JP2003152807A - Facsimile gateway - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a facsimile gateway capable of properly acknowledge image information. SOLUTION: Since the facsimile gateway GW holds a line with a transmitter side group 3 facsimile machine GF until transfer of image information by one page is finished and replies a signal MCF to the transmitter side group 3 facsimile machine GF after the end of transfer, the transmitter side group 3 facsimile machine GF can immediately make acknowledgement after the end of transmission of the gateway GW. Thus, for example, it is not required for the gateway GW to make a notice to the transmitter side group 3 facsimile machine GF for the acknowledgement so as to suppress the necessity of a wasteful communication cost.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention, when connected to a public line network and connected to a network, receives image information from a group 3 facsimile machine connected to the public line network, specifies the received image information. The present invention relates to a facsimile gateway device having an on-ramp gateway function of transmitting an electronic mail to a destination of a specified electronic mail address.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Due to the spread of the Internet, when performing facsimile communication, not only the conventional analog public network PSTN and digital public network ISDN are used as networks, but also services using the Internet (Internet fax) are gradually being used. Is spreading. This seeks to take advantage of the charge reduction by using the Internet.

A method of sending image data using electronic mail is a Store and Forward type Internet fax (S & F type ifax), which is RF.
C2305 / 2532 and ITU-T recommendation T.C. It is standardized in 37, etc., and the number of compatible products is increasing.

[0004]

On the other hand, Fax to
A gateway device that performs mail (a so-called on-ramp gateway device) is a gateway device that converts facsimile image information data into an electronic mail format.

If the facsimile is analog, ITU-T Recommendation T.38 is used. Communication is performed in real time according to the 30 protocol. In contrast, email
On the Internet, Store and Forw
It is performed by ard type communication and is not so-called real-time communication.

Therefore, when confirming delivery via the on-ramp gateway device, ITU-T Recommendation T.264.
While 30 protocols are real-time communication, e-mail is Store and Forward
In some cases, non-real-time communication may be an obstacle.

For example, although the on-ramp gateway device can call the source facsimile device to confirm the delivery (transfer confirmation) to the source facsimile in the form of facsimile data after sending the electronic mail, Fax
A telephone charge is charged to the side of the on-ramp gateway device that provides the service "To Mail", and a problem that confirmation cannot be performed in real time occurs.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a facsimile gateway apparatus capable of appropriately confirming transmission of image information.

[0009]

According to the present invention, when image information is received from a group 3 facsimile machine connected to a public line network and connected to the public line network, the received image information is received. , When receiving image information from a group 3 facsimile machine connected to a public line network in a facsimile gateway machine equipped with an on-ramp gateway function for transmitting to a destination of a specified electronic mail address using electronic mail, reception An e-mail carrying image information is created and transmitted, and after the transmission result of the e-mail is acquired, a reception confirmation signal is transmitted to the group 3 facsimile device and the reception confirmation signal is transmitted from the completion of reception of the image information. The line with the concerned group 3 facsimile apparatus is held until the transmission of .

The line from the completion of receiving the image information to the transmission of the reception confirmation signal is maintained with the group 3 facsimile machine by using a sequence of transmitting the signal RNR and receiving the signal RR.

Further, holding the line with the group 3 facsimile apparatus from the completion of receiving the image information to the transmission of the reception confirmation signal is performed by the signal R as a signal after the completion of receiving the image information.
This is done by sending TN and requesting retransmission of image information on the same page.

In addition, holding the line with the group 3 facsimile apparatus from the completion of reception of image information to the transmission of the reception confirmation signal is performed by the signal P as a signal after completion of reception of image information.
This is done by sending out a PR and requesting retransmission of image information.

[0013] Further, the delivery confirmation by DNS is requested at the time of transmitting the electronic mail, and the reception confirmation signal is transmitted after receiving the response to the delivery confirmation request.

The e-mail carrying the image information is M
It has a multipart / partial field of IME, and the text information includes one page of image information.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to the accompanying drawings,
Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail.

FIG. 1 shows a network system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, a plurality of workstation devices WS1 to WS1 are connected to the local area network LAN.
WSn, server device SM, and gateway device G
W is connected and is also connected to the Internet via the router device RT. Therefore, the workstation devices WS1 to WSn, the server device SM, and the gateway device GW can exchange data with other appropriate terminal devices via the Internet.

Here, the server device SM collects and distributes well-known e-mails to users who use the workstation devices WS1 to WSn connected to the local area network LAN and to the network gateway device GW. It has various network server functions such as an electronic mail server function for providing services and a name server function.

