JP2008172394A - Facsimile communication method, facsimile machine and facsimile communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable executing F code confidential communication, even if a user does not know the F code of an opposite party apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: Upon receiving an inputted FAX number, a transmitter side apparatus specifies the opposite party apparatus on the basis of the inputted FAX number, and transmits a request of acquiring configuration information of a confidential box to the opposite party apparatus. In the opposite party apparatus, upon receiving the request of acquiring the configuration information, a main control section reads the configuration information from which only the confidential box capable of being made disclosed is extracted, from a RAM. Then, the configuration information is transmitted to the transmitter side apparatus. Upon receiving the configuration information of the confidential box, the transmitter side apparatus stores the configuration information in the RAM. In the transmitter side apparatus, when a confidential communication mode is set, the main control section reads the F code from the stored configuration information and executes F code confidential communication. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a facsimile communication method, a facsimile apparatus, and a facsimile communication system that enable F-code confidential communication to a confidential box even when a transmission-side user does not know the F-code of the confidential box of the counterpart apparatus.

  In facsimile (hereinafter referred to as FAX) communication, confidential communication in which FAX transmission is performed to a confidential box (BOX) created in a partner FAX apparatus (hereinafter referred to as partner apparatus) may be performed. A confidential communication function using an F code based on an ITU-T (International Telecommunication Union) recommendation is used as a mechanism of confidential communication for FAX transmission to a confidential box created in a destination FAX apparatus (for example, a patent) Reference 1).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-322529 (paragraphs 0022-0024, FIG. 6)

  In FAX communication, if the transmitting side user inputs only information (FAX number) for identifying a destination device in a communication network (for example, public switched telephone network), for example, only the phone number of the destination device, Data can only be sent to the FAX machine. When performing confidential communication using the F code, the transmission-side user cannot perform FAX transmission to the confidential box without knowing the F code of the confidential box in the destination apparatus. The F code is identification information that is valid only within a certain FAX machine, and is not unique information that can be identified on the public network such as a telephone number or e-mail address. Therefore, the sending user knows the F code of the confidential box. In order to do this, it is necessary to keep in touch with the other user in advance. Even if you want to use it immediately, you cannot use it without knowing the F code of the confidential box.

  Therefore, the present invention provides a facsimile communication method capable of performing confidential communication with a partner apparatus even when the transmission side user does not know the identification information (for example, F code) of the confidential box in the partner apparatus. An object of the present invention is to provide a facsimile apparatus and a facsimile communication system.

  The facsimile communication method according to the present invention is a facsimile communication method using a confidential communication function, and when information for specifying a partner device is input to the transmission side device, the transmission side device is specified by the information. A request signal requesting the configuration information of the confidential box is transmitted to the counterpart device, and the counterpart device that has received the request signal transmits the configuration information of the confidential box of the own device to the transmission side device. The apparatus performs confidential communication based on the F code included in the configuration information of the confidential box received from the counterpart apparatus.

  The confidential box configuration information includes the confidential box name, the transmission side device displays the confidential box name included in the confidential box configuration information received from the destination device, and the transmission side device displays the user in the confidential box displayed. It may be configured to execute confidential communication based on the F code corresponding to the confidential box selected by.

  The configuration information of the confidential box includes information indicating whether or not to disclose the confidential box, and only the configuration information of the confidential box including the information indicating that the counterpart device is disclosed in response to the request signal is transmitted. May be configured to transmit to.

  When a facsimile apparatus according to the present invention receives information for specifying a partner apparatus (for example, a telephone number of the partner apparatus), the configuration information of the confidential box is sent to the partner apparatus specified by the information. A request signal transmitting means for transmitting a request signal to be requested; a configuration information transmitting means for transmitting the configuration information of the confidential box of the own apparatus to the transmission source of the request signal when the request signal is received; and the confidential box received from the counterpart apparatus. A facsimile apparatus comprising confidential communication means for executing confidential communication based on an F code included in the configuration information.

