JP2003274109A - Internet facsimile machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an Internet facsimile machine which is connected to the Internet, a LAN, or the like and is capable of mail communication using electronic mails. <P>SOLUTION: The Internet facsimile machine SIFX1 temporarily switches its own mail address, account, and password to a mail address, an account, and a password of another Internet facsimile machine IFX1-1 or the like, which are registered in an address table, to receive an electronic mail addressed to the other Internet facsimile machine IFX1-1 or the like. When the data size of the image data attached to the electronic mail is larger than the image data size which can be processed by the other Internet facsimile machine IFX1-1 or the like registered in the address table, the Internet facsimile machine SIFX1 converts the data size of the received image data to the data size which can be processed by the other Internet facsimile machine IFX1-1 or the like, and thereafter, the Internet facsimile machine SIFX1 attaches the image data to the electronic mail and transmits to the other Internet facsimile machine IFX1-1 or the like. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an internet facsimile machine, and more particularly to the internet, L
The present invention relates to an Internet facsimile machine connected to an AN or a public network and capable of mail communication using electronic mail.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a facsimile apparatus has been used as a so-called stand-alone that operates by itself, and the conventional facsimile communication procedure (transmission procedure) is IT.
U (International Telecommunication Union) -T Recommendation T. 30.

In recent years, facsimile machines have been using LAN I /
As a result, F has come to be equipped, and an Internet facsimile apparatus has been proposed that uses the Internet as a facsimile apparatus and performs facsimile communication of a facsimile document converted into an electronic mail format as an attached file of an electronic mail (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-2000). -6926
No. 4, JP-A-10-164124, etc.).

In the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 2000-69264 and 10-164124, the transmitting side transmits image data in a data format that can be processed by the receiving side. In such Internet facsimile communication, the transmitting side transmits image data regardless of the image data size that can be processed by the receiving side device.

[0005]

However, in such conventional Internet facsimile communication, the transmitting side transmits the image data regardless of the image data size that can be processed by the receiving side device. On the receiving side, the received image data may not be processed in some cases, resulting in poor availability.

Therefore, the invention according to claim 1 is the mail address, account, password of another Internet facsimile machine installed in the domain of the local area network to which it is connected, and the other Internet facsimile machine. The size of image data that can be processed is registered in the address table, and its own e-mail address, account and password are temporarily switched to the e-mail address, account and password of another Internet facsimile machine registered in the address table. Receives an e-mail addressed to another Internet facsimile machine, and the data size of the image data attached to the received e-mail addressed to the other Internet facsimile machine is registered in the address table. If it is larger than the image data size that can be processed by the other internet facsimile apparatus, the data size of the received image data is converted into a data size that can be processed by the other internet facsimile apparatus, and the image after the data size conversion is performed. By attaching the data to an e-mail and performing an alternative reception data conversion process that sends it to the other Internet facsimile machine, it cannot normally be received by another Internet facsimile machine connected to the same local area network. Even when large image data is sent, the image data can be received with a data size that can be processed,
It is an object of the present invention to provide an internet facsimile apparatus having a good usability by appropriately receiving image data even with an inexpensive internet facsimile apparatus having a small memory capacity.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to process the mail address, account and password of another Internet facsimile machine installed in the domain of the local area network to which it is connected and the other Internet facsimile machine. A different data format, etc. in the address table, and temporarily switch its own mail address, account and password to the mail address, account and password of another Internet facsimile machine registered in the address table. When an e-mail addressed to a facsimile machine is received, the data format of the image data attached to the received e-mail addressed to the other internet facsimile machine is registered in the address table. If the data format differs from the data format that can be processed by a fax machine, the data format of the received image data is converted into a data format that can be processed by the other Internet facsimile machine, and the image data after the data format conversion is sent by e-mail. By performing the alternative reception data conversion process that is sent to the other Internet facsimile machine, the image of a data format that cannot be normally received by another Internet facsimile machine connected to the same local area network. Even when data is transmitted, the image data can be received in a processable data format so that even a low-cost internet facsimile machine with a small memory capacity can properly receive the image data to improve the usability. To provide a good Internet facsimile machine It is an object.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the reception intervals of electronic mails of other Internet facsimile machines are also registered in the address table of the data storage means, and the receptions of other Internet facsimile machines registered in the address table are registered. Even if one e-mail is sent to two or more internet facsimile machines in the domain, the reception confirmation between the internet facsimile machine and another internet facsimile machine is performed by performing the alternative reception data conversion process according to the interval. It is an object of the present invention to provide an internet facsimile apparatus having a better usability by matching the intervals and preventing the traffic of the local area network from increasing.

