JP2010061225A - Fax browsing system and server - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To browse received FAX by a portable terminal, and to write comments in the browsed FAX, and to directly reply the comments from the portable terminal to the origin of transmission. <P>SOLUTION: A server receives FAX data from an external FAX transmitter/receiver, and converts the received FAX data into image data which can be browsed by a portable terminal, and transmits the converted image data to the portable terminal. The portable terminal receives the image data, and displays the received image data at the display means. The input means of the portable terminal inputs the text to be added to the image data displayed in the display means, and the input text is transmitted to the server. The server receives the transmitted text, and generates image data for transmission obtained by overlapping the received text with the image data stored by the storage means, and converts the generated image data for transmission into the FAX data, and transmits the converted FAX data to the external FAX transmitter/receiver. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a FAX browsing system and a server, and more particularly, to a FAX browsing system and a server capable of browsing and replying FAX with a mobile terminal.

  As a FAX transmission / reception service for mobile phones, Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose systems that enable FAX transmission from mobile phone mail.

  Patent Document 3 discloses a system that converts data transmitted from a FAX so that the data can be viewed on a mobile phone.

Further, Patent Document 4 discloses a system for notifying a mobile phone by e-mail that a fax has arrived at a fax machine.
JP 2001-217862 A JP 2003-219028 A JP 2001-167015 A JP 2004-221722 A

  However, the inventions described in Patent Documents 1 to 4 transmit data unidirectionally, such as only transmitting FAX from a mobile phone by e-mail or only transmitting converted data from a FAX device to a mobile phone. However, no system has been proposed that enables efficient transmission and reception of data in both directions between a mobile phone and a FAX device.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances. A FAX browsing system and server capable of browsing a received FAX on a mobile terminal, writing a comment on the browsed FAX, and returning the comment directly from the mobile terminal to the transmission source. The purpose is to provide.

  The FAX browsing system according to claim 1 is a FAX browsing system composed of a server connected to an external FAX transmitting / receiving device via a public line, and a portable terminal connected wirelessly to the server, The server includes a first communication unit that receives FAX data from the external FAX transmission / reception device, and a conversion unit that converts the FAX data received by the first communication unit into image data that can be viewed on the portable terminal. Storage means for storing the image data converted by the conversion means, second communication means for transmitting the image data stored in the storage means to the portable terminal, and image data stored in the storage means Image generating means for generating image data to be transmitted to the FAX transmitting / receiving device based on the mobile terminal, wherein the portable terminal includes a display means and the second communication means. Third communication means for receiving image data transmitted from the display, display control means for displaying the image data received by the third communication means on the display means, and display on the display means by the display control means Input means for inputting text to be added to the image data, the third communication means transmits the text input by the input means to a server, and the second communication means 3 receives the text transmitted from the communication means 3, the image generation means generates transmission image data obtained by combining the text received by the second communication means on the image data, and the conversion means The transmission image data generated by the image generation means is converted into FAX data, and the first communication means converts the FAX data converted by the conversion means into the external data. And transmitting to the FAX transmitting and receiving apparatus.

  According to the FAX browsing system according to claim 1, the server receives FAX data from an external FAX transmitting / receiving device, converts the received FAX data into image data that can be viewed on a portable terminal, and converts the converted image data. Send to mobile device. The portable terminal receives the image data and displays the received image data on the display means. The input means of the portable terminal inputs text to be added to the image data displayed on the display means, and the input text is transmitted to the server. The server receives the transmitted text, generates image data for transmission by combining the received text with the image data stored in the storage means, converts the generated image data for transmission into FAX data, and converts the data The FAX data is transmitted to an external FAX transmission / reception device. Thereby, the received FAX can be browsed on the portable terminal, a comment can be written on the browsed FAX, and the reply can be directly sent from the portable terminal to the transmission source.

  The FAX browsing system according to claim 2 is the FAX browsing system according to claim 1, wherein the server detects a margin of a predetermined size or more as a text writing area from the image data stored in the storage unit. A text writing area detecting means for generating transmission image data by synthesizing the text with the text writing area detected by the text writing area detecting means. To do.

  According to the FAX browsing system according to claim 2, image data for transmission is detected by detecting a margin of a predetermined size or more as a text writing area from the image data, and synthesizing the text in the detected text writing area. Is generated. Thereby, the visibility of the FAX for transmission can be improved.

  The FAX browsing system according to claim 3 is the FAX browsing system according to claim 2, wherein the server converts the information indicating the range of the text writing area detected by the text writing area detecting means to the converting means. The third communication means receives the image generated by the synthesizing means, and the display control means generates the image by the synthesizing means. The displayed image is displayed on the display means.

  According to the FAX browsing system of the third aspect, an image obtained by synthesizing the detected text writing area on the image data is generated, and the generated image is displayed on the display means. Thereby, the user can recognize in advance where the input text is written in the image data.

  The FAX browsing system according to claim 4 is the FAX browsing system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein when the text writing area detecting unit detects a plurality of text writing areas from the image data, the image data Information indicating that a plurality of text writing areas has been detected, and the second communication means sends information indicating that a plurality of text writing areas have been detected from the image data to the portable terminal. And the third communication means receives information indicating that a plurality of text writing areas are detected from the image data, and the display control means receives the image received by the third communication means. Based on the information indicating that a plurality of text writing areas are detected from the data, a display for selecting the plurality of text writing areas is displayed on the display means, and the input means A selection of a desired text writing area is input based on a display for selecting a plurality of text writing areas displayed on the display means by the display control means, and the third communication means is the input means The information of the text writing area selected by the second communication means is output to the server, the second communication means receives the information of the text writing area output by the third communication means, and the image generating means The transmission image data is generated by synthesizing the text with the text writing area in which the information is received by the second communication means.

