JP2007087217A - Data communication equipment, data communication method, and data communication program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide data communication equipment, a data communication method, and a data communication program which prevent double registration of an address without requiring complicated processing. <P>SOLUTION: When it is decided that a device main body of the data communication device connected to another data communication device via a network doesn't hold prescribed address book data (NO in S103) and that the another data communication device holds the prescribed address book data (YES in S107), the data communication device receives the prescribed address book data from the another data communication device (S108). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a data communication device, a data communication method, and a data communication program.

  In recent years, multi-function peripheral devices (MFPs), each equipped with functions of devices such as copiers, facsimiles, scanners, and printers, have become widespread.

  Some MFPs have a transmission function for transmitting image data to a predetermined transmission destination and an address book function for selecting a transmission destination of image data from a registered address list. The user can save the trouble of directly inputting the address of the image data transmission destination to the MFP by using the address book function when transmitting the image data.

  Here, a situation where a single user can use a plurality of MFPs installed in different places is conceivable. Under this circumstance, the user may need to register an address in each of a plurality of MFP address books.

  Such duplicate registration of the same address causes problems such as wasteful consumption of the memory of the MFP and the need to change a plurality of addresses when changing the address.

  Here, in order to centrally manage addresses that can be set as data transmission destinations in a plurality of data communication apparatuses, there is one provided with a management server having an address book in which the addresses are registered in a lump. (Patent Document 1). In this technique, each data communication device accesses the management server when setting a transmission destination, and acquires address book data held by the management server.

  In addition, there is a server provided with a management server for synchronously updating the contents of address book data held by a plurality of data communication apparatuses (Patent Document 2). In this technique, when the content of the address book data held by the data communication device is different from the content of the address book data held by the management server, the address book data held by the management server is changed to the data communication device. Downloaded to.

  However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, each data communication device accesses the management server every time the transmission destination is set, and thus the processing is complicated.

  Further, in the technique described in Patent Document 2, since the same address is registered repeatedly in the address book of the management server and the address book of the plurality of data communication devices, the memory is wasted.

Such duplicate registration may also occur in a relationship between a common address book shared by a plurality of users of the MFP and a personal address book used only by a specific user.
JP 2001-24691 A JP 2001-249882 A

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems of the prior art, and the object of the present invention is to provide a data communication apparatus, a data communication method, and a data communication apparatus capable of preventing duplicate registration of the same address without complicated processing. And providing a data communication program.

  The above object of the present invention is achieved by the following means.

  (1) A data communication apparatus connected to another data communication apparatus via a network, the first determination means for determining whether or not the apparatus main body holds predetermined address book data, and the other A second determination unit that determines whether or not the data communication apparatus holds the predetermined address book data; and the apparatus main body does not hold the predetermined address book data by the first determination unit. And when the second determining means determines that the other data communication device holds the predetermined address book data, the second address communication unit receives the predetermined address book data from the other data communication device. A data communication apparatus comprising: a receiving means for receiving.

  (2) Third determination means for determining whether or not address book data has been received from the other data communication apparatus by the reception means; and address book data from the other data communication apparatus by the third determination means. When it is determined that the received address book data has been changed, fourth determination means for determining whether or not the received address book data has been changed, and determination that the received address book data has been changed by the fourth determination means. In this case, the data communication device according to (1), further comprising a transmission unit that transmits the changed address book data to the other data communication device.

  (3) Deletion means for deleting the received address book data after the predetermined processing is executed using the received address book data when the receiving means receives the predetermined address book data. The data communication device according to (1) or (2), further comprising:

  (4) A data communication apparatus connected to another data communication apparatus via a network, wherein the first determination means for determining whether the apparatus main body holds predetermined address book data; A second determination unit that determines whether or not the data communication apparatus holds the predetermined address book data; and the apparatus main body does not hold the predetermined address book data by the first determination unit. If the second determination means determines that the other data communication device does not hold the predetermined address book data, an address book creation that permits the generation of the predetermined address book data A data communication apparatus comprising: permission means.

  (5) The data communication apparatus according to (4), further comprising storage means for storing predetermined address book data created by being permitted by the address book creation permission means.

  (6) A data communication method using a data communication device connected to another data communication device via a network, wherein the device main body determines whether or not the device main body holds predetermined address book data A determining step; a second determining step for determining whether or not the other data communication device holds the predetermined address book data; and the main body of the device in the first determining step determines the predetermined address book data. When it is determined that the other data communication device holds the predetermined address book data in the second determination step, the other data communication device A data communication method comprising: a receiving step of receiving predetermined address book data.

