JP2002190891A - Internet facsimile terminal and its control method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent illegal use of a FAX transfer function from the Internet, secure the security and securely execute the Internet FAX function. SOLUTION: The Internet facsimile terminal 1 discriminates whether or not a sender can correctly be identified in the case of receiving an electronic mail document for facsimile transfer and executes facsimile transfer of the received document only when the discrimination indicates that the sender is correctly identified.

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 and a control method thereof, and more particularly to an Internet facsimile apparatus capable of preventing a facsimile transfer function from being illegally used from the Internet and a control method thereof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, with the rapid expansion of the Internet, the Internet F
An AX device is appearing.

As a function of this type of Internet FAX apparatus, there is an Email to FAX Gateway function, that is, a function of transferring a document received from the Internet by FAX.

[0004] The Email to FAX Gateway function is mainly used for facsimile communication. For the purpose of reducing the communication cost, the Internet is used for the relay path (for long distance) to reduce the communication cost. It is intended to reduce the amount. Of course, this function is also effective when communicating with a partner terminal having no Internet FAX function.

However, conventionally, the above-mentioned Email to FAX Gatew
An Internet FAX device equipped with an ay function accepts all mails with a FAX transfer instruction and
There is a major security problem of executing X transfer.

That is, there is a possibility that unauthorized use (stepping stone) of (FAX transfer) is performed from the Internet. In other words, it is possible for the sender to fake (spoof) the sender and to perform facsimile communication that requires a communication fee for free. And so on.

[0007]

As described above, conventionally, E
Internet facsimile with mail to FAX Gateway function (Internet FA
X) The apparatus has a security problem because it accepts all e-mails with a FAX transfer instruction and executes FAX transfer.

[0008] More specifically, there is a possibility that unauthorized use of a facsimile transfer (stepping stone) may be performed from the Internet.
There is a problem that a relay machine used as a stepping board for performing X transfer suffers a great deal of damage such as a communication fee.

In view of the above, the present invention solves the above problems, prevents unauthorized use of the FAX transfer function from the Internet, secures security, and secures the Internet F
An object of the present invention is to provide an Internet facsimile apparatus capable of performing an AX function and a control method thereof.

[0010]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 has a function of facsimile transferring an electronic mail document which is connected to both a telephone network and the Internet and received via the Internet. An Internet facsimile apparatus having an e-mail document for facsimile transmission, a determination unit for determining whether a transmission source has been correctly identified, and a case where the determination unit determines that the transmission source has been correctly identified. Only a communication control unit for performing facsimile transfer of the received document.

[0011] In a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the determination means is S / MIME or PGP.
It is characterized in that it is determined whether or not the transmission source has been correctly specified by the / MIME function.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an Internet facsimile apparatus which is connected to both a telephone network and the Internet and has a function of performing facsimile transfer of an electronic mail document received via the Internet. Setting means for setting the source address of the e-mail document for facsimile transfer, and whether or not the address of the source of the e-mail document has been set by the setting means when the e-mail document for facsimile transfer is received A communication control unit that executes facsimile transfer of the received document only when the determination unit determines that the source address of the e-mail document is set by the setting unit. It is characterized by having.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the invention, the setting means sets an address of a transmission source of a facsimile transfer e-mail document permitting facsimile transfer to abbreviated dialing. And

