior art, in a stand-alone information processing apparatus, it is not necessary to form a form on a paper medium as a printed matter and facsimile-transmit the form as a paper medium. Is reduced and the maintenance and management of documents becomes easier.

However, the form data is usually managed on a network system. Therefore,
The second prior art cannot be said to indicate a countermeasure with respect to maintaining and managing the form data on the network. Similarly, the second prior art does not show any countermeasure that the work of sending the form data managed on the network places a burden on the worker.

Further, the second prior art relates to the fact that the communication distance between a distant customer and a facsimile machine becomes longer, and as a result, the cost required for facsimile transmission becomes higher. No workaround is given.

According to the third prior art, sentence data is transmitted by facsimile from a remote FAX with the lowest operation level, so that the communication distance between a distant customer and the facsimile apparatus becomes longer. No workaround is shown. Further, depending on the selection of the remote FAX with a low operation level, the communication distance between the customer and the facsimile machine may be longer.

In the third prior art, a parameter table must be periodically transmitted to the remote FAX and set. However, maintenance and management of the system is not easy due to changes in the information in the parameter table, the reflection speed at which the changed content is reflected in the system, the possibility of a lifetime when transmitting the parameter table, and the like. Also, it is hard to say that it shows a countermeasure for the difficulty in maintaining and managing documents.

Further, in the third prior art, the form sending operation cannot be performed without an instruction from a client. Therefore, it is difficult to say that the burden on the worker required for the form sending operation is completely reduced.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and firstly, a method for automatically outputting a form to a printer using an online terminal for a customer who does not have an online terminal or the like. It is an object of the present invention to provide a form distribution system by automatic facsimile transmission for outputting a form to a facsimile machine on the customer side.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a form distribution system by automatic facsimile transmission which centrally manages form data and transmission data in a database on a network and facilitates maintenance and management of documents.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a form distribution system by automatic facsimile transmission for shortening the communication distance between a facsimile server and a customer.

[0032]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, there is provided an automatic communication system comprising a plurality of personal computers, a plurality of application servers, a plurality of database servers, and a plurality of facsimile servers. In a form delivery system by facsimile transmission, a personal computer is a data server for registering form data and form destination data for each customer to a database server, and a user inputs a code indicating a customer to an application server. And a form creation instructing means for instructing to transmit the form to the customer, wherein the database server includes:
And data storage means for storing the form destination data for each customer, and the application server creates form image data for facsimile transmission based on the form data stored by the data storage means. Data creation means, destination data creation means for creating destination data indicating a destination to send the form image data to the facsimile server based on the form destination data stored by the data storage means, and form sending Facsimile server selecting means for selecting a facsimile server having a communication distance closest to the customer from the preceding data, and data transmission for transmitting the form image data and the destination data to the facsimile server selected by the facsimile server selecting means Means, and the facsimile server has After receiving the form image data and the destination data transmitted by the data transmitting means, the form image data is transmitted to the destination specified by the destination data. From the form creation instructing means, when instructed to transmit the form to the customer, the form image data for facsimile transmission based on the form data corresponding to the customer and stored by the data storage means When the user instructs the form to be sent to the customer by the form creation instruction means, the destination data creation means sends the form stored by the data storage means corresponding to the customer. Create destination data indicating the destination to send the form image data to the facsimile server based on the destination data It is characterized in that.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the system of the first aspect, the application server creates a form text data of text data based on the form data, and a form text data creating means. E-mail transmitting means for transmitting the form text data created by the above to the customer by e-mail, and first transmission selecting means for selecting whether the form is transmitted by the facsimile apparatus or transmitted by the e-mail transmitting means. Further, the form destination data includes, for each customer, information on whether the form is transmitted by facsimile using a facsimile server or transmitted by electronic mail transmitting means. Facsimile transmission using a facsimile server based on the form destination data Or, it is characterized in that for selecting whether to send an e-mail sending means.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the system of the first aspect, the form distribution system using automatic facsimile transmission further includes a plurality of printer servers, and the application server transmits the form image data to a predetermined printer server. Form image data transmitting means, and second transmission selecting means for selecting whether to transmit the form image data to a predetermined printer server or to a facsimile server. The facsimile server using a facsimile server, or printing on a paper medium by a printer server. The second transmission selecting means converts the form image data based on the form destination data. The server to send is selected. If the over data is transmitted, the form image data, and characterized in that for printing on paper medium.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the system according to the third aspect, the application server includes a form text data creating means for creating the form text data of the text data based on the form data; Form text data created by the means,
E-mail transmitting means for transmitting to the customer by e-mail, and third transmission selecting means for selecting whether the form is transmitted by a facsimile machine, transmitted by e-mail transmitting means, or printed on a paper medium by a printer server. The form destination data includes, for each customer, information on whether the form should be facsimile-transmitted using a facsimile server, transmitted by e-mail transmission means, or printed on a paper medium using a printer server. The third transmission selecting means transmits the form image data to the facsimile server, the printer server, or the form text data to the customer by the e-mail transmitting means based on the form destination data. The feature is to select whether to send.

