JP2006352552A - Facscimile communication system, its communication method, and terminal and server used for it - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize a facsimile communication system which has the same operability and stability as a facscimile telephone set connected to a general telephone line, and realizes a low price. <P>SOLUTION: The facscimile communication system uses a telephone set 20 corresponding to a VoIP/S3Fax which is provided with an image CODEC which converts predetermined image data to data suitable for an IP packet, and inversely converts; a SIP (session initiation protocol) client function part which acquires an IP address from a telephone number based on communication with a SIP server 8; and an Internet Fax function part which stores data from the image CODEC, transmits them including in the IP packet whose destination is the acquired IP address, simultaneously stores the data of the received IP packet, and inputs them in the image CODEC. An originating side terminal 20 converts the image data to data suitable to the IP packet in the terminal 20 and stores them, transmits the image data included in the packet whose destination is the IP address corresponding to the telephone number of the terminating side terminal 20 stores data included in the received IP packet at the terminating side terminal 20, then converts them to the original image data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication service using the Internet and a VoIP network, and more particularly to a facsimile (facsimile) communication service technology.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a communication service using the current Internet 1 and VoIP network 2 is an VoIP in which an Internet service provider system (hereinafter referred to as ISP) 3 is connected to a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as personal computer) 4 or a telephone 5. Of the traffic from the router / adapter 6, normal IP traffic from the personal computer 4 is transferred via the Internet 1, and voice traffic (VoIP traffic) obtained by converting the voice signal from the telephone 5 is transferred via the VoIP network 2. By doing so, communication between the personal computer 4 and the Web server 7 and a telephone call between the telephones 5 are provided.

  At this time, the transfer of the VoIP traffic in the VoIP network 2 is performed between the SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) server 8 installed in the VoIP network 2 or ISP 3 and the VoIP router / adapter (internal SIP client function unit) 6. The call control is performed based on communication (negotiation), and the IP traffic (IP packet) and the VoIP traffic (VoIP packet) are identified by the routing table 10 of the router 9 in the ISP 3 as shown in FIG. If the port number in the packet is a port number corresponding to the VoIP packet, it is set as VoIP traffic, and if it is any other port number, it is set as IP traffic.

  In FIG. 1, since the signal exchanged between the telephone 5 and the VoIP router / adapter 6 is only a normal voice signal, as shown in FIG. 3, the G3 standard fax telephone 11 is used as it is as the VoIP router / adapter. 6 and can perform fax communication via the VoIP network 2. In this case, since the VoIP network 2 is used, it is possible to communicate at a lower cost than when connected to a general telephone line, and the user operation on the fax telephone 11 at that time is completely the same as when connected to a general telephone line. It was the same.

  By the way, since the VoIP network itself is configured by a physically separate communication line or a virtual line whose quality is guaranteed, such as ATM, high-quality communication, that is, transfer without jitter or delay is possible. In some cases, jitter, delay, and the like that do not hinder voice communication may be added to the inside, VoIP router / adapter, subscriber line, and the like. Therefore, when fax communication is performed via the VoIP network, as shown in FIG. 4, in reality, there is a risk that an error may occur due to the above-described jitter or delay, and the image quality may deteriorate. .

  Further, when the use of communication that generates a large amount of continuous traffic such as G3 fax communication in the VoIP network increases, the load on the VoIP network increases, which may affect the quality of voice calls. Although this point can be avoided to some extent by increasing the line capacity of the VoIP network, there is a problem that costs are increased.

  Furthermore, since current VoIP does not perform encryption or the like, there is a risk of eavesdropping.

  On the other hand, there is an Internet Fax (see Non-Patent Documents 1, 2 and 3) as a standard for performing fax communication via the Internet, and an Internet FAX service (see Non-Patent Document 4) as a fax communication service using the standard. is there.

