JP2005269455A - Communication terminal unit - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To efficiently acquire address information required from an external terminal through an address information inquiry, and to inform the external terminal of the acquired address information. <P>SOLUTION: A communication terminal unit includes a registration information storage 130 for storing address information. The communication terminal unit further includes a mail receiver 112 for accepting a search condition for inquiring the address information from the external terminal, a search executer 124 for searching either the registration information storage 130 or a directory server (not shown) having a database storing address information, and acquiring the corresponding address information, and a mail transmitter 126 for notifying the external terminal of the address information acquired by the search executer 124. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication terminal apparatus, and more particularly to a communication terminal apparatus that acquires desired address information and notifies the external terminal of an inquiry about address information from an external terminal.

  With the spread of network technology, for example, information devices such as facsimile machines and MFPs (Multi Functional Peripherals) have been connected to the network. Such a facsimile apparatus has an e-mail transmission / reception function, an internet fax function for transmitting / receiving document image data, etc. via a network in addition to a general G3 facsimile communication function, and the like. Information can be sent to and received from computers and Internet fax machines.

  As described above, when the facsimile apparatus is connected to the network, it is possible to read information stored in the directory server connected to the same network from the facsimile apparatus.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a document file search system in a directory service based on LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol) that causes a search directory server to execute a search based on LDAP from the client side to search for necessary information. .

  By registering information such as a phone book in such a directory server, it is possible to centrally manage information such as a phone book that has been conventionally held for each facsimile apparatus.

  By the way, in Patent Document 2, registration, search, update, and deletion are performed on a specified database in accordance with a database general-purpose query language in an e-mail message received from a mail server, and the result is converted into a specified format. A mail database server is disclosed that returns results to the requesting client to the server. As described above, by using the function of the mail database server, the database can be accessed from a mobile phone or a mobile terminal even when the user is away from home or moving.

For example, when you want to send mail from a mobile terminal to a customer, etc. when you are away from home, information such as a phone book is registered by using the function of the mail database server as described above when you do not know the address of the other party. It is also possible to obtain an address by accessing a directory server.
JP 2001-325290 A JP 2001-306570 A

  By the way, normally, a facsimile apparatus has a function of storing a speed dial, a telephone directory, and the like in itself. In such a case, the target address may be included in the facsimile apparatus without having to search the directory server.

  The facsimile machine communicates with other facsimile machines, computers, Internet fax machines, and the like, but usually maintains its communication history. As a result, the user can know that the communication has been successfully performed or an error has occurred.

  The present invention has been made under the above-described background, and its purpose is communication for efficiently obtaining target address information and notifying the external terminal in response to an inquiry of address information from the external terminal. It is to provide a terminal device.

  According to the present invention, a communication terminal device having storage means for storing address information, receiving means for receiving a search condition for inquiring address information from an external terminal, and storage means or address information based on the search condition A communication device comprising: search means for searching a directory server having a database that stores information and acquiring corresponding address information; and notification means for notifying an external terminal of the address information acquired by the search means A terminal device is provided.

  Here, the communication terminal device can be, for example, a facsimile machine. As described above, according to the present invention, in response to an inquiry from an external terminal, the address information is searched for the storage means included in the communication terminal device itself and the external directory server. The probability that it can be acquired is increased.

  In the communication terminal device of the present invention, the search means can search the storage means and the directory server substantially simultaneously based on the search conditions.

  Thereby, address information can be acquired efficiently.

  In the communication terminal apparatus of the present invention, the search means can search the storage means based on the search condition, and can search the directory server when the corresponding address information is not obtained.

  In this way, when the target address information is included in the storage means of the communication storage device itself, the target address information can be notified to the external terminal without searching the external directory server. Therefore, notification of address information can be performed promptly.

  In the communication terminal device of the present invention, the search means can acquire the address information in association with identification information of a directory server or storage means that provided the address information, and the notification means includes the address information. Can be notified together with information indicating a provider of each address information.

  In addition, the communication terminal device of the present invention can further include a detecting means for detecting the degree of reliability of the address information acquired by the searching means, and the notifying means notifies the address information together with the degree of reliability. Can do.

  Here, the reliability of the address information can be determined by preparing a management table defining the reliability of the address information provider and referring to this management table. The communication terminal device can also provide update means for analyzing the communication performance of the provided address information for each provider, calculating the reliability of the provider, and updating the management table. The detecting means can also record communication records, new registration of address information, and update date of change, and detect the degree of reliability of address information based on these records.

