JP3391239B2 - Facsimile machine and remote maintenance system - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile machine provided with a function of notifying device status and the like so that remote maintenance for monitoring a facsimile machine in a remote maintenance center can be easily executed, and such a facsimile machine. Related to a remote maintenance system including.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a facsimile apparatus having a function of enabling remote maintenance, there is one described in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-54105. The fax machine
When the terminal control unit in the facsimile machine detects an abnormality in the equipment, the abnormal code counting unit counts the number of abnormal code occurrences and calls the maintenance center when the count value exceeds a predetermined threshold value. I do. Then, the abnormality information is transmitted via the public telephone line.
By receiving the abnormality information, the maintenance center can know that the facsimile apparatus needs maintenance.

The facsimile apparatus described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-225067 has a storage unit for storing the communication status of each facsimile communication in the facsimile apparatus. Then, the maintenance center at a remote place transmits a remote maintenance instruction signal to the facsimile apparatus at an appropriate time via the public telephone line. The control unit of the facsimile device transmits each communication status in the storage unit to the maintenance center in response to the remote maintenance instruction signal. In this way, the maintenance center can periodically collect the communication status accumulated in each facsimile device.

[0004]

As described above, the conventional remote maintenance system is configured to use the public telephone line for performing remote maintenance. Therefore, the communication cost at the time of remote maintenance becomes high. JP-A-6-54105
In the form described in Japanese Patent Publication, since the device makes a call, the communication cost may be borne by the user. In such a case, the user will be burdened with more than the cost of the original facsimile communication. When making a call to a so-called toll-free telephone, the communication cost will be borne by the manufacturer or the maintenance company. In addition, JP-A-6-2
In the form described in Japanese Patent No. 25067, since the maintenance center side makes a call, the manufacturer or maintenance company side concentrates on the communication cost. Therefore, the conventional remote maintenance system has a problem that the maintenance cost of the manufacturer or the maintenance company becomes enormous.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and can reduce the maintenance cost when performing remote maintenance of each facsimile machine by a maintenance center provided at a remote location. It is an object to provide a facsimile machine and a remote maintenance system including such a facsimile machine.

[0006]

A facsimile apparatus according to the present invention has a local area network interface section for connecting to a local area network connectable to the Internet, and is provided in a facsimile apparatus main body.
Related information is monitored and there is information that meets the notification conditions.
Device status monitoring unit that notifies the device status type when
Based on the notification of the status type, the notification information generation unit that generates information to be notified to the maintenance center that can connect to the Internet, and the information generated by the notification information generation unit and the information indicating the maintenance center are output. The HTTP client unit and the protocol control unit that supplies the information output by the HTTP client unit to the local area network interface unit according to the TCP / IP protocol. In addition, the fax stain according to the present invention
The device is a local area network interface
Local area that has a department and can be connected to the Internet
A facsimile device connected to a network,
Information to notify a maintenance center that can connect to the Internet
A notification information generation unit that generates information and a notification information generation unit
H which outputs the information indicating the maintenance center together with the information
The TTP client part and the HTTP client part are output.
The input information is local according to TCP / IP protocol
Prototype supplied to the area network interface section
Information output by the Col control unit and HTTP client unit
To the local area network or to the telephone line
And a communication means selection unit for selecting whether to send
It The facsimile device may further include a home page management unit that converts the device information into an html format, and an HTTP server unit that sends out a page managed by the home page management unit in response to a request. Further, a device information control unit that updates the device information in response to the update request received by the HTTP server unit may be further provided .

Further, the remote maintenance system according to the present invention is
Information about the maintenance center that is connectable to the Internet and that registers the information received via the Internet in the maintenance information database, the local area network interface unit, and the main body of the facsimile machine
If there is information that matches the notification conditions by monitoring the
Device status monitoring unit that notifies the status type,
A notification information generation unit that generates information to be notified to the maintenance center based on the receipt of the notification, and an HT that outputs information indicating the maintenance center together with the information generated by the notification information generation unit
A system including a TP client unit and a local area network to which a facsimile apparatus having a protocol control unit that supplies information output from the HTTP client unit to a local area network interface unit according to a TCP / IP protocol is connected.

