JP2001265698A - Network facsimile equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide network facsimile equipment enabling an efficient reception confirmation operation. SOLUTION: In the case that received electronic mail is MDN request mail, since whether or not to prepare the reception confirmation mail of MDN is judged corresponding to the mail address of a specified reception confirmation mail sending destination, the sending amount of the reception confirmation mail is reduced. As a result, the effects that the increase of the traffic of the Internet is suppressed and communication resources are effectively utilized are attained.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a function of connecting to a network and exchanging information by using electronic mail on the network, and a function of a facsimile apparatus for creating, storing, and recording and outputting facsimile image information. The present invention relates to a network facsimile apparatus provided.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a network facsimile having a function of connecting to a network and exchanging information using an electronic mail on the network and a function of a facsimile apparatus for creating, storing, and recording and outputting facsimile image information. The device is in practical use.

When such a network facsimile apparatus is used, for example, a work station apparatus on a network (for example, a personal computer apparatus, etc.)
When the Internet is applied as a network, the communication cost of image information communication between remote locations can be reduced.

By the way, when image information is transmitted using a network facsimile apparatus, in this case, the image information is transmitted using an e-mail, so that it is necessary to confirm that the image information has reached the destination. Can not.

[0005] Therefore, an e-mail system on the Internet has a mechanism for confirming that a transmitted e-mail has been processed by a partner user.
DN (Message Dispositoin No)
specification) is defined.

[0006] Therefore, by using the MDN, the transmitting user can surely know whether or not the image information has been received by the other party regarding the transmitting operation performed by the transmitting user.

[0007]

For this purpose, the network facsimile apparatus is set as a default function so that the MDN request is always issued, so that the transmitting user can always know the transmission result. It is assumed that

[0008] As described above, at the time of image information communication in the network facsimile apparatus, the e-mail carrying the image information becomes M
When a DN request is made, an acknowledgment mail for one MDN request is transmitted to a transmission source (or a receiving destination) for one e-mail,
Undesirable situations may arise due to increased traffic on the network.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and has as its object to provide a network facsimile apparatus capable of performing an efficient reception confirmation operation.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a function of connecting to a network and exchanging information on the network by using electronic mail, creating facsimile image information,
In a network facsimile machine having a facsimile machine function such as storage and recording output, MDN
A receipt confirmation mail processing function means for creating and sending a receipt confirmation mail corresponding to the request mail, and creating the receipt confirmation mail corresponding to the MDN request mail by the MDN
It is provided with a receipt confirmation mail creation control means controlled by the destination of the receipt confirmation mail set in the request mail.

A network facsimile apparatus having a function of connecting to a network and exchanging information on the network by using e-mail and a function of facsimile apparatus for creating, storing, and recording and outputting facsimile image information. , An acknowledgment mail processing function means for creating and sending an acknowledgment mail corresponding to the MDN request mail, a acknowledgment notification table storing an e-mail address for sending the acknowledgment mail, In the case of mail, the above MDN
When the destination e-mail address of the receipt confirmation mail set in the request mail is registered in the receipt confirmation notification table, create the receipt confirmation mail,
While sending to the destination mail address, the MDN
When the destination mail address of the receipt confirmation mail set in the request mail is not registered in the receipt confirmation notification table, a receipt confirmation mail creation control unit that does not create the receipt confirmation mail is provided.

Further, a network facsimile apparatus having a function of connecting to a network and exchanging information using electronic mail on the network and a facsimile apparatus function of creating, storing, and recording and outputting facsimile image information. , An acknowledgment mail processing function means for creating and sending an acknowledgment mail corresponding to the MDN request mail, a acknowledgment notification table storing an e-mail address for sending the acknowledgment mail, In the case of mail, the above MDN
If the domain name of the destination e-mail address of the receipt confirmation email set in the request e-mail matches the domain name of any of the e-mail addresses registered in the receipt confirmation notification table, create the receipt confirmation e-mail While sending to the destination mail address, the domain name of the destination mail address of the receipt confirmation mail set in the MDN request mail is the domain of any mail address registered in the receipt confirmation notification table. If there is no match with the name, a receipt confirmation mail creation control unit that does not create the receipt confirmation mail is provided.

A network facsimile apparatus having a function of connecting to a network and exchanging information on the network using e-mail, and a facsimile apparatus function of creating, storing, and recording and outputting facsimile image information. A receipt confirmation mail processing function for creating and sending a receipt confirmation mail corresponding to the MDN request mail. When the received e-mail is the MDN request mail, the received e-mail is temporarily stored, and the user takes out the mail. If there is, while recording and outputting the received manuscript corresponding to the received e-mail, create the receipt confirmation mail corresponding to the received e-mail,
The e-mail is transmitted to the destination e-mail address set in the received e-mail.

A network facsimile apparatus having a function of connecting to a network and exchanging information on the network using e-mail and a function of facsimile apparatus for creating, storing, and recording and outputting facsimile image information. A receipt confirmation mail processing function for creating and sending a receipt confirmation mail corresponding to the MDN request mail. When the received e-mail is the MDN request mail, the received e-mail is temporarily stored, and the user takes out the mail. If there is a response, the received original corresponding to the received e-mail is recorded and output, and the inquiry of the corresponding receipt confirmation mail is sent to the user. Create the receipt confirmation email corresponding to the email, and In which was to be sent to the destination e-mail address that has been set in Lumpur.

