JP2005278142A - Communication system with facsimile between specific communicators - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide reliable confidentiality to a facsimile communication system between specific communicators. <P>SOLUTION: This facsimile communication system comprises a facsimile machine at a transmission source and a communication server at a transmission destination. The facsimile machine and the communication server are connected to a public line. In the communication from the facsimile machine to the communication server, transmission source telephone number notification service is utilized, and therefore, the telephone number of the facsimile machine line is provided to transmission data of the facsimile machine. A communication server storage unit records a corresponding table having the telephone number of the facsimile machine line permitted to perform data transmission and a TSI signal of the facsimile machine as data. The communication server refers to and compares the telephone number and the TSI signal included in the transmission data of the facsimile machine with the corresponding table, and provides data for distinguishing a case where they exist in the corresponding table and a case where they do not exist in the table, to the transmission data of the facsimile machine. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication system from a facsimile machine.

  OCR (Optical Character Reader) assigned to a FAX server when data from a facsimile machine is taken in via a server (hereinafter referred to as FAX server) incorporated in a LAN (Local Area Network). A technology (FAX-OCR) for capturing data using functions is used today. In this technique, data optically read and transmitted by a facsimile machine is converted into text data by a FAX server. Such a technology, for example, responds to a request for speeding up and automation when placing and receiving orders for goods. Further, the captured data is recorded in a database of a database server (DB server) connected to the LAN, for example.

  By the way, it can be said that certainty, strictness, confidentiality (exclusiveness) are indispensable when placing orders for products with strict regulations on handling (such as narcotics and psychotropic drugs control law) such as drugs as drugs. . In order to guarantee certainty, strictness, and confidentiality (exclusiveness), transactions are usually made in these orders based on a document that authenticates the exchange. However, on the other hand, since they are pharmaceuticals in the first place, they are required to be in appropriate amounts in a specific place (such as a hospital) in a timely manner. In other words, there is a strong demand for speed.

  Fax-OCR and sender telephone number notification service are used as a means of exchanging order information that satisfies both the requirements for certainty, strictness, confidentiality (exclusiveness) and promptness in the above-mentioned business transactions. A combination can be assumed. That is, when a drug order is received from an ordering company such as a wholesale company to an ordering company such as a former wholesale company via facsimile, the telephone number (fax number) of the facsimile line registered using the sender telephone number notification service is used. ) Is automatically authenticated by the computer (server), it can be said that the ordering company can acquire the ordering information with sufficient confidentiality, certainty, strictness and quickness.

  Note that “number display” provided by Nippon Telegraph and Telephone East Corporation is an example of the sender telephone number notification service.

  However, in the above method, anyone can place an order for drugs if the telephone number registered in the computer (server) of the ordering company is automatically authenticated and an order is received. For example, in the ordering company, when a facsimile machine is placed not only in the ordering department but also in other departments and a single telephone number is assigned, the order is placed outside the management of the person responsible for ordering. Occurrence is also considered.

  In other words, using a means that combines the FAX-OCR and the sender telephone number notification service when placing an order for a product with strict regulations on handling is particularly sensitive among the above requirements. I can't say that I'm satisfied.

  It is an object of the present invention to simultaneously provide certainty, strictness, and confidentiality (exclusiveness) in a communication system by facsimile between specific communicators.

The present invention has been made to achieve the above object. The facsimile communication system according to the present invention includes:
A facsimile machine installed at one or more transmission sources;
Including a communication server and a database server installed at the transmission destination,
The facsimile machine and the communication server are connected to a public line,
In the communication from the facsimile machine to the communication server, the telephone number notification service by the telephone network provider is used, and the transmission data from the facsimile machine is given the telephone number of the facsimile machine line. A facsimile communication system.
Specifically, it is as follows.
[1]
A facsimile machine installed at one or more transmission sources;
Including a communication server and a database server installed at the transmission destination,
The facsimile machine and the communication server are connected to a public line,
In the communication from the facsimile machine to the communication server, the telephone number notification service by the telephone network provider is used, and the transmission data from the facsimile machine is given the telephone number of the facsimile machine line. In the facsimile communication system,
In the storage unit of the communication server, a first correspondence table having, as data, telephone numbers of facsimile machine lines that are allowed to transmit data and TSI signals corresponding to the individual facsimile machines is recorded.
The communication server compares the telephone number and the TSI signal included in the transmission data from the facsimile machine with the first correspondence table,
When the telephone number and the TSI signal included in the transmission data from the facsimile machine are present in the first correspondence table and associated with each other, they are not present in the first correspondence table or are associated with each other. The data to be distinguished is assigned to the transmission data from the facsimile machine and recorded in the database of the database server after the assignment,
Facsimile communication system.

