JP3599312B2 - Network facsimile apparatus and control method therefor - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has a function of exchanging data on a local area network and a function of exchanging facsimile data by a facsimile transmission procedure performed via a public network, and a confidential box corresponding to an F-code received by the facsimile transmission procedure. The present invention relates to a network facsimile apparatus for storing received image information in a confidential box corresponding to sub-address information received at the time of receiving image information, and a control method therefor.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a facsimile communication service using a facsimile apparatus to create a post-office box (confidential box) for confidential communication using the confidential box to perform confidential communication is mainly used in a facsimile communication service center. Practical as a device.
[0003]
Here, a box name, a password, and a code number (F-code) for identification are registered in each confidential box, and if the transmitting side desires confidential transmission, the confidential transmission is performed in the pre-transmission procedure. A signal SUB for designating transmission is transmitted, and an F code registered in the confidential box of the confidential destination is designated for the FIF of the signal SUB. Here, since the format of the F-code and the method of use are determined by the Telecommunications Industry Association, detailed description is omitted.
[0004]
Thus, the center device stores the received image information in the confidential box in which the F-code specified by the signal SUB is registered. Then, the user of the confidential destination designates the confidential document retrieval to the center device, designates the confidential box to be retrieved by inputting the F code, and inputs the password to record and output the confidential document.
[0005]
Also, polling reception specifying a confidential box is possible. In this case, the facsimile apparatus that requests polling reception transmits a signal SEP for designating selective polling reception during the pre-transmission procedure, and designates a confidential box that requests polling reception in the FIF of the signal SEP. Set the F code to perform. Also, a signal PWD carrying a password for authentication is transmitted to the center device.
[0006]
Accordingly, the center device authenticates the confidential box of the designated F code using the content of the received signal PWD, and if the authentication is successful, the center device transmits the image information stored in the confidential box to the polling reception request. Send to original.
[0007]
Further, the image information can be stored in the confidential box using a scanner of the center device.
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
On the other hand, in recent years, a communication system for communicating facsimile image information using electronic mail exchanged on the Internet (hereinafter, referred to as a "mail-type Internet facsimile communication system") has been put to practical use. The technical contents of such a communication system are defined by RFCs (Request For Comments) 2301 to 2306 issued by an IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force), which is an organization that collects technical contents related to the Internet.
[0009]
Therefore, in the center device described above, it is preferable that image information can be exchanged with the mail-type Internet facsimile communication system in order to enhance the usability of the confidential box.
[0010]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a network facsimile apparatus which enables a communication service to a mail type Internet facsimile communication system using a confidential box and a control method thereof. And
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention has a function of exchanging data on a local area network and a function of exchanging facsimile data by a facsimile transmission procedure performed through a public network, and stores a picture box received by the facsimile transmission procedure. A network facsimile machine that stores the received image information in a confidential box corresponding to the sub-address information received at the time of receiving the image information, a shortened dial function capable of specifying a destination by a registered speed dial; A mail address registering means for registering an e-mail address in the box, wherein the e-mail address registering means, when the abbreviated dial is entered at the time of the e-mail address registration, the abbreviated dial registered and entered in the abbreviated dial function Email corresponding to The less those that were to be registered in the confidential box.
[0012]
The e-mail address registering means displays an error when the e-mail address corresponding to the input speed dial is not registered in the speed dial function.
[0016]
In addition, it has a function of exchanging data on the local area network, a function of exchanging facsimile data by a facsimile transmission procedure performed over a public network, and a confidential box corresponding to an F-code received by the facsimile transmission procedure. In a network facsimile apparatus that stores the received image information at that time in a confidential box corresponding to the sub address information received at the time of receiving the image information, a shortened dial function that can specify a destination with a predetermined few key operations; E-mail address registration means for registering an e-mail address, the e-mail address registration means refers to the e-mail address registered in the speed dial function when registering the e-mail address, and allows the user to interactively select the reference content. In the selected reference But that is not the e-mail address, as well as cancel the selection, the revocation reason visible display, in which so as to select another registration contents.
[0017]
Further, when the mail address registered in the speed dial function is deleted, the mail address deleting means for deleting the mail address from the confidential box in which the mail address is registered is further provided.
[0018]
Further, when an operation for deleting the e-mail address registered in the speed dial function is performed, it is searched whether or not the confidential box in which the e-mail address is registered exists. When valid received image information is stored in the box, the above-mentioned mail address erasing operation is invalidated, and a mail address deleting means for visually displaying the invalid reason is further provided.
[0019]
In addition, it has a function of exchanging data on the local area network, a function of exchanging facsimile data by a facsimile transmission procedure performed via a public network, and a confidential box for storing image information received by the facsimile transmission procedure. In a control method of a network facsimile apparatus that stores received image information in a confidential box corresponding to the sub address information received at the time of receiving image information, a shortened dial function capable of specifying a destination by a registered shortened dial is provided, Register an e-mail address in the confidential box, and if the abbreviated dial is entered during the e-mail address registration, enter the e-mail address corresponding to the entered abbreviated dial registered in the abbreviated dial function into the confidential box. To register Those were.
[0020]
In addition, when the mail address is registered, if an e-mail address corresponding to the input speed dial is not registered in the speed dial function, an error is displayed.
[0029]
In addition, it has a function of exchanging data on the local area network, a function of exchanging facsimile data by a facsimile transmission procedure performed over a public network, and a confidential box corresponding to an F-code received by the facsimile transmission procedure. A confidential box corresponding to the sub address information received at the time of receiving the image information, a control method of a network facsimile apparatus for storing the received image information at that time, comprising a shortened dial function capable of specifying a destination by a predetermined few key operations; Register the e-mail address in the confidential box, and when registering the e-mail address, refer to the e-mail address registered in the speed dial function and interactively select the reference contents. If not, With undo-option, the revocation reason visible display, in which so as to select another registration contents.