The invention according to claim 5 is the invention according to claim 3 or 4.
Wherein the application server further includes destination data creation means for creating destination data indicating a destination to which a form printed on a paper medium is sent from the printer server based on the form destination data; When the form image data is received, based on the destination data created by the destination data creation means,
It is characterized in that a form sending destination and a sending instruction describing that a form printed on a paper medium is to be sent are printed on a paper medium.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the system according to any one of the third to fifth aspects, when the printer server receives the form image data, it based on the destination data created by the destination data creating means. The form destination is printed on a predetermined paper medium.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the system according to any one of the third to sixth aspects, the application server prints the form image data on a paper medium in the printer server. Is transmitted based on the destination data created by the destination data creation means, to the effect that a form destination and a form printed on a paper medium will be sent.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a form distribution system based on automatic facsimile transmission including a plurality of personal computers, a plurality of application servers, a plurality of database servers, and a plurality of facsimile servers. The data registration means for registering the form data and the form destination data for each customer, and the database server stores the form data and the form destination data
A form image data creating means for creating form image data for facsimile transmission, based on the form data stored by the data saving means, the form server having data saving means for saving for each customer;
Based on the form destination data saved by the data storage means, destination data creating means for creating destination data indicating a destination to send the form image data to the facsimile server; and And facsimile server selecting means for selecting a facsimile server having the shortest communication distance, and data transmitting means for transmitting form image data and destination data to the facsimile server selected by the facsimile server selecting means. Receiving the form image data transmitted by the data transmission means and the destination data, and then transmitting the form image data to the destination specified by the destination data;
The form image data creating means is for creating form image data for facsimile transmission based on the form data corresponding to the customer and stored by the data storage means when a predetermined condition is satisfied, The destination data creating means, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, determines a destination for sending the form image data to the facsimile server based on the form destination data stored by the data storage means corresponding to the customer. It is characterized in that the destination data shown is created.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the device according to the eighth aspect, the application server creates a form text data of text data based on the form data, and a form text data creating means. E-mail transmitting means for transmitting the form text data created by the above to the customer by e-mail, and first transmission selecting means for selecting whether the form is transmitted by the facsimile apparatus or transmitted by the e-mail transmitting means. Further, the form destination data includes, for each customer, information on whether the form is transmitted by facsimile using a facsimile server or transmitted by electronic mail transmitting means. Facsimile transmission of a form using a facsimile server based on form destination data Or, it is characterized in that for selecting whether to send an e-mail sending means.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the system of the eighth aspect, the form distribution system using automatic facsimile transmission further has a plurality of printer servers, and the application server transmits the form image data to a predetermined printer server. A form image data transmitting means for performing
Second transmission selecting means for selecting whether to transmit the form image data to a predetermined printer server or to a facsimile server, wherein the form destination data is a form for each customer using a facsimile server. The second transmission selecting means selects a server for transmitting the form image data based on the form destination data based on whether the facsimile transmission is performed by facsimile or the printer server prints on a paper medium. The printer server prints the form image data on a paper medium when the form image data is transmitted.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the system according to the tenth aspect, the application server includes a form text data creating unit for creating the form text data of the text data based on the form data; E-mail transmitting means for transmitting the form text data created by the means to the customer by e-mail, and transmitting the form by facsimile apparatus, by e-mail transmitting means, or by printing on a paper medium by a printer server And a third transmission selecting means for selecting the form, and the form destination data is such that, for each customer, the form is transmitted by facsimile by using a facsimile server, transmitted by e-mail transmitting means, or by using a printer server. And information about whether to print on a paper medium. The means selects, based on the form destination data, whether to transmit the form image data to the facsimile server, to the printer server, or to transmit the form text data to the customer by the e-mail transmitting means. Features.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, in the system according to the tenth or eleventh aspect, the application server indicates a destination to which the form printed on the paper medium is transmitted from the printer server based on the form destination data. The printer server further includes destination data creation means for creating destination data, and the printer server, when receiving the form image data, based on the destination data created by the destination data creation means, The print instruction is printed on a paper medium, indicating that the form printed is to be sent.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the system according to any one of the tenth to twelfth aspects, when the printer server receives the form image data, the destination data created by the destination data creating means is provided. , The form destination is printed on a predetermined paper medium.

According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in the system according to any one of the tenth to thirteenth aspects, when the application server prints the form image data on a paper medium in the printer server, It is characterized in that a form destination and a form printed on a paper medium are sent to a personal computer based on destination data created by destination data creation means.

The invention according to claim 15 provides the invention according to claims 8 to 1
4. The system according to any one of 4), wherein the predetermined condition is a predetermined time.

The invention according to claim 16 is the invention according to claims 8 to 1
5. The system according to any one of 5), wherein the predetermined condition is determined for each customer.

[0048]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a system configuration of a form distribution system using automatic facsimile transmission according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the form distribution system includes a personal computer 1, an application (AP) server 2, a database (DB) server 3, a facsimile (FAX) server 4, a facsimile (FAX) modem 5, and a communication line (LAN). ) 6.
7, 8, and 9.