[0009]

An internet facsimile apparatus according to the present invention is a facsimile communication function for transmitting and receiving facsimile data via a public line, and a local area connected to an internet provider via a leased line. An e-mail communication function connected to a network for sending and receiving e-mail on the local area network and the Internet, and a data size conversion means for converting the data size of the image data attached to the e-mail into various data sizes. And the registered mail address, account, password of the other internet facsimile machine installed in the domain of the local area network, and the image data size that the other internet facsimile machine can process. Data storage means for storing an address table, and temporarily stores its own mail address, account and password in the mail address, account and password of another Internet facsimile machine registered in the address table of the data storage means. The electronic mail addressed to the other internet facsimile machine is switched and the data size of the image data attached to the received e-mail addressed to the other internet fax machine is registered in the address table of the data storage means. If it is larger than the image data size that can be processed by the other Internet facsimile machine, the data size of the received image data is set to the data size that can be processed by the other Internet facsimile machine. The above object is achieved by performing the alternative reception data conversion process in which the image data after the data size conversion is attached to the e-mail and is transmitted to the other Internet facsimile machine by performing the alternate reception data conversion process. .

According to the above configuration, the mail address, account, password of another Internet facsimile machine installed in the domain of the local area network to which it is connected and the image which can be processed by the other Internet facsimile machine. Register the data size etc. in the address table,
The account and password are temporarily switched to the mail address, account and password of the other internet facsimile machine registered in the address table, and the e-mail addressed to the other internet facsimile machine is received, and the other internet received. If the data size of the image data attached to the e-mail addressed to the facsimile device is larger than the image data size that can be processed by the other internet facsimile device registered in the address table, the data size of the received image data. To a data size that can be processed by the other Internet facsimile machine, attach the image data after the data size conversion to an e-mail, and send it to the other Internet facsimile machine. Since conversion processing is performed, even when large image data that cannot be normally received is sent to another Internet facsimile machine connected to the same local area network, the image data can be received with a data size that can be processed. Therefore, even an inexpensive internet facsimile apparatus having a small memory capacity can properly receive image data and improve usability.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an internet facsimile apparatus which is connected to a local area network connected to an internet provider via a leased line and a facsimile communication function for transmitting and receiving facsimile data via a public line. An electronic mail communication function for transmitting and receiving electronic mail on a local area network and the Internet, a data format conversion means for converting the data format of image data attached to the electronic mail into various data formats, and the local area network Stores the registered address table of mail addresses, accounts, passwords of other Internet facsimile machines installed in the domain of other Internet facsimile machines, and the data formats that can be processed by the other Internet facsimile machines. Data storage means, and temporarily switches its own email address, account and password to the email address, account and password of another Internet facsimile machine registered in the address table of the data storage means. Received an e-mail addressed to
When the data format of the image data attached to the received e-mail addressed to the other internet facsimile machine is different from the data format that can be processed by the other internet facsimile machine registered in the address table of the data storage means. , The data format of the received image data is converted by the data format conversion means into a data format that can be processed by the other internet facsimile apparatus, and the image data after the data format conversion is attached to the electronic mail, The above object is achieved by performing the alternative reception data conversion process of transmitting to another Internet facsimile machine.

According to the above configuration, the mail address, account, password of another Internet facsimile machine installed in the domain of the local area network to which it is connected and the data which can be processed by the other Internet facsimile machine. By registering the format etc. in the address table and temporarily switching its own e-mail address, account and password to the e-mail address, account and password of the other internet facsimile machine registered in the address table, the other internet facsimile machine. When an e-mail addressed to another Internet facsimile machine is received, the data format of the image data attached to the received e-mail addressed to the other Internet facsimile machine is registered in the address table. If the data format differs from the data format that can be processed by the facsimile machine, the data format of the received image data is converted to the data format that can be processed by the other internet facsimile machine, and the image data after the data format conversion is attached to the e-mail. Then, since the alternative reception data conversion process for transmitting to the other internet facsimile device is performed, image data in a data format that cannot be normally received is transmitted to another internet facsimile device connected to the same local area network. In such a case, the image data can be received in a processable data format, and even an inexpensive internet facsimile apparatus with a small memory capacity can properly receive the image data, thereby improving the usability. Can be improved.

In each of the above cases, for example, as described in claim 3, the Internet facsimile machine also registers the reception interval of the electronic mail of the other Internet facsimile machine in the address table of the data storage means. Alternatively, the alternative reception data conversion processing may be performed in accordance with the reception interval of another Internet facsimile machine registered in the address table.

According to the above construction, the reception intervals of the electronic mails of the other internet facsimile machines are also registered in the address table of the data storage means, and the reception intervals of the other internet facsimile machines registered in the address table are registered. Since the alternative received data conversion process is also performed, the reception confirmation interval between the Internet facsimile machine and another Internet facsimile machine is adjusted even when one e-mail is sent to two or more Internet facsimile machines in the domain. As a result, it is possible to prevent the traffic of the local area network from increasing and it is possible to further improve the usability.

[0015]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments described below are preferred embodiments of the present invention, and therefore have various technically preferable limitations. However, the scope of the present invention refers to the present invention particularly in the following description. Unless otherwise stated, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

1 to 4 are views showing a first embodiment of an internet facsimile apparatus of the present invention, and FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the internet facsimile apparatus of the present invention.
3 is a block configuration diagram of an Internet facsimile apparatus SIFX1 to which the embodiment of FIG.