  The configuration information of the confidential box includes the confidential box name, and includes a display unit that displays the confidential box name included in the configuration information of the confidential box received from the destination device, and the confidential communication unit displays the confidential information displayed on the display unit. The confidential communication based on the F code corresponding to the confidential box selected by the user among the boxes may be executed.

  The configuration information of the confidential box includes information indicating whether or not to disclose the confidential box, and includes public selection means for setting information indicating that the confidential box is to be disclosed in the confidential box configuration information, and transmits the configuration information The means may be configured to transmit only the configuration information of the confidential box including information indicating that it is disclosed to the transmission side device in response to the request signal.

  The confidential communication means is based on the counterpart device specified by the information for specifying the counterpart device inputted when the request signal transmission means transmits the request signal, and the F code included in the configuration information of the confidential box. Execute confidential communication.

  The facsimile communication system according to the present invention is a facsimile communication system that includes a server device and uses a confidential communication function. When information for specifying a destination device is input, A request signal transmitting means for transmitting a request signal for requesting configuration information; a configuration information transmitting means for transmitting the configuration information of the confidential box of the own apparatus to the server apparatus upon receipt of the request signal; and a confidential box received from the counterpart apparatus. And a facsimile apparatus including confidential communication means for executing confidential communication based on the F code included in the configuration information, and when the server apparatus receives the request signal, it authenticates the facsimile apparatus that transmitted the request signal. Authentication means that performs authentication, and if the authentication means succeeds in authentication, the fax machine specified by the information for specifying the destination device And a configuration information relay unit that transmits a request signal to the apparatus and transmits the confidential box configuration information transmitted in response to the request signal to the facsimile apparatus that has transmitted the request signal. To do.

  According to the present invention, F-code confidential communication can be performed without the user knowing the F-code of the confidential box of the counterpart device. The reason is that the transmitting apparatus acquires the F code of the partner apparatus and automatically sets the F code confidential communication. Therefore, even if the user does not know the F code of the confidential box of the counterpart device, if the user knows only the information for specifying the counterpart device such as a telephone number, the F code confidential communication can be performed.

  Further, when only the configuration information of the confidential box including information indicating that it is disclosed is transmitted in response to the request signal, it is possible to prevent an unknown user from transmitting to the confidential box. it can.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing a first embodiment of a FAX communication system including a facsimile apparatus according to the present invention. The FAX communication system includes a destination apparatus 10a, a transmission side apparatus 10b, and a public switched telephone network (hereinafter referred to as a PSTN network) 17. Although FIG. 1 shows an example including two FAX apparatuses, the FAX communication system may include more FAX apparatuses. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the configuration of the counterpart device 10a and the configuration of the transmission side device 10b are the same.

  The confidential box configuration information includes, for example, box name, F code (SUB), and public / non-disclosure identification information of the box. In the present invention, the public / non-public of the box is included in the confidential box configuration information. Only the data for which the public identification information is made public is acquired from the counterpart device 10a by the transmission side device 10b and displayed on the screen of the transmission side device 10b. When the user selects a box name for FAX transmission from the box names displayed on the screen, the transmission-side apparatus 10b sets the F code of the box as the SUB signal in the FAX communication procedure, and executes F code confidential communication.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the FAX apparatus (the counterpart apparatus 10a and the transmission-side apparatus 10b) in the present embodiment. The FAX apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment includes a main control unit 1, an image memory 2, a modem 3, a network control unit 4, an operation display unit 5, an image reading unit 6, a RAM 7, and a ROM 8. It has a configuration connected by a bus 9.

  The main control unit 1 is realized by a CPU, for example. The main control unit 1 controls each functional unit included in the FAX apparatus 10. The main control unit 1 controls the operation of each hardware connected to the bus 9 according to a program stored in the ROM 8. The main control unit 1 also executes each program stored in the ROM 8, an instruction to move data from each hardware to other hardware via the bus 9, and a conversion process of the data stored in the RAM 7. The processing is executed in accordance with various software (that is, programs stored in the ROM 8).