Further, the local area network LAN
Is connected to the Internet via the router device RT, whereby the workstation devices WS1 to W
Sn, server device SM, and gateway device GW
Is capable of exchanging various data with a host device or the like connected to another local area network or the like.

Further, the workstation devices WS1 to W
Various programs such as facsimile application software for creating and displaying and outputting facsimile image information and various software for exchanging various data via the local area network LAN are installed in Sn. Is used by the user of. Here, a specific user
It may be one or more users.

The gateway device GW also has a facsimile communication function for communicating with the group 3 facsimile device GF via the analog public line network PSTN, and electronic mail for exchanging image information and various reports as electronic mail. When the image information is received from the communication processing function and the group 3 facsimile machine GF connected to the analog public network PSTN, the received image information is sent from the group 3 facsimile machine GF to the destination of the designated e-mail address. Equipped with an on-ramp gateway function that sends by e-mail.

FIG. 2 shows a configuration example of the gateway device GW.

In FIG. 1, the system control unit 1 performs various control processes such as control process of each unit of the gateway device GW and facsimile transmission control procedure process. The system memory 2 includes the system control unit 1. Stores a control processing program executed by the control program, various data necessary for executing the processing program, and the like, and constitutes a work area of the system control unit 1. The parameter memory 3 is the gateway device G.
The clock circuit 4 is for storing various information unique to W, and outputs the current time information.

The scanner 5 is for reading an original image at a predetermined resolution, the plotter 6 is for recording and outputting an image at a predetermined resolution, and the operation display section 7 is the gateway device GW. It is for operating the and comprises various operation keys and various display devices.

The encoding / decoding unit 8 is for encoding and compressing the image signal and for decoding the encoded and compressed image information into the original image signal. The image storage device 9 is
This is for storing a large amount of image information in a coded and compressed state.

The group 3 facsimile modem 10 is for realizing the modem function of the group 3 facsimile, and is a low speed modem function (V.21 modem) for exchanging transmission procedure signals and mainly exchanging image information. High-speed modem function (V.17 modem,
V. 34 modem, V.34. 29 modem, V.29. 27ter modem etc.).

The network control device 11 is for connecting the gateway device GW to the analog public line network PSTN and has an automatic call originating / receiving function.

The local area network interface circuit 12 is for connecting the gateway device GW to the local area network LAN, and the local area network transmission control section 13 is for transmitting data to another data terminal via the local area network LAN. It is for executing communication control processing of various predetermined protocol suites for exchanging various data with the device.

These system control unit 1, system memory 2, parameter memory 3, clock circuit 4, scanner 5, plotter 6, operation display unit 7, encoding / decoding unit 8, image storage device 9, group 3 facsimile modem. 10, the network control device 11, and the local area network transmission control unit 13 are connected to an internal bus 14, and data is exchanged between these respective elements mainly via the internal bus 14. There is.

Data is exchanged directly between the network controller 11 and the group 3 facsimile modem 10.

Here, in this embodiment, basically,
Data is exchanged between terminals connected to the local area network LAN by so-called TCP / I.
A combination of a transmission protocol up to the transport layer called P and a communication protocol of a higher layer above it (so-called protocol suite) is applied. For example, when exchanging e-mail data, the upper layer communication protocol is SMTP (Simple).
A communication protocol called Mail Transfer Protocol is applied.

In addition, each terminal sends to the server device SM,
A so-called POP (Po (Po) is used as a protocol applied for confirmation of reception of an e-mail addressed to a user or acquisition request.
stOffice Protocol) or the like can be applied.

The communication protocols such as TCP / IP, SMTP, POP, and the data format and data structure of electronic mail are specified by RFC documents issued by IETF. For example, TCP is RFC793, IP is RFC793, SM
RFC 821 for TP, RFC82 for email format
2, RFC1521, RFC1522 (MIME (Mu
lti PurposeMail Extensio
n) Format) and the like.

Then, the gateway device GW transfers the read original image to another group 3 facsimile device via the analog public line network PSTN, or the local area network LAN (further, the Internet).
To the users of the workstation devices WS1 to WSn and the like through the analog public line network PSTN.
Image information received from another group 3 facsimile machine via the Internet is transferred to the user corresponding to the sub-address designated at that time by using e-mail, or a workstation device of the local area network LAN. It has a transfer service function of transferring image information received from WS (by electronic mail) to the designated analog public line network PSTN group 3 facsimile machine.

