JP2002208961A - Facsimile server - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a facsimile server for allowing a user at a distribution destination to know the fact that received data are lost, and for allowing the user at the distribution destination to know the multi-address destination of the lost received data to be multi-addressed. SOLUTION: This facsimile server 1 equipped with a function for distributing received data is provided with a means for detecting the loss of received data to be distributed, a means for notifying the distribution destination to which the received data are scheduled to be distributed of the fact that the received data are lost when it is detected that the received data are lost by the above mentioned means, and a means for notifying the distribution destination of the multi-address destination of the received data to be multi-addressed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile server connectable to a computer communication network such as a LAN.
In particular, the present invention relates to a facsimile server having a function of distributing to clients and other terminals.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a facsimile server has a facsimile communication function based on a general G3 system, an Internet FAX (facsimile) function for transmitting and receiving image data such as an original by e-mail, and distributes received data to a predetermined destination. It has a distribution function and the like, and can distribute received G3 FAX, Internet FAX, etc. to other G3 FAX, Internet FAX, salutation client, etc. according to the setting information stored in the facsimile server itself in advance.

When received data such as image data received by the facsimile server is distributed to a client,
If the client is logged in to this facsimile server, the received data will be delivered immediately. However, on days when the client user is absent, the client is usually logged out,
At night or on holidays in a company, in many cases, only the facsimile server is in operation and all clients are logged out.

[0004] When a client or the like to be delivered is in such a state or attempts to deliver (transfer) received data to another G3 FAX terminal, it cannot be delivered when a call is in progress. Therefore, the received data is stored in the memory of the facsimile server at the same time as the reception, and is distributed by resending after the client or the like logs in or after the busy state is released to the other G3 FAX terminal or the like. .

[0005] However, the received data stored in the memory or the like of the facsimile server may be lost. The loss of the received data may be caused, for example, by a long-term power failure when data in the entire volatile memory storing the received data is lost, or when a system administrator or the like accidentally deletes the received data. It can be caused by various causes such as.

[0006]

If the received data is lost as described above, the conventional facsimile server cannot perform the distribution to the client or the like that was to distribute the data, and should receive the distribution. The user of the client, etc. who sent the facsimile manuscript etc. which should be delivered to himself, sent to the facsimile server and spent there without knowing the fact that it was lost, and the facsimile manuscript was not Notice the disappearance. Also, since the source of the facsimile cannot know the fact that the facsimile manuscript or the like has disappeared, the user of the sender assumes that the manuscript has arrived at the destination and communicates with the user on the receiving side. It can cause trouble.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and the present invention enables a destination user or the like to know the fact that received data has been lost in a facsimile server. If the lost received data is to be broadcasted, a facsimile server that communicates with the destination so that the destination user or the like can know the destination is provided.

[0008]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a facsimile server having a function of distributing received data.
Means for detecting the loss of the received data to be distributed; and a means for detecting that the received data has been lost when the means detects the loss of the received data. Means for notifying first.

A facsimile server according to a second aspect of the present invention is the facsimile server according to the first aspect, further comprising means for notifying the distribution destination of the broadcast destination when the received data is to be broadcast. Features.

A facsimile server according to a third aspect of the present invention is a facsimile server having a function of distributing received data, wherein a means for detecting loss of received data to be distributed, and the means for detecting loss of the received data is detected by the means. Means for notifying the source of the received data that the received data has been lost when the received data has been lost.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A facsimile server according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a specific configuration example of the facsimile server 1. The facsimile server 1 includes a CPU (central processing unit) 2, a RAM (random access memory) 3,
ROM (Read Only Memory) 4, Codec 5,
Modem 6, NCU (network control unit) 7, reading unit 8, recording unit 9, operation unit 10, and LANI
/ F11, and each of the devices 2 to 11 includes:
They are communicably connected by a bus 12.

The CPU 2 controls each device constituting the facsimile server 1 according to a predetermined program.

The RAM 3 stores image data, a fax number,
It functions as a storage unit for storing a mail address, a distribution data table to be described later, setting information for various operations of the facsimile server 1, and a storage unit for temporarily storing various data.

The ROM 4 stores various programs for controlling the operation of each unit of the facsimile server 1 by the CPU 2.

The codec 5 performs encoding / decoding in accordance with a plurality of protocols. That is, the image data and the like read by the reading unit 8 are encoded for transmission by the MH, MR, MMR method or the like, and the received image data is decoded. In addition, Tagged Image File Format (TIFF), a commonly used image format used in computers.
Encoding and decoding can also be performed according to the t) format.
The TIFF specification has been published by Adobe Systems, Inc. in the United States.
Data is expressed by using tags in blocks, and by using tags, a plurality of pieces of image data having different resolutions and different numbers of colors can be stored at the same time.

