JP3318314B2 - Facsimile apparatus and image information printing method - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus and an image information printing method capable of receiving an electronic mail and a file attached to the electronic mail (hereinafter, an attached file).

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There is a technique of mounting a modem on an information terminal device (hereinafter, referred to as a server) such as a PC or the like and converting image information from a facsimile device transmitted from a public line into an attached file of electronic mail.

Further, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-331540 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-98298, a server attaches an attached file to an e-mail and transmits the file with an e-mail address specified by a transmission source as a destination. Are disclosed.

In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-167584, a server converts an attached file of an electronic mail into facsimile image information and transmits the converted image information to a facsimile having a designated electronic mail address. Things are disclosed.

In this technique, a text of an electronic mail composed of text is converted into image information by a server, and a file attached to the electronic mail is also converted into image information. Then, the server combines the e-mail text and the image information of the attached file with the facsimile apparatus corresponding to the designated e-mail address and transmits the facsimile. The receiving-side facsimile apparatus can receive the e-mail text and the image information of the attached file as facsimile image information. (Hereinafter, the electronic mail text converted to image information is referred to as electronic mail image information, and the attached file converted to image information is referred to as attached image information.)

[0006]

However, since the server converts the e-mail text into e-mail image information,
The data in the body of the email itself is much larger than in the text.

Therefore, when it is desired to store the text of an e-mail in the facsimile apparatus main body, the e-mail image information obtained by converting the text of the e-mail is stored instead of the text data which is the text of the e-mail. As a result, there is a problem that a large amount of memory is required for the facsimile machine.

[0008] Further, since the server converts the electronic mail text into electronic mail image information, when replying to the received electronic mail text, the electronic mail image information is returned. For this reason, even if the text of the e-mail from an e-mail terminal with only text information such as a mobile phone is received by the facsimile machine, it becomes e-mail image information. There is a problem that you can not.

Therefore, by providing a facsimile terminal device that transmits and receives the body part of an e-mail as text and receives attached file information converted to facsimile image information for an attached file of the e-mail, Problem can be solved.

However, in this configuration, since the body of the e-mail and the attached image information attached to the body of the e-mail are transmitted separately, the user needs to separately manage the body of the e-mail and the attached image information. There was a problem that there was.

[0011] Further, since the attached image information is received by ordinary facsimile communication, the header information when output to recording paper is only information of the server that is the transmission source, and the attached image information corresponds to any e-mail. There was a problem that it was very inconvenient because it was not possible to know whether or not it was.

In addition, when one electronic mail has a plurality of attached files, there is a problem that it is not possible to know which attached image information corresponds to the attached file.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide a facsimile apparatus capable of outputting an electronic mail with an attached file and attached information in association with each other.

[0014]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention maintains a link table for associating an electronic mail with an attached file with the attached information, so that the electronic mail with an attached file and the attached information are stored. When the information is managed in association and the attached information is output, the header information using the information stored in the link table is added to the attached information and output.

As described above, since the link table in which the electronic mail with the attached file is associated with the attached information is provided, it is possible to output the attached information by adding the contents of the link table. Thereby, the individual information of the e-mail with attached file corresponding to the output attached information can be easily known.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A facsimile apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes a mail receiving means for receiving a notification mail notifying that an electronic mail with an attached file is being received, and a facsimile apparatus which analyzes the notification mail. A mail analysis unit that associates the notified identification information of the electronic mail with the attached file with the individual information and saves the information in the link table; and, when receiving the notified electronic mail with the attached file, executes the facsimile procedure. Facsimile communication means for acquiring the identification information before receiving the attached information as image information, and thereafter receiving the attached information; and the facsimile on the link table based on the identification information acquired by the facsimile communication means. Link means for performing a process of associating the attached information received by the communication means with the individual information; By adding another information adopts a configuration provided with the, and printing means for printing the attached information.

According to this configuration, since the printing means adds the individual information of the e-mail corresponding to the attached file, it is possible to know which electronic attached information the printed attached information is by merely looking at the printed attached information. Can be.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the facsimile apparatus according to the first aspect, the printing means is configured to add a part of the electronic mail text.