With respect to the electronic mail received to the own terminal, the image information arranged in the text information is taken out and recorded and output. Further, when the gateway device GW receives the image information from the group 3 facsimile device GF connected to the analog public network PSTN, the gateway device GW uses the received image information to the destination of the specified email address by using the email. It also has an on-ramp gateway function to send.

Here, the facsimile image information is binary data, and since the electronic mail cannot directly include the binary data, a predetermined conversion method (for example,
It is included in an electronic mail in a state in which it is converted into readable information (7-bit character code) by applying the Base64 encoding method). The format of the text information of such an electronic mail is called MIME format.

An example of the electronic mail used when transmitting the facsimile image information is shown in FIG.

This e-mail is a multipart MIME format e-mail having a plurality of body parts, and the e-mail transmission date ("Date" field), destination e-mail address ("To" field), and sender e-mail address. ("From" field) and other predetermined information such as a mail header part, a text part part for carrying text data, and a binary part part for carrying facsimile image information. MIM obtained by converting information to MIME
E-encoded data is arranged.

Further, the facsimile image information carried by electronic mail is obtained by compressing the original image data by MH coding and converting it into the TIFF-F format. Therefore, the MIME encoded data is the T image.
The IFF-F data obtained by MIME conversion is arranged.

Here, in the TIFF-F format,
Since the image data of a plurality of pages can be collected as one file, the data of one transmission image information file consisting of a plurality of pages can be arranged in one binary part part. Further, the structure of the TIFF-F format is as follows: "header"-"first page header"-"first page".
“Page data”-“second page header”-“second page data” (hereinafter, repeated).

With the above configuration, when the group 3 facsimile apparatus GF uses this gateway apparatus GW to transmit image information to another terminal or the like, for example, as shown in FIG.
First, the group 3 facsimile apparatus GF makes a call to the gateway apparatus GW, whereby a line is established between the group 3 facsimile apparatus GF and the gateway apparatus GW.

In this way, when the line is established, the group 3 facsimile apparatus GF sends out the signal CNG which is a facsimile calling signal, and the gateway apparatus GW sends the signal C.
When NG is received, it responds to the signal CED, and sends out a signal DIS for notifying the function of the terminal itself and a signal CSI for notifying the identification information (telephone number) of the terminal as an optional signal.

As a result, the group 3 facsimile apparatus GF transmits the signal DCS for designating the transmission function etc. to the gateway apparatus GW. At this time, as an optional signal, a signal IRA for notifying the e-mail address of the transmission destination, a signal TSI for notifying the identification information of the own terminal, and a signal S for designating the sub address.
Signal SID for notifying UB and authentication information
Are sent as needed. In this case, the signal IRA
Will be sent to notify the email address of the recipient.

Next, the group 3 facsimile machine GF
Sends a signal TCF for a modem training procedure, and if the reception result of the signal TCF is good, the gateway device GW responds with a signal CFR.

In this way, when the pre-transmission procedure is completed, the group 3 facsimile apparatus GF transmits the image information PIX-1 of the first page, and when the transmission is completed, there is a subsequent page in this case. The signal PPS-MPS is transmitted as a post-transmission signal.

When the gateway device GW receives the image information PIX-1 of the first page from the group 3 facsimile device GF, the gateway device GW starts and can create the above-mentioned text information of the electronic mail based on the received image information. The data is sequentially transmitted to the server device SM from the other part.

Here, in the text information of the electronic mail created by the gateway device GW, as described above, the TIFF-
The F format image information is converted into MIME, and therefore, the gateway device GW decodes the received facsimile image information into the original image data,
The image data is converted into image information in TIFF-F format, and the image information in TIFF-F format is converted into MI.
Since the process of ME conversion is performed, it takes a relatively long time to finish the transmission of the body information of the electronic mail corresponding to the image information for one page.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the gateway device GW does not send, for example, a signal MCF for notifying that reception is normally completed as a signal to respond after the reception of image information is completed, Send out the signal RNR. As a result, the group 3 facsimile apparatus GF causes the signal R
R is returned and the transmission operation or line restoration operation on the next page is not performed.

Then, the gateway device GW sends the signal RNR and the signal to and from the other terminal group 3 facsimile device GF until the transmission of the body information of the electronic mail corresponding to the image information for one page is completed. Repeat the RR sequence.

In this way, from the reception of the image information for one page to the end of the transmission of the body information of the electronic mail corresponding to the image information for one page, the gateway device GW is operated by the group 3 facsimile. The signal RNR and the signal RR are exchanged with the device GF to hold the line with the group 3 facsimile device GF.