  According to the FAX browsing system of claim 4, when a plurality of text writing areas are detected, information indicating that the plurality of text writing areas are detected is generated from the image data, and the plurality of text writing areas is generated. Information indicating that the embedded area has been detected is transmitted from the server to the portable terminal. The portable terminal displays a display for selecting a plurality of text writing areas on the display means based on the transmitted information. The input means of the portable terminal inputs selection of a desired text writing area, and the inputted text writing area information is transmitted to the server. The server receives the transmitted text writing area information and synthesizes text in the text writing area to generate transmission image data. As a result, it is possible to generate image data for transmission according to the user's wishes.

  The FAX browsing system according to claim 5 is the FAX browsing system according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the server stores the text in the text writing area detected by the text writing area detecting means. Determining means for determining whether the text can be displayed; and when the determining means determines that the text can be displayed in the text writing area, the image generating means displays the text in the text writing area. The transmission image data is generated by synthesizing.

  According to the FAX browsing system according to claim 5, the server determines whether or not the text can be displayed in the detected text writing area, and when it is determined that the text can be displayed in the text writing area The image data for transmission is generated by synthesizing text in the text writing area. Thereby, transmission image data with good visibility can be generated.

  The FAX browsing system according to claim 6 is the FAX browsing system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the second communication unit transmits the image data for transmission generated by the image generating unit to the mobile phone. The third communication unit receives the transmission image data transmitted by the second communication unit, and the display control unit receives the transmission image received by the third communication unit. Data is displayed on the display means, the input means inputs a result indicating that there is no problem with the transmission image data displayed on the display means, and the conversion means is displayed on the display means by the input means. When a result indicating that there is no problem with the transmitted image data for transmission is input, the image data for transmission is converted into FAX data.

  According to the FAX browsing system according to claim 6, the server transmits the generated transmission image data to the portable terminal, and the portable terminal receives the transmitted transmission image data and displays it on the display unit. To do. The input means of the portable terminal inputs a result indicating that there is no problem with the image data for transmission displayed on the display means, and when the server receives this, the image data for transmission is converted into FAX data, and the external FAX Send to device. Thereby, the user can confirm the image data for transmission before transmission.

  The FAX browsing system according to claim 7 is the FAX browsing system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the server sends a mail to the portable terminal when FAX data is received by the communication means. A mail generating unit that generates a mail indicating that the FAX data has been received is provided, wherein the second communication unit transmits the mail generated by the mail generating unit to the portable terminal. To do.

  According to the FAX browsing system of claim 7, when the FAX data is received, the server generates a mail that is transmitted to the mobile terminal and indicates that the FAX data has been received, and is sent to the mobile terminal. Send. Thereby, the user possessing the portable terminal can know that the FAX has been received.

  The FAX browsing system according to claim 8 is the FAX browsing system according to claim 7, wherein the first communication means includes transmission source information including a FAX number of a transmission source of the FAX data together with the FAX data; And the storage means stores the image data converted by the conversion means, the transmission source information of FAX data that is the basis of the image data, and the reception date and time in association with each other, and the server Is a list image that represents a list of image data stored in the storage means, and generates a list image that displays a list of transmission source information and reception date and time stored in association with the image data And the storage means stores the list image generated by the list image generation means. The mail generation means stores the URL of the list image stored in the storage means. And generating a placement mail.

  According to the FAX browsing system of claim 8, the server receives the transmission source information including the FAX number of the transmission source of the FAX data and the reception date and time together with the FAX data, and associates them with the storage means. Remember. The server generates and stores a list image that represents a list of image data stored in the storage unit and displays a list of transmission source information and reception date and time associated with the image data. Is generated and transmitted to the portable terminal. Thereby, the received FAX list can be viewed on the portable terminal.

  The server according to claim 9 constitutes the FAX browsing system according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

  According to the present invention, a received FAX can be browsed on a mobile terminal, a comment can be written on the browsed FAX, and a reply can be directly sent from the mobile terminal to the transmission source.

<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of a FAX browsing system 1 according to the present embodiment. The FAX browsing system 1 mainly includes a server 100, a mobile phone 200, and a FAX transmitting / receiving device 300. The server 100 and the mobile phone 200 are connected wirelessly through a line such as the Internet. It is connected to the FAX transmitting / receiving apparatus 300. The FAX transmission / reception apparatus 300 is connected to a counterpart FAX apparatus via a public network. In FIG. 1, only one mobile phone 200 is shown, but it is assumed that a plurality of mobile phones are connected to the server 100.

  The server 100 mainly includes a control unit 101, a communication unit 102, an image conversion unit (1) 103, a mail generation unit 104, a database (DB) 105, a list image generation unit 106, and a margin detection unit 107. A writing area display unit 108, a text input unit 109, an input availability determination unit 110, an image generation unit 111, a preview image generation unit 112, and an image conversion unit (2) 113. The mobile phone 200 mainly includes a control unit 201, a display control unit 202, a monitor 203, an input unit 204, and a communication unit 205.

  Each component of the server 100 will be described.

  The control unit 101 functions as a control unit that performs overall control of the overall operation of the server 100 and also functions as a calculation unit that performs various types of calculation processing. The control unit 101 includes firmware as a control program, various data necessary for control, a text input screen (see FIG. 5C) for inputting text in the input unit 204 (detailed later), a text font, It has a memory area for storing data for various user interfaces such as a frame / font designation screen (see FIG. 5D) for inputting a character size and the like. The control unit 101 also has a memory area that is used as a work area for the control unit 101.