[0008]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing a configuration example of a remote maintenance system including a facsimile apparatus according to the present invention. As shown in FIG.
2, 34 are connected via a local area network (LAN) 3. Each device on the LAN 3 can be connected to an external network via the gateway 31. Similarly, the facsimile devices 42 and 44 are connected via the LAN 4. Each device on the LAN 4 can be connected to an external network via the gateway 41. Various terminals can be connected to LANs 3 and 4,
In FIG. 1, personal computers 35 and 36 connected to the LAN 3 and personal computers 45 and 46 connected to the LAN 4 are illustrated. In addition, LA
The system 300 based on N3 and the system 400 based on LAN4 are systems within one organization such as a company, respectively.

In the system 300, terminals such as the personal computers 35 and 36 can exchange data with each other via the LAN 3, and in system 400, terminals such as the personal computers 45 and 46 can exchange data with each other via the LAN 4. is there. If the facsimile machines 32 and 34 have an interface function with the personal computers 35 and 36, the telephone lines 321 and 341 are subjected to predetermined processing on the data input from the personal computers 35 and 36 via the LAN 3.
It can also be transmitted as facsimile data via. Similarly, the facsimile devices 42 and 44 can also perform predetermined processing on the data input from the personal computers 45 and 46 via the LAN 4 and transmit the data as facsimile data via the telephone lines 421 and 441. Furthermore, the personal computers 35 and 36 and the personal computers 45 and 46 can exchange data with each other via the LANs 3 and 4 and the Internet 2.

The maintenance center 1 which executes remote maintenance is WW
It has a W server function and can communicate with the system 300 and the system 400 via the Internet 2. Although the maintenance center 1 which can be independently connected to the Internet is illustrated here, a LAN system including the maintenance center 1 exists and the maintenance center 1 may be connected to the Internet 2 via the LAN. Good.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the facsimile device 32. In the facsimile device 32, a facsimile main body (a portion that performs reading, recording, and facsimile transmission / reception) 322 performs facsimile communication via a telephone line 321. Also, the LAN interface unit 323
Is physically connected to LAN3 and
The transmission / reception control of the data to be transmitted to and the data to be received from the LAN 3 is performed. Then, the device information management unit 324 manages information regarding the facsimile main body 322. The information managed by the device information management unit 324 includes, for example, one-touch dial information, own station number information, polling password, communication mode information, and maintenance information. The device status monitoring unit 325 monitors information managed by the device information management unit 324, particularly maintenance information, and notifies the notification information generation unit 326 of the device status type when a predetermined condition is satisfied.
The notification information generation unit 326 extracts necessary information from the device information management unit 324 according to the notification and outputs it to the HTTP client unit 327.

The HTTP client unit 327 delivers the information from the notification information generation unit 326 to the TCP / IP protocol control unit 328. The TCP / IP protocol control unit 328 controls input / output of data according to the TCP / IP protocol, and receives information from the HTTP client unit 327 from the LAN interface unit 323 and the LAN.
3 to the Internet 2 via. Although the configuration of the facsimile device 32 is shown in FIG. 2, the configuration of the facsimile devices 34, 42, 44 is similar to that shown in FIG.

Next, the operation of the facsimile machine shown in FIG. 2 will be described in more detail. Here, the facsimile apparatus 32 will be described as an example. Facsimile machine 32
The facsimile main body 322 in (1) performs facsimile transmission / reception processing via the telephone line 321. Also, LAN3
When a facsimile transmission request is made from the above personal computers 35 and 36, the facsimile main body 32
2 receives the request and the data via the LAN interface unit 323 and the TCP / IP protocol control unit 328. Then, the data is transmitted to the destination included in the request. Further, the facsimile main body 322 is
The data received via the telephone line 321 is transferred to TCP / I
P protocol control unit 328, LAN interface unit 3
It is also possible to transfer the data to a predetermined personal computer 35, 36 via the LAN 23 and the LAN 3.

