JP2007274523A - Facsimile machine, and facsimile transmission method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a facsimile machine for preventing mistransmissions by allowing an operator to enter the same destination information again after a destination telephone number entered at destination designation and entry of a mail address. <P>SOLUTION: The facsimile machine includes: an operation section (2) to which the operator can make entry and capable of displaying entered destination information; a read section (1) capable of reading an original set by the operator as image information; a communication processing section (3) for carrying out facsimile communication and W-NET FAX communication; and a basic processing section (4) that includes a destination object storage section (5) for receiving the destination information from the operation section (2) in a form of a notice a and storing the received destination information as a destination object and collates the destination object stored in the destination object storage section (5) with destination information which the operator re-enters via the operation section (2). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus, and more particularly to a facsimile apparatus that performs facsimile communication and W-NET FAX communication.

  In conventional facsimile machines, registration of destination phone numbers and email addresses to speed dials and destination phone numbers and email addresses to buttons that can be operated with a single touch have been realized so that entry of destinations can be easily operated. By correctly entering the destination telephone number and e-mail address at the time of registration, erroneous transmission due to the input of the destination number at the time of transmission is prevented.

  However, as described above, it is necessary to input a long number of digits every time a transmission instruction is given to a destination that has not been registered in advance, which causes erroneous transmission due to erroneous input. Recently, information leakage has become a problem, and it is considered effective to prevent erroneous transmission due to incorrect destination input.

As a related technique, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-200058 discloses an erroneous transmission prevention system.
In this prior art, in the erroneous transmission prevention method of the facsimile apparatus, an input is performed by inputting the dial number of the facsimile terminal on the receiving side of the transmission original that is input by dial input when transmitting the transmission original, If the content of the first input operation does not match the content of the second input operation, the document is not transmitted.

Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 4-290061 discloses a method for preventing erroneous transmission of a communication device.
In this prior art, in a communication device having an automatic transmission function such as a teletex device or a facsimile device, when registering a dial number of a speed dial or an auto dial, the dial number is entered twice, and the dial number inputted first time. If the dial number input for the second time does not match, the dial registration of the abbreviated dial or auto dial is not performed.

Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 7-307825 discloses a facsimile apparatus.
This facsimile apparatus is a facsimile apparatus that transfers received image information to an instructed transfer destination. The facsimile apparatus includes an accepting unit, a first storage unit, a second storage unit, a determination unit, and a telephone number changing unit.
The accepting unit accepts the changed transfer destination telephone number when an instruction to change the transfer destination is given. The first storage means stores the telephone number accepted for the first time by the accepting means. The second storage means stores the telephone number accepted by the accepting means for the second time. The determining means determines whether the telephone number stored in the first storage means matches the telephone number stored in the second storage means. The telephone number changing means changes the transfer destination telephone number to the matched telephone number when it is determined by the determining means that they match.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-200058 JP-A-4-290061 JP-A-7-307825

  An object of the present invention is to provide a facsimile apparatus that prevents transmission to an erroneous destination by inputting the same destination information again when the destination information such as a destination telephone number or a mail address is directly input.

  In the following, means for solving the problem will be described using the numbers used in [Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention] in parentheses. These numbers are added to clarify the correspondence between the description of [Claims] and [Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention]. However, these numbers should not be used to interpret the technical scope of the invention described in [Claims].

  The facsimile apparatus of the present invention is based on the reading unit (1) for reading a document and outputting image data, the operation unit (2) for receiving destination input and outputting destination information indicating the destination, and the destination information. And receiving the destination information from the communication processing unit (3) for transmitting the image data to the destination and the operation unit (2), collating the destination information with the destination candidate information, A basic processing unit (4) for receiving the image data from the reading unit (1) and notifying the communication processing unit (3) of the image data and the destination information if the destination candidate information matches; If the destination information does not match the destination candidate information, the storage unit (5) stores the destination information as the destination candidate information.