  The communication unit 102 receives the FAX data received by the FAX transmitting / receiving apparatus 300 (described in detail later), transmission source information including the FAX number of the destination FAX transmitting / receiving apparatus that has transmitted the FAX, and information on the reception date and time when the FAX is received. And the information of the transmission destination and the transmission date and time when the FAX transmitting / receiving apparatus 300 transmits the FAX. The communication unit 102 transmits the transmission FAX data generated by the server 100 to the FAX transmitting / receiving apparatus 300. Further, the communication unit 102 outputs image data and the like to the mobile phone 200 (described in detail later), and acquires text data and the like transmitted from the mobile phone 200.

  The image conversion unit (1) 103 converts the FAX data acquired by the communication unit 102 into image data (hereinafter referred to as received FAX image data) in a format that can be viewed on the mobile phone 200 such as jpeg or bitmap. This is because FAX data is also image data, but cannot be displayed on the monitor 203 of the mobile phone 200. The image conversion unit (1) 103 outputs the converted image data to the DB 105 via the control unit 101.

  When the communication unit 102 acquires FAX data, the mail generation unit 104 transmits to the address of the mobile phone registered in the notification destination mobile phone management table (detailed later) stored in the DB 105 based on the command of the control unit 101. Generate emails to do. The mail indicates that the FAX has been received, and URLs of list images (detailed later) of the user stored in the DB 105 are described. The mail generation unit 104 outputs the generated mail to the communication unit 102 together with the destination address.

  The DB 105 stores a received FAX data management table (see FIG. 2) in which information related to FAX received by the FAX transmitting / receiving apparatus 300 is stored, and a notification destination mobile phone management table (see FIG. 3) that associates transmission source information with a mobile phone. ) And a transmission FAX data management table (see FIG. 4) in which information on FAX transmitted from the FAX transmitting / receiving apparatus 300 is stored.

  The data structure of the received FAX data management table is shown in FIG. In the received FAX data management table, the received FAX image data converted by the image conversion unit (1) 103, the FAX transmission source information, the FAX reception date and time, and the received FAX image data are received from the mobile phone 200. Information indicating whether access has been made, that is, information indicating an unread / read state, and the ID of the received FAX image data are stored in association with each other. The ID of the received FAX image data is a numerical value or a character string uniquely assigned to each received FAX image data for management purposes.

  The received FAX data management table is updated when the communication unit 102 acquires the FAX data and is input to the DB 105 via the control unit 101. The received FAX image data is input from the image conversion unit (1) 103 to the DB 105 via the control unit 101, and the transmission source information and the reception date / time are input from the communication unit 102 to the DB 105 via the control unit 101. Information indicating an unread / read state is controlled by the control unit 101.

  The data structure of the notification destination mobile phone management table is shown in FIG. The notification destination mobile phone management table stores FAX transmission source information and the address of the notification destination mobile phone that transmits the transmission source information in association with each other.

  The notification destination mobile phone management table is data for distributing the notification destination mobile phones based on the transmission source information, and is input to the DB 105 by an input unit of the server 100 (not shown). The notification destination mobile phone management table is updated by input means of the server 100 (not shown).

  The data structure of the transmission FAX data management table is shown in FIG. The transmission FAX data management table includes transmission source information transmitted from the FAX transmitting / receiving apparatus 300, transmission date and time of the FAX, and an image before being converted into FAX data by the image conversion unit (2) 113 (detailed later). Data (hereinafter referred to as transmission FAX image data) and the ID of the transmission FAX image data are stored in association with each other. The ID of the transmission FAX image data is a numerical value or a character string uniquely assigned to each transmission FAX image data for management purposes.

  The transmission FAX data management table is updated when the FAX transmission / reception apparatus 300 transmits a FAX to the DB 105 via the communication unit 102 and the control unit 101. The transmission FAX image data is input from the image generation unit 111 to the DB 105, and the transmission source information and the reception date / time are input from the communication unit 102 to the DB 105 via the control unit 101.

  When the information indicating that the FAX is received from the control unit 101 is input, the list image generation unit 106 acquires the notification destination mobile phone management table and the FAX reception data management table stored in the DB 105, and A list image is generated based on the data in the table. As shown in FIG. 5A, the list image includes FAX transmission source information transmitted from the transmission source stored in the notification destination mobile phone management table as a notification destination, reception date and time, unread Or an already-read state image.

  The list image generation unit 106 creates a link to the address of the received FAX image data together with the list image, and pastes it on the corresponding transmission source information of the list image. Further, the list image generation unit 106 creates a link to a program for transmitting the writing area display image, and creates a reply button by pasting it on the “reply” character in the list display.

  The list image generation unit 106 generates a list image for each user, and updates the list image of the user when the control unit 101 inputs that the user has received a fax from a transmission source that is a notification destination. To do.

  The list image generation unit 106 inputs the generated list image to the DB 105, and the DB 105 stores the list image in the my fax box folder in the DB 105.

  The margin detection unit 107 detects a margin of a predetermined size (for example, vertical 100 pixels or more and horizontal 200 pixels or more) from the received FAX image data stored in the DB 105 as a text writing area. The margin detection unit 107 automatically detects the margin when the communication unit 102 inputs that the “reply” character of the list image is selected and input by the input unit 204 (described in detail later). The margin detection unit 107 inputs the detection result to the writing area display unit 108.