These use SMTP, which is an e-mail transmission protocol, to send fax image data to a server (the server here does not indicate a physical server on the network, but on a physical server or terminal device). It is a functional server that has been established, and is capable of fax communication between a personal computer and a fax phone or between fax phones, enabling stable fax communication, Since the Internet is used, communication is possible at a lower cost than when a general telephone line is used and when a VoIP network is used.
“Network Working Group Request for Comments: 2305”, [online], The Internet Engineering Task Force, [searched on June 1, 2005], Internet <URL: http://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc2305. txt> “Network Working Group Request for Comments: 3192”, [online], The Internet Engineering Task Force, [searched on June 1, 2005], Internet <URL: http://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc2305. txt> “Network Working Group Request for Comments: 3249”, [online], The Internet Engineering Task Force, [searched on June 1, 2005], Internet <URL: http://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc2305. txt> "IFAX Internet FAX Service", [online], NTT Communications Corporation, [Searched on June 1, 2005], Internet <URL: http://www.ntt.com/iFAX/>

  However, in the above-described Internet fax, unlike the case where an existing fax telephone is connected to the VoIP router / adapter as it is and the fax communication is performed via the VoIP network, the telephone number before the destination telephone number is used when making a call from the fax telephone side. A special number (for example, 003502) must be assigned to the operation number, and there is a problem that the operation becomes complicated.

  In addition, since the user cannot be authenticated when the e-mail is sent from the personal computer side, there is a safety problem such as entering the user name and password in plain text in the e-mail.

  The object of the present invention is to provide a fax communication service having the same operability and stability as those of a fax telephone connected to a general telephone line and capable of communicating at a lower cost than when connected to a general telephone line. It is to be realized.

  In addition to the above, an object of the present invention is to realize a fax communication service having the same security as when performing fax communication via a general telephone line.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention converts predetermined image data into data suitable for an IP packet and performs the inverse conversion on the basis of communication between the Internet service provider system and the SIP server of the VoIP network. SIP client function unit that obtains an IP address from a telephone number, a communication processing unit for transmitting and receiving IP packets, and data output from the image codec are accumulated, and the IP acquired by the SIP client function unit by the communication processing unit A fax communication terminal or fax that includes at least an Internet fax function unit that transmits an IP packet addressed to an address, accumulates data included in the IP packet received by the communication processing unit, and inputs the data to an image codec Connectable with phone IP address is obtained from the phone number based on communication between the face unit, image codec that converts predetermined image data into data suitable for IP packets, and reverse conversion thereof, and SIP servers in the system and the VoIP network SIP client function unit, communication processing unit for sending and receiving IP packets, data output from the image codec are accumulated, and the IP address acquired by the SIP client function unit by the communication processing unit is sent to the IP packet as a destination A fax communication terminal or a fax machine on the transmission side using a gateway server having at least an Internet fax function unit for storing data included in the IP packet received by the communication processing unit and inputting the data into the image codec On the phone, the image data is The data is converted into data suitable for IP packets in the communication terminal or gateway server, stored, sent in the IP packet with the IP address corresponding to the telephone number of the receiving fax communication terminal or fax telephone as the destination, and received. The fax communication terminal or fax telephone on the side stores the data included in the received IP packet and then converts it to the original image data.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention is characterized in that encryption and decryption processing is performed at a data or packet level in an Internet fax function unit or communication processing unit of a fax communication terminal or gateway server.

  In the following description, the fax communication service of the present invention that does not include encryption / decryption processing is referred to as S3Fax, and the fax communication service of the present invention that includes encryption / decryption processing is referred to as S4Fax.

  According to the present invention, it becomes possible for a user to send a fax stably over the VoIP network, to transmit at a low cost with the same operation procedure as in the case of conventional fax communication, and the communication partner does not necessarily have the same service. If you don't need to be a member of the Internet, you can exchange faxes with e-mail users in the same way as regular faxes, even if you don't have access to the Internet. It is possible to send and receive faxes by e-mail, and further, there is an advantage that eavesdropping and spoofing can be prevented by encryption and decryption processing.