  Each time the destination is input to the operation unit (2), the basic processing unit (4) collates the destination information indicating the input destination with the destination candidate information, and the destination information and the destination candidate If the information does not match, if the predetermined number of times continues, the destination candidate information is deleted, and the operation unit (2) is notified of the mismatch of the destination information.

  When the destination information and the destination candidate information match, the basic processing unit (4) deletes the destination candidate information and notifies the operation unit (2) of confirmation of the destination information.

  The basic processing unit (4) instructs the reading unit (1) to read the document in response to a transmission instruction from the operation unit (2) notified of the confirmation.

  The basic processing unit (4) performs collation for a characteristic part of the contents of the destination information. For example, when the destination information is a mail address, collation is performed for the account part before @. When the destination information is a telephone number, collation is performed for the portion after the area code.

  The facsimile transmission method of the present invention includes: (a) generating destination information based on a designated destination; (b) comparing the destination information with destination candidate information; (c) the destination information and the If the destination candidate information does not match, the step of storing the destination information as the destination candidate information; and (d) if the destination information and the destination candidate information match, determine the destination information. Erasing the stored destination candidate information; (e) reading the document after generating the destination information and generating image data; and (f) the image data based on the destination information. Transmitting to the destination.

  The step (c) includes a step (c1) of displaying a screen for re-inputting the destination if the destination information does not match the destination candidate information.

  The step (c) includes the step (c2): every time a destination is input, the destination information indicating the input destination is compared with the destination candidate information, and even if the destination is input a predetermined number of times, the destination information If the destination candidate information does not match, the destination candidate information is erased and a notification of the mismatch of the destination information is further provided.

  The step (e) includes (e1) a step of transmitting a confirmation notification after the destination information is confirmed, and (e2) starting reading the document in response to a transmission instruction notified as a response to the confirmation notification. Step.

  The step (b) includes a step (b1) of collating with respect to a characteristic part of the contents of the destination information. For example, when the destination information is a mail address, collation is performed for the account part before @. When the destination information is a telephone number, collation is performed for the portion after the area code.

  The program of the present invention causes a computer to execute the above facsimile transmission method.

  When specifying a destination with a phone number or e-mail address, there are cases in which the number of digits is so large that it is sent to the wrong destination. However, if the same destination phone number or e-mail address is entered twice, an incorrect input is made. It can be prevented.

A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
The configuration of the present invention is shown in FIG.
The facsimile apparatus (FAX) includes a reading unit 1, an operation unit 2, a communication unit 3, a basic processing unit 4, and a destination candidate storage unit 5.

  The reading unit 1 can read a document set by an operator as image information. The operation unit 2 can be input by the operator and can display the input destination information. The communication processing unit 3 performs facsimile communication and W-NET FAX communication. W-NET FAX is an extension function of FAX that enables communication between FAXes and communication with a personal computer in the same manner as Internet mail (E-MAIL). That is, in W-NET FAX communication, image data of a FAX document (paper) can be transmitted by e-mail to a personal computer or transmitted from a personal computer on the LAN to a general FAX. The basic processing unit 4 controls these to realize an image communication function. The destination candidate storage unit 5 receives the destination information from the operation unit 2 by the notification a and stores it as a destination candidate.

  In addition, the basic processing unit 4 collates the destination candidates stored in the destination candidate storage unit 5 with the destination information input again by the operator via the operation unit 2. The basic processing unit 4 may have a destination candidate storage unit 5 therein.