When the transmission of the body information of the electronic mail corresponding to the image information for one page is completed, the gateway device GW responds with the signal MCF as a response signal. As a result, the group 3 facsimile apparatus GF starts the transmission of the image information PIX-2 of the next page, and when the transmission is completed, in this case, since there is no subsequent page, the signal PPS-EOP is transmitted as a post-transmission signal. To do.

In this case as well, when the gateway device GW similarly receives the image information PIX-2 of the second page from the group 3 facsimile device GF, based on the received image information, the text information of the above-mentioned electronic mail is obtained. Is started, and the parts that have been created are sequentially transmitted to the server device SM.

Then, the gateway device GW sends out a signal RNR as a signal responding after receiving the image information, and the body of the electronic mail corresponding to the image information for one page (in this case, the second page). Until the end of information transmission, the other terminal is a group 3 facsimile apparatus G
The sequence of the signal RNR and the signal RR with F is repeated.

When the transmission of the text information of the electronic mail corresponding to the image information for one page is completed, the gateway device GW responds with the signal MCF as a response signal. As a result, the group 3 facsimile apparatus GF can send the signal DC
Send N to restore the line. When the gateway device GW receives the signal DCN, the gateway device GW restores the line.

Here, the transmission of the electronic mail is continuously performed from the start of the transmission of the first page to the end of the transmission of the second page (the last page in this case). When the transmission of is completed, it ends.

FIG. 5 shows the gateway device GW in this case.
3 shows an example of processing relating to the facsimile gateway function performed by the above.

First, the reception of the image information transmitted from the group 3 facsimile apparatus GF on the transmission side is started (process 10).
1) While receiving the image information, the process of creating and transmitting the body information of the electronic mail is started (process 102). When the reception of the image information for one page is completed, the signal PPS-MPS or the signal PPS-EOP is received as the post-transmission signal (process 103).

At this time, it is checked whether the transmission of the image information for one page is completed (decision 104), and the judgment 104
When the result is NO, the signal RNR is transmitted (process 106) and the signal RR is received (process 106).

Then, the process returns to the judgment 104, and if the transmission of the image information for one page is not completed, the process 10 is executed again.
5 and 106 are executed.

When the transmission of the image information for one page is completed and the result of the judgment 104 is YES,
Respond with the signal MCF (process 107), at which time the signal P
It is checked whether PS-EOP has been received (decision 108).

When the result of judgment 108 is NO,
The process returns to the process 102 to perform the process for the subsequent page. When the result of judgment 108 is YES,
The signal DCN is received (process 109), and this process ends.

In this way, in this embodiment, until the transfer of the image information for one page is completed, the line is held with the group 3 facsimile apparatus GF on the transmitting side, and after the transfer is completed, the signal MCF is maintained. Is transmitted to the group 3 facsimile apparatus GF on the transmitting side, the group 3 facsimile apparatus GF on the transmitting side is set to the gateway apparatus G.
The reception confirmation can be performed immediately after the transmission of W is completed, and for example, the gateway device GW does not need to separately send a notification for reception confirmation to the group 3 facsimile device GF of the transmission source, which results in unnecessary communication cost. Can be suppressed.

FIG. 6 shows a group 3 facsimile machine GF.
Shows another example of the communication operation when image information is transmitted to another terminal or the like using this gateway device GW.

In this case, first, the group 3 facsimile apparatus GF makes a call to the gateway apparatus GW, whereby a line is established between the group 3 facsimile apparatus GF and the gateway apparatus GW.

In this way, when the line is established, the group 3 facsimile apparatus GF sends out the signal CNG which is a facsimile calling signal, and the gateway apparatus GW sends the signal C.
When NG is received, it responds to the signal CED, and sends out a signal DIS for notifying the function of the terminal itself and a signal CSI for notifying the identification information (telephone number) of the terminal as an optional signal.

As a result, the group 3 facsimile apparatus GF transmits the signal DCS for designating the transmission function etc. to the gateway apparatus GW. At this time, as an optional signal, a signal IRA for notifying the e-mail address of the transmission destination, a signal TSI for notifying the identification information of the own terminal, and a signal S for designating the sub address.
Signal SID for notifying UB and authentication information
Are sent as needed. In this case, the signal IRA
Will be sent to notify the email address of the recipient.

Next, the group 3 facsimile machine GF
Sends a signal TCF for a modem training procedure, and if the reception result of the signal TCF is good, the gateway device GW responds with a signal CFR.

