JP2003018330A - Facsimile equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide facsimile equipment by which an optimal communication route can be selected without inputting manually the electronic mail address of an optimal repeater. SOLUTION: Facsimile equipment 20 can be operated as a caller terminal (relay request machine) in an image repeting system and can be connected to a repeater having an image data repeating function. A RAM 7 stores a repeting distribution table 7a containing the electronic mail address of the repeater for each facsimile number of the final destination as shown in Fig. 2. When the final destination is designated and transmission is instructed, a main control part 1 of the facsimile equipment 20 designates the facsimile number of the final destination to the electronic mail address of the repeater stored on the repetition distribution table 7a and transmits electronic mail containing image data (step S44 in a figure 4).

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus for transmitting an electronic mail including image data to an electronic mail address of a relay according to a relay distribution table.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an image relay system for performing image communication via at least one relay having a function of relaying image data such as a facsimile image has been put into practical use. In this image relay system, in the facsimile device of the transmission terminal, the telephone number of the relay machine and the telephone number of the final destination are input using the operation unit, and the data of these telephone numbers are inserted into, for example, a SUB address signal or an electronic mail. Then, the image data such as a facsimile image can be relayed and transmitted.

In this image relay system of the prior art, when it is desired to transmit to a plurality of remote parties, the long distance communication uses the Internet or 1 to the relay machine.
Since it only needs to be done once, communication charges can be saved.

[0004]

For example, in the case of relay distribution using electronic mail, the sender side has G3 as the final destination.
It is necessary to specify both the facsimile number and the e-mail address of the repeater, which makes the operation complicated and troublesome. There was a problem that the communication fee could not be reduced unless an appropriate repeater was specified.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above problems and to provide a facsimile apparatus capable of selecting an optimum communication path without the need to manually select and input the optimum relay e-mail address. To provide.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a facsimile apparatus in which a storage means for storing a relay distribution table including an e-mail address of a repeater for each facsimile number of a final destination and a final destination are designated. When a transmission instruction is given, a transmission means is provided for designating the facsimile number of the final destination with respect to the e-mail address of the relay device stored in the relay distribution table and transmitting the e-mail including the image data. Characterize.

In the facsimile apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, the relay distribution table further stores an authentication password for each final destination facsimile number, and the transmission means further includes a corresponding authentication password. It is characterized by sending an e-mail.

Further, in the facsimile apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, the relay distribution table stores a record name input in advance for each facsimile number of the final destination, and specifies the final destination by using the record name. It is characterized by further comprising a first operation means.

Further, in the facsimile apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, when the transmission is instructed, the facsimile number of the final destination is designated to the electronic mail address of the relay machine stored in the relay distribution table, and the image data is stored. A second operation unit for selectively designating a relay transmission for transmitting an electronic mail containing the image data and a direct transmission for directly transmitting the image data to the facsimile number of the final destination is further provided, and the transmission unit is the first transmission unit. When direct transmission is designated by the second operation means, the image data is directly transmitted to the final destination facsimile number.

The facsimile apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention includes a storage unit for storing a relay distribution table including a pair of a plurality of facsimile numbers of final destinations and an electronic mail address of the relay for each relay distribution record, and a relay unit. When a distribution record is designated and transmission is instructed, a plurality of final destination facsimile numbers are designated for the e-mail address of the relay machine stored in the relay distribution table, and an e-mail including image data is transmitted. And a transmission means.

In the facsimile apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, the relay distribution table further stores an authentication password for each relay distribution record, and the transmission means further includes the electronic mail including the corresponding authentication password. Is transmitted.

In the facsimile apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, the relay distribution table stores a record name input in advance for each relay distribution record and specifies the relay distribution record by using the record name. 3 is further provided with an operating means.

Further, in the relay distribution table,
It is characterized by further comprising fourth operation means for selecting and designating at least one of the plurality of facsimile numbers of the final destination stored for each relay distribution record as the final destination.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a facsimile apparatus 20 having an image data relay function, which is an embodiment according to the present invention.