  When the detection result is input from the margin detection unit 107, the writing area display unit 108 converts the received FAX image data stored in the DB 105 from the received FAX image data to the margin detection unit as shown in FIG. 5B. A writing area display image which is an image displaying a frame indicating the text writing area detected in 107 is generated. The writing area display unit 108 inputs the generated writing area display image to the communication unit 102 and the text input unit 109. Note that the method for indicating the text writing area is not limited to the frame, and various methods such as color coding can be used.

  The text input unit 109 receives text information input by the input unit 204 (detailed later) and information such as font and character size from the communication unit 102, and inputs these information to the input availability determination unit 110. To do.

  When the text input from the text input unit 109 is written in the text writing area of the received FAX image data with the font and character size input from the text input unit 109, the input availability determination unit 110 inputs the text Is determined to be within the writing area.

  The image generation unit 111 receives the text input by the input unit 204 (detailed later) in the text writing area of the received FAX image data, and the image input by the font and the character size input from the input unit 204. Generate. The image generation unit 111 inputs the generated image to the preview image generation unit 112.

  The preview image generation unit 112 outputs the transmission FAX image data input from the image generation unit 111 to the communication unit 102 as a preview image. When the preview image generation unit 112 receives an input from the input unit 204 (described later) via the communication unit 102 that there is no problem with the content of the preview image, the preview image generation unit 112 inputs the preview image to the image conversion unit (2) 113.

  The image conversion unit (2) 113 converts the preview image input from the preview image generation unit 112 into a FAX data format. The image conversion unit (2) 113 outputs the converted FAX data to the communication unit 102. In this embodiment, two image conversion units, the image conversion unit (1) 103 and the image conversion unit (2) 113, are provided. However, the image conversion unit (1) 103 and the image conversion unit (2) are provided. One image conversion unit having both the functions 113 may be provided.

  Each component of the mobile phone 200 will be described.

  The control unit 201 functions as a control unit that performs overall control of the overall operation of the mobile phone 200 and also functions as a calculation unit that performs various types of calculation processing.

  The control unit 201 has a memory area for storing firmware as a control program, various data necessary for control, and the like. The control unit 201 also has a memory area that is used as a work area for the control unit 201.

  The display control unit 202 controls display on the monitor 203 in accordance with a command from the control unit 201. That is, when the received FAX image data, the writing area display image (see FIG. 5B), and the preview image (see FIG. 5E) are input from the communication unit 205, the display control unit 202 is input. Data is converted into a video signal (for example, NTSC signal, PAL signal, SCAM signal) for display on the monitor 203 and output to the monitor 203.

  The monitor 203 is a liquid crystal display capable of color display, and is used as a user interface display panel when performing various input operations.

  The input unit 204 includes a keyboard, numeric keys, cross keys, scroll buttons, and the like. The input unit 204 uses a user interface displayed on the monitor 203 to input text, font, character size, and the like.

  The communication unit 205 acquires information transmitted from the server 100 and outputs the information to the control unit 201, the display control unit 202, and the like. In addition, the communication unit 205 acquires information input from the control unit 201, the input unit 204, and the like, and transmits the information to the server 100.

When the FAX transmitting / receiving apparatus 300 receives a FAX from the destination FAX apparatus, the FAX transmitting / receiving apparatus 300 transmits to the server 100 the received FAX data, the transmission source information of the FAX data, and information of the reception date and time when the FAX is received. Further, the FAX transmitting / receiving apparatus 300 transmits the FAX data output from the server 100 to the partner FAX apparatus via the public circuit network, and transmits the transmission date / time information and the like to the server 100. Next, as described above. The operation of the formed FAX browsing system 1 will be described. First, the FAX reception and browsing flow will be described.

  When the FAX transmitting / receiving apparatus 300 receives a FAX from the counterpart FAX apparatus (step S10), the FAX transmitting / receiving apparatus 300 transmits the received FAX data, transmission source information, and date information to the server 100 (step S12).

  When the communication unit 102 receives the FAX data, the transmission source information, and the reception date and time, the communication unit 102 outputs the FAX data to the image conversion unit (1) 103. The image conversion unit (1) 103 outputs the input FAX data to the mobile phone 200. Is converted into received FAX image data that can be browsed at step S14. The received FAX image data is output from the image conversion unit (1) 103 to the control unit 101.

  The communication unit 102 outputs the transmission source information and the reception date / time to the control unit 101. The control unit 101 outputs transmission source information, reception date / time, and reception FAX image data to the DB 105, and the DB 105 associates the received FAX image data, transmission source information, reception date / time, and the like with each other and stores them in the reception FAX data management table ( Step S16).

  When the transmission source information and the reception date and time are input from the communication unit 102 to the control unit 101, the control unit 101 acquires the notification destination mobile phone management table from the DB 105 and inputs the mail transmission destination address to the mail generation unit 104. To do. For example, when the notification destination mobile phone management table shown in FIG. 3 is stored in the DB 105, when the control unit 101 receives that the FAX transmitted from 03-1111-2222 is received, the control unit 101 When foo@docomo.co.jp is used as the transmission destination address and the control unit 101 inputs that the FAX transmitted from 03-2222-3333 has been received, the control unit 101 selects hoge@docomo.co.jp. Is received as the address of the transmission destination, and it is input to the control unit 101 that the FAX transmitted from 03-3333-4444 is received, the control unit 101 sets bar@docomo.co.jp as the address of the transmission destination. Here, a case will be described in which the address assigned to the mobile phone 200 is set as the transmission destination in the notification destination mobile phone management table.