  According to this configuration, the communication terminal device can notify the user of the address information obtained by the search together with the degree of reliability. Thereby, even when a plurality of pieces of address information are obtained for one destination, the user can determine which address information should be used.

  According to the present invention, there is provided a communication terminal device having a communication means for performing communication by a predetermined communication method, and a communication history storage means for storing a communication history including address information of a communication partner and a result of the communication. Receiving means for receiving search conditions for inquiring address information from an external terminal, search means for searching for an address storage unit storing address information based on the search conditions, and acquiring corresponding address information, and communication history Referring to the storage means, a communication history related to the address information acquired by the search means is detected, an additional means for adding the additional information to the address information in consideration of the communication history, and the address information acquired by the search means together with the additional information A communication terminal device including notification means for notifying external means.

  Here, the address storage unit that stores the address information can be a storage means such as a telephone directory that the communication terminal device itself has, or a directory server that has a database storing the address information as described above. You can also. The search means can also search both of them.

  Here, the additional information can be information on whether or not the communication has been successfully performed, for example, when the communication unit performs communication based on the address information acquired by the acquisition unit.

  The communication terminal device of the present invention can further include means for authenticating an external terminal, and the search means can perform a search when the external terminal is authenticated.

  It should be noted that any combination of the above-described constituent elements and a conversion of the expression of the present invention between a method, an apparatus, a system, a recording medium, a computer program, etc. are also effective as an aspect of the present invention.

  As described above, according to the present invention, in response to an inquiry about address information from an external terminal, target address information can be efficiently obtained and notified to the external terminal.

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

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a network configuration of the communication terminal apparatus according to the present embodiment.
The communication terminal device 10 is connected to a plurality of directory servers 43 via the network 41. Each directory server 43 has a database (not shown) in which various information is stored. The communication terminal device 10 makes an inquiry to the directory server 43 and acquires information. The communication terminal device 10 uses a directory service based on LDAP, for example, causes the directory server 43 to execute a search based on LDAP, and acquires information.

  In the present embodiment, the database of the directory server 43 stores address information including a plurality of items for a plurality of registrants. The communication terminal apparatus 10 makes an inquiry to the directory server 43 in order to obtain address information of the destination, causes the directory server 43 to perform a search, and acquires corresponding information from the registrants.

  In the present embodiment, communication terminal apparatus 10 is a facsimile apparatus such as a network facsimile apparatus or MFP (Multi Functional Peripheral). The communication terminal device 10 operates as a client of the plurality of directory servers 43 and has a function of transmitting and receiving e-mail based on, for example, SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) or POP (Post Office Protocol). In the present embodiment, the communication terminal apparatus 10 searches the directory server 43 connected via its own address book or network 41 based on the address information transmission request from the external portable terminal 40 and applies. Address information to be obtained is acquired, and the address information is returned to the portable terminal 40.

  The communication terminal device 10 can communicate with other communication terminal devices using a plurality of communication methods. The communication terminal device 10 communicates with the telephone 30 and the fax terminal 31 through, for example, a PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) 45. The communication terminal device 10 communicates with the e-mail terminal 33, the IP telephone terminal 34, and the Internet fax terminal 35 through a network 47 such as the Internet. Although not shown here, the communication terminal apparatus 10 can also communicate with the mobile phone terminal, and in that case, communicates via a radio base station and a radio relay station.

  When the communication terminal apparatus 10 communicates with another communication terminal apparatus, address information of the destination is designated. The destination address information varies depending on the type of each communication terminal device, and includes, for example, a telephone number, a facsimile number, a mail address, an IP telephone number, an Internet fax number, and the like.

  The communication terminal device 10 includes a communication unit 11, an operation unit 13, a display unit 15, a control unit 17, a storage device 19, and an interface unit 21. In FIG. 1, the configuration of parts not related to the essence of the present invention is omitted. For example, the configuration of a document reading unit, an image processing unit, a recording unit, and a telephone device, which are configurations of a facsimile apparatus. An audio output unit, a sound collection unit, an audio processing unit, and the like are not shown.

  Each component of the communication terminal device 10 includes an arbitrary computer CPU, memory, a program for realizing the components shown in the figure loaded in the memory, a storage unit such as a hard disk for storing the program, and a network connection interface. It is realized by any combination of hardware and software. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that there are various modifications to the implementation method and apparatus. Each drawing described below shows a functional unit block, not a hardware unit configuration.

