JP2005142622A - Communication apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a communication apparatus with enhanced user-friendliness. <P>SOLUTION: A destination designation operation using a transmission history is facilitated by searching a communication data type, a communication path and the same transmission history information among data stored at communication by a selected user to use them for an object of a choice and since a communication opposite party cannot be known to the other department or the other company, the advantage that security is ensured is obtained. Further, when the destination is selected from the history information before the communication data type and the communication path are selected, the communication data type and the communication path stored in the history information are automatically selected, and then, the advantage that the operation is facilitated by saving the labor of selecting them in advance is obtained. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication device having a function of exchanging a plurality of types of communication data, and a communication device having a function of exchanging a plurality of types of communication data by applying a plurality of communication means.

In recent years, from the viewpoint of security of communication devices, those that limit the users who can operate the device or provide more convenient operation functions for registered users have come into practical use. Such a communication apparatus has an authentication function for specifying a user.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-326238 JP-A-11-23496

  On the other hand, in recent years, the functions of communication devices are also diverse. For example, a communication device having a function of exchanging a plurality of types of communication data and a plurality of types of communication data are exchanged by applying a plurality of communication means. Communication devices with functions are also in practical use.

  In such a multi-function communication device, it is not possible to provide a user with a convenient function only by providing a simple user authentication function.

  This invention is made | formed in view of this situation, and it aims at providing providing the communication apparatus which can improve a user's usability.

  The present invention provides an authentication information storage means for storing a user name and a registered password for each user in a communication device having a function of exchanging a plurality of types of communication data; Authentication means for requesting input of a user name and password, performing predetermined authentication processing based on the input user name and password and the stored contents of the authentication information storage means, and restricting users allowed to communicate And transmission history information storage means for storing transmission history information including at least the designated destination information and communication data type for each transmission operation for each user, and the user selects the destination during transmission operation. The transmission history information stored in the transmission history information storage means is related to the user, and By extracting those containing identical communication data type and the specified communication data type during the transmission operation, in which so as to provide display as destination candidates to the user.

  Further, the telephone book means for registering a one-touch dial or a speed dial is further provided, and the destination information registered in the transmission history information includes the information of the one-touch dial or the speed dial inputted by using the telephone book means. The contents to be provided and displayed as candidates for the other party include information on the one-touch dial or speed dial.

  In addition, when the communication data type is selected at the stage of the transmission operation before the user selects the other party, the content to be provided and displayed as a candidate for the other party is the selected communication data type. The transmission history information is selected.

  In addition, when the user performs a selection operation for the second and subsequent destinations during the transmission operation, the contents to be provided and displayed as candidates for the destination include those that can be broadcast among the communication data types. The transmission history information is selected.

  In addition, when the authentication operation by the authentication unit is avoided, transmission history information of a common user representing an unspecified user is created and stored in the transmission history information storage unit.

  Further, in a communication apparatus having a function of exchanging a plurality of types of communication data by applying a plurality of communication means, an authentication information storage means for storing a user name and a registered password for each user, and transmission Prior to requesting the user to input a user name and password, a predetermined authentication process is performed based on the input user name and password and the stored contents of the authentication information storage means, and communication is permitted. Authentication means for restricting users to be transmitted, and transmission history information storage means for storing transmission history information including at least specified destination information, communication data type, and communication means for each user for each transmission operation, At the time of transmission operation, when the user selects a destination, from the transmission history information stored in the transmission history information storage means Extract those that are related to the user, include the same communication data type as the communication data type specified at the time of the transmission operation, and include the same communication means as the communication means specified at the time of the transmission operation. Thus, it is provided and displayed as a candidate for the other party to the user.

  Further, the telephone book means for registering a one-touch dial or a speed dial is further provided, and the destination information registered in the transmission history information includes the information of the one-touch dial or the speed dial inputted by using the telephone book means. The contents to be provided and displayed as candidates for the other party include information on the one-touch dial or speed dial.

  In addition, when the communication data type is selected at the stage of the transmission operation before the user selects the other party, the content to be provided and displayed as a candidate for the other party is the selected communication data type. The transmission history information is selected.

  In addition, when the communication unit is selected at the stage of the transmission operation before the user selects the other party, the content to be provided and displayed as a candidate for the other party includes the selected communication unit. The transmission history information is selected.

  In addition, when the communication data type and the communication means are selected at the stage of the transmission operation before the user selects the other party, the contents to be provided and displayed as the other party candidate are selected. A selection is made from the transmission history information including the communication data type and the communication means.

