JP3502888B2 - Communication device - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a communication device connected to a communication network.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a communication network system in which a FAX server, a mail server, a personal computer and the like are connected to each other using a communication network is becoming widespread. For this reason,
A FAX server connected to a communication network can deliver received data from a public line network or a dedicated line connected to the Internet to each client.
Then, as a method of further transferring the received data distributed to the client, a method of performing further transfer processing on the client side is known.

[0003]

However, in this transfer method, further transfer cannot be performed unless the distributed received data is once received on the client side. In other words, it could not be transferred as desired by the user.

The present invention has been made by paying attention to such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to transfer received data in accordance with a user's request and to create a transfer log to receive data. It is to provide a communication device that can easily manage data.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, in the invention described in claim 1, the communication device connected to the communication network is based on a distribution destination determining condition for determining a distribution destination. The destination of the received data is determined based on the setting of the destination determination condition for determining the destination, and the destination is determined. If there is a destination, control is performed to transfer the received data whose delivery destination has been determined to the transfer destination, and then create a transfer log including each item of date and time, source, destination, and transfer destination for each received data. Equipped with means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the communication device according to the first aspect, a reception data storage unit that stores reception data is provided, and the transfer destination determination condition is a transfer destination for setting a transfer destination. , The received data after transfer is configured to include each item of deletion for setting whether or not to save the received data in the received data storage means, and can be set from each delivery destination, and the control means is , If the item for deleting the transfer destination determination condition was set not to save the received data, the received data after transfer was deleted, and the item for deleting the transfer destination determination condition was set to save the received data In this case, the received data after transfer is compressed and stored in the received data storage means.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the communication device according to the second aspect, the transfer log includes a deletion item indicating whether or not received data after transfer is deleted from the received data storage means. Further prepared.

[0008]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment in which a communication device according to the present invention is embodied in a FAX server will be described below with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, the communication network system includes a FAX server 1 having a telephone line L1, a gateway 2 connected to the Internet via a dedicated line L2, a mail server 3, a plurality of personal computers 4 and respective devices 1.
4 to 4, a hub (HUB) 5, a transceiver 6, an Ethernet (registered trademark) cable 7, an AUI cable 8, and a twisted pair cable 9 are connected to each other.

The FAX server 1, the gateway 2, the mail server 3 and the personal computer 4 are connected to the hub 5 via a twisted pair cable 9. The hub 5 is connected to the transceiver 6 via an AUI cable 8. The transceiver 6 is connected to another transceiver 6 via the Ethernet cable 7. The FAX server 1, the gateway 2, the mail server 3, and the personal computer 4 have a built-in interface for connecting to the twisted pair cable 9. The hub 5 is a twisted pair cable 9 and A
It is provided to connect with the UI cable 8 and also functions as a concentrator when the communication network T is connected. The transceiver 6 is provided to connect the AUI cable 8 and the Ethernet cable 7.

As a client of the mail server 3, the FAX server 1 has a mail address. The gateway 2 includes a communication protocol that controls communication with other devices than those on the communication network T. The gateway 2 also has a firewall function for preventing unauthorized entry into the communication network T.

The mail server 3 has a communication protocol (e.g., SMTP, POP3) used for electronic mail. If you attach the image data to this e-mail and send it,
Internet FAX can be realized. The mail server 3 includes a mailbox for each client (including the FAX server 1).

The plurality of personal computers 4 are a control unit for controlling the whole personal computer 4 and an LCD for displaying various information.
And the like, a keyboard and a mouse for inputting predetermined characters and the like while giving instructions to various information displayed on the display unit, and a storage unit such as a hard disk. In addition, multiple PCs 4
For performing transmission / reception with the AX server 1, the gateway 2, the mail server 3 and another personal computer 4, and with the external FAX server or facsimile machine via the FAX server 1 or the mail server 3 and the gateway 2. It has a communication protocol. Also, multiple PCs 4
Has a mail address as a client of the mail server 3.

As shown in FIG. 2, the FAX server 1 uses the F
It is composed of an AX server body 1a and an option board 30. FAX server body 1a is MPU11, R
OM 12, RAM 13, reading unit 14, recording unit 15, operation unit 16, display unit 17, image memory 18, codec 1
9, a modem 20, an NCU 21, and an option board slot unit 22, and each unit 11 to 22 is connected via a bus 23.

The MPU 11 controls each part of the FAX server 1. The ROM 12 stores a program for controlling the FAX server 1. RAM13 is FA
Various information regarding transmission / reception and transfer of the X server 1 is temporarily stored.

