JP2008263331A - Digital multifunction peripheral - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem wherein an attached file, attached to reply mails cannot be received and so on. <P>SOLUTION: A digital multifunction peripheral 1 includes a means of registering apparatus information, including a reply mail address, a means of registering first user information for logging in on the digital multifunction peripheral 1, and a means of accessing an LDAP server 33 storing second user information for connecting with the digital multifunction peripheral 1 to acquire the second user information. A mail address of a sender of electronic mail is set, based on first user information of the user, when the user already logs in, second user information of the user when the user is not yet logged in; and the second user information of the user can be acquired, or apparatus information, when the second information of the user cannot be acquired. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a digital multi-function peripheral, and more particularly to an e-mail transmission / reception technique provided in the digital multi-function peripheral.

  A multifunctional digital multifunction peripheral (MFP) having an Internet facsimile function, an e-mail transmission / reception function, etc. in addition to a printer function and a facsimile function is well known (Patent Document 1).

  If such a digital multi-function peripheral is used, for example, image data is generated by reading image data from a manuscript with a scanner, the generated image data is attached to an e-mail, and a desired destination is transmitted via the Internet. Can be sent.

JP 2004-235717 A

  This type of digital multi-function peripheral has a mail address unique to the apparatus. Normally, when an electronic mail is transmitted from the digital multi-function peripheral, the mail address of the apparatus that is the transmission source is set as the sender. If the destination is a digital multi-function peripheral or the like such as Internet facsimile transmission, there is no particular problem, but there is a problem when a reply is made using the e-mail by the user at the destination.

  For example, when a file is attached to a reply mail, the attached file cannot be received, or text data of the reply mail is printed out on a paper medium and cannot be received as electronic data. Therefore, in such a case, it is preferable that a mail address that can be received by the user who sent the message is set as a reply destination of the electronic mail instead of the mail address of the digital multifunction peripheral.

  In this regard, the digital multifunction peripheral disclosed in Patent Literature 1 includes means for setting the registered user's mail address instead of the mail address of the transmission source digital multifunction peripheral. However, there is room for improvement from the viewpoint of convenience, for example, an operation for setting an e-mail address is required every time an e-mail is sent.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a digital multi-function peripheral that can solve the above-described problems and is excellent in convenience.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention according to claim 1 is a digital multi-function peripheral having an e-mail transmission / reception function, and means for registering device information of the digital multi-function peripheral, and logging in to the digital multi-function peripheral Means for registering the first user information for the user, and when the setting of the mail address of the sender of the e-mail is logged in to the digital multifunction peripheral, the first user information of the user Based on the device information when the user has not logged in to the digital multi-function peripheral.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a digital multi-function peripheral having an e-mail transmission / reception function, and means for registering device information of the digital multi-function peripheral and first user information for logging in to the digital multi-function peripheral. And means for accessing the server for storing the second user information for connecting to the digital multi-function peripheral and acquiring the second user information, and the email address of the sender of the email The setting is performed based on the first user information of the user when the user is logged in to the digital multifunction device, and the second user information of the user when the user is not logged in to the digital multifunction device. Can be acquired based on the second user information, and when the second information of the user cannot be acquired, it is performed based on the device information. And features.

  The present invention according to claim 3 is the digital multi-function peripheral according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the device information includes a reply mail address, and the mail address of the sender of the e-mail is the mail address. And means for adding the reply mail address to the electronic mail when it is set based on device information.

  According to the digital multi-function peripheral of the present invention, since different setting means are combined in a superimposed manner so that the reply destination of the e-mail can be set according to the situation, it is impossible to receive the attached file or to print out against the will. Therefore, it is possible to construct an e-mail transmission / reception environment excellent in convenience without any trouble.