[0030]
When the mail address registered in the speed dial function is deleted, the mail address is deleted from the confidential box in which the mail address is registered.
[0031]
Further, when an operation for deleting the e-mail address registered in the speed dial function is performed, it is searched whether or not the confidential box in which the e-mail address is registered exists. When valid received image information is stored in the box, the operation of deleting the e-mail address is invalidated, and the reason for invalidation is visually displayed.
[0036]
In addition, it has a function of exchanging data on the local area network, a function of exchanging facsimile data by a facsimile transmission procedure performed over a public network, and a confidential box corresponding to an F-code received by the facsimile transmission procedure. In a method for controlling a network facsimile apparatus that stores received image information in a confidential box corresponding to sub-address information received at the time of receiving image information, an e-mail address is registered in the confidential box and stored in the confidential box. The received image information is sent to the above-mentioned mail address registered in the confidential box by e-mail, and if the holding of the received image information is specified for the confidential box in which the above mail address is registered, Stored in the above confidential box If the received image information is retained and the retention of the received image information is not specified for the confidential box in which the mail address is registered, after the e-mail is transmitted, the received image information stored in the corresponding confidential box is deleted. It is intended to be.
[0037]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0038]
FIG. 1 shows a network system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0039]
In FIG. 1, a plurality of workstations WS1 to WSn, a mail server SM, and a network facsimile machine FX are connected to a local area network LAN. The local area network LAN is connected to the Internet via the router device RT, whereby the workstation devices WS1 to WSn, the mail server device SM, and the network facsimile device FX are connected to another local area network or the like. Various types of data can be exchanged with a host device or the like connected to the server.
[0040]
Here, the mail server device SM provides a service for collecting and distributing electronic mail (described later) to users using the workstation devices WS1 to WSn connected to the local area network LAN and to the network facsimile device FX. Is to provide
[0041]
The workstation devices WS1 to WSn include application software (e.g., transmission / reception processing of e-mail) for exchanging various data via the local area network LAN, and images included in e-mail received from the network facsimile device FX. Various programs such as application software for processing information have been introduced, and are used by specific users. Here, the specific user may be one or more users.
[0042]
The network facsimile machine FX has a function of transmitting and receiving an e-mail in the local area network LAN, a predetermined information according to a predetermined point-to-point transmission procedure between the workstations WS1 to WSn connected to the local area network LAN. Various functions such as a communication function, a transmission function of connecting to the public network PSTN and transmitting image information according to a group 3 facsimile transmission procedure using the public network PSTN as a transmission path, and a confidential communication function using the above-described confidential box. Transmission (communication) function. Further, transmission and reception (distribution) of facsimile image information between the network facsimile machine FX and the workstations WS1 to WSn (users thereof) are basically performed using electronic mail according to a method specified in RFC2305. Is
[0043]
In this embodiment, basically, data exchange between terminals connected to the local area network LAN is performed by a transmission protocol up to a transport layer called so-called TCP / IP and a higher-order protocol. This is performed by applying a combination with a communication protocol of a layer (a so-called protocol suite). For example, when exchanging e-mail data, a communication protocol called SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) is applied as a communication protocol of an upper layer.
[0044]
Further, as a protocol applied by each terminal to the mail server apparatus SM for confirming reception of an e-mail addressed to the user or for requesting transmission, a so-called POP (Post Office Protocol) or the like can be applied.
[0045]
Communication protocols such as TCP / IP, SMTP, and POP, and data formats and data structures of e-mails are issued by IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force), an organization that collects technical contents related to the Internet. It is defined by an RFC (Request For Comments) document. For example, TCP is RFC793, IP is RFC793, SMTP is RFC821, and the format of e-mail is RFC822, RFC1521, and RFC1522 (MIME (Multi-Purpose Mail Extension) format), and a protocol for exchanging facsimile image information using e-mail. Are respectively defined in RFC2305 and the like.
[0046]
Then, the network facsimile machine FX sends the read document image to another group 3 facsimile machine via the public network PSTN or a user of the workstation device WS1 to WSn via the local area network LAN (furthermore, the Internet). And the image information received from another group 3 facsimile apparatus via the public network PSTN is stored in a confidential box (described later), and the confidential received document is transmitted to a designated mail address or retrieved. It has a function to hold until it is stopped.
[0047]
Here, the facsimile image information is binary data, and the electronic mail cannot directly include the binary data. Therefore, a predetermined conversion method (for example, a Base64 encoding method) is applied to the readable information (7-bit data). It is included in the e-mail after being converted to a character code. Such a format of the body information of the electronic mail is called a MIME format.
[0048]
FIG. 2 shows a configuration example of the network facsimile machine FX.
[0049]
In FIG. 1, a system control unit 1 performs various control processes such as a control process of each unit of the network facsimile machine FX and a facsimile transmission control procedure process. A control processing program to be executed, various data necessary for executing the processing program, and a distribution file such as an operation manual or service program data for setting and operating the network facsimile apparatus FX via the local area network LAN are stored. The parameter memory 3 stores various information (for example, registration information of the one-touch dial function and a terminal connection information table) unique to the network facsimile apparatus FX. It is of order, clock circuit 4 outputs current time information.
[0050]
The scanner 5 is for reading a document image at a predetermined resolution, the plotter 6 is for recording and outputting an image at a predetermined resolution, and the operation display unit 7 operates the network facsimile machine FX. And consists of various operation keys and various indicators.
[0051]
The encoding / decoding unit 8 encodes and compresses the image signal and decodes the encoded and compressed image information into the original image signal. The image storage device 9 encodes and compresses the image signal. This is for storing a large number of image information in the concealed state and realizing the above-mentioned confidential box function.
[0052]
The group 3 facsimile modem 10 is for realizing the modem function of the group 3 facsimile, and is a low-speed modem function (V.21 modem) for exchanging a transmission procedure signal, and mainly for exchanging image information. It has a high-speed modem function (V.17 modem, V.34 modem, V.29 modem, V.27ter modem, etc.).
