JP2014183546A - Relay device and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a relay device and a program, notifying a transmission source of the result of communication with a transmission destination at timing desired by the transmission source.SOLUTION: A relay device 1 includes: communication means for performing facsimile communication to the transmission destination when a facsimile transmission request is made from an end device 4 of the transmission source to an external device 6 of the transmission destination; determination means for determining whether the facsimile communication is successful or failed; recording means for recording the determination result by the determination means as communication result information; and notification means for notifying the transmission source of the recorded communication result information, according to a notification condition registered corresponding to the transmission source.

Description

  The present invention relates to a relay device and a program.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a facsimile system that transmits the same document from a relay requesting station to a plurality of destinations, a relay broadcast facsimile system that transmits documents to a plurality of destinations at the same time is known (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  In this relay broadcast facsimile system, when the same manuscript is simultaneously transmitted from a relay requesting station to a plurality of destination relay stations via the public network, the communication result is returned from each relay station to the relay requesting station via the public network. Is done.

  Conventionally, an image processing system that performs facsimile communication from an image processing apparatus that does not have a facsimile function by using an image processing apparatus that has a facsimile function on the same network is known (for example, Patent Documents). 2).

  Also in this type of image processing system, an image processing apparatus having a facsimile function returns a communication result indicating whether the facsimile communication has succeeded or failed with a transmission destination to an image processing apparatus having no facsimile function. The

JP-A-64-49346 JP 2006-222635 A

  An object of the present invention is to provide a relay device and a program for notifying a communication result with a transmission destination at a timing desired by the transmission source.

[1] When there is a request for facsimile transmission from the transmission source to the transmission destination, a communication unit that performs facsimile communication to the transmission destination and whether the facsimile communication by the communication unit is successful or unsuccessful are determined. Determining means, recording means for recording the determination result by the determining means as communication result information, and notifying the sender of the recorded communication result information based on a notification condition registered corresponding to the sender And a notification device.
[2] The relay device according to [1], wherein the notification unit notifies the transmission source of the communication result information when a notification time arrives as the notification condition.
[3] When the notification request is sent from the transmission source as the notification condition, the notification means notifies the transmission result information to the transmission source even before the notification time arrives. [2] The relay device described in 1.
[4] When the determination unit determines that the facsimile communication has failed as the notification condition, the notification unit notifies the transmission source of the communication result information even before the notification time has arrived. The relay device according to [2] or [3].
[5] The relay device according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein the notification unit notifies the transmission source only of communication result information in which the facsimile communication has failed.
[6] The relay device according to any one of [1] to [5], further including reception means for receiving a request for facsimile transmission from the transmission source by electronic mail.
[7] The relay device according to any one of [1] to [5], further including a reception unit configured to receive a request for facsimile transmission from the transmission source through facsimile communication.

[8] When there is a request for facsimile transmission from the transmission source to the transmission destination of the computer, communication means for performing facsimile communication with the transmission destination, and whether the facsimile communication by the communication means has succeeded or failed Determination means for determining the communication result, recording means for recording the determination result by the determination means as communication result information, and the communication result information recorded based on the notification condition registered in correspondence with the transmission source. A program for functioning as a notification means for notifying the original.

