JP3447718B2 - Data transfer system and facsimile transmission 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 data transfer system, and more particularly to simple transmission of data created by a client computer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a network compatible facsimile transmission / reception system has been known. In such a system, a dedicated facsimile transmission / reception program is installed in each of a server computer (hereinafter abbreviated as a server) and a client computer (hereinafter abbreviated as a client). Create a manuscript on the client, specify the destination and send it to the server. The server performs facsimile transmission via the FAX modem to the designated destination using the telephone line. On the other hand, at the time of reception, when there is a reception request from another facsimile machine, the server receives facsimile data via the FAX modem and transmits the received facsimile data to a predetermined client. The client displays the received data.

In such a system, it is necessary to install a dedicated program in the server and the client, and at the outside, another computer in which the dedicated program is not installed can receive the facsimile data addressed to itself. Can not.

The inventor, in order to solve such a problem,
Using a browser program that is generally installed in the client, we examined accessing a predetermined URI and sending and receiving facsimile data.

At the time of reception, the user can receive the facsimile data addressed to himself by connecting to the server, logging in, and selecting the reception screen.

On the other hand, at the time of transmission, the client operator launches a browser program, accesses the server, and causes the client to display a data transmission screen as shown in FIG. The operator displays the FA
The X number or the like may be input, the transmission target data may be described as the text, and the send button 303 may be clicked.

[0007]

However, when the data is transmitted by facsimile in the format of attaching a file by using such a browser program, there are the following problems.

Start up the browser program and execute FIG.
This is the same until the data transmission screen as shown in (4) is displayed on the client and the destination FAX number or the like is input. After this, or before this, an application program for creating an attached file is activated to create data to be transmitted, for example, map data, which is once stored in the client hard disk with a predetermined file name. When you click the attached file designation button 301,
A dialog box for file reference will be opened.
In this reference dialog box, the file to be attached is specified. As a result, the destination information and the data to be transmitted are determined, and the operator clicks the send button 303.
Click.

That is, it is necessary to temporarily specify the file name of the data to be transmitted created by the application program and store the data, and refer to the folder in which the file is stored to specify the file. This is because, in order to ensure security, the browser program is determined so that it cannot receive and send the data sent from the application program side.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above problems and to provide a data transmission / reception system capable of easily transmitting transmission target data created by an application program of a client without requiring the complicated processing. To do. More specifically, it is an object of the present invention to provide a data transmission / reception system or method capable of transmitting a transmission target data created by a client application program from a server by facsimile without being restricted by the browser program.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a data transmission / reception system or method capable of automatically starting a browser program and transmitting from a server after data to be transmitted is created by an application program of a client.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a data transmission system or method that enables an operator who is not operating to smoothly perform a transmission process when a browser program is adopted.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a data transfer system or method that enables an operator who is not familiar with operations to perform data transfer processing smoothly.

[0014]

Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention 1) The facsimile transmission system according to the present invention is
a1), a2), a1) a server for transmitting the transmission target data by facsimile to a designated destination, a2) a client network-connected to the server, the server transmits the transmission target data and the destination data from the client. A facsimile transmission system for transmitting the data to be transmitted to a designated destination upon receipt, B) The client has the following automatic communication processing program installed as a printer driver, and b.
1) Send target data creation application program is selected as a printer driver that controls the output destination of the created send target data, and when the send target data is specified to be output, the send target data is sent to the server. B2) The browser program of the client is activated to access the URI for generating the specified destination data creation screen data. C) The server transmits the transmission target data transmitted from the client to the transmission target data. Facsimile transmission is performed to the destination specified by the destination data input on the screen displayed as the destination data creation screen data. Therefore, if the operator of the client outputs the transmission target data created by the application program to the automatic communication processing program, the browser program is automatically started, and the destination data is input according to the display screen. The facsimile can be sent to a desired party.

4) In the facsimile transmission system or the facsimile transmission server according to the present invention, the server stores the transmission target data in which the individual session id is specified from the client, stores the transmission target data, and stores the transmission target data. Send a web page to identify the destination data. Therefore, even when a plurality of pieces of data to be transmitted are received, it is possible to accurately associate them with the destination data.