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an Internet facsimile apparatus which is connected to both a telephone network and the Internet and has a function of performing facsimile transfer of an electronic mail document received via the Internet. Setting means for setting a telephone number of a transfer destination; first determining means for determining whether a transmission source of an e-mail document for facsimile transfer received via the Internet has been correctly identified;
When it is determined by the determining means that the transmission source has been correctly specified, a second determining means for determining whether or not the telephone number of the facsimile transfer destination of the e-mail document is set by the setting means; 2 only when it is determined by the determination means that the telephone number of the facsimile transfer destination of the electronic mail document is set by the setting means,
Communication control means for performing facsimile transfer of the received document.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the fifth aspect of the invention, the setting means sets a transfer destination telephone number for which facsimile transfer is permitted to the speed dial.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the fifth aspect of the invention, the first determination means determines whether or not the transmission source has been correctly specified by the function of S / MIME or PGP / MIME. It is characterized by.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the invention of the fifth aspect, there is provided setting means for setting a source address of an electronic mail document for facsimile transfer for which facsimile transfer is permitted, The judging means is characterized by judging whether or not the transmission source has been correctly specified based on whether or not the address of the transmission source of the electronic mail document for facsimile transfer is set by the setting means.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for controlling an Internet facsimile apparatus which is connected to both a telephone network and the Internet and has a function of facsimile transferring an electronic mail document received via the Internet. When the e-mail document is received, it is determined whether or not the transmission source has been correctly identified, and only when it is determined that the transmission source has been correctly identified, the facsimile transfer of the received document is executed. Features.

A tenth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the ninth aspect of the present invention, it is determined whether or not the transmission source has been correctly specified by the S / MIME or PGP / MIME function.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of controlling an Internet facsimile apparatus which is connected to both a telephone network and the Internet and has a function of facsimile transferring an electronic mail document received via the Internet. Is set, the source address of the e-mail document for facsimile transfer is set, and if the e-mail document for facsimile transfer is received, whether the source address of the e-mail document is set by the above setting And the facsimile transfer of the received document is executed only when it is determined that the source address of the e-mail document is set by the setting.

A twelfth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the eleventh aspect of the present invention, an address of a transmission source of an electronic mail document for facsimile transfer for permitting facsimile transfer to abbreviated dial is set.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an Internet facsimile apparatus connected to both a telephone network and the Internet and having a function of facsimile transferring an electronic mail document received via the Internet.
A telephone number of a transfer destination to which facsimile transfer is permitted is set in advance, and it is determined whether or not the source of the e-mail document for facsimile transfer received via the Internet has been correctly identified. If it is determined that the electronic mail document can be specified, it is determined whether or not the facsimile transfer destination telephone number of the electronic mail document is set by the setting unit. The facsimile transfer of the received document is executed only when it is determined that the document is set by the setting unit.

A fourteenth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the thirteenth aspect, a telephone number of a transfer destination to which facsimile transfer is permitted is set for the speed dial.

Further, the invention of claim 15 is characterized in that, in the invention of claim 13, it is determined whether or not the transmission source has been correctly specified by the function of S / MIME, PGP or MIME.

According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, in the thirteenth aspect, a source address of a facsimile transfer e-mail document to which facsimile transfer is permitted is set in advance, and the facsimile transfer e-mail document is transmitted. It is characterized in that it is determined whether or not the transmission source has been correctly specified based on whether or not the original address has been set by the setting means.

[0026]

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

FIG. 1 shows an Internet facsimile of the present invention (hereinafter simply referred to as "Internet FAX").
1 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a configuration example of a network to which an apparatus 1 is applied.

As shown in FIG. 1, in this network conceptual diagram, an Internet FAX apparatus 1 is a facsimile apparatus such as a G3 machine (hereinafter simply referred to as “FAX”) via a public switched network (PSTN) 2. Being connected, an Internet service provider (ISP) 5 and an Internet 6 are connected via a public switched network (PSTN) 4.
Is connected to other Internet FAXs 75 and personal computers (hereinafter simply referred to as “PCs”) 73 and 74 via a router 71 of the network A.

Here, the Internet facsimile apparatus (Internet FAX) transmits / receives FAX data conventionally transmitted / received on a telephone line by using an IP network such as the Internet and an intranet for a part or all of transmission lines. Or a device that can send and receive faxes over an IP network.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the system configuration of the Internet FAX apparatus 1 of the present invention shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 2, this Internet F
The AX device 1 includes a CPU 101, a RAM 102, an operation display unit 103, a reading unit 104, a printing unit 105, and an image processing unit 1.
06, image storage unit 107, system control unit 108, communication control unit 109, network control unit 110, network control unit 1
11. A line switching control unit 115 is connected via the system bus 14, and a modem 112 for receiving from a facsimile and an Ethernet (registered trademark).
net (registered trademark)) I / F 113.