A network facsimile apparatus having a function of connecting to a network and exchanging information on the network using e-mail, and a facsimile apparatus function of creating, storing, and recording and outputting facsimile image information. And a receipt confirmation mail processing function for creating and sending a receipt confirmation mail corresponding to the MDN request mail. If the received e-mail is the MDN request mail, the received e-mail is temporarily stored and registered in advance. Creates and sends an MDN request mail notification e-mail notifying that the MDN request e-mail has been received for the e-mail address, and records and outputs the received original corresponding to the received e-mail when the user takes out the e-mail. And the receipt confirmation e-mail corresponding to the received e-mail To create, in which was to be sent to the destination e-mail address that has been set in the received e-mail.

Further, a network facsimile apparatus having a function of connecting to a network and exchanging information on the network using electronic mail and a function of facsimile apparatus for creating, storing, and recording and outputting facsimile image information. And a receipt confirmation mail processing function for creating and sending a receipt confirmation mail corresponding to the MDN request mail. If the received e-mail is the MDN request mail, the received e-mail is temporarily stored and registered in advance. Creates and sends an MDN request mail notification e-mail notifying that the MDN request e-mail has been received for the e-mail address, and records and outputs the received original corresponding to the received e-mail when the user takes out the e-mail. And ask the user to send the corresponding receipt confirmation email Only when the user instructs to send a receipt confirmation mail, the receipt confirmation mail corresponding to the received e-mail is created and transmitted to the destination mail address set in the received e-mail. It was done.

[0017]

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

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

In FIG. 1, a network facsimile apparatus IFAX has at least a function of performing image information communication using e-mail and a facsimile apparatus function. The network facsimile apparatus IFAX is connected to an analog public network PSTN, and is connected to an Internet service provider ISP. Connect to Internet INET via.

Further, a network facsimile apparatus IF
AX has a subscriber contract for dial-up connection with the Internet service provider ISP, and the network facsimile apparatus IFAX is installed on the Internet INET after dial-up connection with the Internet service provider ISP. The e-mail is transmitted or received to the mail server device MS that is operating.

In this case, the network facsimile apparatus IFAX has a mail account provided in the mail server apparatus MS, and can use this mail account to receive an electronic mail transmission / reception service.

FIG. 2 shows a network facsimile apparatus I.
2 shows a configuration example of a FAX. This network facsimile apparatus IFAX is connected to a dial-up
A function of performing image information communication using e-mail, connected to the Internet via P, and an analog public network PSTN.
A function of exchanging facsimile data with another group 3 facsimile apparatus using a predetermined facsimile transmission procedure via a group 3 facsimile apparatus, and a group 3 facsimile apparatus function.

In FIG. 1, a system control unit 1 performs various control processes such as a control process of each unit of the network facsimile apparatus IFAX and a facsimile transmission control procedure process, and a system memory 2 includes a system control unit. A control processing program executed by the control program 1;
It stores various data required when executing the processing program and constitutes a work area of the system control unit 1. The parameter memory 3 stores various information unique to the network facsimile apparatus IFAX. The clock circuit 4 outputs current time information.

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

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

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

The network control unit 11 is for connecting the network facsimile apparatus IFAX to the analog public network PSTN and for performing data communication using the group 3 facsimile modem 10. Further, the network control device 11 has an automatic transmission / reception function for facsimile transmission / reception.

The data modem 12 has a predetermined data modem function, and is provided by an Internet service provider ISP.
The network controller 13 transmits the data modem 12 to the analog public network PS.
This is for connecting to the TN. Further, since the network control device 13 is used for dial-up connection to the Internet service provider ISP, it has only an automatic calling function.

The Internet transmission control unit 14 performs communication control processing of various predetermined protocol suites for exchanging various data with various server devices and other data terminal devices on the Internet INET via the data modem 12. Is to execute.

The system control unit 1, system memory 2, parameter memory 3, clock circuit 4, scanner 5, plotter 6, operation display unit 7, encoding / decoding unit 8, image storage device 9, group 3 facsimile modem The network control devices 10, 13, the data modem 12, and the Internet transmission control unit 14 are connected to an internal bus 15. Data exchange between these elements is mainly performed through the internal bus 15. Has been done.

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

As a protocol applied by the network facsimile apparatus IFAX to the mail server apparatus MS on the Internet for confirming reception of an e-mail addressed to a user and for requesting acquisition, etc., a so-called PO is used.
P (Post Office Protocol) or the like can be applied.

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

Then, the network facsimile machine I
FAX converts the scanned document image to analog public network PST.
The document image is transmitted to another group 3 facsimile apparatus via N and the original image is transmitted to another user or the network facsimile apparatus IFAX via the Internet INET using electronic mail. Further, image information is received from another group 3 facsimile apparatus via the analog public network PSTN, and
T other user or network facsimile machine I
Image information received by e-mail from a facsimile is recorded and output. In addition, such an Internet connection function and a connection function of the analog public network PSTN may be used to provide a function of transferring image information between the two.

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

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

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

[0038] When the network facsimile apparatus IFAX receives the e-mail instructed by the MDN request, it creates a corresponding acknowledgment mail and transmits it to the specified destination.

Here, the MDN is used for confirming delivery to the receiving terminal. Therefore, the function of MDN is:
It is mounted on the network facsimile machine FX which is a terminal. For details of this MDN, see RFC22
98.

