JP2009027263A - Image communication processing apparatus and file storage test method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a test method for confirming that a file concerning a received facsimile document can be normally stored into a shared folder before system operation in an image communication processing apparatus for storing the file into the shared folder. <P>SOLUTION: The image communication processing apparatus (FAX server 10) creates a dummy file stored as a test in a shared folder (file server 20), writes the created dummy file into the share folder via a network control section by using a set value stored in a storage area, and determines whether or not the dummy file has been normally written into the shared folder. In this way, prior to the actual reception of a facsimile document, a set value can be tested and confirmed as to whether or not the value has an error. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an image communication processing technique for storing a document received by facsimile in a shared folder.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known a digital multi-function peripheral (hereinafter simply referred to as “multi-function peripheral”) in which functions such as a printer, a copy, a scanner, and a facsimile are integrated and mounted on one device (for example, Patent Document 1). . Some digital multi-function peripherals can be used as a printer or a scanner alone, and some function as a copier without using a computer. In addition, there is also known one having a telephone line connection port and a function of transmitting and receiving a facsimile document.

  By the way, in the case of a multifunction machine capable of transmitting and receiving a facsimile document, there are some which can arbitrarily select an output destination of a facsimile document received via a telephone line. At this time, for example, a printer, electronic mail, a shared folder on the network, or the like can be selected as the output destination.

  When a printer is selected as the output destination, the received facsimile document is printed out by the printer unit of the multifunction machine. When an e-mail is selected as the output destination, the multi-function device converts the received facsimile document into a file and sends it to a mail server, and sends the e-mail as a file attachment to a preset e-mail address or the like.

When a shared folder is selected as the output destination, the multifunction peripheral creates a file in a format that can be viewed on a personal computer (PC) or the like based on the received facsimile document, and the file is stored in a preset shared folder. Save. The saved file can be browsed using a viewer corresponding to the saving format.
Japanese Patent No. 3215225

  By the way, in order to write data to the shared folder, it is necessary to pass information such as the user name, password, and location information (storage location) of the file server to the file server that manages the shared folder. There is. For this reason, in a conventional multifunction device, values such as a user name and a password are set in advance, and when the received facsimile document is filed and saved in a shared folder, the values are saved using these set values.

  However, in the conventional multifunction peripheral, the writing process to the shared folder is not performed until the facsimile document is actually received. For this reason, when the user (system administrator) sets values such as the user name and password, it cannot confirm immediately after the setting whether the setting values have been set correctly, and actually receives the facsimile document. Until the file is saved in the shared folder, it is not possible to check whether the setting has been made correctly. In addition, whether or not the setting has been correctly performed can only be determined based on whether or not the file can actually be saved.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and some aspects according to the present invention can receive a facsimile, create an image file based on the received facsimile document, and store it in a shared folder. In the image communication processing apparatus, a test method is provided for confirming that storage in a shared folder can be normally performed before system operation.

  In order to solve the above problems, an image communication processing apparatus according to the present invention includes a facsimile reception control unit for receiving facsimile document data, and a network control unit for transmitting and receiving files to and from a shared folder on the network. A storage area for storing setting values for reading and writing files to the shared folder, and an image to be stored in the shared folder on the network based on the facsimile document data received by the facsimile reception control unit And a processing device for creating the information file and writing the created image information file to the shared folder via the network control unit using the setting value stored in the storage area. Then, the processing apparatus creates a dummy file for test storage in the shared folder, and writes the created dummy file to the shared folder via the network control unit using the setting value stored in the storage area. It is determined whether or not writing to the folder has been performed normally.

  In the present invention, “facsimile document data” includes data transmitted when a document or the like is transmitted / received by facsimile. Preferably, the data is in a format compliant with international facsimile standards such as G3 or G4. The “image information file” includes a data file generated based on facsimile document data received by the image communication processing apparatus. Preferably, an image file in a format (for example, PDF, TIFF, JPEG, etc.) that can be viewed on a PC or the like created by converting facsimile document data, and / or an information file including the date and time when the facsimile document data was received ,including. Furthermore, the file format of the “dummy file” is preferably the same as the image file and / or the information file.

  According to such an invention, whether or not a dummy file equivalent to the image information file created when a facsimile is received can be created and written to the shared folder without actually receiving the facsimile document data. Therefore, it is possible to confirm whether or not the setting value has been correctly set before the system operation regardless of the actual facsimile reception.

  Here, the processing apparatus compares or compares the dummy file transmitted for writing to the shared folder with the dummy file read from the shared folder after writing to determine whether writing to the shared folder has been performed normally. It is preferable to determine whether or not.

