JP2002057871A - Communication device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a communication device which can easily manage received data by transferring received data according to user's desire and creating a transmission log. SOLUTION: When image data is received by facsimile transmission through the public network or telephone line, or an e-mail is received from the Internet through a leased line or the like, destinations to distribute the image data or e-mail are determined (S1). Then the determined destinations conform to the destination determining requirements preliminarily set for each client, the received data (received image data or e-mail) is transferred to the destinations by facsimile transmission or by e-mail (S4). After the received data is transferred, a transmission log for the image data or e-mail is created (S5). Thus, by transferring the received data according to user's desire and then creating the transmission log, the received data can be easily managed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a communication device connected to a communication network.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a communication network system in which a facsimile server, a mail server, a personal computer, and the like are connected to each other using a communication network has been spreading. For this reason,
A FAX server connected to a communication network can distribute data received from a dedicated line connected to a public line network or the Internet to each client.
As a method of further transferring the received data distributed to the client, a method of performing further transfer processing on the client side is known.

[0003]

However, in this transfer method, it is not possible to perform further transfer unless the received received data is once received on the client side. In other words, it could not be transferred as desired by the user.

[0004] The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and its object is to transfer received data as desired by a user and create a transfer log to receive the data. An object of the present invention is to provide a communication device capable of easily managing data.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a communication device connected to a communication network determines a destination of received data and determines a destination of the received data. After the determined received data is transferred to the transfer destination, control means is provided for creating a transfer log for each received data.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the communication apparatus according to the first aspect, the communication device further includes a reception data storage unit for storing reception data, and the control unit performs a post-transfer operation based on the setting of the destination determination condition. Is compressed and stored in the received data storage means.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the communication device according to the first or second aspect, the destination determining condition for determining the destination and the destination determining condition for determining the destination are specified. A condition storage means for storing is provided.

[0008]

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

As shown in FIG. 1, the communication network system comprises a facsimile server 1 having a telephone line L1, a gateway 2 connected to the Internet via a dedicated line L2, a mail server 3, a plurality of personal computers 4, and each device 1.
1 to 4, a hub (HUB) 5, a transceiver 6, an Ethernet (registered trademark) cable 7, an AUI cable 8, and a twisted pair cable 9.

[0010] The FAX server 1, gateway 2, mail server 3 and personal computer 4 are connected to a hub 5 via a twisted pair cable 9. The hub 5 is connected to the transceiver 6 via the AUI cable 8. The transceiver 6 is connected to another transceiver 6 via an Ethernet cable 7. The FAX server 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. Hub 5 is twisted pair cable 9 and A
It is provided to connect to the UI cable 8 and functions as a concentrator in connection with the communication network T. The transceiver 6 is provided for connecting the AUI cable 8 and the Ethernet cable 7.

The FAX server 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 (including the FAX server 1).

A 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. In addition, the plurality of personal computers 4
For sending and receiving between the AX server 1, the gateway 2, the mail server 3 and another personal computer 4, and between the FAX server 1 or the external FAX server and the facsimile machine via the mail server 3 and the gateway 2 It has a communication protocol. In addition, several personal computers 4
Has a mail address as a client of the mail server 3.

As shown in FIG. 2, the FAX server 1
It comprises an AX server main body 1a and an option board 30. The FAX server main body 1a includes the MPU 11, R
OM 12, RAM 13, reading unit 14, recording unit 15, operation unit 16, display unit 17, image memory 18, codec 1
9, a modem 20, an NCU 21, and an option board slot unit 22, and the units 11 to 22 are connected to each other via a bus 23.

The MPU 11 controls each part of the FAX server 1. The ROM 12 stores a program for controlling the FAX server 1. RAM 13 is an FA
Various information related to transmission / reception and transfer of the X server 1 is temporarily stored.

The reading unit 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 the * 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
A display unit 17 including D and the like displays various information such as an operation state of the FAX server main body 1a.

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 performs a facsimile transmission control procedure and modulates and demodulates image data. The NCU 21 closes and opens the telephone line L1, and establishes the F
It has a function of detecting transmission and reception of dial signals corresponding to AX numbers.

The option board slot section 22 has an option board 3 for connecting to the communication network T.
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 basic program for controlling the option board 30. The RAM 33 temporarily stores various information regarding the option board 30. The image memory 34 stores the image data sent from the personal computer 4.

The data conversion unit 35 includes the TIFF and 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"
, And is constituted by, for example, a flash memory (EEPROM). The PC card type memory 37 has a data area 37a for each client, and stores image data transferred from the image memory 18 and data related to transmission / reception via the option board 30.

The communication protocol control unit 38 communicates with other devices on the communication network T via the network interface 39,
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.

In this embodiment, the electronic mail addressed to the FAX server 1 received by the mail server 3
The X server 1 receives data at predetermined time intervals using the POP3 protocol.

