JP3664197B2 - Internet facsimile machine - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is connected to a local area network connected to an Internet provider via a dedicated line, and is based on a function of exchanging electronic mail data on the local area network and the Internet, and a facsimile transmission procedure performed via a public network. The present invention relates to an Internet facsimile machine having a function of exchanging facsimile data.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, with the spread of the Internet, the local area network is connected to the Internet provider via a dedicated line, and the image information is sent as an e-mail between terminals connected to different local area networks via the Internet. A so-called Internet facsimile machine having a function to exchange data has been put into practical use.
[0003]
In addition, such an Internet facsimile apparatus is also put into practical use by further providing communication means such as a general exchange network or ISDN (hereinafter referred to as public network) so that it can communicate with a partner terminal connected to the public network. Yes.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In such an Internet facsimile machine, data can be exchanged between terminals having the same function via the Internet, and image information can be exchanged with a normal facsimile machine via a public network. At the time of information transmission operation, it is necessary to specify whether to use the Internet or a general switching network, and it is inconvenient because it is necessary to confirm to which destination the terminal is connected.
[0005]
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a facsimile apparatus that can eliminate inconvenience during a transmission operation.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention is connected to a local area network connected to an Internet provider via a dedicated line, and is based on a function of exchanging electronic mail data on the local area network and the Internet, and a facsimile transmission procedure performed via a public network. In an Internet facsimile machine having a function of exchanging facsimile data, mail address information when exchanging data to the destination terminal via the Internet, and destination telephone when exchanging data to the destination terminal via the public network A destination management information storage means for storing destination management information in which a number is associated with a terminal to which the destination terminal can be applied as a relay terminal and a final destination number when data is exchanged via the public network; The specified destination phone number is When the destination management information is stored in the destination management information storage unit, the transmission image information is converted into e-mail body data in a predetermined format, and the final destination number is stored in the destination management information storage unit Email data in which the address information is set in the To field of the header information of the email data, the designated final destination number is set in the Subject field of the header information of the email data, and the email body data is set in the body data And sending the e-mail data to the destination terminal via the local area network and the Internet, and when the designated destination telephone number is registered in the destination management information storage means as the destination telephone number, Convert sent image information to e-mail body data in a predetermined format The mail address information stored in the destination management information storage means for the destination telephone number is set in the To field of the header information of the email data, and a predetermined unique value is set in the Subject field of the header information of the email data. While forming the e-mail data and sending the e-mail data to the destination terminal via the local area network and the Internet, one of the final destination numbers is set in the Subject field of the header information of the received e-mail data The transmission image information is reversely converted from the received e-mail data, a call is made to the final destination number using the public network, the transmission image information formed by the reverse conversion is transmitted, and the received e-mail is transmitted. Data header information Subject file When the predetermined eigenvalue is set in the field, the transmission image information is inversely converted from the received e-mail data, the transmission image information is decoded into the original image data, and the image obtained as a result of the decoding is converted into the field. Recorded output.
Also, it is connected to a local area network connected to an Internet provider via a dedicated line, and exchanges e-mail data on the local area network and the Internet, and facsimile data by a facsimile transmission procedure performed via the public network. In an Internet facsimile machine having an exchange function, mail address information when data is exchanged with the destination terminal via the Internet, and a destination telephone number when data is exchanged with the destination terminal via the public network A destination management information storage means for storing destination management information stored in association with a terminal to which the destination terminal can be applied as a relay terminal and a final destination number when data is exchanged via a public network, The destination phone number is one of the last addresses When registered as a number in the destination management information storage means, the transmission image information is converted into e-mail body data in a predetermined format, and the mail address stored in the destination management information storage means for the final destination number The information is set in the To field of the header information of the email data, the designated final destination number is converted into the corresponding domestic telephone number, and the subject field of the header information of the email data is set, and the email body data Is sent to the destination terminal via the local area network and the Internet, and the designated destination telephone number is used as the destination telephone number. Is registered in the E-mail body data is converted into a formula, the mail address information stored in the destination management information storage means for the destination telephone number is set in the To field of the header information of the e-mail data, and a predetermined unique value is set in the e-mail data The email data set in the Subject field of the header information is formed, and the email data is transmitted to the destination terminal via the local area network and the Internet. On the other hand, in the Subject field of the header information of the received email data, When the domestic telephone number is set, the transmission image information is reversely converted from the received e-mail data, the call is sent to the final destination number using the public network, and the transmission image information formed by the reverse conversion is formed. Send and receive email data When the predetermined unique value is set in the Subject field of the header information of the data, the transmission image information is inversely converted from the received e-mail data, the transmission image information is decoded into the original image data, and the decoding is performed. The resulting image is recorded and output.
[0007]
Also, it is connected to a local area network connected to an Internet provider via a dedicated line, and exchanges e-mail data on the local area network and the Internet, and facsimile data by a facsimile transmission procedure performed via the public network. In an Internet facsimile machine having an exchange function, mail address information when data is exchanged with the destination terminal via the Internet, and a destination telephone number when data is exchanged with the destination terminal via the public network A destination management information storage means for storing destination management information stored in association with a terminal to which the destination terminal can be applied as a relay terminal and a final destination number when data is exchanged via a public network, The destination phone number is one of the last addresses When registered as a number in the destination management information storage means, the transmission image information is converted into e-mail body data in a predetermined format, and the mail address stored in the destination management information storage means for the final destination number The information is set in the To field of the header information of the email data, the designated final destination number is set in a predetermined item of the body of the email data, and the email data is formed by setting the email body data to the body data. When the e-mail data is transmitted to the destination terminal via the local area network and the Internet, and the designated destination telephone number is registered as the destination telephone number in the destination management information storage means, The information is converted into e-mail body data in a predetermined format, and the destination telephone number is Setting the mail address information stored in the destination management information storage means in the To field of the header information of the email data, forming email data in which a predetermined unique value is set in a predetermined item of the body of the email data; While the e-mail data is transmitted to the destination terminal via the local area network and the Internet, if any final destination number is set in a predetermined item of the body of the received e-mail data, the received e-mail Inversely transforms the transmission image information from the data, calls the final destination number using the public network, transmits the transmission image information formed by the reverse conversion, and in a predetermined item of the text of the received e-mail data, When the specified eigenvalue is set, send from the received e-mail data The image information is inversely converted, the transmission image information is decoded into the original image data, and the image obtained as a result of the decoding is recorded and output.