In this way, when the pre-transmission procedure is completed, the group 3 facsimile apparatus GF transmits the image information PIX-1 of the first page, and when the transmission is completed, there is a subsequent page in this case. The signal MPS is transmitted as a post-transmission signal.

When the gateway apparatus GW receives the image information PIX-1 of the first page from the group 3 facsimile apparatus GF, the gateway apparatus GW starts and can create the above-mentioned text information of the electronic mail based on the received image information. The data is sequentially transmitted to the server device SM from the other part.

Here, in the text information of the electronic mail created by the gateway device GW, as described above, the TIFF-
The F format image information is converted into MIME, and therefore, the gateway device GW decodes the received facsimile image information into the original image data,
The image data is converted into image information in TIFF-F format, and the image information in TIFF-F format is converted into MI.
Since the process of ME conversion is performed, it takes a relatively long time to finish the transmission of the body information of the electronic mail corresponding to the image information for one page.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the gateway device GW does not send, for example, a signal MCF for notifying that the reception is normally completed as a signal to respond after the reception of the image information is completed, The signal RTN is transmitted. As a result, the group 3 facsimile apparatus GF shifts to the retransmission operation for the same page.

In this resending operation, the group 3 facsimile apparatus GF sends the signal DCS for designating the transmission function and the like.
To the gateway device GW, and then sends out a signal TCF for the modem training procedure, which signal T
If the CF reception result is good, the gateway device G
W responds with a signal CFR.

In this way, when the pre-transmission procedure is completed, the group 3 facsimile apparatus GF retransmits the image information PIX-1 of the first page, and when the transmission is completed, there is a subsequent page in this case. , The signal MPS is transmitted as a post-transmission signal.

While receiving the image information related to this re-sending operation, the gateway device GW discards the received image information.

On the other hand, when the gateway device GW finishes transmitting the body information of the electronic mail corresponding to the image information for one page, it outputs the signal MC as a response signal corresponding to the signal MPS.
Reply F. As a result, the group 3 facsimile apparatus GF starts the transmission of the image information PIX-2 of the next page, and when the transmission is completed, in this case, since there is no subsequent page, the signal EOP is transmitted as a post-transmission signal.

In this case as well, when the gateway device GW similarly receives the image information PIX-2 of the second page from the group 3 facsimile device GF, based on the received image information, the text information of the above-mentioned electronic mail is obtained. Is started, and the parts that have been created are sequentially transmitted to the server device SM.

Then, the gateway device GW sends out a signal RTN as a signal to respond after receiving the image information. As a result, the group 3 facsimile machine G
F shifts to the retransmission operation of the same page.

In this resending operation, the group 3 facsimile apparatus GF sends the signal DCS for designating the transmission function and the like.
To the gateway device GW, and then sends out a signal TCF for the modem training procedure, which signal T
If the CF reception result is good, the gateway device G
W responds with a signal CFR.

In this way, when the pre-transmission procedure is completed, the group 3 facsimile apparatus GF retransmits the image information PIX-2 of the second page, and when the transmission is completed, there is a subsequent page in this case. , The signal MPS is transmitted as a post-transmission signal.

While receiving the image information related to the resending operation, the gateway device GW discards the received image information.

When the transmission of the body information of the electronic mail corresponding to the image information for one page is completed, the gateway device GW responds with the signal MCF as a response signal. As a result, the group 3 facsimile apparatus GF can send the signal DC
Send N to restore the line. When the gateway device GW receives the signal DCN, the gateway device GW restores the line.

FIG. 7 shows the gateway device GW in this case.
3 shows an example of processing relating to the facsimile gateway function performed by the above.

First, the reception of the image information transmitted from the group 3 facsimile apparatus GF on the transmission side is started (process 20).
1) While receiving the image information, the process of creating and transmitting the body information of the electronic mail is started (process 202). When the reception of the image information for one page is completed, the signal MPS or the signal EOP is received as the post-transmission signal (Process 20).
3).

At this time, it is checked whether the transmission of the image information for one page is completed (decision 204), and the judgment 204
When the result is NO, the signal RTN is transmitted (process 206), the image information of the same page that has been received is received again, and the received image information is discarded (process 206).

Then, the process returns to the judgment 204, and if the transmission of the image information for one page is not completed, the process 20 is executed again.
5,206 is executed.

When the transmission of the image information for one page is completed and the result of the judgment 204 is YES,
The signal MCF is responded (process 207), and at that time, the signal E
Check if OP has been received (decision 20)
8).