  According to such an invention, whether or not there is a problem in the file access management on the shared folder side, more specifically, for example, the file read / write on the shared folder side, the file cannot be locked, and the file is renamed or overwritten. There is an effect that it is possible to determine whether or not there is a risk of such a situation.

  The processing device preferably detects whether or not the cause of the error is caused by the image communication control device when the writing to the shared folder is not normally performed. Further, it is preferable that the processing device detects whether or not the cause of the error is caused by the shared folder side when the writing to the shared folder is not normally performed. In addition, the processing device detects whether or not the cause of the error is due to communication between the image communication processing device and the shared folder when writing to the shared folder is not performed normally. It is preferable.

  According to this invention, in the file storage test process, when writing to the shared folder fails, it is possible to easily specify the location of the error and to perform debugging more easily.

  Further, a plurality of sample data having different file sizes are stored in the storage area, and the processing apparatus creates a dummy file based on the sample data selected from the plurality of sample data stored in the storage area. It is preferable.

  According to this invention, since the user selects data of a file size corresponding to the usage environment in advance, a dummy file corresponding to the file size is created, which is suitable for the usage environment of the image communication processing apparatus. Test processing can be performed with a dummy file. When a dummy file having a predetermined file size can be read and written, it can be confirmed that the shared folder has at least a free capacity of the file size.

  The file storage test method according to the present invention includes a facsimile reception control unit for receiving facsimile document data, a network control unit for transmitting / receiving files to / from a shared folder on a network, and a shared folder. Based on the storage area for storing the setting values for reading and writing the file and the facsimile document data received by the facsimile reception control unit, an image information file to be stored in a shared folder on the network is created, In the image communication processing device comprising: a processing device for writing the created image information file to the shared folder via the network control unit using the setting value stored in the storage region; To store the setting value in, and test storage in the shared folder Creating a dummy file, writing the created dummy file to the shared folder via the network control unit using the setting value stored in the storage area, and writing to the shared folder normally. Determining whether it has been received or not.

  Furthermore, the program of the present invention causes a computer functioning as an image communication processing apparatus to execute each step of the file storage test method of the present invention. The program of the present invention can be installed or loaded on a computer through various recording media such as an optical disk such as a CD-ROM, a magnetic disk, or a semiconductor memory, or via a communication network.

  In this specification and the like, the means does not simply mean a physical means, but includes a case where the function of the means is realized by software. Further, the function of one means may be realized by two or more physical means, or the functions of two or more means may be realized by one physical means.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same element and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of an image communication processing system 100 including a facsimile server (hereinafter referred to as “FAX server”) 10 according to an embodiment of the image communication processing apparatus of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, in the image communication processing system 100, a FAX server 10 and a file server 20 are connected to each other via a communication network 30, and the FAX server 10 is connected to a public line network 40. Consists of. A facsimile machine (hereinafter referred to as “FAX machine”) 50 is connected to the public line network 40.

  The FAX server 10 is an embodiment of the image communication processing apparatus, receives facsimile document data from the FAX machine 50, converts the received facsimile document data into an image information file in a format that can be used by the client PC 25, A function of transmitting to the server 20 is provided. The FAX server 10 can be a dedicated or general-purpose computer.

  The file server 20 is a computer that has a storage area and functions as a shared folder on the communication network 30. In the present embodiment, an image information file created based on facsimile document data received by the FAX server 10 is stored in the file server 20.

  In this embodiment, CIFS (Common Internet File System) is used as a file sharing protocol, and the file server 20 is permitted to have write access for writing with a predetermined user name and password. . CIFS is an example of a protocol for realizing file sharing through a network, and it goes without saying that any other file sharing protocol can be adopted.

  The communication network 30 is a communication line for connecting the FAX server 10 and the file server 20 and transmitting / receiving arbitrary data including an image information file between them. Preferably, the communication network 30 is configured by a LAN, but may be any of, for example, the Internet, a dedicated line, a packet communication network, a corporate network, other communication lines, a combination thereof, It does not matter whether it is wired or wireless.

  In addition to the FAX server 10 and the file server 20, a client PC 25, a mail server (not shown), and the like may be connected to the communication network 30. The client PC 25 can display the image of the facsimile document data received by the FAX server 10 and various kinds of information by accessing the file server 20 and reading the image information file from the shared folder. Alternatively, the client PC may be notified when the image information file is stored in the shared folder.