5) In the facsimile transmission system or the facsimile transmission server according to the present invention, when the server receives the session start request from the client, the server transmits the individual session id to the client. In this way, since the individual session id is issued in response to the request from the client, even when a plurality of data to be transmitted is received, it is possible to accurately associate the data with the transmission destination.

6) In the facsimile transmission system or the facsimile transmission server according to the present invention, the server specifies the individual session id from the client when transmitting the web page for specifying the destination data of the transmission target data. The web page transmission request is received and executed. Therefore, the server issues an individual session id, and if there is a download request from the client, by transmitting the data corresponding to this, even if a plurality of data to be transmitted is received,
It is possible to make an accurate association with the destination data.

7) In the facsimile transmission system or the facsimile transmission client according to the present invention,
The client transmits the transmission target data in which the individual session id is specified to the server, and transmits a transmission request for transmitting a web page for specifying the transmission destination data of the transmission target data to the server. In response to such a request, the server issues the individual session id, so that even when the server receives a plurality of pieces of data to be transmitted, it is possible to accurately associate the data with the destination data.

8) In the facsimile transmission system or the facsimile transmission client according to the present invention,
The client sends a session start request to the server and sends it as the transmission target data of the received individual session id. Therefore, data transmission / reception between the client and the server can be specified. As a result, it becomes possible to accurately associate the transmission target data with the transmission destination data.

9) In the facsimile transmission system or the facsimile transmission client according to the present invention,
When the client sends a request to send a web page specifying the individual session id to the server and receives a web page specifying the destination data of the transmission target data, the client displays the request. Therefore, it is possible to accurately associate the transmission target data with the transmission destination data.

10) In the facsimile transmission system or the facsimile transmission client according to the present invention, the client has a resource identifier for receiving screen data for the operator of the client to designate a transmission destination for the transmission target data. , Pass it to the browser program and start it. Thereby, the screen for inputting the destination data can be automatically displayed in the browser program.

13) In the facsimile transmission method according to the present invention, when the client is connected to the server which transmits the transmission target data by facsimile to the designated transmission destination and the transmission target data and the transmission destination data are received from the client, The server is a facsimile transmission method for transmitting the transmission target data to a designated transmission destination, and the client is a printer driver for controlling the output destination of the transmission target data created by the transmission target data creatable application program. When the transmission target data is designated to be output in the selected situation, the resource identifier for transmitting the transmission target data to the server and receiving the screen data for displaying the screen for inputting the destination data of the transmission target data To the browser program Wherein the server, the transmission target data sent from the client to the transmission destination specified by the destination data inputted on the screen for inputting the destination data to facsimile transmission. Therefore,
If the operator of the client outputs the transmission target data created by the application program to a predetermined printer driver, the browser program is automatically activated, and if the destination data is input according to the display screen, the desired It is possible to fax to the other party.

16) A data transfer server according to the present invention is a data transfer server which, when receiving transmission target data whose destination is designated from a client connected to a network, transfers the transmission target data to the destination. , When receiving the data to be sent from the client,
When storing a destination data specifying data request from the browser program of the client, which requests data for the operator of the client to specify the destination for the data to be transmitted, the destination for specifying the destination is specified. When the data is transmitted to the client and the destination data is received from the client, the transmission target data is transferred to the designated destination. Therefore, even if there is a limitation of the browser program that the data created by the application program cannot be directly received, the transmission target data can be transferred to the designated destination.

17) A data transfer server according to the present invention is a data transfer server which, when receiving data to be transmitted whose destination is designated from a client connected to a network, transfers the data to be transmitted to the destination. , When receiving the data to be sent from the client,
When this is stored, the data for the operator of the client to specify the destination for the transmission target data is transmitted to the client, and the destination data associated with the transmission target data is received from the client, the association is performed. The transmitted data to be transmitted is transferred to this destination. Therefore, even when the transmission target data and the transmission destination data of the transmission target data are separately transmitted to the server, the transmission target data can be transferred to the designated transmission destination.