When the result of judgment 208 is NO,
The process returns to the process 202 to perform the process for the subsequent page. When the result of the determination 208 is YES,
The signal DCN is received (process 209), and this process ends.

In this way, in this embodiment, until the transfer of the image information for one page is completed, the line is held with the group 3 facsimile apparatus GF on the transmission side, and after the transfer is completed, the signal MCF is set. Is transmitted to the group 3 facsimile apparatus GF on the transmitting side, the group 3 facsimile apparatus GF on the transmitting side is set to the gateway apparatus G.
The reception confirmation can be performed immediately after the transmission of W is completed, and for example, the gateway device GW does not need to separately send a notification for reception confirmation to the group 3 facsimile device GF of the transmission source, which results in unnecessary communication cost. Can be suppressed.

FIG. 8 shows a group 3 facsimile machine GF.
Shows another example (ECM mode) of the communication operation when image information is transmitted to another terminal or the like using this gateway device GW.

In this case, first, the group 3 facsimile apparatus GF makes a call to the gateway apparatus GW, whereby a line is established between the group 3 facsimile apparatus GF and the gateway apparatus GW.

In this way, when the line is established, the group 3 facsimile apparatus GF sends out the signal CNG which is a facsimile calling signal, and the gateway apparatus GW sends the signal C.
When NG is received, it responds to the signal CED, and sends out a signal DIS for notifying the function of the terminal itself and a signal CSI for notifying the identification information (telephone number) of the terminal as an optional signal.

As a result, the group 3 facsimile apparatus GF transmits the signal DCS for designating the transmission function etc. to the gateway apparatus GW. At this time, as an optional signal, a signal IRA for notifying the e-mail address of the transmission destination, a signal TSI for notifying the identification information of the own terminal, and a signal S for designating the sub address.
Signal SID for notifying UB and authentication information
Are sent as needed. In this case, the signal IRA
Will be sent to notify the email address of the recipient.

Next, the group 3 facsimile machine GF
Sends a signal TCF for a modem training procedure, and if the reception result of the signal TCF is good, the gateway device GW responds with a signal CFR.

In this way, when the pre-transmission procedure is completed, the group 3 facsimile apparatus GF transmits the image information PIX-1 of the first page in the ECM mode, and when the transmission is completed, the succeeding page in this case is transmitted. Therefore, the signal PPS-MPS is transmitted as a post-transmission signal.

When the gateway apparatus GW receives the image information PIX-1 of the first page from the group 3 facsimile apparatus GF, the gateway apparatus GW starts and can create the above-mentioned text information of the electronic mail based on the received image information. The data is sequentially transmitted to the server device SM from the other part.

Here, in the text information of the electronic mail created by the gateway device GW, as described above, the TIFF-
The F format image information is converted into MIME, and therefore, the gateway device GW decodes the received facsimile image information into the original image data,
The image data is converted into image information in TIFF-F format, and the image information in TIFF-F format is converted into MI.
Since the process of ME conversion is performed, it takes a relatively long time to finish the transmission of the body information of the electronic mail corresponding to the image information for one page.

Therefore, in this embodiment, the gateway device GW does not send, for example, a signal MCF for notifying that the reception is normally completed as a signal to respond after the reception of the image information is completed, A signal PPR designating an appropriate error frame is transmitted. As a result, Group 3
The facsimile apparatus GF shifts to the ECM mode retransmission operation of the image information of the frame designated by the signal PPR.
In this case, all the frames can be retransmitted to save time.

In this retransmission operation, the group 3 facsimile apparatus GF, the group 3 facsimile apparatus GF, the image information PIX-1 of the first page of the designated frame number.
Is transmitted again, and when the transmission is completed, in this case, since there is a subsequent page, the signal PPS-MP is transmitted as a post-transmission signal.
Send S.

When receiving the image information related to the resending operation, the gateway device GW discards the received image information.

On the other hand, when the gateway device GW finishes transmitting the body information of the electronic mail corresponding to the image information for one page, it responds with the signal MCF as a response signal corresponding to the signal PPS-MPS. As a result, the group 3 facsimile apparatus GF starts transmitting the image information of the next page. In this case, the image information on the second page is divided and transmitted in two blocks. That is, the group 3 facsimile apparatus GF has the image information PIX of the first block of the second page.
2-1 and signal PPS-NULL, then 2
The image information PIX-2-2 of the second block of the page and the signal PPS-EOP are transmitted.