The modem 6 is, for example, an ITU-T (International Telecommunication Union) Recommendation V. Modulation and demodulation of transmission / reception data according to the 34 standard or the like.

The NCU 7 is a network controller for controlling a telephone line to make or cut a telephone call.
It is connected to a TN (Public Switched Telephone Network) 13.

The reading section 8 reads image data of a document and outputs image data converted into black and white binary.

The recording section 9 is of, for example, an electrophotographic type, and records received image data on recording paper.
For example, image data of a document read by the reading unit 8 or image data received by facsimile is printed out according to an instruction from the CPU 2.

The operation unit 10 includes, for example, information relating to the status of the facsimile server 1, a display 10a for displaying various operation instruction screens, a ten-key 10b for inputting a FAX number and the like, and a shortening for transmitting a call from an abbreviated number. The operation unit 10 includes a key 10c, a start key 10d for starting a document reading operation and the like, a cursor key 10e for moving a cursor in the display 10a, and the like. .

The LAN I / F 11 has an interface with a LAN (local area network) 14, and connects the LAN 14 and the facsimile server 1 in a communicable manner.

The facsimile server 1 having the above-described hardware configuration is used, for example, in a network environment A shown in FIG. That is, the facsimile server 1 communicates with the mail server 1 via the LAN 14.
5, the router 16, the clients 17A to 17C, and the mail client 18 are communicably connected to each other. Therefore, the facsimile server 1 can further transmit and receive to and from the Internet FAX terminal 19 via the Internet through the mail server 15 and the like, and can communicate with other G3 FAX terminals 20 and salutation through the PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) 13. FAX terminal 2
1 can be transmitted and received. The client 17A
17C through 17C are, for example, those in which predetermined client software is installed in a personal computer. In addition, the salutation FAX terminal 21 has a FAX corresponding to a salutation protocol.
Terminal. The salutation protocol is a communication protocol for specifying and managing computers and office equipment on the Internet, a LAN, or the like. The protocol is a salutation consortium (Sa
lutation Consortium).

The facsimile server 1 has a general G
It has a facsimile communication function using three methods, an Internet facsimile function for transmitting and receiving image data such as originals by e-mail, a function for coping with a salutation protocol, and the like. It is possible to mutually communicate with 17A to 17C.

In addition, the facsimile server 1 determines transmission conditions of received image data (reception data), transmission source information specified from a transmission source FAX number, an e-mail address, and the like, and distribution destination electronic information. mail address,
The facsimile server 1 stores a delivery data table including delivery destination information including an ID and a fax number and delivery time zone information including a time zone to be delivered to the delivery destination in a predetermined storage area of the RAM 3. By referring to the distribution data table, a function of determining a distribution destination and a distribution time zone based on transmission source information on received data and performing distribution is provided. The salutation FA
X terminal 21, regardless of the distribution data table,
Clients 17A through 17 under facsimile server 1
7C can be designated for distribution and can be distributed.

Further, the facsimile server 1
If the image data, etc. to be distributed has been lost for some reason, notify the distribution destination of the loss, and the image data, etc., which were to be distributed, are set as broadcast targets. If so, a function (means) is provided for notifying the broadcast destination and whether or not the broadcast has already been delivered to the broadcast destination.

The operation of the facsimile server 1 after receiving a facsimile or an e-mail will be described below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. This operation is performed according to a command issued by the CPU 2 based on a control program or the like stored in the ROM 4.

First, when the facsimile server 1 receives a facsimile or an e-mail (Internet FAX) (S1), the distribution destination is determined based on the distribution data table set in advance or the distribution instruction from the salutation FAX terminal 21. It is determined whether or not there is (S
2) If there is no distribution destination, the recording unit 9 of the facsimile server 1 prints the received image data on recording paper (S3). On the other hand, if there is one or more distribution destinations, the received image data is given a file name and the
3 (S4), and further generates a distribution job file for each distribution destination (S5).

Next, it is determined whether or not the time to be delivered is set for one delivery destination (S6). If so, the process waits until the time to be delivered has elapsed, When the time to be delivered has elapsed (S7), or in S6, if the delivery time has not been set, it is determined whether or not communication with the delivery destination is possible. The process waits until communication becomes possible, and if communication is possible, the process proceeds to the next step (S8).

It should be noted that the determination in S8 is that if the distribution destination is the mail client 18 or another terminal capable of receiving e-mail, the mail server as the direct distribution destination is always in a state of accepting distribution data. It is determined that communication with the distribution destination is always possible. When the distribution destination is the G3 FAX 20 or the like, it is determined that it is possible to make a call to the G3 FAX 20 or the like and communicate with the distribution destination in a state where the line is established. When the destination of the distribution destination is the clients 17A to 17C, it is determined that communication is possible when the client is logged in to the facsimile server 1.