As described above, by adding a part of the electronic mail text to the attached information, it is possible to easily know which electronic mail text the printed attached information corresponds to.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the facsimile apparatus according to the first or second aspect, the individual information includes a file name corresponding to the attached information, and the printing unit replaces the file name. A configuration is adopted in which the information is output in addition to the attached information.

With this configuration, even if there are a plurality of attached files in one e-mail, it is possible to easily know which attached file the printed attached information corresponds to.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the facsimile apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, the individual information includes information on the number of pages of the attached information, and the printing means includes the number of pages. The information is added to the attached information and output.

Since a page number is added to each piece of attached information in this way, even if a single electronic mail has a plurality of attached files, the printed attached information does not correspond to which page of which attached file. Can be easily known.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a step of receiving a notification mail notifying that an electronic mail with an attached file has been received, and identifying the electronic mail with an attached file notified by analyzing the notification mail. Storing the information and the individual information in a link table in association with each other, and, when receiving the attached information of the e-mail with the attached file notified, performing the identification before receiving the attached information as image information according to a facsimile procedure. Acquiring information, and thereafter receiving the attached information; and performing a process of associating the attached information received on the link table with the individual information based on the acquired identification information; And printing the attached information with information added thereto.

Hereinafter, a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

First, a case where the facsimile apparatus transmits and receives an electronic mail and an attached file via the Internet will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a facsimile communication system according to the above embodiment.

The facsimile apparatus 101 can perform normal facsimile communication with a general facsimile apparatus 102 by using a public switched telephone network (PSTN) 103, and can be connected to a service server 107 to provide worldwide facsimile communication. It can transmit and receive electronic mails and attached files to / from a personal computer 105 (hereinafter, referred to as PC) or an Internet facsimile apparatus 106 (hereinafter, referred to as IFAX) via the Internet 104, which is a computer network.

The facsimile apparatus 101 transmits and receives an e-mail text as e-mail via text data via the service server 107, and receives an attached file as facsimile image information.

Hereinafter, concretely, PC 105 or IFAX
A case where an e-mail with an attached file is received from 106 will be described. First, the operation of the service server 107 when an electronic mail with an attached file is transmitted from the PC 105 to the facsimile apparatus 101 will be described.

The e-mail with the attached file created in PC 105 is transmitted to Internet service provider (ISP) 108 via public network 103 by dial-up connection. The ISP 108 transmits the e-mail with the attached file to the mail server corresponding to the address specified by the PC 105, in this case, the service server 107 via the Internet 104.
The service server 107 divides the transmitted e-mail with the attached file into the e-mail text and the attached file. Then, the service server 107 stores the e-mail text as text data, and converts the attached file into attached image information so that facsimile transmission is possible, and saves the attached file. Upon receiving a request for transmission of an e-mail text in communication from facsimile apparatus 101, service server 107 transmits the e-mail text to facsimile apparatus 101 as text data. If the transmitted e-mail text includes attached image information, the converted attached image information is transmitted to the facsimile apparatus 101 via the PSTN 103 by facsimile.

Further, the facsimile apparatus 101 transmits the
If you want to send an e-mail to
In step 1, the electronic mail body is created, and the electronic mail body is created by designating a desired electronic mail address, and is sent to the ISP 108 via the PSTN 103, the service server 107, and the Internet 104. PC1
05 accesses the ISP 108, and the ISP 10
8 can be received.

Next, a case where an electronic mail with an attached file is transmitted from the IFAX 106 to the facsimile apparatus 101 will be described.

First, an electronic mail with an attached file is created by the IFAX 106. A method of creating an e-mail with an attached file by the IFAX 106 uses a conventional method, and a description thereof will be omitted. The e-mail with an attached file created by the IFAX 106 is stored in the e-mail server 109. This e-mail server 109
Is sent to the service server 107 via the Internet 104. Subsequent operations are the same as those in the case where an e-mail with an attached file is sent from the PC 105, and a description thereof will be omitted.

