JP3640783B2 - Facsimile device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus that can be connected to a local area network (LAN), and more particularly to an apparatus capable of switching read mail data to a destination by switching an available mail server on the LAN.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a facsimile apparatus that is connected to a telephone line and transmits / receives image data read from a document by performing facsimile communication with a partner is known, and connected to a network due to recent development of communication technology. Facsimile terminals that can send and receive image data as electronic mail have appeared.
[0003]
This type of facsimile apparatus is described in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-177181, and reads image data from a facsimile terminal on a public network (ISDN) to a facsimile terminal on a LAN connected to the public network. If the LAN is congested (busy state) when it is sent as an e-mail, it is sent to a facsimile server (mail server) connected to both the LAN and the public network to eliminate the congestion. Then, it is proposed to transfer the data to a facsimile terminal on the LAN.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in such a conventional facsimile machine on the LAN, the read image data is accumulated and held in the memory unit until the transmission is normally completed, although the conditions are not completely the same as those in the conventional technique. In addition, when the mail server to be used cannot be used due to a failure or the like, not only the transmission of the read image data is delayed, but the memory unit is occupied by the read image data, and the read image data cannot be used effectively. There was a problem such as disappearing without being able to send.
[0005]
Therefore, the inventor of the present application diligently studied the problems at the time of using this network, and in a mail transmission protocol such as SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) which plays a central role of mail performed on the Internet, Since mail can be transmitted without performing user authentication using a password or the like when connected to a mail server (SMTP server) to be used, on a LAN using a similar protocol, another mail server on the LAN (hereinafter, referred to as a mail server) If the server that is normally used is out of order, the other SMTP server is temporarily used to send the scanned image data as an e-mail. I came to think that I could do it.
[0006]
That is, according to the present invention, when the mail server normally used on the LAN is not usable, the read image data is transmitted to the other party by switching to another mail server. An object of the present invention is to improve the usability of a facsimile machine connected to a LAN by eliminating the occupation.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of individual destinations of electronic mail are grouped and registered, and the electronic mail is transmitted to the individual destination corresponding to the group destination received from the electronic mail transmission source. A facsimile apparatus connected to a local area network having a plurality of mail servers and having communication control means for transmitting image data read by a scanner as an e-mail to the other party via the mail server, and whether or not the mail server can be used Determining means for determining the mail server, switching means for switching the mail server to be used based on the determination result by the determining means,Registration means for registering individual destinations registered in the mail server so as to be designated as group destinationsAndThe communication control means includesWhen the destination specified when sending scanned image data is the group destination, the group destination is registered using the group destination when the destination is registered via the mail server in which the group destination is registered. Use the corresponding individual address in the registration means when sending via a non-mail serverIt is characterized by.
[0009]
  This claim1In the invention described in the above, even when a mail server having a function of registering a group and distributing read image data to a plurality of destinations is unavailable due to a failure or the like, a corresponding individual destination is designated by designating the one group destination. The read image data is read from the registration means and distributed to a plurality of destinations via other available mail servers. Therefore, it is possible to distribute the scanned image data only by designating the group destination as in the case where the mail server registered in the group is normal without performing an operation of inputting the individual destination.
[0010]
  Claim2The invention described in claim 11In addition to the configuration of the invention described in the above, when the designated destination is a group destination registered in the mail server, an individual destination associated with the group destination is acquired from the mail server. In the registration means, an acquisition means for registering the group destination so as to be designated is provided.
[0011]
  This claim2In the invention described in the above, when registering a group destination and an individual destination, or when distributing read image data to an individual destination, the individual destination registered in the mail server in association with the input designated group destination is a return request. And is registered in the registration means so that it can be designated by the group destination. Therefore, the group registration can be performed by diverting the individual destination registered in the mail server.
[0012]
  Claim3The invention described in claim 11 or claim 2In addition to the configuration of the invention described in the above, an updating unit that obtains a group destination and an individual destination from the mail server at regular or arbitrary timing, and references and compares the group destination and the individual destination in the registration unit to update a changed portion Is provided.
  This claim3In the invention described in the above, the group destination and individual destination registered in the registration means are compared with the group destination and individual destination acquired from the mail server by a return request or the like at regular or arbitrary timing, and the changed portion is changed. Sometimes it is updated. Therefore, when the group registration in the mail server is changed, the group destination and individual destination in the registration means are automatically updated in the same manner.