  Based on the input from the control unit 101, the mail generation unit 104 transmits an email in which the URL of the list image of the users of the mobile phone 200 in the my fax box of the DB 105 is described to the mobile phone 200 (step S18). Thereby, the user of the mobile phone 200 can recognize that the FAX addressed to himself / herself has arrived by checking the mail.

  When the input unit 204 selects and inputs the URL of the list image of the user of the mobile phone 200 (step S20), the control unit 201 recognizes this and displays information indicating that the selection input has been made via the communication unit 205. Send to server 100.

  The control unit 101 acquires information indicating that a selection input has been made via the communication unit 102, and acquires from the DB 105 a list image of users of the mobile phone 200 and link information pasted on the list image. The control unit 101 transmits the list image and link information to the mobile phone 200 via the communication unit 102 (step S22).

  The communication unit 205 acquires the list image and link information and outputs the list image and link information to the display control unit 202. The display control unit 202 pastes a link to the transmission source information as shown in FIG. Is displayed on the monitor 203 (step S24). As a result, a list screen is displayed on the monitor 203, and the user can check the received FAX list.

  The user operates the input unit 204 while confirming the list screen displayed on the monitor 203, and selects a FAX (sender information in FIG. 5A) to be browsed (step S26). Since the link to the FAX received FAX image data corresponding to the transmission source information is pasted in the transmission source information, when the input unit 204 selects and inputs the FAX transmission source information to be viewed, the control unit 201 A request for received FAX image data that has been selected and input via the communication unit 205 is transmitted to the server 100.

  The control unit 101 acquires a request for received FAX image data via the communication unit 102. The control unit 101 acquires received FAX image data from the DB 105, and transmits the received FAX image data to the mobile phone 200 via the communication unit 102 (step S28).

  The communication unit 205 acquires the received FAX image data and outputs it to the display control unit 202, and the display control unit 202 displays the received FAX image data on the monitor 203 (step S30).

  As a result, the received FAX can be viewed on the mobile phone 200. When the FAX is viewed on the mobile phone 200 by accessing the FAX received FAX image data from the mobile phone 200 based on the flow shown in FIG. 6, the control unit 101 issues a command to the DB 105, and the DB 105 receives the received FAX. The information indicating unread / read in the data management table is changed from “unread” to “read”.

  Next, the FAX reply flow will be described with reference to FIG. The same parts as those in the FAX reception / browsing flow shown in FIG. 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The FAX transmitting / receiving apparatus 300 receives the FAX from the counterpart FAX apparatus (Step S10), and transmits FAX data, transmission source information, and date information to the server 100 (Step S12).

  The communication unit 102 outputs the received FAX data to the image conversion unit (1) 103, and the image conversion unit (1) 103 converts the input FAX data into reception FAX image data (Step S14). The received FAX image data is output from the image conversion unit (1) 103 to the control unit 101.

  The communication unit 102 outputs the received transmission source information and reception date / time to the control unit 101. The control unit 101 outputs transmission source information, reception date / time, and reception FAX image data to the DB 105, and the DB 105 associates the received FAX image data, transmission source information, reception date / time, and the like with each other and stores them in the reception FAX data management table ( Step S16).

  The control unit 101 acquires the notification destination mobile phone management table from the DB 105 and inputs the mail transmission destination address to the mail generation unit 104. Based on the input from the control unit 101, the mail generation unit 104 transmits an email describing the URL of the list image of the user of the mobile phone 200 to the mobile phone 200 (step S18).

  When the input unit 204 selects and inputs the URL of the server (step S20), the control unit 201 recognizes it and transmits information indicating that the selection input has been made to the server 100 via the communication unit 205.

  The control unit 101 acquires information indicating that a selection input has been made via the communication unit 102, and acquires from the DB 105 a list image of users of the mobile phone 200 and link information pasted on the list image. The control unit 101 transmits the list image and link information to the mobile phone 200 via the communication unit 102 (step S22).

  The communication unit 205 acquires the list image and the link information and outputs the list image and the link information to the display control unit 202. The display control unit 202 pastes the link to the transmission source information as shown in FIG. The displayed list image is displayed on the monitor 203 (step S24). As a result, a list screen is displayed on the monitor 203, and the user can check the received FAX list.

  The user operates the input unit 204 while confirming the list screen displayed on the monitor 203, and selects the reply button displayed near the FAX sender information to be replied in the list image shown in FIG. (Step S32).

  The control unit 201 recognizes this and transmits information indicating that the reply button has been selected and input to the server 100 via the communication unit 205.

  The control unit 101 acquires information indicating that the reply button has been selected and input via the communication unit 102, and issues a command to the margin detection unit 107. The margin detection unit 107 acquires the received FAX image data to be returned from the DB 105 according to the command, and detects a text writing area from the received FAX image data.

  The detection result in the margin detection unit 107 is input to the writing area display unit 108, and the writing area display unit 108 generates a writing area display image (step S36). If the margin detection unit 107 detects a plurality of text writing areas, all the detected text writing areas are written as writing area candidates.

  The writing area display unit 108 inputs the generated writing area display image and text writing area information to the communication unit 102, and the communication unit 102 receives the writing area display image and text writing area information from the mobile phone 200. Send to. The communication unit 205 acquires the writing area display image and the text writing area information and inputs them to the control unit 201. The control unit 201 inputs the writing area display image to the display control unit 202, and the display control unit 202 displays the input writing area display image on the monitor 203. At the same time, the control unit 201 issues a command to the display control unit 202 when there are a plurality of input text writing regions, and the display control unit 202 displays a button for selecting the text writing region as a writing region display image. At the same time, it is displayed on the monitor 203.

  Thereby, the writing area display screen as shown in FIG. 5B is displayed on the monitor 203 (step S38).