[0053]
The network control device 11 is for connecting the network facsimile machine FX to a public network (PSTN) and has an automatic transmission / reception function.
[0054]
The local area network interface circuit 12 is for connecting the network facsimile machine FX to the local area network LAN. The local area network transmission control unit 13 communicates with other data terminal devices via the local area network LAN. It is for executing communication control processing (e-mail transmission / reception processing, point-to-point communication processing, and the like) of various predetermined protocol suites for exchanging various data between them.
[0055]
These are a system control unit 1, a system memory 2, a parameter memory 3, a clock circuit 4, a scanner 5, a plotter 6, an operation display unit 7, an encoding / decoding unit 8, an image storage device 9, a group 3 facsimile modem 10, a network The control device 11 and the local area network transmission control unit 13 are connected to an internal bus 14, and data exchange between these elements is mainly performed through the internal bus 14.
[0056]
Data exchange between the network control device 11 and the group 3 facsimile modem 10 is directly performed.
[0057]
Further, the network facsimile machine FX is provided with a one-touch dial function for selecting a destination by one key operation, and a one-touch key group (not shown) for performing an operation therefor is provided on the operation display unit 7.
[0058]
Then, the content registered in the one-touch dial is registered in a one-touch dial information table as shown in FIG. In addition, predetermined information such as a telephone number and a mail address is registered in each one-touch information.
[0059]
The network facsimile machine FX is also provided with a speed dial function that allows a destination to be selected by designating a two-digit number. The contents registered in each speed dial are shown in FIG. It is registered in such a shortened dial information table. In addition, predetermined information such as a telephone number and an e-mail address is registered in each abbreviated information.
[0060]
Further, the network facsimile machine FX is provided with a plurality of boxes by using the image storage device 9, and in order to manage each box, a box information table as shown in FIG. Are created and stored in the system memory 2. It should be noted that the actual image information is stored in the image storage device 9, and the box to which the image information belongs is designated as storage management information (not shown) for managing the stored image information. Information is added, and storage of image information in each box is managed.
[0061]
Each box information includes box attribute information indicating whether or not each box is used, and boxes indicating the type of the box (confidential box, bulletin board, relay box), as shown in FIG. It consists of type information, a registered F code, a password, a box name, and a mail address. The content of each element of the box information is registered as needed. Therefore, for example, there may be a confidential box in which a mail address is not registered. When the e-mail address is registered using the one-touch dial or the speed dial, identification information of the one-touch dial or the speed dial is set in the mail address of the box information.
[0062]
With the above configuration, when the user opens a confidential box in the network facsimile machine FX, first, the user operates a function key (not shown) of the operation display unit 7 to set an item of “F code setting”. select.
[0063]
As a result, the network facsimile machine FX displays a guidance screen as shown in FIG. 4A and allows the user to select which type of box the F-code setting is to be performed.
[0064]
Here, the user inputs “1” using the numeric keypad and selects “confidential box”. As a result, a work menu for “confidential box” is displayed as shown in FIG.
[0065]
Next, the user inputs “1” using the numeric keypad and selects “open / change / delete box”. As a result, as shown in FIG. 3C, guidance for inputting the F code is requested, and the user operates the numeric keypad to input the F code (a character string including a number of up to 20 digits and a predetermined symbol). When the user decides on the input value, the user selects the button "SET". As a result, input of a box name as shown in FIG. When the button "cancel" is selected with respect to the guidance display of FIG. 3C, the value of the F-code input at that time is deleted, and the input of a new F-code is requested.
[0066]
Then, when the user inputs the box name by an appropriate method and selects the button “setting”, the screen shifts to an input screen for a “password” or “mail address” as shown in FIG. On this screen, the display line of the input box name “Takoyaki Box” is highlighted. When the button "cancel" is selected in the guidance display of FIG. 9D, the value of the box name input at that time is deleted, and the input of a new box name is requested.
[0067]
Here, when the button "password" is selected, the input of the password as shown in FIG. In this guidance screen, the display line of the box name “Takoyaki Box” is highlighted.
[0068]
When the user finishes inputting the password and selects the button “SET”, the screen shifts to a screen as shown in FIG. In this screen, the display line of the box name “Takoyaki Box” and the display line of the password “Password” are highlighted.
[0069]
Next, when the user selects the button “e-mail address” to register the e-mail address as the transfer destination, the guidance request for the input of the e-mail address as shown in FIG. Thereby, the user inputs the mail address to be registered by an appropriate operation method. Also, at this time, the user can operate the one-touch dial or the speed dial to select an email address registered in the one-touch dial or the speed dial. In this case, the selected email address is input. Is displayed on the screen.
[0070]
Then, when the button “setting” is operated, a screen as shown in FIG. In this screen, the display line of the box name “Takoyaki Box”, the display line of the password “Password”, and the display line of the mail address “Mail Address” are displayed in reverse video.
[0071]
The user confirms this display and, when recognizing that the desired confidential box name, password, and e-mail address (if necessary) are correct, operates the “register” button. As a result, box information as described above is created for one confidential box, additionally registered in the box information table, and the display returns to the screen in FIG. Note that when the user selects the button "interrupt" on the screen shown in FIG. 5C, the confidential box opening process is interrupted.
[0072]
6 and 7 show an example of a box opening / changing / erasing process.
[0073]
First, the screen shown in FIG. 4C is displayed to input an F-code (process 101), and the button “SET” is operated to end the input of the F-code, or the button “Cancel” is operated. It is monitored whether this “box opening / change / deletion process” has been completed (NO loop of judgments 102 and 103). If the button “cancel” is operated and the result of judgment 103 becomes YES, “box Opening / Changing / Erasing Process "ends.
[0074]
When the button "SET" is operated and the input of the F code is completed, and the result of the determination 102 is YES, it is checked whether or not the box of the F code input at that time is already opened. (Decision 104).