18) The data transfer server according to the present invention transmits such data to the client when the client requests the transmission of the image data for designating the destination of the data to be transmitted, and the data is transmitted from the client. When receiving the transmission target data that has not been specified yet, while storing this, the transmission target data specifying id is transmitted to the client, and the transmission target data to which the transmission target data specifying id is given is received from the client, The transmission target data is transferred to the destination specified by the transmission target data specifying id. Therefore, even when the transmission target data and the transmission destination data of the transmission target data are separately transmitted to the server, the transmission target data can be transferred to the designated transmission destination. 19) In the data transfer method according to the present invention, when a client is network-connected to a server that transfers data to be transmitted to a designated destination and the data to be transmitted and the destination data are received from the client, the server designates the data. A data transfer method for transferring the transmission target data to a specified destination, wherein the transmission target data created by an application program capable of creating the transmission target data of the client is transmitted via a communication program that functions as a printer driver. When this is done, this is stored, and if there is a request from the client to download the destination data creation screen data for displaying the screen for inputting the destination data of the transmission target data, the server Send to client and send from said client The transmission target data, and transfers the transmission destination specified by the destination data returned to the destination data creation screen data. Therefore,
If the operator of the client outputs the transmission target data created by the application program to the communication program, the display screen for specifying the transmission destination is displayed. Data can be transferred to the other party.

In the present specification, "facsimile transmission" includes not only facsimile transmission over a telephone line, but also partial transmission through the Internet network.

The "resource identifier" is an identifier capable of identifying a resource for receiving image data displayed by a browser, and in the embodiment, a URI (Uniform R).
esource Identifier). The URI is UR
It is a concept including L.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 1. Outline One embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 shows the outline of this system. Client 1 for server 1
0 is connected via the network. The client 0 includes a created data transmission means 3 and a destination data transmission means 5. The server 1 includes a created data storage unit 13 and an output unit 15.

When the data to be transmitted is given, the created data transmitting means 3 transmits it to the server 1. The server 1 stores it in the created data storage means 13. In addition, the created data transmitting means 13 allows the destination data transmitting means 5 to be associated later with the data to be transmitted,
Give the associated data. The destination data transmitting means 5 is
When the destination is designated by the user, it is transmitted to the server 1 together with the given association data. The output unit 15 of the server 1 determines the destination of the created data stored in the created data storage unit 13 using the association data, and sends the destination.

As described above, the client 10 transfers the actual data to be transmitted from the client 10 to the server 1 in advance, and then transfers the destination data for the actual data to the server 1, and the server 1 transmits the actual data. After receiving the destination data, the destination data associated with the actual data is received, and the actual data is transmitted to the destination specified by the destination data. In this way, by transmitting both separately, even when there is a limit to the transmission of actual data, it is possible to transfer from the server to the destination.

In order to make such an association, the server may issue an identifier and the client may receive the identifier and add it to the data for transmission, or a unique identifier may be predetermined for each client. Alternatively, the client may dynamically add an identification number to the identifier. Further, the client may send an identifier assignment request to the server before sending the actual data, and the server may send the identifier to the client when receiving the actual data.

As a method of using such an identifier, the identifier may be added to the destination data and transmitted.

Although the case where one client is connected to the server 1 has been described with reference to FIG. 1, it is possible to connect a plurality of clients.

2. Detailed Functional Block Diagram FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram when the data transfer system shown in FIG. 1 is realized as a facsimile data transmission system.
Shown in. The client 100 is the image data generation means 1
03, communication processing means 105, start setting means 107, and destination data processing means 109. Server 2
00 is a communication processing unit 201, a data processing unit 203,
Identification id issue management means 209, image data conversion means 20
5, web page generation means 207, communication management means 21
1, the communication engine 213 is provided.

The image data generation means 103 of the client 100 generates image data to be transmitted based on a user's instruction or the like and gives it to the communication processing means 105. Upon receiving the image data, the communication processing unit 105 receives the image data from the server 200.
A request for issuing an identification id is sent to The communication processing means 201 of the server 200 outputs the request to the identification id issue management means 209. The identification id issue management means 209 issues a unique identification id and outputs it to the communication processing means 201. The communication processing means 201 sends back to the client 100. The communication processing means 105 adds the identification id and transmits the image data given from the image data generating means 103 to the server 200. The communication processing means 201 gives the received image data to the data processing means 203. The data processing means 203 gives the image data to the image data converting means 205. The image data conversion means 205 converts the given image data into a predetermined data format and gives it to the data processing means 203. In this example, the thumbnail format for preview and the image data in the actual transmission format are converted. The data processing unit 203 stores the converted data.