  The user operates the input unit 204 while confirming the writing area display screen displayed on the monitor 203 to select a desired writing area from the displayed writing area, and the input unit 204 selects and inputs the selected writing area. Is performed (step S40).

  The control unit 201 recognizes this and transmits the information of the write area selected and input via the communication unit 205 to the server 100.

  The control unit 101 acquires information on a write area that is selected and input via the communication unit 102. Further, the control unit 101 outputs information on the write area from the communication unit 102 to the input availability determination unit 110. When the information on the selected writing area is input, the control unit 101 inputs the reply destination FAX number to the text input image stored in the memory area of the control unit 101 and outputs it to the communication unit 102 (step S102). S42). The reply destination FAX number is the FAX number of the FAX transmission source information selected in step S24.

  The communication unit 102 transmits this text input image to the mobile phone 200. The communication unit 205 acquires the text input image and outputs it to the display control unit 202, and the display control unit 202 displays the text display image on the monitor 203. Thereby, a text input screen as shown in FIG. 5C is displayed on the monitor 203 (step S44).

  As shown in FIG. 5C, the text input screen is a FAX number of a reply destination, a frame for inputting text, a character “return” pasted with a link to a writing area selection image, , An image displaying a character “next” with a link to a frame / font setting image (detailed later). The user operates the input unit 204 while confirming the text input screen displayed on the monitor 203, and inputs the contents to be written in the reply FAX as text (step S46).

  When the input of the text is completed, the user operates the input unit 204 to select and input “Next”. The control unit 201 recognizes that “next” has been selected and input, and sends information indicating that “next” has been selected and input via the communication unit 205 and information of the input text to the server 100. Send.

  The control unit 101 acquires information indicating that “next” is selected and input via the communication unit 102 and text information. The control unit 101 outputs text information from the communication unit 102 to the text input unit 109. Further, when information indicating that “next” is selected and input is input, the control unit 101 outputs a frame / font setting image stored in the memory area of the control unit 101 to the communication unit 102 ( Step S48).

  The communication unit 102 transmits the frame / font setting image to the mobile phone 200. The communication unit 205 acquires a frame / font setting image and outputs it to the display control unit 202, and the display control unit 202 displays the frame / font setting image on the monitor 203. Thereby, a frame / font setting screen as shown in FIG. 5D is displayed on the monitor 203 (step S50).

  As shown in FIG. 5D, the frame / font setting screen is used to select the presence / absence of a frame, font, and character size. A selection frame for selecting a frame and font selection Selection frame, selection frame for character size selection, "Back" character with link to text input image, and "Next" with link to next processing program Is displayed on the screen. The user operates the input unit 204 while confirming the frame / font setting screen displayed on the monitor 203, and selects and inputs the presence / absence of a frame, font, and character size (step S52).

  When the user completes the selection input of the presence / absence of a frame, font, and character size, the user operates the input unit 204 to select and input “next”. The control unit 201 recognizes that “next” has been selected and input, information indicating that “next” has been selected and input via the communication unit 205, presence / absence of the selected and input frame line, font, The character size information is transmitted to the server 100.

  The control unit 101 acquires information on the presence / absence of a frame line, font, and character size selected and input via the communication unit 102, and information on the presence / absence of frame line, font, and character size from the communication unit 102 is input to the text input unit 109. Output to. The text input unit 109 inputs the input text and the presence / absence of a frame line, font, and character size to the input availability determination unit 110. Further, the input availability determination unit 110 acquires received FAX image data from the DB 105, and acquires text writing area information from the margin detection unit 107. Information on the text writing area selected in step 40 is input from the communication unit 102.

  Based on the input information, the input availability determination unit 110 writes the text input in step S46 to the text writing area selected in step S40 with the font and character size input in step S52. It is determined whether the text fits within the designated text writing area (step S54).

  If the text does not fit within the text writing area (NO in step S54), the process returns to the step of transmitting the text input image (step S42). When the text fits in the text writing area (YES in step S54), input permission determination unit 110 inputs the received FAX image data, information on the text writing area selected in step 40, and in step S46. The text and the information on the presence / absence of a frame line, font, and character size input in step S52 are output to the image generation unit 111.

  The image generation unit 111 generates transmission FAX image data in which text is written with the input font and character size in the selected text writing area of the received FAX image data, and inputs it to the preview image generation unit 112. The preview image generation unit 112 outputs the transmission FAX image data generated by the image generation unit 111 as a preview image to the communication unit 102, and the communication unit 102 transmits the preview image to the mobile phone 200 (step S56).

  The communication unit 205 acquires the preview image and inputs it to the display control unit 202. The display control unit 202 displays the input preview image on the monitor 203. As a result, a preview screen as shown in FIG. 5E is displayed on the monitor 203 (step S58). Thereby, the user can confirm the image data for transmission before transmission.

  As shown in FIG. 5 (e), the preview screen is obtained by converting the text input in step S44 into the text writing area of the received FAX image data selected in step S40, the font and characters input in step S54. An image in which text was input in size, a character "Back" with a link to the text input image, and a character "Next" with a link to the next processing program displayed It is an image. The user confirms the preview screen and operates the input unit 204 to select and input the “Send” character on the preview screen if there is no problem, and to select and input the “Return” character if there is a problem. To do.

  The selection input result of the input unit 204 is output from the control unit 201 to the communication unit 205 and transmitted from the communication unit 205 to the server 100. The control unit 101 acquires an output result from the communication unit 205 via the communication unit 102, and determines whether or not the character “Send” is selected and input by the input unit 204 (step S60).