Here, the CPU 101 performs control processing of the Internet FAX apparatus 1 as a whole. RAM 10
Reference numeral 2 denotes a storage device used for controlling the Internet FAX device 1. The operation display unit 103 operates the Internet FAX device 1. Also, the reading unit 1
04 is for reading a transmission original. The image processing unit 106 is a unit that performs processes such as encoding, decoding, enlargement, and reduction. The image storage unit 107 is a part that stores image information. In addition, the system control unit 108
This is a program for controlling the entire Internet FAX apparatus, and is composed of, for example, a ROM. The communication control unit 1
09 is for controlling communication suitable for the telephone network. The network control unit 110 is for controlling communication connected to a network. The network control unit 111 is for connecting to a network. The modem 112 is a modem and has a function of a low-speed mode and a high-speed mode. Also, Ethernet
The tI / F 113 is an interface for connecting to Ethernet. Also, the system bus 114
Is a bus for exchanging data with each other.
The line switching control unit 115 connects a plurality of external line interfaces with a plurality of internal communication circuits.

Then, the CPU 101 to the network control unit 111 of the above-mentioned components mutually transmit and receive data via the system bus 114.

In the Internet facsimile apparatus 1 installed in the LAN, an ordinary ordinary E-Mail is used.
When receiving the To FAX Gateway, Eth
The E-Mail received from the Internet I / F via the network control unit 110 is transmitted to the system control unit 108.
Under the control of the above, processing is performed using the RAM 102 as a buffer while using the image processing unit 106 as necessary,
-Converts the image and the text in Mail into a format suitable for facsimile, and finally converts the modem 112 and the network controller 1
11 and transmitted to the telephone network as a facsimile via the communication control unit 109.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the abbreviated dial registration table 102a registered and stored in the RAM 102 of the Internet facsimile apparatus 1 shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 3, in the abbreviated dial registration table 102a, the name information of the communication partner is associated with the abbreviated number (No.) information item 102a-1 indicating the abbreviated number (No.) information. Name information item 102 indicating
a-2 and a destination information item 102a-3 indicating destination information (telephone number / mail address) of the destination.

In this embodiment, for example, the abbreviated number (No.) “1” has “Fujitaro” as the partner name,
"03-****-1234" is registered as the destination information, and the abbreviated number (No.) "2" has "Fuji Hanako" as the destination name and "F. Hanako" as the destination information.
@Fujixerox. co. jp "is registered.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of the facsimile transfer control processing of the Internet facsimile apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 2, and in this case, S / MIME (Secure
/ Multipurpose Internet Mail Extension) or PG
P / MIME (Pretty Good Privacy / Multipurpose Int
3 shows a processing procedure in a case where a fax transmission is accepted only when a transmission source can be correctly identified by a function such as an Internet Mail Extension, that is, only when a partner can be correctly identified by a CA (certificate authority).

As shown in FIG. 4, this processing is performed by the Internet FAX machine 1 by using the E-Ma for FAX transfer.
When it is determined that the il document has been received (step S10
1YES).

Next, in the Internet FAX machine 1, it is determined whether or not the transmission source of the received document has been correctly specified by the functions such as S / MIME and PGP / MIME (step S102).

Then, as a result of this determination, when it is determined that the transmission source has been correctly specified (step S102YE
S) In the Internet FAX machine 1, FAX transfer is executed (step S103), and after this FAX transfer ends, this processing ends.

If it is determined in step S102 that the transmission source cannot be specified correctly (step S102: NO), error processing is performed. For example, specifically, the transmission source is notified that the document cannot be accepted.