The user inputs a form output instruction to the personal computer 1. When the AP server 2 receives the form output instruction from the personal computer 1, the form creation application runs. The DB server 3 runs a database system that stores various output information.

FAX server 4 delivers document image data and transmission instruction data to FAX modem 5. The FAX modem 5 performs facsimile transmission with a destination facsimile machine via the public line 10 based on an instruction from the FAX server 4.

The AP 2 server 2 and the personal computer (client) 1 are connected by a communication line (LAN) 6. The AP server 2 and the DB server 3 are connected by communication lines (LAN) 6 and 7. In addition, the AP server 2 and the FAX server 4 are connected to a communication line (LA
N) 4. Thus, the personal computer (client) 1, the AP server 2, the DB
The server 3 and the FAX server 4 are connected to a communication line (LA
N) on the network.

The file system existing in the DB server 3 on which the database system operates stores various actual data and various management data. In the various management data, destination data such as a telephone number and a facsimile number necessary for facsimile transmission in the facsimile server 4 are stored.

The AP server 2 has a performance data receiving means 2
1, a document image data creation unit 22, a transmission instruction data creation unit 23, a FAX transmission data delivery 24, and a result data updating unit 25.

The performance data receiving means 21 receives necessary data via the communication line (LAN) 7 from the DB server 3 storing various performance data and management data.
This is performed via the communication line (LAN) 7 when a form creation instruction is issued by the personal computer (client) 1 and the form creation tool operates.

The document image data creation 22 includes:
Form image data is created based on the information extracted by the performance data receiving means 21. Thus, the document image data creation 22 corresponds to a form creation instruction issued by the user using the personal computer (client) 1.

The transmission instruction data creation 23 is performed by the DB server 3
The transmission instruction data is created based on the management data obtained from. The transmission instruction data includes a FAX number, a storage destination of document image data, and other transmission destination information.

The FAX transmission data transfer 24 transmits the created document image data and transmission instruction data to the FAX server 4. This fax server
It is selected by the management data.

The actual data communication means 25 confirms that the FAX transmission data transfer 24 has successfully transmitted the document image data and the transmission instruction data to the FAX server 4. After this confirmation, the result data updating means 2
5 sets the FAX transmission completed flag of the DB server 3. As a result, thereafter, all fax instructions become invalid.

The FAX server 4 stores the FA in the AP server 2
The document image data and the transmission instruction data transferred from the X transmission data transfer 24 are transmitted to a target transmission destination via the public line 10 by using the FAX modem 5.

The operation of the form distribution system using automatic facsimile transmission shown in FIG. 1 for automatically transmitting a form to a remote facsimile machine will be described with reference to FIG.

Here, it is assumed that the form to be output is a delivery date guide and is output to a plurality of customers located at remote locations.
Although not shown, it is assumed that a plurality of personal computers (clients) 1 exist on the network. The designated output location and the designated output location are different.

Although not shown, an AP for creating a form is also provided.
It is assumed that a plurality of servers 2 and fax servers 4 exist. These are connected by a communication line (LAN) not shown.

The user issues a start instruction from the personal computer (client) 1 to a form creation tool for creating a delivery date guide (step S21). This activation instruction includes a key input. This key input is the order number
These parameters allow information to be uniquely extracted from the B server 3. The personal computer (client) 1 inputs the start instruction to the AP server 2 via the communication line (LAN 6).

The AP server 2 creates and specifies a storage location of delivery date guidance image data, which is a creation object, prior to an instruction to start the form creation tool (step S22). As the storage destination name of this storage destination, a serial number assigned in the DB server 3 is used. As a result, the storage destination name is created without duplication.

After the designation of the storage destination is completed, the AP server 2 activates the form creation tool. The form creation tool obtains predetermined information from the file system 31 in the DB server 3 using the result data receiving means 21 in the AP server 2 based on a key input from the personal computer (client) 1 ( Step S2
3).

The predetermined information is the order information and F
AX transmission destination information. The order information is information on a delivery date corresponding to the key information, information on a transmission form, and the like. The FAX transmission destination information includes a FAX number of the FAX transmission destination, a transmission destination name, and the like.

The result data receiving means 21 in the AP server 2
Stores the order information and the fax destination information in the DB
From the file system 31 in the server 3, a communication line (L
AN) 7, the form creation tool activates the document image data creation 22.

As described above, the form distribution system using automatic facsimile transmission centrally maintains and manages order information and FAX transmission destination information in the DB server 3 on the network. Therefore, it is very easy for the user to maintain and manage the order information and the FAX transmission destination information. Therefore, the registration reflection speed when the order information is changed is improved. Further, the cost is reduced as compared with the case where the information is distributed and managed by the server on the network.

The document image data creation 22 includes:
Image data for delivery date guidance is created, and the image data is stored in the storage location (step S24).

Next, the form creation tool creates and specifies a storage location for the transmission instruction data (step S26). The storage location is created by changing the extension to the same name as the storage location name of the delivery date guidance image data. As a result, the correspondence between the delivery date guidance image data and the transmission instruction data becomes clear.

