JP2002135515A - Internet facsimile machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To allow an Internet facsimile communication system exchange infor mation of respective functions for every page of image data between a sender side and a receiver side. SOLUTION: A main control section 1 exchanges capability information between its own machine and a destination facsimile machine for every page of image data through the use of electronic mail and transmits the image data on the basis of the capability information exchanged between the facsimile machines. When the image data of one page is transmitted, the main control section 1 transmits an X-TSI(transmission terminal identification) signal and an X-DCS signal (digital instruction signal denoting function instruction from a transmission terminal) by using one piece of electronic mail together with the image data of one page. Furthermore, when transmitting image data of a plurality of gages, the main control section 1 transmits the X-TSI signal and the X-DCS signal together with the image data of the 1st page through the use of one piece of electronic mail and then transmits the X-DCS signal together with the image data of 2nd and succeeding pages through the use of one piece of electronic mail.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an Internet facsimile apparatus for transmitting and receiving image data via the Internet using electronic mail.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an Internet facsimile communication system using an Internet facsimile apparatus for transmitting and receiving image data via the Internet using electronic mail has been described in ITU-T Recommendation T.30. 37. In this Internet facsimile machine,
The e-mail including the image data is sent to the mail server device (gateway device) on the transmitting side and the mail server device (gateway device) on the receiving side via the Internet by SMT.
The Internet facsimile machine on the receiving side transmits in the P system, accesses the mail server on the receiving side in the POP3 system, receives the e-mail including the image data,
The received image data is printed using the image recording unit.

[0003]

In a conventional Internet facsimile communication system, image data is unilaterally transmitted from a transmitting side to a receiving side. The function cannot be exchanged. Therefore, there have been problems that the received image data cannot be reproduced or the functions cannot be fully exhibited.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above problems and to provide an Internet facsimile apparatus capable of exchanging functions between a transmitting side and a receiving side for each page of image data in an Internet facsimile communication system. To provide.

[0005]

An Internet facsimile apparatus according to the present invention is an Internet facsimile apparatus that performs facsimile communication via the Internet using electronic mail. The present invention is characterized in that it comprises an exchanging means for exchanging the capabilities of the facsimile machine of the machine and the destination, and a transmitting means for transmitting the image data based on the capabilities of the exchanged facsimile apparatuses.

In the Internet facsimile apparatus, when transmitting one page of image data,
The exchange unit and the transmission unit transmit the transmission terminal identification signal and the function command signal together with the one-page image data using one electronic mail.

Further, in the Internet facsimile apparatus, when transmitting the image data of a plurality of pages, the exchange means and the transmission means transmit the transmitting terminal identification signal and the function command signal together with the image data of the first page. After transmitting using one e-mail, the function command signal is transmitted using one e-mail together with the image data of the second and subsequent pages.

Still further, in the above-mentioned Internet facsimile apparatus, even if a predetermined time has elapsed from the transmission of the immediately preceding image data, the transmitting means can determine the capability of the facsimile apparatus of its own device and the other party for the image data of the next page. When exchange is not possible, the image data of the immediately preceding page is retransmitted.

[0009]

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

<First Embodiment> FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an Internet facsimile communication system according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
1 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of an Internet facsimile apparatus 20 of FIG.

An Internet facsimile communication system according to the first embodiment is the same as the communication system described in the section of the prior art, and includes an Internet facsimile apparatus for transmitting and receiving image data via the Internet using electronic mail. Facsimile communication is performed using SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) and POP3 (Post Office Protocol 3), which are electronic mail protocols. That is, as shown in FIG. 1, the Internet facsimile apparatus 20A on the transmission side transmits an e-mail including image data to a mail server apparatus (gateway apparatus) 31A on the transmission side and a mail server apparatus (gateway) on the reception side via the Internet 40. Apparatus) 31
B, and then, the Internet facsimile machine 20B on the receiving side periodically accesses the mail server apparatus 31B on the receiving side using the POP3 method at a predetermined cycle such as 30 seconds, and transmits the image data. The received image data is printed using the image recording unit 3. Here, as shown in FIG. 2, the Internet facsimile apparatuses 20A and 20B have functions on the transmission side and the reception side, and are generally denoted by reference numeral 20,
Mail server devices 31A and 31B that transmit and receive e-mails via the Internet 40 have functions on the transmission side and the reception side, and are generally denoted by reference numeral 31.

An Internet facsimile apparatus 20 according to the first embodiment is an Internet facsimile apparatus 20 that performs facsimile communication via the Internet using electronic mail. The main control unit 1 includes an ITU used for facsimile communication. -Using a communication procedure similar to the communication procedure of Recommendation T-30, exchanging the capabilities of the own facsimile machine and the facsimile machine of the other party by e-mail, and transmitting the image data based on the capabilities of the exchanged facsimile machines. Is transmitted. Here, the e-mail includes FAXID (facsimile communication identification number) which is data for identifying a series of facsimile communication.
Further, the main control unit 1 writes the capability of the facsimile machine in the header (or may be the body text) of the e-mail and exchanges it with the facsimile machine of the other party. Further, the main control unit 1
Transmits the image data to the other party's facsimile machine with the image data included in the body of the e-mail (or an attached file). Here, the image data is preferably in TIFF format or MH format,
MMR format, JBIG format or JPEG format.