In FIG. 1, an Internet facsimile machine SIFX1 includes a control unit 1, a system memory 2, a memory 3, a compression / expansion unit 4, an operation unit 5, a scanner 6, a plotter 7, a communication control unit 8 and a LAN control unit 9. The above-mentioned units are connected to the bus.

The system memory 2 stores a system program, a basic program as the Internet facsimile machine SIFX1, an alternative received data conversion processing program which will be described later, and various data necessary for processing each of these programs.

The memory (data storage means) 3 is a random access memory and is used as a work area of the control unit 1. The memory 3 stores an address table and relay own station number as shown in FIG.

In the address table of FIG. 2, table numbers (# 01, # 02, ...), mail addresses (IFX1-1@net1.co.jp, ...), accounts (IFX1-1 ,. ..), password and image data size (64 kbytes, ...) Are stored. In addition, IFX1-1 @ of the mail address in FIG.
net1. co. "net1" of jp, ... is LA
N20 is shown, and although not shown, "net
2 ”indicates the LAN 30. The image data size indicates the maximum size of image data that can be processed by the Internet facsimile machine IFX1-1 or the like having the mail address.

The control unit (data size conversion means) 1 is C
A central processing unit (PU) or the like is used, and while the memory 3 is used as a work memory based on a program in the system memory 2, each unit of the Internet facsimile machine SIFX1 is controlled to execute basic processing as the Internet facsimile machine SIFX1. At the same time, the alternative reception data conversion process described later is executed.

The compression / expansion unit 4 compresses (encodes) the image information by a predetermined encoding method during transmission, and reproduces (decodes) the encoded image information into original information during reception.

The operation section 5 is provided with operation keys such as a numeric keypad and a start key, various function keys, and the like, and a display such as a liquid crystal display. Various commands such as a transmission operation and a reception operation are input from the operation keys of the operation unit 5, and the contents of the commands and operation contents input from the operation keys and various information notified to the operator from the Internet facsimile machine SIFX1 are displayed on the display. Is displayed.

The scanner 6 is, for example, a CCD (Charge Co
A line image sensor or the like using an upled device is used, and is generally equipped with an ADF. A plurality of originals are set in the ADF, and the ADF feeds the set originals one by one to the original reading position of the scanner 6. The scanner 6 scans the document conveyed from the ADF, reads the image of the document at a predetermined resolution, converts the image into a digital image, and performs image processing.

As the plotter 7, for example, a thermal recording device, an electrophotographic recording device, an ink jet recording device, or the like is used. The plotter 7 is a recording paper, a received image, and is read by the scanner 6. In addition to recording and outputting the image of the original document, various reports are also recorded and output on recording paper.

The communication control unit 8 exchanges a facsimile control signal with a destination facsimile machine connected via a public network or a LAN, converts data, and executes a facsimile communication procedure. And network control.

The LAN control unit 9 is a LAN (Local Area N
etwork) Ethernet (registered trademark) cable, and is used for data link layer control and physical layer control, specifically TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol /
Internet Protocol) and SMTP (Simple Mail Transfe)
r Protocol) / POP (Point Of Production) and other protocols are controlled.

The Internet facsimile machine SIFX1 is connected to a LAN 20, as shown in FIG. 3, and a plurality of Internet facsimile machines IFX1-1, IFX1-2, ... And a mail server SV1 are connected to the LAN 20. Has been done. The LAN 20 is connected to the Internet INT via the router RT1, and another LAN 30 is connected to the Internet INT via the router RT2. Other LAN30
Internet facsimile machine IFX2-1,
... or the mail server SV2 or the like is connected.

Internet facsimile machine IFX1
-1, IFX1-2, ..., Internet facsimile machines IFX2-1, ... Have a function of performing facsimile communication of a facsimile document converted into an electronic mail format as an attached file of an electronic mail. , The Internet facsimile machine SIFX
It does not have an alternative reception data conversion processing function such as.

Each domain centered on the LAN 20 and LAN 30 is connected to the Internet INT provider by a dedicated line via the routers RT1 and RT2, respectively.

Data is exchanged between the terminals connected to the LAN 20 and LAN 30 and the Internet INT by the TCP / IP transport layer protocol and the protocol of the upper layer, and the transmission and reception of the electronic mail data is performed by the upper layer. As the protocol of
SMTP is used, and POP or the like is used as a reception confirmation protocol.

For example, the electronic mail from the terminal connected to the LAN 30 is temporarily stored in the mail server SV2, and if it is not the network address set in the domain of the LAN 30, it is sent to the Internet INT via the router RT2. To be done.

The Internet INT sends the electronic mail sent from the LAN 30 to the domain that matches the network address by the data transfer function of the Internet INT.

At this time, the Internet INT transmits the electronic mail to the mail server SV1 via the router RT1 when the network address of the electronic mail matches the network address of the LAN 20.

Each terminal connected to the LAN 20 confirms the reception with respect to the mail server SV1 and receives the electronic mail data addressed to itself.