  Equipped with means to add a reply email address to the email, and by setting the email address of the user representative to the reply email address, the email can be uniformly received at that email address. However, it is possible to reliably prevent the reception of the attached file.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a network system to which a digital multifunction peripheral (MFP) 1 according to the present invention is connected. As shown in FIG. 1, the network system includes a plurality of LANs 31 connected to the Internet 30, and each LAN 31 includes a digital multi-function peripheral 1, a terminal device 32, an LDAP server 33, and the like. In addition to the number of LANs 31 in FIG. 1, the terminal device 32 included in the LAN 31 is also an example, and the number, type, and the like are not limited thereto.

  In addition to the printer function, facsimile function, copy function, and scan function, the digital multi-function peripheral 1 can also provide an Internet facsimile function that transmits and receives facsimiles via the Internet and an e-mail function that transmits and receives e-mails. It is a functional device. The digital multi-function peripheral 1 is usually shared by a plurality of users using each terminal device 32 in the same LAN 31, and each user can directly operate the digital multi-function peripheral 1, or the digital multi-function peripheral 1 1 can also be operated indirectly via the LAN 31 from each terminal device 32 connected so as to be accessible.

  A configuration of the digital multi-function peripheral 1 is shown in FIG. As shown therein, the digital multi-function peripheral 1 includes an interface 2, a processing unit 3, a display unit 4, an operation unit 5, a communication unit 6, an image reading unit 7, and a printing unit 8. The processing unit 3 includes a storage unit 3a.

  The interface 2 is an interface that enables access between the digital multi-function peripheral 1 and the terminal device 32 and the LDAP server 33 connected to the LAN 31. Image information and electronic mail created by the digital multifunction machine 1 are also transmitted and received via the interface 2. For example, when image information created by the digital multifunction device 1 is transmitted by Internet facsimile to the digital multifunction device 1 of another LAN 31, or when image information created by the digital multifunction device 1 is attached to an electronic mail, In this case, the data is transmitted via the interface 2.

  The processing unit 3 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like (not shown), and controls and executes processing of each function exhibited by the digital multifunction device 1 in cooperation with each unit included in the digital multifunction device 1. To do. For example, image processing such as encoding and decoding of acquired image information, processing for storing image information, processing for determining login and network authentication, processing for controlling transmission / reception of e-mail, and the like are executed. Here, login refers to making the digital multifunction device 1 operable according to user information registered in the digital multifunction device 1, and network authentication refers to, for example, using an authentication server such as the LDAP server 33. This means that the validity of the user who tries to connect to the digital multifunction device 1 is verified by access authentication. When login or network authentication is successful, the user can perform a predetermined operation of the digital multi-function peripheral 1.

  The storage unit 3a accepts and stores registration of first user information and device information. Usually, there is a plurality of first user information, but there is only one device information. The first user information is information required when the user logs in, and includes login information including the user name 10a and the user's mail address 11a.

  On the other hand, the device information is information related to the digital multi-function peripheral 1. FIG. 3 shows an example of a device information registration screen. As shown therein, the device information includes a reply mail address 12 together with a digital multifunction machine name 10b and a digital multifunction machine mail address 11b.

  The reply mail address 12 is provided in order to avoid the inability to receive the attached file attached to the reply mail and the unexpected printing of the reply mail text data. That is, if the reply email address 12 is registered, for example, when the user who received the email sends a reply email in the same manner as a normal email, the reply email is the sender of the email. It is sent to the reply mail address 12 instead of the mail address 11b of a certain digital multi-function peripheral 1.

  Therefore, for example, if one e-mail address representing all users who use the digital multi-function peripheral 1 is registered as the e-mail address 12 for reply, each user later uses the e-mail address to send a reply e-mail. Can be obtained, and it is possible to reliably prevent an unreceivable attached file and a printout contrary to the meaning of text data. Since it is not necessary for all users to register e-mail addresses, the labor of registration is reduced, and the capacity of the storage unit 3a to be mounted is small.

  Of the device information, registration of the digital multi-function peripheral mail address 11b is essential, but registration of the digital multi-function peripheral name 10b and reply mail address 12 is optional. FIG. 3 shows a state where each information is registered.