[0013]
Here, the destination is not limited to a data processing apparatus such as a facsimile machine on a LAN or a personal computer (PC), but may be a data processing apparatus on the Internet connected to a LAN. The read image data is not limited to the image data read at the time of transmission, but may include the case of image data to be transferred read by another device.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
1 to 4 are diagrams showing a first embodiment of a facsimile apparatus connectable to a LAN according to the present invention, and this embodiment corresponds to the invention described in claim 1.
First, the configuration will be described.
[0015]
1 and 2, reference numeral 10 denotes a facsimile machine that can be connected to a LAN. The facsimile machine 10 includes a display unit and operation keys on a system control unit 11, and displays and outputs the operating state of the machine body. An operation unit 12 on which a user performs various operations, a scanner unit 13 that irradiates light on a document and reads image data to be transmitted or copied by reflected light from the image surface, and received or read image data and various reports on paper A plotter unit 14 that records and outputs, a network control device that connects to or disconnects from the public line by connecting to the public line (telephone line) and performing predetermined line control at the time of outgoing / incoming calls, and image data to be transmitted A public line I / F (interface) unit 15 that incorporates a modem that modulates and demodulates various procedure signals and transmits / receives read image data via the public line; Configures a connection interface connected to the AN, performs conversion between scanned image data and e-mail (including generation of a mail header), and transmits and receives data (including public networks such as the Internet) via the LAN. LAN I / F (communication means) 16 to be executed, an image area for temporarily storing read image data to be transmitted and received, a program area for storing a control program used by the system control unit 11, and a work for temporarily storing data necessary for operation Area and a memory unit 17 having a data area for storing registration data such as the telephone number and address of the other party in a non-volatile manner. The system control unit 11 controls each unit of the device according to a control program in the memory unit 17. Controlled image data via public line facsimile communication and image data as e-mail via LAN So that the transmitting and receiving.
[0016]
The LAN to which the facsimile machine 10 is connected is an e-mail system in an environment where DNS (Domain Name Service) can be used with SMTP (Simple E-mail Protocol: standard e-mail service for TCP / IP communication). A plurality of SMTP servers (mail servers) 20-40 that can be sent without performing user authentication by a password or the like when sending and receiving electronic mail (including scanned image data) are connected. ing.
[0017]
In the memory unit 17 of the facsimile apparatus 10, available SMTP servers 20 to 60 (SMTP servers 50 and 60 are not shown) are registered in advance in the table 17a shown in FIG. In the normal state, the SMTP server 20 with the highest priority registered in the table 17a is designated and checked (judged) to confirm that it can be used. When the scanned image data is sent by e-mail to the destination address (mail address) via the SMTP server 20, and the SMTP server 20 is stopped due to a failure or maintenance and is determined to be unusable, the SMTP server 20 to be used is The mail transmission is performed by switching to the SMTP servers 30 to 60 in order according to the priority. That is, the system control unit 11 constitutes determination means, switching means, and communication control means.
[0018]
Next, the mail transmission of the read image data by the facsimile apparatus 10 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
First, when the destination address is input from the operation unit 12 and the start key is pressed, the system control unit 11 starts the mail transmission operation, and the scanned image data read from the original image by the scanner unit 13 is stored in the memory unit 17. At the same time, after resetting the identifier i for selecting the mail server (i = 0) (step P1), the LAN I / F 16 is connected to the SMTP server 20 corresponding to the identifier i having a high priority at present and communicates. Instruct to start (step P2).
[0019]
Next, a response as to whether or not the mail service is in operation from the SMTP server 20 is confirmed (step P3). If it is in operation, the read image data is read out from the memory unit 17 and the SMTP server is read out. The mail transmission to the destination address via 20 is continued / started (step P4), and after confirming the response that the mail transmission from the SMTP server 20 is completed normally (step P5), the read image data is stored in the memory unit 17. This mail transmission ends.
[0020]
At this time, if there is a response (or no response) that is stopped in step P3, the identifier i for selecting the mail server is incremented (i = i + 1) (step P6), and then the table in the memory unit 17 Check if the SMTP server corresponding to the identifier i is registered in 17a (step P7), and if it is registered, return to step P2 and repeat the same process, but if not registered (registered) When all SMTP servers are unavailable), after resetting the identifier i for selecting the mail server (i = 0) (step P8), the mail transmission processing of steps P1 to P7 is performed again after a preset waiting time. A retransmission process is repeated for the set number of times (step P9), and the mail transmission of the read image data in the memory unit 17 is completed.