The e-mail is composed of header information and body information, and the header information is the transmission date information Da.
te field, Mess indicating identification information of email
It is composed of an age-ID field, a From field for displaying a sender, a To field for displaying a destination address, a Subject field for displaying a title of a text, and the like.

The text information of this e-mail is basically 7
Although it is readable information of bit, since the image data is binary data, MIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail)
It is necessary to convert to Extentions) format information.

[0038] Then, the body information is MIME-Versio indicating that the body information is the body information in the MIME format.
Content-Transfer-Enc displaying an encoding scheme such as n-field or base64 encoding scheme
It consists of an odding field and MIME information encoded by the base64 encoding method.

For example, here, TIFF (Tag Im
age File Format) is used, and the TIFF format supports the following profiles.

Profile-S: Monochrome binary image, MH encoding method Profile-F: Monochrome binary image, MH, MR, MM
R coding method Profile-J: monochrome binary image, JPIG coding method Profile-C: color image, JPEG coding method Profile-L: color value image, JBIG coding method Profile-M: color value image, MH, MR, MM
R, JPEG, JBIG Encoding Method Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. The Internet facsimile machine SIFX1 of the present embodiment is another Internet facsimile machine IF of the LAN 20 to which the Internet facsimile machine SIFX1 is connected.
X1-1, IFX1-2, ... E-mail addressed to the server SV1 is once received, and the image data size is changed to the other internet facsimile apparatus IFX1-1, IF.
The image data size that can be processed by X1-2, ...
1-1, IFX1-2, ...

The operation of the Internet facsimile machine SIFX1 described later is performed by the CPU of the control unit 1.
It is realized by the system program in the system memory 2 and the alternative reception data conversion processing program, and the activation and scheduling of each task are controlled by the monitor unit of the program. Regarding the simultaneity of operations of the Internet facsimile machine SIFX1, the existing multitasking, real-time OS (Operating Syst.
It can be easily realized by using the concept of (em) in the monitor unit.

Now, description will be made below assuming that the Internet facsimile machine IFX2-1 of the LAN 30 transmits an electronic mail with image data attached to the Internet facsimile machine IFX1-1 of the LAN 20.

The e-mail attached with the image data from the Internet facsimile machine IFX2-1 of the LAN 30 is the mail server SV2 and the router RT of the LAN 30.
2 is sent to the Internet INT via the Internet 2, and is transferred from the Internet INT to the mail server SV1 of the LAN 20 via the router RT1.

Then, in the internet facsimile apparatus SIFX1, the substitute reception data conversion processing program is activated by the scheduling of the monitor portion of the system program stored in the memory 3, and executes the processing shown in FIG.

First, the Internet facsimile machine S
As shown in FIG. 4, the IFX 1 is configured so that the control unit 1 stores the memory 3
It is checked whether there is address table data from the beginning of the table number (table number) of the address table (step S101). If there is no data in the address table of the table number, for example, if there is no data in table number # 01, , Step S109
And the address table number (table number) is incremented by "1" (step S10).
9), it is checked whether the address table number (table number) is the last number (#n) (step S1).
10).

In step S110, when the address table number is not the last number, the control section 1
Returning to step S101, it is checked whether or not there is address table data for the incremented address table number (step S10).
1) If there is data in the address table of the table number, the address, account, and password of the own machine (Internet facsimile machine SIFX1) are changed by referring to the address field of the address table of the table number (step S102). .

The control unit 1 confirms the reception with respect to the server SV1 (step S103) and checks whether there is an electronic mail addressed to the mail address (step S10).
4) If there is no e-mail, move to step S109 and perform the same processing as above (steps S109 and S).
110, S101-S104).

If there is an electronic mail in step S104, the control unit 1 receives the electronic mail from the server SV1 (step S105), refers to the image data size field of the address table of the address table number, Compared with the received image data size, it is checked whether the received image data size is larger than the image data size in the image data size field of the address table of the address table number (step S106).

When the received image data size is larger than the image data size of the image data size field of the address table of the address table number in step S106, the control section 1 sets the received image data to the Internet of the address table number. When it is determined that the facsimile machine IFX1-1 or the like cannot perform image processing, the image data size is converted into an image data size that can be image-processed by the Internet facsimile machine IFX1-1 or the like having the address table number (step S107). An electronic mail attached with the image data whose size has been converted is transmitted to the address in the address field of the address table number of the address table (step S108).

Next, the control unit 1 increments the dress table number (table number) by "1" (step S109) and checks whether the address table number (table number) is the last number (#n). (Step S110).

When the received image data size is smaller than the image data size in the image data size field of the address table of the address table number in step S106, the control section 1 sets the received image data to the address table number. The Internet facsimile machine IFX1-1 or the like determines that the image data can be processed, and the e-mail to which the image data is attached is converted into the address field of the address table number of the address table without converting the size of the image data. Send to address (step S10
8), increment the dress table number (table number) by "1" (step S109),
It is checked whether the address table number (table number) is the last number (#n) (step S11).
0).