The form creation tool uses the transmission instruction data creation 23 in the AP server 2 to convert the destination data into
The transmission instruction data is created (step S26). This transmission instruction data is stored in the storage location of the transmission instruction data.

After creating the delivery date guidance image data and the transmission instruction data, the form creation tool identifies the four FAX servers closest to the output destination based on the key information.
Search from the DB server 3.

The form creation tool uses the FA in the AP server 2
By using the X transmission data delivery 24, a start instruction is issued to the searched FAX server 4. Further, the form creation tool uses the FAX transmission data delivery 24 to
The delivery date guidance image data and the transmission instruction data are delivered to the X server 4 (step S27).

As described above, the nearest FAX server 4
, The communication distance (public line 10) between the FAX modem 5 and the FAX device is shortened.

As a result, the FAX server 4 is selected for each customer who sends the delivery date guidance image data, and the FAX server 4 is selected.
The load on the server 4 is reduced.

Further, since the communication distance between the FAX modem 5 and the FAX device 11 of the customer is shortened, the transmission cost required for transmitting the delivery date guidance image data is reduced.

After the delivery date guidance image data and the transmission instruction data are delivered, the form creation tool sets the information such as the FAX output completion flag in the DB server 3 to the output completed using the performance data updating means 25. (Step S28).

As described above, by performing the process of updating the FAX output completion flag, no FAX output instruction will be accepted in the future. Therefore, this system
The delivery date guidance image data is not redundantly transmitted to the customer.

The FAX server 4 that has received the delivery date guidance image data and the transmission instruction data transmits the delivery date guidance image data to the transmission destination designated by the transmission instruction data using the FAX modem 5.

The fax device 11 on the customer side is connected to the public line 10
When the above delivery date guidance image data is received via
The delivery date guide image data is printed on a paper medium (step S29).

According to the above-described embodiment, for a customer who does not have an online terminal or the like, a form is automatically output to a facsimile machine on the customer side in the same manner as a form is output to a printer using an online terminal. It is possible to output.

Further, it is possible to centrally manage the form data and the transmission data in the database on the network, and to easily maintain and manage the documents.

Further, the communication distance between the facsimile server and the customer can be shortened, and the load on the facsimile server can be dispersed.

The public line 10 may be an in-house line or the like. According to this, the above-mentioned system can exhibit its capability as an in-house function.

The form image data may be transmitted by the customer by electronic mail instead of facsimile transmission.

In this case, the FAX destination information stored in the file system 31 in the DB server 3 is
For each customer, send the form by facsimile,
Information on whether to send by e-mail is set.

Based on the FAX transmission destination information, the transmission means selection unit (not shown) causes the transmission instruction data generation unit 23 to generate transmission instruction data for facsimile transmission, or causes the electronic mail transmission instruction data generation unit (not shown) to The transmission instruction data for transmitting the e-mail is created.

If the facsimile transmission destination information indicates that the form is to be transmitted by e-mail, the document image data creation 22 does not create the form image data, but creates text data (not shown). The department creates the form text data.

The form distribution system using automatic facsimile transmission transmits the form text data to a customer who transmits the form by e-mail to the customer via a modem (not shown).

Thus, it is possible to transmit a form to a customer who receives a form by electronic mail without using facsimile transmission.

The form image data may be output by a customer to a paper medium by a printer server (not shown) connected to a form distribution system by automatic facsimile transmission instead of facsimile transmission.

In this case, the FAX transmission destination information stored in the file system 31 in the DB server 3 is:
For each customer, send the form by facsimile,
Information on whether to output to a paper medium is set by the printer server.

Based on the FAX transmission destination information, a form transmission unit selection unit (not shown)
It controls whether or not transmission instruction data for facsimile transmission is created.

The form image data for which the transmission instruction data has not been created is printed on a paper medium by the AP server using a predetermined printer server.

Thus, this system can perform a form transmission operation even for a customer who does not have a facsimile machine.

Here, the predetermined printer server may be determined in advance for each form. If a printer server close to the user (operator) sending the form is selected, the efficiency of the form sending operation of this user (operator) is improved.

Further, when outputting the form, the printer server may output a sheet of paper describing the contents of the destination to which the form is to be transmitted, based on the FAX transmission destination information. According to this, the load on the user (operator) in the form sending operation is small. Therefore, the efficiency of this form sending operation is improved.

Further, when outputting the form, the printer server may output a label printed with a destination to which the form is to be transmitted, based on the FAX transmission destination information. According to this, the efficiency of the form sending operation of the user (operator) is improved.

The form image data is output by a customer to a paper medium by a printer server (not shown) connected to a form distribution system by automatic facsimile transmission instead of facsimile transmission, or to form text by e-mail. It may be transmitted as data.

According to this, it is possible to carry out a form transmission operation according to the form receiving system possessed by the customer.
Further, the user (operator) does not need to perform a sending operation when the form is transmitted by facsimile or when the form is transmitted by e-mail. Therefore, the efficiency of the form payment operation is improved.

When a form is printed on a paper medium by the printer server, the AP server 2 sends a predetermined personal computer (client) 1
A destination to which the form printed on the paper medium is to be sent and a message indicating that the form must be sent may be transmitted.