According to this configuration, the transmission source of the e-mail document for FAX transfer is S / MIME, PGP / MIME
The FAX transfer instruction is accepted only when the information can be correctly identified by such a function, that is, only when the certificate authority can correctly identify the information.
It is possible to prevent unauthorized use of the X-transfer (stepladder) before it occurs, so that the Internet FAX, which is a relay machine for the FAX transfer, does not suffer a great deal of damage such as a communication fee due to the unauthorized use, and is safe. Gateway
The function can be used.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in a form different from the facsimile transfer processing shown in FIG.
In this case, in the Internet facsimile apparatus 1 performing the facsimile transfer, the processing procedure in the case where the mail address of the transmission source to which the facsimile transfer is permitted is registered, and only the facsimile transfer from the registered transmission source is accepted will be described. I have.

As shown in FIG. 5, this processing is performed by the Internet FAX apparatus 1 by using the E-Ma for FAX transfer.
If it is determined that the il document has been received (step S20)
It starts at 1).

Next, the Internet FAX machine 1 determines whether or not the source address of the received document is registered, that is, whether or not the source is a source for which FAX transfer is permitted (step S202).

As a result of this determination, the transmission source address of the received document is registered, that is, FAX
If it is determined that the transmission is permitted (step S202 YES), the Internet FAX machine 1 executes the FAX transfer (step S20).
3) After the facsimile transfer ends, the process ends.

If it is determined in step S202 that the source address of the received document is not registered, that is, it is determined that the received document is a source for which FAX transfer is not permitted (NO in step S202). , Error processing is performed. For example, specifically, the transmission source is notified that the document cannot be accepted.

According to this configuration, a preset value is set for the own device.
Gateway function is provided only for a specific destination (sender), so FA from unknown source
It is possible to prevent unauthorized use of the X-transfer (stepladder) before it occurs, so that the Internet FAX, which is a relay machine for the FAX transfer, does not suffer a great deal of damage such as a communication fee due to the unauthorized use, and is safe. Gateway
The function can be used.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure in a form different from the facsimile transfer processing shown in FIG.
In this case, a process in which the telephone number of a transfer destination permitted as a fax transfer destination is registered and the transmission source can be correctly specified, and only a fax transfer instruction for the registered transfer destination is received. The procedure is shown.

As shown in FIG. 6, this processing is performed by the Internet FAX device 1 by using the E-Ma for FAX transfer.
When it is determined that the il document has been received (step S30)
It starts at 1).

Next, the Internet FAX machine 1 determines whether or not the transmission source has been correctly specified (step S302). In this case, the determination is performed by the same method as any one of the above-described determination processing in step S102 shown in FIG. 4 or the above-described determination processing in step S202 shown in FIG.

When it is determined that the transmission source has been correctly identified as a result of this determination (step S302YE).
S) Then, it is determined whether the telephone number of the transfer destination of the received document is registered, that is, whether the FAX transfer instruction is for the transfer destination permitted as the FAX transfer destination (step S303).

As a result of this determination, if it is determined that the telephone number of the transfer destination of the received document is registered, that is, it is a facsimile transfer instruction for a transfer destination permitted as a facsimile transfer destination (step S303 YES), the Internet In the facsimile apparatus 1, the facsimile transfer is executed (step S304), and after the facsimile transfer is completed, the process is terminated.

As a result of the determination in step S302, when it is determined that the transmission source cannot be specified correctly (step S302: NO), and as a result of the determination in step S303, the transfer destination telephone number of the received document is registered. If it is determined that there is no FAX transfer instruction for a transfer destination permitted as a FAX transfer destination (NO in step S303), error processing is performed. For example, specifically, the transmission source is notified that the document cannot be accepted.

According to this configuration, when the transmission source can be specified, the Gateway function is provided only for the facsimile transfer instruction of the specific transfer destination set in advance in the own device, so that communication (closed area) in a closed world is provided. Communication), and security can be easily ensured.