  The display unit 4 includes a liquid crystal panel, an LED lamp, and the like. On the liquid crystal panel, various setting states and operation states of the digital multi-function peripheral 1 are displayed using characters and figures. In addition, the liquid crystal panel displays the touch panel in a switchable manner, and also functions as an operation unit.

  The operation unit 5 includes operation buttons such as a start key, a numeric keypad, and a shortcut key. The user can operate the operation unit 5 while viewing the display on the display unit 4 and input various information such as a login operation to instruct the digital multi-function peripheral 1.

  The communication unit 6 includes a modem connected to a public telephone line network (PSTN), and exhibits a facsimile function in cooperation with the processing unit 3 and the like, for example.

  The image reading unit 7 performs a process of optically reading a document or the like and converting it into image information composed of digital data (scan function). The read image information is copied and printed (copy function), or transmitted to another digital multi-function peripheral 1 via a public telephone line network or the Internet 30 (facsimile transmission function, Internet facsimile transmission function). In addition, the data may be directly transferred to each terminal device 32 or may be transmitted attached to an e-mail.

  The printing unit 8 executes a process of printing and outputting image information on a paper medium or the like, and also executes a process of printing and outputting received image information in addition to a copy function (facsimile reception function).

  The LDAP server 33 stores and manages second user information of users who use the digital multifunction peripheral 1 in the same LAN 31. The second user information includes authentication information including a user name and a user mail address required at the time of network authentication.

  Next, in the network system configured as described above, a processing flow when an electronic mail is transmitted from the digital multi-function peripheral 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. 4 shows a flow of processing for setting information such as a sender in a mail header when an electronic mail is transmitted. FIG. 5 shows the flow of processing when a mail header is set based on device information.

  In the e-mail transmission process, as shown in FIG. 4, the processing unit 3 first checks whether or not the user is logged in to the digital multi-function peripheral 1 (step S1). If the user is logged in to the digital multifunction device 1 (YES in step S1), the user name 10a and the user's mail address are obtained from the first user information stored in the storage unit 3a of the digital multifunction device 1. The login information consisting of 11a is acquired, and the user name 10a and the mail address 11a are set in place of the mail address 11b of the digital multi-function peripheral to be set in the From field indicating the sender of the e-mail (step S2). . For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the user name 10a and the user's mail address 11a are set in the From field 15 of the mail header.

  In this case, since the first user information is acquired from the storage unit 3a in the digital multi-function peripheral 1, it can be processed quickly and reliably. Since the reply mail is transmitted to the mail address 11a of the user who is the sender, there is no problem such as inability to receive the attached file. Since the user's name 10a and the like are displayed as the sender in the transmitted electronic mail, the recipient can be handled in the same manner as a normal electronic mail.

  Therefore, it is preferable that the user who has registered the first user information logs in before sending an e-mail in advance. Once logged in, you do not have to set your email address each time you send an email.

  If the user has not logged in to the digital multi-function peripheral 1 (NO in step S1), the processing unit 3 checks whether network authentication has been performed (step S3). When network authentication is performed, such as when the user is operating the digital multi-function peripheral 1 while accessing the authentication server such as the LDAP server 33 and performing user authentication (YES in step S3), The processing unit 3 accesses the LDAP server 33 via the LAN 31, acquires authentication information including the user name and the user mail address from the second user information stored in the LDAP server 33, and stores the authentication information in the From field 15. The user name and mail address are set (step S4).

  In this case, since the second user information is acquired via the LAN 31, communication processing is required, but existing information can be used, which is effective in terms of facility expansion and registration procedures. Of course, as in the case of login, there is no problem such as inability to receive an attached file, and the recipient can be handled in the same way as normal e-mail.

  If neither login nor network authentication is performed, the processing unit 3 sets the device information in the mail header (step S5). The setting of the device information in the mail header is processed according to the registered content of the device information as shown in FIG.