Referring to FIG. 1, a facsimile machine 20 comprises:
It has a facsimile communication function using a conventional G3 method and the like, and a facsimile communication function using electronic mail. The main control unit 1 is specifically constituted by a CPU, is connected to the following hardware units via a bus 13, controls them, and executes various software functions to be described later. The image reading unit 2 reads an original with a scanner using a CCD or the like, and outputs dot image data converted to binary black and white. The image recording unit 3 is a printer device of an electrophotographic system or the like, and prints out and records image data received from another facsimile device by facsimile communication as a hard copy.
The display unit 4 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) or a CRT display, and the facsimile device 20.
Of the document to be transmitted, and the received image data.

The operation unit 5 includes character keys, dial numeric keys, and dial keys necessary for operating the facsimile machine 20.
It has speed dial keys, one-touch dial keys, and various function keys. In addition, by making the above-mentioned display unit 4 a touch panel type, this operation unit 5
A part or all of the various keys may be substituted.

The ROM 6 stores various software programs necessary for the operation of the facsimile machine 20 and executed by the main control unit 1 in advance. In addition, these programs are, for example, floppy (registered trademark)
It is recorded on a recording medium such as a disk, MO, DVD-RAM, etc.
And the program may be executed. RAM
Reference numeral 7 denotes an SRAM, which is used as a working area of the main control unit 1 and stores temporary data generated when a program is executed. The CompactFlash (registered trademark) 8 has a role of a so-called image memory and a memory as a program recording medium, and includes a FAXID management table 8a, a communication history transmission table 8b, a communication history reception table 8c, a transmission job, And an image data file 8d storing image data for each reception job. Further, the clock circuit 9 measures the current date and time and outputs data of the current date and time to the main control unit 1 as necessary.

The fax modem 10 is connected to a public telephone line L
Is connected to the public telephone network 50 via a public telephone network, and has a function of a normal fax modem for facsimile communication. The modem demodulates data of transmission telephone number information received as an FSK signal and outputs it to the main control unit 1. . An NCU (Network Control Unit) 11 is a hardware circuit that performs closing and opening operations such as a DC loop of an analog public telephone line L and has an automatic dial function. To the public telephone line L. Here, the NCU 11 detects the ID receiving terminal activation signal and the ordinary telephone call signal in the outgoing telephone number notification service and, if necessary, the primary response signal and the second response signal in the outgoing telephone number notification service.
A next response signal can be transmitted. Note that NCU11
May be connected to a baseband transmission type digital line (for example, an ISDN line) via a predetermined terminal adapter and a DSU (Digital Service Unit).

The LAN interface 12 connects the facsimile machine 20 to, for example, Ethernet (registered trademark).
In order to connect to the local area network 30, the interface circuit performs signal and data signal conversion and protocol conversion, and a mail server device 31 and a router device 32 are connected to the LAN 30. Further, the router device 32 is connected to a destination mail server device (not shown) via the Internet 40. When the facsimile device 20 transmits the image data by attaching the image data to the mail text or the like, the LAN interface 12 transmits the image data once to the mail server device 31 via the LAN 30, and then the mail server device 31 transmits the Internet mail to the LAN 30. The mail is transmitted to the destination facsimile machine via the router device 32, the Internet 40, and the destination mail server device (not shown). On the other hand, when receiving an e-mail packet, the e-mail is received through the reverse route. The line connection to the Internet 40 is not limited to a dedicated line or the like, but may be a dial-up connection using a public telephone line L.

The facsimile apparatus 20 of the present embodiment configured as described above has a facsimile communication function using an electronic mail in addition to a normal facsimile communication function of the G3 system or the like. In the former facsimile communication function, the dot image data read by the image reading unit 2 is defined by M
After being encoded by software in accordance with an encoding system such as H, MR, MMR, etc., it is transmitted to the other party's facsimile apparatus, and on the contrary, the encoded data received from the other party's facsimile apparatus is also decoded into software by the software. It is output from the image recording unit 3 as a hard copy. The latter facsimile communication function will be described later in detail.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the FAXID management table 8a stored in the compact flash 8 of FIG. In the present embodiment, the FAXID is a series of 1
Serial number indicating one facsimile communication, followed by @ and the domain of the own station.
It is transmitted as an AXID signal. As shown in FIG.
By using the XID management table 8a, FAXID numbering (new numbering) and its management are performed.
In the AXID management table 8a, for each X-FAXID,
The mail address of the communication partner and the start time and end time of the facsimile communication are stored. When the end time is "-", it indicates that the facsimile communication has not been completed.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the communication history transmission table 8b stored in the compact flash 8 of FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the communication history transmission table 8b shows that when facsimile transmission is performed from the own station to the destination facsimile apparatus, the ITU-T Recommendation T.40 is used. 30
Each time a signal using the same procedure signal is transmitted and received, the X-FAXID, the mail address of the communication partner, the communication time, the type of signal, the TX (transmission) or the RX for each signal
(Reception) is stored.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the communication history reception table 8c stored in the compact flash 8 of FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, the communication history reception table 8c shows that when a facsimile machine of the other party has transmitted a facsimile to its own station (that is, when a facsimile has been received), the ITU-T Recommendation T.40 is used. Each time a signal using the same procedure signal as in 30 is transmitted and received, the X-FAXID, the mail address of the communication partner, the communication time, the type of signal, the TX (transmission) or the RX (reception) for each signal. Kano is stored.