  In addition, when the user performs a selection operation for the second and subsequent destinations during the transmission operation, the contents to be provided and displayed as candidates for the destination include those that can be broadcast among the communication data types. The transmission history information is selected.

  In addition, when the authentication operation by the authentication unit is avoided, transmission history information of a common user representing an unspecified user is created and stored in the transmission history information storage unit.

  Therefore, by searching the transmission history information that is the same as the communication data type and the communication path among those stored at the time of communication by the selected user, the destination designation operation using the transmission history can be easily performed. In addition, the communication partner is not known to others, other departments, or other companies, so that it is possible to ensure security.

  If the other party is selected from the history information before the communication data type and communication path are selected, the communication data type and communication path stored in the history information are automatically selected. Also, there is an effect that the operation can be facilitated by omitting the trouble of selecting these in advance.

  In addition, after the second destination of broadcast communication, there may be cases where the history information includes a communication purpose that cannot be broadcast, and it is possible to prevent useless operations by making it impossible to specify this. The effect is also obtained.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

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

  In the figure, a plurality of workstation devices WS1 to WSn, a mail server device SM, and a network facsimile device FX are connected to the local area network LAN and connected to the Internet via a router device RT. . Therefore, the workstation apparatuses WS1 to WSn, the mail server apparatus SM, and the network facsimile apparatus FX can exchange data with other appropriate terminal apparatuses via the Internet.

  Here, the mail server device SM is a known e-mail collection and distribution service for users using the workstation devices WS1 to WSn connected to the local area network LAN and the network network facsimile device FX. Is to provide.

  In addition, the workstation devices WS1 to WSn include e-mail client software (so-called “mailer”) for creating and sending / receiving e-mail, and WWW (World) for browsing to a Web site on the network and browsing HTML documents. Various programs such as a Wide Web browser and facsimile application software for creating, displaying and outputting facsimile image information have been introduced and used by specific users. Here, the specific user may be one or a plurality of users.

  The network facsimile apparatus FX is connected to an analog public line network PSTN, an electronic mail processing function for exchanging image information and various reports (including communication management reports) as electronic mail, and this analog public line network PSTN public. A group 3 facsimile communication function for transmitting image information according to a group 3 facsimile transmission procedure using a network as a transmission path, a call function for calling using an analog public line network PSTN, and a digital public line ISDN, The digital public line network ISDN is used as a transmission path, and a group 4/3 facsimile communication function for performing image information transmission according to a group 4/3 facsimile transmission procedure is provided.

  FIG. 2 shows a configuration example of the network facsimile apparatus FX.

  In the figure, a system control unit 1 performs various control processes such as a control process of each part of the network facsimile apparatus FX and a facsimile transmission control procedure process. The system memory 2 is executed by the system control unit 1. The control processing program and various data necessary for executing the processing program are stored, and the work area of the system control unit 1 is configured. The parameter memory 3 is unique to the network facsimile apparatus FX. The clock circuit 4 outputs current time information.

  The scanner 5 is for reading a document image at a predetermined resolution, the plotter 6 is for recording and outputting an image at a predetermined resolution, and the operation display unit 7 operates the network facsimile apparatus FX. It consists of various operation keys and various displays.

  The encoding / decoding unit 8 encodes and compresses the image signal, and also decodes the encoded and compressed image information into the original image signal. The image storage device 9 performs encoding and compression. This is for storing a large number of image information in the selected state.

  The network control apparatus 10 is for connecting the network facsimile apparatus FX to the analog public line network PSTN, and the group 3 facsimile communication control section 11 is for realizing a predetermined group 3 facsimile transmission function. In addition, a handset 12 for calling is connected.

  The ISDN interface circuit 13 is for connecting the network facsimile apparatus FX to the digital public line network ISDN. The group 3 / group 4 facsimile communication control unit 14 uses the digital public line network ISDN to specify a predetermined group 4 / Group 3 for realizing the facsimile transmission function.

  The local area network interface circuit 15 is for connecting the network facsimile apparatus FX to the local area network LAN, and the local area network transmission control unit 16 is connected to other data terminal apparatuses via the local area network LAN. It is for executing communication control processing of various predetermined protocol suites for exchanging various data between them.

  The 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, and group 3 facsimile communication control unit 10 The group 4 / group 3 facsimile communication control unit 14 and the local area network transmission control unit 16 are connected to an internal bus 17, and the exchange of data between these elements is mainly performed through the internal bus 17. Is done through.