[0014] device information management unit 324 holds the device information such as one-touch dialing information in the facsimile apparatus 32, an input and stores them at any time information related to the operation of the facsimile apparatus 322 when the facsimile apparatus 32 is operating To do. As information to be stored,
For example, there is information such as the regular maintenance deadline and the remaining toner amount.
Further, when each abnormal code occurs, it is counted and the accumulated number of abnormal code occurrences is stored. Device status monitor 32
Reference numeral 5 monitors the information stored in the device information management unit 324, and if there is information that matches the notification condition, generates the notification information as the notification information to notify the maintenance center 1 of the corresponding device status type. It is output to the unit 326.

Notification conditions include, for example, when the cumulative number of occurrences of a certain abnormal code exceeds a predetermined threshold value, when it is a predetermined day before the regular maintenance deadline, and when the toner runs out. Also, as the type of device status, "communication error" is based on the cumulative number of abnormal code occurrences for communication abnormalities exceeding the threshold value, and the cumulative number of abnormal code occurrences for a certain mechanical unit exceeds the threshold value. There are "mechanical abnormality" based on this, and "regular maintenance" based on the fact that it is a predetermined day before the scheduled maintenance deadline.

The notification information generation unit 326 has a table in which the types of device states are associated with the names of information required for notification. When the device status type is input from the device status monitoring unit 325, the name of the information required for notification is obtained from the table. Then, the content of the necessary information according to the type is input from the device information management unit 324. As information required for the notification, for example, there is a mode information related to the abnormality code. Also,
The information necessary for the notification includes the device ID, the device telephone number, the dip switch state set at that time, and the like, which are common information for each type. Furthermore, the notification information generation unit 326 outputs the device status type and necessary information to the HTTP client unit 327 together with the information indicating the notification destination HTTP server. In this case, HTT
The P server corresponds to the maintenance center 1.

The HTTP client unit 327 outputs a request to activate the maintenance registration information program in the maintenance center 1 to the TCP / IP protocol control unit 328 together with the information input from the notification information generation unit 326. TC
The P / IP protocol control unit 328 outputs the data output from the HTTP client unit 327 to the LAN interface unit 323 according to the TCP / IP protocol. The LAN interface unit 323 receives data from the TCP / IP protocol control unit 328 as the gateway 31.
Data link control to reach Gateway 3
1 indicates the maintenance center 1 according to the information indicating the HTTP server included in the data received from the facsimile device 32.
Then, the routing control is performed so that the data arrives at, and the data from the facsimile device 32 is sent to the Internet 2.

The maintenance center 1 receives data transmitted from the facsimile machine 32 from the Internet 2. Then, the program of the maintenance registration information is activated by the request included in the data. According to the program, the data sent by the facsimile device 32 is transferred to the maintenance center 1
Registered in the database of. At the same time, if the data transmitted by the facsimile device 32 includes information that requires the dispatch of maintenance personnel, that fact is displayed on the display device of the maintenance center 1, for example. Therefore, the maintenance center 1 is ready to dispatch the maintenance personnel.

If LANs 3 and 4 capable of connecting to the Internet are already installed, the facsimile machines 32, 34 and 4
By incorporating the HTTP client function in 2, 44, it becomes possible to send maintenance information to the maintenance center 1 via the LAN 3, 4 and the Internet 2.
In the conventional remote maintenance system, since the maintenance information is transmitted via the public telephone line, the additional cost of communication for transmitting the maintenance information is required. On the other hand, according to the facsimile apparatus of the present invention, the additional cost of communication for transmitting the maintenance information does not occur.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of the facsimile apparatus according to the present invention. Although the facsimile device 32 is also illustrated here, the other facsimile devices 34, 42, and 44 may have the same configuration as that of the facsimile device 32. In this embodiment, the device information management unit 3 is provided for the facsimile device 32 shown in FIG.
A device information control unit 331 that registers, changes, and deletes information managed by the device 24, and a home page management unit 332 that converts information managed by the device information management unit 324 into an html format.
And the HTTP server unit 33 that outputs the requested information.
3 and 3 are added.

