JP2001331415A - Mail device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a mail device capable of performing multi-address transmission regardless of the capacity of a mail server. SOLUTION: In the multi-address transmission from facsimile equipment 1 or a personal computer 4, in the case that the number of destinations exceeds the upper limit value of the mail server 3, the destinations are divided and the data of electronic mail are transmitted for the respective divided destinations. Thus, the mail server 3 never becomes incapable of normally transmitting the electronic mail to the destinations. Thus, the multi-address transmission is performed regardless of the capacity of the mail server 3.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a mail apparatus for transmitting / receiving electronic mail via a mail server, and more particularly to a mail apparatus having a feature of broadcast transmission.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a communication network system in which a facsimile apparatus, a mail server, a personal computer, and the like are connected to each other using a communication network has been widely used. When performing Internet FAX in such a communication network system, first, the facsimile machine converts the read image data into an attached file of an e-mail and transmits the file as an e-mail. On the other hand, in an Internet FAX, a broadcast transmission can be realized from a facsimile machine by writing a plurality of mail addresses together with an e-mail destination.

[0003]

However, since the upper limit of the number of destinations that can perform broadcast transmission is sometimes determined in the mail server, when the number of destinations exceeds the upper limit, the mail server sends e-mail. In some cases, transmission to the destination could not be performed normally.

The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a mail apparatus capable of performing broadcast transmission regardless of the capacity of a mail server. is there.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mail apparatus which performs broadcast transmission to a mail server connected via a communication network. When the number of destinations in the information transmission exceeds a predetermined number, a control unit is provided for dividing the destinations and transmitting e-mail data for each of the divided destinations.

According to the invention described in claim 2, in the mail device described in claim 1, the control unit divides the destination based on an attribute relating to the destination. According to the third aspect of the present invention, in the mail device according to the first or second aspect, the control unit may control whether the destination is divided.
Send the same e-mail data to the mail server.

[0007]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment in which a mail apparatus according to the present invention is embodied in a facsimile apparatus will be described below with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, a communication network system includes a facsimile apparatus (FA) having a telephone line L1.
X) 1, a gateway (HUB) interconnecting the gateway 2 connected to the Internet via the dedicated line L2, the mail server 3, a plurality of personal computers 4, and each of the devices 1-4.
5, Transceiver 6, Ethernet cable 7, AUI
It comprises a cable 8 and a twisted pair cable 9.

[0009] The facsimile machine 1, gateway 2, mail server 3 and personal computer 4 are connected to a hub 5 via a twisted pair cable 9. Hub 5 is an AUI
It is connected to the transceiver 6 via a cable 8.
The transceiver 6 is connected to another transceiver 6 via an Ethernet (registered trademark) cable 7. The facsimile machine 1, the gateway 2, the mail server 3, and the personal computer 4 have a built-in interface for connecting to the twisted pair cable 9. The hub 5 is provided for connecting the twisted pair cable 9 and the AUI cable 8, and functions as a line concentrator in connection with the communication network T. Transceiver 6 is AU
It is provided for connecting the I cable 8 and the Ethernet cable 7.

The facsimile machine 1 has a mail address as a client of the mail server 3. The gateway 2 includes a communication protocol for controlling communication with other devices other than the communication network T.
The gateway 2 also has a firewall function for preventing unauthorized entry into the communication network T.

The mail server 3 has a communication protocol (SMTP, POP3, etc.) used for electronic mail. When you send the e-mail with the image data attached,
Internet FAX can be realized. The mail server 3 has a mailbox for each client.

The plurality of personal computers 4 includes a control unit for controlling the entire personal computer 4, and an LCD for displaying various information.
And a storage unit such as a keyboard and mouse for inputting predetermined characters and the like, and a hard disk, etc., for instructing various information displayed on the display unit. Further, the plurality of personal computers 4 are connected to the facsimile machine 1, the gateway 2, the mail server 3 and another personal computer 4, and between the facsimile machine 1 or the mail server 3 and the external facsimile machine via the gateway 2. It has a communication protocol for transmitting and receiving. The plurality of personal computers 4 have mail addresses as clients of the mail server 3.