According to the first and eighth aspects of the invention, it is possible to notify the result of communication with the transmission destination at a timing desired by the transmission source.
According to the second aspect of the invention, the transmission source can know the communication results collectively at the desired notification time.
According to the invention of claim 3, the transmission source can know the communication result when necessary even before the registered notification time arrives.
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the transmission source can know the communication result when the facsimile communication fails even before the registered notification time arrives.
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, the transmission source can easily know the communication result when the facsimile communication fails as compared with the case where all the communication results are notified.
According to the invention of claim 6, in a communication system in which a transmission source and a relay device are connected by a network, it is possible to notify a communication result with a transmission destination at a timing desired by the transmission source.
According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, in a communication system in which a transmission source and a relay device are connected by a public network, it is possible to notify a communication result with a transmission destination at a timing desired by the transmission source.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a communication system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the relay device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the terminal device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a notification time table stored in the storage unit of the relay device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a communication result table stored in the storage unit of the relay device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the relay device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of a communication system according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, in each figure, about the component which has the substantially same function, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and the duplicate description is abbreviate | omitted.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a communication system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. This communication system 1 is connected to external devices 6A and 6B (referred to simply as “external device 6” when collectively referred to) via a public network 5, and relay device 2 that relays facsimile data, and relay device 2 And first to third end devices 4A, 4B, and 4C (referred to simply as “end device 4” when collectively referred to) connected through a private network 3. In addition, the number of the terminal devices 4 and the external devices 6 is not restricted to the thing of the same figure.

  The external device 6 is, for example, a facsimile machine, a personal computer (PC) having a facsimile function, a multifunction machine having a plurality of functions including a facsimile function, or the like.

  The public network 5 is a pay communication network set up by a communication management company, and is an external network such as a public switched telephone network (PSTN) or an integrated services digital network (ISDN). is there.

  The relay device 2 receives the facsimile data from the terminal device 4 by facsimile transmission (including broadcast transmission) to the external device 6 and the facsimile data from the external device 6 and transfers them simultaneously to the terminal device 4 (same as above). Information transmission) (facsimile function). The relay apparatus 2 is a multifunction machine as an example of a first image processing apparatus having a plurality of functions including a facsimile function, for example. The functions of this multifunction device include, for example, a printing function, a copying function, and a scanning function in addition to the facsimile function.

  The private network 3 is a communication network capable of high-speed communication at no charge or at a very low price. For example, the private network 3 is an internal network such as a local area network (LAN) or an intranet, and may be wired or wireless.

  The terminal device 4 is, for example, a multifunction machine as an example of a second image processing apparatus that has the same function as the first image processing apparatus except that it does not have a facsimile function. The terminal device 4 may be a personal computer (PC) not equipped with a fax modem, a multi-function mobile phone (smart phone), or the like.

  Even if the terminal device 4 does not have a facsimile function, the terminal device 4 sends a multicast command to the private network 3 to determine whether or not the relay device 2 exists on the same private network 3, and if so, how many. If it is necessary to obtain information such as the mail address of the existing relay device, store the information in the memory in its own terminal device 4 and perform facsimile transmission, the relay is performed based on that information. Facsimile transmission is possible by requesting the apparatus 2 for facsimile transmission by electronic mail.

(Relay device)
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the relay device 2. The relay apparatus 2 includes a control unit 20. The control unit 20 includes a storage unit 21, an operation display unit 22, an image reading unit 23, an image processing unit 24, an image output unit 25, and facsimile communication as an example of a storage unit. The unit 26 and the network communication unit 27 are connected.

  The storage unit 21 includes a ROM, a RAM, a hard disk, and the like. Various programs such as a function execution program 210 for the CPU to execute various functions of the relay device 2, a notification time table 211, and a communication result table 212. Various data such as destination information such as abbreviated dialing and destination capability information are stored.

  The operation display unit 22 has, for example, a touch panel, accepts an input such as an instruction from the operator, and performs display for the operator. The image reading unit 23 is configured by a scanner, for example, and reads and inputs image data from a document. The image processing unit 24 performs image processing such as compression, expansion, and composition of image data. The image output unit 25 includes, for example, an image holding member using a photosensitive member, and forms and outputs an image on a recording medium such as paper.

  The facsimile communication unit 26 has a modem function for modulating / demodulating image data in accordance with a facsimile protocol such as G3 and G4 and an NCU function for controlling connection with the public network 5, and performs facsimile communication via the public network 5. .

  The network communication unit 27 performs e-mail transmission / reception control and network-related control according to a communication protocol such as TCP / IP, and transmits / receives data via the private network 3.