  Here, in the present embodiment, basically, data exchange between terminals connected to the local area network LAN is a transmission protocol up to a transport layer called TCP / IP, and more. This is performed by applying a combination with a higher layer communication protocol (so-called protocol suite). For example, in the exchange of e-mail data, a communication protocol called SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) is applied as an upper layer communication protocol.

  Further, as a protocol applied to each mail terminal device SM for confirmation of receiving or obtaining an e-mail addressed to the user, a so-called POP (Post Office Protocol) can be applied.

  Further, communication protocols such as TCP / IP, SMTP, POP, and data format and data structure of e-mail are defined by RFC documents issued from IETF. For example, RFC is defined as RFC793, IP as RFC793, SMTP as RFC821, and e-mail format as defined by RFC822, RFC1521, RFC1522 (MIME (Multipurpose Mail Extension) format), respectively.

  For example, since facsimile image information is binary data, and e-mail cannot include binary data directly, readable information (7-bit character) is applied by applying a predetermined conversion method (for example, Base64 encoding method). Code) and included in the e-mail. Such a format of e-mail text information is called MIME format. In addition, there is a multi-part MIME type email having a plurality of parts as an email in MIME format.

  In this embodiment, each time the network facsimile apparatus FX performs a transmission operation, it creates history information concerning the transmission operation at that time (hereinafter referred to as “transmission history information”), and FIG. It is stored in the outgoing call history information table as shown.

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 5B, each outgoing call history information includes user information indicating a user who has instructed the outgoing call operation, connection information for designating a destination, and data type applied in the outgoing call operation. Communication data type, and the communication path applied in the transmission operation.

  Here, as the user information, the user ID of the user who has performed the authentication process described later is stored. For users who have not performed the authentication process, information representing a common user is stored.

  The connection information includes group 3 facsimile communication using the analog public line network PSTN, call using the analog public line network PSTN, and group 4 using the digital public line network ISDN. / When group 3 facsimile communication is performed, the telephone number of the other party is stored. In addition, ITU-T recommendation T.I. When facsimile communication is performed using electronic mail conforming to 37, the electronic mail address is stored.

  Further, the network facsimile apparatus FX is equipped with a telephone book function in which connection information is registered for each destination (detailed explanation is omitted), and when a destination is selected using the telephone book function. The phone book number is stored as connection information.

  Further, this network facsimile apparatus FX is equipped with a one-touch dial function capable of selecting and operating a destination by one key operation (detailed explanation is omitted), and the destination is selected using the one-touch dial function. In this case, the selected one-touch dial number is stored as connection information.

  The network facsimile apparatus FX is equipped with a speed dial function that can select and operate a destination with a small number of key operations (for example, the number of key operations is 3) (detailed explanation is omitted). When a destination is selected using the selected dial number, the selected dial number is stored as connection information.

  Further, the communication path represents a used communication medium, and in this case, any one of three types of analog public line network PSTN, digital public line network ISDN, and local area network LAN is stored.

  The network facsimile apparatus FX includes a user information table as shown in FIG. 4A in order to perform authentication processing. In this user information table, a plurality of pieces of user information are stored. As shown in FIG. 5B, the user information includes a registered user name, a user ID assigned to the user, and the user information. Consists of a password specified by the user.

  With the above configuration, when the user tries to cause the network facsimile apparatus FX to perform a transmission operation, the user first performs an authentication operation, selects one or more destinations, inputs a communication data type, After specifying the communication path as necessary, the start of the transmission operation is instructed.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of processing performed by the network facsimile apparatus FX during user authentication.

  First, in order to acquire information necessary for authentication, a user name input waiting screen is displayed (process 101), and the user selects no authentication or waits until the user name input is completed (decision 102). , 103 NO loop).

  When the user selects no authentication and the result of determination 102 is YES, a common user is set as the user information of the transmission operation (process 104).

  When the input of the user name is completed and the result of determination 103 is YES, it is checked whether or not the user name input at that time is registered in the user information table (determination 105). When the result of determination 105 is NO, the process returns to process 101 to prompt the user name input again.

  When the result of determination 105 is YES, a password input waiting screen for requesting password input is displayed (process 106), and the process waits until the password input by the user is completed (NO loop of determination 107).

  When the user's password input is completed and the result of determination 107 is YES, the entered password value is compared with the password registered for the user (process 108), and whether or not they match. Is checked (decision 109).

