JP3757866B2 - Internet facsimile machine - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an Internet facsimile machine, and more particularly to an Internet facsimile machine characterized by notifying various information by electronic mail.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Along with the development of communication networks, it has become common to connect various apparatuses including Internet facsimile apparatuses to a communication network and share them with a plurality of client PCs. The Internet facsimile machine shared in this way is usually managed by a specific administrator. When an event occurs in the Internet facsimile machine, notification is made by e-mail according to the event. That is, in the case of a minor event such as out of recording paper, the fact is notified to the user PC by e-mail, and in the case of a moderate event such as out of toner, the user cannot deal with it. I was notified by email. On the other hand, in the case of a serious event such as a lamp out of the reading unit, even the administrator cannot deal with it, so that the service center is notified by e-mail. That is, the e-mail notification destination is set according to the event.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, some moderate events can be dealt with by users who are not administrators and have knowledge of Internet facsimile machines. That is, for example, a user who has obtained a predetermined knowledge in advance assuming the absence of an administrator can deal with an event such as toner exhaustion. For this reason, when such a user exists, it is desirable to notify the user and the administrator by e-mail. Therefore, it is not possible to flexibly cope with an event only by setting an e-mail notification destination according to the event.
[0004]
The present invention has been made paying attention to such problems, and an object thereof is to provide an Internet facsimile machine capable of arbitrarily changing an e-mail notification destination when an event occurs. It is in.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, in the first aspect of the present invention, a first storage unit that stores an event that occurs in the device and a level that is an index indicating the importance of the event in association with each other, and A storage unit having a second storage unit for storing a level and a notification destination for notifying that an event associated with the level has occurred, and a level associated with the event stored in the storage unit And a change means for changing a notification destination corresponding to the level, and the change means is stored in the first storage unit when the level is input in a state where an event of the first storage unit is selected. The level corresponding to the current event is changed, and the notification destination is input in a state where the level of the second storage unit is selected, and is stored in the second storage unit To change the notification destination corresponding to the bell.
[0006]
According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the Internet facsimile apparatus according to the first aspect, the changing means is configured to change the level and the level according to an operation from an operation unit of the own apparatus or a client PC connected via a communication network. Change the notification destination .
[0007]
In the invention described in claim 3, the Internet facsimile apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, the change notification destination by changing means includes an additional notification destination Remove notification destination.
[0008]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of an Internet facsimile apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0009]
As shown in FIG. 1, a communication network system includes an Internet facsimile machine (I-FAX) 1 having a telephone line L1, a router 2, a mail server 3, an administrator PC 4 connected to the Internet via a dedicated line L2, and User PCs 5 are connected to each other via a communication network T. The I-FAX 1, the administrator PC 4, and the user PC 5 that are clients of the mail server 3 have a predetermined mail address.
[0010]
On the other hand, the router 6 of the service center is connected to the Internet via a dedicated line L3. A center PC 7 is connected to the router 6. The center PC 7 has a predetermined mail address.
[0011]
As shown in FIG. 2, the I-FAX 1 includes an MPU 11, a ROM 12, a RAM 13, a reading unit 14, a recording unit 15, an operation unit 16, a display unit 17, an image memory 18, a codec 19, a modem 20, an NCU 21, and a data conversion unit 22. The communication protocol control unit 23 and the network interface 24 are connected to the units 11 to 23 via the bus 25.
[0012]
MPU11 controls each part which comprises I-FAX1. The ROM 12 stores a program for controlling the I-FAX 1. The RAM 13 temporarily stores various information related to the I-FAX 1. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the RAM 13 stores a level table T1 indicating a level corresponding to an event, and a notification destination table T2 indicating a notification destination corresponding to the level.