[0075]
If the box of the F code input at that time is not opened and the result of determination 104 is NO, the screen of FIG. 4D is displayed, and the box name is input (processing 105, determination 106 NO loop).
[0076]
When the input of the box name is completed and the result of determination 106 is YES, the screen of FIG. 4E is displayed, and the button “password”, the button “mail address”, the button “interrupt”, or the button “registration” is displayed. Is monitored (NO loop of determinations 107, 108, and 109).
[0077]
When the button "password" is selected and the result of determination 107 is YES, the screen shown in FIG. 4F is displayed and a password is input (process 110). If the button "mail address" is selected and the result of determination 108 is YES, the screen of FIG. 5B is displayed and a password is input (process 111).
[0078]
When either the button “interrupt” or the button “registration” is selected, and the result of the determination 109 is YES, the process returns to the process 101 to perform the next F-code input process. When the button "Pause" is selected, the information entered so far is discarded. When the button "Register" is selected, the box information is created based on the information entered so far, and the box information is created. A new element is added to the table.
[0079]
On the other hand, when the box of the F code input in the process 101 is already provided and the result of the determination 104 is YES, the fact that the box of the F code is already provided is displayed to the user and notified. (Step 112), the user is prompted to specify whether to cancel the F-code input.
[0080]
Thereby, when the user cancels the F-code input (the result of determination 113 is YES), the F-code input at that time is canceled (process 114), and the process returns to the process 101 to prompt for a new F-code input.
[0081]
If the user has not canceled the input of the F-code (result of determination 113 is NO), the registration contents (box name, password, mail address, etc.) of the box (confidential box) in which the F-code is registered are deleted. A change process (process 115) for displaying and appropriately changing the registered content is executed, and the process returns to process 101.
[0082]
As described above, when the input F-code is already used in another box, the user is notified of the fact and changed to another F-code or registered in the already registered box. Since the user is asked whether to change the content, the user can appropriately update the registered content of the already registered box, which is convenient.
[0083]
FIG. 8 shows an example of the mail address input process (process 110).
[0084]
First, it is monitored that there is a first key input (decision 201), and if there is a first key input and the result of decision 201 is YES, it is checked whether or not the inputted key is a one-touch dial key. (Decision 202).
[0085]
If the first input key is a one-touch dial key and the result of determination 202 is YES, the one-touch information corresponding to the input one-touch dial key is checked to determine whether a mail address is registered. . If an e-mail address is registered in the input one-touch dial key and the designation of the one-touch dial key is valid (result of determination 203 is YES), the e-mail address of the registered contents is displayed on the screen ( 5 (b)), and in this state, waits until the button "cancel" or the button "setting" is selected (NO loop of determinations 204 and 205).
[0086]
When the user selects the button "SET" and the result of the determination 205 is YES, the contents of the mail address input at that time are retained, and the process proceeds to the next process. When the user selects the button “cancel” and the result of the determination 204 is NO, the mail address input at that time is discarded, and the process returns to the determination 201.
[0087]
If no mail address is registered in the input one-touch dial key and the designation of the one-touch dial key is not valid (result of determination 203 is NO), a warning is displayed to that effect (error processing). Step 206) and return to the decision 201.
[0088]
If the first input key is not a one-touch dial key and the result of determination 202 is NO, whether the first input key is the first key of the speed dial key (for example, “#”) Is checked (determination 207).
[0089]
If the key input first is the first key of the speed dial key, and if the result of the determination 207 is YES, a speed dial input process (process 208) is executed, and the speed information corresponding to the input speed dial is executed. To check if the email address is registered. If an e-mail address is registered in the inputted speed dial and the designation of the speed dial is valid (result of determination 209 is YES), the e-mail address which is the registered content is displayed on the screen (FIG. 5). (Refer to (b)), and in that state, the process proceeds to the judgment 204, and the subsequent processes are executed.
[0090]
If no e-mail address is registered in the entered speed dial and the designation of the speed dial is not valid (result of determination 209 is NO), the process proceeds to step 206 and a warning is displayed to that effect. And return to the decision 201.
[0091]
If the key entered first is not the first key of the speed dial key and the result of determination 207 is NO, a mail key (not shown; used for the mail address) is used to directly enter each digit of the mail address. It is determined whether or not the input is for inputting a character that can be input.) (Decision 210).
[0092]
When the key input first is the mail key and the result of determination 210 is YES, an input process of the mail address using the mail key is executed (process 211), and the input mail address is displayed on the screen (step 211). 5 (b), and in this state, the process proceeds to the judgment 204, and the subsequent processing is executed.
[0093]
When the key input first is not the mail key and the result of the judgment 210 is NO, it is checked whether the key input first is the button "interrupt" (decision 212).
[0094]
When the key input first is the button "interrupt" and the result of determination 212 is YES, the mail address input process is interrupted and the process returns to the immediately preceding process. If the key input first is not the button “interrupt” and the result of the determination 212 is NO, the key input is ignored and the process returns to the determination 201.
[0095]
In this way, in the e-mail address input process, when a one-touch dial or abbreviated dial for which an e-mail address is not registered is designated, the user is notified of the fact. In addition to clearly knowing that the dial or the speed dial was not appropriate, incorrect information is prevented from being registered in the e-mail address.
[0096]
By the way, in the confidential box opening operation as described above, the registration of the e-mail address can be selected by the user's intention. However, depending on the application, the system determines whether or not the e-mail address can be registered in the confidential box. It may need to be set so that the user cannot select it.
[0097]
For example, if it is not desired to use the network facsimile machine FX for routing to the Internet INET, it is not preferable to register a mail address in the confidential box. Conversely, if the network facsimile machine FX is used for routing to the Internet INET, the mail address should always be registered in the confidential box.
[0098]
For example, when the mail address cannot be registered in the confidential box, the following operation is performed.
[0099]
When the user opens a confidential box in the network facsimile machine FX, first, the user operates a function key (not shown) of the operation display unit 7 and selects an item of “F code setting”.