According to this, the user (worker)
Via a personal computer (client) 1
It becomes possible to know that a form must be sent. Therefore, the speed of the form sending operation is improved.

The operation of transmitting a form by facsimile using the job scheduler according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

The AP server 2 is set with a job scheduler (not shown) for performing a transmission operation for transmitting a form to a customer. This setting is performed in advance by the user from the personal computer (client) 1.

Note that the time for performing the transmission operation may be set for each customer. Each customer has to submit the report at a different frequency,
By setting in this way, it is possible to make settings in accordance with the user environment.

When the job scheduler (not shown) detects that it is time to transmit the form to the customer, the job scheduler obtains information necessary for transmitting the form from the DB server 3 to the result data receiving means 21. To do so. This command is key information that is set for each customer and includes an order number and the like.

At this time, the application server 2 creates and specifies a storage location for the form image data.
As the storage destination of the form image data, a serial number assigned in the DB server 3 is used to avoid duplication of file names.

The result data receiving means 21 receiving the above command
Acquires the order information corresponding to the key information and the FAX transmission destination information from the file system 31 in the DB server 3.

The order information and the facsimile transmission destination information acquired by the performance data receiving means 21 are used to create form image data by the document image data creation 22. The created form image data is stored in the storage location of the form image data.

Next, the AP server 2 creates and instructs a storage destination of the transmission instruction data. At this time, in order to clarify the relationship between the form image data and the transmission instruction data, a storage destination having a file name that differs only in the extension is created.

The transmission instruction data generator 23 generates transmission instruction data based on the transmission destination data acquired from the DB server 3. Then, the transmission instruction data creation 23,
The created transmission instruction data is stored in the storage location of the transmission instruction data.

[0113] The FAX transmission data delivery 24 searches for a FAX server that is closest to the customer transmitting the form image data, based on the data obtained from the DB server 3.

As described above, F which has the shortest communication distance with the customer is
By transmitting the form image data using the AX server, the transmission cost of transmitting the form image data is lower than when the communication distance with the customer is not considered. Further, by selecting a facsimile server for each customer who sends the form image data,
The load on the FAX server existing on the system is distributed.

The FAX transmission data delivery 24 is based on the FAX
The form image data and the transmission instruction data are delivered to the server 4.

After that, the result data updating means 25 makes the information such as the FAX output flag of the file system 31 in the DB server 3 output through the communication line (LAN) 8. As a result, the form data is transmitted to the customer
Eliminates duplicate transmissions.

The FAX server 4 which has received the form image data and the transmission instruction data transmits the form image data to the customer's FAX device 11 via the FAX modem 5. The facsimile apparatus 11 on the customer side prints the form image data on a paper medium and presents the form (FAX) 12 as a paper medium to the customer.

According to the above embodiment, since the form is transmitted to the customer at every predetermined time, the user (worker)
In this case, there is no need to perform the form creation and form transmission processing, and the burden imposed by the form creation processing is reduced. Therefore, the user (operator) can maintain and manage the form data with the personal computer (client) 1 and perform the form processing only by making predetermined settings for the AP server 2. .

The public line may be an in-house line or the like. As a result, the above system exerts its ability as an in-house function.

The job scheduler may search the file system 31 in the DB server 3 at predetermined time intervals and transmit the form image data to customers who satisfy predetermined conditions. .

Specifically, when the form is an order table, the job scheduler determines whether the number of orders managed for each order destination is a predetermined number or a predetermined number of times.
The server system 31 in the B server 3 is searched. Then, when the number of orders exceeds the predetermined number, the job scheduler instructs the performance data receiving means 21 to transmit an order slip to the order destination.

According to this, unless the order information in the file system 31 satisfies the predetermined condition, the form image data is not transmitted to the order destination. Therefore, since a predetermined number of orders are placed together, the burden on the system is further reduced.

The form image data may be transmitted by the customer by electronic mail instead of facsimile transmission.

In this case, the FAX transmission destination information stored in the file system 31 in the DB server 3 is:
For each customer, send the form by facsimile,
Information on whether to send by e-mail is set.

Based on the FAX transmission destination information, the transmission means selection unit (not shown) causes the transmission instruction data generation unit 23 to generate transmission instruction data for facsimile transmission, or causes the electronic mail transmission instruction data generation unit (not shown) to The transmission instruction data for transmitting the e-mail is created.

If the facsimile transmission destination information indicates that the form is to be transmitted by e-mail, the document image data creation 22 does not create the form image data, but creates text data (not shown). The department creates the form text data.

The form distribution system based on automatic facsimile transmission transmits the form text data to the customer via e-mail via a modem (not shown).

As a result, it is possible to transmit a form by e-mail to a customer who receives a form by e-mail without using facsimile transmission.

The form image data may be output by a customer to a paper medium by a printer server (not shown) connected to a form distribution system by automatic facsimile transmission instead of facsimile transmission.

In this case, the FAX transmission destination information stored in the file system 31 in the DB server 3 is:
For each customer, send the form by facsimile,
Information on whether to output to a paper medium is set by the printer server.