In the first embodiment, a signal in the format of X- (procedure signal name of T30 communication procedure of facsimile communication) is stored in the extension header of the electronic mail. Specifically, X-DIS, X-X Facsimile communication by using a facsimile signal such as DCS or X-EOM and a header indicating a call signal (in this embodiment, referred to as a facsimile transmission notification signal), and exchanging electronic mail using those headers; T30 communication procedure is performed on an electronic mail basis. Here, for example, X-FAXCALL is used as a header indicating the facsimile transmission notification signal. Those requiring a data portion such as a DIS signal and a DCS signal are, for example, X-DIS-205680.
It may be described in a header such as 443586, may be described as a new header, or may be described in the text. Further, in the communication procedure of T30, the TCF signal does not need to be used because it does not make sense to use it.

The image data is in TIFF format, MH format, MMR format, JBIG format or JPEG format.
After encoding in a format or the like, it is MIME-converted and transmitted as a text or an attached file. If the image data is TIF
When the information is described in the F format, the information of the image data is described in the header of the TIFF format, so that there is no need to separately transmit information corresponding to the DCS signal. further,
X-PIX or the like is added to a header to indicate image data. Here, the image data is transmitted as one electronic mail in page units. Further, if the e-mail cannot be exchanged halfway, the facsimile machine 20 on the transmission side may try to retransmit after a predetermined time from the next page after the page that has been transmitted, or may retransmit all pages.

Also, in order to uniquely recognize the communication currently being performed by the sender and the receiver on the basis of the e-mail for the facsimile communication, as described above, the sender transmits the e-mail for the call as described above. At the time of transmission or when the receiving side transmits an e-mail responding to the call, a FAXID, which is communication management information, is added to the header of the mail, and the communication management information is transmitted to each other until the facsimile procedure ends. To interact with. By using this FAXID, the transmitting side and the receiving side can simultaneously perform many-to-many facsimile communication.

Next, the X-FAX used in this embodiment
CALL signal (facsimile transmission notification signal), X-CS
An example of each header of the I signal, X-TSI signal, and X-CFR signal is shown below.

[0026]

[Table 1] ―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――― Message-ID: <37D50932.97EF2823@abc.co .jp> Date: Tue, 07 Sep 1999 21:46:42 +0900 From: ifax@abc.co.jp To: faxterminal@xyz.co.jp Subject: InternetFAX X-FAXCALL: Call for IFAX X-FAXID: 00001 @ abc.co.jp MIME-Version: 1.0 ――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

[0027]

[Table 2] ―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――― Message-ID: <47D50932.87EF2823@xyz.co .jp> Date: Tue, 07 Sep 1999 21:47:42 +0900 From: faxterminal@xyz.co.jp To: ifax@abc.co.jp Subject: InternetFAX X-FAXID: 00001@abc.co.jp X -CSI: 075-111-1234 X DIS: 0020EEF8C4809580808020 MIME-Version: 1.0 ――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――― ―

[0028]

[Table 3] ―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――― Message-ID: <57D50932.97EF2823@abc.co .jp> Date: Tue, 07 Sep 1999 21:48:30 +0900 From: ifax@abc.co.jp To: faxterminal@xyz.co.jp Subject: InternetFAX X-FAXID: 00001@abc.co.jp X -TSI: 075-111-2345 X-DCS: 830022F8C48004 MIME-Version: 1.0 ―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――― -

[0029]

[Table 4] ―――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――― Message-ID: <48D50932.87EF2823@xyz.co .jp> Date: Tue, 07 Sep 1999 21:48:52 +0900 From: faxterminal@xyz.co.jp To: ifax@abc.co.jp Subject: InternetFAX X-FAXID: 00001@abc.co.jp X -CFR: 84 MIME-Version: 1.0 ――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――――

Further, an example of a communication procedure of facsimile communication according to the first embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 6, first, the Internet facsimile apparatus 20A is connected to mail server apparatuses 31A and 31A.
B, an X-FAX CALL signal (a facsimile transmission notification signal or a call signal) is transmitted to the Internet facsimile apparatus 20B via the e-mail, and in response to this, the Internet facsimile apparatus 20B transmits an X-mail to the Internet facsimile apparatus 20A. -CSI
Signal (called terminal identification signal) and X-DIS signal (digital identification signal indicating the receiving function or receiving capability of the called terminal)
Send an email. Next, the Internet facsimile apparatus 20A sends an X-TSI (transmission terminal identification signal) signal and a X-DCS signal (a digital command signal indicating a function command (refers to a transmission function or transmission capability) from the transmission terminal) to the Internet facsimile apparatus 20B. ), And in response, Internet facsimile machine 20B sends an X-CFR signal (reception preparation confirmation signal) to Internet facsimile machine 20A.
Reply email.

Then, the Internet facsimile machine 20A transmits an X-PIX e-mail including the image data of the first page to the Internet facsimile machine 20B, and then sends an X-MPS signal (the image data of the next page is transmitted). Send a multi-page signal) e-mail indicating that there is. In response, internet facsimile machine 20B returns an e-mail of an X-MCF signal (a message confirmation signal indicating that the message has been completely received in response to the X-MPS signal) to internet facsimile machine 20A. I do. Further, the Internet facsimile apparatus 20A transmits an X-PIX signal electronic mail including the image data of the second page to the Internet facsimile apparatus 20B,
Subsequently, an X-EOP signal (a procedure end signal indicating the end of image data transmission) is transmitted. On the other hand, the Internet facsimile machine 20B returns an X-MCF signal (a message acknowledgment signal indicating that the message has been completely received in response to the X-EOP signal) to the Internet facsimile machine 20A, and furthermore, Internet facsimile apparatus 20A transmits an X-DCN signal (disconnection command signal) to Internet facsimile apparatus 20B, and ends the series of facsimile communication.