Also, it is connected to a local area network connected to an Internet provider via a dedicated line, and exchanges e-mail data on the local area network and the Internet, and facsimile data by a facsimile transmission procedure performed via the public network. In an Internet facsimile machine having an exchange function, mail address information when data is exchanged with the destination terminal via the Internet, and a destination telephone number when data is exchanged with the destination terminal via the public network A destination management information storage means for storing destination management information stored in association with a terminal to which the destination terminal can be applied as a relay terminal and a final destination number when data is exchanged via a public network, The destination phone number is one of the last addresses When registered as a number in the destination management information storage means, the transmission image information is converted into e-mail body data in a predetermined format, and the mail address stored in the destination management information storage means for the final destination number The information is set in the To field of the header information of the email data, and the designated final destination number is converted into the corresponding domestic telephone number is set in a predetermined item of the body of the email data. The e-mail data set in the body data is formed, the e-mail data is transmitted to the destination terminal via the local area network and the Internet, and the designated destination telephone number is stored in the destination management information storage means as the destination telephone number. If registered, e-mail text data in a predetermined format The mail address information stored in the destination management information storage means for the destination telephone number is set in the To field of the header information of the email data, and a predetermined unique value is set in the predetermined item of the body of the email data. The e-mail data set in the e-mail is formed, and the e-mail data is transmitted to the destination terminal via the local area network and the Internet, while any domestic telephone number is set in a predetermined item of the body of the received e-mail data. When the received image data is transmitted, the transmission image information is reversely converted from the received e-mail data, the call is made to the final destination number using the public network, and the transmission image information formed by the reverse conversion is transmitted and received. When the predetermined specific value is set in the predetermined item of the body of the email data, Transmission image information is inversely converted from the received e-mail data, the transmission image information is decoded into original image data, and an image obtained as a result of the decoding is recorded and output.
[0011]
In addition, a mail address registered in the terminal itself may be set in the From field of the header information of the electronic mail data. In addition, after processing the e-mail data, an e-mail body for notifying the communication result may be created, and the e-mail body may be notified to the e-mail address set in the From field of the header information of the received e-mail data. .
[0012]
In addition, in the From field of the header information of the e-mail data, an e-mail address registered in its own terminal is set, while an e-mail body for notifying a communication result is created after the e-mail data is processed. The e-mail body is notified to the e-mail address set in the From field of the header information of the received e-mail data, and the predetermined unique value is set in the Subject field of the header information of the e-mail data. It is a thing.
[0013]
In addition, in the From field of the header information of the e-mail data, an e-mail address registered in its own terminal is set, while an e-mail body for notifying a communication result is created after the e-mail data is processed. The e-mail body is notified to the e-mail address set in the From field of the header information of the received e-mail data, and the predetermined eigenvalue is set in a predetermined item of the e-mail data body. Is.
[0014]
In addition, it is preferable to include setting means for setting whether to perform transmission operation of transmission image information by the e-mail.
[0015]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0016]
FIG. 1 shows a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the present invention, e-mail is mainly taken up as an application that uses the Internet. Therefore, in the following description, applications other than e-mail are omitted.
[0017]
This communication system mainly includes a domain DM1 centered on a local area network LAN1 provided in the United States and a domain DM2 centered on a local area network LAN2 provided in Japan. The facsimile apparatus FX1 is a group 3 facsimile apparatus that is installed in the United States and uses the international telephone line network PSTN as a transmission line. The facsimile apparatus FX2 is a group that is installed in Japan and uses the international telephone line network PSTN as a transmission line. 3 facsimile machines.
[0018]
Each domain DM1, DM2 is connected via a dedicated line to an Internet INET service provider (network connection provider; not shown) via routers RT1, RT2.
[0019]
Here, in the domains DM1 and DM2, unique network addresses divided by applying a predetermined subnet address to the assigned network addresses are set, and thus, between the domains DM1 and DM2, Data transmission via the routers RT1 and RT2 and the Internet INET can be performed.
[0020]
Further, the domain DM1 is provided with client terminals CL1, CL2 connected to the local area network LAN1 and a mail server terminal SV1 for providing an electronic mail service to the Internet facsimile machine FI1. In addition, for example, each client terminal CL1, CL2, Internet facsimile machine FI1, and mail server terminal SV1 is set with a unique host address obtained by connecting a unique address to the network address of the domain DM1. A user who uses this domain DM1 is set with a user address obtained by concatenating the host address of one of the client terminals CL1 and CL2 to a unique user name.
[0021]
Similarly, in the domain DM2, client terminals CL3 and CL4 connected to the local area network LAN2 and a mail server terminal SV2 for providing an electronic mail service to the Internet facsimile machine FI2 are provided. In addition, for example, each client terminal CL3, CL4, Internet facsimile machine FI2, and mail server terminal SV2 is set with a unique host address formed by connecting a unique address to the network address of the domain DM2. A user who uses this domain DM2 is set with a user address obtained by concatenating the host address of one of the client terminals CL3 and CL4 to a unique user name.
[0022]
The Internet facsimile machines FI1 and FI2 are connected to the local area networks LAN1 and LAN2 and connected to a transmission function for exchanging image information as an electronic mail and to an international telephone network (public network) PSTN. A transmission function for performing image information transmission according to a group 3 facsimile transmission procedure using the line network PSTN as a transmission path is provided.
[0023]
Basically, data exchange between terminals connected to the local area networks LAN1 and LAN2 and data exchange via the Internet INET are performed up to a transport layer called TCP / IP. This is performed by applying a combination of a transmission protocol and higher-layer communication protocols (so-called protocol suite). For example, in the exchange of e-mail data, a communication protocol called SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) is applied as an upper layer communication protocol.
[0024]
In the present embodiment, the e-mail is transmitted in a storage and distribution type transmission form in which the e-mail is once stored in the mail server terminals SV1 and SV2 and then distributed to the destination. At this time, if the value of the destination address (described later) attached to the e-mail includes the network address set in each of the domains DM1 and DM2, the e-mail is sent to the corresponding mail server terminal SV1, SV1. When the value of the destination address stored in the SV 2 as it is and attached to the e-mail includes a value other than the network address set in each of the domains DM1 and DM2, the e-mail is sent to the router RT1. , RT2 and sent to the Internet INET, and sent to an appropriate domain or host having a network address corresponding to the value of the destination address by the data transfer function of the Internet INET.