On the other hand, the communication processing means 105 specifies the identification id of the image data and transmits it, and thereafter gives the given identification id to the activation setting means 107. The start setting means 107
The given identification id is added to a predetermined URI and given to the destination data processing means 109. As a result, the destination data transmitting unit 109 receives the data from this URI. For example, a predetermined URI
http://www.megasoft.co.jp/starfax.exe, if the given identification id is 100001, then http: //www.megasof
An access request is transmitted to the server 200 with t.co.jp/starfax.exe?ID=100001.

The communication processing means 201 gives the received access (connection) request to the web page generation means 207. The web page generation means 207 uses the requested URI.
The ID corresponding to the ID is identified, data corresponding to the ID is received from the data processing unit 203, and a web page is generated. In this case, the input frame data including the image data sent from the client is generated as a web page. The communication processing unit 201 transmits the web page to the client 100. The destination data processing means 109 displays the input frame data.

The user inputs destination data (for example, destination fax number, address, etc.) to the input frame data, and gives a destination specifying completion instruction to the client 100. The destination data processing unit 109 transmits the destination data to the server 200.

The data processing means 203 of the server 200 is
The destination data is sent to the communication management means 211 together with the image data via the communication processing means 201. The communication management means 211 sends this to the communication engine 213 and waits for the result. The communication engine 213 transfers the image data to the specified destination. The communication management unit 211 manages the operation of the communication engine 213, and when the transfer is completed, reports the result to the data processing unit 203. The data processing means 203 causes the web page generation means 207 to generate the result information in HTML format. The web page generation means 207 transmits to the client 100 via the communication processing means 201.

In the above embodiment, the input frame data including the image data sent from the client is generated as a web page and is returned to the client. However, the input frame data which does not include the image data is generated. Only the data may be returned to the client, and when the client makes a screen confirmation request, the image data may be sent to the client for confirmation.

3. Hardware configuration FIG. 3 shows the hardware configuration of the client 100.
Will be explained. 3 shows the client 100 as a CP.
It is an example of a hardware configuration configured using U.

The client 100 includes a CPU 123, a memory 127, a hard disk 126, a CRT 130 and a CRT.
DD (CD ROM drive) 125, keyboard 12
8, a mouse 131, a network management unit 132, and a bus line 129. The CPU 123 controls each unit via the bus line 129 according to each program stored in the hard disk 126.

The hard disk 126 has an operating program (OS) storage section 126o, a printer driver storage section 126p, and a browser program storage section 126.
b, and a CAD program storage unit 126c. A browser program and a CAD program are stored in the programs stored in the browser program storage unit 126b and the CAD program storage unit 126c, respectively. In this embodiment, Internet Explorer manufactured by Microsoft Corporation is adopted as the browser program. Printer driver storage unit 126p
Includes the driver "WebSTA" which is an automatic communication processing program.
"RFAX" (trademark) is stored as a printer driver. The processing by the driver will be described later.

The printer driver is downloaded via the network management unit 132 and installed in the hard disk 26. Instead of downloading using a communication line, a program such as a CDROM, a flexible disk (FD), or an IC card may be installed in a hard disk from a computer-readable recording medium.

In the present embodiment, the downloaded program is installed in the hard disk 26 so that the computer indirectly executes the program stored in the CDROM. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the program recorded in the recording medium may be directly executed from the CDD 125 or the like. As a program that can be executed by a computer, a program that can be directly executed by just installing it as it is, or a program that needs to be temporarily converted into another format or the like (for example, decompress a compressed data program) Etc.), and those that can be executed in combination with other module parts are also included.

FIG. 4 shows the hardware configuration of the server 200. The hardware configuration of the server 200 is almost the same as that of the client 100, except that the server 200 has a fax modem 34 and the programs installed in the program storage unit 26p of the hard disk 126 are different. For such a program, a program such as a CDROM may be installed in a hard disk from a computer-readable recording medium.

