JP3485057B2 - Facsimile apparatus and recording medium - 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 having a normal facsimile communication function and an Internet facsimile communication function, and a computer-readable recording medium such as a facsimile machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art International Telecommunications Union (ITU)
nal Communications Union) is the standard communication standard G3
In the (Group 3) facsimile apparatus, in addition to a general facsimile transmission function of transmitting monochrome image data as a facsimile message, a BFT (Binary) for transmitting color image data as a facsimile message is provided. File Transfer) function. In the BFT function, color image data is format-converted into binary data and transmitted.

By the way, recently, a facsimile apparatus capable of so-called Internet facsimile communication has been developed. In addition to the normal facsimile transmission function as described above, this facsimile device has a function of converting the image data as a facsimile message into an electronic mail format and transmitting it via the Internet / Intranet.

[0004]

However, in the conventional facsimile apparatus as described above, regardless of the place of use for home / business use, generally, the facsimile transmission is performed via the public telephone line network. Although there are many color image data, the data amount is generally larger than that of monochrome binary image data, so that there is a problem that communication cost increases.

Of course, a facsimile machine having an internet facsimile communication function can transmit data at a much higher speed than the communication speed of the G3 facsimile communication standard, so that a relatively low communication cost is required.
In order to achieve this, it is left to the user on the transmitting side to determine whether or not the destination has an e-mail receiving function (Internet facsimile receiving function), and the operation becomes troublesome.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and in addition to a general facsimile transmission function of transmitting image data as a facsimile message via a telephone line network, the image data can be transmitted to the Internet / Intranet or the like. In a facsimile apparatus having a so-called Internet facsimile transmission function for transmitting via a computer network of, for example, at least one of a facsimile number and an e-mail address of a transmission destination of image data is stored in advance and transmitted. If the target image data is in color, and if the corresponding destination e-mail address is stored, the communication cost can be kept relatively low by prioritizing Internet facsimile transmission. Possible fax machines,
Another object of the present invention is to provide a computer-readable recording medium such as a facsimile machine.

[0007]

According to the Summary of the first invention fax machine selectively facsimile transmission of image data over a telephone network or computer network file
In the X-mill device, a storage means for storing at least one of a facsimile number of a destination of image data and an address of an electronic mail, and the image data in color or black and white.
A first determination means for determining whether that, first determines whether the destination address of the image data when it is determined that the case and monochrome it is determined that the color is stored in the storage means and second determining means, said address, characterized in that it comprises a selection means for selecting the address as the destination when it is determined to be stored.

The facsimile machine according to the second invention is the first
In the facsimile device of the invention, the image data is in color.
If it is determined that the address exists, the address is not stored.
If the destination device determines that the binary file
It is determined whether or not it has the
When it has the Inari file transfer receiving function
The color image data is a binary file
Send by fax to a binary file
If you do not have the transfer reception function,
Data is converted into black and white image data and sent by facsimile.
It is characterized by being a success . FAK according to the third invention
The facsimile machine of the first invention is
If the image data is judged to be black and white, the address
When it is determined that is not stored, the image data
Facsimile transmission as black image data
It is characterized by

In the recording medium according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, at least one of the facsimile number of the destination of the image data and the address of the electronic mail is stored in advance in a predetermined storage means,
A computer-readable recording medium in which is stored a program for causing a computer to selectively transmit image data by facsimile via a telephone network or a computer network based on the stored contents of the predetermined storage means. Te, the computer program code means for image data to determine whether a monochrome or a color, the computer, when it is determined that the color 及
And that the address is stored in a computer, and program code means for determining whether or not the destination address of the image data is stored in the predetermined storage means when it is determined that the address is stored in the computer. program comprising program code means for selecting a pre <br/> Symbol address as the destination when it is determined is characterized in that it is recorded.

According to the present invention, a facsimile apparatus having a function of transmitting image data such as a facsimile message by facsimile via a telephone line network and a function of transmitting an image by facsimile via the Internet / Intranet (Internet facsimile transmission function) is used. At least one of the recipient's facsimile number and e-mail address is stored, it is determined whether the image data to be transmitted is in color or black and white, and when it is determined to be color and when it is determined to be black and white. In this case , it is determined whether or not the email address of the corresponding destination is stored. If it is determined that the email address is stored, this stored email address is used as the destination. Configuration for transmitting image data via the Internet / Intranet Since the, for example, in addition to the facsimile number that is normally registered in the facsimile apparatus, in correspondence to the destination e-mail address may be registered, at the time of transmission of the image data of the color or black and white, the message receiver If the e-mail address of is registered, it is possible to give priority to the Internet facsimile transmission and reduce the communication cost. The telephone line network in the present invention is not limited to a general public telephone line network, and may be, for example, a dedicated telephone line network.