[0025]
Therefore, for example, an e-mail from each user in the domain DM1 to each user in the domain DM2 is temporarily stored in the mail server terminal SV1, and the e-mail stored in the mail server terminal SV1 is transmitted to the Internet INET via the router RT1. Sent to the mail server terminal SV2 of the partner domain DM2 via the Internet INET and stored.
[0026]
On the other hand, each terminal (client terminal and Internet facsimile machine) makes an inquiry to the mail server terminals SV1 and SV2 for receiving an e-mail addressed to the user of the own terminal at an appropriate cycle. When it is stored in the terminals SV1 and SV2, the electronic mail is received from the mail server terminals SV1 and SV2, and the user is notified accordingly. However, in this case, for the Internet facsimile apparatus, an e-mail address set in the own terminal is handled as a user address.
[0027]
Here, as a protocol that each terminal applies to the mail server terminals SV1 and SV2 for confirming reception of an electronic mail addressed to the user, a so-called POP (Post Office Protocol) is applied.
[0028]
In addition, communication protocols such as TCP / IP, SMTP, and POP, and the data format and data structure of e-mails are issued by organizations that compile technical contents related to the Internet called IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force). RFC (Request For Comments) document. For example, RFC is defined as RFC793, IP is defined as RFC793, SMTP is defined as RFC821, and e-mail formats are defined as RFC822, RFC1341, RFC1342, and the like.
[0029]
FIG. 2 shows a configuration example of the Internet facsimile machines FI1 and FI2.
[0030]
In the figure, a system control unit 1 performs various control processes such as a control process of each part of the facsimile apparatus and a facsimile transmission control procedure process. A system memory 2 is a control executed by the system control part 1. The processing program and various data necessary for executing the processing program are stored, and the work area of the system control unit 1 is configured. The parameter memory 3 includes various information unique to the facsimile apparatus. The clock circuit 4 outputs current time information.
[0031]
The scanner 5 is for reading a document image with a predetermined resolution, the plotter 6 is for recording and outputting an image with a predetermined resolution, and the operation display unit 7 is for operating the facsimile apparatus. It consists of various operation keys and various displays.
[0032]
The encoding / decoding unit 8 encodes and compresses the image signal, and also decodes the encoded and compressed image information into the original image signal. The image storage device 9 performs encoding and compression. This is for storing a large number of image information in the selected state.
[0033]
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 transmission procedure signals and mainly for exchanging image information. A high-speed modem function (V.17 modem, V.34 modem, V.29 modem, V.27ter modem, etc.) is provided.
[0034]
The network control device 11 is for connecting the facsimile apparatus to the international telephone network PSTN, and has an automatic outgoing / incoming function.
[0035]
The local area network interface circuit 12 is for connecting the Internet facsimile apparatus to the local area network, and the local area network transmission control unit 13 is connected to other data terminal apparatuses via the local area network and the Internet. This is for executing communication control processing of a predetermined protocol suite for exchanging various data between them.
[0036]
The system control unit 1, system memory 2, parameter memory 3, clock circuit 4, scanner 5, plotter 6, operation display unit 7, encoding / decoding unit 8, image storage device 9, group 3 facsimile modem 10, 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 via the internal bus 14.
[0037]
Data exchange between the network control device 11 and the group 3 facsimile modem 10 is performed directly.
[0038]
In addition, the parameter memory 3 of the Internet facsimile machines FI1 and FI2 stores the telephone number, local area networks LN1 and LN2, and the Internet INET that are referred to when each destination Internet facsimile machine is connected via the international telephone network PSTN. A telephone number conversion table representing a relationship with a user address to be referred to when connecting via the telephone is stored. An example of the telephone number conversion table is shown in FIG.
[0039]
In this case, a host name that can be easily recognized is used as the host address value of the corresponding mail address corresponding to the user address. This host name is converted into a corresponding IP address by, for example, a DNS (Domain Name System; RFC1034, RFC1035) server that collectively manages a host address correspondence table corresponding to the host name in each domain. In this case, the mail server terminals SV1 and SV2 have a host name-IP address conversion function such as a DNS server. Therefore, the host name-IP address conversion process is performed by the mail server terminals SV1, SV2.
[0040]
With the above configuration, this Internet facsimile machine FI (FI, FI2) checks whether the destination telephone number input at that time is an overseas one when a transmission operation is performed by the user, If the destination is overseas, the contents of the telephone number conversion table are referenced to check whether the destination telephone number entered at that time is registered.
[0041]
If not registered, the network control device 11 makes a call to the destination telephone number. Thereafter, the predetermined group 3 facsimile transmission procedure is executed, and the image information of the transmission original set on the scanner 5 is displayed. To the destination terminal.
[0042]
Further, when the destination telephone number input by the operation is registered in the telephone number conversion table, the registered corresponding mail address is extracted, and the extracted corresponding mail address is used as the destination address and set in the scanner 5. An e-mail in which the image information of the transmitted original is set in the body data is formed, and the e-mail is sent to the mail server terminal of the local area network via the local area network transmission control unit 13 and the local area network interface circuit 12. Send.
[0043]
An example of the e-mail transmitted in this case is shown in FIG.
[0044]
The e-mail basically includes header information and body information. The header information basically includes a “Date” field for setting transmission date and time information, and information for identifying the e-mail. A “Message-ID” field, a “From” field for displaying a caller, and a “To” field for displaying a destination address.
[0045]
Therefore, in this case, the transmission date and time is “Tue, 23 Jul 1996 15:45:21 +0900 (indicating JST)”, and the identification information of the e-mail is “<XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX @ jpnbox. ***. Co.jp>”. It is. The sender is “Marketing_DIV1 <NETFAX_JPN @ jpnbox. ***. Co.jp>” in Japan, and the destination address is “<NETFAX_USA @ usabox. ***. Co.jp>” in the United States. .
[0046]
In the present embodiment, the “From” field for displaying the caller has a user address “<NETFAX_JPN @ jpnbox. ***. Co.jp>” of the sender Internet facsimile machine at the head of the Internet address. By adding the contents “Marketing_DIV1” of the transmission terminal identification information (TSI) set in the facsimile apparatus, identification information other than the user address on the transmission side can be known on the reception side.