In this embodiment, as the OS program 26o and the OS program 126o, Windows 2000 (trademark) manufactured by Microsoft Corporation is adopted.
It is not limited to this. The OS of the client may be another OS, and if the server manages a large scale, UNIX (registered trademark), LINUX (trademark), or the like may be adopted. Furthermore, the processing of the server may be distributed to a plurality of computers.

4. Flowchart Next, the client 100, via the server 200,
A process for transmitting data to a desired destination by facsimile will be described with reference to FIG. Hereinafter, a case will be described in which the map data generated by the CAD program of the client 100 is transmitted as the transmission target data.

First, the user of the client 100 is C
Data to be transmitted is generated by the AD program (step S1 in FIG. 5). Specifically, the CAD program may be activated to create a document.

Next, the user transmits the transmission target data from the client 100 (step S3). Server 2
00 receives and stores such transmission target data (step S11). Details of steps S3 and S5 will be described with reference to steps S21 to S29 in FIG.

The user opens the print menu of the CAD program and selects the printer driver "WebSTARFA".
Printing is executed with the setting of "X" (trademark) (not shown). As a result, based on the driver “WebSTARFAX” selected as the printer driver, the CPU 123
Executes the process. Specifically, an image file is created in the TIFF format and stored in the memory 127 (step S21 in FIG. 6). The CPU 123 logs in to the server 200 and requests session opening (step S2).
3). In addition, when logging in, the user ID
The password may be entered.

The CPU 23 of the server 200 opens an individual session in response to such a request based on the program stored in the program storage unit 26p, and returns the unique session number to the client 100 as the individual session id (step). S25). In this way, the server 200 issues a unique session number, so that the destination data and the transmission target data can be associated with each other even when many clients make FAX transmission requests at the same time.

The CPU 123 of the client 100 uses the received session number to send the image file converted into the TIFF format to the server 100 (step S27).

The CPU 23 of the server 200 saves the image file as a TIFF format that can be faxed, and at the same time converts it into data in a detailed display format and a preview format, and stores it as transmission target data corresponding to the session number (step S29). ). For example, if the manuscript file homemap.tif created by the client 100 is transmitted with the session number 100001, the session number
Homemap.tif is saved as the original of 100001, and the original files homemap.nml and homemap.sum are stored. The extension “.nml” represents a detailed display format, and “.sum” represents a thumbnail format image format file that can be displayed on the browser.

This completes the processing of steps S3 and S11 in FIG. Next, the client 100
Performs destination data specification processing (step S in FIG. 5).
5) The server 200 receives this (step S1).
3). Such processing will be described with reference to steps S31 to S43 in FIG.

When the transmission to the server 200 is completed, the CPU 123 of the client 100 gives the browser program a start-up instruction designating the URI to be accessed (step S31). In this case, the URI to be accessed is specified by adding the session number to a predetermined URI of the server 200. For example, the server 20
0 URI is http://www.megasoft.co.jp/starf
If the session number is 100001 in ax.exe, the URI to access is http://www.megasoft.co.jp/starfax.ex
e? ID = 100001.

The browser program is started, and the CPU 12
3 is the U based on the browser program.
The RI is accessed and a web page transmission request is output (step S33).

The CPU 23 of the server 200 transmits the requested web page based on the access request (step S35). Specifically, the session number assigned to the requested URI is identified, screen data for inputting the destination data corresponding to the session number is generated, and the screen data is transmitted to the client 100. In the present embodiment, the screen data is generated by the compiled EXE format (execution file format) program, but it may be generated by using the program described in PERL or the like.

When the client 100 receives the transmission setting screen, it displays it. FIG. 7 shows an example of the transmission setting screen adopted in this embodiment. The user can set the transmission settings (such as the recipient's fax number) on this screen.
I do.

At the client, enter the destination in the input box as shown in FIG.
Press the start button 181. As a result, the destination information is sent to the server 200 (step S41).

In response to the transmission request, the server 200 sends the client 100 an F as shown in FIG.
The AX transmission acceptance completion screen is transmitted (step S43).

Next, the server 200 performs a FAX transmission process (step S15 in FIG. 5). Specifically, the original file having the session number of the destination information is read from the hard disk 26 and transmitted to the destination via the fax modem 34.