[2]
A facsimile machine installed at one or more transmission sources;
Including a communication server and a database server installed at the transmission destination,
The facsimile machine and the communication server are connected to a public line,
In the communication from the facsimile machine to the communication server, the telephone number of the facsimile machine line is given to the transmission data from the facsimile machine because the transmission source telephone number notification service by the telephone network provider is used. Furthermore, in the facsimile communication system in which the destination recipients are sorted by the input data at the time of communication from the source by using the destination sorting service system,
Whether or not the telephone number included in the transmission data from the facsimile machine is permitted to transmit data to the communication server,
The destination call distribution service system determines from phone number data stored in advance,
If allowed, send data to the communication server, if not allowed, send data to a predetermined data receiving terminal installed at the destination,
The storage unit of the communication server records a first correspondence table having, as data, a TSI signal corresponding to a facsimile machine that is allowed to transmit data,
The communication server compares the TSI signal included in the transmission data from the facsimile machine via the destination distribution service system with the first correspondence table,
Data for distinguishing between the case where the TSI signal included in the transmission data from the facsimile machine exists in the first correspondence table and the case where the TSI signal does not exist in the first correspondence table is sent from the facsimile machine. Assign to transmission data, and record it in the database server database after granting,
Facsimile communication system.

[3]
A facsimile machine installed at one or more transmission sources;
Including a communication server and a database server installed at the transmission destination,
The facsimile machine and the communication server are connected to a public line,
In the communication from the facsimile machine to the communication server, the telephone number of the facsimile machine line is given to the transmission data from the facsimile machine because the transmission source telephone number notification service by the telephone network provider is used. Furthermore, in the facsimile communication system in which the destination recipients are sorted by the input data at the time of communication from the source by using the destination sorting service system,
Whether the combination of the telephone number included in the transmission data from the facsimile machine and the password entered by the guidance of the destination distribution service system is permitted to transmit data to the communication server. ,
The destination call distribution service system determines from pre-stored phone number data and password data,
If allowed, send data to the communication server, if not allowed, send data to a predetermined data receiving terminal installed at the destination,
The storage unit of the communication server records a first correspondence table having, as data, a TSI signal corresponding to a facsimile machine that is allowed to transmit data,
The communication server compares the TSI signal included in the transmission data from the facsimile machine via the destination distribution service system with the first correspondence table,
Data for distinguishing between the case where the TSI signal included in the transmission data from the facsimile machine exists in the first correspondence table and the case where the TSI signal does not exist in the first correspondence table is sent from the facsimile machine. Assign to transmission data, and record it in the database server database after granting,
Facsimile communication system.

[4]
The communication server has an optical character reading function,
When the transmission data from the facsimile machine has a format corresponding to the optical character reading function, the transmission data is converted into text data by the optical character reading function;
The facsimile communication system according to any one of [1] to [3].

[5]
A facsimile communication method using the facsimile communication system according to any one of [1] to [4].

  By utilizing the present invention, confidentiality (exclusiveness) can be improved in a communication system by facsimile between specific communicators. In particular, in communication between communicators who authorize communication, it is possible to reliably eliminate the interference and intervention of persons other than those persons.

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

<< First Embodiment >>
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an overall outline of the facsimile communication system 2 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, facsimile communication data is sent from a facsimile machine 4 placed at a plurality of transmission sources to a transmission destination via a public line 6. At the transmission destination, first, a server (hereinafter referred to as a FAX server) 8 that receives communication data from the facsimile machine receives the communication data.

  The FAX server 8 performs essential transmission authorization processing as described below. After the processing, the FAX server 8 passes the data to the LAN 16 configured at the transmission destination. The LAN 16 includes a personal computer 10, a database server (hereinafter referred to as a DB server) 12, a printer 14, and the like.

  Incidentally, the FAX server 8 in the first embodiment has an OCR function. Therefore, if the communication data from the facsimile machine 4 has a format corresponding to the OCR function, the communication data is converted into compact and highly convenient text data by the OCR function of the FAX server 8. The converted text data can be stored in the DB server 12 (database thereof). The stored text data can be viewed and corrected by the personal computer 10 and can be printed from the printer 14 according to an appropriate paper format.