The facsimile apparatus 20 of this embodiment is
Sending terminal device (relay requester) in the image relay system
The RAM 7 includes an e-mail address of the relay machine for each final destination facsimile number as shown in FIG. 2, for example, as shown in FIG. Relay distribution table 7
When a final destination is designated and transmission is instructed (step S21 in FIG. 3), the main control unit 1 of the facsimile device 20 stores a in the e-mail address of the relay machine stored in the relay distribution table 7a. On the other hand, the facsimile number of the final destination is designated, and the electronic mail including the image data is transmitted (step S44 in FIG. 4).

Further, the relay distribution table 7a further stores an authentication password for each facsimile number of the final destination, and the main control unit 1 of the facsimile apparatus 20 sends the electronic mail further including the corresponding authentication password. It is transmitted (step S17). Further, at the time of instructing transmission, the facsimile number of the final destination is designated for the electronic mail address of the relay machine stored in the relay distribution table, and the relay transmission for transmitting the electronic mail including the image data and the facsimile of the final destination. The main control unit 1 of the facsimile apparatus 20 is selectively designated to directly transmit the image data to the number (step S22 in FIG. 3).
When the above direct transmission is designated (step S in FIG. 4).
(NO in 30), the image data is directly transmitted to the final destination facsimile number (step S45).

The leased line and the Internet require a certain usage fee, but other than that, the usage fee is the same no matter how much they are used. There is a charge for sending,
This is when using a public telephone line (PSTN). In this embodiment, facsimile image data is transmitted to the final destination while using more private lines or the Internet and using less public telephone lines (PSTN) which are completely metered line routes. A simple flow of operations and processes in this embodiment is as follows. (1) The caller A inputs the telephone number of the receiver Z and performs transmission. The operation method is the same as usual. (2) Recipient Z via leased line or Internet
To the repeater Y of the public telephone line (PSTN) closest to (3) Send from the repeater Y of the public telephone line (PSTN) to the recipient Z via the PSTN. For this reason, public telephone lines (P
STN), a dedicated line or the relay distribution table 7a for selecting the Internet is registered. Note that if the relay distribution table 7a registered in each relay is incorrect, the operation will be infinite transfer, so it is necessary to register the relay distribution table 7a so that there is no mistake.

In FIG. 1, the facsimile device 20 is
It has a facsimile communication function such as the conventional G3 system, and also has an image data relay request function. The main control unit 1 is specifically configured by a CPU, is connected to the following hardware units via a bus 13 and controls them, and also executes various software functions described later. The image reading unit 2 reads a document with a scanner using a CCD or the like and outputs dot image data converted into monochrome binary. The image recording unit 3 is a printer device such as an electrophotographic system, and prints out and records the image data received by facsimile communication from another facsimile device as a hard copy. The display unit 4 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) or a CRT display, and displays the operating state of the facsimile device 20 and displays image data of a document to be transmitted and received image data. .

The operation unit 5 includes character keys necessary for operating the facsimile device 20, a numeric keypad for dialing,
It has speed dial keys, one-touch dial keys, and various function keys. By using the touch panel system for the display unit 4 described above, the operation unit 5
You may comprise so that some or all of the various keys of may be substituted.

The ROM 6 pre-stores various software programs required for the operation of the facsimile apparatus 20 and executed by the main control unit 1, where the program is at least the image data transmission process of FIG. 4 and the image data receiving process of FIG. 5 are included. RAM7 is SRAM
Alternatively, it is composed of a flash memory or the like and is used as a working area of the main control unit 1 to store temporary data generated when the program is executed. Here, RAM7
Stores the relay distribution table 7a shown in FIG.
When a flash memory is used as the RAM 7, the content of the data is not lost even when the power is cut off due to a power failure, movement of the device, or the like. The image memory 8 is composed of a DRAM or the like, and stores image data to be transmitted or received image data. The RAM 7 and the image memory 8 may be hard disk memories.

The fax modem 10 is connected to the public telephone line L1 via the NCU 11a, or the NCU1
It is a modem that is connected to the dedicated line (LC) of the dedicated line L2 via 1b and has a function of a fax modem for normal facsimile communication. An NCU (Network Control Unit) 11a is a hardware circuit that performs an operation of closing and opening, for example, a DC loop of an analog public telephone line L1 and having an automatic dialing function, and a fax modem as necessary. 10 is connected to the public telephone line L1. Here, the NCU 11a uses the ID reception terminal activation signal in the calling telephone number notification service,
A normal telephone call signal can be detected, and a primary response signal and a secondary response signal in the originating telephone number notification service can be transmitted as needed.