For example, in this embodiment, when a delivery confirmation by MDN, that is, a receipt confirmation is to be received,
The header information of the e-mail for transmitting the image information includes “Di”
position-Notification-T
o "field. In addition, this "Disposi
As the value of the “tion-Notification-To” field, the address of the mailbox set in the terminal itself, that is, the mail address is arranged.

On the other hand, the MDN acknowledgment mail includes the “Final-Recipient” field in the header information, and further includes the “Original-Message”.
-ID "field. "Final-Recip
In the value of the “ent” field, a content indicating that the user has displayed or processed the e-mail is arranged, and the “Original-Message-I”
In the "D" field, the value of "Message-ID" of the e-mail requesting the MDN is arranged.

Also, in this embodiment, not all MDN requests are accepted, but only the mail address registered in the receipt confirmation notification table as shown in FIG. 3 or a delivery destination having the domain name of the mail address. MDN
Requests are accepted. Whether the comparison is made with the full name of the mail address or with the domain name is determined by this network facsimile apparatus IF.
AX can be set.

Here, the mail address, which is each element of the receipt confirmation notification table, is appropriately inputted by the user.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the received e-mail is an MDN request mail, the header information "Disposition-Notification" is used.
The e-mail address set in the value of the "on-To" field matches the e-mail address in the receipt confirmation notification table, or the e-mail address of the e-mail address is the domain of any e-mail address in the receipt confirmation notification table Only when the name matches, the receipt confirmation mail of the MDN is created and sent, so that the traffic of the Internet INET is prevented from being unnecessarily increased, and the communication resources can be effectively used.

Further, in this embodiment, when an e-mail is exchanged in order to connect to the Internet service provider ISP through the dial-up connection and to connect to the Internet INET, the communication cost is accumulated. Since the receipt confirmation mail is transmitted only to a limited number of parties, the number of dial-up connections for sending the receipt confirmation mail can be reduced, so that the communication cost can be reduced.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show an example of processing executed by the network facsimile apparatus IFAX when receiving an electronic mail. This e-mail receiving operation is started at regular time intervals (for example, 30 minutes).

First, a call is made to the Internet service provider ISP, and the Internet service provider I
A dial-up connection is performed by executing a predetermined dial-up connection protocol by applying a user name, a password, and the like contracted to the SP (process 101).

Next, a connection is made to the POP server of the mail server MS (step 102), and an inquiry is made as to whether an unread mail addressed to the terminal itself has been received (step 10).
3). If unread mail has not been received, judgment 10
If the result of step 4 is NO, the connection with the POP server is terminated (step 105), the connection with the Internet service provider ISP is terminated, and the line is restored (step 1).
06), this process ends.

If unread mail has been received and the result of determination 104 is YES, all unread mail is received and acquired (process 107), and connection with the POP server is terminated (process 108). ), Terminate the connection with the Internet service provider ISP, and restore the line (process 109).

Next, one received unread mail is selected (step 110) and its header information is analyzed (step 11).
1), "Disposition-Notifyat"
It is checked whether the “ion-To” field is included and there is an MDN request (decision 112). If there is an MDN request and the result of determination 112 is YES,
"Disposition-Notification
The e-mail address set in the value of the "-To" field is obtained as the destination e-mail address of the receipt confirmation e-mail (step 113), and it is checked whether or not the mode for comparison with the domain name is set (judgement 114).

When the result of determination 114 is YES, a search is made to determine whether the domain name of the destination mail address matches the domain name of any mail address in the receipt confirmation notification table (process 115). If the result of the determination 114 is NO, it is checked whether or not a mode for comparing with the full name of the mail address is set (determination 116).

When the result of decision 116 is YES, a search is made to determine whether the destination mail address matches any of the mail addresses in the receipt confirmation notification table (process 117).

When the relevant domain name or mail address is found by the search processes 116 and 117 (the result of the determination 118 is YES), a corresponding receipt confirmation mail in the format described above is created and stored. (Process 119).

Next, the image information is extracted from the text information of the selected unread mail, the original image data is created, the image data is transferred to the plotter 6, the received original is recorded and output (process 120), and the original is recorded. The unread mail whose output has been completed is deleted (process 121).

If the corresponding domain name or e-mail address is not found by the search processes 116 and 117 and the result of the determination 118 is NO,
The process moves to step 120 without executing step 119. Also, the selected unread mail is not an MDN request mail,
When the result of the determination 112 is NO, or when neither the mode of comparing the destination mail address with the domain name nor the mode of comparing the full name of the mail address is set, and the result of the determination 116 is NO ,
Move to processing 120.

When the processing of one selected unread mail is completed in this way, it is checked whether or not the processing of all unread mails has been completed (decision 122). If the result of the decision 122 is NO, the process 110 Then, the same processing is executed for the remaining unread mail.

When all unread mails have been processed and the result of judgment 122 is YES, it is checked whether one or more receipt confirmation mails are stored at that time (decision 123). The result of decision 123 is YE
When it becomes S, next, an operation of transmitting a receipt confirmation mail is performed.

That is, first, a call is made to the Internet service provider ISP, a user name and a password contracted to the Internet service provider ISP are applied, and a dial-up connection protocol is executed to perform a dial-up connection (process 124). .