  The control unit 20 includes a CPU, an interface, and the like. The CPU functions as the registration unit 200, the reception unit 201, the communication unit 202, the determination unit 203, the recording unit 204, the notification unit 205, and the like by operating according to the function execution program 210.

  The registration unit 200 registers the notification time for notifying the communication result information in the notification time table 211 in correspondence with the transmission source terminal device 4.

  The accepting unit 201 accepts a request for facsimile transmission from the terminal device 4 of the transmission source to the external device 6 of the transmission destination by e-mail.

  When there is a request for facsimile transmission from the transmission source terminal device 4 to the transmission destination external device 6 via the private network 3, the communication means 202 sends a facsimile to the transmission destination external device 6 via the public network 5. Communicate.

  The determination unit 203 determines whether the facsimile communication by the communication unit 202 has succeeded or failed.

  The recording unit 204 records the determination result by the determination unit 203 in the communication result table 212 of the storage unit 21 as communication result information.

  When the notification time registered in the notification time table 211 corresponding to the transmission source has arrived as a notification condition, the notification unit 205 converts the communication result information recorded by the recording unit 204 corresponding to the transmission source into text, It is attached to an e-mail and notified to the sender via the private network 3. The communication result information may be reported and sent as a PDF file. Further, it may be sent by an interface command, or communication result information may be converted into text and sent as a file.

  As another example of the notification condition, the notification unit 205 may notify communication result information to the transmission source even when the notification time has arrived when a notification request is received from the transmission source. Further, the notification unit 205 may notify the transmission source of the communication result information even before the notification time has arrived when it is determined that the facsimile communication by the determination unit 203 has failed. Further, the notification unit 205 may notify the transmission source only of communication result information in which the facsimile communication has failed. In addition, for example, the notification unit 205 may notify the transmission source when a predetermined number of communication results are accumulated during broadcast transmission.

  Note that the registration unit 200, the reception unit 201, the communication unit 202, the determination unit 203, the recording unit 204, or the notification unit 205 are partly or entirely reconfigurable circuits (FPGA: Field Programmable Gate Array) and integrated for specific applications. You may comprise by hardware circuits, such as a circuit (ASIC: Application Specific Integrated Circuit).

(Terminal device)
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the end device 4. The terminal device 4 includes a control unit 40. The control unit 40 includes a storage unit 41, an operation display unit 42, an image reading unit 43, an image processing unit 44, an image output unit 45, and network communication as an example of a storage unit. The unit 47 is connected.

  The storage unit 41 includes a ROM, a RAM, a hard disk, and the like, and various programs such as a function execution program 410 as an example of a communication program for the CPU to execute various functions of the terminal device 4 and various data. Remember.

  The operation display unit 42 has, for example, a touch panel, accepts an input such as an instruction from the operator, and performs display for the operator. The image reading unit 43 is configured by a scanner, for example, and reads and inputs image data from a document. The image processing unit 44 performs image processing such as compression, expansion, and composition of image data. The image output unit 45 includes an image holding member made of, for example, a photosensitive member, and forms and outputs an image on a recording medium such as paper.

  The network communication unit 47 performs e-mail transmission / reception control and network-related control according to a communication protocol such as TCP / IP, and transmits / receives data via the private network 3.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the notification time table 211 stored in the storage unit 21 of the relay device 2. The notification time table 211 has a device ID column 211a and a notification time column 211b. In the device ID column 211a, a device ID as an example of transmission source information is registered in advance. In the notification time column 211b, a notification time at which the transmission source desires to notify the communication result is registered corresponding to the transmission source.

  Device IDs “A”, “B”, and “C” are assigned to the first to third end devices 4A to 4C, respectively. Although not shown, device IDs “D” and “E” are assigned to the fourth and fifth end devices, respectively. In the case illustrated in FIG. 4, device IDs “A” to “E” are registered in advance in the device ID column 211 a. The transmission source information of the terminal device 4 may be an IP address, a mail address, etc. in addition to the device ID.