The NCU 11b is a hardware circuit having a dedicated line network connection function for closing and opening the DC loop of the analog dedicated line L2, for example. Connect to line L2. It should be noted that the NCUs 11a and 11b may be connected to a digital line (for example, ISDN line) of a baseband transmission system via a predetermined terminal adapter and DSU (subscriber line terminating device: Digital Service Unit).

The LAN interface 12 connects the facsimile device 20 to, for example, Ethernet (registered trademark).
A mail server device 31 and a router device 32 are connected to the LAN 30, which is an interface circuit that performs signal conversion of signals and data and protocol conversion in order to connect to the local area network 30. Further, the router device 30 is connected to the Internet network 40 via a dedicated line L3 and a router device 41 of a predetermined Internet provider. When sending image data from the facsimile device 20 with the image data attached to the mail body, the LAN interface 12 is used to send LA data.
After transmitting once to the mail server device 31 via N30, the mail server device 31 sends the Internet mail to the LAN 30, the router device 32, the dedicated line L3, the router device 41 of the internet provider, the internet network 40, and the destination mail. A mail is transmitted to a facsimile device of a destination, which is a final destination or a relay device, via a server device (not shown). The line connection to the Internet network 40 is not limited to the dedicated line L3, but may be a dial-up connection using the public telephone line L1.

The facsimile apparatus 20 of the present embodiment configured as described above has an image data relay request function in addition to the normal G3 system facsimile communication function. In the facsimile communication function, the dot image data read by the image reading unit 2 is encoded by software according to the encoding system such as MH, MR, MMR defined by the facsimile communication standard, and then the facsimile machine of the other party. On the other hand, on the other hand, the encoded data received from the facsimile machine of the other party is also decoded into image data by the software and output from the image recording unit 3 as a hard copy. The image memory 8 stores image data as needed, and conversely outputs the stored image data as needed.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the relay distribution table 7a in the RAM 7 of FIG. Relay distribution table 7a
Is input in advance using the operation unit 5 and, as shown in FIG. 2, an authentication password (only when necessary) and an access key (necessary) for each final destination facsimile number corresponding to the record name. And the e-mail address (when using the Internet) or the line number of the leased line (when using the leased line) that is the most suitable communication line to the repeater and the destination of the relay machine for each facsimile number of the final destination. ) Is stored. Here, the authentication password is transmitted from the relay requesting device to the relay device and checked by the relay device in order to prevent unauthorized use of the relay device.
The access key is used to limit the users in the facsimile machine 20 of the present embodiment, which is a relay requesting machine. The relay distribution table 7
The image data is transmitted to the final destination of the area code not stored in a directly using the public telephone line (PSTN) L1, that is, without passing through the repeater.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing the image data transmission process executed by the main control unit 1 of the facsimile apparatus of FIG. In FIG. 3, first, step S2
In 1, the telephone number of the final destination is input using the operation unit 5, and in step S22, relay transmission or direct transmission is selectively specified using the operation unit 5. Then, step S
In step 23, it is determined whether or not the start key has been pressed, and the processing in step S23 is repeated until YES, and when YES, the original image is read in step S24 and the image data is stored in the image memory 8. Then, in step S25, the line route selection transmission process of FIG. 4 is executed, and the image data transmission process ends.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the line route selection / transmission process (steps S25 and S59) which is a subroutine of FIGS.

In FIG. 4, first, it is determined whether or not the relay transmission is designated in step S30. If YES, the process proceeds to step S31. If NO, that is, the direct transmission is designated, the process proceeds to step S45. . Then
In step S31, it is determined whether or not the final destination number is in the relay distribution table 7a. If YES, the process proceeds to step S31A, while if NO, the process proceeds to step S45. In step 31A, if the access key is described in the relay distribution table 7a, the input of the access key is requested, and in step S31B, the input access key is compared with the access key in the relay distribution table 7a, and they match. If they match, the process proceeds to step S32. If they do not match, the process ends. If there is no description of the access key in the relay distribution table 7a, steps 31A and 3
The process of 1B is skipped and the process proceeds to step S32. In step S32, it is determined whether or not the relay route to the final destination is a leased line. If NO here, step S33
At, it is determined whether the relay route to the final destination is the Internet. On the other hand, if YES at step S32, control proceeds to step S34, and if YES at step S33, control proceeds to step S41. Moreover, NO in step S33.
If so, the process proceeds to step S45, and after dialing the final destination using the public telephone line (PSTN) L1 in step S45, the image data in the image memory 8 is faxed, and the process returns to the original main routine.