  In addition, according to the present invention, since the fax image data does not flow to the VoIP network for the network operator, the VoIP network is not burdened, the quality is not affected, and an expensive VoIP network is not required to be added at low cost. It is possible to provide a gateway service with e-mail, a safer service can be provided by using an encryption means, and a service that can coexist with the existing G3Fax etc. There is an advantage.

  FIG. 5 shows a first embodiment of a fax communication system according to the present invention, here a mode in which both a caller and a callee are subscribed to a service by a dedicated fax communication terminal.

  In FIG. 5, 1 is the Internet, 2 is a VoIP network, 3 is an Internet service provider system (ISP), 8 is a SIP server, 12 is an authentication server, 20 is a dedicated fax communication terminal, here a VoIP / S3Fax compatible telephone. .

  FIG. 6 shows the details of the VoIP / S3Fax compatible telephone 20 (however, here, an example in which connection to a general telephone line is also possible) is shown. The handset 201, speaker 202, display section 203, input section 204, user interface control unit 205, printer 206, image scanner 207, Voice / G3 FAX Modem 208, public network interface unit (I / F) 209, voice recording device 210 for voice recording, voice codec 211, An image codec 212, a SIP client function unit 213, a TCP / IP protocol processing unit (communication processing unit) 214, an Internet fax function unit 215, and an Ethernet (registered trademark) interface unit (I / F) 216 are provided. The Ethernet (registered trademark) I / F 216 (actual The router (not shown), ADSL, via a communication line such as an optical fiber) are connected to the ISP3. In FIG. 6, the solid line indicates the data flow, the alternate long and short dash line indicates the analog audio signal flow, and the broken line indicates the control signal flow.

  Here, the handset 201 to the voice recording device 210 for voice recording are basically the same as those of a general G3 fax telephone.

  The voice codec 211 converts voice data from the handset 201 or the voice recording apparatus 210 for voice recording into data suitable for an IP packet and performs the inverse conversion.

  The image codec 212 converts predetermined image data from the image scanner 207, here image data corresponding to the G3 standard, into data suitable for the IP packet, and performs inverse conversion thereof.

  The SIP client function unit 213 acquires an IP address from a telephone number based on communication with the ISP 3 and the SIP server 8 of the VoIP network 2.

  The TCP / IP protocol processing unit 214 transmits and receives IP packets via the Ethernet (registered trademark) I / F 216.

  The Internet fax function unit 215 accumulates the data output from the image codec 212, transmits the data by including the IP address acquired by the SIP client function unit 213 by the TCP / IP protocol processing unit 214 in the IP packet, The TCP / IP protocol processing unit 214 accumulates data included in the received IP packet and inputs it to the image codec 212.

  In the above, the voice recording apparatus 210 for voice recording and the voice codec 211 are not necessary if only for S3 / G3Fax, and Voice / G3 FAX Modem 208 and the public network interface unit (I / F) if the telephone line is not compatible. ) 209 is not necessary. When performing encryption / decryption processing, these functions are added to the TCP / IP protocol processing unit 214 or the Internet fax function unit 215.

  FIG. 7 shows an operation sequence in the fax communication system of the present invention. Hereinafter, the caller terminal is 20A (IP address: Ia, telephone number: Ta), and the callee terminal is 20B (IP address: Ib, telephone). The operation will be described as number: Tb). As shown in FIG. 5, the SIP server 8 has a proxy in each domain (ISP 3 or the like), and each terminal communicates with the SIP server 8 in the domain to which the SIP server 8 belongs. Call control is performed through communication between the terminals. Here, in order to simplify the description, it is assumed that each terminal communicates with one SIP server 8 (IP address: Is).