As described above, the service server 107 once receives the e-mail with the attached file, and further separates the e-mail with the attached file into the e-mail text and the attached file, and stores them. Then, the facsimile machine 101
When a request is made to send an e-mail from, the separated e-mail text is transmitted as text. On the other hand, the attached image information corresponding to the e-mail transmitted by the service server 107 is transmitted to the facsimile apparatus 101 by the service server 107 as an attached image information as an image for facsimile by using the facsimile procedure.

Next, a facsimile apparatus according to the above embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is an external top view showing the facsimile apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.
2, the lower part is the front side of the facsimile apparatus 101, and the upper part is the rear side.

As shown in FIG. 2, the facsimile machine 1
A panel unit 201 is provided on the upper surface of the device 01.
A dial key 202 is provided on the right side of the center of the panel unit 201. The dial key 202 is used not only for inputting a telephone number or a facsimile number (FAX number), but also for reproducing a recorded message in an answering machine function and creating a message in an electronic mail function.

A function / registration button 204 is provided near the dial key 202. Function / Registration button 204
Is used to select a function provided in the facsimile apparatus 101. For example, this is used when the facsimile apparatus 101 is provided with a so-called auto-pilot function for periodically checking an e-mail with a provider. The function / registration button 204 is also used to set an autopilot timer for setting the interval at which the provider checks the e-mail.

The function / registration button 204 is used when switching between various reception modes. The reception mode includes a manual reception mode, a FAX / TEL switching mode (hereinafter, referred to as F / T mode), a FAX-only mode, and an absence mode.

An answering machine button 207 is provided on the right side of the dial key 202. Answering Machine Button 20
Reference numeral 7 is for switching the state of the answering machine function of the facsimile apparatus 101 on / off. The answering machine button 207 is normally used when the operator goes out of office or the like. When the state of the answering machine function of the facsimile apparatus 101 is turned on by the answering machine button 207, the message received during this time is recorded. Thereafter, when the answering machine function of the facsimile apparatus 101 is turned off by the answering machine button 207, the recorded message is automatically reproduced. If the answering machine button 207 is pressed during a call, the conversation during the call is recorded. The number of rings in the answering machine mode is also determined by the function / registration button 204.
Can be set by

A display section 215 is provided on the left side of the center of the panel section 201. Display unit 215
Is composed of an LCD or the like. The display unit 215 displays a screen corresponding to the state of the facsimile machine 101. For example, when a telephone number is input on the facsimile apparatus 101, the input telephone number is displayed on the display unit 215. When the content of the e-mail is confirmed by the facsimile apparatus 101, the received e-mail is displayed on the display unit 215. The display unit 215 has, on the front side, a column for displaying a function that is provided in the facsimile apparatus 101 and that displays a currently selected function. Specifically, columns for displaying functions of character e-mail, FAX for overseas using the Internet network, incoming melody download, and incoming call history display are arranged.

The telephone book dial 2 is displayed on the front side of the display unit 215.
16 are provided. This telephone directory dial 216
The facsimile apparatus 101 is used to select a telephone number or a facsimile number of a destination registered by a user in the facsimile apparatus 101. By rotating the telephone directory dial 216, the telephone numbers displayed on the display unit 215 are scrolled. The telephone directory dial 216 is also used when scrolling a display such as a function selection screen described later.

In the center of the telephone directory dial 216, start /
A set button 217 is provided. The start / set button 217 is used for facsimile
This is used when starting transmission.

In the vicinity of the start / set button 217, a selection button 225 for performing processing performed by the facsimile apparatus 101, printing, erasing the contents stored in the storage device, facsimile transmission, mail transmission, and the like is provided. Have been. The operator can select a process to be performed with the select button 225 and operate the start / set button 217 to perform a desired process on the facsimile apparatus 101.

A handset 222 is attached to the side of the facsimile apparatus 101. Further, a paper feed tray 223 is provided on the rear surface of the facsimile machine 101. Further, a hand scanner 224 is provided on a front portion of the facsimile machine 101.