[0021]
If it is confirmed in step P5 that an error has occurred in the mail transmission that has started, the identifier i for selecting the mail server is similarly incremented (i = i + 1) after disconnection. (Step P10), it is confirmed whether the SMTP server corresponding to the identifier i is registered in the table 17a of the memory unit 17 (Step P11). If registered, the process returns to Step P2 and repeats the same processing. However, if it is not registered, an identifier i for selecting a mail server is decremented (i = i-1), and an SMTP server that is operating but has an error in mail transmission is specified ( Step P12), resend processing by the SMTP server (step P13), and mail transmission of the read image data in the memory unit 17 Completed.
[0022]
Therefore, even if the SMTP server 20 used in the normal state is not available, the server sequentially checks and switches to the available SMTP servers 30 to 60, and the read image data stored in the memory unit 17 is transmitted by mail.
As described above, in the present embodiment, even if the SMTP server 20 that is normally used is out of order, mail transmission becomes impossible and transmission of read image data to the other party is delayed, or the memory unit 17 is used for the read image data. Is not occupied and cannot be used, and the scanned image data is not lost from the memory unit 17 due to power OFF or the like. Therefore, it is possible to reliably and promptly send the read image data via the LAN, and to improve the usability.
[0023]
Next, FIG. 5 to FIG. 7 are diagrams showing a second embodiment of a facsimile apparatus connectable to a LAN according to the present invention, and this embodiment corresponds to the invention described in claims 2 to 4. Since this embodiment is configured in substantially the same manner as the above-described embodiment, FIGS. 1 to 3 will be used, and the same components will be denoted by the same reference numerals and will be described mainly with respect to characteristic portions.
First, the configuration will be described.
[0024]
1 and 2, the SMTP servers 20 to 60 are registered by the server administrator by grouping a plurality of destinations such as in a LAN and associating the individual destination addresses with one group destination address. In addition, when a mail whose destination is designated by a group destination address is received from a terminal such as a facsimile machine, a function is provided for delivering the mail to an individual destination address in the group. If the group destination address is not registered in the designated server, the SMTP servers 20 to 60 can confirm with other servers and send mail to a plurality of corresponding individual destination addresses. It is like that.
[0025]
On the other hand, in the memory unit 17 of the facsimile apparatus 10, the destination address of the destination is shown in FIG. 5 in association with the destination name displayed on the display unit that can be designated by one-touch / shortening input from the operation unit 12. The individual destination addresses registered in the group 17b in association with the group destination addresses in the SMTP servers 20 to 60 can be registered in groups by expanding the list in the table 17c shown in FIG. In this expanded list of individual destination addresses, the numbers are associated with (linked to) the group destination addresses registered in groups in the SMTP servers 20 to 60 that are one-touch / short-registered in the table 17b. You can register. That is, the memory unit 17 constitutes a registration unit.
[0026]
The registration of the individual destination address in the memory unit 17 can be manually registered from the operation unit 12. However, whether or not the group destination registration is performed when only the group destination address is one-touch / abbreviated registered in the table 17b. Automatic registration can be performed by inputting “Yes” to the message to be inquired. This automatic registration is performed when the table 17a is in a standby state after the system control unit 11 finishes the group destination address registration operation. Instructing the process to acquire (return request) the individual destination address corresponding to the group destination address newly entered and registered in the LAN I / F 16 by repeatedly specifying the SMTP server in accordance with the priority in the list until the registration process is completed. Then, the individual destination address group is extracted from the return data from the LAN I / F 16 and expanded. It is adapted to register as a strike. That is, the system control unit 11 constitutes acquisition means.
[0027]
In addition, since the system registration unit 11 may change the group registration of the SMTP servers 20 to 60 by an administrator, the system control unit 11 periodically performs a standby operation after an update interval set in advance to be changeable from the operation unit 12 has elapsed. Update processing of individual destination addresses corresponding to all group destination addresses registered with development list numbers in the table 17b is performed, and this update processing is performed according to the priority order in the table 17a until completion. The SMTP server is repeatedly specified, the LAN I / F 16 is instructed to acquire the individual destination address corresponding to the group destination address from the SMTP server, and the individual destination address group extracted from the return data from the LAN I / F 16 and its Change (modify) by comparing with the destination address group in the expanded list corresponding to the group destination address. The part is updated and registered. That is, the system control unit 11 also constitutes an updating unit.