  (7) A data communication method using a data communication device connected to another data communication device via a network, wherein the device main body determines whether or not the predetermined address book data is held. Determining step, a second determining step for determining whether the other data communication device holds the predetermined address book data, and the predetermined address book in the apparatus main body in the first determining step. When it is determined that the data is not held and it is determined in the second determination step that the other data communication device does not hold the predetermined address book data, the creation of the address book data is permitted. And an address book data creation permission step.

  (8) A data communication program for causing a data communication apparatus connected to another data communication apparatus via a network to execute, and determining whether the apparatus main body holds the predetermined address book data A first determination procedure; a second determination procedure for determining whether the other data communication device holds the predetermined address book data; and a device body in the first determination procedure; If it is determined that the address book data is not held and it is determined in the second determination procedure that the other data communication device holds the predetermined address book data, the other data communication A data communication program comprising: a receiving procedure for receiving the predetermined address book data from a device.

  (9) A data communication program for causing a data communication apparatus connected to another data communication apparatus via a network to execute, and determines whether the apparatus main body holds the predetermined address book data A first determination procedure; a second determination procedure for determining whether the other data communication device holds the predetermined address book data; and a device body in the first determination procedure; If it is determined that the address book data is not held, and it is determined in the second determination procedure that the other data communication device does not hold the predetermined address book data, the address book data is created. An address book data creation permission procedure for authorizing

  (10) A computer-readable recording medium on which the data communication program according to (8) or (9) is recorded.

  According to the present invention, the main body of the data communication apparatus does not hold the predetermined address book data, and another data communication apparatus connected via a network holds the predetermined address book data. If so, the predetermined address book data can be received from the other data communication device, so that it is not necessary to newly create the predetermined address book data. This prevents duplicate registration of the same address. Further, according to the present invention, when the device main body of the data communication device holds the address book data, the other data communication device is not accessed, so that complicated processing does not occur.

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

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a data communication system 1 to which a data communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

  The data communication system according to the present embodiment includes MFPs 100, 200, and 300 as data communication apparatuses, an e-mail server 400, and a directory server 500, which are connected via a communication network 600 so that they can communicate with each other. ing. Note that the types and number of devices connected to the communication network 600 are not limited to the example shown in FIG.

  Next, the configuration of each of the above devices will be described. However, each of the above devices may include a component other than the components described below, or may not include some of the components described below. Good.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the MFP 100 as the data communication apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. Since the MFPs 100, 200, and 300 have the same configuration, the MFP 100 will be described below as a representative. The MFP 100 includes a control unit 101, a storage unit 102, an operation unit 103, an image reading unit 104, a printing unit 105, and a network interface 106, which are connected to each other via a bus 107 for exchanging signals. ing.

  The control unit 101 is a CPU, and controls the above-described units and performs various arithmetic processes according to a program.

  The storage unit 102 stores a variety of programs and parameters in advance, a ROM that temporarily stores programs and data as a work area, stores various programs and parameters, or stores image data obtained by image processing, and the like. Consists of a hard disk or the like used for temporary storage.

  The operation unit 103 displays various information or a touch panel for inputting various settings, a numeric keypad for setting the number of copies, a start key for instructing start of operation, a stop key for instructing stop of operation, and various setting conditions in the initial stage. It consists of various fixed keys such as reset keys, display lamps and the like.

  The image reading unit 104 shines light on a document set at a predetermined reading position on a document table or a document conveyed to a predetermined reading position by an ADF (Auto Document Feeder automatic document conveying device) with a light source such as a fluorescent lamp, The reflected light is photoelectrically converted by a light receiving element such as a CCD or CIS, and image data (bitmap data) is generated from the electric signal.

  The printing unit 105 prints the image data on a sheet through the respective steps of charging, exposure, development, transfer, and fixing by an electrophotographic method, and discharges the image data to a discharge tray.

  The network interface 106 is an interface for communicating with other devices via the communication network 600, and uses standards such as Ethernet (registered trademark), token ring, and FDDI.

  The MFP 100 has the above-described configuration, so that the function of reading a document image and acquiring image data, the function of printing out the acquired image data, the function of transmitting and receiving image data via the communication network 600, and the received image It has a function for printing out data and an address book function for selecting a transmission destination of image data from a registered address list.