  In the case illustrated in FIG. 4, the notification time column 211 b includes “17:00” of the notification time corresponding to the device IDs “A”, “B”, “C”, “D”, and “E” of the transmission source. ”,“ 18:00 ”,“ 20:00 ”,“ 17:00 ”, and“ None ”are registered. Here, “None” indicates a case where the notification time is not specified. In this case, the communication result information is immediately notified to the transmission source. The notification time is not limited to the time, and may include both the year, month, date, and time, such as “2012.11.06 17:00”. In this case, there is a possibility that the notification of the communication result information will be after a long time has elapsed, but it is effective when it is desired to specify a specific date and time such as a weekend or vacation. In this embodiment, only one notification time is set for a specific terminal (for example, device ID “A”). However, when a plurality of fax transmission jobs are registered from the specific terminal. It is also possible to set a notification time for each job.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the communication result table 212 stored in the storage unit 21 of the relay device 2. The communication result table 212 is provided for each transmission source, and includes a device ID column 212a, a reception time column 212b, a fax number column 212c, a communication result column 212d, and a transmission number column 212e.

  In the case shown in FIG. 5, the device ID of the terminal device 4 that is the transmission source is described in the device ID column 212a. In the reception time column 212b, the time when the relay apparatus 2 receives facsimile transmission from the terminal apparatus 4 is registered. The fax number of the transmission destination is registered in the fax number column 212c. In the communication result column 212d, information indicating that the facsimile communication has been established, for example, “OK”, or information indicating that the facsimile communication has failed, for example, “NG” is registered. The number of completed transmissions is registered in the transmission number column 212e. The device ID, reception time, fax number, communication result, and number of transmissions registered in the communication result table 212 are examples of communication result information. Note that the communication result information may include resolution, communication speed, image size, and the like.

(Operation of the first embodiment)
Next, an example of the operation of the communication system 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

(1) Registration in Notification Time Table 211 The user of the terminal device 4 operates the operation display unit 42 and inputs a notification time for which notification of a communication result is desired. The control unit 40 transmits the input notification time and its own device ID to the relay device 2 via the private network 3 by the network communication unit 47. The notification time may be registered and changed with respect to the notification time table 211 using a Web browser or the like. The notification time may be registered and changed by operating the operation display unit 22 of the relay device 2.

  When the relay device 2 receives the notification time and the device ID transmitted from the terminal device 4, the registration unit 200 registers the notification time in the notification time column 211b of the corresponding device ID in the notification time table 211. For example, when “17:00” is transmitted as the notification time from the first terminal device 4 A having the device ID “A” to the relay device 2, the registration unit 200 stores the device ID field 211 a in the notification time table 211. The notification time “17:00” is registered in the notification time column 211b corresponding to “A”. The registered notification time may be changed by the registration unit 200 based on a change instruction from the terminal device 4.

(2) Notification of Facsimile Communication and Communication Result FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the relay device 2 according to the first embodiment. When the accepting unit 201 of the relay device 2 accepts a request for facsimile transmission from the source terminal device 4 to the destination external device 6 by e-mail (S1), the communication unit 202 sends the request to the destination external device 6. On the other hand, facsimile communication is performed via the public network 5 (S2).

  The determination unit 203 determines whether or not the facsimile communication by the communication unit 202 is successful (failure) (S3).

  When it is determined that the facsimile communication is successful (S3: Yes), the recording unit 204 records communication result information including a communication result (OK) indicating that the facsimile communication is successful in the communication result table 212 (S4). ). For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the recording unit 204 includes a reception time (for example, 9:05) in the reception time column 212b of the communication result table 212, and a destination fax number (for example, 03-1234- *) in the fax number column 212c. ** 8) Record the communication result (for example, OK) in the communication result column 212d and the number of transmissions (for example, 5) in the transmission number column 212e.