As described above, in this embodiment, the transmission target data created by the application program is transmitted to the server, the destination data of the transmission target data is specified by using the browser program, and the server 20
Transfer from 0. By transferring the transmission target data and the transmission destination data separately to the server, the data can be transferred to the desired destination even if there is a restriction in the browser program that the data cannot be received from other application programs.

Further, the transmission target data created by the application program is transmitted to the server via the printer driver using the print command, and the browser program is automatically started from the printer driver, so that the user who is not accustomed to the operation can use it. Even in this case, data transfer becomes easy. This is because the user only needs to specify the printer driver with a print command, execute the print command, and after that, the screen for inputting the destination automatically starts and be aware of the association between the destination data and the data to be transmitted. This is because it is possible to transfer data.

As described above, by setting the above communication program as the printer driver of the print command, any application program having the print command can easily perform facsimile transmission.

If a browser program is installed in the client, a predetermined U of the server is set.
Since the communication program can be downloaded by accessing the RI, even a computer in which the communication program is not set can access the server via the Internet for facsimile transmission.

In this embodiment, the data to be transmitted is transmitted to the server in advance, and the destination data is input later. Therefore, it may be possible to confirm whether the two are definitely associated. For example, when the user selects the preview button 183 instead of the FAX start button 181, in the state shown in FIG. 8, a preview screen transmission request is transmitted to the server 200. The server 200 uses the image file in the thumbnail format specified by the section id as the client 1
To 00. CPU 123 of client 100
Displays a preview screen as shown in FIG. When the image display area 191 of the preview screen displayed in the thumbnail format is selected by the user, a transmission request of screen data whose content can be confirmed is transmitted to the server 200, and the server 200 displays the detailed display specified by the section id. The format image file is transmitted to the client 100.
The CPU 123 of the client 100 displays the received image file. This allows confirmation.

In addition, when the user of the client 100 is shown in FIG.
On the screen shown in 0, a transmission result report request button 195
Is selected, the request is sent to the server 200,
The server 200 returns information such as a transmission result (successful transmission / transmission failure) in HTML format. This allows the user of the client 100 to know whether or not the data has been sent to the desired destination.

In this embodiment, the case of directly inputting the destination data has been described, but it is also possible to read the telephone directory data stored in advance in the server and refer to it to specify the destination. it can.

Although the FAX transmission processing has been described, the reception processing may be received by a normal FAX machine, or may be displayed on the screen of the computer by using this browser program and further printed. . In this case, the browser program may be activated, the user may be authenticated from the URI of the web page, the user may log in, and the facsimile data to be displayed may be selected.

It is also possible to receive by selecting the inbox storage data display button 197 shown in FIG. 10 at the time of transmission.

In order to specify the session id, the session id may be embedded in the HTML data by using the hidden attribute (hidden attribute), and the session id may be added and transmitted between the server and the client. Also, a cookie may be used. If the session id can be specified, the image data already received can be specified. As a result, even when the transmission target data and the transmission destination data are received separately, both can be accurately associated.

5. Other Embodiments In the above embodiment, the transmission target data is transmitted from the application program, and then the transmission destination data is transmitted using the browser program in association with the transmission target data. Therefore, if a print menu is prepared in the application program, the created transmission target data can be transferred to the server. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the destination data is first transferred using the browser program, the server transmits the individual session id to the printer driver which is the communication program, and the attachment file specification button is set by the user. When selected, start the application program, generate the data to be sent,
When the printer driver is selected from the print menu, the individual session id given by the server may be specified and transferred to the server.

In the above embodiment, the case where the facsimile transmission is performed using only the telephone line has been described.
An internet network may be partially used. in this case,
Specify the fax number of the final recipient and the email address for the gateway computer as the destination, and send it to the gateway computer, and the gateway computer sends the email stored in its own mailbox to the fax number of the final recipient. You can do it like this.

In the above embodiment, the case of facsimile transmission is described, but the same can be applied to the case of mail transmission. For example, when sending map data as an attachment via webmail, if you specify the printer driver as the output destination in a program that creates map data in the same way, send the map data to the server once. It suffices to launch a browser program and specify the transmission destination of the transmission target data.