[0028]
When the facsimile machine 10 switches from the SMTP server 20 used in the normal state to another and sends the scanned image data by mail, the group destination address registered in the table 17b of the memory unit 17 is selected and input. If the SMTP server that registers the individual destination address corresponding to the group destination address is not available, it will not be possible to send an email unless the individual destination address is manually input individually from the operation unit 12. In this case, the scanned image data is transmitted by mail using the individual destination address linked to the group destination address and registered in the table 17c of the memory unit 17.
[0029]
Next, the mail transmission of the read image data by the facsimile apparatus 10 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
First, when the destination address is manually input or one-touch / abbreviated by the operation unit 12 and the mail transmission operation is started by pressing the start key, the system control unit 11 executes steps P1 to P5 as in the above embodiment. The identifier i for selecting the mail server is reset (i = 0) together with the storage of the read image data in the memory unit 17 to instruct the LAN I / F 16 to start the mail transmission procedure with the corresponding SMTP server. When the SMTP server is operating as a mail service, mail transmission to the destination address of the read image data in the memory unit 17 is started, and the read image data is deleted from the memory unit 17 in response to normal completion. Then, this mail transmission is finished.
[0030]
At this time, if the destination address input from the operation unit 12 is a group destination address, in step P4, the SMTP server sends a plurality of individual destination addresses associated with the destination group destination address of the received scanned image data. The scanned image data is sent (distributed) by e-mail.
On the other hand, if there is a response that is stopped in step P3, the identifier i for selecting the mail server is incremented (i = i + 1) and the corresponding SMTP server is not registered, and all the SMTP servers cannot be used. In this case, the identifier i is reset (i = 0), and then retransmission processing is performed to complete the mail transmission of the read image data in the memory unit 17 (steps P6 to 9). However, the SMTP server corresponding to the incremented identifier is If registered, it is confirmed whether or not the destination address input from the operation unit 12 is a group destination address (step P21). If the destination address is not a group destination address, the destination address can be used as it is, and the process returns to step P2. Repeat the same process. However, if the input destination address is a group destination address and the group destination address is registered only in an unusable SMTP server, mail transmission may not be possible. The expanded list in the table 17c of the memory unit 17 linked to the address is read and used, and the read image data is mailed to a plurality of individual destination addresses (step P22).
[0031]
In step P5, when an error occurs in the started mail transmission, the identifier 12 for selecting the mail server is incremented (i = i + 1) and the operation unit 12 is registered when the corresponding SMTP server is registered. If the destination address input is not the group destination address, the process returns to step P2 and the same processing is repeated. If the destination address is the group destination address, the expansion linked to the group destination address is performed. The list is read and used, and the scanned image data is mailed to a plurality of individual destination addresses (steps P23 and P24). On the other hand, when the corresponding SMTP server is not registered, the identifier i for selecting the mail server is decremented (i = i-1), so that the SMTP server having an error in mail transmission uses the first (i = 0) SMTP server 20 (step P25), and in the case of SMTP server 20, since the input destination address can be used as the group destination address, the retransmission process is performed as it is. If the address is a group destination address, there is a possibility that the mail cannot be transmitted. Therefore, it is confirmed whether or not the address is a group destination address (step P26). In the case of an address, the table 17c of the memory unit 17 to be linked By reading and using the expansion list of (Step P27), it completes the sending mail read image data in the memory section 17 by performing a retransmission process (step P13).
[0032]
Therefore, even if the SMTP server 20 used in a steady state is not available and the input destination address is a group destination address that uses the function of the SMTP server, the SMTP server 20 is sequentially switched to the available SMTP servers 30 to 60. The expanded image list (individual destination address) in the memory unit 17 linked to the group destination address is read and used to send the read image data by mail.
[0033]
As described above, in this embodiment, in addition to the effects of the above-described embodiments, when the individual destination address to be registered in the SMTP server as a group destination address is designated by the group destination address, the SMTP server 20 that is normally used becomes unavailable. Thus, it is possible to execute the mail transmission of the read image data by using the expanded list of the individual destination addresses registered in the memory unit 17 so that it can be read and transmitted linked to the group destination address, and the SMTP server has a failure or the like. However, the read image data can be distributed to a plurality of destinations without performing any special operation on the facsimile apparatus 10. Therefore, even in a mail system having a function for group registration by the SMTP server, the usability is not lowered.