Based on the FAX transmission destination information, a form transmission unit selection unit (not shown)
It controls whether or not transmission instruction data for facsimile transmission is created.

The form image data for which the transmission instruction data has not been created is printed on a paper medium by the AP server using a predetermined printer server.

As a result, this system can perform a form transmission operation even for a customer who does not have a facsimile machine.

Here, the predetermined printer server may be determined in advance for each form. If a printer server close to the user (operator) sending the form is selected, the efficiency of the form sending operation of this user (operator) is improved.

Further, when outputting the form, the printer server may output a sheet of paper describing contents for specifying a destination to which the form is to be transmitted, based on the FAX transmission destination information. According to this, the load on the user (operator) in the form sending operation is small. Therefore, the efficiency of this form sending operation is improved.

Further, when outputting the form, the printer server may output a label printed with a destination to which the form is to be transmitted, based on the FAX transmission destination information. According to this, the efficiency of the form sending operation of the user (operator) is improved.

The form image data is output by a customer to a paper medium by a printer server (not shown) connected to a form distribution system by automatic facsimile transmission instead of facsimile transmission, or form text data by e-mail. It may be transmitted as data.

According to this, it is possible to carry out a form transmission operation according to the form receiving system possessed by the customer.
Further, the user (operator) does not need to perform a sending operation when the form is transmitted by facsimile or when the form is transmitted by e-mail. Therefore, the efficiency of the form payment operation is improved.

When the form is printed on a paper medium by the printer server, the AP server 2 sends a predetermined personal computer (client) 1
A destination to which the form printed on the paper medium is to be sent and a message indicating that the form must be sent may be transmitted.

According to this, the user (worker)
Via a personal computer (client) 1
It becomes possible to know that a form must be sent. Therefore, the speed of the form sending operation is improved.

[0141]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to automatically output a form to a paper medium using a facsimile machine at a customer's site. .

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is no need to print a form on a paper medium and transmit the form to a customer.
The efficiency of the form sending operation is improved.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the form data is centrally stored in the database server, the maintenance and management of the form data becomes easy.

Further, according to the first aspect of the present invention,
By transmitting the form image data from the facsimile server closest to the facsimile machine on the customer side, the communication distance can be shortened. Therefore, the transmission cost required for facsimile transmission is reduced as compared with the case where the communication distance is not considered.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, a form can be transmitted to a customer who receives the form by electronic mail.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a form, which is printed on a paper medium, to a customer who needs to send the form by mail. This eliminates the need to print the form on a paper medium and send it to the customer, thereby improving the efficiency of the form sending operation.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, whether a customer sends a form by facsimile transmission or a customer who receives a form by e-mail, the form printed on a paper medium must be mailed. Even customers who have to
The form can be transmitted. Therefore, it is possible to send a form using a medium that matches the customer's system,
Will be possible.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when a form is printed on a paper medium by the printer server, a form sending destination and a sending instruction describing that the form printed on the paper medium is to be sent are written on the paper medium. By printing on a medium, a user who sends a form can easily perform a form sending operation. Therefore, the efficiency of the form sending operation is improved.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, when a form is printed on a paper medium by the printer server, the form sending destination is printed on a predetermined label or the like. Work is released from the load.
Therefore, the efficiency of the form sending operation is improved.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, when a form is printed on a paper medium by a printer server, a form sending destination and a message to send a form printed on a paper medium are transmitted to a personal computer. Thus, the user who sends the form can know via the personal computer that the form must be sent, and the form sending operation can be easily performed.

According to the eighth aspect of the invention, automatically
The form can be output to a paper medium using a facsimile machine at the customer's site.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, there is no need to print a form on a paper medium and send it to a customer.
The efficiency of the form sending operation is improved. Further, in the form sending work, the user does not need to give any instruction.
Therefore, the load imposed on the user by the form sending operation is very small.

According to the invention of claim 8, since the form data is centrally stored in the database server, the maintenance and management of the form data becomes easy.

Further, according to the invention described in claim 8,
By transmitting the form image data from the facsimile server closest to the facsimile machine on the customer side, the communication distance can be shortened. Therefore, the transmission cost required for facsimile transmission is reduced as compared with the case where the communication distance is not considered.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, a form can be transmitted to a customer who receives the form by electronic mail.

According to the tenth aspect, it is possible to provide the form as a printed matter printed on a paper medium to a customer who needs to send the form by mail. This eliminates the need to print the form on a paper medium and send it to the customer, thereby improving the efficiency of the form sending operation.

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, whether a customer sends a form by facsimile transmission or a customer who receives a form by e-mail, the form printed on a paper medium must be mailed. Even customers who have to do so can transmit forms. Therefore, it is possible to send a form using a medium that matches the system of the customer.

According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, when a form is printed on a paper medium by the printer server, a form sending destination and a sending instruction describing that the form printed on the paper medium is to be sent are written on the paper medium. By printing on a medium, a user who sends a form can easily perform a form sending operation. Therefore, the efficiency of the form sending operation is improved.

According to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, when printing a form on a paper medium by the printer server, the user who sends the form can print the form on a predetermined label or the like. Work is released from the load. Therefore, the efficiency of the form sending operation is improved.