In the above embodiment, the case where the transmission destination data is transmitted after the transmission target data is transmitted from the client has been described. However, the transmission target data is uploaded to the server in advance and the transmission target data is transmitted. You may make it select from data. Also,
Instead of transmitting the transmission target data and the transmission destination data from the same client (computer), the transmission target data may be transmitted in advance and the transmission destination data may be transmitted from another client. In this case, the two may be associated with each other, for example, by transmitting a list of transmission target data stored in advance from the server to the client inputting the transmission destination data and selecting the list. In the above-described embodiment, the case where the image is created by the CAD program has been described, but the same can be applied to other image data creating programs. Further, when data transfer is performed instead of facsimile transmission, the same applies to data other than image data. For example, MIDI data and the like can be recognized by hearing. Specifically, if an external output command such as the command "Send" is prepared in the menu of the application program, a server communication program such as the printer driver is installed as a destination of the external output command. The communication program may transfer the data created by the application program to the server, and start the browser program to specify the destination. If the command "Send" does not exist, paste the shortcut icon of the server communication program on the desktop screen or the like, and then drag and drop the saved file with a file name once attached to such icon. Good.

Further, when data is transferred, the data to be transmitted may be not only a still image but also a moving image. In this case, for example, it may be transmitted in the MPEG format or another moving image file format.

In the above embodiment, the client 100 requests the session open, and the transmission target data is transmitted to the server 200 by using the session number given from the server 200.
The transmission target data may be transmitted from 00 to the server 200, the identification id of the received transmission target data may be returned to the printer driver having the communication function, and the browser program may be started using the identification id.

In the above embodiment, HTTP
Since the file is transferred in the format to the server, the HTTP server installed with the program (including CGI) for executing the above processing can perform the processing without separately preparing the FTP server.

Further, the driver "WebSTARFAX" selected as the printer driver creates an image file in the TIFF format and sends it to the server 200, but other image formats such as PNG format, JPEG format, etc. It can be anything.

In the above embodiment, the session number issued by the server 200 is used to associate the transmission target data with the transmission destination data. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and when the client 100 uploads the transmission destination data to the server 200, the association data indicating the association with the transmission target data already uploaded may be added to the transmission destination data. .

In this embodiment, in order to realize the functions shown in FIG. 1, a CPU is used and this is realized by software. However, some or all of it
It may be realized by hardware such as a logic circuit.

The operating system (OS) may be caused to perform a part of the processing of the program.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall outline.

FIG. 2 is a detailed block diagram illustrating FIG. 1 in more detail.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration in which the client 100 shown in FIG. 2 is realized by using a CPU.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration in which the server 200 shown in FIG. 2 is realized by using a CPU.

FIG. 5 is an overall flowchart.

FIG. 6 is a detailed flowchart.

FIG. 7 is an example of a destination input screen.

FIG. 8 is a screen showing a state in which a destination is input.

FIG. 9 is a screen showing acceptance completion.

FIG. 10 is a preview screen.

FIG. 11 is a screen when data is attached in a reference format.

[Explanation of symbols]

23 ... CPU 27 ... Memory

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-10-191010 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04N 1/00-1/00 108 H04N 1 / 32-1/36 G06F 13/00-13/42

Claims (14)