  If it is determined in step S3 that the facsimile communication has failed (S3: No), the recording unit 204 includes communication result information including a communication result (NG) indicating that the facsimile communication has failed in the communication result table 212. Is recorded (S5). For example, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the recording unit 204 includes a reception time (for example, 11:13) in the reception time column 212b of the communication result table 212, and a destination fax number (for example, 03-1234- *) in the fax number column 212c. ** 9) The communication result (for example, NG) is recorded in the communication result column 21d, and the transmission number (for example, 2) is recorded in the transmission number column 212e.

  The communication unit 202 performs facsimile communication again with the same transmission destination until a timeout occurs (S6: No) (S2).

  The notification unit 205 checks whether the notification time has arrived based on the notification time table 211 (S7). When the notification time arrives (S7: Yes), it is checked whether or not there is communication result information recorded in the communication result table 212 corresponding to the terminal device 4 (S8). (S8: Yes), the communication result information is notified to the terminal device 4 (S9). After notifying the communication result information, the notification unit 205 initializes the communication result information recorded in the communication result table 212 corresponding to the terminal device 4. For example, when the notification time “17:00” corresponding to the device ID “A” arrives, the network communication unit 27 sends the communication result information recorded in the communication result table 212 with the device ID “A” to the private network 3. To the first terminal device 4A whose transmission source device ID is “A”.

[Second Embodiment]
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a communication system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In the first embodiment, the transmission source terminal device 4 and the relay device 2 are connected by the private network 3, but in the present embodiment, the transmission source first to third facsimile devices 14A, 14B, and 14C are connected. (When collectively referred to as “facsimile device 14”), the relay device 12 and destination facsimile devices 16A and 16B (when collectively referred to as “facsimile device 16”) are referred to as public networks. 5 is connected. The following description will focus on differences from the first embodiment.

  The transmission source facsimile apparatus 14 may be, for example, a PC having a facsimile function, a multifunction machine having a plurality of functions including a facsimile function, or the like.

  Based on the notification condition registered corresponding to the transmission source, the notification unit 205 sends the communication result information recorded by the recording unit 204 corresponding to the transmission source to the relay device 2 according to the facsimile protocol. Facsimile transmission via 5. Note that the communication result information may be reported and transmitted as image information by facsimile.

  The destination facsimile device 16 may be, for example, a PC having a facsimile function, a multifunction machine having a plurality of functions including a facsimile function, or the like.

(Operation of Second Embodiment)
An example of the operation of the relay device 2 according to the second embodiment will be described.

(1) Registration in the notification time table 211 For example, based on a request from the user of the transmission source facsimile apparatus 14, the administrator of the relay apparatus 2 operates the operation display unit 22 to notify notification of communication result information. Enter the time. The registration unit 200 of the relay device 2 registers the notification time in the notification time column 211 b of the corresponding device ID in the notification time table 211.

(2) Notification of Facsimile Communication and Communication Result Notification of facsimile communication and communication result will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The relay device 2 accepts a facsimile transmission request from the facsimile device 14 by facsimile communication (S1), and the communication means 202 communicates the facsimile device 16 with the destination facsimile device 16 via the public network 5. (S2).

  The determination unit 203 determines whether or not the facsimile communication by the communication unit 202 is successful (failure) (S3).

  When it is determined that the facsimile communication is successful (S3: Yes), the recording unit 204 records communication result information including a communication result (OK) indicating that the facsimile communication is successful in the communication result table 212 (S4). ).

  If it is determined in step S3 that the facsimile communication has failed (S3: No), the recording unit 204 includes communication result information including a communication result (NG) indicating that the facsimile communication has failed in the communication result table 212. Is recorded (S5).

  The communication unit 202 performs facsimile communication again with the same transmission destination until a timeout occurs (S6: No) (S2).