The processing flow of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B.
(1) Step S101
First, the operator sets an original on the reading unit 1 and inputs a destination telephone number to be transmitted from the operation unit 2. In this embodiment, a telephone number is assumed for address designation, but in the case of W-NET FAX, a mail address is designated.
(2) Step S102
The basic processing unit 4 is waiting for an event from each processing unit as shown in FIG.
The designated destination is notified from the operation unit 2 to the basic processing unit 4 by a notification a.
(3) Step S103
If the notified telephone number is the first input, the basic processing unit 4 stores the telephone number as a destination candidate in the destination candidate storage unit 5.
(4) Step S104
For confirmation, the operation unit 2 is notified of a screen display prompting input by a notification e in order to input the telephone number of the same destination again (see FIG. 4). In this embodiment, whether the destination designation is the first time or the second time is determined based on the presence / absence of a destination candidate in the destination candidate storage unit 5.
(5) Step S105
Next, when receiving the notification e, the operation unit 2 displays a screen for re-inputting the telephone number of the same destination.
(6) Step S106
When the operator inputs the destination telephone number again, the operation unit 2 notifies the basic processing unit 4 again by the notification a.
(7) Step S107
When the basic processing unit 4 receives the notification a, the basic processing unit 4 checks the destination candidate in the destination candidate storage unit 5 and collates the telephone number of the destination candidate already registered with the telephone number notified in the current notification a.
(8) Step S108
If the two telephone numbers match as a result of the telephone number collation, the telephone number is held as an official transmission destination, and the destination completion (destination confirmation) is notified by the notification f. The destination candidate in the destination candidate storage unit 5 is deleted.
(9) Step S109
The operation unit 2 that has received the notification f continues to input the destination telephone number when there is an additional destination.
(10) Step S110
When all of the destination designations are completed, the operation unit 2 notifies the basic processing unit 4 of a transmission instruction by a notification g.
(11) Step S111
The basic processing unit 4 that has received the transmission instruction g notifies the reading unit 1 of a notification b that is an instruction to start reading a document (see FIG. 5).
(12) Step S112
The reading unit 1 reads a document and notifies the basic processing unit 4 of information of a read image by a notification c. At this time, information of the read image may be displayed on the operation unit 2 so that it can be confirmed whether or not this read image is transmitted. If the read image is unsatisfactory, the basic processing unit 4 instructs the reading unit 1 to read the original again.
(13) Step S113
The basic processing unit 4 transmits a notification d to the communication processing unit 3 with the formal transmission destination and the image information received in the notification c (see FIG. 6).
(14) Step S114
The communication processing unit 3 performs facsimile communication.
(15) Step S115
Next, the case where the telephone number verification results do not match will be described. If the destination candidate in the destination candidate storage unit 5 and the destination telephone number notified by the notification a do not match, the destination candidate is deleted and a destination mismatch is notified by the notification f.
(16) Step S116
The operation unit 2 displays a screen for inputting a destination.

FIG. 3 shows an event waiting state from each processing unit in the basic processing unit 4. The basic processing unit 4 is notified as follows.
(1) Notification a
The basic processing unit 4 is notified of the destination input by the operation unit 2 by the notification a from the operation unit 2.
(2) Notification g
The basic processing unit 4 is notified of a transmission instruction in facsimile communication of a document by a notification g from the operation unit 2. In response to the notification g, the basic processing unit 4 notifies the reading unit 1 of a reading start instruction by the notification b.
(3) Notification c
The basic processing unit 4 is notified of the image information of the document set on the reading unit 1 by the notification c from the reading unit 1. The basic processing unit 4 notifies the communication processing unit 3 of the image information received by the notification c by the notification d.

FIG. 4 illustrates a processing flow for destination check.
(1) Step S201
When the destination information is notified from the operation unit 2, the basic processing unit 4 confirms whether the destination information is registered in the destination candidate storage unit 5.
(2) Step S202
If there is no registration, the basic processing unit 4 determines that the input is the first time, and stores the destination information in the destination candidate storage unit 5 as destination candidate information.
(3) Step S203
Thereafter, the basic processing unit 4 instructs the operation unit 2 to input again for confirmation. At this time, a display screen that prompts the user to re-input the destination information or an input screen may be notified to the operation unit 2.
(4) Step S204
If registered, the basic processing unit 4 checks whether the destination information matches the destination candidate information in the destination candidate storage unit 5.
(5) Step S205
If they match, the destination information is determined as a destination, and stored as a normal destination, and the destination candidate information in the destination candidate storage unit 5 is cleared (erased).
(6) Step S206
The basic processing unit 4 notifies the operation unit 2 that the destination information has been determined as the destination.
(7) Step S207
If they do not match, the destination candidate information in the destination candidate storage unit 5 is cleared (erased).
(8) Step S208
The basic processing unit 4 notifies the operation unit 2 that the destination information does not match the destination candidate information.