  The image memory 2 is used as an area for storing transmitted image data read by the image reading unit 6 and received image data. Image data stored in a confidential box created in the FAX apparatus 10 is also stored in the image memory 2.

  The modem 3 is connected to the PSTN line 17. The modem 3 operates under the control of the main control unit 1 and has a function of modulating a transmission signal and demodulating a reception signal.

  The network control unit 4 performs automatic incoming call processing for outgoing calls from the PSTN line 17 and automatic outgoing call processing to the line, and performs a FAX communication procedure (with a partner FAX device) with a partner FAX device ( For example, G3 procedure) is executed. When the transmission side device 10b issues an acquisition request for confidential box configuration information to the destination device 10a, the main control unit 1 in the transmission side device 10b controls the network control unit 4 to acquire the confidential box configuration information. The request is transmitted to the counterpart device 10a. The request signal transmission unit is realized by the main control unit 1 and the network control unit 4. When the counterpart device 10a receives an acquisition request from the transmitting device 10b, the network control unit 4 in the counterpart device 10a receives the acquisition request, and the main control unit 1 stores the received data in the RAM 7 in the device. To store.

  The operation display unit 5 is realized by various operation keys for inputting signals such as a touch panel, a numeric keypad for dialing, and a start key, and a display such as an LCD. The operation display unit 5 of the present embodiment realizes input means and display means. Various commands such as a transmission operation are input using the operation keys of the operation display unit 5, and the contents of commands input from the operation keys and various information notified to the user from the FAX apparatus 10 are displayed on the display. For example, processing such as registration of a confidential box, acquisition of a confidential box list of a partner device, selection of a box from the acquired box name list, and setting of disclosure / non-disclosure of a confidential box are performed by operating the operation display unit 5. Is done. Specifically, the main control unit 1 operates in accordance with a signal input to the operation display unit 5, and exchanges data between the hardwares.

  The image reading unit 6 is realized by a scanner or the like. The image reading unit 6 reads a document with a scanner or the like and outputs image data. Image data used for FAX transmission is read by the image reading unit 6, and the main control unit 1 stores the image data in the image memory 2 and transmits it by FAX.

  The RAM 7 is used as a work area for the main control unit 1 and stores temporary data generated when the program is executed. The RAM 7 stores box configuration information such as the box name and F code of the confidential box created in the apparatus, and transmission information such as the destination telephone number and F code.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of configuration information of a confidential box. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of configuration information of a confidential box that is permitted to be disclosed. The confidential box configuration information includes a box name, an F code (SUB or SEP), and public / private identification information of the box. A configuration in which a user in the transmission-side device 10b can make a disclosure from the data format as shown in FIG. 3 when acquiring the configuration information of the confidential box stored in the RAM 7 of the counterpart device 10a. Get information. In that case, the configuration information of the confidential box in the counterpart device 10a is the main control unit 1 of the transmission side device 10b as a data format in which only the configuration information of the disclosed confidential box is extracted as shown in FIG. It is in a state where it can be taken out.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the configuration information of the confidential box displayed on the operation display unit 5. When the transmission-side apparatus 10b acquires the confidential box configuration information from the counterpart apparatus 10a, the main control unit 1 in the transmission-side apparatus 10b stores the configuration information in the RAM 7 in a data format as shown in FIG. Then, when displaying the configuration information on the screen of the operation display unit 5, the main control unit 1 displays only the box name data as shown in FIG.

  The ROM 8 stores a program necessary for the operation of the FAX apparatus 10. The ROM 8 also stores a program for acquiring the F code of the confidential box of the counterpart apparatus 10a and performing confidential communication.

  Note that a method for creating a confidential box in the FAX apparatus 10, a method for performing F-code confidential communication and FAX transmission to a specific confidential box in the counterpart apparatus 10a, and a method for extracting received data from the confidential box are the conventional methods. Same as the case.