[0100]
As a result, the network facsimile machine FX displays a guidance screen as shown in FIG. 9A and allows the user to select which type of box the F-code setting is to be performed.
[0101]
Here, the user inputs “1” using the numeric keypad and selects “confidential box”. As a result, a work menu for “confidential box” is displayed as shown in FIG.
[0102]
Next, the user inputs “1” using the numeric keypad and selects “open / change / delete box”. As a result, as shown in FIG. 11C, a guidance request for inputting an F-code is made, and when the user operates the numeric keypad to input the F-code and decides on the input value, the user selects the button “SET”. . As a result, input of a box name as shown in FIG. When the button "cancel" is selected with respect to the guidance display of FIG. 3C, the value of the F-code input at that time is deleted, and the input of a new F-code is requested.
[0103]
Then, when the user inputs the box name by an appropriate method and selects the button “SET”, the input of the password as shown in FIG. In this guidance screen, the display line of the box name “Takoyaki Box” is highlighted.
[0104]
When the user finishes inputting the password and selects the button “setting”, the screen shifts to a screen as shown in FIG. In this screen, the display line of the box name “Takoyaki Box” and the display line of the password “Password” are highlighted.
[0105]
The user confirms this display and, when recognizing that the desired confidential box name and password are correct, operates the “register” button. As a result, box information as described above is created for one confidential box, additionally registered in the box information table, and the display returns to the screen in FIG. If the user selects the button "interrupt" on the screen shown in FIG. 7F, the confidential box opening process is interrupted. If the user selects the button "password", the screen returns to the screen shown in FIG. Can be entered.
[0106]
On the other hand, if the mail address cannot be registered in the confidential box, the following operation is performed.
[0107]
When the user opens a confidential box in the network facsimile machine FX, first, the user operates a function key (not shown) of the operation display unit 7 and selects an item of “F code setting”.
[0108]
As a result, the network facsimile machine FX displays a guidance screen as shown in FIG. 10A and allows the user to select which type of box the F-code setting is to be performed.
[0109]
Here, the user inputs “1” using the numeric keypad and selects “confidential box”. As a result, a work menu for “confidential box” is displayed as shown in FIG.
[0110]
Next, the user inputs “1” using the numeric keypad and selects “open / change / delete box”. As a result, as shown in FIG. 11C, a guidance request for inputting an F-code is made, and when the user operates the numeric keypad to input the F-code and decides on the input value, the user selects the button “SET”. . As a result, input of a box name as shown in FIG. When the button "cancel" is selected with respect to the guidance display of FIG. 3C, the value of the F-code input at that time is deleted, and the input of a new F-code is requested.
[0111]
Then, when the user inputs the box name by an appropriate method and selects the button “SET”, the input of the password as shown in FIG. In this guidance screen, the display line of the box name “Takoyaki Box” is highlighted.
[0112]
When the user finishes inputting the password and selects the button “SET”, a guidance request for inputting a mail address as shown in FIG. Thereby, the user inputs the mail address to be registered by an appropriate operation method. Also, at this time, the user can operate the one-touch dial or the speed dial to select an email address registered in the one-touch dial or the speed dial. In this case, the selected email address is input. Is displayed on the screen.
[0113]
Then, when the button “setting” is operated, a screen as shown in FIG. 11 is displayed. In this screen, the display line of the box name “Takoyaki Box”, the display line of the password “Password”, and the display line of the mail address “Mail Address” are displayed in reverse video.
[0114]
When the user confirms this display and recognizes that the name, password, and e-mail address (if necessary) of the desired confidential box are personal, the user operates the button “register”. As a result, box information as described above is created for one confidential box, additionally registered in the box information table, and the display returns to the screen in FIG. Note that when the user selects the button "interrupt" on the screen shown in FIG. 5C, the confidential box opening process is interrupted.
[0115]
12 and 13 show an example of the box opening / changing / erasing process in this case.
[0116]
First, the screen of FIG. 9C or FIG. 10C is displayed and an F code is input (process 301), and the button “SET” is operated to complete the input of the F code, or the button “ It is monitored whether or not "cancel" has been operated and this "box opening / change / deletion process" has been completed (NO loop of determinations 302 and 303). If the button "cancel" has been operated, the result of determination 303 is YES. Is completed, the "box opening / changing / erasing process" ends.
[0117]
If the button 302 is operated and the input of the F code is completed, and the result of the determination 302 is YES, it is checked whether or not the box of the F code input at that time has already been opened. (Decision 304).
[0118]
If the box of the F code input at that time is not opened and the result of determination 304 is NO, the screen of FIG. 9D or FIG. 10D is displayed, and the box name is input. (Step 305, NO loop of judgment 306).
[0119]
When the input of the box name is completed and the result of the judgment 306 becomes YES, it is checked whether or not the fact that there is a routing setting is registered at that time (decision 307).
[0120]
When the result of determination 307 is YES, the screen of FIG. 10E is displayed and the password is entered (process 308), and then the screen of FIG. 10F is displayed and the e-mail address is entered (step 308). (Process 309), and return to Process 301.
[0121]
If the result of the determination 307 is NO, the screen shown in FIG. 9E is displayed, a password is input (step 310), and the process returns to step 301.
[0122]
On the other hand, when the box of the F-code input in the process 301 is already provided and the result of the determination 304 is YES, the fact that the box of the F-code is already provided is displayed to the user and notified. (Step 311), the user is asked to cancel the F-code input.
[0123]
Thus, if the user cancels the F-code input (the result of determination 312 is YES), the F-code input at that time is canceled (process 313), and the process returns to process 301 to prompt for a new F-code input.
[0124]
If the user has not canceled the input of the F code (result of determination 312 is NO), the registration contents (box name, password, mail address, etc.) of the box (confidential box) in which the F code is registered are deleted. A change process (process 314) for displaying and appropriately changing the registered content is executed, and the process returns to process 101.