When the address table number is not the last number in step S110, the control section 1
Returning to step S101, the same processing as described above is performed (steps S101 to S110), and if the address table number is the last number in step S110, the changed address, account, and password are sent to the own machine (Internet facsimile machine SIFX1). Address of
The account and password are returned (changed) and the process is terminated (step S111).

As described above, the Internet facsimile machine SIFX1 of the present embodiment has other Internet facsimile machines IFX1-1 and IFX1- installed in the domain of the LAN 20 to which it is connected.
2 ... Email address, account, password and other Internet facsimile machine IFX1
, IFX1-2, ... Processable image data size, etc. are registered in the address table, and their own mail address, account, and password are registered in the address table. Other Internet facsimile machines IFX1-1 , IFX1-2, ... E-mail address, account, and password are temporarily switched to the other Internet facsimile machine IFX1-1,
IFX1-2, ... Receives an e-mail addressed to the other Internet facsimile machine IFX1-
Processing of the other Internet facsimile machines IFX1-1, IFX1-2, ... In which the data size of the image data attached to the electronic mail addressed to 1, IFX1-2 ,. If it is larger than the possible image data size, the data size of the received image data is converted into a processable data size of the other Internet facsimile machines IFX1-1, IFX1-2, ... Attach the subsequent image data to the e-mail and send the other Internet facsimile machines IFX1-1, IFX1-2, ...
・ Alternative received data conversion process to send to.

Therefore, another Internet facsimile machine IFX1-connected to the same LAN 20
1, IFX1-2, ... Can receive image data in a processable data size even when large image data that cannot be normally received is transmitted, and the memory capacity is low and the price is low. Even an internet facsimile machine can properly receive image data and improve usability.

FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 are views showing a second embodiment of the Internet facsimile machine of the present invention.

The present embodiment is applied to an Internet facsimile machine similar to the Internet facsimile machine SIFX1 of the first embodiment, and in the description of this embodiment, the first embodiment will be described. The description will be made using the same reference numerals used in the description of the above embodiment.

The Internet facsimile machine SIFX1 of the present embodiment is another Internet facsimile machine IFX1-1 connected to the same network.
The electronic mail addressed to IFX1-2, ... Is once received from the server SV1, and the data format of the image data is changed to the other internet facsimile apparatus IFX1-1, IFX1.
-2, ... Is converted into a data format that can be processed, and the other internet facsimile apparatus IFX1-1, I
Send to FX1-2, ....

Therefore, in the Internet facsimile machine SIFX1 of the present embodiment, the address table and relay own station number as shown in FIG. In the address table shown in FIG. 5, table numbers (# 01, # 02, ...
・), E-mail address (IFX1-1@net1.c
o. jp, ...), account (IFX1-1, ...
・), Password and image data format (Profile)
-S, Profile-F, ...) are stored. This Profile-S, Profile-F, ...
The image data format of .. is a profile of the above TIFF, and is as follows.

Profile-S: Monochrome binary image, MH coding method Profile-F: Monochrome binary image, MH, MR, MM
R coding method Profile-J: monochrome binary image, JPIG coding method Profile-C: color image, JPEG coding method Profile-L: color value image, JBIG coding method Profile-M: color value image, MH, MR, MM
The R, JPEG, and JBIG encoding methods, and the internet facsimile apparatus SIFX1 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG.
Other Internet facsimile machine IF to AN20
X1-1, IFX1-2, ... And mail server SV
1 is connected, and is connected to the Internet INT by the router RT1. And the Internet I
Another LAN 30 is connected to NT via a router RT2, and the Internet facsimile apparatus IFX2-1 and mail server SV2 are connected to the LAN 30.

Now, as in the case of the first embodiment, the internet facsimile machine IF of the LAN 30 is used.
X2-1 sends email with image data to LAN
If it is to be transmitted to the Internet facsimile machine IFX1-1 of 20, the electronic mail attached with the image data from the Internet facsimile machine IFX2-1 of the LAN 30 is sent to the Internet INT via the mail server SV2 of the LAN 30 and the router RT2. , L from the Internet INT via the router RT1
It is transferred to the mail server SV1 of the AN20.

Then, in the internet facsimile apparatus SIFX1, the substitute reception data conversion processing program is activated by the scheduling of the monitor section of the system program, and executes the processing shown in FIG.

First, the Internet facsimile machine S
In IFX1, the control unit (data format conversion means) 1 is configured as shown in FIG.
As shown in step S201, it is checked whether there is address table data from the beginning of the table number (table number) of the address table of the memory 3 (step S201).
For example, when there is no data in the table number # 01, the process proceeds to step S209, the address table number (table number) is incremented by "1" (step S209), and the address table number (table number) is the last. Is checked (step S210).

When the address table number is not the last number in step S210, the control section 1
Returning to step S201, it is checked whether or not there is address table data for the incremented address table number (step S20).
1) If there is data in the address table of the table number, refer to the address field of the address table of the table number to change the address, account, and password of the own machine (Internet facsimile machine SIFX1) (step S202). .