  In the terminal 20A on the transmission side, the telephone number Tb of the terminal 20B is input from the input unit 204 and sent to the SIP client function unit 213 via the user interface control unit 205. The SIP client function unit 213 then receives the TCP / IP A communication start (session start) request message (INVITE sip: Tb @ Is) to the terminal 20B is transmitted to the SIP server 8 via the protocol processing unit 214 and the Ethernet (registered trademark) I / F 216. This request includes designation of media type (Media Type = image), protocol (Media Protocol = SMTP), format (Media Format = TIFF), source IP address (OwnerAddr = Ia), and the like.

  Upon receiving the communication start request message, the SIP server 8 resolves the IP address Ib of the terminal 20B from the telephone number Tb and rewrites the destination IP address to the IP address Ib of the terminal 20B (INVITE sip: Tb @ Ib) Is transmitted to the terminal 20B.

  When the SIP client function unit 213 receives the communication start request message via the Ethernet (registered trademark) I / F 216 and the TCP / IP protocol processing unit 214 at the receiving terminal 20B, the SIP client function unit 213 controls the user interface. The incoming call is displayed on the speaker 202 or the display unit 203 via the unit 205, and a response message (200 OK) is automatically sent to the TCP / IP protocol processing unit 214 and the Ethernet after waiting for a user operation from the input unit 204. It is transmitted to the SIP server 8 via the (registered trademark) I / F 216.

  When receiving the response message, the SIP server 8 includes the resolved IP address Ib of the terminal 20B and transfers it to the terminal 20A. Further, in the terminal 20A on the outgoing side, a response receipt message (ACK sip: Tb @ Is) is transmitted to the SIP server 8 and transferred from the SIP server 8 to the terminal 20B on the incoming side (ACK sip: Tb). @Ib) and a session is established.

  Thereafter, communication regarding fax image data is performed directly between the terminal 20A on the sending side and the terminal 20B on the receiving side. At this time, data is transmitted in IP packets according to SMTP by the Internet fax function unit 215 of the terminals 20A and 20B. Is transferred. The identification of IP traffic (IP packet) and VoIP traffic (VoIP packet) in ISP 3 is the same as that in the conventional case, but the packet including the fax image data of the present invention is an IP packet, and therefore, it is shown in FIG. As described above, the data is transferred via the Internet 1 by the routing table 10 of the router 9 in the ISP 3.

  For example, in the terminal 20B on the receiving side, the communication end message (BYE sip: Is) is transmitted to the SIP server 8 and transferred from the SIP server 8 to the terminal 20A on the transmitting side (BYE sip). : Ia) Further, in the same manner as described above, a response message (200 OK) is transmitted from the originating terminal 20A to the SIP server 8 and transferred from the SIP server 8 to the terminating terminal 20B to complete the process.

  In addition, when performing encryption / decryption processing, authentication information is exchanged between the originating terminal 20A and the receiving terminal 20B and the authentication server 12 after the session is established. The transfer is executed while the TCP / IP protocol processing unit 214 or the Internet fax function unit 215 performs encryption / decryption processing.

  In addition, as encryption methods that can be used in the present invention, there are S / MIME and PGP for encrypting the data itself, SSL and TSL for encrypting in the TCP socket layer, IPscc for encrypting in the IP packet layer, and the like. This does not exclude the encryption method.

  FIG. 9 shows an adapter 30 for use in a second embodiment of a fax communication terminal according to the present invention, here, a printer / scanner / copier combined machine. In FIG. 6, reference numeral 301 denotes a USB interface unit (I / F) provided for connection to the printer / scanner / copy multifunction device 13 instead of the printer and image scanner in the embodiment of FIG. The operation is the same as in the embodiment of FIG.

  FIG. 10 shows a second embodiment of a fax communication system according to the present invention, in this case a case where both a caller and a callee are subscribed to a service using an existing fax telephone.

  In FIG. 10, 1 is the Internet, 2 is a VoIP network, 3 is an ISP, 4 is a personal computer, 8 is a SIP server, 11 is a fax phone, 12 is an authentication server, 40 is an adapter for use attached to the fax phone 11, here Then, it is a VoIP / S3Fax adapter.