As shown in FIG. 2, the facsimile machine 1
Are the facsimile machine body 1a and the option board 30
It is composed of The facsimile machine main body 1a
MPU 11, ROM 12, RAM 13, reading unit 14, recording unit 15, operation unit 16, display unit 17, image memory 18,
It comprises a codec 19, a modem 20, an NCU 21, and an option board slot unit 22, and each of the units 11 to 22 is connected via a bus 23.

The MPU 11 controls each part of the facsimile machine 1. The ROM 12 stores a program for controlling the facsimile machine 1. RAM 13
Temporarily stores various information related to transmission / reception and transfer of the facsimile machine 1.

The reading section 14 reads image data on a document and outputs black and white binary image data. The recording unit 15 is formed of an electrophotographic printer, and records received image data or image data of a document read by the reading unit 14 on recording paper in a recording operation or a copying operation of received image data.

The operation unit 16 includes a numeric keypad (including * and # keys) 16a for inputting a telephone number, an abbreviated key 16b for registering an abbreviated number or transmitting from an abbreviated number, a telephone number or a FAX number registered in advance. One-touch key 16c for designating a one-touch operation, a start key 16d for starting a document reading operation, and a "communication (FA)
X) Communication for setting "operation" or "copy" operation /
Various operation keys such as a copy key 16e are provided. LC
D, etc., of the facsimile apparatus body 1a
Various information such as the operating state of the device is displayed.

The image memory 18 is read by the received image data and the reading unit 14 and is binarized.
The image data encoded according to the R system is temporarily stored. The image memory 18 temporarily stores image data transmitted from the personal computer 4 via the option board slot unit 22.

The codec 19 encodes the image data read by the reading unit 14 in accordance with the MH, MR, MMR system or the like for transmission. The codec 19 decodes the received image data.

The modem 20 modulates and demodulates a facsimile transmission control procedure signal and image data. NCU21
Has a function of closing and opening the telephone line L1, detecting the transmission and reception of a dial signal corresponding to the fax number of the other party, and the like.

An option board 3 for connecting to the communication network T is provided in the option board slot 22.
0 is equipped. That is, the option board 30
Is provided in the option board slot section 22, the connection to the communication network T becomes possible.

As shown in FIG.
Is composed of an MPU 31, a ROM 32, a RAM 33, an image memory 34, a data conversion unit 35, a PC card interface 36, a PC card type memory 37, a communication protocol control unit 38, and a network interface 39. Are connected via a bus 40.

The MPU 31 controls each component of the option board 30. The ROM 32 stores a program for controlling the option board 30. RAM
33 temporarily stores various information related to the option board 30. The image memory 34 stores the image data sent from the personal computer 4.

The data conversion unit 35 includes a TIFF, BM transmitted from the personal computer 4 via the communication network T.
Image data such as P, GIF, JPEG, PCX, DCX, etc. can be stored in MH, MR, MMR format, TIFF-MH, TIF
The image data is converted into image data of F-MR, TIFF-MMR or the like. Conversely, the MH, MR, MMR system, TIFF-MH, TIFF-
In order to convert image data such as MR, TIFF-MMR, etc. into a format that can be easily handled by a plurality of personal computers 4, a TIF
The image data is converted into image data such as F, BMP, GIF, JPEG, PCX, and DCX.

The PC card interface 36 is
The PC card type memory 37 is accessed via the PC card adapter 36a based on the control signal from the PU 31. The PC card type memory 37 is "PC Card Standard"
Compliant with, for example, a flash memory (EEPROM), and stores data relating to transmission / reception via the option board 30. That is, even if the power of the facsimile machine 1 is stopped or a power failure occurs, data related to transmission and reception is not lost.