  FIG. 3 shows address book data held by MFP 100.

  The address book provided in the MFP 100 includes a common address book managed by the administrator of the MFP 100 (an address book indicated as common in the user item) and a personal address book managed by a specific user of the MFP 100. (In the user's item, an address book indicated as User A or User B). These address book data are stored in the hard disk of the storage unit 102.

  In the common address book, an address directly input by the administrator and a user name of the address can be registered.

  In the personal address book, an address directly input by a specific user and the name of the user of the address can be registered, and an address stored in the common address book or the directory server 500 can be designated as a data transmission destination. The user name of the address stored in the common address book or the directory server 500 and the storage destination of the address can also be registered.

  The e-mail server 400 is a server computer that can provide a communication service for sending and receiving e-mail, and uses, for example, SMTP and POP.

  The directory server 500 provides a directory service that manages information related to an e-mail address and environment of a user who uses the network. For the access to the directory server 500, a protocol called Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) is used as a standard. The directory server 500 stores hierarchical structure information related to users. The directory server 500 stores addresses that can be set as data transmission destinations from the MFPs 100 to 300. The communication network 600 includes a public network such as a telephone network, a mobile communication network, ISDN, and a packet switching network, and a computer network such as a LAN, WAN, and the Internet.

  Next, an outline of the operation of the data communication system in the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of processing from user authentication to display of the personal address book executed in MFP 100.

  The algorithm shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4 is stored as a control program in the storage unit 102 of the MFP 100 and is executed by the control unit 101.

  First, input of a user name and a password is accepted (S101). Specifically, MFP 100 displays an authentication screen for inputting a user name and password on operation unit 103.

  When the input of the user name and password is accepted, it is determined whether or not the user authentication is successful based on the input user name and password (S102). Specifically, MFP 100 determines whether or not the input user name and password are stored in MFP 100 or directory server 500.

  If it is determined that the user authentication has not been successful (NO in S102), the process returns to step S101, and input of a user name and a password is accepted.

  If it is determined that the user authentication is successful (YES in S102), it is determined whether MFP 100 holds data of the authenticated user's personal address book (S103).

  When it is determined that MFP 100 holds data of the authenticated user's personal address book (YES in S103), the authenticated user's personal address book is displayed on the destination selection screen of operation unit 103. (S104). Specifically, MFP 100 displays the personal address book by reading the data of the authenticated user's personal address book stored in the hard disk onto the RAM.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state where the personal address book of User A shown in FIG. 3 is displayed on the destination selection screen.

  Of the address information registered in the personal address book of User A shown in FIG. 3, the address information (address user name and address storage destination are stored in the common address book and directory server 500). Address information), only the user's name is displayed on the destination selection screen (see 1 and 2 shown in FIG. 5), and the address information consisting of only the address is displayed on the destination selection screen. (See 3 shown in FIG. 5). The user can perform an operation for selecting a transmission destination of desired image data on the destination selection screen. Returning to FIG. 4, if it is determined that the MFP 100 does not hold the authenticated user's personal address book data (NO in S <b> 103), it is determined whether another MFP is connected to the communication network 600. (S105).

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, MFPs 200 and 300 are connected to communication network 600 in addition to MFP 100, but in the following description, other MFPs are connected to communication network 600. This will be explained even if it is not.

  If it is determined that no other MFP is connected to the communication network 600 (NO in S105), the creation of personal address book data for the authenticated user is permitted (S106), and the data is created with this permission. The personal address book is displayed on the destination selection screen of the operation unit 103 (S104).

  If it is determined that another MFP is connected to communication network 600 (YES in S105), it is determined whether or not the other MFP holds the data of the authenticated user's personal address book. (S107).

  If it is determined that the other MFP holds the personal address book data of the authenticated user (YES in S107), the personal address book data of the authenticated user held by the other MFP is stored. Received from another MFP (S108), the personal address book is displayed on the destination selection screen (S104). Specifically, the MFP 100 instructs the other MFP to transmit the personal address book data corresponding to the user name input in step S101 to the MFP 100, and the other MFP sends the instruction. Receives personal address book data sent based on. Further, MFP 100 reads the received personal address book data onto the RAM, and displays the personal address book on the destination selection screen according to the format shown in FIG.

  Note that the personal address book data transmitted from another MFP in step S108 will be described later.