FIG. 5 shows a read instruction receiving process.
In response to the notification g from the operation unit 2, the basic processing unit 4 transmits a notification b for notifying the reading unit 1 of a reading start instruction.

FIG. 6 shows image notification reception processing.
The basic processing unit 4 transmits the notification d for notifying the communication processing unit 3 of a communication start instruction by combining the confirmed destination information and the image information received from the reading unit 1.

In the present embodiment, all the digits of the designated destination are collated, but the number of digits to be collated may be limited. For example, in the case of address designation by e-mail address, re-entry of the domain part after @ is omitted, only the account part before @ is re-inputted, and only the account part is verified. The domain part is relatively stylized and easy to input correctly, but the account part has various names, and checking only the account is effective in preventing erroneous transmission (incorrect input).
Similarly, in the case of destination designation by telephone number, it may be possible to omit the re-entry of the area code and re-enter only the part after the area code for verification.

A second embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
In the first embodiment, when the second destination telephone numbers do not match, the first and second destination telephone numbers are discarded. However, as another example, by holding both the first and second destination telephone numbers and adopting a telephone number that matches the third input telephone number, the burden caused by an error in inputting the destination telephone number can be reduced. Mitigating is also effective.

The processing flow of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C.
(1) Step S301
First, the operator sets a document on the reading unit 1 and inputs a destination telephone number to be transmitted from the operation unit 2.
(2) Step S302
The basic processing unit 4 is waiting for an event from each processing unit as shown in FIG.
The designated destination is notified from the operation unit 2 to the basic processing unit 4 by a notification a.
(3) Step S303
If the notified telephone number is the first input, the basic processing unit 4 stores the telephone number as a destination candidate in the destination candidate storage unit 5.
(4) Step S304
For confirmation, the operation unit 2 is notified of a screen display prompting input by a notification e in order to input the telephone number of the same destination again (see FIG. 4).
(5) Step S305
Next, when receiving the notification e, the operation unit 2 displays a screen for re-inputting the telephone number of the same destination.
(6) Step S306
When the operator inputs the destination telephone number again, the operation unit 2 notifies the basic processing unit 4 again by the notification a.
(7) Step S307
When the basic processing unit 4 receives the notification a, the basic processing unit 4 checks the destination candidate in the destination candidate storage unit 5 and collates the telephone number of the destination candidate already registered with the telephone number notified in the current notification a.
(8) Step S308
If the two telephone numbers match as a result of the telephone number collation, the telephone number is held as an official transmission destination, and the destination completion (destination confirmation) is notified by the notification f. The destination candidate in the destination candidate storage unit 5 is deleted.
(9) Step S309
The operation unit 2 that has received the notification f continues to input the destination telephone number when there is an additional destination.
(10) Step S310
When all of the destination designations are completed, the operation unit 2 notifies the basic processing unit 4 of a transmission instruction by a notification g.
(11) Step S311
The basic processing unit 4 that has received the transmission instruction g notifies the reading unit 1 of a notification b that is an instruction to start reading a document (see FIG. 5).
(12) Step S312
The reading unit 1 reads a document and notifies the basic processing unit 4 of information of a read image by a notification c. At this time, information of the read image may be displayed on the operation unit 2 so that it can be confirmed whether or not this read image is transmitted. If the read image is unsatisfactory, the basic processing unit 4 instructs the reading unit 1 to read the original again.
(13) Step S313
The basic processing unit 4 transmits a notification d to the communication processing unit 3 with the formal transmission destination and the image information received in the notification c (see FIG. 6).
(14) Step S314
The communication processing unit 3 performs facsimile communication.