[0047]
The text information must basically be readable information of a 7-bit code, and the image information to be transmitted in this case cannot be directly transmitted because it is binary data. Therefore, in this embodiment, as shown in the figure, the information is converted into information in a MIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions (RFC 1341, RFC 1342)) format.
[0048]
That is, the text information in this case includes a “MIME-Version” field (this value is fixed to “1.0”) indicating that the text information is in MIME format, and a content encoding method. It consists of a “Content-Transfer-Encoding” field (in this case, indicating that the “base64” encoding method is used) and MIME information after image information is encoded according to the base64 encoding rule.
[0049]
FIG. 5 shows an example of processing on the transmission side of the Internet facsimile machines FI1 and FI2 in this case.
[0050]
When there is a user's transmission operation and a destination telephone number is input (process 101), it is checked whether or not the destination telephone number is an overseas one (determination 102). Specifically, in this determination 102, whether the destination telephone number is an overseas one is based on whether or not the calling number of the international telephone service company (for example, “001” in KDD in Japan) is added to the head. , Judgment processing to determine whether it is domestic.
[0051]
When the result of determination 102 is YES, it is checked whether the telephone number input at that time is registered in the telephone number conversion table (determination 103). When the result of determination 103 is YES, the partner terminal is an Internet facsimile machine.
[0052]
In this case, the corresponding mail address is extracted (process 104), the header information as described above is edited (process 105), and the image data formed by reading the transmission original set in the scanner 5 is encoded and decoded. The encoding unit 8 encodes and compresses, and the image information formed thereby is converted by the above-described base64 encoding method to form MIME information (processing 106).
[0053]
Then, a predetermined SMTP procedure is started (process 107), header information and body information (MIME information) are sequentially transmitted to the local area network (process 108), and the SMTP procedure is terminated (process 109). The image information transmission operation is terminated.
[0054]
In addition, the telephone number input at that time is a domestic case, and the result of determination 102 is NO, or the input telephone number is overseas, but is registered in the telephone number conversion table. If the result of determination 103 is NO, the telephone number entered at that time is used to call the international telephone network PSTN (process 110), and a predetermined group 3 facsimile transmission process is executed. Then, the image information of the transmission original set on the scanner 5 is transmitted (processing 111).
[0055]
When the transmission of the image information is finished, the line is restored (processing 112), and the series of image information transmission operations is finished.
[0056]
FIG. 6 shows a processing example when the Internet facsimile apparatus receives an electronic mail.
[0057]
When the e-mail is received (the result of determination 201 is YES), the MIME information of the text information is inversely converted by the base64 encoding method to form image information data (process 202), and the image information data is encoded and decoded. The unit 8 decodes the original image data (process 203), transfers the obtained image data to the plotter 6, and records and outputs the received document image (process 204).
[0058]
In this way, in the present embodiment, when image information is transmitted to an overseas Internet facsimile machine, the Internet INET with no additional communication charge is used, so that the communication cost is greatly reduced. Can do.
[0059]
In this embodiment, the Internet is used when transmitting to an Internet facsimile machine installed overseas, but the Internet is used when transmitting to an Internet facsimile machine installed at a remote location. You can also
[0060]
By the way, in the communication system of FIG. 1, when image information is transmitted from the Japanese Internet facsimile machine FI2 to the US facsimile machine FX1, the international telephone network PSTN can be used, but the international telephone communication fee is charged. This is disadvantageous in terms of cost compared to the case where image information is transmitted to the Internet facsimile machine FI1 installed in the same country (that is, the United States).
[0061]
In this case, for example, if the image information transmission from the Japanese Internet facsimile machine FI2 to the US facsimile machine FX1 is performed via the US Internet facsimile machine FI1, the additional charge amount is US Internet facsimile. Only the domestic communication fee from the apparatus FI1 to the facsimile apparatus FX1 in the United States is used, and the communication cost can be greatly reduced.
[0062]
An example of a telephone number conversion table for realizing such a relay operation is shown in FIG.
[0063]
The facsimile number represents a destination telephone number, the corresponding mail address represents the address of an Internet facsimile machine serving as a relay station, and NETFAX-Flag represents whether or not the terminal of this facsimile number is an Internet facsimile. The destination facsimile number represents the telephone number of the final destination facsimile when the terminal having this facsimile number is used as a relay station.
[0064]
For example, when “001-1-201-673-XXXX” is input as the destination telephone number, the image information is transmitted by e-mail to the corresponding mail address.
[0065]
Further, when “001-1-201-673-YYYY” is input as the destination telephone number, the Internet facsimile apparatus of the corresponding mail address is transferred to “001-1-201-673-YYYY”. Send an e-mail requesting relay transmission. In this case, since the input telephone number is an international telephone number, when specifying the forwarding destination, convert it to a domestic telephone number at the relay station and designate the forwarding destination with the domestic telephone number. . In other words, the telephone number of the transfer destination in this case is converted to “0201-673-YYYY”.
[0066]
Further, “001-43-ANY” indicates that it is applied to all telephone numbers to which “001-43-” is added (that is, all Australian destination telephone numbers). For example, when a telephone number “001-43-1-797-11-3425” is input, an electronic mail requesting relay transmission to “<NETFAX_AST @ astbox. ***. Co.jp>” of the corresponding mail address send mail. Further, since the transfer destination in that case is converted into a domestic number, it becomes “01-797-11-3425”.
[0067]
Also, “* 01” indicates that it is applied when the abbreviated number “01” is designated. In this case, an e-mail requesting relay transmission is transmitted to the corresponding e-mail address “<NETFAX_FRA @ frabox. ***. Co.jp>”. In this case, the transfer destination is “99-84-XXXX”.
[0068]
Similarly, when the abbreviated number “* 02” is input, since the value of NETFAX-Flag is set to OFF, it is specified that the user address is other than the Internet facsimile machine.
[0069]
When the abbreviated number “* 03” is input, the image information is transmitted by e-mail to the corresponding mail address “<NETFAX_FRA @ frabox. ***. Co.jp>”.
[0070]
An example of the e-mail in this case is shown in FIG. Since the basic format is the same MIME email as the email shown in FIG. 4, the description of the same parts as those in FIG. 4 is omitted.
[0071]
As shown in the figure, in the case of an e-mail instructing relay transmission, the telephone number of the transfer destination is set as the value of the “Subject” field of the header information. Here, the “Subject” field is normally used for displaying the title of the text.