  On the other hand, the communication data from the facsimile machine 4 can be stored in the DB server 12 as it is without being subjected to conversion by the OCR function without being subjected to the essential transmission authorization processing described below. It can also be printed out.

  Next, transmission authorization processing in the FAX server 8 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship between facsimile communication data and the first correspondence table shown below.

As shown in FIG. 1, the storage unit 18 attached to the FAX server 8 includes
・ The telephone number of the facsimile line that is allowed to be transmitted,
A first correspondence table 20 indicating the TSI of a facsimile machine that is permitted to transmit is recorded in advance.

  Here, the first embodiment uses a “source telephone number notification service” provided by a telephone communication company. Therefore, telephone number data is added to the head of the facsimile communication data 22. “TSI” is an abbreviation of “Transmitting Subscriber Identification”, and indicates the ID of a transmission source facsimile machine. This TSI signal can be arbitrarily set by the user of the facsimile machine and is normally included in the facsimile communication data 22.

  Therefore, the first correspondence table 20 relates to which telephone number is permitted to transmit communication data, and what is the facsimile machine (ID) that should be installed at the telephone number permitted to transmit. Data is stored. If this first correspondence table 20 is used, double authentication can be applied to the facsimile communication data using the telephone number and the TSI signal.

  FIG. 3 is a schematic flowchart showing a transmission authorization process in the FAX server 8. First, when the FAX server 8 receives facsimile communication data (S02), the telephone number is read (S04). The FAX server 8 checks whether this telephone number exists in the first correspondence table 20 (S06). If it does not exist (S06, No), an error code indicating that the data is from a non-target telephone line is assigned (S08) and transmitted to the LAN 16 (S18).

  If the telephone number exists in the first correspondence table 20 (S06 / Yes), the TSI signal that is normally included in the facsimile communication data is confirmed (S08). The FAX server 8 confirms from the first correspondence table 20 whether or not the TSI signal corresponds to the telephone number (S12). If it does not correspond (S12, No), an error code indicating that the data is from a non-target facsimile is added (S14) and transmitted to the LAN 16 (S18).

  If it corresponds (S12, Yes), the data for authenticating that the data transmission source is correct is added to the facsimile communication data (S16) and transmitted to the LAN 16 (S18).

  The facsimile communication data is transmitted to the LAN 16 as shown in FIG.

  In the FAX server 8, the text data conversion by the OCR function may be performed before or after the processing of FIG. The first correspondence table 20 is created in advance. It is preferable that the contents can be updated (registered, corrected, deleted, etc.) from the personal computer 10 connected to the LAN 16.

<< Second Embodiment >>
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an overview of the entire facsimile communication system 2 according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the relationship among the facsimile communication data, the routing system 24, the FAX server 8, and the first correspondence table 20 in the second embodiment. The facsimile communication system according to the second embodiment is substantially the same as the facsimile communication system according to the first embodiment. Accordingly, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, description thereof is omitted, and the difference between the two will be mainly described below.

  In the second embodiment, a destination distribution service is used. As a representative example of this “Destination Distribution Service”, routing function of “Free Dial Intelligent Service”, a service provided by NTT Communications Corporation, routing function using multi-business system (PBX) in the ordering company, etc. Is mentioned. Of these routing functions, in the second embodiment, in particular, routing for setting a destination corresponding to the transmission source telephone number is used. It is also possible to use routing for setting a destination corresponding to a number (number) input according to the guidance from the transmission source. 4 and 5, the routing system 24 performs these routing functions.

  In FIG. 5, facsimile communication data is sent from a facsimile machine 4 placed at a transmission source to a transmission destination via a public line 6. In the second embodiment, the facsimile communication data sent to the transmission destination reaches the transmission destination FAX server 8 after passing through the routing system 24.

  Next, transmission authorization processing in the routing system 24 and the FAX server 8 will be described with reference to FIG.

  In the second embodiment, the FAX server 8 authenticates the facsimile communication data with the TSI signal using the first correspondence table 20. On the other hand, in the second embodiment, the routing system 24 is responsible for authentication by telephone number. Further, the routing system 24 performs authentication based on the “password”.