In this case also, when the gateway device GW receives the image information PIX-2-1 and PIX-2-2 of the second page from the group 3 facsimile device GF in the same manner, based on the received image information. , The creation of the text information of the above-mentioned e-mail is started, and the parts that have been created are sequentially transmitted to the server device SM.

In this case, the gateway device GW
Received the image information PIX-2-1 of the first block, it received the signal PPS-NULL as a post-transmission signal, and therefore knew that there was a subsequent block, and therefore responded with the signal MCF as a response signal, Prompt to send the next block.

On the other hand, the image information PIX-2- of the second block.
When 2 is received, the signal PPR is responded to retransmit the same block in order to save time.

As a result, the group 3 facsimile apparatus GF receives the image information E of the frame designated by the signal PPR.
The operation shifts to the CM mode retransmission operation.

In this retransmission operation, the group 3 facsimile apparatus GF, the group 3 facsimile apparatus GF, the image information PIX-2 of the second page of the designated frame number.
-2 is transmitted again, and when the transmission is completed, the signal PPS-EOP is transmitted as a post-transmission signal because it is the last block of the last page in this case.

When receiving the image information related to the resend operation, the gateway device GW discards the received image information.

When the transmission of the body information of the electronic mail corresponding to the image information for one page is completed, the gateway device GW responds with the signal MCF as a response signal. As a result, the group 3 facsimile apparatus GF can send the signal DC
Send N to restore the line. When the gateway device GW receives the signal DCN, the gateway device GW restores the line.

FIG. 9 shows the gateway device GW in this case.
3 shows an example of processing relating to the facsimile gateway function performed by the above.

First, the reception of the image information (ECM mode) transmitted from the group 3 facsimile apparatus GF on the transmission side is started (process 301), and while the image information is being received, the text information of the electronic mail is created and transmitted. The process to perform is started (process 302). After receiving the image information for one page,
As the post-transmission signal, the signal PPS-MPS or the signal PP
The S-EOP is received (process 303).

At this time, it is checked whether the transmission of the image information for one page is completed (judgment 304), and judgment 304
When the result is NO, the signal PPR designating an appropriate error frame is transmitted (process 306), the image information of the same block that has been received is received again, and the received image information is discarded ( Process 306).

Then, the process returns to the judgment 304, and if the transmission of the image information for one page is not completed, the process 30 is performed again.
5, 306 is executed.

When the transmission of the image information for one page is completed and the result of the judgment 304 is YES,
Respond to the signal MCF (process 307), at which time the signal P
It is checked whether PS-EOP has been received (decision 308).

When the result of the judgment 308 is NO,
The process returns to the process 302 to perform the process for the subsequent page. When the result of determination 308 is YES,
The signal DCN is received (process 309), and this process ends.

In this way, in this embodiment, until the transfer of the image information for one page is completed, the line is held with the group 3 facsimile apparatus GF on the transmitting side, and the signal MCF is set after the transfer is completed. Is transmitted to the group 3 facsimile apparatus GF on the transmitting side, the group 3 facsimile apparatus GF on the transmitting side is set to the gateway apparatus G.
The reception confirmation can be performed immediately after the transmission of W is completed, and for example, the gateway device GW does not need to separately send a notification for reception confirmation to the group 3 facsimile device GF of the transmission source, which results in unnecessary communication cost. Can be suppressed.

FIG. 10 shows an example of the SMTP sequence performed between the gateway device GW and the MTA of the server device SM when sending an electronic mail. In this case, the delivery confirmation (DSN) by mail is requested at the same time. The support of the DSN of the server device SM can be determined by the DSN display (response) to the EHLO command. "RC
PT TO "command option" NOTIFY = S
UCCESS, FAILURE "to request delivery confirmation. Also," MAIL FROM "command option"
ENVID "is used in the returned DSN.

FIG. 11 shows an example of a DSN mail returned from the server device SM in response to a DSN request.

The most important part of this DSN mail is the second
Part, "Content-Type: mes"
The delivery status is indicated by "sage / delivery-status".

In addition, "Action: deliver
"Final-Recipen" by the "ed" field
It is shown that it was delivered to t: ". Also," O "
The original-Envelope-Id: field has a "MAIL FROM" command (see FIG. 10).
The "ENVID" ID is described.

By using this DSN, it is possible to confirm that the electronic mail has been delivered to the MTA on the destination side, so that it can be used as reference information when responding to the reception confirmation.

Further, one of the MIME formats has a partial page transmission function. This is used, for example, to divide a large-sized data file into a plurality of pages for transmission, and for the receiving side to collect the divided pages and create the original data file.