  When the character “return” is selected and input (NO in step S60), the process returns to the step of transmitting the text input image (step S42). When the character “transmission” is selected and input (YES in step S60), control unit 101 inputs a preview image from preview image generation unit 112 to image conversion unit (2).

  The image conversion unit (2) 113 converts the preview image input from the preview image generation unit 112 into a FAX data format, and generates transmission FAX data (step S64).

  The image conversion unit (2) 113 inputs the generated transmission FAX data to the communication unit 102. In addition, the control unit 101 inputs the FAX destination information selected in step S <b> 32 to the communication unit 102. The communication unit 102 transmits the transmission FAX data and the transmission destination information to the FAX transmitting / receiving apparatus 300 (Step S66).

  The FAX transmitting / receiving apparatus 300 acquires the transmission FAX data and the transmission destination information, and transmits the acquired transmission FAX data to the FAX number included in the transmission destination information (Step S68).

  The FAX transmitting / receiving apparatus 300 transmits information on the transmission destination and the transmission date / time to the server 100. The control unit 101 acquires transmission destination and transmission date / time information via the communication unit 102 and outputs the information to the DB 105. The control unit 101 acquires a preview image from the preview image generation unit 112 and inputs the preview image to the DB 105. The DB 105 uses the acquired preview image as transmission FAX image data, and stores the transmission FAX image data, the transmission destination, and the transmission date and time in the transmission FAX data management table (step S70). Thereby, the transmitted result can be referred to as a transmission history.

  According to the present embodiment, the received FAX can be browsed by a mobile phone, a comment can be written on the browsed FAX, and the reply can be directly sent from the mobile phone to the transmission source.

  In addition, according to the present embodiment, when a fax addressed to the user is received, an e-mail is transmitted to the mobile phone, so that the user who has the mobile terminal can know that the fax has been received. .

  Further, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to improve the visibility of a transmission FAX by detecting a text writing area from received FAX image data and writing the text in the text writing area. In addition, when a plurality of text writing areas are detected, it is possible to generate FAX image data for transmission according to the user's wishes by allowing the user to select and input where to write the text.

  In this embodiment, the URL of the server is described in the mail indicating that the FAX is received, and when the user accesses the URL, the received FAX list display screen is displayed on the monitor 203. The FAX image data describes the URL of the storage destination in the mail indicating that it has been received, and when the user accesses the URL, the received FAX image data may be displayed on the monitor 203. .

  Further, in this embodiment, based on the notification destination mobile phone management table in which the transmission source information and the address allocated to the destination mobile phone are associated, the notification destination mobile phones are sorted by the transmission source information. However, only the mobile phone address may be stored in the notification destination mobile phone management table, and when a FAX is received, the mail may be transmitted to all the stored addresses.

  In the present embodiment, the text input by the input unit 204 and the text combined with the received FAX image data are set as the transmission FAX image data. However, the data combined with the received FAX image data is not limited to the text. Images may be combined, or text and images may be combined. When combining images, a list of images such as icons is stored in the control unit 201, the image to be combined is selected by the input unit 204, and the image selected by the server is used as received FAX image data. What is necessary is just to synthesize | combine and make it transmission FAX image data.

  In the present embodiment, the text input screen and the frame / font setting screen are displayed on the monitor 203 by transmitting the text input image and the frame / font setting image from the server 100 to the mobile phone 200. The viewer application may be downloaded from the server 100 to the mobile phone 200, and the viewer application may be driven on the mobile phone 200 to display a text input screen or a frame / font setting screen.

  A display screen of the monitor 203 in this case is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 8A, only the FAX transmission source information, the reception date and time, and the unread or read status are displayed on the list screen, and the reply button is not displayed. When the link pasted to the transmission source information is selected by the input unit 204, the control unit 201 activates the viewer application, acquires the received FAX image data stored in the DB 105, as shown in FIG. 8B. In addition, a browsing screen displayed as a reply button together with the received FAX image data is displayed on the monitor 203.

  When a reply button selection input is made by the input unit 204, the control unit 201 detects this and shifts the display of the monitor 203 to a writing area selection screen as shown in FIG. When the selection of the writing area is input by the input unit 204, the control unit 201 changes the display of the monitor 203 to a text input screen as shown in FIG. An enter button is displayed on the text input screen. When the enter button is selected and input by the input unit 204, the control unit 201 displays a frame / font as shown in FIG. Transition to the specified screen. A determination button is displayed on the frame line / font designation screen. When the selection button is selected and input by the input unit 204, the control unit 201 displays the preview on the monitor 203 as shown in FIG. Transition to the screen.

  The control unit 201 performs these displays on the viewer application. Note that the viewer application of this embodiment only makes a request to the server 100 and displays a response from the server 100. Processing such as margin detection, input availability determination, and image generation is performed in the present embodiment. It is assumed that the server 100 side performs the same.

  Further, although the present embodiment has been described with respect to an example in which the number of received faxes is one, the number of received faxes is not limited to one and may be multiple. In this case, the image conversion unit (1) 103 converts the received FAX image data into separate received FAX image data for each page of a plurality of FAX. The list image generation unit 106 generates a list image obtained by dividing a plurality of faxes for each page. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, P.I. 2, P.I. 3 is a separate item, so that it can be viewed on each page. 1, P.I. 2, P.I. A list image in which a link is pasted to each of the three images may be generated.

  Note that the present invention can be applied not only to a system including a server, a mobile phone, and a FAX transmission / reception device, but also to a system including a server and a mobile phone including functions of the FAX transmission / reception device. The present invention can also be provided as a program applied to an apparatus such as a server.