Further, in the above embodiment, the communication destination registered in the speed dial is determined as the transmission source that permits the fax transmission and the transmission destination that is permitted as the fax transmission destination. Or extra settings,
Can be easily limited without requiring the operator,
Security can be easily secured.

Although the above embodiment has been described using abbreviated dialing, the present invention is not limited to this. Apart from the abbreviated dialing, there is provided a table for registering a mail address of a transmission source to which FAX transfer is permitted. Alternatively, a table for registering the telephone numbers of the transfer destinations permitted as the fax transfer destinations may be separately provided to control the fax transfer.

[0059]

As described above, according to the Internet facsimile apparatus of the present invention, when an e-mail document for facsimile transfer is received, it is determined whether or not the transmission source has been correctly specified. The facsimile transfer of the received document is executed only when it is determined that the transmission source has been correctly specified. Therefore, it is possible to prevent unauthorized use of the Internet facsimile transfer function although the transmission source is unknown.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration example of a network to which an Internet FAX device of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a system configuration of the Internet facsimile apparatus of the present invention shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 shows the RA of the Internet facsimile apparatus shown in FIG. 2;
The figure which shows one example of a structure of the shortened dial registration table registered and stored in M.

4 is an FA of the Internet FAX apparatus shown in FIG.
9 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of an X transfer control process.

FIG. 5 is an exemplary flowchart showing a processing procedure in a form different from the facsimile transfer processing shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an exemplary flowchart showing a processing procedure in a form different from the facsimile transfer processing shown in FIG. 4;

[Explanation of symbols]

1. Internet FAX machine, 2. Public switching network (PS)
TN), 3a: FAX (G3 machine), 3b: FAX (G3
4) Public switched network (PSTN), 5: Internet service provider (ISP), 6: Internet, A: Network, 71: Router, 72: Mail server, 73: Personal computer (PC), 74:
Personal computer (PC), 75 Internet FAX, 101 CPU, 102 RAM, 103
Operation display unit, 104: reading unit, 105: printing unit, 106
... Image processing unit, 107 ... Image storage unit, 108 ... System control unit, 109 ... Communication control unit, 110 ... Network control unit, 111 ... Network control unit, 112 ... Modem, 113 ... E
Ethernet I / F, 114 ... system bus, 11
5. Line switching controller 102a ... Speed dial registration table

Claims (16)