In the communication procedure of FIG. 6, following the transmission process 100A of the image data of one page, a process 100B indicating that there is image data of the next page is executed.
Transmission processing 100C of image data of two pages is being executed. As a result, a transmission process 101 for transmitting image data for two pages is performed.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, in an Internet facsimile communication system using electronic mail, image data can be transmitted after mutual exchange of capabilities. As a result, the capability of the other party's Internet facsimile machine can be fully utilized. Further, since the facsimile communication by the electronic mail is performed by using the communication procedure signal of the facsimile, the transmission side can know whether or not the reception side has reliably received.

<Second Embodiment> FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram showing a communication procedure of facsimile communication according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 8 is executed by the Internet facsimile apparatus 20 according to the second embodiment. 9 is a flowchart showing a transmission process performed. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a reception process executed by the Internet facsimile apparatus 20 according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a header-based process (step S19) which is a subroutine of FIG. is there. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a first timeout process, which is an interrupt process executed by the Internet facsimile machine 20 according to the second embodiment at predetermined intervals.

The Internet facsimile apparatus 20 according to the second embodiment has a configuration similar to the configuration shown in FIG. 2, and the main control unit 1 uses an electronic mail as shown in FIG. The present invention is characterized in that the capabilities of a facsimile machine and a destination facsimile machine are exchanged, and image data of one page or a plurality of pages is transmitted using one e-mail based on the exchanged capabilities of each facsimile machine. Also,
The main control unit 1 receives the image data transmitted by using the e-mail and executes a predetermined reception process shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, and more specifically, decodes the received image data to record the image. When printing is performed on recording paper using the copy unit 3 (step S22 in FIG. 10) and no error occurs (step S22A)
(NO in step S23) An X-MCF signal (message confirmation signal) e-mail indicating the result of the executed reception processing (image data has been received and decrypted reliably) is transmitted to the destination facsimile machine (step S23). ). On the other hand, when an error occurs in the decoding and there is a defect in part or all of the received image data (step S22A).
YES), an X-PPR (partial page signal) e-mail indicating a retransmission request is transmitted to the facsimile machine of the destination (step S22B).

Further, the main control unit 1 receives the image data transmitted by using the e-mail,
When the FAX CALL signal is received (YES in step S14 of FIG. 9), the image data cannot be received due to a trouble in the Internet facsimile machine 20 such as the image recording unit 3 and the incoming call is rejected (YES in step S14A). Then, an electronic mail of an X-DCN signal (disconnection command signal) indicating that reception is not possible is transmitted to the facsimile machine of the other party. Further, when the e-mail is transmitted by the transmission processing of FIG. 8 or the reception processing of FIGS. 9 and 10,
If the e-mail to be returned cannot be received within a predetermined elapsed time from the transmission (YES in step S32 of the first timeout process in FIG. 11), the facsimile communication is interrupted (step S33).

Next, a communication procedure of facsimile communication according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 7, first, the Internet facsimile apparatus 20A is connected to mail server apparatuses 31A and 31A.
X-FAXCALL (facsimile transmission notification signal) to the Internet facsimile apparatus 20B via B
Is transmitted, and in response to this, the Internet facsimile machine 20B
To transmit the X-CSI and X-DIS signals to. Next, the Internet facsimile apparatus 20A sends X-TSI,
X-DCS and X-PIX signal image data (including image data of all pages in TIFF format and multi-page format) and X-EOP signal are transmitted, and in response to this, the Internet facsimile apparatus 20B transmits the Internet facsimile. An X-MCF (with reception result) signal is transmitted to the device 20A. Here, the X-MCF signal is a message acknowledgment signal, which is an acknowledgment to the previous X-EOP signal, indicating that the message has been completely received. In other words, it indicates the result of the executed receiving process (that the image data has been received and decoded reliably). Further, in response to the X-MCF signal, the Internet facsimile machine 20A returns an X-DCN signal to the Internet facsimile machine 20B.

In the communication procedure according to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 7, image data including a plurality of pages is transmitted using one e-mail (the procedure of 102 in FIG. 7). When one e-mail is transmitted for each page of image data as in the first embodiment (101 in FIG. 6)
), The communication procedure can be greatly simplified.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a transmission process executed by the Internet facsimile apparatus 20 according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 8, first, a document is set in step S1, and a transmission destination is designated using the operation unit 5. Next, in step S2, the document image is read using the image reading unit 2, stored in the image data file 8d, and encoded. Then, in step S3, a new FA is created based on the FAXID management table 8a.
The XID is numbered and written in the FAXID management table 8. Then, in step S4, the mail server device 3
The e-mail of the X-FAXCALL signal (facsimile transmission notification signal) is transmitted to the transmission destination via the SMTP 1 by the SMTP method, the content of the signal is written in the communication history transmission table 8b, and the transmission processing ends.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a reception process executed by the Internet facsimile machine 20 according to the second embodiment.