[0125]
As described above, when setting an e-mail address in the confidential box, a one-touch dial or abbreviated dial can be used. In this case, the registered one-touch dial or the e-mail address information of the corresponding box information is used. The identification information of the speed dial is set.
[0126]
Therefore, if the user intends to delete a destination registered in the one-touch dial or speed dial for any reason, the destination registered in the one-touch dial or speed dial to be deleted is the mail address information in any of the box information. If the deletion operation is performed as it is, the received image information stored in the confidential box cannot be transmitted to the specified mail address.
[0127]
Therefore, when performing an operation of deleting a destination registered in the one-touch dial or the speed dial, when there is a confidential box in which valid information is registered, it is preferable not to perform the delete operation.
[0128]
FIG. 14 shows an example of a process when an operation of deleting a destination registered in the one-touch dial or the speed dial is specified.
[0129]
First, it is checked whether the designation of the one-touch dial or the speed dial designated to be deleted at that time is valid (decision 401), and if the result of the decision 401 is YES, the one-touch dial designated at that time is determined. It is determined whether or not the content registered in the one-touch information corresponding to the information or the shortened information corresponding to the speed dial is a mail address (determination 402).
[0130]
When the result of the determination 402 is YES, the identification information of the one-touch dial or the speed dial designated at that time is searched and checked whether there is at least one confidential box registered in the mail address information (processing 403).
[0131]
If it is determined that the designated one-touch dial or speed dial is not used in any of the confidential boxes by this process 403, and if the result of determination 404 is NO, the designated one-touch dial or speed dial is used. The contents registered in the corresponding one-touch information or the shortening information corresponding to the speed dial are deleted (address deletion processing; processing 405), and this operation ends.
[0132]
On the other hand, if it is determined in step 403 that the designated one-touch dial or speed dial is being used in any one of the confidential boxes, and if the result of determination 404 is YES, the one-touch dial designated for deletion or A warning is displayed that the speed dial is being used in the confidential box, and the operation at this time is terminated with an error (error processing # 1; processing 406).
[0133]
Further, the designation of the one-touch dial or the speed dial designated to be deleted at that time is not valid, and if the result of the determination 401 is NO, the designation of the one-touch dial or the speed dial designated to be deleted is invalid. Is displayed as a warning (error process # 2; process 407), and this operation ends.
[0134]
In this way, when the confidential box is opened, the network facsimile machine FX performs a confidential reception operation upon receiving the signal SUB in the pre-transmission procedure when receiving image information.
[0135]
FIG. 15 shows an example of the processing of the confidential reception operation.
[0136]
First, the content of the signal SUB is stored (process 501), the F code notified by the FIF of the signal SUB is taken out, and a confidential box in which the F code is registered is searched (process 502).
[0137]
If this search reveals that there is no confidential box, and the result of determination 503 is NO, the line is disconnected at that point and the communication is terminated with an error (process 505).
[0138]
If the search in process 502 reveals that there is a corresponding confidential box, and the result of determination 503 is YES, the confidential reception operation is continued, image information is received from the transmission side, and the received image is received. The information is stored in the image storage device 9 in association with the designated confidential box (process 506).
[0139]
When the image information reception is completed, it is checked whether valid information (one-touch dial or speed dial identification information or the value of the raw mail address) is registered in the mail address of the confidential box storing the image information at that time. If the result of the check (judgment 507) is YES, the image information stored in the image storage device 9 for the confidential box is converted into electronic mail transmission information (process 508), and the converted information is created. The saved e-mail is temporarily stored (step 509), and the stored e-mail is transmitted to the specified mail address (step 510), and this operation ends.
[0140]
If valid information is not registered in the mail address of the confidential box in which the image information is stored at that time and the result of determination 507 is NO, the received image information stored at that time is used as a confidential received document. The process is held (process 511), and this operation ends.
[0141]
In this way, at the time of confidential reception using the F code, when the mail address is registered in the confidential box storing the received image information, the received image information is converted into electronic mail information and transmitted to the registered mail address. Therefore, the convenience of the center device (network facsimile device FX) having the F-code confidential box function is greatly improved.
[0142]
FIG. 16 shows another example of the confidential reception operation.
[0143]
First, the content of the signal SUB is saved (process 601), the F code notified by the FIF of the signal SUB is taken out, and a confidential box in which the F code is registered is searched (process 602).
[0144]
If this search reveals that there is no corresponding confidential box, and the result of determination 603 is NO, the line is disconnected at that point and communication is terminated with an error (process 604).
[0145]
If the search in step 602 reveals that there is a corresponding confidential box, and the result of determination 603 is YES, the confidential reception operation is continued, image information is received from the transmitting side, and the received image is received. The information is stored in the image storage device 9 in association with the designated confidential box (process 605).
[0146]
When the image information reception is completed, it is checked whether valid information (one-touch dial or speed dial identification information or the value of the raw mail address) is registered in the mail address of the confidential box storing the image information at that time. Investigation (determination 606). If the result of determination 606 is YES, it is further determined whether the registered mail address is valid (determination 607).
[0147]
If the contents of the one-touch dial or speed dial registered in the e-mail address can be read out properly, or if a raw e-mail address is registered, the e-mail address is valid, and the result of decision 607 is YES At this time, the image information stored in the image storage device 9 for the confidential box is converted into electronic mail transmission information (process 608), and the electronic mail created by the conversion is temporarily stored (process 609). The stored e-mail is transmitted to the specified e-mail address (process 610), and this operation ends.
[0148]
Also, if the contents of the one-touch dial or speed dial registered in the mail address of the confidential box in which the image information was stored at that time could not be read properly, the mail address is invalid. , The result of decision 607 is NO. Therefore, in this case, the contents of the mail address are cleared (process 611), the received image information accumulated at that time is held as a confidential received document (process 612), and this operation ends.