[0072]
On the other hand, when the e-mail does not instruct relay transmission, that is, when the destination of the e-mail is the final image information receiving terminal (such as when “* 03” is designated), the “Subject” field has a predetermined value. A value, for example, “000” is set. Any appropriate value can be used as the predetermined value as long as it can be distinguished from other values.
[0073]
Therefore, the Internet facsimile machine that has received the e-mail checks the contents of the “Subject” field of the header information. If the value is “000”, the Internet facsimile machine recognizes that the terminal is the receiving terminal and receives the received image information. The original document is recorded and output.
[0074]
If the value of the “Subject” field is other than “000”, the content of the MIME information of the received e-mail is converted into image information, and a call is made to the destination telephone number specified in the “Subject” field. The image information is transmitted.
[0075]
An example of processing on the transmitting side of the Internet facsimile machines FI1 and FI2 in this case is shown in FIG.
[0076]
When there is a user's transmission operation and a destination telephone number is input (process 301), it is checked whether or not the telephone number input at that time is registered in the telephone number conversion table (decision 302). When the result of determination 302 is YES, the corresponding mail address is extracted (process 303), and the image data formed by reading the transmission original set in the scanner 5 is encoded and compressed by the encoding / decoding unit 8. Then, the image information formed thereby is converted by the above-described base64 encoding method to form MIME information (processing 304).
[0077]
Then, it is checked whether or not a relay transmission request is to be made at that time (determination 305). If the result of determination 305 is NO when it is not relay request transmission, the value of the “Subject” field is set to “000” (processing) 306).
[0078]
In the case of relay request transmission, if the result of determination 305 is YES, it is checked whether the destination telephone number input at that time needs to be converted into a domestic telephone number at the relay station (determination) 307) When the result of determination 307 is YES, the input destination telephone number is converted into a domestic telephone number (process 308). Then, the value of the destination telephone number or the converted domestic telephone number is set in the “Subject” field (process 309).
[0079]
Next, the mail address (user address) of the own terminal is extracted (process 310), the value of the transmission identification information (TSI) set in the own terminal is extracted (process 311), and the value obtained by concatenating the transmission identification information and the user address. Is set in the “From” field (processing 312).
[0080]
Then, a predetermined SMTP procedure is started (process 313), header information is transmitted to the local area network (process 314), and text information (MIME information) is transmitted to the local area network (process 315). (Step 316), and the image information transmission operation by e-mail is terminated.
[0081]
If the telephone number input at that time is not registered in the telephone number conversion table and the result of determination 302 is NO, the telephone number input at that time is used to enter the international telephone network PSTN. A call is made (process 317), a predetermined group 3 facsimile transmission process is executed, and image information of the transmission original set on the scanner 5 is transmitted (process 318).
[0082]
When the transmission of the image information is finished, the line is restored (processing 319), and the series of image information transmission operations is finished.
[0083]
In this case, FIG. 9 shows a processing example when the Internet facsimile apparatus receives an electronic mail.
[0084]
When an e-mail is received (the result of determination 401 is YES), the contents of the “From” field are saved (process 402), the contents of the “Subject” field are extracted (process 403), and the MIME information of the body information is base64 encoded. The image information data is formed by performing inverse conversion by the method (processing 404).
[0085]
Then, it is checked whether or not the content of the “Subject” field is “000” (determination 405). When the result of determination 405 is YES, the image information data is converted into the original image data by the encoding / decoding unit 8. Decoding (process 406), the image data obtained thereby is transferred to the plotter 6, and the received document image is recorded and output (process 407).
[0086]
If the content of the “Subject” field is not “000” and the result of determination 405 is “NO”, a call is made to the international telephone network PSTN using the telephone number set in the “Subject” field ( Process 408), a predetermined group 3 facsimile transmission procedure is executed, and the received image information is transmitted (process 409).
[0087]
When the transmission of the image information is finished, the line is restored (processing 410), and the series of image information transmission operations is finished.
[0088]
When the Internet facsimile machine on the receiving side finishes the relay transmission operation, it sends an e-mail notifying the communication result as shown in FIG. 10 to the Internet facsimile machine as the relay request source. In this e-mail, since the content of the text is Japanese, MIME type e-mail is applied. In this case, since transfer of the body of the e-mail is not requested, “000” is set in the “Subject” field.
[0089]
A processing example in this case is shown in FIG.
[0090]
First, the report body representing the transmission result is edited and created (process 501), the contents of the “stored“ From ”field are extracted to create header information (process 502), and the“ Subject ”field of the header information is created. Is set to “000” (process 503), and information of the e-mail to be transmitted is created.
[0091]
Next, a predetermined SMTP procedure is started (process 504), header information is transmitted to the local area network (process 505), and text information (MIME information) is transmitted to the local area network (process 506). (Process 507), and the transmission operation of the communication result report by e-mail is terminated.
[0092]
When this e-mail is received, the Internet facsimile machine may form image data representing the contents of the text and record and output the contents from the plotter 6.
[0093]
In this way, in the present embodiment, when transmitting image information to a remote location, particularly an overseas facsimile device, the image information is transmitted by relaying the Internet facsimile device close to the installation location of the facsimile device. Communication costs can be greatly reduced.
[0094]
By the way, in the above-described embodiment, when image information is transmitted using e-mail, since the image information is transmitted in the non-multipart MIME format, the “Subject” field that can be used as header information is used. Although the transfer destination telephone number is notified, more detailed contents can be transmitted using a multi-part MIME type electronic mail.
[0095]
FIG. 12 shows an example of an e-mail when requesting relay transmission of image information using this multi-part MIME-type e-mail. Since the basic format of this email is the same MIME email as the email shown in FIG. 4, the description of the same parts as those in FIG. 4 is omitted.
[0096]
However, in this case, only the user address of the sender Internet facsimile machine is set in the “From” field of the header information. As will be described later, the transmission terminal identification information (TSI) is displayed using one part of the multi-part MIME information. In the “Subject” field, contents for instructing transfer (“message transfer”) are set.
[0097]
In this case, the text information includes a “MIME-Version” field that indicates that the text information is in MIME format, a “Content-Type” field that indicates that the text content is multipart, and a part. It consists of a “boundary” term for designating the main part of the character string of the boundary information to be made, and the data of each part.