In FIG. 9, first, at step S11, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the previous access to the mail server device 31, and the process at step S11 is repeated until the answer is YES. When YES is determined in the step S11, the mail server device 31 is accessed in a step S12 to download and receive the e-mail in the POP3 method. Next, in step S13, the header of the received e-mail is analyzed, the content of the signal is written in the communication history reception table 8c, and it is determined in step S14 whether the X-FAX CALL signal e-mail has been received. If the determination is YES, the process proceeds to step S14A, whereas if the determination is NO, the process proceeds to step S16. In step S14A, it is determined whether or not a failure in the Internet facsimile machine 20 such as the image recording unit 3, image data cannot be received by direct mail or SPAM mail, and the incoming call should be rejected.
At 14B, an e-mail of the X-DCN signal (disconnection command signal) is transmitted to the destination, the contents of the signal are written in the communication history reception table 8c, and the process returns to step S11. On the other hand, if NO in step S14A, an e-mail of an X-DIS signal (digital identification signal) including its own capability is transmitted to the other party in step S15, and the contents of the signal are written in the communication history reception table 8c. It returns to S11.

In step S16, the previous communication is specified by searching the communication history transmission table 8b and the communication history reception table 8c based on the FAXID of the received e-mail. It is determined whether a predetermined time has elapsed.
In the case of O, the process proceeds to step S19, executes the header-specific process as a subroutine of FIG. 10, and then returns to step S11. On the other hand, if YES is determined in the step S17, an error notification report is sent to the image recording unit 3 in a step S18.
To send an X-DCN signal (disconnection command signal) e-mail to the destination, write the contents of the signal into the communication history transmission table 8b, and return to step S11.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the header-specific processing (step S19) which is a subroutine of FIG. In FIG. 10, first, it is determined what the signal HD of the header of the e-mail received in step S21 is, and the process branches according to the signal HD of the header as follows. (A) If HD = X-DCS, X-PIX, X-EOP, the process proceeds to step S22. (B) If HD = X-DCN, the process proceeds to step S24. (C) When HD = X-DIS or X-PPR, the process proceeds to step S25. (D) If HD = X-MCF, the process proceeds to step S26. (E) If HD = other signals, step S2
In step 7, predetermined other processing is executed according to the signal, and the process returns to the main routine.

In step S22, the received image data is decoded and printed using the image recording unit 3. In step S22A, it is determined whether an error has occurred in the encoding process, the recording process, or the like. When step S2
Proceeding to 2B, an X-PPR signal (partial page signal) e-mail is transmitted to request a retransmission, the content of the signal is written in the communication history reception table 8c, and the process returns to the original main routine. On the other hand, if NO in step S22A, an e-mail of an X-MCF signal (message confirmation signal) is transmitted to the other party in step S23, and the contents of the signal are written in the communication history reception table 8c. Return to In step S24, it is determined that the facsimile communication has been completed, and the FAX ID
The end time of the communication is written in the management table 8a, the content of the received signal is written in the communication history transmission table 8b, and the process returns to the main routine. In step S25,
An X-DCS, X-PIX, X-EOP signal and an e-mail of image data corresponding to the function of the partner are transmitted to the partner, and the contents of these signals are written in the communication history transmission table 8b. In step S26, an e-mail of the X-DCN signal (disconnection command signal) is transmitted to the destination, the contents of the signal are written in the communication history transmission table 8b, and the process returns to the main routine.

FIG. 11 shows an interrupt process executed by the Internet facsimile machine 20 according to the second embodiment at predetermined time intervals (for example, every 5 minutes).
9 is a flowchart showing a time-out process of FIG.

In FIG. 11, in step S31, the communication history transmission table 8b and the communication history reception table 8c
, The facsimile communication waiting for a reply is specified, and it is determined in step S32 whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the last transmission of the e-mail.
In the case of, the process proceeds to step S33, while in the case of NO, the first timeout process ends. In step S33, it is determined that the facsimile communication is forcibly interrupted, and the end time of the communication is written in the FAXID management table 8a for the own station transmission, and the X-DCN signal ( The e-mail of the disconnection command signal) is transmitted to the other party, and the content of the signal is written in the communication history transmission table 8b or the communication history reception table 8c, and the first timeout process ends.

In the X-MCF signal used in this embodiment, the date and time of reception, processing after reception (printing, transfer, accumulation, etc.), reception result, and the like may be described. Further, information such as the reception capability and the reception result of the Internet facsimile apparatus 20 may be described in the header or the body of the e-mail. Furthermore, the reception capability of the Internet facsimile apparatus 20 may describe, in addition to the receivable paper size and resolution, whether or not multiple pages can be received, the maximum capacity of mail, and the like. The device 20 is set to 1
It is transmitted as a TIFF file for each page, or divided into several pages and transmitted as a TIFF file. In this case, an e-mail of the reception result is received for each e-mail. Further, in the present embodiment, the Internet facsimile machine 20 on the receiving side can specify a retransmission request for a page having an error in the reception result for all pages or in units of pages, and the Internet facsimile apparatus 20 on the transmitting side has been requested. Resend as expected.

In the facsimile communication using the electronic mail in the present embodiment, the Internet facsimile apparatus 20 on the receiving side further receives a call mail of the facsimile communication while performing the facsimile communication with a certain transmitter on an electronic mail basis. If a response cannot be made when the request is made, for example, an e-mail indicating "current communication" with a header such as an X-FAXBUSY signal may be returned. At this time, the Internet facsimile machine 20 on the transmission side receives the request and performs redial processing. Alternatively, the reception side performs X-FAXCALL.
Ignore it when you receive a (call) signal email. Here, the Internet facsimile machine 20 on the transmitting side transmits the X-FAX CALL signal electronic mail several times, or performs redial processing if there is no response for a predetermined time.