In this embodiment, a case will be described in which the re-input destination telephone number does not match the destination telephone number designated first. In this case, it registers in the destination candidate memory | storage part 5 as a 2nd destination candidate. Therefore, at this time, the destination candidate storage unit 5 is in a state where two types of destination telephone numbers are stored.
(15) Step S315
Next, the basic processing unit 4 notifies the operation unit 2 of the notification f again, thereby instructing the third destination input.
(16) Step S316
The operation unit 2 then sends a notification a to the basic processing unit 4 to collate the notified third destination telephone number with the two destination telephone numbers stored in the destination candidate storage unit 5.
(17) Step S317
As a result of the collation, if the third destination telephone number matches one of the two destination telephone numbers stored in the destination candidate storage unit 5, the matched destination telephone number is determined and held as the destination telephone number. To do.
(18) Step S318
Next, the destination telephone number stored in the destination candidate storage unit 5 is discarded, and the destination determination is notified to the operation unit 2 by the notification f.
(19) Step S319
If neither of the two destination telephone numbers stored in the destination candidate storage unit 5 matches, the destination telephone number stored in the destination candidate storage unit 5 is discarded and a destination mismatch is notified to the operation unit 2 f.
(20) Step S320
The operation unit 2 displays a screen for inputting a destination.

FIG. 8 shows a processing flow of destination check in the second embodiment.
(1) Step S401
When the destination information is notified from the operation unit 2, the basic processing unit 4 confirms whether the destination information is registered in the destination candidate storage unit 5.
(2) Step S402
If there is no registered destination candidate information, the basic processing unit 4 determines that the input is the first time, and stores the destination information in the destination candidate storage unit 5 as destination candidate information.
(3) Step S403
Thereafter, the basic processing unit 4 instructs the operation unit 2 to input again for confirmation. At this time, a display screen that prompts the user to re-input the destination information or an input screen may be notified to the operation unit 2.
(4) Step S404
When there is one registered destination candidate information, the basic processing unit 4 confirms whether the destination information matches the destination candidate information in the destination candidate storage unit 5. If they do not match, the basic processing unit 4 determines that the input is the second time, and stores the destination information as destination candidate information in the destination candidate storage unit 5 as in step S402. Thereafter, as in step S403, the basic processing unit 4 instructs the operation unit 2 to input again for confirmation.
(5) Step S405
When there are two registered destination candidate information, the basic processing unit 4 checks whether the destination information matches one of the two destination candidate information in the destination candidate storage unit 5.
(6) Step S406
When the destination information and the destination candidate information in the destination candidate storage unit 5 match, the destination information is determined as a destination and stored as a regular destination, and the destination candidate information in the destination candidate storage unit 5 is cleared (erased). To do.
(7) Step S407
The basic processing unit 4 notifies the operation unit 2 that the destination information has been determined as the destination.
(8) Step S408
If the destination information does not match any of the two destination candidate information in the destination candidate storage unit 5, the destination candidate information in the destination candidate storage unit 5 is cleared (erased).
(9) Step S409
The basic processing unit 4 notifies the operation unit 2 that the destination information does not match the destination candidate information.

In this embodiment, the destination information is input three times, but it is not limited to three in practice. It may be possible to input a predetermined number of times according to user settings or facsimile machine manufacturer settings.
For example, when the destination information is input five times, the input destination information and the destination candidate information are collated each time there is an input from the second time to the fifth time after the first input, and they match. You may make it complete | finish a destination check process at the time. In this case, if the destination information input for the fifth time (last) does not match any of the destination candidate information, all the destination candidate information is cleared (erased), and the operation unit 2 is notified of the mismatch.

  The facsimile apparatus according to the present invention is not limited to the FAX itself, but may be a telephone set or a computer having a facsimile function, or a multifunction machine having a facsimile function and other functions (printer function, copy function, scanner function, etc.). At this time, a program for causing a computer to execute the operation of each processing flow described above may be used.