In step S34, the ACR identification information (#) for instructing the relay request to the SUB address (if it is not the relay request, indicates confidential communication, bulletin board communication, etc.) and the authentication password are stored, and step S35. In step S36, the telephone number of the final destination is added, and in step S36, the image data in the image memory 8 is faxed by dialing to the relay device registered in the relay distribution table 7a via the dedicated line L2. After that, it returns to the original main routine.

Further, in step S41, AC is sent to the mail.
Storing R identification information and authentication password, step S
At 42, the telephone number of the final destination is stored in the mail text, at step S43 the image data in the image memory 8 is converted to the mail format and attached to the mail text, and then at step S44, the internet mail address of the relay machine. Send an email to the Internet. Then, the process returns to the original main routine.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the image data receiving process executed by the main control unit 1 of the facsimile apparatus of FIG.

In FIG. 5, it is judged in step S50 whether or not an incoming call has been received.
In 51, for example, after performing communication procedure processing before image data reception such as training of facsimile communication and reception of SUB address signal, the image data is received and stored in the image memory 8 in step S52, and the image is received in step S53. Execute the post-procedure process for data and disconnect the line. Then, in step S54, it is determined whether or not the SUB address signal is received. If YES, the process proceeds to step S55. If NO, it is determined to be a normal facsimile receiving process, and the process proceeds to step S56 to receive. After the image of the image data is printed using the image recording unit 3, the image receiving process is ended.

In step S55, A is added to the SUB address.
It is determined whether or not there is CR identification information. If YES, the process proceeds to step S58, and if NO, step S5.
In step S57, the predetermined image processing such as confidential communication and bulletin board communication designated by the SUB address is executed in step S57, and then the image receiving process is ended. on the other hand,
In step S58, the final destination is acquired from the SUB address, and in step S59, the line route selection transmission process of FIG. 4 is executed, and then the image reception process is ended.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the RAM 7 stores the relay distribution table 7a including the e-mail address of the relay machine for each facsimile number of the final destination, as shown in FIG. Facsimile device 2
When the final destination is designated and the transmission is instructed (step S21 of FIG. 3), the main control unit 1 of 0 sets the facsimile of the final destination to the e-mail address of the relay stored in the relay distribution table 7a. Specify the number and send an e-mail containing the image data (step S4 in FIG. 4).
4). Therefore, in the relay distribution table 7a, the e-mail address of the relay machine and the facsimile number of the final destination can be managed as a pair, and it is necessary to manually select and enter the optimum e-mail address of the relay machine. Instead, the optimum communication path can be selected. As a result, the relay transmission operation is facilitated, and unnecessary communication costs are not incurred.

Further, the relay distribution table 7a further stores an authentication password for each facsimile number of the final destination, and the main control unit 1 of the facsimile apparatus 20 sends the e-mail including the corresponding authentication password. It is transmitted (step S41). Therefore, in the relay distribution table 7a, in addition to the e-mail address of the relay machine and the facsimile number of the final destination, the authentication password can be further stored and managed as a set, and the information required for relay transmission can be stored. An optimal communication path can be selected without the need to manually select and input, and relay transmission operation becomes easy. In addition, since the relay device is accessed using the authentication password, the security at the relay device can be improved.

Further, at the time of the transmission instruction, the relay transmission for transmitting the e-mail including the image data by designating the facsimile number of the final destination for the e-mail address of the relay stored in the relay distribution table, and the final transmission. Directly transmitting the image data directly to the destination facsimile number is selectively designated (step S22 in FIG. 3),
When the direct transmission is designated (NO in step S30 of FIG. 4), the main control unit 1 of the facsimile device 20 directly transmits the image data to the final destination facsimile number (step S45). Therefore, relay transmission and direct transmission can be easily selected, and operability can be improved.