Further, in the facsimile communication using the electronic mail according to the present embodiment, the time-out period when the Internet facsimile apparatuses 20 wait for the electronic mail may be determined in advance by the phase, or the electronic mail to be transmitted may be determined. The desired waiting time may be described in the e-mail.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the main control unit 1 exchanges the capabilities of its own machine and the other party's facsimile machine using electronic mail, The image data of one page or a plurality of pages is transmitted using one e-mail based on the capabilities of the exchanged facsimile apparatuses. Therefore, image data can be transmitted with a transmission procedure that is simplified as compared with the first embodiment. In addition, image data can be transmitted after mutual exchange of capabilities, and the capability of the other party's Internet facsimile apparatus can be fully utilized.
Further, since facsimile communication by e-mail is performed using a facsimile communication procedure signal, X-M
Based on a signal such as a CF signal, the transmitting side can know whether the receiving side has reliably received the signal.

<Third Embodiment> FIG. 12 is a view showing a method of compressing a procedure signal when transmitting one page of image data, which is executed by the Internet facsimile communication system according to the third embodiment. FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing a communication procedure of facsimile communication. FIG.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a method of compressing a procedure signal when transmitting two pages of image data, which is executed by the Internet facsimile communication system according to the third embodiment, and is a sequence diagram showing a communication procedure of facsimile communication. It is.

The Internet facsimile apparatus 20 according to the third embodiment has a configuration similar to the configuration shown in FIG. 2, and the main control unit 1 controls one page as shown in FIG. 12 and FIG. It is characterized in that the capabilities of the own machine and the facsimile machine of the other party are exchanged using electronic mail for each image data, and the image data is transmitted based on the exchanged capabilities of each facsimile machine. Here, for example, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 2, when transmitting one page of image data, the main control unit 1 transmits an X-TSI signal (transmission terminal identification signal) and an X-DCS signal (function command signal) to the one page of image data. It is sent together with the data using one e-mail. As shown in FIG. 13, when transmitting image data of a plurality of pages, the main control unit 1
After transmitting the I signal (transmitting terminal identification signal) and the X-DCS signal (functional command signal) together with the image data of the first page using one e-mail, the X-DCS signal (functional command signal) is transmitted to two pages. Along with subsequent image data, 1
Send using two emails.

Further, in the third embodiment,
When the main controller 1 cannot exchange the capabilities of its own machine and the facsimile machine of the other party with respect to the image data of the next page even after a predetermined time has elapsed from the transmission of the immediately preceding image data (step in FIG. 17). (YES in S62), retransmit the image data of the immediately preceding page (step S63).
It is characterized by the following.

Next, a method of compressing a procedural signal when transmitting one page of image data will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 12, Internet facsimile apparatus 20A transmits an X-FAX CALL signal to Internet facsimile apparatus 20B, and in response, Internet facsimile apparatus 20B transmits X-CSI, X-D to Internet facsimile apparatus 20A.
Returns IS signal. Next, the Internet facsimile machine 20A is connected to the Internet facsimile machine 20A.
An X-TSI, X-DCS, X-PIX (for example, TIFF format for one page) and an X-EOP signal are transmitted to B, and in response to this, the Internet facsimile apparatus 20B transmits to the Internet facsimile apparatus 20A. To return the X-MCF signal. Further, Internet facsimile apparatus 20A transmits an X-DCN signal to Internet facsimile apparatus 20B. Thus, the communication procedure of facsimile communication for transmitting one page of image data is completed.

Further, a method of compressing a procedural signal when transmitting two pages of image data will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 13, Internet facsimile apparatus 20A transmits an X-FAX CALL signal to Internet facsimile apparatus 20B, and in response, Internet facsimile apparatus 20B transmits X-CSI, X-D to Internet facsimile apparatus 20A.
Returns IS signal. Next, the Internet facsimile machine 20A is connected to the Internet facsimile machine 20A.
B to X-TSI, X-DCS, X-PIX (first
Page, for example, in TIFF format), and an X-EOM signal is transmitted.
0B returns X-MCF and X-DIS signals to the Internet facsimile machine 20A. Further, the Internet facsimile machine 20A sends X-DCS and X-PIX to the Internet facsimile machine 20B.
(In the second page, for example, in the TIFF format), an X-EOP signal is transmitted, and in response, the Internet facsimile apparatus 20B returns an X-MCF signal to the Internet facsimile apparatus 20A. Then, Internet facsimile machine 20A transmits an X-DCN signal to Internet facsimile machine 20B. Thus, the communication procedure of facsimile communication when transmitting image data of two pages is completed. Note that the image data of a plurality of pages of three or more pages is transmitted in the same manner as in FIG.

In the communication procedure according to the third embodiment shown in FIG. 12, X-TSI, X-DCS, X-PIX (1
Since the X-EOP signal is transmitted using one e-mail (step 110 in FIG. 12), the X-TSI and X-DCS signals are transmitted as in the first embodiment in FIG. And the X-PIX (for one page) and the X-EOP signal are transmitted using different e-mails (the procedure of 100A in FIG. 6), thereby greatly simplifying the communication procedure. In the communication procedure according to the third embodiment shown in FIG. 13, as indicated by reference numeral 111, the communication procedure is different from that of the first embodiment (the procedure 101 in FIG. 6). Can be greatly simplified.

FIGS. 14 to 16 are flowcharts showing a header-specific process (step S19A) which is a subroutine executed by the facsimile machine 20 according to the third embodiment.