If it is determined in step S8 that communication with the distribution destination is possible, the facsimile server 1 determines whether the received image data is retained without being lost (step S8). S9). This determination is made by confirming whether or not the image data file specified in the job file generated in S5 has been lost.

In S9, if the received image data has not been lost, the image data is immediately distributed (S10). If the image data has been lost, the distribution is next broadcasted (S10). It is determined whether a plurality of distribution destinations are set (S11).

In step S11, if the broadcast is not set, for example, image data, that is, image data indicating that the received original has been lost, as shown in FIG. The content is distributed to the distribution destination (S12), and when the broadcast is not set, for example, as shown in FIG. For example, image data indicating a distribution status such as “distributed” or “not distributed” is generated and distributed to the distribution destination (S13).

When S10, S12, and S13 are executed, if the processing of S6 to S13 is not performed for another distribution, the process proceeds to S6 and the processing of the other distribution is performed. Then, the processes of S6 to S13 are executed for all distribution destinations (S14).

By operating the facsimile server 1 as described above, when the image data of the received document is lost in the facsimile server 1, each distribution destination receives the image data indicating that the received document has been lost. Facsimile server 1 that should have been delivered
That the received original document has been lost. Further, when the received original is to be broadcast, not only the fact that the received original has been lost but also the broadcast destination can be known at the same time. It is also possible to obtain the original by requesting another distribution destination user or the like receiving the distribution of the original.

Hereinafter, a facsimile server 1A according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described. The facsimile server 1A has the same hardware configuration and various functions as the facsimile server 1 described above, and is installed and used in a similar network environment A, and has other functions. In other words, when image data to be distributed is lost, the sender is notified of the loss, and if broadcasting is set, the broadcast destination and its Has a function (means) for notifying the transmission source whether or not distribution has been completed.

Therefore, the facsimile server 1A
Is a modification of the operation of the facsimile server 1 shown in the flowchart of FIG. That is, as shown in FIG. 5, between S10 and S14 in the flowchart shown in FIG.
3 and S14, the operation described below is added.

In step S12, image data indicating that the received document has been lost is generated and distributed to the distribution destination. Then, as shown in FIG. Then, image data for displaying the effect is generated, transmitted to the transmission source (S21), and the process proceeds to S14.

In step S13, image data indicating that the received original document has been lost and the distribution status to other broadcast destinations are generated and distributed to the distribution destination. ), Generate image data indicating that the received original has been lost and the distribution status to all broadcast destinations,
This is transmitted to the transmission source (S22), and the process proceeds to S14.

As described above, according to the facsimile server 1A according to the other embodiment, the fact that the received original has been lost is notified not only to the destination user but also to the source user. In addition, it is possible to prevent a trouble caused by the disappearance of the document between the transmission source and the distribution destination.

[0040]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a facsimile server.
In a facsimile server having a function of distributing received data, a means for detecting loss of received data to be distributed, and when the loss of the received data is detected by the means, a message indicating that the received data has been lost. Means for notifying the destination to which the received data was scheduled to be distributed, so that the user at the destination can lose the received data that should have been received. You can know.

A facsimile server according to a second aspect of the present invention is the facsimile server according to the first aspect, further comprising means for notifying the distribution destination to the distribution destination when the received data is to be broadcast. Therefore, it has the same effect as the facsimile server according to claim 1, and furthermore, it is possible to know the broadcast destination together, and to the other distribution destination users etc. who have already received the lost received data. It is possible to obtain a manuscript or the like printed on the received data upon request.

A facsimile server according to a third aspect of the present invention is a facsimile server having a function of distributing received data, wherein a means for detecting loss of received data to be distributed, and the loss of the received data is detected by the means. Means for notifying the source of the received data that the received data has been lost,
The source user or the like can automatically know the fact that the transmission is lost in the facsimile server.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a facsimile server according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a network environment according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation after the facsimile server according to the embodiment of the present invention receives a facsimile or an e-mail.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the content of image data transmitted to notify each distribution destination that received data has been lost.

FIG. 5 is a part of a flowchart showing an operation after a facsimile server according to another embodiment of the present invention receives a facsimile or an e-mail.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the content of image data transmitted to notify a transmission source that received data has been lost;

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 1A facsimile server 2 CPU 3 RAM 4 ROM

Claims (3)

[Claims] In a facsimile server having a function of distributing received data, means for detecting loss of received data to be distributed, and when the loss of the received data is detected by the means, the received data is Means for notifying the destination to which the received data was scheduled to be distributed, indicating that the data has been lost. 2. The facsimile server according to claim 1, further comprising means for notifying said distribution destination of said broadcast destination when said received data is to be broadcast. 3. A facsimile server having a function of distributing received data, means for detecting loss of received data to be distributed, and when the means detects loss of the received data, the received data is Means for notifying the source of the received data that the data has been lost.