In the above embodiment, the access key is registered together with the authentication information such as the facsimile number of the final destination and the authentication password, and when the relay transmission is performed using this final destination, the access key is used. You can also set restrictions.

Further, the relay distribution table 7a does not store the authentication information such as the authentication password, and only the authentication information is input using the operation unit 5 at the time of transmission, so that the relay function is illegally used. May be prevented.

In the above embodiment, the telephone number of the final destination is input using the operation unit 5 in step S21 of FIG. 3, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the record name of the relay distribution table 7a is input. The final destination may be designated by inputting, or the relay distribution table 7
The record name of a may be designated by displaying it on the display unit 4 as a list and selecting it. As a result, since the final destination can be easily specified and the record name can be easily understood, the operability can be improved.

<Modification> FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a relay distribution table 7a according to a modification of the present invention. The relay distribution table 7a of this modification is a relay distribution table suitable for relay broadcast transmission as compared with the relay distribution table 7a of the embodiment, and as shown in FIG. For each, multiple fax numbers of the final destination,
Authentication password (only if necessary), access key (only if necessary), optimal communication line to each repeater facsimile number and e-mail address that is the destination of the repeater It is characterized by storing the line number (when using the Internet) or the line number of the leased line (when using the leased line). At this time, when the relay distribution record is designated and the transmission is instructed (steps S63 to S66 in FIG. 7), the main control unit 1 sends the e-mail address of the relay machine stored in the relay distribution table 7a to the e-mail address. A plurality of facsimile numbers of the final destination are designated, and an electronic mail including image data is transmitted (step S44 in FIG. 4).

Further, in this modification, the relay distribution table 7a can store a record name inputted in advance for each relay distribution record and specify the relay distribution record using the record name (step S64). ). Further, in the relay distribution table 7a, at least one of the plurality of facsimile numbers of the final destination stored for each relay distribution record can be selected and designated as the final destination (step S66).

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the image data transmission process in the modification of the present invention. In FIG. 7, steps similar to those in FIG. 3 are given the same step numbers.

In FIG. 7, first, in step S61, it is determined whether or not the relay broadcast key of the operation unit 5 is pressed. If YES, the process proceeds to step S63, and if NO, the process proceeds to step S62. In step S62, it is determined whether or not the numeric keypad is pressed. If YES, the process proceeds to step S21. If NO, step S61.
Return to. In step S21, the telephone number of the final destination is input using the ten keys of the operation unit 5, and the process proceeds to step S22.

In step S63, the relay distribution table 7
A list of record names in a is displayed on the display unit 4, one record name is selected using the operation unit 5 in step S64, and the facsimile number of the final destination corresponding to the record name selected in step S65 is displayed. The list is displayed on the display unit 4. Then, in step S66, at least one facsimile number is selected using the operation unit 5, and the process proceeds to step S22. In step S22, it is determined whether or not the start key has been pressed, and the processing in step S22 is repeated until YES, and when YES, the original image is read in step S23,
The image data is stored in the image memory 8, and step S2
4, the line route selection transmission process of FIG. 4 is executed, and the image data transmission process is ended.

As described above, according to this modified example, a plurality of facsimile numbers of the final destinations for each record name indicating the relay broadcast, and a communication line to the optimum repeater for each facsimile number of the final destinations. And an e-mail address that is the destination of the relay machine (when using the Internet) or a line number of the dedicated line (when using the dedicated line) is stored, and a relay distribution record is designated and transmission is instructed (step in FIG. 7). (S63-S66), the main control unit 1 designates a plurality of final destination facsimile numbers for the e-mail addresses of the relays stored in the relay distribution table 7a, and transmits the e-mail including the image data. (Step S44 of FIG. 4). Therefore, in the relay distribution table 7a,
It is possible to manage the e-mail address of the repeater and multiple facsimile numbers of the final destination as a pair, and in the case of relay broadcasting, it is necessary to manually select and enter the optimum e-mail address of the repeater Instead, it is possible to select the optimum communication path. As a result, the operation of transmitting the relay broadcast is facilitated and unnecessary communication costs are not generated.