  The “password” here is a number assigned to each facsimile telephone number for improving confidentiality (exclusiveness), and is a number required at the time of processing in the routing system 24.

Although not shown in FIG. 4, the routing system 24 includes
・ Telephone number to be authorized for transmission,
-A password (when used together) is registered in advance. It is preferable that the telephone number and the password can also be set and registered from a terminal such as a personal computer as a transmission destination.

  FIG. 6 shows a case where the routing function of “free dial intelligent service” which is a service provided by NTT Communications Corporation is used, and the routing system 24 performs the transmission authorization by the routing function based on the telephone number and the personal identification number. It is a flowchart. First, when the routing system 24 receives facsimile communication data (S32), it is confirmed whether or not the telephone number is registered (S34). If the telephone number is not registered (No in S34), it is "routed" to be transmitted to "Error communication output FAX" (S36).

  This “error communication output FAX” facsimile machine is appropriately set as a transmission destination, and is connected to the external public line and the routing system 24.

  If it is a registered telephone number (S34, Yes), the routing system 24 returns a voice message prompting the input of a personal identification number together with a voice message indicating the transmission destination (destination) to the transmission source facsimile machine 4 (S38). ). For example, “Yes, it is XYZ Pharmaceutical. After entering your PIN, please press #”. The sender's facsimile machine operator can confirm whether or not the transmission destination is correct by sending back a voice message indicating the transmission destination (see S46) immediately before the actual data transmission.

  When the routing system 24 receives the password (S40 / Yes), it checks whether the password corresponds to the registered telephone number (S42). If it does not correspond (S42, No), it is "routed" to be transmitted to "error communication output FAX" (S36). In consideration of erroneous input of the password, it may be allowed to retry several times for password input as in the prior art.

  If it corresponds (S42, Yes), the routing system 24 returns a voice message prompting a start instruction to the transmission source facsimile machine 4 (S44). For example, “Please press the start button after the dial tone”. When receiving the start instruction data (Yes in S46), the routing system 24 “routes” the facsimile communication data to be transmitted to the FAX server 8.

  When the routing function using the multi-business system (PBX) in the order receiving company is used, in the flowchart of FIG. 6, it is confirmed whether or not the telephone number is registered in S34. It can also be transmitted to the FAX server 8.

  After the FAX server 8 receives the facsimile communication data, the same processing as that in FIG. 3 in the first embodiment may be performed.

  However, if it is considered that the authentication by the telephone number is completed in the routing system 24, it is only necessary to confirm whether or not the TSI signal exists in the first correspondence table 20. At this time, the processing flowchart shown in FIG.

  In FIG. 7, when the FAX server 8 receives facsimile communication data (S62), the TSI signal that is normally included in the facsimile communication data is confirmed (S64). The FAX server 8 confirms whether this TSI signal exists in the first correspondence table 20 (S66). If it does not exist (S66, No), an error code indicating that the data is from an unaccepted facsimile is given (S68) and transmitted to the LAN 16 (S72).

  If it exists (S66, Yes), data for authenticating that the data transmission source is correct is added to the facsimile communication data (S70) and transmitted to the LAN 16 (S72).

  Also in the second embodiment, the text data conversion by the OCR function of the FAX server 8 may be performed before or after the processing of FIG. 3 or FIG. The first correspondence table 20 is also created in advance, and it is preferable that the contents can be updated (registered, modified, deleted, etc.) from the personal computer 10 connected to the LAN 16.

  In the facsimile communication system according to the second embodiment, since it is authenticated whether or not the data should be taken into the transmission destination by the personal identification number in addition to the telephone number and the TSI signal, for example, facsimile communication data should be transmitted. It is possible to prevent outgoing data from being taken by a person who does not have a password, that is, a person who does not know the password.

  Further, the routing system of the facsimile communication system according to the second embodiment can be configured to omit authentication (check) using a password. Even if such a configuration is omitted, authentication (checking) using a telephone number and a TSI signal is incorporated, so that the certainty, strictness, confidentiality (exclusiveness) is almost the same level as in the first embodiment. Is secured.