Next, the hardware configuration of the facsimile machine 101 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the facsimile apparatus according to the embodiment.

The CPU 401 executes a program stored in the storage means, and controls the entire facsimile apparatus 101.

The storage means is a ROM (Read Only Me
mory) 402, RAM (Random Access Memory) 403
In addition, a flash memory 404 (hereinafter, referred to as FROM), which is a nonvolatile semiconductor memory capable of erasing and rewriting, is provided. The ROM 402 stores a program to be executed by the CPU 401. The RAM 403 is a work memory that executes programs and temporarily stores various data such as e-mails and image files. FR
As shown in FIG. 4, the OM 404 includes an e-mail text storage area 501 for storing a received e-mail text and an e-mail text for transmission, and an image data for the received attached file and an image for transmission. An image data storage area 502 for storing data, and a destination address storage area 503 storing a plurality of destination e-mail addresses.
And a setting information storage area 504 for storing various settings such as a telephone number of a service server, ID information for sending an e-mail, a password for various communications, and a current reception mode of the facsimile apparatus 101. Mode storage area 505 is provided.

The facsimile apparatus 101 has a PS
A communication control unit 405 that controls transmission and reception of signals to and from the TN 103 is provided. The communication control unit 405 issues a call,
Processing such as incoming calls is performed. The handset 222 and the built-in speaker 406 are connected to the communication control unit 405. The communication control unit 405 includes means for performing data communication and facsimile communication via the PSTN 103,
Specifically, modem, DSU, terminal adapter (T
A) is provided.

Further, the facsimile apparatus 101 is provided with a scanner 224 for reading an original and acquiring image information to be transmitted to another apparatus. Further, the facsimile apparatus 101 is provided with a printer 407 for printing the received image information.

The facsimile apparatus 101 is provided with an operation unit 408 such as a dial key and a touch panel provided on the panel unit 201 for receiving an operation by the operator such as designation of a destination and transmission start instruction. . The facsimile apparatus 101 is provided with a display unit 215 for visually displaying various information such as processing contents and input information, so that an operator can easily grasp the processing contents and input information.

By the way, the service server 107 described above
When receiving an electronic mail with an attached file, the electronic mail body and the attached file part are separated and held. The text of the e-mail is sent to the facsimile apparatus 101 as text information, and the attached file is sent as attached image information which is facsimile image information according to a facsimile procedure. As described above, when transmitting the attached image information, link information for associating the electronic mail text with the attached file is necessary. Therefore, the FROM 404 of the facsimile apparatus 101 and the service server 10
7, a link table 601 is provided. Hereinafter, the configuration of the link table 601 will be described with reference to FIG.

The link table 601 has a file number 6 which is a file name obtained by converting an attached file of an electronic mail with an attached file into an image file in TIFF format.
02 is stored. And this file number 60
E-mail text file number 603 which is a text-format file name containing the e-mail text corresponding to 2
And the attached file information 604 for the text file number 603 are stored. The attached file information 604 is the file name of the attached file attached to the body of the electronic mail with the attached file. Also, the link table 601 includes page number information 60 indicating the number of pages of the attached file stored in the attached file information 604.
9 is stored.

The link table 601 further stores subject information 605 for storing subject information corresponding to the title of the electronic mail, and source information 606 corresponding to the electronic mail address from which the electronic mail is transmitted.
Is stored. The link table 601 stores the stored e-mail text 603 in the facsimile machine 10.
Also, a transfer flag 607 indicating whether or not the data has been transmitted is stored.

The link table 601 is provided in the service server 107 for each e-mail user (in this case, each facsimile machine 101), and a table (not shown) corresponds to the telephone number of the facsimile machine 101 and the facsimile machine 101. The corresponding e-mail address (or user ID) is stored. The service server 107 transmits the attached image information by referring to a table (not shown) when the transfer flag 607 is the information indicating that the transmission is performed.