[0149]
If valid information is not registered in the mail address of the confidential box in which the image information is stored at that time and the result of determination 606 is NO, the process proceeds to step 612, and the received image stored at that time is processed. The information is retained as a confidential reception document, and this operation ends.
[0150]
In this way, at the time of confidential reception using the F code, when the mail address is registered in the confidential box storing the received image information, the received image information is converted into electronic mail information and transmitted to the registered mail address. Therefore, the convenience of the center device (network facsimile device FX) having the F-code confidential box function is greatly improved.
[0151]
If the e-mail address registered in the confidential box is not valid, the contents of the registered e-mail address are cleared and the received image information is retained as a confidential received document. Even when the contents of the dial have been deleted, an appropriate confidential reception operation can be performed.
[0152]
FIG. 17 shows still another example of the confidential reception operation.
[0153]
First, the content of the signal SUB is stored (process 701), the F code notified by the FIF of the signal SUB is taken out, and a confidential box in which the F code is registered is searched (process 702).
[0154]
If this search reveals that there is no corresponding confidential box, and the result of determination 703 is NO, the line is disconnected at that time and communication is terminated with an error (process 704).
[0155]
If the search in step 702 reveals that there is a corresponding confidential box, and the result of determination 703 is YES, the confidential reception operation is continued, image information is received from the transmitting side, and the received image is received. The information is stored in the image storage device 9 in association with the designated confidential box (process 705).
[0156]
When the image information reception is completed, it is checked whether valid information (one-touch dial or speed dial identification information or the value of the raw mail address) is registered in the mail address of the confidential box storing the image information at that time. Inspection (determination 706), and if the result of determination 706 is YES, the image information stored in the image storage device 9 for the confidential box is converted into electronic mail transmission information (processing 707), and the conversion is made. The stored e-mail is temporarily stored (process 708), the stored e-mail is transmitted to the specified mail address (process 709), and the received image information accumulated at that time is retained as a confidential received document (process 710). ), This operation is terminated, and the process shifts to a print waiting state.
[0157]
If valid information is not registered in the mail address of the confidential box in which the image information is stored at that time and the result of determination 706 is NO, the process proceeds to processing 710, and the received image stored at that time is processed. The information is held as a confidential received document, this operation is ended, and the process shifts to a print waiting state.
[0158]
In this way, at the time of confidential reception using the F code, when the mail address is registered in the confidential box storing the received image information, the received image information is converted into electronic mail information and transmitted to the registered mail address. Therefore, the convenience of the center device (network facsimile device FX) having the F-code confidential box function is greatly improved.
[0159]
Further, since the received image information transmitted by e-mail is stored as a confidential received document, when the e-mail is not received, the user can operate the network facsimile machine FX to retrieve the confidential received document, The confidential received document can be reliably distributed to the user.
[0160]
FIG. 18 shows still another example of the confidential reception operation.
[0161]
First, the content of the signal SUB is stored (process 801), the F code notified by the FIF of the signal SUB is extracted, and a confidential box in which the F code is registered is searched (process 802).
[0162]
If this search reveals that there is no corresponding confidential box, and the result of determination 803 is NO, the line is disconnected at that time and communication ends with an error (process 804).
[0163]
If the search in step 802 reveals that there is a corresponding confidential box and the result of determination 803 is YES, the confidential reception operation is continued, image information is received from the transmission side, and the received image is received. The information is stored in the image storage device 9 in association with the designated confidential box (process 805).
[0164]
When the image information reception is completed, it is checked whether valid information (one-touch dial or speed dial identification information or the value of the raw mail address) is registered in the mail address of the confidential box storing the image information at that time. If the result of the check (judgment 806) is YES, the image information stored in the image storage device 9 for the confidential box is converted into e-mail transmission information (process 807), and the converted information is created. The saved e-mail is temporarily stored (process 808), and the stored e-mail is transmitted to the specified mail address (process 809).
[0165]
Here, it is determined whether or not print standby after transmission of an e-mail is designated to the network facsimile machine FX at the time of confidential reception (decision 810), and print standby after transmission of an e-mail is not designated at the time of confidential reception. In this case, if the result of determination 810 is NO, the received image information at that time is deleted from the confidential box (image storage device 9) (process 811), and this operation ends.
[0166]
On the other hand, if the result of determination 810 is YES when print standby after transmission of the e-mail is specified, the received image information accumulated at that time is held as a confidential received document (process 812), and this operation ends. Then, the printer shifts to a print waiting state.
[0167]
If valid information is not registered in the mail address of the confidential box in which the image information is stored at that time and the result of determination 806 is NO, the process shifts to processing 812 and the received image stored at that time is processed. The information is held as a confidential received document, this operation is ended, and the process shifts to a print waiting state.
[0168]
In this way, at the time of confidential reception using the F code, when the mail address is registered in the confidential box storing the received image information, the received image information is converted into electronic mail information and transmitted to the registered mail address. Therefore, the convenience of the center device (network facsimile device FX) having the F-code confidential box function is greatly improved.
[0169]
Further, since it is possible to specify whether or not to hold the received image information transmitted by e-mail as a confidential received document, the convenience of the network facsimile machine FX is greatly improved.
[0170]
By the way, in the above-described embodiment, the mail address registered in the confidential box can be registered by using the mail address registered in the one-touch dial or the speed dial. There is a group address that can be specified as a group. If such a group address is registered as a mail address of a confidential box, a received document addressed to an individual is broadcasted, which is not preferable. Therefore, if the mail address registered in the one-touch dial or the abbreviated dial specified at the time of registration in the confidential box is a group address, it is preferable to make the specification an error.
[0171]
When searching for a confidential box, the search operation can be performed at high speed by using the number of digits of the F code, the CRC value, or a hash value such as a checksum value.
[0172]
When retrieving received image information stored as a confidential received document in the network facsimile machine FX, the user of the confidential destination designates fetching of the confidential document in the network facsimile machine FX, and inputs a F code to retrieve the confidential box. And enter the password.