The control unit 1 confirms the reception with respect to the server SV1 (step S203) and checks whether there is an electronic mail addressed to the mail address (step S20).
4) If there is no e-mail, move to step S209 and perform the same processing as above (steps S209, S).
210, S201 to S204).

In step S204, if there is an electronic mail, the control unit 1 receives the electronic mail from the server SV1 (step S205) and refers to the image data format field of the address table of the address table number, Compared with the received image data format, it is checked whether the data format of the received image data is different from the image data format of the image data format field of the address table of the address table number concerned (step S2).
06).

In step S206, when the data format of the received image data is different from the image data format of the image data format field of the address table of the address table number, the controller 1 sets the received image data of the address table number of the address table number. When it is determined that the Internet facsimile machine IFX1-1 or the like cannot perform image processing, the data format of the received image data is changed to the Internet facsimile machine IFX of the address table number.
The data format is converted into an image data format in which 1-1 or the like can perform image processing (step S207), and the e-mail with the image data converted from the image data format is attached to the address in the address field of the address table number of the address table. (Step S208).

Next, the control unit 1 increments the dress table number (table number) by "1" (step S209) and checks whether the address table number (table number) is the last number (#n). Yes (step S210).

In step S206, when the data format of the received image data is the same as the image data format of the image data format field of the address table of the address table number, the control section 1 sets the received image data to the address table. It is determined that the numbered Internet facsimile machine IFX1-1 etc. is capable of image processing, and the e-mail with the image data attached is converted to the address of the address table number in the address table without converting the data format of the image data. Send to the address in the field (step S20
8), increment the dress table number (table number) by "1" (step S209),
It is checked whether the address table number (table number) is the last number (#n) (step S21).
0).

When the address table number is not the last number in step S210, the control section 1
Returning to step S201, the same processing as described above is performed (steps S201 to S210), and if the address table number is the last number in step S210, the changed address, account, and password are sent to itself (Internet facsimile machine SIFX1). Address of
The account and password are returned (changed) and the process is terminated (step S211).

As described above, the Internet facsimile machine SIFX1 of this embodiment has other Internet facsimile machines IFX1-1 and IFX1- installed in the domain of the LAN 20 to which it is connected.
2 ... Email address, account, password and other Internet facsimile machine IFX1
-1, IFX1-2, ... Processable data formats, etc. are registered in the address table, and their own e-mail address,
Other Internet facsimile machine IF whose account and password are registered in the address table
X1-1, IFX1-2, ... E-mail addresses, accounts and passwords are temporarily switched to the other Internet facsimile machines IFX1-1, IFX.
1-2, ..., Received e-mail addressed to the other received Internet facsimile machine IFX1-1, I
The other Internet facsimile machine IFX1 in which the data format of the image data attached to the e-mail addressed to FX1-2, ... Is registered in the address table.
, IFX1-2, ..., If the data format of the received image data is different, the other Internet facsimile machines IFX1-1, IFX1-2.
Converted to a data format that can be processed by FX1-2, ...
The image data after the data format conversion is attached to an e-mail, and the other Internet facsimile machine IFX is attached.
Alternate reception data conversion processing for transmitting to 1-1, IFX1-2, ...

Therefore, when image data in a data format that cannot be normally received is transmitted to other Internet facsimile machines IFX1-1, IFX1-2, ... Connected to the same local area network. In addition, the image data can be received in a processable data format, and even an inexpensive internet facsimile apparatus with a small memory capacity can properly receive the image data, thereby improving the usability. .

7 and 8 are diagrams showing a third embodiment of the Internet facsimile machine of the present invention.

The present embodiment is applied to an internet facsimile machine similar to the internet facsimile machine SIFX1 of the first embodiment. In the description of this embodiment, the first embodiment will be described. The description will be made using the same reference numerals used in the description of the above embodiment.

The Internet facsimile machine SIFX1 of the present embodiment is another Internet facsimile machine IFX1-1 connected to the same network.
E-mail addressed to IFX1-2, ... Is transmitted to the other Internet facsimile machines IFX1-1, IFX1-.
At the reception interval of the e-mail of 2, ..., It is once received from the server SV1 and converted into a data size and a data format that can be processed by the other Internet facsimile machines IFX1-1, IFX1-2 ,. The other Internet facsimile machines IFX1-1, IFX1-
Send to 2 ...

Therefore, in the Internet facsimile apparatus SIFX1 of the present embodiment, the address table and the relay own station number as shown in FIG. 7 are stored in the address table of the memory 3. In the address table shown in FIG. 7, table numbers (# 01, # 02, ...
・), E-mail address (IFX1-1@net1.c
o. jp, ...), account (IFX1-1, ...
・), Password, image data size (64 kbyte)
e, ...) or image data format (Profile-
S, Profile-F, ...) And reception interval (60
sec, 120 sec, ...) Is stored. The reception intervals in this reception interval field are the same as those of the other Internet facsimile machines IFX1-1, IFX1-2,
... is the interval time for receiving the e-mail.