(57) [Claims] 1. A) comprising the following a1) and a2): a1) a server for transmitting the transmission target data by facsimile to a designated destination; a2) a client connected to the server via a network; A facsimile transmission system for transmitting the transmission target data to a designated transmission destination when receiving the transmission target data and the transmission destination data. B) The client is provided with the following automatic communication processing program as a printer driver. It is installed, and b1) The transmission target data can be created by the application program that is selected as the printer driver that controls the output destination of the created transmission target data, and the transmission target data is specified to output. Send the target data and b2) Start the browser program of the client. Then, the URI for generating the determined destination data creation screen data is accessed. C) The server sets the transmission target data transmitted from the client to the screen displayed in the destination data creation screen data. A facsimile transmission system characterized in that a facsimile transmission is carried out to a destination specified by destination data inputted by the user. 2. A server connected to a network,
A client for transmitting the transmission target data to a designated destination by facsimile, which receives the transmission target data from the transmission target data creation application program, and has a printer driver installed for transmitting the transmission target data to the server, The facsimile transmission client, wherein the printer driver, when transmitting the transmission target data to the server, causes a browser program to display a transmission destination data input screen for inputting the transmission destination data of the transmission target data. 3. A have your <br/> the facsimile transmission system of claim 1, wherein the server, individual from the client session id
Receiving the specified transmission target data, stores the specified transmission target data, and transmits a web page for specifying the transmission destination data of the transmission target data. 4. The facsimile transmission system according to claim 3 , wherein the server, upon receiving a session start request from the client, transmits an individual session id to the client. 5. The facsimile transmission system according to claim 3 or 4 , wherein in transmitting a web page for specifying destination data of the transmission target data, the server specifies an individual session id from the client. A web page transmission request is received and executed. 6. The facsimile transmission system according to claim 1 or facsimile transmission client of claim 2, wherein the client sends the transmission target data identified individual session id to the server, the destination data of the transmission target data Sending a request for sending a web page for identifying the server to the server. 7. The facsimile transmission system or facsimile transmission client according to claim 6 , wherein the client transmits a session start request to the server and transmits the received individual session id as the transmission target data. What to do. 8. The facsimile transmission system or facsimile transmission client according to claim 6 or 7 , wherein the client transmits a transmission request for a web page specifying an individual session id to the server, and the transmission target data is transmitted. When receiving a web page for specifying the destination data of, display it, characterized by. 9. The facsimile transmission system or the facsimile transmission client according to claim 6 , wherein the client provides screen data for an operator of the client to specify a transmission destination for the transmission target data. A resource identifier to be received is passed to the browser program and activated. 10. A computer-readable program for causing a computer to function as a client for facsimile-transmitting transmission target data to a designated destination via a server connected to a network, the transmission target data being a printer driver. To receive the transmission target data from the creating application program, transmit the transmission target data to the server, and activate a browser program so that a destination data input screen for inputting the destination data of the transmission target data is displayed. , A computer-readable program for. 11. When a client is network-connected to a server for transmitting the transmission target data to a designated destination by facsimile and the transmission target data and the destination data are received from the client, the server sends the data to the designated destination. A facsimile transmission method for transmitting data to be transmitted, wherein the client has the data to be transmitted in a situation selected as a printer driver for controlling an output destination of the data to be transmitted created by an application program capable of creating data to be transmitted. When the output is designated, the resource identifier for transmitting the transmission target data to the server and receiving the screen data for displaying the screen for inputting the destination data of the transmission target data is given to the browser program, and the server is , Sent from the client The transmission target data, the transmission destination specified by the destination data inputted on the screen for inputting the destination data, to facsimile transmission, facsimile transmission method comprising. 12. A facsimile transmission method for transmitting transmission target data by facsimile to a destination designated by a client via a server connected to a network, wherein the transmission target data is exclusive from a print command of a transmission target data creation application program. Transmitting to the server via a printer driver and transmitting the transmission target data to the server, displaying a transmission destination data input screen for inputting transmission destination data of the transmission target data by a browser program. Facsimile transmission method using a client. 13. A data transfer server which, when receiving transmission target data whose destination is designated from a client connected to a network, transfers the transmission target data to the destination, the client transmitting the transmission target data. When there is a request to send image data for specifying the destination, such data is sent to the client, and when data to be sent whose destination is not specified is received from the client, this is stored and the client also stores the data. When the transmission target data identification id is transmitted and the transmission target data to which the transmission target data identification id is added is received from the client,
A data transfer server, wherein the transmission target data is transferred to a destination specified by the transmission target data specifying id. 14. When a client is network-connected to a server that transfers data to be transmitted to a designated destination and the data to be transmitted and the destination data are received from the client, the server sends the data to the designated destination. A data transfer method for transferring data to be transmitted, wherein the data to be transmitted created by the application program capable of creating data to be transmitted of the client is stored when transmitted via a communication program functioning as a printer driver. After that, when there is a request for downloading the destination data creation screen data for displaying the screen for inputting the destination data of the transmission target data from the client, the server sends the data to the client, Data to be sent from the client , The transmission destination specified by the destination data returned to the transmission destination data creating screen data, the data transfer method, characterized in that, to be transferred.