  The public line network 40 is a public line network for connecting the FAX server 10 and the FAX machine 50 and transmitting / receiving facsimile document data between them, and is preferably a public telephone line network. The public line network 40 may be an analog line, a digital line, or a combination thereof, and may be wired or wireless.

  The FAX machine 50 is a device having at least a function of transmitting facsimile document data. For example, a commercially available facsimile machine can be used.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing functional blocks of the FAX server 10 according to an embodiment of the image communication processing apparatus of the present invention. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the FAX server 10 includes a processing device 11, an operation unit 13, a storage area 14, a display device 15, a first communication control unit 16, and a second communication control unit 17.

  The processing device 11 is a processor that performs processing such as control of each unit and various calculations. For example, it controls creation of an image information file, creation of a dummy file, reading / writing of the image information file to / from the file server 20, setting value test processing based on reading / writing of the dummy file to / from the file server 20, and the like.

  The operation unit 13 is an input interface that receives an operation by a user.

  The storage area 14 stores setting values for storing image information files and dummy files in the file server 20. In addition, sample data such as a dummy image referred to when creating a dummy file is stored.

  The display device 15 displays the test result of this test process, and a liquid crystal panel, for example, can be employed. The first communication control unit 16 is a communication interface that performs communication between the FAX server 10 and the file server 20 through a communication network 30 such as a LAN. The second communication control unit 17 is a communication interface that performs communication between the FAX server 10 and the FAX machine 50 through the public line network 40 such as a public telephone line.

  Each of the FAX server 10 and the file server 20 may be constituted by a single computer or may be constituted by a plurality of computers distributed on a network. A single computer may have a plurality of server functions. The FAX server 10 stores a program for executing the test process according to the present invention in the storage area 14 and the like, and executes the test process based on this program.

  Next, the outline of the operation of the FAX server 10 according to the present embodiment will be described. Before describing the setting value test processing according to the present invention, the FAX server 10 first converts the received facsimile document data into image information. Processing for converting to a file and saving it in the file server 20 will be described.

  When the FAX server 10 receives facsimile document data from the FAX machine 50 via the public line network 40, the FAX server 10 creates an image information file by converting the received facsimile document into a file, and stores the image information file in the preset file server 20. .

  In the present embodiment, the image information file includes an image file obtained by converting an image of received facsimile document data into PDF or the like, and an information file indicating attribute information such as a reception date and time or a facsimile transmission source. Here, the image file may be a file in a format that can be viewed on a client PC or the like. The information file is preferably a text file. The file names of these files are given by the FAX server 10 according to a predetermined naming rule, and the image file and the information file are associated with each other by this file name.

  A client PC connected to the communication network 30 can access the file server 20 to read out a stored image information file and display an image or information. That is, the image of the received facsimile document can be confirmed using the viewer corresponding to the stored image file by accessing the file server 20. Further, it is possible to access the file server 20 and open the saved information file with a text editor to confirm information such as the reception date and time of facsimile document data and the facsimile transmission source. Further, when the image information file is stored in the shared folder, the file server 20 may notify the client PC designated in advance that the file has been received and saved.

  Next, an embodiment of a setting value test process according to the present invention will be described. This setting value test process is a connection test to the file server 20 before actually receiving the facsimile in order to confirm that the process in which the FAX server 10 stores the image information file in the file server 20 operates normally. It is a process to implement. In this test process, the FAX server 10 writes a dummy file to the file server 20 using the setting values (user name, password, folder path, etc.) set by the user and stored in the storage area 14. Check whether the file saving to 20 works normally.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a flow of a setting value test process by the FAX server 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  First, the user of the FAX server 10 operates the operation unit 13 to make settings for storing the received facsimile document in the FAX server 10. As setting items, for example, the host name including the IP address or domain name of the file server 20, the storage folder path of the image information file, and the user name and password for saving the image information file are set. When the setting is completed, the set value is stored in the storage area 14 based on the user's instruction (S61).

  After the set value is stored, the user operates the FAX server 10 via the operation unit 13 to instruct execution of the test (S62). Preferably, the test is performed immediately after the set value is saved. For example, after the setting value is set, a “test” button is displayed on the display device 15 and the user selects the “test” button to execute the test process. Further, the test may be automatically executed after the set value is stored regardless of the user instruction. For example, when setting a setting value in a wizard format, it is preferable to automatically execute a test process at the end of the wizard.

  Upon receiving the test execution instruction, the processing device 11 of the FAX server 10 creates a dummy file for test storage in the file server 20 (S63). This dummy file may be created using dummy data stored in advance in the storage area 14 or the like.