[0013]
As shown in FIG. 3 (a), in the level table T1, the items such as recording paper breakage and recording paper jam are levels that can be dealt with by the user, so the level is set to “1”. The items of “out of toner” and “addition / deletion of destination” can be dealt with by a user having knowledge of I-FAX 1, but are generally set to level “2” because it is entrusted to the administrator. Here, the addition and deletion of the other party means adding and deleting the other party's telephone number, FAX number, or mail address to a speed key 16b, a one-touch key 16c, and the like described later. The lamp out of the reading unit 14 and the replacement of the photosensitive drum or the feed roller cannot be dealt with by the administrator, so the level is “3”. In the notification destination table T2 shown in FIG. 3B, the “To:” notification destination and the “Cc:” notification destination mail address corresponding to the levels “1” to “3” are stored. .
[0014]
As shown in FIG. 2, the reading unit 14 reads image data on a document and outputs monochrome binary image data. The recording unit 15 includes an electrophotographic printer, and records received image data or original image data read by the reading unit 14 on a recording sheet in a recording operation or a copying operation of received image data.
[0015]
The operation unit 16 includes a numeric keypad (including * and # keys) 16a for inputting a telephone number and an email address, an abbreviated key 16b for registering an abbreviated number or an email address, or calling from an abbreviated number, and an alphabet of the email address. While inputting, a one-touch key 16c for specifying a telephone number, FAX number or mail address registered in advance with one touch, a start key 16d for starting a document reading operation, a "communication (FAX)" operation or "copy" Various operation keys such as a communication / copy key 16e for setting the operation are provided. A display unit 17 composed of an LCD or the like displays various information such as the operating state of the facsimile apparatus main body 1a.
[0016]
The image memory 18 temporarily stores received image data and image data read and binarized by the reading unit 14 and encoded by the codec 19 according to the MMR method. The image memory 18 temporarily stores image data transmitted from the user PC 5 or the like via the network interface 24 or the like.
[0017]
The codec 19 encodes (encodes) the image data read by the reading unit 14 in accordance with the MH, MR, MMR method or the like for transmission. The codec 19 decodes (decodes) the received image data.
[0018]
The modem 20 modulates and demodulates a facsimile transmission control procedure signal and image data. The NCU 21 closes and opens the telephone line L1, and has a function of detecting the transmission and reception of dial signals corresponding to the FAX number of the other party.
[0019]
The data conversion unit 22 converts image data such as TIFF, BMP, GIF, JPEG, PCX, DCX, etc. sent from the mail server 3 or the user PC 5 via the communication network T into MH, MR, MMR, or TIFF- The image data is converted into image data of MH, TIFF-MR, TIFF-MMR system, or the like. On the contrary, in order to make the image data of MH, MR, MMR, etc. received via the telephone line L1 into a format that can be handled easily by the mail server 3, the user PC 5, etc., TIFF, BMP, GIF, JPEG , PCX, DCX and other image data.
[0020]
The communication protocol control unit 23 includes a program that processes a communication protocol for controlling communication with other devices on the communication network T via the network interface 24. Specifically, for example, HTTP (communication protocol for transmitting and receiving HTML documents), SMTP (mail transmission protocol), POP3 (mail reception protocol), salutation communication protocol defined by the Salutation Consortium, etc. It has a program to process. Therefore, the I-FAX 1 has an HTTP server function and also functions as a client of the mail server 3.
[0021]
Next, FIG. 4 shows an operation when the level corresponding to the event or the notification destination corresponding to the level is changed from the operation unit 16 of the I-FAX 1 in the level table T1 and the notification destination table T2 stored in the RAM 13. This will be described with reference to a flowchart. This operation is executed under the control of the MPU 11 based on the program stored in the ROM 12 (hereinafter the same as the operation of the I-FAX 1).
[0022]
In step S <b> 1, a mode for changing the level or the notification destination is set based on a predetermined input operation from the operation unit 16.
In step S2, it is awaited that a password as authentication data is input from the numeric keypad 16a of the operation unit 16.