[Claims] 1. An Internet facsimile apparatus connected to both a telephone network and the Internet and having a function of facsimile-transmitting an e-mail document received via the Internet.
Determination means for determining whether or not the transmission source has been correctly identified; and communication control means for performing facsimile transfer of the received document only when the determination means determines that the transmission source has been correctly identified. An Internet facsimile machine characterized by the above. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the determining means is S / MIME (Secure / Multipurpose Internet Mail Ex).
tension) or PGP / MIME (Pretty Good Priva)
2. The Internet facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein it is determined whether or not the transmission source has been correctly specified by a function of cy / Multipurpose Internet Mail Extension. 3. An Internet facsimile apparatus connected to both a telephone network and the Internet and having a function of facsimile-transmitting an e-mail document received via the Internet. Setting means for setting the address of the sender of the e-mail, and when an e-mail document for facsimile transmission is received,
Determining means for determining whether or not the source address of the email document is set by the setting means; and determining that the source address of the email document is set by the setting means by the determining means. An internet facsimile apparatus comprising: a communication control unit that executes facsimile transfer of the received document only when the determination is made. 4. An Internet facsimile apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said setting means sets an address of a transmission source of an electronic mail document for facsimile transfer that permits facsimile transfer to abbreviated dialing. 5. An Internet facsimile apparatus connected to both a telephone network and the Internet and having a function of facsimile-transmitting an electronic mail document received via the Internet, a telephone number of a transfer destination to which facsimile transfer is permitted is set in advance. Setting means for determining whether or not the transmission source of the e-mail document for facsimile transmission received via the Internet has been correctly identified; and When it is determined that the electronic mail document can be identified, a second determination unit that determines whether a facsimile transfer destination telephone number of the electronic mail document is set by the setting unit; It is determined that the telephone number of the facsimile transfer destination of the document is set by the setting unit. And only if, the Internet facsimile apparatus characterized by comprising a communication control means for performing facsimile transmission of the received document. 6. The Internet facsimile apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said setting means sets a telephone number of a transfer destination to which facsimile transfer is permitted for a speed dial. 7. The S / MIME (Secure / Multipurpose Internet Mail Ex)
tension) or PGP / MIME (Pretty Good Priva)
6. An Internet facsimile apparatus according to claim 5, wherein it is determined whether or not the transmission source has been correctly specified by a function of cy / Multipurpose Internet Mail Extension. 8. A facsimile transmission e-mail document having a transmission source address which permits facsimile transmission in advance, said first determination means comprising: a facsimile transmission e-mail document transmission source; 6. The Internet facsimile apparatus according to claim 5, wherein it is determined whether or not the transmission source has been correctly specified based on whether or not the address is set by the setting unit. 9. A method for controlling an Internet facsimile apparatus connected to both a telephone network and the Internet and having a function of facsimile transferring an electronic mail document received via the Internet, wherein an electronic mail document for facsimile transfer is received. If
Determining whether or not the transmission source has been correctly identified; and performing facsimile transfer of the received document only when it is determined that the transmission source has been correctly identified. . 10. S / MIME (Secure / Multipurpose)
Internet Mail Extension) or PGP / MIME (P
retty Good Privacy / Multipurpose Internet Mail Exte
10. The control method for an Internet facsimile apparatus according to claim 9, wherein it is determined whether or not the transmission source has been correctly specified by the function of the Internet facsimile apparatus. 11. A control method for an Internet facsimile apparatus connected to both a telephone network and the Internet and having a function of facsimile-transmitting an electronic mail document received via the Internet, the method comprising the steps of: If you set the source address of the e-mail document and receive the e-mail document for facsimile transmission,
It is determined whether or not the source address of the email document is set by the setting, and only when it is determined that the source address of the email document is set by the setting,
A method for controlling an Internet facsimile apparatus, wherein facsimile transfer of the received document is performed. 12. The control method for an Internet facsimile apparatus according to claim 11, wherein an address of a transmission source of an electronic mail document for facsimile transfer for permitting facsimile transfer to the speed dial is set. 13. An Internet facsimile apparatus connected to both a telephone network and the Internet and having a function of facsimile transferring an electronic mail document received via the Internet, a telephone number of a transfer destination to which facsimile transfer is permitted is set in advance. Then, it is determined whether or not the transmission source of the e-mail document for facsimile transfer received via the Internet has been correctly identified.If it is determined that the transmission source has been correctly identified, the e-mail document It is determined whether or not the telephone number of the facsimile transfer destination is set by the setting unit, and only when it is determined that the telephone number of the facsimile transfer destination of the electronic mail document is set by the setting unit. Executing a facsimile transfer of the received document. Method of controlling the Internet facsimile apparatus that. 14. The control method for an Internet facsimile apparatus according to claim 13, wherein a transfer destination telephone number for which facsimile transfer is permitted is set for the speed dial. 15. S / MIME (Secure / Multipurpose)
Internet Mail Extension) or PGP / MIME (P
retty Good Privacy / Multipurpose Internet Mail Exte
14. The control method for an Internet facsimile apparatus according to claim 13, wherein it is determined whether or not the transmission source has been correctly specified by the function of (nsion). 16. A source address of a facsimile transfer e-mail document which permits facsimile transfer is set in advance, and whether or not the source address of the facsimile transfer e-mail document is set by the setting means 14. The control method for an Internet facsimile apparatus according to claim 13, wherein it is determined whether or not the transmission source has been correctly identified.