[0034]
The expanded list of individual destination addresses linked to the group destination address and registered in the memory unit 17 is obtained by automatically requesting the individual destination address registered in the SMTP server after registering the group destination address. It is possible to register, and the same group registration as the SMTP server can be easily performed without the user performing an operation of inputting and registering a plurality of individual destination addresses.
[0035]
Further, the expanded list of the individual destination addresses in the memory unit 17 can be automatically updated by referring to and comparing with the group destination address and the individual destination address periodically acquired from the SMTP server, and the group registration is performed on the SMTP server side. Even if the change is corrected, the user can perform the same group registration as the SMTP server without performing an update operation.
[0036]
In this embodiment, the registration of the expanded list of individual destination addresses in the memory unit 17 is described after registration of the group destination address. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and mail using the group destination address is described. Registration may be performed when transmission is performed, and similarly, the update may be performed at the timing of mail transmission using the group destination address.
[0037]
Further, the read image data to be transmitted by e-mail is not limited to the image data read by the scanner unit 13 in the own machine, but when the facsimile apparatus 10 has a function of transferring the read image data received via a public line or the like. Needless to say, the read image data may be used.
[0039]
【The invention's effect】
  Claim1According to the invention described in the above, when the memory server registers a plurality of destinations so that it can be specified by one group destination, the same individual destination is registered so that the group destination can be read and transmitted. Even when the memory server is unavailable and switched to another, the read image data can be distributed to a plurality of destinations simply by performing an operation for designating the group destination as in the normal state. Therefore, even if the memory server registered in the group is not available, the read image data can be distributed to the same destination without the trouble of checking the individual destination and performing the input operation, and the usability is not deteriorated.
[0040]
  Claim2According to the invention described in the above, since the individual destination in the mail server can be acquired and registered by designating the group destination, the group destination and the same as the mail server can be obtained without performing the operation of inputting the individual destination independently. Individual destinations can be registered correspondingly. Therefore, the same group registration as the mail server can be easily performed.
[0041]
  Claim3According to the invention described in the above, since the group destination and individual destination in the memory server are acquired periodically or at an arbitrary timing and the changed part is updated by referring to the group destination and individual destination registered in the group, Even if the group registration is changed, it can be automatically updated to the same group destination and individual destination. Therefore, it is possible to omit the work for making the same group registration as the mail server.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a first embodiment of a facsimile apparatus connectable to a LAN according to the present invention, and is a block diagram showing a connection form with the LAN.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic overall configuration thereof.
FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram showing registered contents of information used at the time of mail transmission.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the mail transmission.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a second embodiment of a facsimile apparatus connectable to a LAN according to the present invention, and is a conceptual diagram showing registration contents of information used at the time of mail transmission.
6 is a conceptual diagram showing registered contents linked to the information shown in FIG.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the mail transmission.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Facsimile machine
11 System control unit (communication control means, judgment means, switching means, acquisition means, update means)
12 Operation unit
13 Scanner section
14 Plotter section
15 Public line I / F section
16 LAN I / F section
17 Memory part (registration means)
20-60 SMTP server (mail server)

Claims (3)

Connected to a local area network with multiple mail servers that register multiple individual email destinations in groups and send email to individual destinations corresponding to the group destination received from the email sender. A facsimile apparatus having communication control means for transmitting read image data as an e-mail to the other party via the mail server,
A determination means for determining whether or not the mail server can be used;
Switching means for switching the mail server to be used based on the determination result by the determination means;
Registration means for registering the individual destination registered in the mail server so that it can be designated as a group destination, and
The communication control unit uses the group destination when the destination specified when transmitting the scanned image data is the group destination, and the group destination is transmitted when the group destination is transmitted. A facsimile apparatus characterized by using a corresponding individual address in a registration means when transmitting through a mail server in which the group address is not registered . When the designated destination is a group destination registered in the mail server, an individual destination associated with the group destination is acquired from the mail server, and the group destination is stored in the registration unit. 2. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising acquisition means for registering so that designation is possible. An updating unit is provided for acquiring a group destination and an individual destination from the mail server at regular or arbitrary timing, and updating a changed portion by referring to and comparing the group destination and the individual destination in the registration unit. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 .

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