Next, the operation of the FAX server 1 at the time of distribution and at the time of transfer will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. Now, the FAX server 1 transmits image data by facsimile communication from the public line network via the telephone line L1 or a dedicated line L2 from the Internet.
When an e-mail addressed to the FAX server 1 is received via the gateway 2 and the mail server 3 and the image data or the e-mail is stored in the image memory 18 or the PC card type memory 37, in step S1 shown in FIG. The client to which the image data stored in the image memory 18 or the e-mail stored in the PC card type memory 37 is distributed is determined. Here, as the distribution destination determination processing, RA
The distribution destination of the image data or the e-mail is determined based on the distribution destination determination condition for determining the distribution destination stored in M13. That is, in the case of reception by facsimile communication, the source telephone number or SU
Based on the sub-address and the like indicated by the B signal, the distribution destination determination processing of the image data is executed. On the other hand, in the case of receiving an e-mail, an e-mail distribution destination determination process is executed based on the header or the description in the text as a distribution destination determination condition.

In step S2, the image memory 18
The transfer destination of the image data stored in the PC or the e-mail stored in the PC card type memory 37 is determined. That is,
The RAM 13 stores transfer destination determination conditions for determining a transfer destination for each client. Then, based on the transfer destination determining condition, the transfer destination of the image data stored in the image memory 18 or the electronic mail stored in the PC card type memory 37 is determined. Here, as the transfer destination determination conditions, as shown in FIG. 6, “pause” for setting whether or not to temporarily stop the transfer, and “time pause” for setting the transfer for each client. "Transfer time zone", "Transfer destination" for setting a transfer destination, and transfer the transferred image data or e-mail to the image memory 18 or the PC.
The item is composed of “delete” for setting whether or not to leave in the card type memory 37. And "Delete"
When these transfer destination determination conditions except for the item are satisfied, the transfer destination is determined. As shown in FIG. 4, the transfer destination determination condition can be set from each client for each client. At the time of setting, authentication may be performed using an ID and a password for each client.

Here, the operation of the transfer destination determining process shown in FIG. 5 will be described. That is, step S1 shown in FIG.
In 1, it is determined whether or not the suspension is set to “OFF”. If the suspension is set to “OFF”, the process proceeds to step S12. On the other hand, when the pause is not set to “OFF”, that is, when the pause is set to “ON”, it is determined that the transfer is not to be performed, and the process ends.

In step S12, it is determined whether the current time is in the transfer time zone. If it is the transfer time zone, the process moves to step S13. On the other hand, if it is not the transfer time zone, it is determined that the transfer is not to be performed, and the process is terminated.

In step S13, it is determined whether a transfer destination exists. That is, it is determined whether or not the transfer destination is described in the item of “transfer destination”. If there is a transfer destination, the process proceeds to step S14. On the other hand, when the transfer destination is not described, it is determined that the transfer is not to be performed, and the process ends.

In step S14, as a result of clearing the conditions in steps S11 to S13, the transfer is determined. In step S3 shown in FIG. 4, it is determined whether or not the transfer is performed. If it is a transfer, the process proceeds to step S4. On the other hand, if it is not transfer, step S
Move to 10.

In step S4, image data or electronic mail is transferred to the determined destination based on the destination determining process shown in FIG. At this time, if the transfer destination is a mail address, the e-mail is sent to the mail server 3 by the SM.
It is transferred using the TP protocol. Then, the mail is transferred from the mail server 3 to the mail address of the transfer destination. On the other hand, if the transfer destination is a fax number, facsimile communication is executed. When both the mail address and the FAX number are described as the transfer destination, both processes are executed.

In step S5, a transfer log is created. Specifically, as shown in FIG.
It comprises items of “date and time”, “source”, “destination”, “transfer destination” and “delete”. Then, here, a transfer log of each item except for the item of “delete” is created.

In step S6, it is determined whether or not the item of deletion is set to "ON" in the transfer destination determination condition for each client stored in the RAM 13. If the item of deletion is set to "ON", the process proceeds to step S7. On the other hand, if the item of deletion is "O
N is not set, that is, the item of deletion is “O
If "FF" has been set, the process moves to step S9.

In step S7, step S7
It is determined that the setting is to delete the image data or the e-mail in 6, and the image data or the e-mail after the transfer is deleted from the image memory 18 or the PC card type memory 37.

In step S8, step S8
Since the image data or the e-mail after the transfer has been deleted from the image memory 18 or the PC card type memory 37 in FIG.

In step S9, the aforementioned step S
In step S6, it is determined that the setting is not to delete image data or e-mail, and the image data or e-mail is compressed and stored in the image memory 18 or the PC card type memory 37.