The link table 601 stores an identification number 608 which is identification information for associating the separated electronic mail text with the attached image information.
By receiving the identification number 608, the facsimile apparatus 101 can associate the separately received e-mail text with the attached image information. As described above, the service server 107 manages the file number 602 or the attached file information 604, which is the electronic mail management information indicating whether or not there is an attached file in the electronic mail body, and associates the attached file with the electronic mail body. The link table 601 stores the identification number 608, which is the attachment management information, which is information.

In the link table 601, parts other than the transfer flag 607 are held in the facsimile machine 101. Thereby, the facsimile machine 101
However, it is possible to link the individual information of the e-mail with the attached file or the e-mail text with the attached file information such as the attached image information. The facsimile machine 101
Information indicating whether the e-mail corresponding to the transfer flag 107 has been browsed, and information indicating that transfer or reply has been performed are stored.

Next, the facsimile apparatus 101 sends a signal to the service server 107 to inquire whether there is an electronic mail with an attached file transmitted from another apparatus. Service server 10 receiving this signal
Reference numeral 7 transmits a notification mail, which is various types of electronic mail information such as the number of electronic mails with an attached file addressed to the facsimile apparatus 101, to the facsimile apparatus 101.

Then, the facsimile apparatus 101 transmits, to the service server 107, an individual information request signal for requesting the individual information of the electronic mail with the attached file corresponding to the received notification mail. Upon receiving this signal, the service server 107 transmits to the facsimile apparatus 101 information on whether or not each electronic mail with an attached file has an attached file and link information such as the identification number 608 of the link table 601. Then, the facsimile apparatus 101 which has received the signal transmits the information regarding the individual electronic mail to the FR of the facsimile apparatus 101.
The information is stored in the link table 601 formed in the OM 404.

Next, the facsimile apparatus 101 starts an e-mail text receiving operation. First, the facsimile machine 10
1 sends an e-mail text reception request signal instructing the service server 107 to transmit the e-mail text. The service server 107 receives this signal and transmits the text of the electronic mail to the facsimile apparatus 101 as an electronic mail. Thus, the facsimile apparatus 101 receives the electronic mail text.
And. The facsimile apparatus 101 displays the text of the received e-mail text on the display unit 215.

Next, the facsimile machine 101 instructs the service server 107 to delete the information on the received e-mail text from the e-mail text file information 603 in the link table 601 provided in the service server 107. To send a signal. The service server 107 receives this signal, and the link table 10
7, the information about the body of the e-mail received by the facsimile apparatus 101 is deleted, and a signal indicating the deletion is transmitted to the facsimile apparatus 101.

Note that the facsimile apparatus 101 can be set so that the received e-mail text is not deleted from the service server 107 when the e-mail text is received.

If there are a plurality of e-mails addressed to the facsimile apparatus 101 in the service server 107, the process returns to the process of transmitting the individual information request, and the e-mail text reception process is performed until all the e-mail texts have been received. repeat.

As described above, the facsimile apparatus 101
Receives the e-mail text and disconnects the line.

Next, the facsimile apparatus 101 receives image information of an attached file for the received electronic mail from the service server 107 in a facsimile procedure. Hereinafter, the attached file receiving operation of the facsimile apparatus 101 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 7 is an attached file reception sequence diagram of the facsimile apparatus according to the embodiment.

First, the facsimile apparatus 101 is dialed from the service server 107 as a host, and the line is closed. When the line is closed, the facsimile machine 101
Transmits CED and DIS, which are identification numbers of the facsimile apparatus 101, to the service server 107. Upon receiving this signal, the service server 107 transmits TSI, which is identification information of the service server 107, and DCS, which is a transmission command in response to DIS. Also,
At this time, the service server 107
07 of the link table 601 as the TSI
And send it. Thereby, the facsimile machine 1
No. 01 can determine which attached e-mail text the attached image information to be sent corresponds to.

The service server 107 sends a training signal of the communication control unit 405 to the facsimile machine 101. In contrast, the facsimile machine 10
1 transmits to the service server 107 a CFR, which is a signal indicating that the message can be transmitted.