  If it is determined that the other MFP does not hold the data of the authenticated user's personal address book (NO in S107), the process returns to step S105, and the other MFP is connected to the communication network 600. It is determined whether or not it has been done. Specifically, if MFP 100 determines that MFP 200 is connected to communication network 600 in the previous processing of step 105, MFP other than MFP 200 enters communication network 600 in this step S 105. Determine if connected.

  Further, when it is determined in step S105 that another MFP is connected to the network, the MFP 100 proceeds to the process in step S107 as in the previous process, and the user who has been authenticated for the other MFP is moved to step S107. It is determined whether or not the personal address book data is held.

  That is, unless MFP 100 detects an MFP that holds the personal address book data of the user authenticated in step S107, MFP 100 sequentially performs the processes in steps S105 and 107 for all MFPs connected to communication network 600. Execute.

  If the MFP 100 determines that any MFP connected to the communication network 600 holds the personal address book data of the authenticated user, the MFP 100 determines that the personal address book of the authenticated user is stored. Is received (S108), and the personal address book of the authenticated user is displayed on the destination selection screen (S104). On the other hand, if it is determined that none of the MFPs connected to the communication network 600 holds data of the authenticated user's personal address book, the MFP 100 stores the authenticated user's personal address book data. The creation of data is permitted (S106).

  Next, personal address book data transmitted from another MFP in step S108 described above will be described. In the following description, personal address book data transmitted from MFP 100 will be described as an example.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of personal address book data transmitted from the MFP in the data communication system of the present embodiment.

  The data in FIG. 6 is changed because the personal address book data of User A in FIG. 3 is transmitted, and the address stored in the common address book or the directory server 500 is acquired from the address storage destination. And information on the storage destination of the address has been deleted.

  As described above, when the data in the personal address book is changed and transmitted, it is not necessary for the receiving MFP to acquire an address again, and the data receiving MFP can receive another MFP or directory. There is no inconvenience even if the model cannot obtain an address from the server 500.

  Next, processing for registering an address in the personal address book displayed on the destination display screen will be described.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of address registration processing executed in MFP 100.

  The algorithm shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7 is stored as a control program in the storage unit 102 of the MFP 100 and is executed by the control unit 101.

  First, input of an address is accepted (S201). Specifically, when the user presses an input button (see FIG. 5) on the destination selection screen, MFP 100 displays an address input screen (not shown) on operation unit 103 and accepts the input of the address.

  When the input of the address is accepted, it is determined whether or not the input address is registered in the personal address book displayed on the destination selection screen (S202).

  If it is determined that the input address is registered in the personal address book displayed on the destination selection screen (YES in S202), the processing shown in FIG. 7 is terminated.

  If it is determined that the input address is not registered in the personal address book displayed on the destination selection screen (NO in S202), it is determined whether the input address is registered in the common address book. (S203).

  When it is determined that the input address is registered in the common address book (YES in S203), the user name associated with the input address and registered in the common address book is the common address book. And is registered in the personal address book displayed on the destination selection screen (S204). At this time, information on the storage destination (common address book) of the input address is also registered in the personal address book.

  If it is determined that the input address is not registered in the common address book (NO in S203), it is determined whether the input address is registered in the directory server 500 (S205).

  If it is determined that the input address is registered in the directory server 500 (YES in S205), the name of the user registered in the directory server 500 in association with the input address is the directory server. It is acquired from 500 and registered in the personal address book displayed on the destination selection screen (S206). At this time, information on the storage destination (directory server 500) of the input address is also registered in the personal address book.

  If it is determined that the input address is not registered in the directory server 500 (NO in S205), the input address is newly registered in the personal address book displayed on the destination selection screen ( S207).

  In steps S202, 203, and 205 described above, specifically, the MFP 100 determines whether the input address information is included in the data of each address book or the information held by the directory server 500. to decide.

  In steps S204, 206, and 207 described above, specifically, the MFP 100 adds information such as an address and a user name to the data in the personal address book read out on the RAM of the storage unit 102.

  Next, a process executed by MFP 100 after MFP 100 transmits image data to the transmission destination designated on the destination selection screen will be described.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing executed after the end of image data transmission in MFP 100.

  The algorithm shown in the flowchart of FIG. 8 is stored as a control program in the storage unit 102 of the MFP 100 and is executed by the control unit 101.

  When the image data transmission process is completed (S301), it is determined whether the personal address book data displayed on the destination selection screen is data received from another MFP (S302).