  FIG. 11 shows details of the VoIP / S3Fax adapter 40 (however, an example in which connection to a general telephone line is also possible here). In the embodiment of FIG. 6, a handset, a speaker, a display unit, an input unit The pseudo public network interface unit (I / F) 401 is added except for the user interface control unit, the printer, the image scanner, and the voice recording device for absence recording.

  The pseudo public network I / F 401 simulates a communication network to which the fax telephone 11 can be connected, and includes a telephone number reading unit 401a for reading the operation state of the fax telephone 11 and a telephone number from the fax telephone 11, and a fax A switch 401b for switching and connecting the telephone 11 to any one of the telephone number reading unit 401a, Voice / G3 FAX Modem 208, and the public network I / F 209 according to the operation state and the communication state of the SIP client function unit 213 with the counterpart device. And.

  It is to be noted that ISP 3 is connected by Ethernet (registered trademark) I / F 216 (actually via a communication line such as a router, ADSL, optical fiber, etc., not shown) as in the embodiment of FIG. is there.

  The operation of the system according to the present embodiment is as follows. On the calling side, the telephone number reading unit 401a of the pseudo public network I / F 401 detects the telephone numbers of outgoing calls and incoming calls from the fax telephone 11, and the SIP client function unit 213 The first embodiment except that the operation is started, and that the Voice / G3 FAX Modem 208 and the fax telephone 11 are connected by the switch 401b of the pseudo public network I / F 401 after the session is established on the transmission side and the reception side. This is the same as the case of the system.

  FIG. 12 shows a third embodiment of the fax communication system according to the present invention, in which only the caller subscribes to the service.

  In FIG. 12, 1 is the Internet, 2 is a VoIP network, 3 is an ISP, 8 is a SIP server, 11 is a fax telephone, 12 is an authentication server, 14 is provided with a SIP server 8 and a gateway server 50, and the Internet 1 and the VoIP network 2 A communication carrier system connected to the network, here NTT station building, 20 is a VoIP / S3Fax compatible telephone.

  FIG. 13 shows details of the gateway server 50. In the embodiment of FIG. 6, the handset, the speaker, the display unit, the input unit, the user interface control unit, the printer, the image scanner, the voice recording device for voice recording, and the voice codec. The database 501 and the local area network interface (I / F) 502 are added.

  The database 501 is for managing communication between a large number of unspecified users executed through the gateway server 50, and information (phone number information) of fax machines (G3 / G4 / Internet Fax) under management. ) And managed e-mail information (fax image data information). The local network I / F 502 is for connecting to a local telephone network (not shown in FIG. 13) installed in the NTT station 14.

  The gateway server 50 is connected to an exchange (not shown) in the NTT office building 14 via a public network I / F 209, and further connected to the fax telephone 11 via a telephone line by the exchange. 1 and the VoIP network 2 are connected via an Ethernet (registered trademark) I / F 216 (actually via a router (not shown)).

  In the system of the present embodiment, the operation of sending fax image data from the VoIP / S3Fax compatible telephone 20 (caller) to the gateway server 50 is performed in the same manner as in the system of the first embodiment.

  On the other hand, in the operation of sending fax image data from the gateway server 50 to the fax telephone (recipient) 11, the telephone number of the called party acquired during the call control with the VoIP / S3 Fax compatible telephone 20 is registered in the database 501. If it is registered, it is connected to the fax telephone 11 through the exchange in the NTT office building 14 and the telephone line by a well-known procedure, and the data stored in the Internet fax function unit 215 is sent to the fax image data by the image codec 212. And further converted into a voice signal by Voice / G3 FAX Modem 208 and sent from the public network I / F 209.

  FIG. 14 shows a fourth embodiment of the fax communication system according to the present invention, in which only the called party subscribes to the service, and the configuration of each part is the same as in the third embodiment. It is the same.