  Next, a process for setting public / non-public to the created confidential box, a process for acquiring the confidential box configuration information of the counterpart apparatus 10a, and a process for acquiring the configuration information of the confidential box of the transmitting apparatus 10b. A process for performing F-code confidential communication will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing processing when setting the public / non-public setting for the created confidential box. The user who uses the FAX apparatus 10 can select whether the created confidential box is made public or private. For example, when the confidential box in the counterpart apparatus 10a is set to be openable, the confidential box configuration information can be taken out from another apparatus (for example, the transmitting apparatus 10b). On the other hand, when the confidential box is not disclosed, the confidential box configuration information cannot be extracted from another device.

  In the case of creating a public confidential box in the counterpart apparatus 10a (step S101), the user of the counterpart apparatus 10a selects a confidential box to be disclosed by using the confidential box public / private setting function. (Step S102). Specifically, in the counterpart device 10a, the main control unit 1 causes the operation display unit 5 to display a list in the created confidential box in accordance with a signal input to the operation display unit 5. The user selects a confidential box desired to be disclosed. The public selection means is realized by the main control unit 1 and the operation display unit 5 in the counterpart device 10a.

  The main control unit 1 in the counterpart apparatus 10a sets the public / private identification information in the configuration information of the selected confidential box among the confidential boxes stored in the RAM 7 to “1” indicating disclosure ( Step S103). Note that the public / private identification information in the confidential box is set to “0” which is private by default. Also, the public / non-public setting can be changed at any time for each confidential box.

  The main control unit 1 creates configuration information obtained by extracting only the disclosed confidential box as shown in FIG. 4 from the confidential box configuration information as shown in FIG. 3 (step S104). Then, the main control unit 1 stores the created configuration information in a storage area different from the confidential box configuration information in the RAM 7 (step S105).

  By executing the processing as described above, the confidential box disclosure / non-disclosure setting in the partner apparatus 10a is completed.

  Next, a process for acquiring confidential box configuration information in the counterpart apparatus 10a by the transmission-side apparatus 10b will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing processing when acquiring the confidential box configuration information from the counterpart apparatus 10a. When acquiring the configuration information of the confidential box of the counterpart device 10a (step S201), the user inputs a signal to make an acquisition request to the operation display unit 5 in the counterpart device 10a (step S202). At this time, the user also inputs the FAX number of the counterpart apparatus 10a. The main control unit 1 in the counterpart device 10 a outputs a control signal to the network control unit 4 in accordance with the signal input to the operation display unit 5.

  The network control unit 4 in the counterpart device 10a transmits a request for acquiring the confidential box configuration information to the counterpart device 10a in accordance with the control signal from the main control unit 1 (step S203). Specifically, the network control unit 4 sends an acquisition request to the counterpart device 10a for the configuration information stored in the RAM 7 of the counterpart device 10a and extracted from the confidential box as shown in FIG. Send to.

  In the counterpart device 10a, the configuration information acquisition request is received by the network control unit 4 (step S204). Then, the main control unit 1 in the counterpart apparatus 10a reads the configuration information from which only the confidential box that can be opened is extracted from the RAM 7 (step S205). Then, the network control unit 4 transmits the configuration information as shown in FIG. 4 to the transmission side device 10b according to the control signal from the main control unit 1 (step S206). The configuration information transmitting means is realized by the main control unit 1, the network control unit 4, and the RAM 7 in the counterpart device 10a.

  In the transmitting apparatus 10b, the confidential box configuration information transmitted by the counterpart apparatus 10a is received by the network control unit 4 (step S207). When the configuration information of the confidential box is received, the main control unit 1 stores the configuration information received by the network control unit 4 in the RAM 7 (step S208). The main control unit 1 stores the confidential box configuration information in the RAM 7 in association with the FAX number of the counterpart device (for example, the telephone number of the counterpart device).

  By executing the processing as described above, the transmission-side apparatus 10b can acquire the confidential box configuration information in the counterpart apparatus 10a. That is, the user only inputs the FAX number of the counterpart apparatus 10a, and the transmission apparatus 10b acquires the F code of the confidential box in the counterpart apparatus 10a.