  The notification unit 205 checks whether the notification time has arrived based on the notification time table 211 (S7). When the notification time arrives (S7: Yes), it is confirmed whether or not there is communication result information recorded in the communication result table 212 corresponding to the facsimile apparatus 14 (S8). If the communication result information exists. (S8: Yes), the communication result information is notified to the facsimile apparatus 14 via the public network 5 by facsimile transmission (S9). After notifying the communication result information, the notifying unit 205 initializes the communication result information recorded in the communication result table 212 corresponding to the facsimile apparatus 14.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and implementations are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention. is there. For example, in the above embodiments, the notification destination of the communication result information is notified to the transmission source, but may be notified to a designated destination such as a multi-function mobile phone (smart phone) owned by the user of the transmission source. .

  Further, it is possible to omit or change some of the constituent elements of the above-described embodiment within a range not changing the gist of the present invention.

  In the flow of the above embodiment, steps can be added, deleted, changed, replaced, and the like. The program used in the above embodiment can be provided by being recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Communication system, 2 ... Relay apparatus, 3 ... Private network, 4 ... End device (transmission source), 4A ... 1st end device (transmission source), 4B ... 2nd end device (transmission source), 4C ... Third terminal device (source), 5 ... Public network, 6, 6A, 6B ... External device (destination), 14 ... Facsimile device (source), 14A ... First facsimile device (source), 14B ... second facsimile machine (source), 14C ... third facsimile machine (source), 16, 16A, 16B ... facsimile machine (destination), 20 ... control unit, 21 ... storage unit, 22 ... operation display 23: Image reading unit, 24 ... Image processing unit, 25 ... Image output unit, 26 ... Facsimile communication unit, 27 ... Network communication unit, 40 ... Control unit, 41 ... Storage unit, 42 ... Operation display unit, 43 ... Image reading unit, 44 ... image processing unit, 45 ... image Power unit 47 ... Network communication unit 200 ... Registration unit 201 ... Acceptance unit 202 ... Communication unit 203 ... Determination unit 204 ... Recording unit 205 ... Notification unit 210 ... Function execution program 211 ... Notification time table 211a ... Device ID column, 211b ... Notification time column, 212 ... Communication result table, 212a ... Device ID column, 212b ... Reception time column, 212c ... Fax number column, 212d ... Communication result column, 212e ... Number of transmissions column, 410 ... Function execution program

Claims (8)

When there is a request for facsimile transmission from the transmission source to the transmission destination, communication means for performing facsimile communication to the transmission destination;
Determination means for determining whether the facsimile communication by the communication means has succeeded or failed;
Recording means for recording the determination result by the determination means as communication result information;
A notification means for notifying the transmission source of the recorded communication result information based on a notification condition registered corresponding to the transmission source;
A relay device comprising: The notification means notifies the transmission result information to the transmission source when a notification time has arrived as the notification condition.
The relay device according to claim 1. The notification means notifies the transmission source of the communication result information even before the notification time arrives when a notification request is made from the transmission source as the notification condition.
The relay device according to claim 2. The notification means notifies the transmission source of the communication result information even before the notification time arrives when the determination means determines that the facsimile communication has failed as the notification condition.
The relay device according to claim 2 or 3. The notifying means notifies the transmission source only of communication result information in which the facsimile communication has failed;
The relay device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.   The relay apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising accepting means for accepting the request for facsimile transmission by electronic mail from the transmission source.   The relay apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a reception unit that receives a request for the facsimile transmission from the transmission source through facsimile communication. Computer
When there is a request for facsimile transmission from the transmission source to the transmission destination, communication means for performing facsimile communication to the transmission destination;
Determination means for determining whether the facsimile communication by the communication means has succeeded or failed;
Recording means for recording the determination result by the determination means as communication result information;
A notification means for notifying the transmission source of the recorded communication result information based on a notification condition registered corresponding to the transmission source;
Program to function as.

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