In FIG. 14, first, it is determined what the signal HD of the header of the e-mail received in step S41 is, and the process branches as follows according to the type of the signal HD of the header. (A) In FIG. 14, when HD = X-DIS, X-PPR, the process proceeds to step S42. (B) In FIG. 15, HD = X-DCS, X-PIX, X-
In the case of MPS, the process proceeds to step S47. (C) In FIG. 15, HD = X-DCS, X-PIX, X-
In the case of EOP, the process proceeds to step S50. (D) In FIG. 15, HD = X-DCS, X-PIX, X-
In the case of EOM, the process proceeds to step S52. (E) In FIG. 16, when HD = X-MCF, step S
Proceed to 56. (F) In FIG. 16, when HD = other signals, predetermined other processing is executed in step S58 according to the signals, and the process returns to the original main routine.

In step S42 of FIG. 14, it is determined whether there is no next page in the facsimile transmission, and then, in step S43, it is determined whether there is a change in resolution or the like in the facsimile transmission based on the received signal. . When YES is determined in the step S42, the process proceeds to a step S44, NO in the step S42, and YE in the step S43.
If S, the process proceeds to step S45, and N is determined in step S42.
If O and NO in step S43, the process proceeds to step S46. In step S44, X-DCS, X-PI
An X, X-EOP signal and an e-mail of image data corresponding to the capability of the other device are transmitted to the other device, the contents of these signals are written in the communication history transmission table 8b, and the process returns to the original main routine. Also, in step S45, X-DC
An S, X-PIX, X-EOM signal and an e-mail of image data corresponding to the capability of the partner machine are transmitted to the partner, and the contents of these signals are written in the communication history transmission table 8b.
Return to the original main routine. Further, in step S46, an X-DCS, X-PIX, X-MPS signal and an electronic mail of image data corresponding to the capability of the partner device are transmitted to the partner, and the contents of these signals are stored in the communication history transmission table 8
b, and returns to the original main routine.

The image data received in step S47 of FIG. 15 is decoded and printed using the image recording unit 3. In step S48, it is determined whether or not an error has occurred in the encoding process or the recording process. If the determination is YES, the process proceeds to step S55, whereas if the determination is NO, the process proceeds to step S4.
Go to 9. Next, in step S49, the destination is X-
An e-mail of the MCF signal (message confirmation signal) is transmitted, the content of the signal is written in the communication history reception table 8c, and the process returns to the original main routine. Step S5
0, the received image data is decoded and printed using the image recording unit 3. In step S51, it is determined whether an error has occurred in the encoding process or the recording process, and if YES, the process proceeds to step S55. On the other hand, if NO, the process proceeds to step S49. Further, step S52
In step S53, the received image data is decoded and printed using the image recording unit 3. In step S53, it is determined whether or not an error has occurred in the encoding process or the recording process.
If the determination is YES, the process proceeds to step S55, whereas if the determination is NO, the process proceeds to step S54. In step S54, an X-MCF, X-DIS signal e-mail is transmitted to the other party,
The content of the signal is written in the communication history reception table 8c, and the process returns to the main routine. Step S55
In, the electronic mail of the X-PPR signal (partial page signal) is transmitted to the destination, the content of the signal is written in the communication history reception table 8c, and the process returns to the original main routine.

In step S56 of FIG. 16, it is determined whether there is a next page. If YES, the process proceeds to step S42 in FIG. 14, while if NO, the process proceeds to step S57. In step S57, an X-DCN (disconnection command signal) e-mail is transmitted to the other party, the content of the signal is written in the communication history transmission table 8b, and the process returns to the main routine.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing a second timeout process which is an interrupt process executed by the Internet facsimile machine 20 according to the third embodiment every predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds). FIG.
In step S61, by searching the communication history transmission table 8b, the facsimile communication waiting for a reply immediately after the transmission of the image data is specified. In step S62, a predetermined time (for example, 5 minutes), it is determined whether or not more than
In the case of ES, the process proceeds to step S63, while in the case of NO, the second timeout process ends. Step S6
In step 3, the electronic mail of the image data of the immediately preceding page according to the X-DCS, X-PIX, X-EOP and the function of the partner is transmitted to the partner, and the contents of these signals are stored in the communication history transmission table 8b. The second timeout process is completed.

In the third embodiment, the Internet facsimile machine 20 on the transmitting side transmits an X-DCS signal including information on image data to be transmitted and an X-MPS, X-EOP or X-XOP as the next instruction signal. -EOM signal is 1
Since the transmission is performed using one e-mail, the communication procedure can be significantly reduced. Further, the communication procedure can be further shortened by attaching the image data to the electronic mail describing the X-DCS signal. When the image data of the X-PIX signal is in the TIFF format or the like, the information of the image data is described in the TIFF format header.
-A DCS signal need not be separately added. Further, information such as the reception capability and the reception result of the Internet facsimile machine 20 on the receiving side may be described in the header or the body of the electronic mail.

In the third embodiment, as shown in the second time-out process of FIG. 17, when the e-mail cannot be exchanged on the way, the transmission-side Internet facsimile apparatus 20 completes the transmission. Attempt retransmission after a predetermined time from the next page of the page. Alternatively, all pages may be retransmitted.

As described above, according to the third embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the main control unit 1
The capabilities of the own machine and the other party's facsimile machine are exchanged using electronic mail for each page of image data, and the image data is transmitted based on the exchanged capabilities of each facsimile machine. Therefore, the capability of the other party's Internet facsimile machine can be fully utilized. Further, since the facsimile communication by the electronic mail is performed by using the communication procedure signal of the facsimile, the transmission side can know whether or not the reception side has reliably received.