Next, the SMTP of the mail server device MS
The server is connected to the server (step 125), and all receipt confirmation mails are transmitted to the SMTP server (step 126). When the transmission of the receipt confirmation mail is completed, the connection with the SMTP server is terminated (process 127), the connection with the Internet service provider ISP is terminated, and the line is restored (process 12).
8), this process ends.

When the reception confirmation mail is not stored and the result of determination 123 is NO, this processing is ended.

In the above-described embodiment, the network facsimile apparatus IFAX records and outputs all the image information of the received unread mail immediately after the reception. Although an acknowledgment mail is created and transmitted only for those that have been set, it is also possible to suspend the recording and output of an e-mail with an MDN request and request the user to take out the e-mail. . At this time, whether or not to send a receipt confirmation mail corresponding to the MDN request can be designated by the user's selection.

By doing so, it is possible to notify the receiving user that the MDN request has been made, and determine whether or not to send a receipt confirmation mail corresponding to the MDN request according to the user's will. So you can
A communication operation according to the user's intention can be performed.

FIG. 6 shows an example of an e-mail receiving operation performed by the network facsimile machine IFAX in this case. This e-mail receiving operation is started at regular time intervals (for example, 30 minutes).

First, a call is made to the Internet service provider ISP, and the Internet service provider I is called.
A dial-up connection is performed by executing a predetermined dial-up connection protocol by applying a user name, a password, and the like contracted to the SP (process 201).

Next, the mail server apparatus MS connects to the POP server (step 202), and inquires whether an unread mail addressed to the terminal itself has been received (step 20).
3). If unread mail has not been received, judgment 20
If the result of step 4 is NO, the connection with the POP server is terminated (step 205), the connection with the Internet service provider ISP is terminated, and the line is restored (step 2).
06), this process ends.

If an unread mail has been received and the result of determination 204 is YES, all the unread mails are received and acquired (process 207), and the connection with the POP server is terminated (process 208). ), Terminate the connection with the Internet service provider ISP, and restore the line (process 209).

Next, one received unread mail is selected (step 210) and its header information is analyzed (step 21).
1), "Disposition-Notifyat"
It is checked whether the “ion-To” field is included and there is an MDN request (decision 212).

When the result of decision 212 is NO,
The image information is extracted from the body information of the selected unread mail, the original image data is created, the image data is transferred to the plotter 6, and the received original is recorded and output (processing 21).
3), delete the unread mail whose recording and output have been completed (processing 214).

When the result of determination 212 is YES, the processes 213 and 214 are not executed. That is,
In this case, the unread mail having the MDN request is accumulated as the unread mail.

As described above, when the processing of one selected unread mail is completed, it is checked whether or not the processing of all unread mails is completed (decision 215). When the result of the decision 215 is NO, the processing 210 Then, the same processing is executed for the remaining unread mail.

When all unread mails have been processed and the result of determination 215 is YES, this processing is ended.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show an example of processing executed by the network facsimile apparatus IFAX when unread mail is stored.

First, it is checked whether one or more unread mails are stored (decision 301). When the result of the determination 301 is YES, next, an unread mail processing operation is performed.

That is, first, one unread mail is selected (process 302), and “Disposition” of the header information is selected.
The mail address set in the value of the “ion-Notification-To” field is acquired as the mail address of the reception confirmation mail sending destination (step 303).
A guidance message for a received mail retrieval request is displayed on the operation display unit 7 to urge the user to perform a received mail retrieval operation (step 304). In this state, the process waits until the user performs a received mail extracting operation (NO loop of determination 305).

When the user who has confirmed the guidance message performs an operation of taking out the received mail, the decision 30 is made.
If the result of step 5 is YES, the image information is extracted from the body information of the selected unread mail, the original image data is created, the image data is transferred to the plotter 6, and the received document is recorded and output (processing 306), the unread mail whose recording and output has been completed is deleted (process 307).

Next, at that time, it is checked whether or not a mode is set in which the user can specify whether or not to send a receipt confirmation mail corresponding to the MDN request by selecting the user (decision 308).

When the result of the determination 308 is YES, the user is presented with an e-mail address to which the receipt confirmation mail is sent, and a guidance message requesting an operation to specify whether or not to send the receipt confirmation mail is displayed ( Process 309).

Thus, in the case where the user has specified that the receipt confirmation mail is to be sent, the result of decision 310 is YES.
, A corresponding receipt confirmation mail in the format described above is created and stored (process 311). If the result of the determination 308 is NO, the processing 309 and the determination 310 are skipped, and the processing shifts to the processing 311 to create and store a receipt confirmation mail.

Next, it is checked whether or not the processing has been completed for all the unread mails (decision 312). If the result of the decision 312 is NO, the process returns to the processing 302, and the same processing is executed for the remaining unread mails.

When the processing is completed for all unread mails and the result of determination 312 is YES, it is checked whether one or more acknowledgment mails are stored (determination 313). The result of decision 313 is YES
Then, an operation of transmitting a receipt confirmation mail is performed.

That is, first, a call is made to the Internet service provider ISP, a user name and a password contracted to the Internet service provider ISP are applied, and a dial-up connection protocol is executed to execute a dial-up connection (process 314). .

Next, the SMTP of the mail server device MS
The server is connected to the server (step 315), and all receipt confirmation mails are transmitted to the SMTP server (step 316). When the transmission of the receipt confirmation mail is completed, the connection with the SMTP server is terminated (step 317), the connection with the Internet service provider ISP is terminated, and the line is restored (step 31).
8), this process ends.