  Next, processing when F-code confidential communication is performed based on the acquired confidential box configuration information will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing processing when F-code confidential communication is performed based on the acquired confidential box configuration information. In the transmission side device 10b, the main control unit 1 checks whether or not the configuration information of the confidential box of the counterpart device 10a can be acquired (step S301). If the confidential box configuration information has not been acquired (step S301: NO), the main control unit 1 ends the process.

  In this embodiment, the process of step S301 is executed subsequent to the process shown in FIG. 7, but when the configuration information of the confidential box of the counterpart device 10a is already stored in the RAM 7, When the FAX number of the partner apparatus 10a is input, the process of step S301 may be started immediately without executing the process shown in FIG.

  When the configuration information of the confidential box can be acquired (step S301: YES), the main control unit 1 reads out the confidential box configuration information corresponding to the FAX number of the counterpart apparatus 10a from the RAM 7, and the operation display unit 5 The confidential box configuration information is displayed on the screen (step S302). The main control unit 1 does not display all the confidential box configuration information stored in the RAM 7, that is, the data as shown in FIG. 4, but converts it into data including only the confidential box name as shown in FIG. Display the converted data.

  The user selects a confidential box name to be transmitted from the confidential box name displayed on the screen on the operation display unit 5 (step S304). The main control unit 1 recognizes the name of the confidential box to be transmitted according to the signal input to the operation display unit 5.

  The main control unit 1 searches for the F code of the box name selected by the user from the confidential box configuration information stored in the RAM 7 (step S305). Then, the main control unit 1 stores the found F code as transmission destination information in the F code (SUB) storage unit of the FAX transmission information area of the RAM 7 (step S306). Further, the main control unit 1 sets the communication mode in the FAX transmission information area of the RAM 7 to F code confidential communication (step S307).

  By executing the processing as described above, preparation for F-code confidential communication based on the acquired confidential box configuration information is completed.

  Thereafter, when the user presses the transmission button on the operation display unit 5, the main control unit 1 causes the image reading unit 6 to read a document and stores transmission data based on the read contents in the image memory 2. Then, the main control unit 1 calls the FAX number input when starting the process for acquiring the confidential box configuration information shown in FIG. 7, and starts transmission of transmission data. Specifically, the main control unit 1 causes the network control unit 4 to make a call, reads the F code from the RAM 7 and adds it to the FAX communication procedure signal (for example, adds a SUB signal) to control the modem 3 and the network. The FAX communication procedure is executed via the unit 4, and the transmission data stored in the image memory 2 is transmitted via the modem 3 and the network control unit 4. Note that the image reading unit 6 may start a process of reading a document before the transmission button is pressed.

  As described above, in the facsimile apparatus according to the present invention, the user of the transmitting apparatus 10b simply inputs the FAX number of the partner apparatus 10a from the operation display unit 5, and the transmitting apparatus 10b transmits the F code of the partner apparatus 10a. It is acquired, F code confidential communication is automatically set, and F code confidential communication is executed.

  Further, according to the present invention, when it is not desired to be transmitted to a confidential box from an unknown user, it is possible to prevent transmission to the confidential box. The reason is that the confidential box created by the user can be set to public / private. For example, if the user does not want to be sent to a confidential box from an unknown user, the confidential box may be set as private.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 9 is a system configuration diagram showing the configuration of the second embodiment of the FAX communication system including the facsimile apparatus. The FAX communication system includes a destination apparatus 10a, a transmission side apparatus 10b, an external server 20, a LAN 16 as a communication network, and a PSTN network 17. In the present embodiment, the external server 20 is used when performing authentication for acquiring a confidential box list from the transmission-side apparatus 10b to the counterpart apparatus 10a. Although FIG. 9 shows an example including two FAX apparatuses, the FAX communication system may include more FAX apparatuses. Further, the communication network is not limited to the LAN 16. In addition to the components included in the FAX apparatus according to the first embodiment, the FAX apparatus according to this embodiment includes a network control unit 11 that transmits and receives data via the LAN 16.