[0173]
On the other hand, the network facsimile machine FX compares the password registered in the designated confidential box with the inputted password, and stores the password in the image storage device 9 in correspondence with the confidential box only when they match. The contents of the present image information are recorded and output from the plotter 6, and a confidential document is recorded and output to the user.
[0174]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, when registering an e-mail address in the confidential box, the e-mail address registered in the speed dial function can be used. The effect that the user's work can be greatly reduced is obtained.
[0179]
Also, when deleting a destination from the speed dial function, if the corresponding e-mail address of the speed dial function is registered in the Mailbox, the deletion can be prevented from being performed. When an e-mail address is registered in a confidential box using a registered e-mail address, it is possible to avoid a situation in which an e-mail cannot be delivered because an e-mail address cannot be obtained.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a network system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a network facsimile machine FX.
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of one-touch dial information, table shortening dial information, table box information, and table box information.
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram for explaining a part of an example of a guidance and operation flow when a confidential box is opened.
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram for explaining another part of the example of the guidance and operation flow when the confidential box is opened.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a part of an example of a box opening / changing / erasing process.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing another part of the example of the box opening / changing / erasing process.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a mail address input process (process 110).
FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram for explaining a part of another example of the guidance and operation flow at the time of opening a confidential box.
FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining another part of another example of the guidance and operation flow at the time of opening a confidential box.
FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram for explaining the remaining part of another example of the guidance and operation flow when opening a confidential box.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a part of another example of the box opening / changing / erasing process.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the remaining part of another example of the box opening / changing / erasing process.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process when an operation of deleting a destination registered in the one-touch dial or the speed dial is designated;
FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing of a confidential reception operation.
FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing another processing example of the confidential reception operation.
FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing still another processing example of the confidential reception operation.
FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing still another processing example of the confidential reception operation.
[Explanation of symbols]
FX network facsimile machine

Claims (10)

It has a function of exchanging data on the local area network, a function of exchanging facsimile data by a facsimile transmission procedure performed via a public network, and a confidential box for storing image information received by the facsimile transmission procedure. In a network facsimile apparatus that stores the received image information in a confidential box corresponding to the sub address information received at the time of receiving the information,
Speed dial function that can specify the destination by registered speed dial,
E-mail address registration means for registering an e-mail address in the confidential box is provided,
The e-mail address registering means, when the speed dial is input at the time of the e-mail address registration, registers the e-mail address corresponding to the input speed dial registered in the speed dial function in the confidential box. Characteristic network facsimile machine. 2. The network facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the e-mail address registration unit displays an error when the e-mail address corresponding to the input speed dial is not registered in the speed dial function. It has a function of exchanging data on the local area network, a function of exchanging facsimile data by a facsimile transmission procedure performed via a public network, and a confidential box corresponding to an F-code received by the facsimile transmission procedure. In a network facsimile apparatus that stores the received image information in a confidential box corresponding to the sub address information received at the time of receiving the information,
A speed dial function that allows you to specify the destination with few key operations,
E-mail address registration means for registering an e-mail address in the confidential box is provided,
The e-mail address registration means refers to the e-mail address registered in the speed dial function at the time of registration of the e-mail address, allows the user to interactively select the reference content, and when the selected reference content is not an e-mail address. A network facsimile apparatus for canceling the selection, visually displaying the reason for the cancellation, and allowing other registered contents to be selected. The system according to claim 11, further comprising an e-mail address deletion unit for deleting the e-mail address from the confidential box in which the e-mail address is registered when the e-mail address registered in the speed dial function is deleted. The network facsimile apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2 or claim 3. When an operation of deleting the e-mail address registered in the speed dial function is performed, it is searched whether or not the confidential box in which the e-mail address is registered exists. 2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of invalidating the e-mail address deleting operation when valid received image information is stored, and further comprising e-mail address deleting means for visually displaying the reason for the invalidation. A network facsimile apparatus according to claim 2 or claim 3. It has a function of exchanging data on the local area network, a function of exchanging facsimile data by a facsimile transmission procedure performed via a public network, and a confidential box for storing image information received by the facsimile transmission procedure. In a method for controlling a network facsimile apparatus that stores received image information at that time in a confidential box corresponding to sub-address information received at the time of receiving information,
It has a speed dial function that allows you to specify the destination with the registered speed dial,
Register an e-mail address in the confidential box, and if the abbreviated dial is entered during the e-mail address registration, enter the e-mail address corresponding to the entered abbreviated dial registered in the abbreviated dial function into the confidential box. A method for controlling a network facsimile machine, characterized by registering. 2. The network facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, when the e-mail address is registered, if an e-mail address corresponding to the input speed dial is not registered in the speed dial function, an error is displayed. Control method. It has a function of exchanging data on the local area network, a function of exchanging facsimile data by a facsimile transmission procedure performed via a public network, and a confidential box corresponding to an F-code received by the facsimile transmission procedure. In a method for controlling a network facsimile apparatus that stores received image information at that time in a confidential box corresponding to sub-address information received at the time of receiving information,
It has a speed dial function that can specify the destination with a few key operations,
Register the e-mail address in the confidential box, and when registering the e-mail address, refer to the e-mail address registered in the speed dial function and interactively select the reference contents. If not, a method of controlling the network facsimile apparatus, wherein the selection is canceled, the reason for the cancellation is visually displayed, and another registration content is selected. 7. The method according to claim 6, wherein when the mail address registered in the speed dial function is deleted, the mail address is deleted from the confidential box in which the mail address is registered. 9. The method for controlling a network facsimile apparatus according to claim 8. When an operation of deleting the e-mail address registered in the speed dial function is performed, it is searched whether or not the confidential box in which the e-mail address is registered exists. 9. The method according to claim 6, wherein when valid received image information is stored, the e-mail address erasing operation is invalidated, and the invalidation reason is visually displayed. A method for controlling a network facsimile apparatus according to the above.

Images