If no acknowledgment mail is stored and the result of determination 313 is NO, this process ends.

In the above-described embodiment, the connection to the Internet service provider ISP is made via the analog public network PSTN. However, the present invention is also applicable to the case where the connection is made to the Internet service provider ISP via the digital public network ISDN. The same can be applied.

FIG. 9 shows a network system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, a local area network LAN includes a plurality of workstations WS1 to WS1.
WSn, the mail server device SM, and the network facsimile device FX are connected to the Internet via the router device RT.
Therefore, the workstation devices WS1 to WSn,
The mail server device SM and the network facsimile device FX can exchange data with other appropriate terminal devices via the Internet.

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

Also, a local area network LAN
Are connected to the Internet via a router device RT, whereby the workstation devices WS1 to WS
The Sn, the mail server device SM, and the network facsimile device FX can exchange various data with a host device or the like connected to another local area network or the like.

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

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

FIG. 10 shows a configuration example of the network facsimile machine FX.

In the figure, a system control unit 21 performs various control processes such as a control process of each unit of the network facsimile machine FX and a facsimile transmission control procedure process. The control memory 21 stores a control processing program to be executed by the control program 21 and various data necessary for executing the processing program, and forms a work area of the system control unit 21.
Is for storing various information unique to the network facsimile machine FX.
Outputs current time information.

The scanner 25 is for reading a document image at a predetermined resolution, the plotter 26 is for recording and outputting an image at a predetermined resolution, and the operation display unit 27 is a network facsimile apparatus. It is used to operate the FX, and includes various operation keys and various display devices.

The encoding / decoding section 28 encodes and compresses the image signal and decodes the encoded and compressed image information into the original image signal.
Is for storing a large number of image information in a coded and compressed state.

The group 3 facsimile modem 30 is for realizing a group 3 facsimile modem function. The group 3 facsimile modem 30 has a low-speed modem function (V.21 modem) for exchanging transmission procedure signals and mainly exchanges image information. High-speed modem function (V.17 modem,
V. 34 modem, V.34. 29 modem, V.29. 27ter modem etc.).

The network control device 31 is for connecting the network facsimile machine FX to the analog public network PSTN, and has an automatic transmission / reception function.

The local area network interface circuit 32 is connected to the network facsimile machine F
X is connected to the local area network LAN, and the local area network transmission control unit 33 is connected via the local area network LAN.
This is for executing communication control processing of various predetermined protocol suites for exchanging various data with other data terminal devices.

The system control section 21, system memory 22, parameter memory 23, clock circuit 24, scanner 25, plotter 26, operation display section 27, encoding / decoding section 28, image storage device 29, group 3 facsimile modem The network control device 30, the network control device 31, and the local area network transmission control unit 33 are connected to an internal bus 34, and data exchange between these elements is mainly performed through the internal bus 34. I have.

Data exchange between the network controller 31 and the group 3 facsimile modem 30 is directly performed.

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

A protocol applied by each terminal to the mail server device SM for confirming receipt of an e-mail addressed to the user and for requesting the acquisition is a so-called POP.
Etc. can be applied.

Then, the network facsimile apparatus F
X transmits the read document image to another group 3 facsimile machine via the analog public network PSTN, or the workstation devices WS1 to WS via the local area network LAN (further, the Internet).
n and other network facsimile machines FX, and image information received from another group 3 facsimile machine via the analog public network PSTN.
The image information transferred to the user corresponding to the sub-address specified at that time by e-mail or received from the workstation WS of the local area network LAN (by e-mail) is converted to the specified analog address. It has a transfer service function for transferring to a group 3 facsimile apparatus of the public network PSTN.

[0103] With respect to an e-mail received to its own terminal, image information arranged in the body information is extracted and recorded and output.

The network facsimile apparatus IFAX also has a function of, upon receiving an e-mail instructed by an MDN request, creating a corresponding acknowledgment mail and transmitting it to a designated destination.

In this embodiment, similarly to the above-described embodiment, a reception confirmation notification table as shown in FIG. 11A is provided as information for restricting the destination of the reception confirmation mail. MDN as shown in FIG.
The request notification destination mail address is stored.

FIG. 12 and FIG. 13 show an example of a process executed by the network facsimile machine FX when receiving an electronic mail. This e-mail receiving operation is started at regular time intervals (for example, 10 minutes).

First, a connection is made to the POP server of the mail server device SM (process 401), and an inquiry is made as to whether an unread mail addressed to the terminal itself has been received (process 402).
If no unread mail has been received and the result of determination 403 is NO, the connection with the POP server is terminated (process 404), and this process is terminated.

If unread mail has been received and the result of determination 403 is YES, all unread mail is received and acquired (process 405), and the connection with the POP server is terminated (process 406). ).

Next, one received unread mail is selected (step 407) and its header information is analyzed (step 40).
8), "Disposition-Notificat"
It is checked whether or not an “ion-To” field is included and there is an MDN request (decision 409). If there is an MDN request and the result of decision 409 is YES,
"Disposition-Notification
The e-mail address set in the value of the "-To" field is obtained as the destination e-mail address of the receipt confirmation e-mail (process 410), and it is checked whether or not the mode for comparison with the domain name is set (decision 411).