  As described above, in the facsimile apparatus of the present invention, in the apparatus having the facsimile communication function or the W-NET FAX function or both functions, when the destination designation is directly input on the operation panel, the erroneous transmission caused by the destination designation error is generated. It is a device having a function of preventing.

  In the present invention, when the destination information such as the destination telephone number or the mail address is directly input, the same destination information is input again to prevent transmission to an erroneous destination.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2A is a flowchart showing the processing flow of the present invention. FIG. 2B is a flowchart showing the processing flow of the present invention. FIG. 3 shows the main processing of the basic processing unit 4. FIG. 4 shows destination information reception processing of the basic processing unit 4. FIG. 5 shows a read instruction order process of the basic processing unit 4. FIG. 6 shows image reception processing of the basic processing unit 4. FIG. 7A is a flowchart illustrating a processing flow of another embodiment. FIG. 7B is a flowchart illustrating the processing flow of another embodiment. FIG. 7C is a flowchart illustrating a processing flow of another embodiment. FIG. 8 is a destination information reception process of the basic processing unit 4 of another embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Reading part 2 ... Operation part 3 ... Communication processing part 4 ... Basic processing part 5 ... Destination candidate memory | storage part

Claims (11)

A reading unit that reads an original and outputs image data;
An operation unit that receives input of a destination and outputs destination information indicating the destination;
A communication processing unit for transmitting the image data to the destination based on the destination information;
The destination information is received from the operation unit, the destination information and destination candidate information are collated, and if the destination information matches the destination candidate information, the image data is received from the reading unit, and the image A basic processing unit for notifying data and the destination information to the communication processing unit;
A facsimile apparatus, comprising: a storage unit that stores the destination information as the destination candidate information if the destination information and the destination candidate information do not match. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1,
Whenever the destination is input to the operation unit, the basic processing unit collates the destination information indicating the input destination with the destination candidate information, and the destination information does not match the destination candidate information. If the predetermined number of times continues, the destination candidate information is deleted, and the operation unit is notified of the mismatch of the destination information. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1,
The basic processing unit, when the destination information matches the destination candidate information, erases the destination candidate information and notifies the operation unit of the confirmation of the destination information. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 3,
The basic processing unit instructs the reading unit to read the document in response to a transmission instruction from the operation unit notified of the confirmation. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1,
The basic processing unit is a facsimile apparatus that performs collation for a characteristic portion of the contents of the destination information. (A) generating destination information based on the designated destination;
(B) collating the destination information with the destination candidate information;
(C) if the destination information and the destination candidate information do not match, storing the destination information as the destination candidate information;
(D) if the destination information and the destination candidate information match, confirming the destination information and erasing the stored destination candidate information;
(E) after the destination information is determined, reading a document and generating image data;
(F) A facsimile transmission method comprising: transmitting the image data to the destination based on the destination information. The facsimile transmission method according to claim 6, wherein
The step (c) includes:
(C1) A facsimile transmission method comprising a step of displaying a screen for re-inputting a destination if the destination information does not match the destination candidate information. The facsimile transmission method according to claim 7,
The step (c) includes:
(C2) Each time a destination is input, the destination information indicating the input destination is collated with the destination candidate information, and even if the destination is input a predetermined number of times, the destination information and the destination candidate information are The facsimile transmission method further comprising the step of deleting the candidate address information and notifying the mismatch of the destination information when they do not match. The facsimile transmission method according to claim 6, wherein
The step (e) includes:
(E1) a step of transmitting a confirmation notice after the destination information is confirmed;
(E2) A facsimile transmission method comprising: a step of starting reading the document in response to a transmission instruction notified as a response to the confirmation notification. The facsimile transmission method according to claim 6, wherein
The step (b)
(B1) A facsimile transmission method comprising a step of collating a characteristic part of the contents of the destination information.   A program for causing a computer to execute the facsimile transmission method according to claim 6.

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