  In the system of the present embodiment, the operation of sending fax image data from the fax telephone (caller) 11 to the gateway server 50 is connected to the gateway server 50 via a telephone line and an exchange in the NTT office building 14 by a known procedure. After that, the fax image data based on the voice signal is input through the public network I / F 209, converted into fax image data by the Voice / G3 FAX Modem 208, and further converted into data suitable for the IP packet by the image codec 212. It is stored in the fax function unit 215. At this time, it is checked whether the telephone number of the caller (fax telephone 11) is registered in the database 501, and if registered, the data is sent to the transmission queue.

  On the other hand, the operation of sending the fax image data from the gateway server 50 to the VoIP / S3Fax compatible telephone 20 (the called party) checks whether the telephone number of the called party is registered in the database 501, and if not registered, the SIP call described above is performed. The destination IP address is checked by the control, and thereafter, the data in the transmission queue is performed in the same manner as in the system of the first embodiment.

  When encryption / decryption processing is performed in the systems of the third and fourth embodiments, after establishing a session between the VoIP / S3Fax compatible telephone 20 and the gateway server 50, This is done in the same way as for the system.

  FIG. 15 shows a fifth embodiment of a fax communication system according to the present invention, here a service configuration for a large-scale subscriber such as a business office or a subscriber who has installed an Internet fax.

  In FIG. 15, 1 is the Internet, 2 is a VoIP network, 3 is an ISP, 8 is a SIP server, 11 is a fax telephone, 12 is an authentication server, 15 is a local telephone network 16, an in-house IP network 17, an Internet fax 18, and a gateway server. 50 is an office system connected to the Internet 1 and the VoIP network 2, and 20 is a VoIP / S3Fax compatible telephone.

  In the office system 15, the fax telephone 11 is connected to the gateway server 50 (the local network I / F 502) via the local telephone network 16, and the Internet fax 18 is connected to the gateway server 50 (the Ethernet (of the gateway server 50) via the in-house IP network 17. (Registered trademark) I / F 216).

  In the system of the present embodiment, fax communication between the fax telephone 11 in the office system 15 and a terminal outside the office system 15, for example, a VoIP / S3Fax compatible telephone 20, uses the local telephone network 16 instead of the public network. Except for this point, it is performed in the same manner as in the system of the third or fourth embodiment. In addition, fax communication between the Internet fax 18 in the office system 15 and a terminal outside the office system 15, for example, a VoIP / S3Fax compatible telephone 20, is performed between the Internet fax 18 in the office system 15 and the gateway server 50. This is performed in the same manner as in the system of the third or fourth embodiment except that it is the same as in the case of existing Internet faxes.

  FIG. 16 shows a sixth embodiment of a fax communication system according to the present invention, here a service configuration for subscribers who do not have a FAX.

  In FIG. 16, 1 is the Internet, 2 is a VoIP network, 3 is an ISP, 4 is a personal computer, 8 is a SIP server, 11 is a fax telephone, 12 is an authentication server, 14 is an NTT office, 19 is a mail server, and 20 is VoIP. / S3Fax compatible telephone 50 is a gateway server.

  In the system of the present embodiment, the personal computer 4 and the gateway server 50 in the ISP 3 to which the personal computer 4 belongs are exchanged by electronic mail via the mail server 19, and fax communication between the personal computer 4 and the fax telephone 11 is performed. This is performed in the same manner as in the system of the third or fourth embodiment between the gateway server 50 in the ISP 3 to which the personal computer 4 belongs and the gateway server 50 in the NTT station building 14 accommodating the fax telephone 11. The fax communication between the personal computer 4 and the VoIP / S3Fax compatible telephone 20 is the same as that of the third or fourth embodiment between the gateway server 50 in the ISP 3 to which the personal computer 4 belongs and the VoIP / S3Fax compatible telephone 20. It is done in the same way as for the system.