The facsimile machine 32 shown in FIG.
The facsimile machine 32 operates similarly to the facsimile machine 32 shown in FIG. 2 and also performs the following processing. The home page management unit 332 creates a home page including information managed by the device information management unit 324. Therefore, the personal computers 35, 36 connected to the LAN 3 are WWW
If a browser is provided, the device information of the facsimile device 32 can be obtained from the home page management unit 332 via the LAN 3, the LAN interface unit 323 of the facsimile device 32, the TCP / IP protocol control unit 328, and the HTTP server unit 333. . The device information of the facsimile device 32 includes information such as one-touch dial information, own station number information, and communication mode information.

If the maintenance center 1 analyzes the information sent from the facsimile device 32 and determines that some setting change (for example, change of the DIP switch) is necessary, the maintenance center 1 sends the information via the Internet 2. Then, the instruction for changing the setting is transmitted to the HTTP server unit 333 of the facsimile device 32. HTTP server unit 333
Upon receiving such an instruction, outputs a requested setting change request to the device information control unit 331. In response to the request, the device information control unit 331 changes the corresponding item in the information managed by the device information management unit 324.
Similarly, the maintenance center 1 can delete the information managed by the device information management unit 324 or add information.

The personal computers 35 and 36 connected to the LAN 3 can also send a request to register, change, or delete information managed by the device information management unit 324 to the HTTP server unit 333 via the LAN 3. it can. In response to the request, the device information control unit 331 updates the corresponding item of the information managed by the device information management unit 324. For example, the operator of the personal computer 35 uses the device information management unit 32 in the facsimile device 32.
The one-touch dial information managed by 4 can be registered or changed. In that case, the personal computer 35 sends a registration request for one-touch dial information including a one-touch dial number and a telephone number to the HTTP server unit 333 of the facsimile apparatus 32 via the LAN 3 or includes the one-touch dial number. Send a request to delete One-touch dial information. Upon receiving the request, the HTTP server unit 333 outputs the request to the device information control unit 331. Device information control unit 32
1 updates the corresponding item of the information managed by the device information management unit 324 in response to the request.

Further, in this embodiment, the notification information generation unit 326 also outputs the information output to the HTTP client unit 327 to the home page management unit 332. The home page management unit 332 organizes the input information and h
Convert to tml format and save. As a method of organizing information, for example, there is a method of organizing information such as when and what information was transmitted to where. Therefore, LAN3
Personal computers 35, 36 connected to
Can also refer to the information transmitted by the facsimile device 32 to the maintenance center 1 by the WWW browser.

As described above, in this embodiment, the device information control unit 331 that updates the information managed by the device information management unit 324 and the home page management unit 332 that holds the information managed by the device information management unit 324 as a home page. And the HTTP server unit 333 sends a home page or issues an update request to the device information control unit 331 in response to the request. Therefore, the maintenance center 1 uses the information received via the Internet 2 to send the facsimile 3
The information of the second device information management unit 324 can be updated via the Internet 2. Therefore, the communication cost can be reduced as compared with the case where the maintenance center 1 updates the information through the public telephone line.