  The communication unit 11 communicates with the fax terminal 31, the email terminal 33, the Internet fax terminal 35, and the portable terminal 40.

  The operation unit 13 receives various settings and inputs operated by the user of the communication terminal device 10, and is, for example, an operation button, a switch, a lever, a keyboard, or a touch panel.

  The display unit 15 performs various information display, operation screen display, operation and status display of the communication terminal device 10, and is, for example, a lamp, LED, CRT monitor, liquid crystal display, or the like.

  The control unit 17 controls the entire device together with various elements of the communication terminal device 10. Details of the storage device 19 will be described later.

  The interface unit 21 enables communication with a plurality of directory servers 43 connected via the network 41.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a network configuration of the control unit 17 illustrated in FIG. 1 and the communication terminal device according to the present embodiment.

  The control unit 17 includes a mail reception unit 112, a first determination unit 114, an encryption processing unit 116, a query detection unit 118, a second determination unit 120, a query analysis unit 122, and a search execution unit 124. A mail transmission unit 126, a distribution unit 132, and an error message creation unit 134. The storage device 19 includes a user database 128 and a registration information storage unit 130.

  In the present embodiment, when inquiring about address information, the portable terminal 40 encrypts a message and transmits it to the communication terminal device 10.

  The mail receiving unit 112 receives an e-mail from the portable terminal 40 via the communication unit 11. The first determination unit 114 determines whether or not the e-mail message received by the mail reception unit 112 is encrypted. If the e-mail message is not encrypted, the first determination unit 114 determines that the e-mail is a normal e-mail, and performs normal e-mail reception processing. The normal mail receiving process is a process of saving an e-mail in a storage unit (not shown) and broadcasting that the distribution unit 132 has received the e-mail to a user terminal or the like connected to the communication terminal device 10. The user terminal acquires e-mail data as necessary.

  The encryption processing unit 116 decrypts the encrypted e-mail message or encrypts the message. Here, the message is encrypted in a predetermined format that is negotiated with the mobile terminal 40 in advance, such as PGP (pretty good privacy) or S / MIME.

  The query detection unit 118 detects whether or not the message that has been decrypted by the encryption processing unit 116 includes a query for inquiring address information. If the query does not include a query for inquiring address information, the query detection unit 118 determines that the electronic mail is a normal electronic mail, and performs a normal mail reception process.

  The user database 128 stores e-mail addresses, IDs, passwords, and the like of users who are permitted to inquire address information from the outside. The second determination unit 120 determines whether or not the sender of the e-mail is registered in the user database 128. Specifically, it can be determined based on whether or not the sender address of the electronic mail is stored in the user database 128.

  When the query is included in the e-mail message, the query analysis unit 122 analyzes the query. Here, the query can be described in, for example, an SQL (Structured Query Language) sentence. The query analysis unit 122 determines whether the query command is correct. If the command is not correct, the query analysis unit 122 notifies the error message creation unit 134 of the result. On the other hand, when the command is correct, the query analysis unit 122 notifies the search execution unit 124 of the command.

  The registration information storage unit 130 stores address information such as a telephone directory held by the communication terminal device 10. Here, the address information includes destinations such as telephone numbers, facsimile numbers, mail addresses, IP telephone numbers, Internet fax numbers, and names such as registrant names, company names, and department names.

  The search execution unit 124 searches the registration information storage unit 130 based on the command analyzed by the query analysis unit 122. Also, search results from the directory server 43 and the registered information storage unit 130 are acquired.

  Further, the search execution unit 124 is connected to a plurality of directory servers 43 via the network 41. The search execution unit 124 also searches the database of the directory server 43 based on the command analyzed by the query analysis unit 122.

  The error message creation unit 134 determines that the second determination unit 120 determines that the user of the e-mail is not permitted to inquire address information from the outside, or that the command analyzed by the query analysis unit 122 is correct. Create an error message if none.

  The encryption processing unit 116 encrypts the search result and error message acquired by the search execution unit 124. The mail transmission unit 126 transmits the message encrypted by the encryption processing unit 116 to the portable terminal 40.

  The portable terminal 40 is a personal computer, for example. The mobile terminal 40 can also be a mobile phone terminal. In this case, the communication terminal apparatus 10 transmits and receives electronic mail to and from the mobile phone terminal via a wireless base station or a wireless relay station.