The reading unit 14 reads the image data on the document and outputs black and white binary image data. The recording unit 15 is composed of an electrophotographic printer, and records the received image data or the image data of the document read by the reading unit 14 on a recording paper in the recording operation or the copying operation of the received image data.

The operation unit 16 includes ten keys (including * and # keys) 16a for inputting a telephone number, abbreviated keys 16b for registering a shortened number or making a call from a shortened number, a telephone number or a fax number registered in advance. One-touch key 16c for designating one-touch, a start key 16d for starting a document reading operation, "Communication (FA
X) ”operation or communication for setting“ copy ”operation /
Various operation keys such as a copy key 16e are provided. LC
The display unit 17 including D and the like displays various information such as the operating state of the FAX server body 1a.

The image memory 18 is read by the received image data and the reading unit 14 and binarized, and the codec 19 is used for MM.
The image data encoded according to the R method is temporarily stored. The image memory 18 also temporarily stores image data sent from the personal computer 4 via the option board slot section 22.

The codec 19 encodes the image data read by the reading unit 14 in accordance with the MH, MR, MMR system or the like for transmission. The codec 19 also decodes the received image data.

The modem 20 performs a facsimile transmission control procedure and modulation and demodulation of image data. The NCU 21 closes and opens the telephone line L1, and at the other end, the F
It is provided with a function of detecting transmission and reception of a dial signal corresponding to the AX number.

The option board slot section 22 has an option board 3 for connecting to the communication network T.
Equipped with 0. That is, this option board 30
When the option board slot section 22 is equipped with, the connection to the communication network T becomes possible.

As shown in FIG. 3, the option board 30
Is composed of an MPU 31, a ROM 32, a RAM 33, an image memory 34, a data conversion section 35, a PC card interface 36, a PC card type memory 37, a communication protocol control section 38 and a network interface 39, and each section 31 to 36, 38. Are respectively connected via the bus 40.

The MPU 31 controls each part of the option board 30. The ROM 32 stores a basic program for controlling the option board 30. The RAM 33 temporarily stores various information regarding the option board 30. The image memory 34 stores the image data sent from the personal computer 4.

The data converter 35 is a TIFF, BM sent from the personal computer 4 via the communication network T.
Image data of P, GIF, JPEG, PCX, DCX, etc. can be converted to MH, MR, MMR system, TIFF-MH, TIF.
Converts to image data of F-MR, TIFF-MMR method, etc. On the contrary, the MH, MR, MMR system and the TIFF-MH, TIFF- received via the telephone line L1.
In order to make the image data of the MR, TIFF-MMR method, etc. easy to handle for a plurality of personal computers 4, the TIF
Convert to image data such as F, BMP, GIF, JPEG, PCX, DCX.

The PC card interface 36 is an M
The PC card type memory 37 is accessed through the PC card adapter 36a based on the control signal from the PU 31. PC card type memory 37 is "PC Card Standard"
In accordance with the above, it is configured by a flash memory (EEPROM), for example. The PC card type memory 37 includes a data area 37a for each client, and stores image data transferred from the image memory 18 and data relating to transmission / reception via the option board 30.

The communication protocol control unit 38 communicates with other devices on the communication network T via the network interface 39 and the network interface 3
9 and a public line network or the like to provide a communication protocol for controlling communication with other devices than the communication network T. Specifically, for example, SMTP (mail transmission protocol), POP3 (mail reception protocol), a salutation communication protocol defined by the Salutation Consortium, and the like are provided.

In this embodiment, the electronic mail addressed to the FAX server 1 received by the mail server 3 is sent to the FA
The X server 1 receives the data every predetermined time using the POP3 protocol.

Next, the operation of the FAX server 1 during distribution and transfer will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. Now, the FAX server 1 sends image data by facsimile communication from the public line network via the telephone line L1, or from the Internet to the dedicated line L2.
When the electronic mail addressed to the FAX server 1 is received via the gateway 2 and the mail server 3 and the image data or the electronic mail is stored in the image memory 18 or the PC card type memory 37, in step S1 shown in FIG. The client of the delivery destination of the image data stored in the image memory 18 or the electronic mail stored in the PC card type memory 37 is determined. Here, as the distribution destination determination process, RA is used.
The delivery destination of the image data or the electronic mail is determined based on the delivery destination determination condition for determining the delivery destination stored in M13. That is, in the case of reception by facsimile communication, the sender's telephone number or SU
Based on the sub-address and the like indicated by the B signal, the distribution destination determining process of the image data is executed. On the other hand, in the case of receiving an e-mail, the e-mail delivery destination determination process is executed based on the items described in the header or the text as the delivery destination determination condition.