Further, in this modification, the relay distribution table 7a stores a record name inputted in advance for each relay distribution record, and designates the relay distribution record using the record name (step S64). Therefore, the relay distribution record of the relay broadcast can be easily designated, and the operability can be improved.

Further, in this modification, at least one of the plurality of facsimile numbers of the final destination stored for each relay distribution record is stored in the relay distribution table 7a.
One is selected and designated as the final destination (step S6)
6). Therefore, since it is possible to select and specify from a plurality of facsimile numbers of final destinations registered in advance for relay broadcast, operability can be improved.

<Another Modification> In the above embodiment, the example of the facsimile apparatus 20 is described.
The present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to an image communication apparatus including, for example, a data communication apparatus connected to a public network such as a public telephone network or a public digital network, a private line, and / or the Internet.

In the above embodiment, the public telephone line, the leased line, and the facsimile device 20 connected to the Internet have been described. However, the facsimile device 20 is connected to at least one or a plurality of types of communication lines. May be.
The leased line is not limited to an analog telephone line, but can be applied to various communication lines such as a digital line, an ATM communication line and a frame relay communication line.

[0051]

As described above in detail, according to the facsimile apparatus of the first invention, a storage means for storing a relay distribution table including an electronic mail address of a relay machine for each facsimile number of the final destination, and a final destination. Is specified and the transmission is instructed, a transmission means for transmitting the e-mail including the image data by designating the facsimile number of the final destination with respect to the e-mail address of the relay stored in the relay distribution table. Prepare Therefore, in the above-mentioned relay delivery table, the e-mail address of the relay machine and the facsimile number of the final destination can be managed as a pair, and it is necessary to manually select and enter the optimum e-mail address of the relay machine. Instead, the optimum communication path can be selected. This makes the operation of relay transmission easy, and
It also eliminates unnecessary communication costs.

In the facsimile apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, the relay distribution table further stores an authentication password for each final destination facsimile number, and the transmission means further includes a corresponding authentication password. Send an email. Therefore, in the relay distribution table, in addition to the e-mail address of the relay machine and the facsimile number of the final destination, the authentication password can be further stored and managed as a set, and the information required for relay transmission can be stored. No need to manually select and enter,
The optimum communication path can be selected, and the relay transmission operation becomes easy. In addition, since the relay device is accessed using the authentication password, the security at the relay device can be improved.

Further, in the facsimile apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, the relay distribution table stores a record name inputted in advance for each facsimile number of the final destination, and designates the final destination by using the record name. It further comprises first operating means. As a result, since the final destination can be easily specified and the record name can be easily understood, the operability can be improved.

Further, in the facsimile apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, when the transmission is instructed, the facsimile number of the final destination is designated for the electronic mail address of the relay machine stored in the relay distribution table, and the image data is stored. A second operation unit for selectively designating a relay transmission for transmitting an electronic mail containing the image data and a direct transmission for directly transmitting the image data to the facsimile number of the final destination is further provided, and the transmission unit is the first transmission unit. When the direct transmission is designated by the operation means of 2, the image data is directly transmitted to the final destination facsimile number. Therefore, relay transmission and direct transmission can be easily selected, and operability can be improved.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, a storage means for storing a relay distribution table including pairs of a plurality of facsimile numbers of final destinations and e-mail addresses of relay machines for each relay distribution record. , When a relay distribution record is designated and transmission is instructed, multiple facsimile numbers of the final destination are designated for the e-mail address of the relay machine stored in the relay distribution table, and the e-mail including the image data is sent. And transmitting means for transmitting. Therefore, in the above-mentioned relay distribution table, the e-mail address of the repeater and a plurality of facsimile numbers of the final destinations can be managed as a pair. In the case of relay broadcasting, the optimum e-mail address of the repeater can be manually set. The optimum communication path can be selected without the need to select and input with. As a result, the operation of transmitting the relay broadcast is facilitated and unnecessary communication costs are not generated.

In the facsimile apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, the relay distribution table further stores an authentication password for each relay distribution record, and the transmission means further includes the electronic mail including the corresponding authentication password. To send. Therefore, in the relay distribution table,
In addition to the e-mail address of the repeater and multiple fax numbers of the final destination, the authentication password can be further stored and managed as a set, and the information required for relay transmission can be manually selected and input. This makes it possible to select an optimum communication path without needing to do so, and facilitates relay transmission operation. In addition, since the relay device is accessed using the authentication password, the security at the relay device can be improved.