  Although not shown here, the storage device 19 can further include a storage unit that temporarily stores the search results acquired by the search execution unit 124 from the registration information storage unit 130 and the directory server 43.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of communication terminal apparatus 10 in the present embodiment. Hereinafter, description will be given with reference to FIGS.
First, a user who inquires address information from the mobile terminal 40 inputs, for example, at least a part of a destination name into the mobile terminal 40 as inquiry information. Although the user can input the inquiry information with the SQL sentence, the mobile terminal 40 can have the SQL sentence conversion function so that the normal inquiry information input by the user can be converted into the SQL sentence. . Subsequently, the mobile terminal 40 encrypts the SQL sentence by a predetermined method and transmits it to the communication terminal apparatus 10.

  In the communication terminal device 10, when the mail receiving unit 112 receives an e-mail (S10), the first determining unit 114 determines whether or not the e-mail message is encrypted (S12). When the message is encrypted (YES in S12), the encryption processing unit 116 decrypts the message according to a predetermined method (S14).

  Subsequently, the query detection unit 118 determines whether or not a query is included in the decrypted message (S16). Here, when a query is included (YES in S16), the second determination unit 120 determines whether or not the transmission source address of the electronic mail is registered in the user database 128 (S18). When the source address of the electronic mail is registered in the user database 128 (YES in S18), the query analysis unit 122 analyzes the query command (S20). If the query is correct (YES in S22), the search execution unit 124 searches the registration information storage unit 130 and / or the directory server 43 according to the command. The search execution unit 124 may search the registration information storage unit 130 and the directory server 43 at the same time. Alternatively, the registration information storage unit 130 may be searched first, and the directory server 43 may be searched when a desired result is not obtained. Further, when a plurality of directory servers 43 are connected on the network 41, the search execution unit 124 can make an inquiry to the plurality of directory servers 43 simultaneously or sequentially.

  Subsequently, the search execution unit 124 acquires a search result from the registration information storage unit 130 and / or the directory server 43 (S26). The encryption processing unit 116 encrypts the search result acquired by the search execution unit 124 according to a predetermined method (S28). The mail transmission unit 126 transmits the message encrypted by the encryption processing unit 116 to the portable terminal 40.

  On the other hand, if the e-mail message received by the mail receiving unit 112 is not encrypted in step S12, or if the query is not included in the decrypted message in step S16, the first determination unit 114 determines that the e-mail is a normal e-mail, and performs normal e-mail reception processing (S34). In this case, the distribution unit 132 performs processing such as distributing an e-mail to a predetermined terminal.

  In step S18, if the e-mail source address is not registered in the user database 128 (NO in S18), or if the command is incorrect in step S22 (NO in S22), an error message is created. The unit 134 creates an error message (S32). The encryption processing unit 116 encrypts the error message created by the error message creation unit 134 (S28), and the mail transmission unit 126 sends the message to the portable terminal 40 (S30).

  As described above, according to the communication terminal device 10 in the embodiment of the present invention, in response to an inquiry about address information from the external portable terminal 40, the address information included in the registration information storage unit 130 and the directory server 43 is used. An appropriate item can be acquired and notified to the portable terminal 40.

  Further, since the communication terminal apparatus 10 performs processing by determining whether or not the received e-mail includes an address information inquiry, the communication terminal apparatus 10 performs normal e-mail reception processing and sends the desired address information to the portable terminal 40. Can also be notified.

(Second embodiment)
In the present embodiment, the communication terminal apparatus 10 returns the address information acquired by the search execution unit 124 to the portable terminal 40 in consideration of the reliability of the address information.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of communication terminal apparatus 10 in the present embodiment.
In the present embodiment, the control unit 17 further includes a communication control unit 150, a communication history storage unit 152, and a sorting unit 154 in addition to the configuration shown in FIG. 2 in the first embodiment. In the present embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

  Here, although not shown, the communication terminal apparatus 10 can accept input of search conditions for inquiring address information directly from the user of the communication terminal apparatus 10 as well as from the external portable terminal 40. The search execution unit 124 acquires target address information from the registration information storage unit 130 and the directory server 43 based on the search condition. Note that the search execution unit 124 also acquires information on the device (directory server 43 and registration information storage unit 130) that provides the address information, along with the address information.