In step S2, the image memory 18
The transfer destination of the image data stored in or the electronic mail stored in the PC card type memory 37 is determined. That is,
The RAM 13 stores transfer destination determination conditions for determining a transfer destination for each client. Then, the transfer destination of the image data stored in the image memory 18 or the electronic mail stored in the PC card type memory 37 is determined based on the transfer destination determination condition. Here, as the transfer destination determination condition, as shown in FIG. 6, "temporary stop" for setting whether or not to temporarily stop the transfer for each client, and for setting the transfer time period “Transfer time zone”, “Transfer destination” for setting the transfer destination, and the transferred image data or e-mail to the image memory 18 or PC.
Each item is composed of items such as “delete” for setting whether or not to leave the card type memory 37. And "delete"
If the conditions for determining the transfer destination other than the items described above are satisfied, the transfer destination is determined. As shown in FIG. 4, this transfer destination determination condition can be set for each client from each client. At the time of setting, the ID and password may be authenticated for each client.

The operation of the transfer destination determining process shown in FIG. 5 will be described. That is, step S1 shown in FIG.
In 1, it is determined whether or not the temporary stop is set to "OFF". If the temporary stop is set to "OFF", the process proceeds to step S12. On the other hand, if the temporary stop is not set to “OFF”, that is, if the temporary stop is set to “ON”, it is determined that the transfer is not performed, and this process ends.

In step S12, it is determined whether or not the current time is in the transfer time zone. If it is in the transfer time zone, the process proceeds to step S13. On the other hand, if it is not in the transfer time zone, it is determined that the transfer is not performed, and this processing is ended.

In step S13, it is determined whether or not the transfer destination exists. That is, it is determined whether or not the transfer destination is described in the item "transfer destination". If the transfer destination exists, the process proceeds to step S14. On the other hand, if the transfer destination is not described, it is determined that the transfer is not to be performed, and this processing ends.

In step S14, as a result of clearing the conditions of steps S11 to S13, the transfer is determined. In step S3 shown in FIG. 4, it is determined whether the transfer is performed. If it is a transfer, the process proceeds to step S4. On the other hand, if it is not the transfer, step S
Go to 10.

In step S4, the image data or the electronic mail is transferred to the determined transfer destination based on the transfer destination determining process shown in FIG. At this time, if the forwarding destination is a mail address, the email is sent to the mail server 3 by SM.
It is transferred using the TP protocol. Then, it is transferred from the mail server 3 to the transfer destination mail address. On the other hand, if the transfer destination is a FAX number, facsimile communication is executed. When both the mail address and the FAX number are described as the transfer destination, both processes are executed.

In step S5, a transfer log is created. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, the transfer log is
It is composed of respective items of "date and time", "source", "destination", "transfer destination" and "delete". Then, here, a transfer log of each item except the item of "delete" is created.

In step S6, it is determined whether or not the deletion item is set to "ON" in the transfer destination determination condition for each client stored in the RAM 13. If the item of deletion is set to "ON", the process proceeds to step S7. On the other hand, the item for deletion is "O
If it is not set to "N", that is, the item for deletion is "O"
If it is set to "FF", the process proceeds to step S9.

In step S7, the step S
In step 6, it is determined that the image data or the electronic mail is set to be deleted, and the transferred image data or the electronic mail is deleted from the image memory 18 or the PC card type memory 37.

In step S8, the step S
In FIG. 7, since the image data or the electronic mail after transfer is deleted from the image memory 18 or the PC card type memory 37, “Done” is added to the item of “Delete” in the transfer log shown in FIG. 7.

In step S9, the step S
It is judged in 6 that the image data or the electronic mail is not set to be deleted, and the image data or the electronic mail is compressed and stored in the image memory 18 or the PC card type memory 37.

In step S10, the distribution process to the distribution destination determined in step S1 is executed. Specifically, the image data stored in the image memory 18 or the electronic mail stored in the PC card type memory 37 is delivered to the data area 37a of each client. At this time, the fact that the received image data by facsimile communication or the electronic mail has been delivered is notified to the personal computer 4 of each client using the salutation communication protocol.

As described above in detail, according to this embodiment, the following actions and effects can be obtained. (1) When image data by facsimile communication from the public line network via the telephone line L1 or electronic mail from the Internet via the private line L2, the gateway 2 and the mail server 3 is received, the image data or the electronic mail delivery destination Is determined. If the transfer destination determination condition set for each client stored in the RAM 13 is satisfied, the received data (received image data or electronic mail) is transferred to the transfer destination by facsimile communication or electronic mail. Then, after the received data is transferred, a transfer log of image data or electronic mail is created. Therefore, the received data can be easily managed by transferring the received data according to the user's request and creating the transfer log.