1 is a block diagram of a FAX browsing system 1 to which the present invention is applied. It is a figure which shows the data structure of a reception FAX data management table. It is a figure which shows the data structure of a notification destination mobile telephone management table. It is a figure which shows the data structure of a transmission FAX data management table. It is an example of a display screen displayed on the monitor 203, (a) is a list screen, (b) is a writing area selection screen, (c) is a text input screen, (d) is a frame / It is a font designation | designated screen, (e) is a preview screen. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the browsing process of the said FAX browsing system. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the reply process of the said FAX browsing system. It is another example of the display screen displayed on the monitor 203, (a) is a list screen, (b) is a browsing screen, (c) is a writing area selection screen, (d) is a text input. (E) is a frame / font designation screen, and (f) is a preview screen. It is another example of the list screen displayed on the monitor.

Explanation of symbols

1: FAX browsing system, 100: server, 101: control unit, 102: communication unit, 103: image conversion unit (1), 104: mail generation unit, 105: database (DB), 106: list image generation unit, 107 : Margin detection unit, 108: writing area display unit, 109: text input unit, 110: input availability determination unit, 111: image generation unit, 112: preview image generation unit, 113: image conversion unit (2), 200: mobile phone Telephone: 201: Control unit 202: Display control unit 203: Monitor 204: Input unit 205: Communication unit 300: FAX transmission / reception device

Claims (9)

A FAX browsing system comprising a server connected to an external FAX transmitting / receiving device via a public line, and a portable terminal connected to the server wirelessly,
The server
First communication means for receiving FAX data from the external FAX transmitting / receiving apparatus;
Conversion means for converting FAX data received by the first communication means into image data viewable on the portable terminal;
Storage means for storing the image data converted by the conversion means;
Second communication means for transmitting the image data stored in the storage means to the portable terminal;
Image generating means for generating image data to be transmitted to the FAX transmitting / receiving apparatus based on the image data stored in the storage means,
The portable terminal is
Display means;
Third communication means for receiving the image data transmitted by the second communication means;
Display control means for displaying the image data received by the third communication means on the display means;
Input means for inputting text to be added to the image data displayed on the display means by the display control means,
The third communication means transmits the text input by the input means to the server,
The second communication means receives the text transmitted from the third communication means,
The image generation means generates image data for transmission by combining the text received by the second communication means on the image data,
The converting means converts the transmission image data generated by the image generating means into FAX data,
The first browsing means transmits the FAX data converted by the converting means to the external FAX transmitting / receiving apparatus. The server includes text writing area detecting means for detecting a margin of a predetermined size or more as a text writing area from the image data stored in the storage means,
2. The FAX browsing system according to claim 1, wherein the image generation means generates image data for transmission by synthesizing the text with the text writing area detected by the text writing area detection means. . The server includes combining means for generating an image obtained by combining information indicating the range of the text writing area detected by the text writing area detecting means on the image data converted by the converting means,
The third communication unit receives the image generated by the combining unit;
The FAX browsing system according to claim 2, wherein the display control unit displays the image generated by the combining unit on the display unit. The text writing area detecting means, when detecting a plurality of text writing areas from the image data, generates information indicating that a plurality of text writing areas are detected from the image data;
The second communication means transmits information indicating that a plurality of text writing areas are detected from the image data to the portable terminal,
The third communication means receives information indicating that a plurality of text writing areas are detected from the image data;
The display control means displays a display for selecting the plurality of text writing areas based on information indicating that the plurality of text writing areas are detected from the image data received by the third communication means. Display on the display means;
The input means inputs a selection of a desired text writing area based on a display for selecting a plurality of text writing areas displayed on the display means by the display control means,
The third communication means outputs information of the text writing area selected by the input means to the server,
The second communication means receives the text writing area information output by the third communication means,
The said image generation means produces | generates the image data for transmission by synthesize | combining the said text with the text writing area | region where the information was received by the said 2nd communication means. FAX browsing system. The server includes determination means for determining whether or not the text can be displayed in the text writing area detected by the text writing area detection means,
The image generation means generates image data for transmission by synthesizing the text in the text writing area when the determination means determines that the text can be displayed in the text writing area. The FAX browsing system according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein The second communication unit transmits the transmission image data generated by the image generation unit to the portable terminal,
The third communication unit receives the image data for transmission transmitted by the second communication unit,
The display control means displays the transmission image data received by the third communication means on the display means;
The input means inputs a result indicating that there is no problem in the transmission image data displayed on the display means,
The conversion unit converts the transmission image data into FAX data when a result indicating that there is no problem in the transmission image data displayed on the display unit is input by the input unit. The FAX browsing system in any one of Claim 1 to 5. The server includes a mail generation unit that generates a mail indicating that the FAX data is received when the FAX data is received by the communication unit.
The FAX browsing system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the second communication unit transmits the mail generated by the mail generation unit to the mobile terminal. The first communication means receives the transmission source information including the FAX number of the transmission source of the FAX data and the reception date and time together with the FAX data,
The storage means stores the image data converted by the conversion means, the transmission source information of FAX data that is the basis of the image data, and the reception date and time,
The server is a list image that represents a list of image data stored in the storage unit, and generates a list image that displays a list of transmission source information and reception date and time that are stored in association with the image data. Comprising image generating means,
The storage means stores the list image generated by the list image generation means,
8. The FAX browsing system according to claim 7, wherein the mail generation unit generates a mail in which URLs of list images stored in the storage unit are described.   The server which comprises the FAX browsing system in any one of Claim 1 to 8.

Images