Further, according to the present invention, when it is determined that the destination e-mail address is not stored,
A configuration in which this image data is converted into a data format (binary data, etc.) that can be transmitted via the telephone line network, and the converted data is transmitted to the stored destination facsimile number via the telephone line network. Therefore, if the destination does not have the Internet facsimile reception function, or the destination has the Internet facsimile reception function, but the e-mail address of this destination is not registered in the device itself. Even in such a case, if the transmission destination has a BFT reception function, which is one of the functions of the G3 facsimile, by converting the color image data into, for example, binary data and transmitting the BFT, the Image data will not be transmitted in black and white binary.

As described above, according to the registration status of the destination e-mail address, facsimile number, etc., the transmission mode for color image data is Internet facsimile transmission, G3 facsimile transmission by BFT, and monochrome binary facsimile. By setting the order of priority in the order of transmission, it is possible to keep the communication cost as low as possible.

[0013]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings showing the embodiments thereof. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a connection form of a facsimile server as a facsimile apparatus according to the present invention to a network. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 is a facsimile server configured as a facsimile apparatus according to the present invention, and is connected to a LAN 7.

In addition to the facsimile server 1, LA
A mail server 2, a router 3, client computers 4, 4 and the like are connected to N7. Router 3
Functions as a gateway device between the LAN 7 and the Internet 5.

The facsimile server 1 is connected to an analog public telephone network (PSTN) 6 and functions as a server computer having an Internet facsimile communication function in the LAN 7, and a facsimile message is transmitted in response to a request from the client computers 4 and 4. To the PSTN 6, and a function of transmitting an e-mail format facsimile message to the mail server 2 (Internet facsimile transmission function).

The mail server 2 is constantly connected to the Internet 5 via the router 3 and sends a facsimile message in the form of an electronic mail to the Internet 5 in response to a request from the facsimile server 1 and also sends a message from the Internet 5. The electronic mail (including the facsimile message in the electronic mail format) is received and delivered to the client computers 4 and 4 corresponding to the designated destination.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the facsimile server 1 configured as the facsimile apparatus according to the present invention. In FIG. 2, the facsimile server 1
Is a CPU 10 and a PROM 11, a RAM 12, a modem 13a, an NCU connected to the CPU 10 via a bus.
13b, an operation panel 14, a display 15, a scanner 16, a printer 17, a LAN I / F 18, and a card slot 19.

The CPU 10 executes various processes necessary for the operation of the facsimile server 1 based on the computer program stored in the PROM 11. PROM
Reference numeral 11 stores various computer programs executed by the CPU 10.

The RAM 12 comprises DRAM, SRAM, flash memory, etc., and stores temporary data generated when the CPU 10 executes the computer program, and also functions as an image memory. Further, in the present embodiment, the RAM 12 stores, as a destination table 12a, information such as a facsimile number of a destination (destination) of a facsimile message and an electronic mail address.

The modem 13a is composed of a fax modem capable of facsimile communication. In addition, the modem 13a has an NCU (Network Co
ntrol Unit) 13b. NCU
Reference numeral 13b is hardware for performing the operation of closing and opening the line with the PSTN 6, and if necessary, the modem 13a
To PSTN6. It should be noted that by providing an ISDN interface, a digital public telephone line network (I
SDN).

The operation panel 14 is used for the facsimile server 1.
It is equipped with various keys such as character keys, ten keys, speed dial keys, and one-touch dial keys necessary for operating the.

The display 15 is a liquid crystal display device (LC
D), and displays the input result from the operation panel 14 and the operating state of the CPU 10. It should be noted that the display 15 may be a CRT display or the like, and if it is composed of a touch panel type display device, part or all of the operation panel 14 described above may be unnecessary.

The scanner 16 reads the content of the original as an image using a color CCD or the like, and outputs dot image data (image data) converted into black and white binary or color.

The printer 17 is composed of a printer device such as an electrophotographic system, and prints out the read content from the scanner 16, image data (image data) received by facsimile, and various messages output by the CPU 10.

The LAN I / F 18 is an interface for connecting the facsimile server 1 to the LAN 7.

The card slot 19 is a ROM card, E
A computer program stored in a card type recording medium such as an EPROM card is read, and the PROM 11 is read.
Remember. A CD is used instead of the card slot 19.
-ROM or DVD-ROM drive device may be provided.