  At this time, it is possible to cause the user to select in advance what type of document is often received by the FAX server 10 to be set, and to create a dummy file having an optimal file size for the test of the FAX server 10. preferable. For example, following the setting value setting processing in step S61, the user is allowed to select a standard image from the standard document, graphic, color image, or the like via the operation unit 13. Then, the processing device 11 acquires sample data corresponding to the standard image selected by the user from a plurality of sample data of a predetermined size stored in the storage area 14, and creates a dummy file.

  After creating the dummy file for test storage, the FAX server 10 writes the dummy file to the file server 20 using the setting value stored in the storage area 14 in step S61. Then, after the writing is completed, the FAX server 10 confirms whether or not the stored dummy file can be read normally. Thus, the FAX server 10 determines whether there is an error in the set value (S64).

  When the dummy file cannot be written or read normally, the FAX server 10 determines where the cause of the error is based on the received information such as an error message. That is, it is specified whether the error is on the FAX server 10 side, the error on the file server 20 side, or the communication error.

  For example, in the present embodiment, a user name and a password are required when writing to the file server 20, and if the user name or password is set incorrectly in step S61, the file is written to the file server 20. I can't. The CIFS protocol is such that the file server 20 returns a message to the FAX server 10 as to whether or not writing to the shared folder can be performed with the received user name and password. Therefore, the FAX server 10 can determine whether or not there is an error in the setting of the FAX server 10 by analyzing the message received from the file server 20. In this way, an error on the FAX server 10 side is determined.

  When the error message such as insufficient writing disk capacity (disk full), insufficient working memory area (memory full), overload status (busy) or the like is returned from the file server 20, the FAX server 10 determines that the file server 20 It is determined that this is an error on the side. Further, when the FAX server 10 attempts to write a file to the file server 20, if no response is returned, it is determined that a communication error has occurred.

  Further, the FAX server 10 compares and verifies the dummy file sent to the file server 20 and the dummy file read from the file server 20 to confirm the reliability of the shared folder. If the verification result does not match, there is no error in communication itself, but the file server 20 cannot lock the file, there is a risk of renaming or overwriting the file, and it can be confirmed that the reliability is lacking.

  If there is no problem in the verification result, the dummy file stored in the test is deleted. Thereby, the free capacity of the shared folder of the file server 20 is confirmed.

  When the dummy file writing / reading process in step S64 is completed in this way, the FAX server 10 displays a result on whether or not the test storage dummy file has been normally written in the file server 20 on the display device 15 (S65). ). The display device 15 displays that the test is being executed during execution of the set value test process, and displays the test result and ends the test when the test is completed.

  When the test result is an error, that is, when the test is not completed normally, information that can identify the error is presented to the display device 15. In the test process, if the save destination folder cannot be accessed, the result is immediately output without retrying.

  An example of the contents displayed on the display device 15 is as follows. For example, during the test execution, “Please wait for a while during the write test to the save destination PC” is displayed. When the test is completed normally, “Write test to storage destination PC completed normally” is displayed for a predetermined time. In addition, when the error ends, “Writing test to saving destination PC has ended abnormally XXX” is displayed for a predetermined time. Here, it is preferable to display the result of determining where the cause of the error is in “XXX”. For example, if the FAX server 10 determines that there is a problem with the setting value setting on the FAX server 10 side, it displays “setting error”. If it is determined that there is a problem on the file server 20 side and the folder cannot be stored, “shared folder error” is displayed. Further, when it is determined that there is a communication problem and the folder cannot be stored, “communication error” is displayed.

  Based on the determination result displayed on the display device 15, the user confirms whether saving to the file server 20 is successful. If the saving has failed, the setting value set in step S61 may be incorrect. Therefore, if necessary, the process returns to step S61, and the setting process is performed again to reset the setting value. (S66).

  In this way, in the conventional system, if the actual facsimile reception does not occur, it was not possible to confirm whether or not the stored setting value is correct. However, by executing the test process when the setting value is set, the setting value is It is possible to perform setting and setting confirmation in a series of flows.

  Further, the FAX server 10 can determine the location of the error when the dummy file writing or reading fails in the test process. Specifically, it is possible to determine whether there is a problem on the FAX server 10 side, a problem on the file server 20 side, or a communication error based on a message received from the file server 20 or the like. It is. Further, when the comparison result of the dummy file transmitted to the file server 20 and the dummy file read from the file server 20 does not match, there is no problem in communication itself, but access management on the file server 20 side is possible. Confirm that there is a problem.