Then, the service server 107 executes the TSI
The attached image data corresponding to the identification number 608 transmitted in the step (1) is selected from the file number 602 of the link table 107 and transmitted to the facsimile apparatus 101. Then, the service server 107 transmits to the facsimile apparatus 101 an EOM indicating that the transmission of the attached image has been completed. Then, the facsimile apparatus 101 stores the received attached image in the file number 6 corresponding to the identification number 608 of the link table 601 of the facsimile apparatus 101.
02 is stored.

Then, the facsimile machine 101
The MSF and DIS indicating that the attached image information has been correctly received are transmitted to the service server 107, and the process returns to the phase B state which is a pre-procedure for receiving the attached image information.

As described above, the facsimile procedure is returned to the phase B for each attached image information to receive the attached management information and the attached image information. Therefore, even if there are a plurality of attached images, the line is disconnected. Instead, the above-described series of attached image receiving sequences can be repeated. Thereby, a plurality of attached image information can be received by one communication.

When the reception of all the attached images is completed, the service server 107 transmits an EOP indicating the end of the facsimile procedure to the facsimile apparatus 101. Then, the facsimile machine 101 receiving this signal
Transmits the MCF to the service server 107. Then, the service server 107 sets the facsimile machine 10
Then, DCN, which is a line disconnect command, is transmitted to 1 to disconnect the line and terminate the processing.

As described above, the facsimile apparatus 101
Completes the reception of the attached image. Further, the received attached image can be easily identified from the identification number 608 included in the TSI as to which of the received e-mail texts it corresponds to.

Further, the facsimile apparatus 101 has a function of transmitting an electronic mail with an attached file.
When the facsimile apparatus 101 transmits an e-mail with an attached file to another communication terminal, the service server 10
7 is performed. Hereinafter, an operation in which the facsimile apparatus 101 transmits an e-mail to the service server 107 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram illustrating an e-mail transmission operation of the facsimile apparatus according to the above embodiment.

The facsimile machine 101 as a terminal dials to connect to the service server 107 as a host. By dialing from the facsimile machine 101, the facsimile machine 101 and the service server 10
The line with 7 is closed. When the line is closed, the service server 107 needs to determine whether the connected facsimile apparatus 101 is a facsimile apparatus of a contracted user. Therefore, the service server 107 transmits a signal requesting the facsimile apparatus 101 to transmit the ID and the password. Facsimile machine 10
Receiving this signal, 1 transmits an ID and a password. Then, the service server 107 sends the received I
If it is determined that D and the password are correct, the connection is made normally. Then, the service server 107 sends a signal indicating that the connection has been normally completed to the facsimile machine 10.
Send to 1. Thus, the facsimile machine 10
1 normally connects to the service server 107.

Next, the facsimile apparatus 101 sends an e-mail transmission request signal to the service server 107 to transmit an e-mail. Upon receiving this signal, the service server 107 prepares to receive the e-mail, and when it is ready, the facsimile machine 10
1 is signaled that an e-mail may be sent.

Next, the facsimile apparatus 101 transmits the text of the electronic mail to the service server 107 in the form of an electronic mail. And the service server 10
7 transmits, to the facsimile apparatus 101, a signal indicating that the reception has been completed, when the reception of the e-mail text is completed.

Next, if there is an attached file in the electronic mail, the facsimile apparatus 101 proceeds to the attached file transmission process. First, the facsimile apparatus 101 sends an attached file request signal to the service server 107 to send an attached file. Upon receiving this signal, the service server 107 prepares to receive the e-mail, and sends a signal to the facsimile apparatus 101 that the e-mail may be transmitted when the preparation is completed.

When the facsimile apparatus 101 receives this signal, it transmits the attached file of the e-mail as image information in a facsimile procedure. The attached file is obtained by converting an image read by the scanner 224 into a TIFF image in order to attach the image to an electronic mail. In this case, for the image conversion processing, a conversion method conventionally used in IFAX is used.