If the result of determination 411 is YES, a search is made to determine whether the domain name of the destination mail address matches the domain name of any mail address in the receipt confirmation notification table (process 412). If the result of the judgment 411 is NO, it is checked whether or not the mode for comparison with the full name of the mail address is set (decision 413).

If the result of determination 413 is YES, a search is made to determine whether the destination mail address matches any of the mail addresses in the receipt confirmation notification table (process 414).

When the relevant domain name or mail address is found by the search processes 412 and 414 (result of determination 415 is YES), a corresponding receipt confirmation mail in the format described above is created and stored. (Process 416).

Next, the image information is extracted from the body information of the selected unread mail, the original image data is created, the image data is transferred to the plotter 6, and the received document is recorded and output (process 417). The unread mail whose output has been completed is deleted (process 418).

If the search process 412 or 414 does not find the corresponding domain name or mail address and the result of the determination 415 is NO,
The process moves to step 417 without executing step 416. Also, the selected unread mail is not an MDN request mail,
When the result of the judgment 409 is NO, or when neither the mode for comparing the destination mail address with the domain name nor the mode for comparing the full name of the mail address is set, and the result of the judgment 413 is NO ,
Move to processing 417.

In this way, when the processing of one selected unread mail is completed, it is checked whether or not the processing of all unread mails has been completed (decision 419). When the result of the decision 419 is NO, the processing 407 is executed. Then, the same processing is executed for the remaining unread mail.

When all unread mails have been processed and the result of decision 419 is YES, it is checked whether one or more receipt confirmation mails are stored at that time (decision 420). The result of decision 420 is YE
When it becomes S, next, an operation of transmitting a receipt confirmation mail is performed.

That is, first, the mail server apparatus MS is connected to the SMTP server (step 421), and all the receipt confirmation mails are transmitted to the SMTP server (step 422). When the transmission of the receipt confirmation mail is completed, the connection with the SMTP server is terminated (process 423), and this process is terminated.

If the reception confirmation mail has not been stored and the result of determination 420 is NO, this processing is ended.

As described above, in the present embodiment, when the received electronic mail is the MDN request mail, the header information “Disposition-Notifica” is used.
The e-mail address set in the value of the “tion-To” field matches the e-mail address in the receipt confirmation notification table, or the e-mail address of the e-mail address is the domain of one of the e-mail addresses in the receipt confirmation notice table. MDN only if the name matches
Since the receipt confirmation mail is created and sent, it is possible to prevent the traffic of the Internet INET from being unnecessarily increased, and to effectively utilize the communication resources.

FIG. 14 shows another example of the processing of the e-mail receiving operation executed by the network facsimile machine FX. This e-mail receiving operation is started at regular time intervals (for example, 10 minutes).

First, a connection is made to the POP server of the mail server device SM (process 501), and an inquiry is made as to whether an unread mail addressed to the terminal itself has been received (process 502).
If no unread mail has been received and the result of determination 503 is NO, the connection with the POP server is terminated (process 504), and this process is terminated.

If unread mail has been received and the result of determination 503 is YES, all unread mail is received and acquired (process 505), and the connection with the POP server is terminated (process 506). ).

Next, one received unread mail is selected (step 507) and its header information is analyzed (step 50).
8), "Disposition-Notificat"
It is checked whether or not an “ion-To” field is included and there is an MDN request (decision 509).

If the result of decision 509 is NO,
The image information is extracted from the body information of the selected unread mail, the original image data is created, the image data is transferred to the plotter 6, and the received original is recorded and output (process 51).
0), the unread mail whose recording and output has been completed is deleted (process 511).

If the selected unread mail is for an MDN request and the result of determination 212 is YES, an e-mail with an MDN request is received for the stored MDN request notification destination mail address. In step 512, an MDN request mail reception notification mail for notifying that the message is received is connected to the SMTP server of the mail server MS (step 513), and the MDN request mail reception notification mail is transmitted to the SMTP server (step 512). Process 514).
When the transmission of the receipt confirmation mail is completed, the connection with the SMTP server is terminated (process 515). In this case, the unread mail having the MDN request is accumulated as the unread mail.

As described above, when the processing of one selected unread mail is completed, it is checked whether or not the processing of all unread mails is completed (decision 516). When the result of the decision 516 is NO, the processing 507 is executed. Then, the same processing is executed for the remaining unread mail.

When all unread mails have been processed and the result of determination 516 is YES, this processing is ended.

As described above, in this embodiment, when an e-mail with an MDN request is received, an e-mail (MDN request mail reception notification mail) is sent to the registered user.
When the registered user receives and confirms the MDN request mail reception notification mail, the registered user goes to the network facsimile machine FX and performs an e-mail extraction operation. Do.

FIGS. 15 and 16 show an example of processing executed by the network facsimile machine FX when unread mails are stored.

First, it is checked whether one or more unread mails are stored (determination 601). When the result of the judgment 601 is YES, next, an unread mail processing operation is performed.

That is, first, one unread mail is selected (process 602), and “Disposition” in the header information is selected.
The mail address set in the value of the “ion-Notification-To” field is acquired as the mail address of the reception confirmation mail sending destination (process 603).
A guidance message for a received mail retrieval request is displayed on the operation display unit 7 to urge the user to perform a received mail retrieval operation (process 604). In this state, the process waits until the user performs the operation of taking out the received mail (NO loop of judgment 605).