As described above, the image information in the TIFF-F format is "header"-"first page header"-
"First page data"-"Second page header"-"Second page"
Since it has a structure such as "page data" (hereinafter, repeated), it is possible to apply each partial page to a partial page and use this partial page transmission function.

For example, when transmitting the image information of three pages, the MIME as shown in FIGS. 12 (a), 12 (b) and 12 (c).
"Message-partial" can be applied. Here, in Content-Type, "me
"sage-partial" is included in the
Includes numbers (corresponding to page numbers here). Always tot for the final partial (page)
al is included, which allows the recipient of the email to
You can know the end of the email.

[0123]

As described above, according to the present invention,
When the image information is received from the group 3 facsimile machine connected to the public line network and also connected to the public line network, the received image information is sent to the destination of the designated electronic mail address by electronic mail. When receiving image information from a group 3 facsimile device connected to a public line network in a facsimile gateway device having an on-ramp gateway function for transmitting by using, an e-mail carrying the received image information is created and transmitted, After obtaining the transmission result of the e-mail, the reception confirmation signal is transmitted to the group 3 facsimile device, and the line with the group 3 facsimile device is connected from the completion of receiving the image information to the transmission of the reception confirmation signal. Since it is kept, group 3 on the sending side
In the facsimile device, the reception confirmation can be performed immediately after the end of transmission of the on-ramp gateway device.
The on-ramp gateway device does not need to separately provide a notification for reception confirmation to the group 3 facsimile device that is the transmission source, and it is possible to obtain an effect that wasteful communication costs can be suppressed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a network system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a gateway device GW.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an electronic mail used when transmitting facsimile image information.

FIG. 4 is a time chart showing an example of a communication operation when the group 3 facsimile device GF uses the gateway device GW to transmit image information to another terminal or the like.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of processing relating to a facsimile gateway function performed by the gateway device GW.

FIG. 6 is a time chart showing another example of the communication operation when the group 3 facsimile device GF uses the gateway device GW to transmit image information to another terminal or the like.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing another example of processing relating to a facsimile gateway function performed by the gateway device GW.

FIG. 8 is a time chart showing still another example of the communication operation when the group 3 facsimile device GF uses the gateway device GW to transmit image information to another terminal or the like.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing yet another example of processing relating to a facsimile gateway function performed by the gateway device GW.

FIG. 10 is a time chart showing an example of an SMTP sequence performed between the gateway device GW and the MTA of the server device SM when sending an electronic mail.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a DSN mail returned from the server device SM in response to a DSN request.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a header applied when transmitting image information of three pages using the partial page transmission function.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 System control unit 2 system memory 3 parameter memory

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. When image information is received from a group 3 facsimile machine connected to a public line network and connected to the network, the received image information is transferred to a designated electronic mail address. When receiving image information from a group 3 facsimile machine connected to a public line network in a facsimile gateway machine equipped with an on-ramp gateway function for sending to a destination using electronic mail, create an e-mail carrying the received image information. Then, after receiving the transmission result of the e-mail, a reception confirmation signal is transmitted to the group 3 facsimile apparatus, and the group 3 facsimile is transmitted from the completion of receiving the image information to the transmission of the reception confirmation signal. Facsimile gateway device characterized by holding a line with the device . 2. The holding of the line with the group 3 facsimile apparatus from the completion of reception of image information to the transmission of the reception confirmation signal is performed by using a sequence of transmitting a signal RNR and receiving a signal RR. The facsimile gateway device according to claim 1. 3. The line holding with the group 3 facsimile apparatus from the completion of reception of image information to the transmission of the reception confirmation signal is performed by a signal RTN as a signal after completion of reception of image information.
2. The facsimile gateway apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the facsimile gateway apparatus is performed by sending a request to retransmit image information of the same page. 4. The holding of the line with the group 3 facsimile apparatus from the completion of the reception of the image information to the transmission of the reception confirmation signal is a signal PPR as a signal after the completion of the reception of the image information.
2. The facsimile gateway apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the facsimile gateway apparatus is performed by sending a message and requesting retransmission of image information. 5. The delivery confirmation request by DNS is requested at the time of sending an electronic mail, and the receipt confirmation signal is sent after a response to the delivery confirmation request is received. The facsimile gateway device according to claim 3 or 4. 6. The electronic mail carrying the image information is MIM.
6. The facsimile according to claim 1, wherein the multi-part / partial field of E is included, and the text information includes one page of image information. Gateway device.