  The external server 20 includes an authentication unit 12 for performing authentication, a RAM 13 for storing data, a network control unit 14 for transmitting and receiving data via the LAN 16, and a management DB 15 for managing user authentication information.

  The authentication unit 12 is realized by, for example, a CPU and a peripheral circuit (not shown). The authentication unit 12 has a function of collating the authentication information transmitted from the transmission side device 10b with the user information stored in the management DB 15.

  The network control unit 14 is realized by, for example, a CPU, a peripheral circuit (not shown), and a communication interface for communicating with the counterpart device 10a and the transmission-side device 10b. The network control unit 14 has a function of transmitting and receiving authentication information and confidential box configuration information.

  Next, the operation of the FAX communication system according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the FAX communication system according to this embodiment. The FAX communication system according to the present embodiment performs authentication using an external server, and acquires a confidential box list of the counterpart device.

  The administrator of the external server 20 registers authentication information such as a user ID and a password for performing authentication in advance in the management DB 15 in the RAM 13 in the external server 20.

  When the user inputs authentication information to the operation display unit 5 in the transmission side device 10b (step S501), the main control unit 1 transmits the input authentication information to the external server 20 (step S502). Specifically, when the transmission-side user inputs authentication information to the operation display unit 5 in order to acquire a list of confidential boxes of the counterpart device, the network control unit 11b follows the control signal from the main control unit 1. Authentication information is transmitted to the external server 20. The user also inputs information that can identify the counterpart device 10a when inputting authentication information, and the main control unit 1 in the transmission side device 10b also sends information that can specify the counterpart device 10a to the external server 20. Send.

  The network control unit 14 in the external server 20 receives the authentication information transmitted from the transmission side device 10b. Then, the authentication unit 12 determines whether the authentication information (user information) registered in the management DB 15 matches the received authentication information (step S503). Then, it is determined whether or not authentication is permitted based on the authentication result of the process of step S503 (step S504). Allowing authentication means that the authentication has succeeded.

  When the authentication unit 12 permits the authentication (step S504: YES), the network control unit 14 transmits a request for acquiring the confidential box configuration information to the counterpart device 10a (step S505). In the counterpart device 10a, when the acquisition request of the confidential box list is received from the external server 20, the main control unit 1 retrieves the confidential box list stored in the RAM 7, and the network control unit 11a sends the confidential server list to the external server 20. (Step S506).

  The network control unit 14 of the external server 20 receives the confidential box list and transmits it to the transmitting side apparatus 10b that has transmitted the authentication information (step S507). In the transmission side device 10b, when the confidential list is received by the network control unit 11b, the main control unit 1 stores it in the RAM 7 (step S508). Through the processing as described above, the transmission-side apparatus 10b completes acquisition of the confidential box list.

  Note that the configuration information of the confidential box list in the present embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment. Therefore, as in the first embodiment, the transmission-side apparatus 10b in the second embodiment acquires the confidential box configuration information in the state as shown in FIG.

  When the authentication unit 12 does not permit authentication (authentication failed) (step S504: NO), the network control unit 14 transmits authentication non-permission information to the transmission side device 10b (step S509). When the authentication disapproval information is received in the transmitting apparatus 10b, the main control unit 1 notifies the user that the authentication is disapproved (authentication failed) (step S510). Specifically, according to the control signal from the main control unit 1, the operation display unit 5 displays a message indicating that authentication is not permitted.

  Note that the processing of F-code confidential communication in the present embodiment is executed in the same manner as the processing in the first embodiment. That is, the transmitting-side apparatus 10b in the present embodiment executes F-code confidential communication based on the F-code acquired via the external server 20.

  The present invention is preferably applied to a facsimile machine having a confidential function.