Further, the home page management unit 332 and the HTT
Since the P server unit 333 is provided, the personal computers 35 and 36 connected to the LAN 3 can easily obtain the information of the device information management unit 324 of the facsimile device 32 by the browser. Further, from the personal computers 35, 36 side, the device information management unit 32
4 can be controlled to update the information. In this embodiment, the personal computers 35 and 36 are
The information transmitted by the facsimile device 32 to the maintenance center 1 can also be easily obtained by the browser. Therefore, for example, the personal computer 35 can be regarded as a facsimile management device in the system 300.
In that case, the personal computer 35 is the system 3
It is possible to centrally manage the information of the device information management unit 324 of all the facsimile devices 32 and 34 having the HTTP server function in 00, and also to manage the information transmitted by the facsimile devices 32 and 34 to the maintenance center 1. Therefore, the management of the facsimile devices 32 and 34 in the system 300 can be made efficient.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing still another embodiment of the facsimile apparatus according to the present invention. Although the facsimile device 32 is also illustrated here, the other facsimile devices 34, 42, and 44 may have the same configuration as that of the facsimile device 32. In this embodiment, FIG.
In addition to the facsimile device 32 shown in FIG. 3, a communication means selection unit 336 is added to switch the LAN interface unit 323 for connecting the facsimile device 32 to the LAN 3 and the line connection unit 337 for connecting to the telephone line 321. There is. The line connection unit 337 may be the one included in the facsimile main body 322.

The facsimile device 32 shown in FIG.
The facsimile machine 32 operates similarly to the facsimile machine 32 shown in FIG. 3 and performs the following processing. When communicating with the maintenance center 1, the notification information generation unit 326 determines that the notification destination H
Instead of the information indicating the TTP server, information indicating whether the LAN or the telephone line is used is output. Such information may be, for example, "LAN", "telephone line",
It is one of the information such as "LAN priority" and "line priority". In this case, the communication means selection unit 336
Information indicating the notification destination HTTP server and maintenance center 1
The telephone number of is set.

When "LAN" is notified, the communication means selecting unit 336 outputs information indicating the notified HTTP server to the LAN interface unit 323. Also,
The data output from the HTTP client unit 327 via the TCP / IP protocol control unit 328 is output to the LAN interface unit 323. The LAN interface unit 323, as in the case shown in FIG. 2 and FIG.
Data link control is performed so that the data from the CP / IP protocol control unit 328 reaches the gateway 31. The gateway 31 follows the information indicating the HTTP server included in the data received from the facsimile device 32,
The routing control is performed so that the data received from the facsimile device 32 reaches the maintenance center 1 and the Internet 2
Send to.

When the "telephone line" is notified, the communication means selecting unit 336 sets the telephone number of the maintenance center 1 to the line connecting unit 3
Give to 27 to make a call. Then, the HTTP client unit 327 transmits the data output via the TCP / IP protocol control unit 328 to the maintenance center 1 via the telephone line 321.

Data communication via the Internet 2 is
I'm worried about security. Therefore, for example, when transmitting a device telephone number, a password, or the like that the third party does not want to be known, the notification information generation unit 326 specifies the “telephone line”. After that, when transmitting other information, the notification information generation unit 326 specifies “LAN”.
By doing so, security for the device telephone number, password, etc. is ensured. Also, other information is L
Since the information is transmitted via the AN 3 and the Internet 2, the communication cost for those pieces of information is reduced as compared with the conventional case.

Further, for example, when transmitting information other than the device telephone number, password, etc., the notification information generating section 326.
May specify "LAN priority". When LAN priority is designated, the communication means selection unit 336 first determines the LA
In order to connect to the maintenance center 1 via N3 and the Internet 2, the information indicating the HTTP server of the notification destination is LA
It is given to the N interface unit 323. If the connection is established, then the HTTP client unit 327 sends TCP /
The data output via the IP protocol control unit 328 is output to the LAN interface unit 323. If the connection fails, enter the telephone number of the maintenance center 1 into the line connection unit 3
Give to 27 to make a call. In this way, communication with the maintenance center 1 is established more reliably.

When "line priority" is designated, the communication means selecting unit 336 first gives the telephone number of the maintenance center 1 to the line connecting unit 327 to make a call. When the connection with the maintenance center 1 fails, in order to connect to the maintenance center 1 via the LAN 3 and the Internet 2, information indicating the HTTP server of the notification destination is provided to the LAN interface unit 3.
Give to 23.

As described above, according to this embodiment,
The communication between the facsimile machine and the maintenance center 1 is LA
Since the selection is made via N3 or the telephone line 321, the data for which confidentiality is important is communicated via the telephone line to ensure security, and the other data is transmitted to the LAN 3 and the Internet 2. It is possible to realize a usage mode in which the communication cost is reduced through the route. In addition, by using the route that has been successfully connected early among the two routes, it is possible to ensure communication.