  If it is determined that the personal address book data displayed on the destination selection screen is not data received from another MFP (NO in S302), the processing shown in FIG. 8 ends.

  If it is determined that the personal address book data displayed on the destination selection screen is data received from another MFP (YES in S302), the personal address displayed on the destination selection screen in step S207 It is determined whether or not there is a newly registered address in the book (S303). Specifically, MFP 100 determines whether or not new address information has been added to the personal address book data displayed on the destination selection screen.

  If it is determined that there is a newly registered address in the personal address book displayed on the destination selection screen (YES in S303), the data in the personal address book in which the address is registered is transmitted to another MFP. (S304). As a result, the address update registration process can be automatically executed in another MFP.

  Subsequently, the personal address book data displayed on the destination selection screen is deleted (S305).

  The processing shown in FIG. 8 mainly considers the case where the personal address book data displayed on the destination selection screen is data received from another MFP. However, the personal address book data (personal address book data read out on the RAM) displayed on the address selection screen includes personal address book data stored in the MFP 100 and personal data in step S106. Also included is personal address book data created by allowing the creation of a business address book. When these personal address book data are used for display of the destination selection screen, MFP 100 stores the personal address book data in the hard disk of storage unit 102 after transmitting the image data. In step S204, 206, and 207, when an address, a user name, and the like are newly registered in the personal address book, the MFP 100 adds information such as the user name and address after transmitting the image data. The stored personal address book data is stored in the hard disk of the storage unit 102.

  In the above-described embodiment, the personal address book data transmitted in step S304 includes the personal address book data to which the address storage destination and user name information is added in steps S204 and S206. Not. This does not cause any inconvenience even if the data receiving MFP is a model that cannot acquire an address from another MFP or the directory server 500 based on the address storage destination information registered in the personal address book. Is taken into account. Therefore, when it is clear that the data receiving destination MFP can acquire an address from another MFP or the directory server 500 based on the address storage destination information, the processing in steps S303 and S304 described above is as follows. Can be changed. That is, in this case, the process in step S303 described above is changed to a process for determining whether or not an address, an address storage destination, and the like are registered in the personal address book. Data in the personal address book in which the storage destination and the like are registered can be changed to processing to be transmitted to another MFP.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the apparatus body of the MFP as the data communication apparatus does not hold the data of the predetermined personal address book, and other MFPs connected via the network have the predetermined personal address. When the book data is held, the predetermined personal address book data can be received from the other MFP, so that it is not necessary to newly create the predetermined address book data. This prevents duplicate registration of the same address.

  In addition, when neither the apparatus main body of the MFP nor any other MFP holds data of a predetermined user's personal address book, creation of data of the predetermined personal address book is permitted. That is, in the present embodiment, when either the MFP main body or the other MFP holds the predetermined personal address book data, the creation of the predetermined personal address book data is not performed. Since it is not permitted, duplicate registration is prevented as described above.

  Further, when the MFP main body holds the data of the predetermined personal address book, since the other MFP is not accessed, complicated processing does not occur.

  When a new address is registered in the personal address book acquired from the other MFP, the data in the personal address book in which the new address is registered is transmitted to the other MFP. Accordingly, the address update registration process can be automatically executed in the other MFP, and the user does not have to perform the update registration in the other MFP.

  An address directly input to the MFP is automatically registered in the personal address book. As a result, the user can easily register the address in the personal address book.

  In addition, regarding the addresses stored in the common address book or the directory server, only the user name and address storage destination are registered in the personal address book, and the address itself is not registered. This prevents duplicate registration in which the same address is registered in the personal address book and the common address book or directory server.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the process shown in FIG. 7 has been described as a process executed after the personal address book is displayed on the destination display screen in step S104 shown in FIG. 4, but step S101 shown in FIG. ˜102 can be executed at any time after the user authentication process shown in FIG. Specifically, when the MFP 100 determines that the user authentication is successful in the user authentication process, the MFP 100 displays an address input screen on the operation unit and accepts the input of the address (S201), and then step S202. The subsequent processing may be executed.

  In each of the above embodiments, the MFP has been described as an example of the data communication apparatus. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the data communication apparatus may be a printer, a digital copying machine, a facsimile apparatus, or an e-mail printer. Etc. may be used alone.