1 is a system configuration diagram showing a first embodiment of a FAX communication system including a facsimile apparatus. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a FAX apparatus according to a first embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the structure information of a confidential box. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the structure information of the confidential box in which disclosure is permitted. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the structural information of the confidential box displayed on an operation display part. It is a flowchart which shows the process at the time of setting public / non-public to the created confidential box. It is a flowchart which shows the process at the time of acquiring the structure information of a confidential box from an other party apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the process at the time of performing F code confidential communication based on the structure information of the acquired confidential box. It is a system block diagram which shows 2nd Embodiment of the FAX communication system containing a facsimile apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the FAX communication system of 2nd Embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

1 Main Control Unit 2 Image Memory 3 Modem 4 Network Control Unit 5 Operation Display Unit 6 Image Reading Unit 7, 13 RAM
8 ROM
9 Bus 10 FAX device 11, 14 Network control unit 12 Authentication unit 15 Management database 16 LAN
17 Public switched telephone network 20 External server

Claims (8)

A facsimile communication method using a confidential communication function,
When information for identifying the partner device is input to the transmitting device, the transmitting device transmits a request signal for requesting the confidential box configuration information to the partner device identified by the information. ,
The counterpart device that has received the request signal transmits configuration information of a confidential box of the own device to the transmitting device,
The facsimile communication method, wherein the transmission side device executes confidential communication based on an F code included in configuration information of a confidential box received from the counterpart device. The configuration information of the confidential box includes the confidential box name,
The transmission side device displays the confidential box name included in the configuration information of the confidential box received from the counterpart device,
The facsimile communication method according to claim 1, wherein the transmission side device executes confidential communication based on an F code corresponding to the confidential box selected by the user among the displayed confidential boxes. The configuration information of the confidential box includes information indicating whether or not to disclose the confidential box,
The facsimile communication method according to claim 1, wherein the counterpart apparatus transmits only the configuration information of the confidential box including information indicating that it is disclosed to the transmission side apparatus in response to the request signal. In facsimile machines equipped with confidential communication functions,
When information for specifying the counterpart device is input, a request signal transmitting means for transmitting a request signal for requesting the configuration information of the confidential box to the counterpart device specified by the information;
Upon receiving the request signal, configuration information transmitting means for transmitting the configuration information of the confidential box of the own device to the transmission source of the request signal;
A facsimile apparatus comprising: confidential communication means for executing confidential communication based on an F code included in the configuration information of the confidential box received from the counterpart apparatus. The configuration information of the confidential box includes the confidential box name,
Display means for displaying a confidential box name included in the configuration information of the confidential box received from the counterpart device;
5. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the confidential communication means executes confidential communication based on an F code corresponding to the confidential box selected by the user among the confidential boxes displayed on the display means. The configuration information of the confidential box includes information indicating whether or not to disclose the confidential box,
Comprising public selection means for setting information indicating that the information is disclosed in response to the request signal in the configuration information of the confidential box;
6. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the configuration information transmitting means transmits only the configuration information of the confidential box including information indicating that it is disclosed to the transmission side apparatus in response to the request signal. The confidential communication means is based on the counterpart apparatus specified by the information for specifying the counterpart apparatus input when the request signal transmission means transmits the request signal, and the F code included in the configuration information of the confidential box. The facsimile apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein confidential communication is executed. A facsimile communication system including a server device and using a confidential communication function,
When information for specifying the counterpart device is input, a request signal transmitting means for transmitting a request signal for requesting the configuration information of the confidential box to the server device;
Upon receiving the request signal, configuration information transmitting means for transmitting configuration information of the confidential box of the own device to the server device;
A facsimile apparatus including confidential communication means for performing confidential communication based on the F code included in the configuration information of the confidential box received from the counterpart apparatus;
The server device
Upon receiving the request signal, an authentication unit that performs processing for authenticating the facsimile apparatus that is the transmission source of the request signal;
When the authentication means succeeds in authentication, the request signal is transmitted to the facsimile apparatus specified by the information for specifying the counterpart apparatus, and the confidential box configuration information transmitted in response to the request signal And a configuration information relay means for transmitting the request signal to the facsimile apparatus that is the transmission source of the request signal.

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