When the user who confirms the guidance message performs an operation of taking out the received mail, the judgment 60
If the result of step 5 is YES, the image information is extracted from the body information of the selected unread mail, the original image data is created, the image data is transferred to the plotter 6, and the received document is recorded and output (processing 606), the unread mail whose recording and output has been completed is deleted (process 607).

Next, at this time, it is checked whether or not a mode is set in which the user can specify whether or not to send a receipt confirmation mail corresponding to the MDN request by selecting the user (decision 608).

When the result of the judgment 608 is YES, the user is presented with the destination mail address of the receipt confirmation mail, and a guidance message requesting an operation to specify whether or not to send the receipt confirmation mail is displayed ( Process 609).

Thus, in the case where the user has specified that the receipt confirmation mail is to be sent, the result of decision 610 is YES
, A corresponding receipt confirmation mail in the format described above is created and stored (process 611). When the result of the judgment 608 is NO, the processing 609 and the judgment 610 are skipped, and the processing shifts to the processing 611, where a receipt confirmation mail is created and stored.

Next, it is checked whether or not the processing has been completed for all unread mails (decision 612). If the result of the decision 612 is NO, the process returns to the step 602, and the same processing is executed for the remaining unread mails.

When the processing is completed for all unread mails and the result of determination 612 is YES, it is checked whether one or more receipt confirmation mails are stored (determination 613). The result of decision 613 is YES
Then, an operation of transmitting a receipt confirmation mail is performed.

That is, first, the mail server apparatus MS is connected to the SMTP server (step 614), and all the receipt confirmation mails are transmitted to the SMTP server (step 615). When the transmission of the receipt confirmation mail is completed, the connection with the SMTP server is terminated (process 616), and this process is terminated.

If no acknowledgment mail is stored and the result of determination 613 is NO, this process ends.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the recording output of the e-mail having the MDN request is suspended, and the fact is notified to the registered user so that the user can take out the e-mail. At that time, MD
Whether or not to send a receipt confirmation mail corresponding to the N request can be designated by the user's selection.

By doing so, it is possible to notify the registered user that the MDN request has been made, and determine whether or not to send a receipt confirmation mail corresponding to the MDN request according to the user's will. So you can
A communication operation according to the user's intention can be performed.

In the embodiment described above, the digital public network ISDN is provided with the function of connecting to the analog public network PSTN and performing facsimile communication with the group 3 facsimile apparatus connected to the analog public network PSTN.
The present invention can be similarly applied to a case where a function is provided for performing facsimile communication with a group 3/4 facsimile apparatus connected to a digital public network ISDN.

[0143]

As described above, according to the present invention,
If the received email is an MDN request email,
Since it is determined whether or not to create an MDN receipt confirmation email according to the specified recipient email address, the amount of receipt confirmation emails sent can be reduced, resulting in an increase in Internet traffic And the communication resources can be effectively used.

If the received e-mail is an MDN request e-mail, the e-mail address of the designated acknowledgment mail is the same as the e-mail address in the acknowledgment table, or the e-mail of the e-mail address is used. MD only if the address matches the domain name of any email address in the receipt confirmation notification table
Since the receipt confirmation mail of N is created and sent, it is possible to prevent the traffic of the Internet INET from being increased unnecessarily, and it is possible to effectively utilize the communication resources. Also, when connecting to the Internet by dial-up connection, the receipt confirmation mail is sent only to a limited number of parties, so the number of dial-up connections for sending the receipt confirmation mail can be reduced, so communication costs can be reduced. There is also an effect that it can be done.

[0145] With respect to the e-mail having the MDN request, the recording output is suspended, and the user is requested to take out the e-mail. At this time, the user selects whether or not the receipt confirmation mail corresponding to the MDN request can be sent. , It is possible to notify the receiving user that the MDN request has been made, and determine whether or not to send a receipt confirmation mail corresponding to the MDN request according to the user's will. Since the communication operation can be performed, the communication operation according to the user's intention can be performed.

[0146] For an e-mail with an MDN request, the recording output is suspended and the registered user is informed of the suspension, so that the user can take out the e-mail. The user is allowed to specify whether or not to send the corresponding receipt confirmation mail by selecting the user, so that the registered user can be notified that the MDN request has been made, and the registered confirmation mail corresponding to the MDN request can be sent. Since whether or not transmission is possible can be determined according to the user's intention, there is also obtained an effect that a communication operation according to the user's intention can be performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a network facsimile apparatus IFAX.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a reception confirmation notification table.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a process executed by the network facsimile apparatus IFAX when receiving an e-mail.

FIG. 5 is an exemplary flowchart (continued) illustrating an example of processing executed by the network facsimile apparatus IFAX when receiving an electronic mail.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing another example of the processing executed by the network facsimile apparatus IFAX when receiving an e-mail.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed by the network facsimile apparatus IFAX when unread mails are stored.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart (continued) showing an example of processing executed by the network facsimile apparatus IFAX when unread mail is accumulated.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a network system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a network facsimile machine FX.

FIG. 11 is an exemplary diagram showing an example of a reception confirmation notification table and an MDN request mail reception notification mail address.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process executed by the network facsimile machine FX when receiving an electronic mail.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart (continued) showing an example of processing executed by the network facsimile machine FX when receiving an electronic mail.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating another example of an e-mail receiving operation performed by the network facsimile machine FX.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing executed by the network facsimile apparatus FX when unread mails are stored.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart (continued) showing an example of processing executed by the network facsimile apparatus FX when unread mail is accumulated.