  Furthermore, generally when using a facsimile, depending on the usage environment (installation department, purpose of use, etc.), the received facsimile document tends to be received (for example, whether the received facsimile document has a lot of monochrome, a lot of colors, or a lot of text). In this embodiment, when the user selects a standard image in advance, a dummy file corresponding to the standard image is created. Test processing can be performed with a dummy file suitable for the usage environment.

  If there is no problem in the test process, the dummy file stored in the file server 20 can be deleted, so that a storage area corresponding to at least the file size of the dummy file stored in the test can be secured. Become.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be implemented in various other forms without departing from the gist of the present invention. For this reason, the said embodiment is only a mere illustration in all points, and is not interpreted limitedly. For example, the above-described processing steps can be executed in any order or in parallel as long as there is no contradiction in the processing contents.

  For example, whenever a setting value is set, a test is automatically performed when it can be determined that the setting has been completed in a wizard format or the like, so that the test is performed without a user instruction and the result is notified. Good.

  In addition, a standard n reception size is set in the FAX server 10, and after confirming that an image file having the file size can be created and stored in the file server 20, the written file is deleted n times. May be notified to the user that it can be received.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the example of the FAX server 10 has been described as an example of the image communication processing apparatus. However, the present invention may be applied to a multifunction machine. In this case, the multifunction device preferably has a function of printing facsimile document data received via a public line network such as a telephone line or outputting it to other output destinations including the file server 20.

1 is a block diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an image communication processing system 100 including a FAX server 10. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing functional blocks of a FAX server 10. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of a setting value test process performed by the FAX server.

Explanation of symbols

10 FAX server (image communication processing device)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 Processing apparatus 13 Operation part 14 Storage area 15 Display apparatus 16 1st communication control part (network control part)
17 Second communication control unit (facsimile reception control unit)
20 File server (shared folder)
25 Client PC
30 Communication Network 40 Public Line Network 50 FAX Machine 100 Image Communication Processing System

Claims (8)

A facsimile reception control unit for receiving facsimile document data;
A network controller for sending and receiving files to and from a shared folder on the network;
A storage area for storing setting values for reading and writing files with respect to the shared folder;
Based on the facsimile document data received by the facsimile reception control unit, an image information file to be stored in a shared folder on the network is created, and the created image information file is stored with the setting value stored in the storage area. And a processing device for writing to the shared folder via the network controller;
With
The processor is
Create a dummy file for test storage in the shared folder,
The created dummy file is written to the shared folder via the network control unit using the setting value stored in the storage area,
Determining whether writing to the shared folder has been performed successfully;
An image communication processing device. The processor is
It is determined whether or not the writing to the shared folder has been normally performed by comparing and comparing the dummy file transmitted for writing to the shared folder and the dummy file read from the shared folder after writing. To
The image communication processing apparatus according to claim 1. The processor is
When writing to the shared folder is not performed normally, it is detected whether the cause of the error is due to the image communication control device,
The image communication processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image communication processing apparatus is an image communication processing apparatus. The processor is
When writing to the shared folder is not performed normally, it is detected whether the cause of the error is due to the shared folder side,
The image communication processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image communication processing apparatus is an image communication processing apparatus. The processor is
When writing to the shared folder is not performed normally, it is detected whether the cause of the error is due to communication between the image communication processing device and the shared folder,
The image communication processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image communication processing apparatus is an image communication processing apparatus. The storage area further includes
Multiple sample data with different file sizes are stored,
The processor is
Creating the dummy file based on sample data selected from a plurality of sample data stored in the storage area;
The image communication processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image communication processing apparatus is an image communication processing apparatus. A facsimile reception control unit for receiving facsimile document data;
A network controller for sending and receiving files to and from a shared folder on the network;
A storage area for storing setting values for reading and writing files with respect to the shared folder;
Based on the facsimile document data received by the facsimile reception control unit, an image information file to be stored in a shared folder on the network is created, and the created image information file is stored with the setting value stored in the storage area. And a processing device for writing to the shared folder via the network controller;
An image communication processing apparatus comprising: a method for performing a file storage test in the shared folder,
The processing device is
Storing a set value in the storage area;
Creating a dummy file for test storage in the shared folder;
Writing the created dummy file to the shared folder via the network control unit using a setting value stored in the storage area;
Determining whether writing to the shared folder has been performed normally;
A file storage test method comprising:   A program for causing a computer functioning as the image communication processing apparatus to execute the file storage test method according to claim 7.

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