It is a schematic diagram which shows the relationship between the facsimile communication data and the 1st correspondence table in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. 1 is a block diagram showing an overview of an entire facsimile communication system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a general | schematic flowchart showing the process of the transmission authorization in the FAX server in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a schematic diagram which shows the relationship between the facsimile communication data, the routing system, the FAX server, and the first correspondence table in the second embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram showing the outline | summary of the whole facsimile communication system which concerns on the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart of the process which performs transmission authorization with the routing function by a telephone number and a PIN code in the routing system of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is another example of the general | schematic flowchart showing the process of the transmission authorization in the FAX server in the 2nd Embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 2 ... Facsimile communication system, 4 ... Facsimile machine, 6 ... Public line, 8 FAX server, 10 ... Personal computer, 12 ... Database (DB) server, 14 ... Printer, 20 ... First correspondence table, 24... Routing system.

Claims (4)

A facsimile machine installed at one or more transmission sources;
Including a communication server and a database server installed at the transmission destination,
The facsimile machine and the communication server are connected to a public line,
In the communication from the facsimile machine to the communication server, the telephone number notification service by the telephone network provider is used, and the transmission data from the facsimile machine is given the telephone number of the facsimile machine line. In the facsimile communication system,
In the storage unit of the communication server, a first correspondence table having, as data, telephone numbers of facsimile machine lines that are allowed to transmit data and TSI signals corresponding to the individual facsimile machines is recorded.
In the communication server, the telephone number and TSI signal included in the transmission data from the facsimile machine are compared and referenced with the first correspondence table,
When the telephone number and the TSI signal included in the transmission data from the facsimile machine are present in the first correspondence table and associated with each other, they are not present in the first correspondence table or are associated with each other. The data to be distinguished is assigned to the transmission data from the facsimile machine and recorded in the database of the database server after the assignment,
Facsimile communication method. A facsimile machine installed at one or more transmission sources;
Including a communication server and a database server installed at the transmission destination,
The facsimile machine and the communication server are connected to a public line,
In the communication from the facsimile machine to the communication server, the telephone number of the facsimile machine line is given to the transmission data from the facsimile machine because the transmission source telephone number notification service by the telephone network provider is used. Furthermore, in the facsimile communication system in which the destination recipients are sorted by the input data at the time of communication from the source by using the destination sorting service system,
Whether or not the telephone number included in the transmission data from the facsimile machine is permitted to transmit data to the communication server,
Judgment from the telephone number data stored in advance in the destination distribution service system,
If allowed, send data to the communication server, if not allowed, send data to a predetermined data receiving terminal installed at the destination,
A first correspondence table having a TSI signal corresponding to a facsimile machine that is allowed to transmit data as data is recorded in the storage unit of the communication server,
In the communication server, the TSI signal included in the transmission data from the facsimile machine via the destination distribution service system is compared and referenced with the first correspondence table,
Data for distinguishing between the case where the TSI signal included in the transmission data from the facsimile machine exists in the first correspondence table and the case where the TSI signal does not exist in the first correspondence table is sent from the facsimile machine. Assign to transmission data, and record it in the database server database after granting,
Facsimile communication method. A facsimile machine installed at one or more transmission sources;
Including a communication server and a database server installed at the transmission destination,
The facsimile machine and the communication server are connected to a public line,
In the communication from the facsimile machine to the communication server, the telephone number of the facsimile machine line is given to the transmission data from the facsimile machine because the transmission source telephone number notification service by the telephone network provider is used. Furthermore, in the facsimile communication system in which the destination recipients are sorted by the input data at the time of communication from the source by using the destination sorting service system,
Whether the combination of the telephone number included in the transmission data from the facsimile machine and the password entered by the guidance of the destination distribution service system is permitted to transmit data to the communication server. ,
Judging from the telephone number data and PIN number data stored in advance in the above destination distribution service system,
If allowed, send data to the communication server, if not allowed, send data to a predetermined data receiving terminal installed at the destination,
A first correspondence table having a TSI signal corresponding to a facsimile machine that is allowed to transmit data as data is recorded in the storage unit of the communication server,
In the communication server, the TSI signal included in the transmission data from the facsimile machine via the destination distribution service system is compared and referenced with the first correspondence table,
Data for distinguishing between the case where the TSI signal included in the transmission data from the facsimile machine exists in the first correspondence table and the case where the TSI signal does not exist in the first correspondence table is sent from the facsimile machine. Assign to transmission data, and record it in the database server database after granting,
Facsimile communication method. The communication server has an optical character reading function,
When the transmission data from the facsimile machine has a format corresponding to the optical character reading function, the transmission data is converted into text data by the optical character reading function;
The facsimile communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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