As shown in FIG. 3, the internet facsimile apparatus SIFX1 of this embodiment is connected to the network LAN 20 to the other internet facsimile apparatuses IFX1-1, IFX1-2, ... And the mail server SV1. The router RT1 is connected to the Internet INT. Then, on the Internet INT, another LAN 30 is connected to the router RT2.
LAN 30 is connected to the Internet facsimile machine IFX2-1 and the mail server SV.
2 is connected.

Now, as in the case of the first embodiment, the internet facsimile machine IF of the LAN 30 is used.
X2-1 sends email with image data to LAN
If it is to be transmitted to the Internet facsimile machine IFX1-1 of 20, the electronic mail attached with the image data from the Internet facsimile machine IFX2-1 of the LAN 30 is sent to the Internet INT via the mail server SV2 of the LAN 30 and the router RT2. , L from the Internet INT via the router RT1
It is transferred to the mail server SV1 of the AN20.

In the Internet facsimile apparatus SIFX1, the control unit 1 causes the monitor unit of the system program stored in the memory 3 to receive the table number from the beginning of the table number (table number) of the address table of the memory 3. Referring to the reception interval of the field, the substitute reception data conversion processing program is activated at the reception interval and the processing shown in FIG. 8 is executed.

First, the Internet facsimile machine S
As shown in FIG. 8, the control unit 1 of the IFX1 refers to the address field of the address table of the table number (table number) corresponding to the reception interval of the tail number of the address table of the memory 3, and the self unit ( Address of Internet facsimile machine SIFX1),
Change account and password (step S30
1) The server SV1 is confirmed to receive the e-mail addressed to the changed address (step S302),
It is checked whether there is an email addressed to the email address (step S303).

In step S303, if there is no e-mail, the process proceeds to step S308, and the changed address, account, and password are returned to the address, account, and password of the own machine (Internet facsimile machine SIFX1) (changed). Processing is terminated (step S308).

In step S303, if there is an electronic mail, the control unit 1 receives the electronic mail from the server SV1 (step S304), and the image data size field and / or the image data of the address table of the address table number concerned. Compared with the received image data size and / or image data format by referring to the format field, whether the received image data size and / or image data format is larger than the image data size of the address table of the address table number. , Or /
Also, it is checked whether the image data format is different from the image data format field (step S305).

In step S305, when the received image data size is larger than the image data size of the image data size field of the address table of the address table number, and / or the received image data format is the address of the address table number. When it is different from the image data format of the image data format field of the table, the control unit 1 judges that the Internet facsimile machine IFX1-1 or the like having the address table number cannot process the received image data, and determines the image data size. The address table number of the Internet facsimile machine IFX1-1 or the like is size-converted into an image data size that can be image processed, and / or the image data format is changed to the Internet file of the address table number. An email with the data format converted into an image data format that can be processed by the image processing apparatus IFX1-1 or the like (step S306), and the image data with the image data size converted and / or the image data with the image data format converted is attached. Is transmitted to the address in the address field of the address table number of the address table (step S307).

Next, the control unit 1 sends the changed address, account and password to the address, account and password of its own machine (Internet facsimile machine SIFX1).
The password is returned (changed) and the process is terminated (step S308).

As described above, the Internet facsimile machine SIFX1 according to the present embodiment stores the other Internet facsimile machine IF in the address table of the memory 3.
X1-1, IFX1-2, ... E-mail reception intervals are also registered, and other Internet facsimile apparatuses IFX1-1, IFX registered in the address table are registered.
Alternate reception data conversion processing is performed according to the reception intervals of FX1-2.

Therefore, one e-mail is transmitted by two or more Internet facsimile machines IFX in the domain.
1-1, IFX1-2, ...
Internet facsimile machine and other Internet facsimile machines IFX1-1, IFX1-2, ...
It is possible to prevent the traffic of the LAN 20 from increasing and to further improve the usability by adjusting the reception confirmation intervals of the above.

Although the invention made by the present inventor has been specifically described based on the preferred embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. It goes without saying that it is possible.

[0087]

According to the internet facsimile apparatus of the present invention, the mail address of another internet facsimile apparatus installed in the domain of the local area network to which the internet facsimile apparatus is connected,
The account, password, and image data size that can be processed by the other internet facsimile machine are registered in the address table, and the e-mail address, account, and password of the other internet facsimile machine registered in the address table are registered. , The account and password are temporarily switched to receive the e-mail addressed to the other Internet facsimile machine, and the data size of the image data attached to the received e-mail addressed to the other Internet facsimile machine is stored in the address table. If the image data size that can be processed by the other registered Internet facsimile machine is larger, the data size of the received image data can be processed by the other Internet facsimile machine. Converted to the data size, attached the image data after the data size conversion to an e-mail, and transmitted to another Internet facsimile machine, the reception data conversion process is performed instead. Even if a large amount of image data that cannot be normally received is sent to this Internet facsimile machine, the image data can be received in a processable data size. Even if there is, it is possible to properly receive the image data and improve the usability.