[Explanation of symbols]

 FX, IFAX Network facsimile machine 1,21 System control unit 2,22 System memory

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Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A function of connecting to a network and exchanging information on the network using electronic mail;
In a network facsimile apparatus having facsimile apparatus functions such as creation, storage, and recording and output of facsimile image information, a reception confirmation mail processing function means for creating and transmitting a reception confirmation mail corresponding to an MDN request mail; A network facsimile machine comprising a receipt confirmation mail creation control means for controlling creation of the receipt confirmation mail corresponding to the request mail by a destination of the receipt confirmation mail set in the MDN request mail. 2. A function of connecting to a network and exchanging information on the network using electronic mail;
In a network facsimile machine having facsimile machine functions such as creation, storage, and recording and output of facsimile image information, a receipt confirmation mail processing means for creating and sending a receipt confirmation mail corresponding to the MDN request mail; A receipt confirmation notification table storing a mail address for sending a confirmation mail, and when the received e-mail is the MDN request mail, the destination mail address of the receipt confirmation mail set in the MDN request mail is the reception mail When registered in the confirmation notification table, the reception confirmation mail is created and transmitted to the destination mail address, while the transmission destination mail address of the reception confirmation mail set in the MDN request mail is the reception mail. When not registered in the confirmation notification table , The network facsimile apparatus comprising the reception confirmation mail creating control means not create the acknowledgment mail. 3. A function for connecting to a network and exchanging information on the network using electronic mail;
In a network facsimile machine having facsimile machine functions such as creation, storage, and recording and output of facsimile image information, a receipt confirmation mail processing means for creating and sending a receipt confirmation mail corresponding to the MDN request mail; A receipt confirmation notification table storing an e-mail address for sending a confirmation e-mail, and, when the received e-mail is the MDN request e-mail, a domain name of a destination e-mail address of the reception confirmation e-mail set in the MDN request e-mail Is matched with the domain name of any of the e-mail addresses registered in the above-mentioned receipt confirmation notice table, the above-mentioned receipt confirmation e-mail is created and sent to the destination e-mail address, while being set in the above MDN request e-mail. E-mail to which the above-mentioned receipt confirmation mail is sent A network comprising a receipt confirmation mail creation control means for not producing the receipt confirmation mail when the domain name of the dress does not match the domain name of any of the mail addresses registered in the receipt confirmation notice table. Facsimile machine. 4. A function of connecting to a network and exchanging information on the network using electronic mail;
A network facsimile machine having facsimile machine functions such as creation, storage, and recording / outputting of facsimile image information. The network facsimile machine includes a receipt confirmation mail processing means for creating and sending a receipt confirmation mail corresponding to an MDN request mail. When the e-mail is the MDN request mail, the received e-mail is temporarily stored, and when the user takes out the e-mail, a received document corresponding to the received e-mail is recorded and output, and the received e-mail is stored in the received e-mail. A network facsimile machine, wherein a corresponding receipt confirmation mail is created and transmitted to a destination mail address set in the received electronic mail. 5. A function for connecting to a network and exchanging information on the network using electronic mail;
A network facsimile machine having facsimile machine functions such as creation, storage, and recording / outputting of facsimile image information. The network facsimile machine includes a receipt confirmation mail processing means for creating and sending a receipt confirmation mail corresponding to an MDN request mail. When the e-mail is the above-mentioned MDN request mail, the received e-mail is temporarily stored, and when the user takes out the e-mail, the received original corresponding to the received e-mail is recorded and output, and the corresponding acknowledgment mail is received. Inquiry to the user about sending the e-mail, and only when the user instructs the sending of the e-mail, the e-mail is created corresponding to the e-mail and the destination e-mail is set in the e-mail Network facsimile characterized by transmitting to an address Apparatus. 6. A function of connecting to a network and exchanging information on the network using e-mail,
A network facsimile machine having facsimile machine functions such as creation, storage, and recording / outputting of facsimile image information. The network facsimile machine includes a receipt confirmation mail processing function for creating and sending a receipt confirmation mail corresponding to an MDN request mail. If the e-mail is the above-mentioned MDN request mail, the received e-mail is temporarily stored, and an MDN request mail notification mail notifying that the MDN request mail has been received is created and transmitted to a pre-registered mail address. Then, when the user takes out the document, the received document corresponding to the received e-mail is recorded and output, and the receipt confirmation mail corresponding to the received e-mail is created and set in the received e-mail. To the destination e-mail address Network facsimile machine. 7. A function of connecting to a network and exchanging information on the network using electronic mail,
A network facsimile machine having facsimile machine functions such as creation, storage, and recording / outputting of facsimile image information. The network facsimile machine includes a receipt confirmation mail processing means for creating and sending a receipt confirmation mail corresponding to an MDN request mail. If the e-mail is the above-mentioned MDN request mail, the received e-mail is temporarily stored, and an MDN request mail notification mail notifying that the MDN request mail has been received is created and transmitted to a pre-registered mail address. However, when the user takes out the document, the received original corresponding to the received e-mail is recorded and output, and the user is inquired about sending the corresponding receipt confirmation mail, and the user is instructed to send the receipt confirmation mail. Only in the above case, the receipt confirmation mail corresponding to the received email Creating a network facsimile apparatus is characterized in that is to be sent to the destination mail address that is set in the received e-mail.