  Specifically, the processing unit 3 accesses the storage unit 3a and checks whether or not the reply mail address 12 is registered in the device information (step S51). If the reply mail address 12 is registered (YES in step S51), the reply mail address 12 is added to the mail header (step S52). The mail header after the addition is illustrated in FIG. As shown therein, a Reply-To field 16 is newly generated below the From field 15 indicating the sender, and a reply mail address 12 representing the user is set therein.

  As a result, the reply mail that is replied based on the electronic mail is sent uniformly to the mail address 12 of the user representative set in the Reply-To field 16 instead of the mail address in the From field 15. Therefore, each user can acquire the e-mail returned to himself / herself by checking the reply mail transmitted to the mail address 12 of the representative user. It is possible to reliably prevent a printout that is contrary. If the reply mail address 12 is not registered (NO in step S51), the reply mail address 12 is not added to the mail header.

  Next, the processing unit 3 checks whether there is a registration of the name 10b of the digital multifunction peripheral in the device information (step S53). If there is a registration of the digital multifunction peripheral name 10b (YES in step S53), the processing unit 3 displays the digital multifunction peripheral name 10b and the mail address 11b in the From field 15 as shown in FIG. Is set (step S55), and if the digital MFP name 10b is not registered (NO in step S53), only the mail address 11b of the digital MFP is set in the From field 15 (step S54).

  That is, when the device information is set in the mail header, the name 10b and the mail address 11b of the digital multifunction device are set in the From field 15 indicating the sender, and the recipient is transmitted from the digital multifunction device 1 as usual. Can be identified as an e-mail. There is no rewriting of the From field 15, and there is no possibility that the reliability is impaired.

  Then, if a reply e-mail address 12 is registered and added to the mail header, the recipient can send it to the representative e-mail address 12 as long as he or she replies in the same manner as a normal e-mail. Eventually, it will reach the sender.

  As described above, according to the digital multi-function peripheral 1 of the present invention, different setting means are combined in a superimposed manner so that the reply destination of the e-mail can be set according to the situation. An e-mail transmission / reception environment can be constructed.

  The LDAP server 33 is not necessarily required, and an e-mail reply destination may be set based on the first user information and the device information. That is, when the user is logged in to the digital multi-function peripheral 1, the user name and the mail address of the transmission source are set based on the first user information. When the user is not logged in, the device information May be used to set the user name (device name) and mail address of the sender.

It is a figure which shows the network system comprised with the digital multifunctional device of this invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a configuration of a digital multi-function peripheral. It is a figure which shows the registration screen of apparatus information. It is a figure which shows the flow of a mail header setting process at the time of transmission of an email. It is a figure which shows the flow of a process in case a mail header is set based on apparatus information. It is a figure which shows the setting state of a mail header. It is a figure which shows the setting state of the mail header to which the mail address for a reply was added.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Digital multifunction machine 10a, 10b Name of digital multifunction machine 11a, 11b Mail address of digital multifunction machine 12 Mail address for reply 15 From field 16 Reply-To field 30 Internet 31 LAN
32 terminal device 33 LDAP server

Claims (3)

A digital multi-function machine having an e-mail transmission / reception function,
Means for registering device information of the digital multifunction peripheral;
Means for registering first user information for logging in to the digital multifunction peripheral;
With
When the email address of the sender of the email is set in the digital MFP, the user is logged in based on the first user information of the user, and the user is not logged in to the digital MFP. Is performed based on the device information. A digital multi-function machine having an e-mail transmission / reception function,
Means for registering device information of the digital multifunction peripheral;
Means for registering first user information for logging in to the digital multifunction peripheral;
Means for accessing the server storing the second user information for connecting to the digital multi-function peripheral and acquiring the second user information;
With
When the email address of the sender of the email is set in the digital MFP, the user is logged in based on the first user information of the user, and the user is not logged in to the digital MFP. The second user information of the user can be acquired based on the second user information, and the second information of the user cannot be acquired based on the device information. Compound machine. The digital multi-function peripheral according to claim 1 or 2,
The device information includes a reply e-mail address,
And a means for adding the reply mail address to the electronic mail when the mail address of the sender of the electronic mail is set based on the device information.

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