According to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, when a form is printed on a paper medium by the printer server, the destination of the form and the effect of sending the form printed on the paper medium are transmitted to the personal computer. Thus, the user who sends the form can know via the personal computer that the form must be sent, and the form sending operation can be easily performed.

According to the fifteenth aspect, a form sending operation can be automatically performed at predetermined time intervals.

According to the sixteenth aspect of the present invention, it becomes possible to automatically perform a form sending operation when a predetermined condition is satisfied for each customer.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of a form distribution system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the form distribution system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Personal computer (client) 2 AP server 3 DB server 4 FAX server 5 FAX modem 6-9 Communication line 10 Public line 11 FAX device 12 FAX 21 Result data receiving means 22 Document image data creation 23 Transmission instruction data creation 24 FAX transmission data Delivery 25 Result data updating means 31 File system

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 5B089 GA13 GA15 GA21 GB04 HA10 JA05 JA31 JB03 KA04 KB06 LB04 LB12 LB14 5C062 AA02 AA14 AA25 AA27 AB38 AB46 AC35 AC38 AC43 AE16 AF02 BA04 BC01 BD09 5C075 CA14 CD13

Claims (16)

[Claims] A plurality of personal computers, a plurality of application servers, a plurality of database servers,
And a form distribution system based on automatic facsimile transmission constituted by a plurality of facsimile servers, wherein the personal computer sends form data to the database server for each customer,
And data registration means for registering the form destination data, and the user inputs a code indicating the customer,
A form creation instructing means for instructing the application server to transmit a form to the customer; the database server storing the form data and the form destination data for each customer; The application server, based on the form data stored by the data storage means, form image data creation means for creating form image data for facsimile transmission, and stored by the data storage means A destination data creation unit for creating destination data indicating a destination for sending the form image data to a facsimile server based on the form destination data; and communicating with the customer from the form destination data. A facsimile for selecting the facsimile server having the closest distance A reserver selecting unit; and a data transmitting unit for transmitting the form image data and the destination data to the facsimile server selected by the facsimile server selecting unit, wherein the facsimile server transmits the data by the data transmitting unit. Receiving the form image data and the destination data, and then transmitting the form image data to a destination specified by the destination data. A form for facsimile transmission based on the form data corresponding to the customer and stored by the data storage means when the form creation instructing means instructs the form to be transmitted to the customer; Creating destination image data, and From the form, by the form creation instructing means, when instructed to transmit the form to the customer, corresponding to the customer, based on the form destination data stored by the data storage means, A form distribution system by automatic facsimile transmission, wherein destination data indicating a destination to which the form image data is transmitted is created in a facsimile server. 2. An application server, comprising: a form text data creating unit for creating form text data of text data based on the form data; and an electronic form server for converting the form text data created by the form text data creating unit into electronic form data. E-mail transmitting means for transmitting to the customer by mail, or transmitting the form by the facsimile machine,
First to select whether to send by the electronic mail sending means
The form destination data further includes, for each customer, information on whether the form is transmitted by facsimile using the facsimile server or transmitted by the e-mail transmitting means. Wherein the first transmission selecting means selects, based on the form destination data, whether the form is transmitted by facsimile using the facsimile server or transmitted by the e-mail transmitting means. 2. The form distribution system by automatic facsimile transmission according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The form distribution system based on automatic facsimile transmission further includes a plurality of printer servers, the application server comprising: a form image data transmitting unit configured to transmit the form image data to a predetermined printer server; The form image data is transmitted to the predetermined printer server, or a second transmission selection means for selecting whether to transmit to the facsimile server, the form destination data, for each customer, the form, The facsimile server includes information on whether to perform facsimile transmission using the facsimile server or printing on a paper medium using the printer server. The second transmission selection unit is configured to execute the form image data based on the form destination data. And a printer server for transmitting the printer server. 2. The form delivery system by automatic facsimile transmission according to claim 1, wherein said form image data is printed on a paper medium when said form image data is transmitted. 4. An application server, comprising: a form text data creating means for creating form text data of text data based on the form data; and an electronic form server for converting the form text data created by the form text data creating means into electronic form data. E-mail transmitting means for transmitting to the customer by mail, or transmitting the form by the facsimile machine,
Third transmission selecting means for selecting whether to transmit by the e-mail transmitting means or to print on a paper medium by the printer server, wherein the form destination data includes the facsimile for each customer. The information includes information on whether to perform facsimile transmission using a server, to transmit by the e-mail transmission unit, or to print on a paper medium using the printer server. Based on the destination data, whether the form image data is transmitted to the facsimile server, or transmitted to the printer server,
4. The form distribution system by automatic facsimile transmission according to claim 3, wherein said form text data is selected to be transmitted to said customer by said electronic mail transmitting means. 5. The application server further includes destination data creation means for creating destination data indicating a destination to which a form printed on a paper medium is sent from the printer server, based on the form destination data. When receiving the form image data, the printer server sends a form destination and a form printed on the paper medium based on the destination data created by the destination data creating means. 5. The form distribution system by automatic facsimile transmission according to claim 3 or 4, wherein a transmission instruction written in the form is printed on a paper medium. 6. The printer server, when receiving the form image data, prints a form destination on a predetermined paper medium based on the destination data created by the destination data creating means. The form distribution system by automatic facsimile transmission according to any one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that: 7. When the application server prints the form image data on a paper medium in the printer server, the application server sends the form image data to a predetermined personal computer by the destination data creation unit. The automatic facsimile transmission according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein, based on the preceding data, a form sending destination and a notification that the form printed on the paper medium is to be sent are transmitted. Form distribution system. 8. A plurality of personal computers, a plurality of application servers, a plurality of database servers,