System configuration diagram showing an overview of communication services using the current Internet and VoIP networks Explanatory diagram regarding identification of IP traffic and VoIP traffic Configuration diagram showing outline of fax communication using VoIP network Explanatory drawing showing problems in fax communication using the VoIP network The block diagram which shows 1st Embodiment of the fax communication system of this invention The block diagram which shows 1st Embodiment of the fax communication terminal of this invention Operation sequence diagram in the fax communication system of the present invention Explanatory drawing regarding the identification of traffic in the fax communication system of the present invention The block diagram which shows 2nd Embodiment of the fax communication terminal of this invention The block diagram which shows 2nd Embodiment of the fax communication system of this invention The block diagram which shows 3rd Embodiment of the fax communication terminal of this invention The block diagram which shows 3rd Embodiment of the fax communication system of this invention The block diagram which shows an example of embodiment of the gateway server of this invention The block diagram which shows 4th Embodiment of the fax communication system of this invention The block diagram which shows 5th Embodiment of the fax communication system of this invention The block diagram which shows 6th Embodiment of the fax communication system of this invention

Explanation of symbols

  1: Internet, 2: VoIP network, 3: Internet service provider system (ISP), 4: PC, 5: telephone, 6: VoIP router / adapter, 7: Web server, 8: SIP server, 9: router, 10: Routing table, 11: Fax telephone, 12: Authentication server, 13: Printer / scanner / copier, 14: NTT office, 15: Office system, 16: Private telephone network, 17: In-house IP network, 18: Internet Fax, 19: mail server, 20: VoIP / S3Fax compatible telephone, 30: adapter for printer / scanner / copier, 40: VoIP / S3Fax adapter, 50: gateway server, 201: handset, 202: speaker, 203: Display unit, 204: input unit, 205: user Interface control unit, 206: printer, 207: image scanner, 208: Voice / G3 FAX Modem, 209: public network interface unit (I / F), 210: voice recording device for absence recording, 211: audio codec, 212: image codec, 213: SIP client function unit, 214: TCP / IP protocol processing unit (communication processing unit), 215: Internet fax function unit, 216: Ethernet (registered trademark) interface unit (I / F), 301: USB interface unit (I / F), 401: pseudo public network interface (I / F), 501: database, 502: local area network interface (I / F).

Claims (10)