<Modification> In the above embodiment, the Internet facsimile apparatus 20 and the mail server apparatus 31 are configured as separate apparatuses on both the transmitting side and the receiving side. However, as shown in FIG. Two devices 2
Internet facsimile apparatuses 120A and 120B with mail server functions having the functions 0 and 31 may be used. In addition, at least one of the transmitting side and the receiving side is connected to an Internet facsimile apparatus 1 having a mail server function.
20A and 120B. Here, by providing a mail server function for sending and receiving e-mail via the Internet, the receiving side does not need to use the POP3 protocol, and can communicate only with the SMTP protocol, so that the communication time can be further reduced. it can.

[0069]

As described in detail above, in the Internet facsimile apparatus for performing facsimile communication via the Internet using electronic mail according to the present invention,
An exchange unit for exchanging the capabilities of the facsimile machine of the own machine and the destination using electronic mail for each image data of the page, and a transmission unit for transmitting the image data based on the exchanged capabilities of the facsimile machines. Therefore, according to the present invention, in an Internet facsimile communication system using e-mail, for each page of image data,
Image data can be transmitted after mutual capacity exchange. As a result, the capability of the other party's Internet facsimile machine can be fully utilized. Also,
Since the facsimile communication by e-mail is performed using the communication procedure signal of the facsimile, it is possible for the transmitting side to know whether or not the receiving side has reliably received.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an Internet facsimile communication system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an Internet facsimile apparatus 20 of FIG.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a FAXID management table 8a stored in the compact flash 8 of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a communication history transmission table 8b stored in the compact flash 8 of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a communication history reception table 8c stored in the compact flash 8 of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing a communication procedure of facsimile communication according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram showing a communication procedure of facsimile communication according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a transmission process executed by the Internet facsimile apparatus 20 according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a reception process executed by the Internet facsimile apparatus 20 according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a header-specific process (step S19) which is a subroutine of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a timeout process, which is an interrupt process executed by the Internet facsimile machine 20 according to the second embodiment at predetermined intervals.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a method of compressing a procedure signal when transmitting one page of image data, which is executed by the Internet facsimile communication system according to the third embodiment, and is a sequence showing a communication procedure of facsimile communication. FIG.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a method of compressing a procedure signal when transmitting two pages of image data, which is executed by the Internet facsimile communication system according to the third embodiment, and is a sequence illustrating a communication procedure of facsimile communication. FIG.

FIG. 14 is a facsimile apparatus 2 according to a third embodiment.
10 is a flowchart showing a first part of a header-specific process (step S19A), which is a subroutine executed by 0.

FIG. 15 is a facsimile apparatus 2 according to a third embodiment.
11 is a flowchart showing a second part of the header-specific processing (step S19A), which is a subroutine executed by 0.

FIG. 16 shows a facsimile apparatus 2 according to a third embodiment.
11 is a flowchart showing a third part of the header-based processing (step S19A), which is a subroutine executed by 0.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating a second time-out process, which is an interrupt process executed at predetermined time intervals by the Internet facsimile machine 20 according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an Internet facsimile communication system according to a modification.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Main control part, 2 ... Image reading part, 3 ... Image recording part, 4 ... Display part, 5 ... Operation part, 6 ... ROM, 7 ... RAM, 8 ... Compact flash, 8a ... FAXID management table, 8b ... Communication History transmission table, 8c Communication history reception table, 8d Image data file, 9 Clock circuit, 10 Fax modem, 11 NCU, 12 LAN interface, 13 Bus, 20, 20A, 20B Internet facsimile machine, Reference numeral 30: LAN, 31, 31A, 31B: mail server device, 32: router device, 40: Internet, 50: public telephone network, 120A, 120B: Internet facsimile device with mail server. L: Public telephone line.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04N 1/32 F term (Reference) 5C062 AA02 AA13 AA27 AA29 AB38 AB40 AC29 AC38 AC43 AE14 AE15 AF14 BD09 5C075 AB90 CA03 CA14 CD21 CE02 CE04 CE09 CF90 FF09 FF90 5K030 GA11 HA05 HB04 HC01 HD06 KA01 KA03 KA04 KA13 LD11 MB18 5K034 AA05 BB06 CC02 FF01 HH01 HH02 HH06 HH61

Claims (4)

[Claims] In an Internet facsimile apparatus for performing facsimile communication via the Internet using electronic mail, an exchange for exchanging the capabilities of its own machine and a destination facsimile apparatus using electronic mail for each page of image data. Means for transmitting image data based on the capacity of each of the exchanged facsimile apparatuses. 2. When transmitting one page of image data, the exchange means and the transmission means transmit a transmission terminal identification signal and a function command signal together with the one page image data using one e-mail. 2. The Internet facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the transmission is performed. 3. When transmitting image data of a plurality of pages, the exchange means and the transmission means transmit a transmission terminal identification signal and a function command signal together with the image data of the first page using one electronic mail. 2. The Internet facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, after the transmission, the function instruction signal is transmitted together with the image data of the second and subsequent pages using one e-mail. 4. The transmission means according to claim 1, wherein, even when a predetermined time has elapsed from the transmission of the immediately preceding image data, the capability of the facsimile apparatus of the other apparatus cannot be exchanged for the image data of the next page. 2. The Internet facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image data of the immediately preceding page is retransmitted.