The communication protocol control unit 38 communicates with other devices on the communication network T via the network interface 39, or with the network interface 3
9 and a communication protocol for controlling communication with other devices other than the communication network T via the public line network or the like. Specifically, for example, it includes SMTP (mail transmission protocol), POP3 (mail reception protocol), and a salutation communication protocol specified by the Salutation Consortium.

Next, the facsimile machine 1 or the personal computer 4
4 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. This operation is executed under the control of the MPU 11 based on a program stored in the ROM 12.

Now, the facsimile machine 1 or the personal computer 4
In step S1 shown in FIG. 4, the number of destinations of the e-mails exceeds the upper limit (for example, 100) of the mail server 3 in step S1 shown in FIG. Is determined. If the number of destinations exceeds the upper limit, the process proceeds to step S2. On the other hand, if the number of destinations does not exceed the upper limit, or
If the upper limit value of the mail server 3 is unknown, that is, if there is no broadcast transmission exceeding the upper limit value in the past, the process proceeds to step S3.

In step S2, since the number of destinations exceeds the upper limit of the mail server 3, the destinations are divided (division processing). Specifically, the number of broadcast transmission destinations is set to 300.
Assuming that the upper limit of the mail server 3 is 100, the destination of the broadcast transmission is divided into 100 mails. At this time, “To”, “Cc”,
Among "Bcc", priority is given to "To", "Cc", and "Bcc" in this order. In other words, “To”, which is a legitimate destination and has a possibility of reply, is given top priority, and “Cc”, which is a copy destination, is given second priority. In addition, it is also possible to divide 100 items according to the order in which destinations are described.

In step S3, a mail transmission command is transmitted to the mail server 3. That is,
The destination mail address is transmitted to the mail server 3.

In step S4, the mail server 3
The response from is received. Specifically, [1] a response indicating that the mail transmission command has been normally received, [2] a response indicating that the domain name specified by the mail address is unknown, and [3] a value exceeding the upper limit value. And so on.

In step S5, it is determined whether the response is normal. If the response is normal, the process moves to step S6. On the other hand, when the response is not normal, that is, in the reception of the response in step S5, the [2] or [3]
If there is an error in the response as in step S
Move to 7.

In step S6, it is determined whether or not the mail transmission commands of all destinations have been transmitted to the mail server 3. That is, in this case, in step S1, the number of e-mail destinations exceeds the upper limit of the mail server 3, and when the destinations are divided in step S2, all of the divided destinations are It is determined whether the mail transmission command has been transmitted to the mail server 3 or not. On the other hand, if the number of e-mail destinations does not exceed the upper limit of the mail server 3 in step S1, whether or not the mail transmission commands of all the destinations for which the broadcast transmission instruction has been issued has been transmitted to the mail server 3. Is determined. If the mail transmission commands of all the destinations have been transmitted to the mail server 3, step S
Move to 8. On the other hand, if the mail transmission commands for all the destinations have not been transmitted to the mail server 3, the process returns to step S3. That is, the processes of steps S3 to S6 are repeated by the number of destinations specified in the broadcast transmission.

In step S7, the above-mentioned step S
Based on the response indicating that the value exceeds the [3] upper limit value in step 4, the number of times the processes of steps S3 to S6 are repeated is set in the facsimile machine 1 as the upper limit value of the mail server 3.

In step S8, the data of the e-mail (including the header, body, and attached file describing all destinations) is transmitted to the mail server 3 (transmission processing).
Then, a response is received from the mail server 3 indicating whether or not the data of the e-mail has been normally received.