And a form distribution system based on automatic facsimile transmission constituted by a plurality of facsimile servers, wherein the personal computer sends form data to the database server for each customer,
A data registration unit that registers the form data and the form destination data; and the database server has a data storage unit that stores the form data and the form destination data for each of the customers. Based on the form data stored by the storage means, form image data creating means for creating form image data for facsimile transmission, based on the form destination data stored by the data storage means, A facsimile server, destination data creating means for creating destination data indicating a destination to which the form image data is to be sent, and from the form destination data, the facsimile server having the closest communication distance with the customer. Facsimile server selecting means for selecting, and the facsimile server A data transmission unit for transmitting the form image data and the destination data to the facsimile server selected by the server selection unit, wherein the facsimile server transmits the form image data transmitted by the data transmission unit; and After receiving the destination data, the form image data is transmitted to a destination specified by the destination data. The form image data creating means, when a predetermined condition is satisfied, And generating form image data for facsimile transmission based on the form data stored by the data storage unit, wherein the destination data generation unit satisfies the predetermined condition. In the case, the form destination data corresponding to the customer and stored by the data storage means Based on, the facsimile server, form the distribution system by the automatic facsimile transmission, characterized in that it is intended to create a destination data indicating a destination to send the form image data. 9. An application server, comprising: a form text data creating means for creating form text data of text data based on the form data; and an electronic form server for converting the form text data created by the form text data creating means into electronic form data. E-mail transmitting means for transmitting to the customer by mail, or transmitting the form by the facsimile machine,
First to select whether to send by the electronic mail sending means
The form destination data further includes, for each customer, information on whether the form is transmitted by facsimile using the facsimile server or transmitted by the e-mail transmitting means. Wherein the first transmission selecting means selects, based on the form destination data, whether the form is transmitted by facsimile using the facsimile server or transmitted by the e-mail transmitting means. 9. The form distribution system by automatic facsimile transmission according to claim 8, wherein: 10. The form distribution system based on automatic facsimile transmission further includes a plurality of printer servers, wherein the application server transmits form image data to a predetermined printer server; The form image data is transmitted to the predetermined printer server, or a second transmission selection means for selecting whether to transmit to the facsimile server, the form destination data, for each customer, the form, The facsimile server includes information on whether to perform facsimile transmission using the facsimile server or printing on a paper medium using the printer server. The second transmission selection unit is configured to execute the form image data based on the form destination data. And a server for transmitting the printer server. 9. The form delivery system by automatic facsimile transmission according to claim 8, wherein said form image data is printed on a paper medium when said form image data is transmitted. 11. The application server, comprising: a form text data creating unit for creating form text data of text data based on the form data; and an electronic form server for converting the form text data created by the form text data creating unit into electronic form data. E-mail transmitting means for transmitting to the customer by mail, or transmitting the form by the facsimile machine,
Third transmission selecting means for selecting whether to transmit by the e-mail transmitting means or to print on a paper medium by the printer server, wherein the form destination data includes the facsimile for each customer. The information includes information on whether to perform facsimile transmission using a server, to transmit by the e-mail transmission unit, or to print on a paper medium using the printer server. Based on the destination data, whether the form image data is transmitted to the facsimile server, or transmitted to the printer server,
11. The form distribution system by automatic facsimile transmission according to claim 10, wherein said form text data is selected to be transmitted to said customer by said electronic mail transmitting means. 12. The application server further includes destination data creation means for creating destination data indicating a destination to which a form printed on a paper medium is sent from the printer server based on the form destination data. When receiving the form image data, the printer server sends a form destination and a form printed on the paper medium based on the destination data created by the destination data creating means. 12. The form distribution system by automatic facsimile transmission according to claim 10 or 11, wherein a transmission instruction written in the form is printed on a paper medium. 13. The printer server, when receiving the form image data, prints the form destination on a predetermined paper medium based on the destination data created by the destination data creating means. The form distribution system by automatic facsimile transmission according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein: 14. When the application server prints the form image data on a paper medium in the printer server, the application server sends the form image data to a predetermined personal computer by the transmission destination data generation unit. Based on the destination data,
14. The form distribution system by automatic facsimile transmission according to any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the form is transmitted to send a form printed on the paper medium. 15. The form distribution system by automatic facsimile transmission according to claim 8, wherein the predetermined condition is a predetermined time. 16. The form distribution system by automatic facsimile transmission according to claim 8, wherein the predetermined condition is determined for each customer.