When the transmission of the attached file is completed, the facsimile apparatus 101 disconnects the line. As described above, the facsimile apparatus 101 transmits the e-mail with the attached file to the service server 107. Then, the service server 107 transmits the transmitted e-mail to another communication device having the address designated by the facsimile device 101. Thus, the transmission of the e-mail with the attached file to the other communication device of the facsimile device 101 is completed.

Hereinafter, the printing operation of the facsimile machine 101 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a printing operation of the facsimile apparatus according to the above embodiment.

First, when the operator operates the operation unit 408, the processing shifts to a process of printing data such as an electronic mail text and an attached file stored in the FROM 404 of the facsimile apparatus 101. Facsimile machine 101
Moves to the data printing process, the facsimile machine 1
01 is the link table 6 in the facsimile machine 101
A list of e-mail information is created by referring to 01. Then, facsimile apparatus 101 displays this list of electronic mail information on display section 215 (ST90).
1). In the list of electronic mail information, various information such as the subject and the transmission source of the electronic mail are displayed.

Next, the operator operates the operation unit 408 while referring to the list of the e-mail information to select an e-mail to be printed. The facsimile machine 101
This print signal is received, and the print processing of the designated e-mail is started (ST902).

When an e-mail has an attached file, there is a strong demand to print not only the e-mail text but also the attached file. For this reason, the facsimile machine 101 searches the link table 601 in the facsimile machine 101 (ST903), and determines whether there is an attached file in the electronic mail to be printed (ST90).
4).

If it is determined in ST904 that there is no attached file in the e-mail, the body of the e-mail is imaged (ST905), and printer 407 is controlled to print the body of the e-mail (ST906). And FR
The link table is updated by deleting all parts related to the electronic mail in the link table 601 in the OM 404 (ST907).

On the other hand, if it is determined in ST904 that there is an attached file in the electronic mail, the electronic mail text is first imaged into a printable state (ST908), and then the mail text is printed (ST909). Then, the printing operation of the attached file is started.

First, the facsimile apparatus 101 is again
With reference to the link table 601 in, the attached image information corresponding to the attached file to be printed is searched and extracted (ST910). Then, the individual information of the e-mail is extracted, and the individual information is added to the attached image information to be printed (ST911). Here, not only the individual information but also a part of the electronic mail text may be added to the attached image information. By doing so, it is possible to easily know which electronic mail text the output attached image information corresponds to.

Next, facsimile machine 101 refers to link table 601, extracts page number information 609 of the attached image information to be printed, and adds the number of pages to the attached image information (ST912). Then, facsimile apparatus 101 controls printer 407 to print the image information to which the individual information of the e-mail and the number of pages of the attached image information are added (ST913).

Next, facsimile machine 101 determines from the information in link table 601 whether there is another attached file in the electronic mail to be printed (ST914).
If it is determined in ST914 that there is another attached file, the process proceeds to ST908, and the attached image information is printed again with the individual information of the e-mail and the number of pages added.

In ST914, facsimile machine 1
01 determines that there is no attached file that has not been printed, the link table 601 in the facsimile apparatus 101.
The link table 601 is updated by deleting all the portions related to the printed e-mail in (ST90).
7). In order to retain the history of the e-mail, a print flag indicating whether or not printing has been performed may be provided in the link table 601 without deleting the relevant portion of the e-mail, and the print flag may be updated. .

Next, a specific example of printing by the facsimile machine 101 will be described with reference to FIGS.

Hereinafter, a case where information as shown in FIG. 10 is stored in the link table will be described. Here, a case will be described in which electronic mails corresponding to identification numbers 1 and 2 are printed.

First, when there is an instruction to print an electronic mail relating to identification numbers 1 and 2, the facsimile apparatus 101
Searches the link table and determines whether there is an attached file in the email body corresponding to the identification number 1 and the identification number 2. In this case, since the identification number 1 and the identification number 2 have an attached file, the printing process is performed when the attached file exists.

In printing an e-mail with identification number 1, first, an e-mail text file 001.TXT is printed.
Next, the attached image information of the attached file, material.doc
Print 0.1tif. Also, in the printing of the e-mail with the identification number 2, 002.TXT, which is the e-mail text, is printed, and then, 0.2tif and 0.3tif, which are the attached image information of the attached files map.doc and accounting.doc, are printed. Print. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an e-mail text printed at this time and an attached file.