Although the facsimile apparatus according to the present invention is configured as the facsimile server 1 connected to the LAN 7 in the present embodiment, it is configured as a single facsimile apparatus having a data fax modem as the modem 13a, for example. The electronic mail may be directly transmitted to the Internet 5.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the destination table 12a stored in the RAM 12. In the destination table 12a in the present embodiment, the destination (transmission destination)
And a facsimile number, BFT, and electronic mail address information corresponding to the destination are stored. A name such as a company name is stored as the destination. As the information of the facsimile number and the electronic mail address, both pieces of information do not always exist for the corresponding destination, but at least one of them is stored. Further, as the BFT, information indicating whether or not the destination device has a facsimile receiving function by the BFT is stored, and this is indicated by "OK" or "-".

In the example of FIG. 3, the facsimile number of "075-672-8289" and the electronic mail address of "xxx@yyy.com" are stored in correspondence with the destination of "XX Machine Co., Ltd." And the BFT is also “OK”. In addition, in correspondence with the destination of "XX Industry Co., Ltd.", "0
The facsimile number "3-3456-7890" is stored, but the e-mail address is not stored.
The BFT is also "-". In addition, "abc@efg.co.j" corresponding to the address of "△△ Shoji Co., Ltd."
The email address of "p" is stored, but the facsimile number is not stored. Therefore, the BFT is also "-".

The facsimile server 1 configured as a facsimile apparatus according to the present invention basically has the above-described hardware configuration, and as a matter of course, it functions as a normal facsimile server and the scanner 16 reads it. The resulting image data or the image data received from the client computers 4 and 4 is converted into black and white 2
It has a function of transmitting as a facsimile message so as to reduce the communication cost as much as possible depending on the value or the color. However, since this processing is executed by the CPU 10 of the facsimile server 1, the processing will be specifically described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the processing contents of the CPU 10 of the facsimile server 1 as the facsimile apparatus according to the present invention when the image data as the facsimile message is transmitted. First, the CPU 10 reads an original document to be a facsimile message set in the scanner 16 in response to a facsimile transmission request from the operation panel 14, or a facsimile transmission request from any one of the client computers 4 and image data as the facsimile message. Is received via the LAN I / F 18 (step 1).

Next, the CPU 10 confirms whether the image data in step 1 is monochrome (monochrome binary) data or color data (step 2).
If the image data is in color, the CPU 10
Refers to the destination table 12a of the RAM 12 based on the destination information included in the facsimile transmission request, and determines whether or not this destination has an e-mail receiving function (e-mail is available). It is determined whether or not the electronic mail address corresponding to the destination is stored in the destination table 12a (step 3).

If the destination can be electronic mail, the image data is format-converted and encoded into a general-purpose image data format by an Internet mailer such as JPEG (step 4), and the converted and encoded image data is electronically converted. Internet facsimile transmission as a mail attachment format (step 5). It should be noted that, in the Internet facsimile, almost any data can be transmitted as long as it is attached to an e-mail, so that it may be a data format other than JPEG as described above. There is no end.

If the destination is not E-mail enabled in step 3, the CPU 10 refers to the destination table 12a and the destination has a BFT reception function (BFT is enabled). ) Or not, the BFT attribute of the destination table 12a corresponding to this destination is “O
It is determined whether or not it is "K" (step 6).

If the destination is BFT enabled, C
The PU 10 format-converts and encodes the image data into a general-purpose color image data format using BFT such as JPEG (step 7), and transmits the converted and encoded image data by facsimile using the BFT (step 8).

On the other hand, in step 6, the destination is BF.
If T is not acceptable, the CPU 10 sets the image data to M
A standard G3 facsimile such as R is format-converted and encoded into a general-purpose monochrome binary image data format (step 9), and the converted and encoded image data is transmitted by facsimile (step 10).

If the image data is black and white (black and white binary) in step 2, the CPU 10 determines whether or not electronic mail is possible, as in step 3 (step 11). If the destination is an e-mail, the type of data is not selected as long as it is an e-mail attachment format as described above. Therefore, as in step 4, the monochrome image data is converted into an image data format such as JPEG. Format conversion and encoding, and as in step 5, the converted and encoded image data is transmitted by Internet facsimile as an attachment format of an electronic mail.

On the other hand, if the destination is not acceptable in step 11, the CPU 10 does not efficiently control the communication cost even if the facsimile transmission by BFT is performed. Therefore, as in step 9, the image data is MR-converted. A normal G3 facsimile such as the above is used for format conversion and encoding into a general-purpose black and white binary image data format, and the converted and encoded image data is transmitted by facsimile as in step 10.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the structure of the recording medium according to the present invention. The computer program exemplified here (referred to as a program in FIG. 5) includes at least the processes of steps 2 to 5 shown in FIG.
It is recorded on a recording medium described below.