In this embodiment, the communication means selecting section 336 is added to the structure shown in FIG. 3, but the communication means selecting section 336 is added to the structure shown in FIG. 336 may be added.

[0036]

As described above, according to the present invention, a facsimile machine can monitor information related to the facsimile machine body.
If there is information that matches the notification condition,
The device status monitoring unit that notifies the type and the communication of the device status type
Can be connected to the Internet based on the knowledge
Notification information that generates information that should be notified to an active maintenance center
A generating unit, an HTTP client unit that outputs information indicating the maintenance center together with the information generated by the notification information generating unit,
Since the configuration is provided with the protocol control unit that supplies the information output by the HTTP client to the LAN interface unit according to the TCP / IP protocol, the maintenance information can be transmitted to the maintenance center via the Internet, and communication required for remote maintenance is possible. There is an effect that the cost can be reduced. In particular, if a LAN capable of connecting to the Internet is already installed, no additional cost for communication for remote maintenance is required. Also, according to the present invention, a facsimile device is provided.
Notification to a maintenance center that can connect to the Internet.
Notification information generation unit for generating power information and notification information generation unit
Outputs information indicating the maintenance center along with the information generated by
HTTP client section and HTTP client
The information output by the department is recorded according to the TCP / IP protocol.
-Supply to local area network interface
The protocol control section and the HTTP client section output
Information sent to local area network or telephone
And a communication means selection unit for selecting whether to send to the line.
Since it was decided that security will be secured surely
In addition, the maintenance information can be reliably transmitted. In the case where the facsimile machine is further provided with a home page management unit for converting the device information into the html format and an HTTP server unit for sending out a page managed by the home page management unit in response to a request, from the maintenance center side. The device status can be obtained via the Internet, and the communication cost required for remote maintenance can be reduced. When the facsimile machine is further provided with a device information control unit that updates the device information in response to the update request received by the HTTP server unit, the maintenance center may update the device status via the Internet. As a result, the communication cost required for remote maintenance can be reduced .

Further, according to the present invention, the remote maintenance system is connectable to the Internet, and the maintenance center for performing the processing of registering the information received via the Internet in the maintenance information database, the LAN interface unit, and the device. In the case where it is configured to include a LAN to which a facsimile apparatus having a status monitoring unit, a notification information generation unit, an HTTP client unit, and a protocol control unit that performs communication control according to the TCP / IP protocol is connected,
Communication between the facsimile device and the maintenance center can be performed via the LAN and the Internet, and the maintenance cost required for remote maintenance can be reduced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing a configuration example of a remote maintenance system including a facsimile apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a facsimile device.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of the facsimile apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing still another embodiment of the facsimile apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 maintenance center 2 Internet 3,4 LAN 32, 34, 42, 44 facsimile machines 322 Facsimile body 323 LAN interface section 324 Device information management unit 325 Device status monitor 326 Notification information generation unit 327 HTTP client unit 328 TCP / IP protocol control unit 331 Device information control unit 332 Home Page Management Department 333 HTTP server section 336 Communication means selection unit

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Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A facsimile device having a local area network interface unit, which is connected to a local area network connectable to the Internet, and which generates information to be notified to a maintenance center connectable to the Internet. Section, the HTTP client section that outputs the information indicating the maintenance center together with the information generated by the notification information generating section, and the information output by the HTTP client section by TCP /
A protocol control unit for supplying to the local area network interface unit according to the IP protocol and a communication means selecting unit for selecting whether to output the information output by the HTTP client unit to the local area network or to the telephone line are provided. Characteristic facsimile machine. 2. A device for converting device information into an html format.
And Mupeji management unit, pages that the home page management unit is managed in accordance with the request
The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising: an HTTP server unit for transmitting the . 3. The update request received by the HTTP server unit
3. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a device information control unit that updates the device information in response .