  When the result of determination 109 is NO, the process returns to process 101 to prompt the user name input again. When the result of determination 109 is YES, the user ID of the corresponding user information is acquired (process 110), and the value of the acquired user ID is set as the user information of the transmission operation (process 111).

  FIG. 6 shows an example of processing performed by the network facsimile apparatus FX when the user operates to input destination information.

  First, it is checked whether or not a call history selection is instructed by the user (determination 201). If the result of determination 201 is YES, whether or not a communication data type or a communication path has been selected at the stage before the destination information is input. A check is made (decision 203).

  When the result of determination 203 is YES, first, outgoing history information in which the same value as the value of the user information at that time is set in the user information is extracted, and further, selected from the extracted outgoing history information. Selected communication data type, or the one with the same communication data type or communication route registered as the communication route, and a list of connection information values for the selected outgoing call history information is displayed as a choice for the other party. Then, a desired destination is selected from the displayed contents (process 203).

  When the user selects one destination, it is checked whether or not all destinations have been selected (determination 204). If the result of determination 204 is NO, the process returns to determination 201 to perform the subsequent processing. Run repeatedly.

  If the result of determination 202 is NO, it is checked whether or not the first destination is selected (determination 205). If the result of determination 205 is YES, first, the value of the user information at that time The call history information in which the same value is set in the user information is extracted, a list of connection information values of the extracted call history information is displayed as options for the other party, and the desired destination from the displayed contents (Processing 205, 207, Determination 208). In this case, the selected communication data type and communication path are set to be applied during the transmission operation.

  Then, the process proceeds to decision 204, where it is checked whether or not selection of all destinations has been completed. If the result of decision 204 is NO, the process returns to decision 201 and the subsequent processing is repeatedly executed.

  When the result of determination 205 is NO, first, transmission history information in which the same value as the user information at that time is set in the user information is extracted, and further, the same is extracted from the extracted transmission history information. Select the registered communication data type value to be reported, and display a list of connection information values for the selected outgoing call history information as options for the other party. A destination is selected (processing 209, 210, determination 211). Note that the communication data types that are not broadcast targets include, for example, “call”.

  Then, the data communication type and communication path of the history information selected at that time are set as the data communication type and communication path to be applied at that time (process 212). It is checked whether the selection is completed. If the result of determination 204 is NO, the process returns to determination 201 and the subsequent processing is repeatedly executed.

  If the result of determination 204 is YES, the selection of the other party has been completed, so the communication data type and communication path selected at that time are set to be used for the call operation at that time, The designated communication operation is started (process 213).

  Further, when the result of determination 201 is NO, the user is allowed to designate a partner by an appropriate operation method (processing 214).

  FIG. 7 shows an example of processing performed by the network facsimile apparatus FX during the outgoing call operation.

  First, the partner information, communication data type, and communication path are acquired (process 301), and the designated communication operation is performed based on the acquired information (process 302). When the communication operation ends (the result of determination 303 is YES), the above-described transmission history information is created based on the user information, partner information, communication data type, and communication path at that time, and the transmission history information Save to the table (process 304).

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, the destination using the outgoing history is searched by searching the outgoing history information that is the same as the communication data type and the communication path among those stored during communication by the selected user. The designated operation can be facilitated and the communication partner is not known to other people, other departments or other companies, so that security can be ensured.

  If the other party is selected from the history information before the communication data type and communication path are selected, the communication data type and communication path stored in the history information are automatically selected. The operation can be facilitated by eliminating the need to select these in advance.

  Furthermore, since the stored communication data type and / or communication means are displayed when selecting the history information, it is possible to prevent mistakes in selecting unintended history information.

  Further, when communication is performed without user authentication being performed, it can be used as destination information that can be used in common by users by handling it as transmission history information that can be used in common regardless of the user.

  In the above-described embodiment, e-mail is used when performing facsimile communication using the local area network LAN. The same can be applied to a device further provided with a real-time facsimile communication function conforming to the standard No. 38. In this case, an IP address is applied as connection information for designating the other party. In addition, the present invention can be similarly applied to a case where a function of creating and transmitting e-mail character data independently is further provided.

  Further, the case where a call is made using the analog public line network PSTN has been described, but the present invention can be similarly applied to a case where a call is made using the digital public line network ISDN.