(2) In the transfer destination determination condition, when the item of deletion is set to "ON", the transferred image data or electronic mail is deleted from the image memory 18 or the PC card type memory 37. . On the other hand, the item for deletion is "OF
If it is set to “F”, the transferred image data or e-mail will be transferred to the image memory 18 or PC card type memory 37.
It is compressed and stored in. Therefore, the transferred image data or electronic mail can be deleted or compressed and stored according to the user's request. Further, even when the item of deletion is set to “OFF”, the image memory 18 or the PC card type memory 37 can be effectively used. Therefore, the user-friendly FAX server 1 can be provided.

(3) In addition, as shown in FIG.
The transfer destination determination condition stored in 13 is provided for each client. Therefore, each client can freely set the transfer destination determination condition. Therefore, the received data can be transferred according to the user's request.

(4) Furthermore, the transfer destination determination condition for each client is stored in the RAM 13. as a result,
For example, if the access right for managing the transfer destination determination condition of each client is set for the administrator of the communication network T, the transfer destination determination condition for each client can be centrally managed.

(5) In addition, the transfer destination determination condition has an item "temporary stop". Therefore, even when the transfer destination determination condition is met, if the "pause" setting is "ON", the received image data or electronic mail will not be transferred to the transfer destination. Therefore, the transfer destination determination condition can be invalidated without changing the item of “transfer time zone”. Therefore, if desired by the user,
The transfer destination determination condition can be enabled or disabled.

(6) In the transfer destination determination condition shown in FIG. 6, a FAX number or a mail address can be designated as the transfer destination. Therefore, the received data can be transferred to any facsimile device or any device that can receive electronic mail. Therefore, the number of transfer destination devices is not limited to one. Moreover, the received data can be transferred to both the facsimile device and the device capable of receiving the electronic mail.

The above embodiment can be modified and embodied as follows. In the transfer destination determination condition shown in FIG. 6, one client has one transfer time zone, but a plurality of different transfer time zones may be provided.

Further, technical ideas other than the claims grasped from the above-described embodiments and the like will be described below together with their effects. [1] The communication device in which the control unit sets a transfer destination determination condition for determining the transfer destination stored in the condition storage unit based on an operation from the distribution destination. With this configuration, the received data can be transferred according to the user's request.

[2] In the recording medium of the communication device connected to the communication network, the computer determines the distribution destination of the received data, transfers the received data whose distribution destination is determined to the transfer destination, and then receives the received data. A recording medium that records a program for executing the creation of a transfer log for each. According to this structure, it is possible to provide a recording medium capable of easily managing the received data by transferring the received data according to the user's request and creating a transfer log.

[0050]

Since the present invention is constructed as described above, it has the following effects. According to the invention of any one of claims 1 to 3, the received data is transferred according to the user's request, and the received data is easily managed by creating a transfer log. You can

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a communication network system.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a FAX server.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an option board.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation during distribution and transfer.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of transfer destination determination processing.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing transfer destination determination conditions.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a transfer log.

[Explanation of Codes] 1 ... FAX server as communication device, 11 ... MPU forming control means, 12 ... ROM forming control means, 1
3 ... RAM constituting control means and condition storage means, 18
Image memory as reception data storage means 37 PC card type memory as reception data storage means T Communication network.

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI H04M 11/00 303 H04N 1/21 H04N 1/00 107 H04L 11/20 101B 1/21 (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl . ^7, DB name) H04N 1/32 - 1/36 H04N 1/42 - 1/44 H04N 1/00 - 1/00 108

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. In a communication device connected to a communication network, a delivery destination of received data is determined based on a delivery destination determination condition for determining a delivery destination, and a transfer destination is set for the delivery destination of the received data. Whether or not it exists is determined based on the setting of the transfer destination determination condition for determining the transfer destination, and if the transfer destination exists, after transferring the received data whose delivery destination has been determined to the transfer destination, A communication device comprising a control unit that creates a transfer log including each item of date and time, source, destination, and transfer destination for each received data. 2. The communication device according to claim 1, further comprising a reception data storage unit that stores reception data, wherein the transfer destination determination condition includes a transfer destination for setting a transfer destination and received data after transfer. It is configured to include each item of deletion for setting whether or not to save in the received data storage means and can be set from each delivery destination, and the control means deletes the transfer destination determination condition. If the item of is set not to save the received data, the received data after transfer is deleted, and if the item of Delete destination determination condition is set to save the received data, the received data after transfer is received. A communication device that compresses data and stores the compressed data in a received data storage unit. 3. The communication device according to claim 2, wherein the transfer log further includes an item of deletion indicating whether or not received data after transfer is deleted from the received data storage means.