In FIG. 5, the recording medium Ma that is online connected to the facsimile server 1 is a server computer on the LAN 7, which is installed apart from the installation location of the facsimile server 1, and the recording medium Ma is as described above. A computer program Pa is recorded. Then, the computer program Pa read from the recording medium Ma controls the facsimile server 1, so that the facsimile server 1 executes the above-described processing.

The recording medium provided inside the facsimile server 1 is configured as the PROM 11 in the present embodiment, and the computer program Pb as described above is recorded in the PROM 11. And PROM1
By controlling the facsimile server 1 by the computer program Pb read from No. 1, the facsimile server 1 executes the above-mentioned processing.

The recording medium Mc used by being inserted into the card slot 19 provided in the facsimile server 1 is a transportable ROM card, an EEPROM card, or the like, and the recording medium Mc has the above-mentioned computer program. Pc is recorded. And the recording medium M
The computer program Pc read from c controls the facsimile server 1, so that the facsimile server 1 executes the above-described processing.

[0043]

As described in detail above, in the facsimile apparatus according to the present invention and the computer-readable recording medium such as the facsimile apparatus, image data such as a facsimile message is transmitted by facsimile through the telephone line network. To a facsimile machine having a function for performing a facsimile transmission via the Internet / Intranet (Internet facsimile transmission function),
If at least one of the facsimile number or e-mail address of the destination of the image data is stored, it is determined whether the image data to be transmitted is color or black and white. If it is determined, it is determined whether the email address of the corresponding destination is stored. If it is determined that the email address is stored, the stored email address is stored as the destination. This image data as Internet /
Since it is configured to transmit via the intranet, for example, in addition to the facsimile number normally registered in the facsimile device, an e-mail address is registered in association with the destination, and color or monochrome image data is stored. If the electronic mail address of the transmission destination is registered at the time of transmission, it is possible to give priority to the Internet facsimile transmission and reduce the communication cost.

If it is determined that the e-mail address of the destination is not stored, this image data is converted into a data format (binary data etc.) that can be transmitted via the telephone line network, The converted data is sent to the stored destination facsimile number via the telephone network, so if the destination does not have the Internet facsimile reception function, or if the destination receives the Internet facsimile, Even if the device has a function but the e-mail address of the destination is not registered on the device side, if the destination has the BFT receiving function which is one of the functions of the G3 facsimile, BFT after converting color image data to binary data, for example
The present invention has excellent effects such as the fact that the color image data of a sharp angle is not transmitted in black and white by transmitting.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a connection form of a facsimile server as a facsimile apparatus according to the present invention to a network.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a facsimile server configured as a facsimile apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a destination table stored in a RAM.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing processing contents of a CPU of a facsimile server as a facsimile apparatus according to the present invention, which is accompanied by transmission of image data as a facsimile message.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a recording medium according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Facsimile Server 5 Internet 6 Public Telephone Network (PSTN) 7 LAN 10 CPU 11 PROM (Recording Medium) 12 RAM 12a Destination Table 13a Modem 13b NCU 18 LANI / F Ma, Mc Recording Medium Pa, Pb, Pc Computer Program (Program )

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] Selection 1. A picture data the telephone network or via a computer network to off for facsimile transmission
In the accumulator device, a storage means for storing at least one of a facsimile number of a destination of image data and an address of an electronic mail, and whether the image data is color or black and white.
A first determining means for determining whether there is any, and a first determining means for determining whether or not the address of the transmission destination of the image data is stored in the storage means when it is determined that the image is in color and when it is determined in black and white a second determination unit, a facsimile device characterized by comprising a selection means for the address to select the address when it is determined that stored as the destination. 2. When it is determined that the image data is in color
When it is determined that the address is not stored
The destination device is a binary file transfer.
Binary file that determines whether it has the receiving function
・ When the transfer reception function is available, color image
Data via binary file transfer
Send Simili and receive binary file transfer
If it does not have the function, the color image data is
It is configured to convert the data into a fax and send it by facsimile.
Facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein you said. 3. When it is determined that the image data is black and white
Then, when it is determined that the address is not stored,
Facsimile transmission of the image data as black and white image data
The file according to claim 1, characterized in that
Kushimil equipment. 4. A facsimile number or a destination of image data
At least one of the e-mail addresses has a predetermined memory
Is stored in the means in advance, and the computer stores the predetermined
Image data on the telephone line
Network or computer network to selectively
The computer that stores the program to send
It is a computer-readable recording medium that
The computer to see if the image data is in color or black and white.
Program code means to set the
When it is determined that the color is white or black and white
In this case, the destination address of the image data is
A program for determining whether or not it is stored in storage means
The address is stored in the code means and the computer.
If it is determined that the address is
A program including a program code means for selectively
A recording medium characterized by being recorded.