[0098]
Also, in the first part of the MIME information, a “transfer from” item in which transmission identification information of the transmitting terminal is set and a “transfer to” item in which the telephone number (domestic phone number) of the relay destination is set are set. The
[0099]
In the next part of the MIME information, the MIME information after the image information is encoded according to the base64 encoding rule is set. The “name” item added to the “Content-Type” field represents the file name of the transmission image information.
[0100]
An example of processing on the transmitting side of the Internet facsimile machines FI1 and FI2 in this case is shown in FIG.
[0101]
When there is a user transmission operation and a destination telephone number is input (process 601), it is checked whether the telephone number input at that time is registered in the telephone number conversion table (decision 602). When the result of determination 602 is YES, the corresponding mail address is extracted (process 603), and then the image data formed by reading the transmission original set in the scanner 5 is encoded and compressed by the encoding / decoding unit 8. Then, the image information formed thereby is converted by the above-described base64 encoding method to form MIME information (process 604).
[0102]
Then, it is checked whether or not a relay transmission request is made at that time (determination 605). If the result of determination 605 is NO when the relay request is not transmitted, the value of the “Subject” field is set to “000” (processing) 606).
[0103]
In the case of relay request transmission, if the result of determination 605 is YES, MIME information other than the image information of the body information of the e-mail is formed, and multi-part MIME information is formed as a whole (process 607).
[0104]
Next, it is checked whether or not the destination telephone number input at that time needs to be converted into a domestic telephone number at the relay station (determination 608). If the result of determination 608 is YES, the input destination telephone number is checked. The telephone number is converted into a domestic telephone number (process 609). Then, the value of the destination telephone number or the converted domestic telephone number is set in the “Subject” field (process 610).
[0105]
Next, the mail address (user address) of the own terminal is taken out (process 611), and the value of the user address is set in the “From” field (process 612).
[0106]
Then, a predetermined SMTP procedure is started (process 613), header information is transmitted to the local area network (process 614), and text information (non-multipart MIME information or multipart MIME information) is transmitted to the local area network. (Process 615), the SMTP procedure is terminated (Process 616), and the image information transmission operation by e-mail is terminated.
[0107]
If the telephone number input at that time is not registered in the telephone number conversion table and the result of determination 602 is NO, the telephone number input at that time is used to enter the international telephone network PSTN. A call is made (process 617), a predetermined group 3 facsimile transmission process is executed, and image information of a transmission original set on the scanner 5 is transmitted (process 618).
[0108]
When the transmission of the image information is finished, the line is restored (process 619), and the series of image information transmission operations is finished.
[0109]
In this case, FIG. 14 shows a processing example when the Internet facsimile apparatus receives an e-mail.
[0110]
When an e-mail is received (the result of determination 701 is YES), the contents of the “From” field are saved (process 702), the contents of the “Subject” field are extracted (process 703), and MIME of the image information portion of the body information is displayed. The information is inversely transformed by the base64 encoding method to form image information data (process 704).
[0111]
Then, it is checked whether or not the content of the “Subject” field is “000” (determination 705). When the result of determination 705 is YES, the image information data is converted into the original image data by the encoding / decoding unit 8. Decoding (process 706), the image data obtained thereby is transferred to the plotter 6, and the received document image is recorded and output (process 707).
[0112]
When the content of the “Subject” field is not “000” and the result of determination 705 is NO, the transmission identification information of the transmission terminal and the telephone number (domestic telephone number) of the relay destination are set to “ Each of the “transfer from” and “transfer to” items is taken out (process 708), and a call is made to the international telephone network PSTN using the telephone number of the relay destination taken out at that time (process 709). The facsimile transmission procedure is executed, and the received image information is transmitted (process 710). At this time, it is preferable to apply the transmission identification information of the transmission terminal extracted from the “transfer from” item as the content of the transmission terminal identification information added to the head of the image information.
[0113]
When the transmission of the image information is finished, the line is restored (processing 711), and the series of image information transmission operations is finished.
[0114]
In this way, in this embodiment, since an e-mail is formed when a relay request is made using multipart MIME information, information necessary for the relay request can be transmitted appropriately, which is very convenient. It is.
[0115]
In the above-described embodiment, image information is transmitted using e-mail via the Internet INET. However, there are cases where it is impossible to predict which route the e-mail will be transferred on the Internet INET. There is a risk of problems such as being intercepted and decoded on the way.
[0116]
Therefore, by allowing the Internet facsimile apparatus to specify whether or not to use the Internet INET, the user can perform facsimile communication with peace of mind.
[0117]
In this case, for example, as shown in FIG. 15, a guidance message inquiring whether or not to perform Internet transmission is displayed to the user (processing 810), and when the user inputs that Internet transmission is performed (determination) If the result of 802 is YES), the Internet transmission flag is turned on (process 803), and if the user inputs that Internet transmission is not performed (the result of determination 802 is NO), the Internet transmission flag is turned off (step 803). Process 804).
[0118]
Then, the Internet transmission flag is stored (process 805).
[0119]
An example of the transmission process in this case is shown in FIGS.
[0120]
When there is a user's transmission operation and a destination telephone number is input (process 901), it is checked whether the value of the Internet transmission flag is set to an on value (determination 902), and the result of determination 902 is YES. If the user is instructed whether or not to perform internet transmission, a guidance message is displayed (process 903). If the user inputs that the internet transmission is to be performed (result of determination 904 is YES), Thereafter, a transmission operation using the Internet INET is performed.
[0121]
That is, it is checked whether or not the telephone number input at that time is registered in the telephone number conversion table (decision 905). When the result of determination 905 is YES, the corresponding mail address is extracted (process 906), and then the image data formed by reading the transmission original set in the scanner 5 is encoded and compressed by the encoding / decoding unit 8. Then, the image information formed thereby is converted by the above-described base64 encoding method to form MIME information (process 907).
[0122]
Then, it is checked whether or not a relay transmission request is made at that time (decision 908). If the result of judgment 908 is NO when the relay request is not transmitted, the value of the “Subject” field is set to “000” (processing) 909).
[0123]
In the case of relay request transmission, if the result of determination 908 is YES, it is checked whether the destination telephone number input at that time needs to be converted into a domestic telephone number at the relay station (determination) 910) When the result of determination 910 is YES, the input destination telephone number is converted into a domestic telephone number (process 911). Then, the value of the destination telephone number or the converted domestic telephone number is set in the “Subject” field (process 912).