In the facsimile apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, the relay distribution table stores a record name input in advance for each relay distribution record, and specifies the relay distribution record using the record name. The operating means of 3 is further provided. This makes it easy to specify the final destination and use an easy-to-understand record name.
Operability can be improved.

Further, in the relay distribution table,
It further comprises fourth operation means for selecting and designating at least one of the plurality of facsimile numbers of the final destination stored for each relay distribution record as the final destination. Therefore, since it is possible to select and specify from a plurality of facsimile numbers of final destinations registered in advance for relay broadcast, operability can be improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a facsimile device 20 having an image data relay function, which is an embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a relay distribution table 7a in a RAM 7 of FIG.

3 is a flowchart showing an image data transmission process executed by a main control unit 1 of the facsimile apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a line route selection transmission process (steps S25 and S59) which is a subroutine of FIGS. 3 and 5.

5 is a flowchart showing an image data receiving process executed by a main control unit 1 of the facsimile apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a relay distribution table 7a according to a modification of the present invention.
It is a figure which shows an example.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an image data transmission process in a modified example according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Main control unit, 2 ... Image reading unit, 3 ... Image recording section, 4 ... Display, 5 ... operation part, 6 ... ROM, 7 ... RAM, 7a ... relay distribution table, 8 ... Image memory, 10 ... fax modem, 11a, 11b ... NCU, 12 ... LAN interface, 13 ... bus, 20 ... Facsimile device, 30 ... Local Area Network (LAN), 31 ... Mail server device, 32 ... router device, 40 ... Internet network, 41 ... Router device of Internet provider, L1 ... Public telephone line, L2, L3 ... Dedicated line.

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    F-term (reference) 5C062 AA02 AA13 AA29 AA30 AA35                       AB38 AB42 AC22 AC43 AF00                       AF02 AF13 BC01 BD09                 5C075 AB90 CA14 CA90 DD04                 5K101 KK01 KK02 LL01 LL05 NN06                       NN14 NN21 PP03 PP04 RR12                       SS07

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A storage means for storing a relay distribution table including an e-mail address of a relay machine for each facsimile number of a final destination, and a storage means stored in the relay distribution table when a final destination is designated and transmission is instructed. A facsimile apparatus comprising: a transmission unit that specifies a final destination facsimile number for an electronic mail address of a repeater and transmits an electronic mail including image data. 2. The relay distribution table further stores an authentication password for each facsimile number of the final destination, and the transmission means transmits the electronic mail further including the corresponding authentication password. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, 3. The relay distribution table further comprises first operation means for storing a record name inputted in advance for each facsimile number of the final destination and designating the final destination by using the record name. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, which is characterized in that. 4. A relay transmission in which an e-mail including image data is transmitted by designating a facsimile number of a final destination with respect to the e-mail address of the relay stored in the relay distribution table at the time of transmission instruction, and a final transmission. The present invention further comprises a second operating means for selectively designating direct transmission of directly transmitting the image data to the destination facsimile number, and the transmitting means is designated for direct transmission by the second operating means. 4. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image data is directly transmitted to the final destination facsimile number. 5. A storage unit for storing a relay distribution table including pairs of a plurality of facsimile numbers of final destinations and an e-mail address of the relay for each relay distribution record, and a transmission instruction by designating the relay distribution record. And a plurality of facsimile numbers as final destinations for the e-mail addresses of the relays stored in the relay distribution table and transmitting means for transmitting the e-mail including the image data. Characteristic facsimile machine. 6. The relay distribution table further stores an authentication password for each relay distribution record, and the transmitting means transmits the electronic mail further including a corresponding authentication password. The facsimile apparatus according to Item 5. 7. The relay distribution table further comprises third operation means for storing a record name input in advance for each relay distribution record and designating the relay distribution record using the record name. 7. The facsimile machine according to claim 5 or 6. 8. The relay distribution table further comprises fourth operation means for selecting and designating at least one of a plurality of facsimile numbers of final destinations stored for each relay distribution record as a final destination. 8. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the facsimile apparatus is any one of claims 5 to 7.