A fax communication system that provides a fax communication service using the Internet and a VoIP network,
Internet, VoIP network provided with SIP server, Internet service provider system provided with SIP server and connected to Internet and VoIP network, and fax communication terminal connected to Internet service provider system so that IP packets can be directly transmitted and received And consist of
The fax communication terminal is
An image codec that converts predetermined image data into data suitable for an IP packet and performs reverse conversion thereof;
A SIP client function unit for obtaining an IP address from a telephone number based on communication with an Internet service provider system and a SIP server of a VoIP network;
A communication processing unit for transmitting and receiving IP packets;
The data output from the image codec is accumulated, and the IP address acquired by the SIP client function unit by the communication processing unit is included and transmitted in the IP packet. The data included in the IP packet received by the communication processing unit is also transmitted. A fax communication system comprising at least an Internet fax function unit for storing and inputting to an image codec. The fax communication terminal is
A fax phone corresponding to a predetermined fax standard, and an adapter connected between the fax phone and the Internet service provider system,
The adapter is
An interface unit that simulates a communication network to which the fax telephone can be connected, an image codec that converts image data corresponding to the Fax standard into data suitable for an IP packet, and reversely converts the data, an Internet service provider system, and VoIP SIP client function unit for obtaining an IP address from a telephone number based on communication with a network SIP server, a communication processing unit for transmitting and receiving IP packets, and storing data output from an image codec, and a communication processing unit The IP address acquired by the SIP client function unit is included in the IP packet destined for transmission, the data included in the IP packet received by the communication processing unit is accumulated, and the Internet fax function unit is input to the image codec. Features at least The fax communication system according to claim 1. A telecommunications carrier system comprising a SIP server and a gateway server, connected to the Internet and a VoIP network, and a fax telephone connected to the telecommunications carrier system via a predetermined communication line;
The gateway server is
An interface unit connectable to the fax telephone;
An image codec that converts predetermined image data into data suitable for an IP packet and performs reverse conversion thereof;
A SIP client function unit that obtains an IP address from a telephone number based on communication with the SIP server in the local system and the VoIP network;
A communication processing unit for transmitting and receiving IP packets;
The data output from the image codec is accumulated, and the IP address acquired by the SIP client function unit by the communication processing unit is included and transmitted in the IP packet. The data included in the IP packet received by the communication processing unit is also transmitted. The fax communication system according to claim 1, further comprising: an Internet fax function unit that stores and inputs the image codec to the image codec. 4. The fax communication system according to claim 1, wherein an Internet fax function unit or a communication processing unit of the fax communication terminal or gateway server has a function of performing encryption and decryption processing at a data or packet level. 5. . A fax communication method for providing a fax communication service using the Internet and a VoIP network,
Internet, VoIP network provided with SIP server, Internet service provider system provided with SIP server, connected to the Internet and VoIP network, and fax communication terminal connected to Internet service provider system so that IP packets can be directly transmitted and received Or a telecommunications carrier system that includes a SIP server and a gateway server and is connected to the Internet and a VoIP network, and a fax telephone connected to the telecommunications carrier system via a predetermined communication line,
The fax communication terminal or fax telephone on the calling side converts the image data into data suitable for IP packets in the fax communication terminal or gateway server, stores it, and supports the telephone number of the receiving fax communication terminal or fax telephone. And send it in an IP packet with the IP address to be
A fax communication method characterized in that in a receiving fax communication terminal or fax telephone, data contained in a received IP packet is stored and then converted into original image data. A fax communication terminal connected to an Internet service provider system so that IP packets can be directly transmitted and received,
An image codec that converts predetermined image data into data suitable for an IP packet and performs reverse conversion thereof;
A SIP client function unit for obtaining an IP address from a telephone number based on communication with an Internet service provider system and a SIP server of a VoIP network;
A communication processing unit for transmitting and receiving IP packets;
The data output from the image codec is accumulated, and the IP address acquired by the SIP client function unit by the communication processing unit is included and transmitted in the IP packet. The data included in the IP packet received by the communication processing unit is also transmitted. A fax communication terminal comprising at least an Internet fax function unit for storing and inputting to an image codec. A fax communication terminal connected between a fax telephone corresponding to a predetermined fax standard and an Internet service provider system,
An interface unit that simulates a communication network to which the fax telephone can be connected;
An image codec that converts image data corresponding to the Fax standard into data suitable for an IP packet, and reversely converts the data;
A SIP client function unit for obtaining an IP address from a telephone number based on communication with an Internet service provider system and a SIP server of a VoIP network;
A communication processing unit for transmitting and receiving IP packets;
The data output from the image codec is accumulated, and the IP address acquired by the SIP client function unit by the communication processing unit is included and transmitted in the IP packet. The data included in the IP packet received by the communication processing unit is also transmitted. A fax communication terminal comprising at least an Internet fax function unit for storing and inputting to an image codec. 8. The fax communication terminal according to claim 6, wherein the Internet fax function unit or the communication processing unit has a function of performing encryption and decryption processing at a data or packet level. A gateway server installed in a carrier system connected to the Internet and VoIP network,
An interface that can be connected to a fax telephone;
An image codec that converts predetermined image data into data suitable for an IP packet and performs reverse conversion thereof;
A SIP client function unit that obtains an IP address from a telephone number based on communication with the SIP server in the local system and the VoIP network;
A communication processing unit for transmitting and receiving IP packets;
The data output from the image codec is accumulated, and the IP address acquired by the SIP client function unit by the communication processing unit is included and transmitted in the IP packet. The data included in the IP packet received by the communication processing unit is also transmitted. A gateway server comprising at least an Internet fax function unit for storing and inputting to an image codec. The gateway server according to claim 9, wherein the Internet fax function unit or the communication processing unit has a function of performing encryption and decryption processing at a data or packet level.

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