[0124]
Next, the mail address (user address) of the own terminal is extracted (process 913), the value of the transmission identification information (TSI) set in the own terminal is extracted (process 914), and the value obtained by concatenating the transmission identification information and the user address. Is set in the “From” field (process 915).
[0125]
Then, a predetermined SMTP procedure is started (process 916), header information is transmitted to the local area network (process 917), and text information (MIME information) is transmitted to the local area network (process 918). (Process 919), and the image information transmission operation by e-mail is terminated.
[0126]
Also, when the value of the Internet transmission flag is set to an off value and the result of determination 902 is NO, or when the user inputs that the Internet transmission guidance message does not perform Internet transmission. When the result of 904 is NO, or when the telephone number input at that time is not registered in the telephone number conversion table and the result of determination 905 is NO, the telephone number input at that time Is sent to the international telephone network PSTN (process 920), a predetermined group 3 facsimile transmission process is executed, and the image information of the transmission original set in the scanner 5 is transmitted (process 921).
[0127]
When the transmission of the image information is finished, the line is restored (processing 922), and the series of image information transmission operations is finished.
[0128]
In this way, in this embodiment, the user can set whether or not to perform Internet transmission for each Internet facsimile machine and can specify whether or not to perform Internet transmission for each image information transmission. Therefore, the user can arbitrarily designate whether or not to perform image information transmission using the Internet INET as necessary.
[0129]
In this case, the Internet transmission guidance message is displayed to the user at the time of transmission operation, and the operation of whether or not to perform Internet transmission is performed. In addition to such interactive processing, for example, “* It is also possible to determine whether or not Internet transmission is possible by direct key input determination processing in which it is determined that Internet transmission is designated when "*" is input.
[0130]
In the above-described embodiment, the case where the telephone network is used as the public network has been described. However, ISDN can also be used as the public network. In this case, it is preferable that the apparatus function of the Internet facsimile machine is provided with a group 4 facsimile transmission function as a basic function.
[0131]
In the above-described embodiment, the e-mail transmission operation is performed after the image information is converted into MIME information. However, the process of converting the image information into MIME information and the e-mail transmission process are performed in parallel. It can also be done.
[0132]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, when image information is transmitted to an Internet facsimile machine installed in a remote place, the communication cost is reduced because the Internet is not added. Can be greatly reduced.
[0133]
In addition, since image information can be transmitted to a facsimile machine installed at a remote location via an Internet facsimile machine close to the ground, the communication cost can be greatly reduced.
[0134]
In addition, since it is possible to specify whether or not to perform the relay operation according to the data content set in the Subject field, no special processing for decrypting the e-mail is required, and the relay operation is performed by adding a simple function. Alternatively, it is possible to record and output received image information.
[0135]
In addition, since information such as the designation of relay operation can be transmitted using multipart MIME information as text information, there is also an effect that a highly flexible transmission operation can be performed.
[0136]
In addition, since the transmission result is notified to the transmitting terminal when image information is transmitted by e-mail, the transmission side can appropriately know the set image information transmission result, which is very convenient for communication management. The effect is also obtained.
[0137]
In addition, the user can set whether or not to transmit the Internet for each Internet facsimile machine and can specify whether or not to transmit the Internet every time image information is transmitted. It is also possible to arbitrarily designate whether or not to use the used image information transmission.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an Internet facsimile machine.
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a telephone number conversion table.
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of electronic mail.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of processing at the time of transmission by the Internet facsimile machine.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of processing when the Internet facsimile apparatus receives an electronic mail.
FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing another example of electronic mail.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing another example of processing at the time of transmission by the Internet facsimile machine.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing another example of processing when the Internet facsimile apparatus receives an electronic mail.
FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an e-mail of a communication result report.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process for sending an email of a communication result report.
FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an e-mail when requesting relay transmission of image information using a multi-part MIME type e-mail.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing still another example of processing at the time of transmission by the Internet facsimile machine.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing still another example of processing when the Internet facsimile apparatus receives an electronic mail.
FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of processing when setting whether to perform Internet transmission.
FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a part of still another example of processing at the time of transmission by the Internet facsimile apparatus.
FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing another part of still another example of processing at the time of transmission by the Internet facsimile apparatus.
[Explanation of symbols]
FI1, FI2 Internet facsimile machine
LAN1, LAN2 Local area network
SV1, SV2 mail server terminal
CL1, CL2 client terminal
FX1, FX2 facsimile machine
INET Internet
PSTN international telephone network

Claims (9)

Connected to a local area network connected to an Internet provider via a dedicated line, exchange of e-mail data on the local area network and the Internet, and exchange of facsimile data by a facsimile transmission procedure performed via the public network In the Internet facsimile machine with the function of
Mail address information when exchanging data with the destination terminal via the Internet, destination telephone number when exchanging data with the destination terminal via the public network, and a terminal to which the destination terminal can be applied as a relay terminal Destination management information storage means for storing destination management information stored in association with the final destination number when data is exchanged via the public network,
If the specified destination telephone number is registered in the destination management information storage means as one of the final destination numbers, the transmission image information is converted into e-mail body data in a predetermined format, and the final destination number The mail address information stored in the destination management information storage means is set in the To field of the header information of the email data, the designated final destination number is set in the Subject field of the header information of the email data, and the electronic Forming e-mail data in which the e-mail text data is set in the text data, sending the e-mail data to the destination terminal via the local area network and the Internet,
When the designated destination telephone number is registered as the destination telephone number in the destination management information storage means, the transmission image information is converted into e-mail body data in a predetermined format, and the destination management information for the destination telephone number is converted. The e-mail data is formed by setting the mail address information stored in the storage means in the To field of the header information of the e-mail data and setting the predetermined unique value in the Subject field of the header information of the e-mail data. While sending data to the destination terminal over the local area network and the Internet,
When any final destination number is set in the Subject field of the header information of the received e-mail data, the transmission image information is inversely converted from the received e-mail data, and the final destination number is used using the public network. And sending the transmission image information formed by the above inverse transformation,
When the predetermined eigenvalue is set in the Subject field of the header information of the received email data, the transmission image information is inversely converted from the received email data, and the transmission image information is decoded into the original image data. And recording and outputting an image obtained as a result of the decoding. Connected to a local area network connected to an Internet provider via a dedicated line, exchange of e-mail data on the local area network and the Internet, and exchange of facsimile data by a facsimile transmission procedure performed via the public network In the Internet facsimile machine with the function of