In step S10, a distribution process to the distribution destination determined in step S1 is executed. Specifically, the image data stored in the image memory 18 or the e-mail stored in the PC card type memory 37 is delivered to the data area 37a for each client. At this time, the fact that the received image data or the e-mail has been distributed by facsimile communication is notified to the personal computer 4 of each client using a salutation communication protocol.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the following operations and effects can be obtained. (1) When receiving image data by facsimile communication from the public line network via the telephone line L1 or receiving e-mail from the Internet via the dedicated line L2, the gateway 2 and the mail server 3, the destination of the image data or e-mail Is determined. Further, if the transfer destination determination condition set for each client stored in the RAM 13 is satisfied, the received data (received image data or electronic mail) is transferred to the transfer destination by facsimile communication or electronic mail. Then, after the received data is transferred, a transfer log of the image data or the e-mail is created. Therefore, the received data can be easily managed by transferring the received data as desired by the user and creating a transfer log.

(2) When the item of deletion is set to “ON” in the transfer destination determination condition, the image data or the electronic mail after the transfer is deleted from the image memory 18 or the PC card type memory 37. . On the other hand, the item of deletion is “OF
F ”, the transferred image data or e-mail is stored in the image memory 18 or the PC card type memory 37.
And stored. Therefore, the image data or the e-mail after the transfer can be deleted or compressed and stored as desired by the user. Further, even when the item of deletion is set to “OFF”, the image memory 18 or the PC card type memory 37 can be effectively used. Therefore, a user-friendly FAX server 1 can be provided.

(3) In addition, as shown in FIG.
The transfer destination determination condition stored in the storage 13 is provided for each client. Therefore, each client can freely set the transfer destination determination condition. Therefore, the received data can be transferred as desired by the user.

(4) Further, the destination determination conditions for each client are stored in the RAM 13. as a result,
For example, if an administrator of the communication network T is set with an access right for managing the transfer destination determination conditions of each client, the transfer destination determination conditions for each client can be centrally managed.

(5) In addition, the item “pause” is provided in the transfer destination determination condition. For this reason, even when the transfer destination determination condition is satisfied, the received image data or e-mail is not transferred to the transfer destination if the setting of “pause” is “ON”. Therefore, the transfer destination determination condition can be invalidated without changing the item of “transfer time zone”. Therefore, as desired by the user,
The transfer destination determination condition can be made valid or invalid.

(6) In the transfer destination determining condition shown in FIG. 6, a fax number or a mail address can be specified as the transfer destination. For this reason, the received data can be transferred to a facsimile machine or a device that can receive an electronic mail. Therefore, the number of transfer destination devices is not limited to one. In addition, the received data can be transferred to both a facsimile machine and a device that can receive electronic mail.

The above embodiment can be embodied with the following modifications. In the transfer destination determination condition shown in FIG. 6, one transfer time zone or the like is shown for one client, but a plurality of different transfer time zones may be provided.

Further, technical ideas other than the claims grasped from the above embodiments and the like will be described below together with their effects. [1] The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control means determines a transfer destination stored in the condition storage means based on an operation from the distribution destination. A communication device for setting pre-determination conditions. With this configuration, the received data can be transferred as desired by the user.

[2] In the recording medium of the communication device connected to the communication network, the distribution destination of the received data is determined by the computer, and the received data after the determined distribution destination is transferred to the transfer destination. A recording medium on which a program for causing a transfer log to be created every time is recorded. With this configuration, it is possible to provide a recording medium capable of easily managing the received data by transferring the received data as desired by the user and creating a transfer log.

[0050]

Since the present invention is configured as described above, it has the following effects. According to the invention as set forth in any one of claims 1 to 3, it is possible to transfer received data as desired by the user and to create a transfer log to easily manage the received data. Can be.

[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 a FAX server.

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

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing operations at the time of distribution and at the time of transfer.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a transfer destination determining process.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing transfer destination determination conditions.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a transfer log.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... FAX server as a communication apparatus, 11 ... MPU which comprises a control means, 12 ... ROM which comprises a control means, 1
3. RAM constituting control means and condition storage means, 18
... Image memory as received data storage means, 37 PC card type memory as received data storage means, T communication network.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04M 11/00 303 H04N 1/21 H04N 1/00 107 H04L 11/20 101B 1/21 F term (Reference) 5C062 AA02 AA14 AA29 AB10 AB42 AB43 AC29 AC43 AF06 BA00 BC01 BD09 5C073 AA06 AB04 BB03 CD05 CE02 5C075 AB90 CA14 CA90 CD07 FF09 FF90 5K030 GA17 HA06 HC14 HD06 KA06 KA19 LD05 LD11 5K101 KK01 KK02 NN02

Claims (3)

[Claims] In a communication device connected to a communication network, a distribution destination of received data is determined, and after the received data whose distribution destination is determined is transferred to a transfer destination, a transfer log is created for each received data. A communication device comprising a control unit. 2. The communication device according to claim 1, further comprising a reception data storage unit for storing reception data, wherein the control unit compresses the reception data after transfer based on a setting of a transfer destination determination condition. A communication device to be stored in the reception data storage means. 3. The communication device according to claim 1, further comprising condition storage means for storing a destination determining condition for determining a destination and a destination determining condition for determining a destination. Communication device.