1 is a block diagram showing a network system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The block diagram which showed the structural example of the network facsimile apparatus FX. Schematic which showed an example of the transmission history information table and transmission history information. Schematic which showed an example of the user information table and user information. The flowchart which showed an example of the process which the network facsimile apparatus FX performs at the time of user authentication. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of processing performed by the network facsimile apparatus FX when a user operates to input destination information. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing performed by the network facsimile apparatus FX during a transmission operation.

Explanation of symbols

FX network facsimile apparatus 1 system control section 2 system memory 3 parameter memory 10 network control apparatus 11 group 3 facsimile communication control section 12 handset 13 ISDN interface circuit 14 group 4 / group 3 facsimile communication control section 15 LAN interface circuit 16 LAN transmission control section

Claims (12)

In a communication device with a function for exchanging multiple types of communication data,
Authentication information storage means for storing a user name and a registered password for each user;
Prior to transmission, the user is requested to input a user name and password, and a predetermined authentication process is performed based on the input user name and password and the contents stored in the authentication information storage means, and communication is performed. An authentication means for restricting users who are allowed to
Transmission history information storage means for storing transmission history information including at least specified destination information and communication data type for each transmission operation for each user;
At the time of transmission operation, when the user selects a destination, the communication data type related to the user from the transmission history information stored in the transmission history information storage means and specified at the time of the transmission operation A communication apparatus characterized in that a data including the same communication data type is extracted and provided to the user as a candidate for the other party. It further includes a phone book means for registering one-touch dials or speed dials,
The destination information to be registered in the transmission history information includes the one-touch dial or speed dial information input by operation using the telephone directory means, and includes the one-touch dial or the content to be provided and displayed as the destination candidate. 2. The communication device according to claim 1, further comprising information on a speed dial.   When the communication data type is selected at the stage before the user performs a selection operation at the time of transmission operation, the content to be provided and displayed as a candidate for the other party includes the selected communication data type. 3. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication apparatus is selected from transmission history information.   When the user performs a selection operation on the second and subsequent destinations at the time of transmission operation, the contents to be provided and displayed as candidates for the destinations include the transmission data types that can be broadcasted among the communication data types. 2. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication apparatus is selected from information.   2. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when an authentication operation by the authentication unit is avoided, transmission history information of a common user representing an unspecified user is created and stored in the transmission history information storage unit. . In a communication device having a function of exchanging a plurality of types of communication data by applying a plurality of communication means,
Authentication information storage means for storing a user name and a registered password for each user;
Prior to transmission, the user is requested to input a user name and password, and a predetermined authentication process is performed based on the input user name and password and the contents stored in the authentication information storage means, and communication is performed. An authentication means for restricting users who are allowed to
For each user, each transmission operation includes transmission history information storage means for storing transmission history information including at least specified destination information, communication data type, and communication means,
At the time of transmission operation, when the user selects a destination, the communication data type related to the user from the transmission history information stored in the transmission history information storage means and specified at the time of the transmission operation And the same communication data type as the communication means specified at the time of the transmission operation is extracted and provided to the user as a candidate for the other party. A communication device. It further includes a phone book means for registering one-touch dials or speed dials,
The destination information to be registered in the transmission history information includes the one-touch dial or speed dial information input by operation using the telephone directory means, and includes the one-touch dial or the content to be provided and displayed as the destination candidate. 7. The communication apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising information on a speed dial.   When the communication data type is selected at the stage before the user performs a selection operation at the time of transmission operation, the content to be provided and displayed as a candidate for the other party includes the selected communication data type. 8. The communication apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the selection is made from transmission history information.   When the communication unit is selected at the stage of the transmission operation before the user selects the other party, the content to be provided and displayed as a candidate for the other party is the transmission history including the selected communication unit. 7. The communication apparatus according to claim 6, wherein selection is made from information.   If the communication data type and the communication means are selected at the stage before the user selects the other party at the time of the transmission operation, the content provided and displayed as the candidate for the other party is the selected communication data. 7. The communication apparatus according to claim 6, wherein selection is made from the transmission history information including a type and communication means.   When the user performs a selection operation on the second and subsequent destinations at the time of transmission operation, the contents to be provided and displayed as candidates for the destinations include the transmission data types that can be broadcasted among the communication data types. 7. The communication apparatus according to claim 6, wherein selection is made from information.   7. The communication apparatus according to claim 6, wherein when an authentication operation by the authentication unit is avoided, transmission history information of a common user representing an unspecified user is created and stored in the transmission history information storage unit. .

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