  The means and method for performing various processes in the data communication apparatus according to the present embodiment can be realized by either a dedicated hardware circuit or a programmed computer. The program may be provided by a computer-readable recording medium such as a flexible disk or a CD-ROM, or may be provided online via a network such as the Internet. In this case, the program recorded on the computer-readable recording medium is usually transferred to and stored in a storage unit such as a hard disk. The program may be provided as a single application software, or may be incorporated into the software of the apparatus as a function of the image forming apparatus.

1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a data communication system 1 to which a data communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an MFP as a data communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating address book data held by an MFP. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing from user authentication to address book display executed in the MFP. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state in which the personal address book of User A shown in FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of personal address book data transmitted from an MFP in the data communication system of the present embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of address registration processing executed in the MFP. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of processing executed after the end of image data transmission in the MFP.

Explanation of symbols

100, 200, 300 MFP,
101 control unit,
102 storage unit,
103 operation unit,
104 Image reading unit,
105 printing section,
106 network interface, 107 bus.

Claims (10)

A data communication device connected to another data communication device via a network,
First determination means for determining whether the apparatus main body holds predetermined address book data;
Second determination means for determining whether the other data communication device holds the predetermined address book data;
The first determining means determines that the apparatus main body does not hold the predetermined address book data, and the second determining means allows the other data communication apparatus to hold the predetermined address book data. A receiving means for receiving the predetermined address book data from the other data communication device;
A data communication apparatus comprising: Third judging means for judging whether or not address book data is received from the other data communication device by the receiving means;
Fourth determination means for determining whether or not the received address book data has been changed when it is determined by the third determination means that the address book data has been received from the other data communication device;
A transmission means for transmitting the changed address book data to the other data communication device when it is determined by the fourth determination means that the received address book data has been changed;
The data communication apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:   When the predetermined address book data is received by the receiving unit, the received unit further includes a deleting unit that deletes the received address book data after a predetermined process is executed using the received address book data. The data communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the data communication apparatus is a data communication apparatus. A data communication device connected to another data communication device via a network,
First determination means for determining whether the apparatus main body holds predetermined address book data;
Second determination means for determining whether the other data communication device holds the predetermined address book data;
The first determining means determines that the apparatus main body does not hold the predetermined address book data, and the second determining means allows the other data communication apparatus to hold the predetermined address book data. If it is determined that it is not, address book creation permission means for permitting creation of the predetermined address book data,
A data communication apparatus comprising:   5. The data communication apparatus according to claim 4, further comprising storage means for storing predetermined address book data created by permission from the address book creation permission means. A data communication method using a data communication device connected to another data communication device via a network,
A first determination step of determining whether or not the apparatus main body holds predetermined address book data;
A second determination step of determining whether the other data communication device holds the predetermined address book data;
In the first determination step, it is determined that the apparatus main body does not hold the predetermined address book data, and in the second determination step, the other data communication apparatus holds the predetermined address book data. A reception step of receiving the predetermined address book data from the other data communication device;
A data communication method characterized by comprising: A data communication method using a data communication device connected to another data communication device via a network,
A first determination step of determining whether or not the apparatus main body holds the predetermined address book data;
A second determination step of determining whether the other data communication device holds the predetermined address book data;
In the first determination step, it is determined that the predetermined address book data is not held in the apparatus main body, and in the second determination step, the other data communication apparatus holds the predetermined address book data. If it is determined that the address book data is not created, an address book data creation permission step for permitting creation of address book data;
A data communication method characterized by comprising: A data communication program for causing a data communication apparatus connected to another data communication apparatus via a network to execute the program,
A first determination procedure for determining whether or not an apparatus main body holds the predetermined address book data;
A second determination procedure for determining whether the other data communication device holds the predetermined address book data;
In the first determination procedure, it is determined that the device main body does not hold the predetermined address book data, and in the second determination procedure, the other data communication device holds the predetermined address book data. A reception procedure for receiving the predetermined address book data from the other data communication device;
A data communication program characterized by comprising: A data communication program for causing a data communication apparatus connected to another data communication apparatus via a network to execute the program,
A first determination procedure for determining whether or not an apparatus main body holds the predetermined address book data;
A second determination procedure for determining whether the other data communication device holds the predetermined address book data;
In the first determination procedure, it is determined that the device main body does not hold the predetermined address book data, and in the second determination procedure, the other data communication device holds the predetermined address book data. If it is determined that the address book data is not, the address book data creation permission procedure for permitting the creation of address book data,
A data communication program characterized by comprising:   A computer-readable recording medium on which the data communication program according to claim 8 or 9 is recorded.

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