When printing the attached file, it should be noted that the attached image information to be printed is 0.1tif, 0.2t.
The difference is that a subject and a sender address, which are individual information of an e-mail, and the number of pages and an attached file name which are attached file information are added to each of the if and 0.3tif. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a specific example of a printed attached file.

As described above, since the content of the link table is added to the attached image information and output, it is possible to easily know which e-mail and attached file name correspond to the attached attached image information.

Further, since the attached file name is added to the attached image information for printing, even if there are a plurality of attached files in one e-mail, it is easy to determine which attached file corresponds to the printed attached image. You can know.

Since a page number is added to each piece of attached image information, even if there are a plurality of attached files in one e-mail, the printed attached image information corresponds to which page in which attached file. You can easily know what it is.

A mail analyzing means for storing the notified identification information of the electronic mail with the attached file and the individual information in the link table 601, and identifying the electronic mail with the attached file acquired by the communication control unit 405. Link means for associating the attached image information received by the facsimile communication means with the individual information of the acquired e-mail with attached file on the link table 601 based on the information; The CPU 401 may have a function as a printing unit for adding information and printing the attached information, or a dedicated processing unit having these functions individually may be provided.

[0098]

As described above, according to the present invention,
By referring to the link table 601, the e-mail with attached file and the attached image information can be associated with each other. Therefore, when the attached image information is output, the e-mail with attached file can be outputted in association with the attached file.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram of a facsimile communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an external top view showing the facsimile apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the facsimile apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a memory configuration diagram of the FROM according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a link table according to the embodiment;

FIG. 6 is an e-mail text body reception sequence diagram of the facsimile apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an attached file reception sequence diagram of the facsimile apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram showing an e-mail transmission operation of the facsimile apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a printing operation of the facsimile apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a specific example of a link table according to the embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a view for explaining an e-mail text and an attached file printed by the facsimile apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a view showing a specific example of an attached file printed by the facsimile apparatus according to the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 101, 102 Facsimile machine 103 Public line 104 Internet 105 PC 106 IFAX 107 Service server 108 ISP 109 E-mail server 215 Display unit 222 Handset 401 CPU 404 FROM 405 Communication control unit

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ identification code FI H04N 1/387 H04N 1/387 (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04N 1/00 107 G06F 3 / 12 G06F 12/00 520 G06F 13/00 640 H04N 1/32 H04N 1/387

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. A mail receiving means for receiving a notification mail notifying that an electronic mail with an attached file is received, identification information of the electronic mail with an attached file notified by analyzing the notification mail, and individual information thereof. Mail analysis means for storing in the link table in association with the information, and when receiving the attached information of the e-mail with the notified attached file, obtains the identification information before receiving the attached information as image information according to a facsimile procedure Facsimile communication means for receiving the attached information, and associating the attached information received by the facsimile communication means with the individual information on the link table based on the identification information obtained by the facsimile communication means. Linking means for performing processing, and printing means for adding the individual information and printing the attached information, A facsimile machine comprising: 2. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing unit adds a part of the body of the electronic mail. 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the individual information includes a file name corresponding to the attached information, and the printing unit adds the file name to the attached information and outputs the attached information. A facsimile machine as described. 4. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the individual information includes page number information of the attached information, and the printing unit adds the page number information to the attached information and outputs the information. A facsimile apparatus according to any one of the above. 5. A step of receiving a notification mail notifying that an electronic mail with an attached file is received, and analyzing the notification mail and identifying the identification information of the electronic mail with the attached file and its individual information. Step of storing in the link table in association with, when receiving the attached information of the e-mail with the notified attached file, obtain the identification information before receiving the attached information in the image information according to the facsimile procedure, and then Receiving the attached information, performing a process of associating the attached information received on the link table with the individual information based on the acquired identification information, and adding the individual information to the attached And a step of printing information.