Mail address information when exchanging data with the destination terminal via the Internet, destination telephone number when exchanging data with the destination terminal via the public network, and a terminal to which the destination terminal can be applied as a relay terminal Destination management information storage means for storing destination management information stored in association with the final destination number when data is exchanged via the public network,
If the specified destination telephone number is registered in the destination management information storage means as one of the final destination numbers, the transmission image information is converted into e-mail body data in a predetermined format, and the final destination number The mail address information stored in the destination management information storage means is set in the To field of the header information of the e-mail data, and the designated final destination number is converted into the corresponding domestic telephone number. Set in the Subject field of the information, form the e-mail data in which the e-mail body data is set to the body data, send the e-mail data to the destination terminal via the local area network and the Internet,
When the designated destination telephone number is registered as the destination telephone number in the destination management information storage means, the transmission image information is converted into e-mail body data in a predetermined format, and the destination management information for the destination telephone number is converted. The e-mail data is formed by setting the mail address information stored in the storage means in the To field of the header information of the e-mail data and setting the predetermined unique value in the Subject field of the header information of the e-mail data. While sending data to the destination terminal over the local area network and the Internet,
When any domestic telephone number is set in the Subject field of the header information of the received e-mail data, the transmission image information is inversely converted from the received e-mail data, and the final destination number is used using the public network. And sending the transmission image information formed by the above inverse transformation,
When the predetermined eigenvalue is set in the Subject field of the header information of the received email data, the transmission image information is inversely converted from the received email data, and the transmission image information is decoded into the original image data. And recording and outputting an image obtained as a result of the decoding. Connected to a local area network connected to an Internet provider via a dedicated line, exchange of e-mail data on the local area network and the Internet, and exchange of facsimile data by a facsimile transmission procedure performed via the public network In the Internet facsimile machine with the function of
Mail address information when exchanging data with the destination terminal via the Internet, destination telephone number when exchanging data with the destination terminal via the public network, and a terminal to which the destination terminal can be applied as a relay terminal Destination management information storage means for storing destination management information stored in association with the final destination number when data is exchanged via the public network,
If the specified destination telephone number is registered in the destination management information storage means as one of the final destination numbers, the transmission image information is converted into e-mail body data in a predetermined format, and the final destination number The mail address information stored in the destination management information storage means is set in the To field of the header information of the email data, the designated final destination number is set in a predetermined item of the body of the email data, and the email Form e-mail data in which the body data is set to the body data, send the e-mail data to the destination terminal via the local area network and the Internet,
When the designated destination telephone number is registered as the destination telephone number in the destination management information storage means, the transmission image information is converted into e-mail body data in a predetermined format, and the destination management information for the destination telephone number is converted. The mail address information stored in the storage means is set in the To field of the header information of the e-mail data, and e-mail data is formed by setting a predetermined unique value in a predetermined item of the body of the e-mail data. While sending to the destination terminal via the local area network and the Internet,
When any final destination number is set in a predetermined item of the body of the received e-mail data, the transmission image information is inversely converted from the received e-mail data, and the final destination number is converted using the public network. A call is made and the transmission image information formed by the inverse transformation is transmitted.
When the predetermined eigenvalue is set in a predetermined item of the body of the received e-mail data, the transmission image information is inversely converted from the received e-mail data, and the transmission image information is decoded into the original image data. An internet facsimile apparatus for recording and outputting an image obtained as a result of the decoding. Connected to a local area network connected to an Internet provider via a dedicated line, exchange of e-mail data on the local area network and the Internet, and exchange of facsimile data by a facsimile transmission procedure performed via the public network In the Internet facsimile machine with the function of
Mail address information when exchanging data with the destination terminal via the Internet, destination telephone number when exchanging data with the destination terminal via the public network, and a terminal to which the destination terminal can be applied as a relay terminal Destination management information storage means for storing destination management information stored in association with the final destination number when data is exchanged via the public network,
If the specified destination telephone number is registered in the destination management information storage means as one of the final destination numbers, the transmission image information is converted into e-mail body data in a predetermined format, and the final destination number The body of the e-mail data is obtained by setting the mail address information stored in the destination management information storage means in the To field of the header information of the e-mail data and converting the designated final destination number into the corresponding domestic telephone number. And forming the e-mail data in which the e-mail text data is set to the text data, sending the e-mail data to the destination terminal via the local area network and the Internet
When the designated destination telephone number is registered as the destination telephone number in the destination management information storage means, the transmission image information is converted into e-mail body data in a predetermined format, and the destination management information for the destination telephone number is converted. The mail address information stored in the storage means is set in the To field of the header information of the e-mail data, and e-mail data is formed by setting a predetermined unique value in a predetermined item of the body of the e-mail data. While sending to the destination terminal via the local area network and the Internet,
When any domestic telephone number is set in the specified item of the body of the received e-mail data, the transmission image information is reversely converted from the received e-mail data, and the final destination number is obtained using the public network. A call is made and the transmission image information formed by the inverse transformation is transmitted.
When the predetermined eigenvalue is set in a predetermined item of the body of the received e-mail data, the transmission image information is inversely converted from the received e-mail data, and the transmission image information is decoded into the original image data. An internet facsimile apparatus for recording and outputting an image obtained as a result of the decoding.   5. The Internet facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a mail address registered in the terminal is set in a From field of header information of the electronic mail data. .   After processing the e-mail data, an e-mail body for notifying the communication result is created, and the e-mail body is notified to the e-mail address set in the From field of the header information of the received e-mail data. The Internet facsimile apparatus according to claim 5. In the From field of the header information of the e-mail data, the mail address registered in the own terminal is set,
After processing the e-mail data, create an e-mail body for notifying the communication result, notify the e-mail body to the e-mail address set in the From field of the header information of the received e-mail data, and 3. The Internet facsimile apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined unique value is set in a Subject field of header information of electronic mail data. In the From field of the header information of the e-mail data, the mail address registered in the own terminal is set,
After processing the e-mail data, create an e-mail body for notifying the communication result, notify the e-mail body to the e-mail address set in the From field of the header information of the received e-mail data, and 5. The Internet facsimile apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the predetermined eigenvalue is set in a predetermined item of the body of the e-mail data.   3. The Internet facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising setting means for setting whether to perform transmission operation of transmission image information by the e-mail.

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