In step S9, it is determined whether or not the e-mail has been transmitted from the facsimile machine 1 to all the destinations to which the broadcast transmission instruction has been issued. If the e-mail has been sent to all the destinations, this process ends. On the other hand, if the e-mail has not been transmitted to all destinations, the process returns to step S2. Specifically, assuming that the number of broadcast transmission destinations is 300 and the upper limit of the mail server 3 is 100, in step S2, the destinations are divided into three every 100 destinations. Therefore, the process returns to step S2 in order to transmit the e-mail to the remaining 200 destinations.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the following operations and effects can be obtained. (1) In broadcast transmission from the facsimile machine 1 or the personal computer 4, if the number of destinations exceeds the upper limit of the mail server 3, the destination is divided and the data of the e-mail is transmitted for each of the divided destinations. Is going. Therefore, there is no possibility that the mail server 3 cannot normally transmit the electronic mail to the destination. Therefore, the mail server 3
Can be broadcast regardless of the ability.

(2) When the destination is divided, an attribute related to the destination, that is, “T” described in the header of the electronic mail.
o "," Cc ", and" Bcc ". That is, the priority order is determined in the order of “To”, “Cc”, and “Bcc”. For this reason, the destination described in “To” which is a legitimate destination and has a possibility of reply is given priority. Therefore, efficient broadcast transmission can be performed based on the priority of the destination.

(3) Even if the destination is divided, the same e-mail data (including the header, body, and attached file) is transmitted. In other words, dividing the destination does not mean that the destination information in the header information of the e-mail is divided.
For this reason, even if the destination is divided, the recipient of the broadcast transmission is received as an electronic mail similar to ordinary broadcast transmission. Therefore, even if the destination is divided, the recipient of the broadcast transmission is "T
o "and other recipients described in" Cc ".

The above embodiment can be embodied with the following modifications. In the above embodiment, when the destination is divided, "T
o "," Cc ", and" Bcc "in that order.
Regardless of “o”, “Cc”, or “Bcc”, a configuration may be adopted in which a priority is set for each destination, and the destination is divided based on the priority.

In addition, "To", "Cc", "Bc"
For each "c", a priority may be set for each destination. In the facsimile machine 1, the shortcut key 16
The mail address is registered in b or the one-touch key 16c. Therefore, when an e-mail is transmitted from the facsimile machine 1, if a destination is set from the shortcut key 16b or the one-touch key 16c, the e-mail may be preferentially transmitted to the mail server 3.

The above embodiment may be applied to a case where electronic mail is transmitted from a plurality of personal computers 4 via the mail server 3 and the gateway 2. further,
The technical ideas other than the claims grasped from the above embodiments and the like will be described below together with their effects.

[1] The mail device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control means sets an upper limit value of the mail server based on a response from the mail server. With this configuration, when the number of destinations of the broadcast transmission after the second time exceeds the upper limit, the destination in the broadcast transmission can be quickly divided based on the upper limit and the electronic mail can be transmitted. it can.

[2] When the number of destinations in the broadcast transmission exceeds a predetermined number, the computer performs a division process of dividing the destinations and a transmission process of transmitting e-mail data for each of the divided destinations. And a recording medium on which a program to be executed is recorded. With this configuration, it is possible to provide a recording medium that can perform broadcast transmission regardless of the capacity of the mail server.

[0044]

Since the present invention is configured as described above, it has the following effects. According to the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 3, broadcast transmission can be performed regardless of the capability of the mail server.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a communication network system.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the facsimile apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an option board.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation at the time of broadcast transmission.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Facsimile machine as a mail apparatus, 3 ... Mail server, 4 ... Personal computer as a mail apparatus, 11 ... MPU which comprises a control means, 12 ... RO which comprises a control means
M, 13: RAM constituting control means, T: communication network.

Claims (3)

[Claims] In a mail apparatus for performing a broadcast transmission to a mail server connected via a communication network, if the number of destinations in the broadcast transmission exceeds a predetermined number, the destination is divided and the division is performed. A mail device comprising a control means for transmitting e-mail data for each destination. 2. The mail device according to claim 1, wherein
The control unit is a mail device that divides a destination based on an attribute related to the destination. 3. The mail device according to claim 1, wherein the control means transmits the same e-mail data to the mail server even when the destination is divided.