According to the Internet facsimile machine of the second aspect of the invention, the mail address, the account, the password of the other Internet facsimile machine installed in the domain of the local area network to which it is connected and the other A data format that can be processed by the Internet facsimile machine is registered in the address table, and its own mail address, account and password are registered in the address table.
Temporarily switch to account and password to receive e-mail addressed to the other Internet facsimile machine, and register the data format of the image data attached to the received e-mail addressed to the other Internet facsimile machine in the address table. If the data format is different from the data format that can be processed by the other Internet facsimile machine, the data format of the received image data is converted into a data format that can be processed by the other Internet facsimile machine, and the data format after the data format conversion is performed. Image data is attached to an e-mail and the alternative reception data conversion process is performed to send it to the other Internet facsimile machine, so it cannot be received normally by other Internet facsimile machines connected to the same local area network. data Even if the image data of the formula is transmitted, the image data can be received in a processable data format so that the image data can be properly received even by an inexpensive internet facsimile apparatus with a small memory capacity. Thus, the usability can be improved.

According to the Internet facsimile machine of the third aspect of the present invention, the reception intervals of the electronic mails of other Internet facsimile machines are also registered in the address table of the data storage means, and the other is registered in the address table. Since the alternative reception data conversion process is performed according to the reception interval of the Internet facsimile machine of the above, even when one electronic mail is transmitted to two or more Internet facsimile machines in the domain, the Internet facsimile machine and other Internet facsimile machines By matching the reception confirmation interval with the device, it is possible to prevent the traffic of the local area network from increasing, and it is possible to further improve the usability.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an essential part of an Internet facsimile machine to which an Internet facsimile machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an address table stored in a memory of the Internet facsimile machine shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of network connection of the Internet facsimile apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an alternative received data conversion process by the Internet facsimile apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of an address table stored in a memory of an Internet facsimile machine to which the second embodiment of the Internet facsimile machine of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an alternative received data conversion process by the Internet facsimile machine to which the second embodiment of the Internet facsimile machine of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of an address table stored in a memory of an internet facsimile apparatus to which the third embodiment of the internet facsimile apparatus of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an alternative received data conversion process by the Internet facsimile machine to which the third embodiment of the Internet facsimile machine of the present invention is applied.

[Explanation of symbols]

SIFX1 Internet facsimile machine 1 CPU 2 system memory 3 memory 4 compression / expansion section 5 Operation part 6 scanner 7 plotter 8 Communication control unit 9 LAN control unit 10 bus

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A facsimile communication function for transmitting and receiving facsimile data via a public line, and a local area network connected to an Internet provider via a leased line for sending electronic mail on the local area network and the Internet. An e-mail communication function for transmitting and receiving, a data size conversion means for converting the data size of the image data attached to the e-mail to various data sizes, and other data installed in the domain of the local area network. Internet fax machine email address, account,
A data storage means for storing a registered address table such as a password and the image data size that can be processed by the other internet facsimile apparatus,
The e-mail addressed to the other Internet facsimile machine is temporarily switched by switching its own e-mail address, account and password to the mail address, account and password of another Internet facsimile machine registered in the address table of the data storage means. Image data that can be processed by the other internet facsimile machine that has been received and the data size of the image data attached to the received e-mail addressed to the other internet facsimile machine is registered in the address table of the data storage means. If it is larger than the size, the data size of the received image data is converted by the data size conversion means into a data size that can be processed by the other internet facsimile apparatus, and the image data after the data size conversion is converted. Attach data to the electronic mail, the internet facsimile apparatus and performing alternative reception data conversion processing to be transmitted to the other Internet facsimile apparatus. 2. A facsimile communication function for transmitting and receiving facsimile data via a public line, and a local area network connected to an Internet provider via a leased line for sending electronic mail on the local area network and the Internet. An e-mail communication function for transmitting and receiving, a data format converting means for converting the data format of the image data attached to the e-mail into various data formats, and other data installed in the domain of the local area network. Data storage means for storing a registered address table such as a mail address of the internet facsimile machine, an account, a password, and a data format that can be processed by the other internet facsimile machine, and its own mail address, account Password and password are temporarily switched to the mail address, account and password of the other internet facsimile machine registered in the address table of the data storage means to receive the e-mail addressed to the other internet facsimile machine, and receive the receipt. When the data format of the image data attached to the e-mail addressed to the other internet facsimile machine is different from the data format that can be processed by the other internet facsimile machine registered in the address table of the data storage means, The data format of the received image data is converted by the data format conversion means into a data format that can be processed by the other internet facsimile apparatus, the image data after the data format conversion is attached to the e-mail, and the other Inter Internet facsimile apparatus characterized by performing the alternate reception data conversion processing to be transmitted to Tsu preparative facsimile apparatus. 3. The Internet facsimile machine comprises:
In the address table of the data storage means, the reception intervals of the electronic mails of the other internet facsimile machines are also registered, and the alternative reception data conversion is performed according to the reception intervals of the other internet facsimile machines registered in the address table. The internet facsimile apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, which performs processing.