  The communication control unit 150 transmits a facsimile or an e-mail from the communication terminal device 10 using the address information obtained by the search execution unit 124 based on a user instruction. The communication history storage unit 152 stores a communication history such as whether or not such a facsimile or e-mail has successfully arrived at the destination. When the communication control unit 150 transmits a facsimile or an e-mail using the address information obtained by the search execution unit 124, the communication history storage unit 152 stores the result of whether or not the communication was successfully performed. Information relating to the address information provider is also stored as a communication history. If the communication history is stored in the communication history storage unit 152 in this way, it is possible to determine which device has high reliability by referring to the communication history storage unit 152.

  The sort unit 154 is obtained from a highly reliable device with reference to the communication history storage unit 152 when the search execution unit 124 acquires a plurality of address information from the registration information storage unit 130 or the plurality of directory servers 43. The address information is rearranged so that the information is higher. The encryption processing unit 116 encrypts the address information thus rearranged, and the mail transmission unit 126 transmits the encrypted message to the portable terminal 40.

  Thereby, in the portable terminal 40, the search result arranged in order from highly reliable address information can be obtained. Thereby, when there is a plurality of pieces of address information, the user of the mobile terminal 40 can determine which address information is highly reliable and can make a call or send an e-mail, thereby improving convenience. .

  The degree of reliability can be calculated based on not only the communication history but also the date and time when the address information is updated, and can be obtained by various methods. Further, when the search execution unit 124 acquires a plurality of pieces of address information, only the high-order address information having a high degree of reliability is encrypted by the encryption processing unit 116 and transmitted from the mail transmission unit 126 to the portable terminal 40. It can also be done. Thereby, the user of the portable terminal 40 can efficiently obtain information with a high degree of reliability.

  Note that the communication terminal apparatus 10 can also add information related to reliability to the address information and transmit the address information to the portable terminal 40 without performing the sorting by the sorting unit 154.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it goes without saying that those skilled in the art can modify the above-described embodiments within the scope of the present invention.

  When transmitting the address information to the mobile terminal 40, the communication terminal device 10 can also transmit information indicating the device that provides the address information together with the address information.

  The communication terminal device according to the present invention has an effect of being able to efficiently obtain a target address and informing the external terminal of an inquiry about address information from an external terminal. It is useful as a terminal device.

It is a block diagram which shows the communication terminal device in embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the control part shown in FIG. 1 in detail. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence of the communication terminal device in this Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows in detail the structure of the control part of the communication terminal device in embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Communication terminal device 11 Communication part 13 Operation part 15 Display part 17 Control part 19 Memory | storage device 21 Interface part 40 Portable terminal 41 Network 43 Directory server 47 Network 112 Mail receiving part 114 First judgment part 116 Encryption process part 118 Query detection Unit 120 second determination unit 122 query analysis unit 124 search execution unit 126 mail transmission unit 128 user database 130 registration information storage unit 132 distribution unit 134 error message creation unit 150 communication control unit 152 communication history storage unit 154 sorting unit

Claims (7)

A communication terminal device having storage means for storing address information,
A receiving means for receiving a search condition for inquiring address information from an external terminal;
Based on the search conditions, search means for searching the storage means or a directory server having a database storing address information, and obtaining corresponding address information;
Notification means for notifying the external terminal of the address information acquired by the search means;
A communication terminal device comprising: The communication terminal device according to claim 1,
The communication terminal apparatus, wherein the search means searches the storage means and the directory server substantially simultaneously based on the search condition. The communication terminal device according to claim 1,
The communication terminal device, wherein the search means searches the storage means based on the search condition and searches the directory server when the corresponding address information is not obtained. The communication terminal device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The search means can acquire the address information in association with identification information of the directory server that provided the address information or the storage means,
The notification means notifies the address information together with information indicating a provider of each address information. A communication terminal device having a communication means for performing communication by a predetermined communication method,
Communication history storage means for storing a communication history including the address information of the communication partner and the result of the communication;
A receiving means for receiving a search condition for inquiring address information from an external terminal;
Based on the search condition, a search unit that searches the address storage unit that stores the address information and acquires the corresponding address information;
An adding means for detecting a communication history related to the address information acquired by the search means with reference to the communication history storage means, and adding additional information to the address information in consideration of the communication history;
Notification means for notifying the external means together with the additional information of the address information acquired by the search means;
A communication terminal device. The communication terminal device according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
Further comprising means for authenticating the external terminal;
The communication terminal device, wherein the search means performs the search when the external terminal is authenticated. The communication terminal device according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
A detection unit for detecting a degree of reliability of the address information acquired by the search unit;
The communication means is characterized in that the notification means notifies address information together with the degree of reliability.

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