[0023]
In step S3, authentication of the password input in step S2 is performed. That is, authentication is performed as to whether the access is from a person who has the authority to change the level table T1 or the notification destination table T2, for example, an administrator or a specific user. As a result, if the password is authenticated, the process proceeds to step S4. On the other hand, if the password is not authenticated, the process returns to step S2 to wait for the password to be input again. Then, the user is prompted to input the password a predetermined number of times, and if the authentication is still not obtained, the process is terminated.
[0024]
In step S4, it is waited for the item “event” in the level table T1 shown in FIG.
In step S5, it is awaited that the level corresponding to the item “event” selected in step S4 is input from the numeric keypad 16a of the operation unit 16. As a result, the level corresponding to the selected “event” item is changed.
[0025]
In step S <b> 6, it is awaited that the item “level” is selected in the notification destination table T <b> 2 shown in FIG. 3B based on the operation from the operation unit 16.
In step S7, it is awaited that a notification destination corresponding to the “level” item selected in step S6 is input from the numeric keypad 16a of the operation unit 16. As a result, the notification destination corresponding to the selected “level” item is changed. Note that the notification destination can be changed by changing the notification destination of “To:”, adding the notification destination to “To:”, or changing the notification destination of “Cc:”, “Cc: It is conceivable to add a notification destination to "."
[0026]
In step S <b> 8, it is awaited that an indication indicating whether or not to change the level or the notification destination is input based on an operation from the operation unit 16. Then, when the end is input, the process proceeds to step S9. On the other hand, when other items or the like are changed or when it is inputted that the processing is not terminated due to an input error or the like, the process returns to step S4, and the level or notification destination is changed.
[0027]
In step S9, the level table T1 or the notification destination table T2 is stored in the RAM 13.
Next, in the level table T1 and the notification destination table T2 stored in the RAM 13, the operation when changing the notification destination corresponding to the level or the level corresponding to the event from the client PC (administrator PC4 or user PC5) is shown in FIG. This will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
[0028]
In step ST1, URLs (Uniform Resource Locators) for displaying the level table T1 and the notification destination table T2 on the screen are input from the client PC.
[0029]
In step SR1, HTML (HyperText Markup Language) in level table T1 and notification destination table T2 is transmitted from I-FAX 1 to the client PC accessed in step ST1.
[0030]
In step ST2, the level table T1 and the notification destination table T2 are displayed on the screen of the client PC based on the HTML transmitted from the I-FAX 1.
[0031]
In step ST3, authentication data composed of a user name and a password, and change data in which the level table T1 or the notification destination table T2 is changed are transmitted from the client PC to the I-FAX 1. Here, as a change of the level table T1, a level change can be considered. On the other hand, the notification destination table T2 may be changed by changing the notification destination of “To:”, adding a notification destination to “To:”, or changing the notification destination of “Cc:”, “Cc : ”May be added to the notification destination.
[0032]
In step SR2, authentication is performed by I-FAX 1 based on the authentication data transmitted from the client PC. That is, the I-FAX 1 authenticates whether the access is from a person who has the authority to change the level table T1 or the notification destination table T2, for example, an administrator or a specific user.
[0033]
In step SR3, when authenticated based on the authentication data, the process proceeds to step SR4. On the other hand, if the authentication is not performed based on the authentication data, the process proceeds to step SR6.
[0034]
In step SR4, the level table T1 or the notification destination table T2 is stored in the RAM 13 of the I-FAX1.
In step SR5, HTML indicating that the level table T1 or the notification destination table T2 has been changed is transmitted from the I-FAX 1 to the client PC.
[0035]
In step ST4, the fact that the level table T1 or the notification destination table T2 has been changed is displayed on the screen of the client PC.
In step SR6, HTML indicating an authentication error is transmitted from I-FAX 1 to the client PC.
[0036]
In step ST5, a message indicating an authentication error is displayed on the screen of the client PC.
When an event occurs in the I-FAX 1 after the level table T1 or the notification destination table T2 stored in the RAM 13 is changed from the operation unit 16 of the I-FAX 1 or the client PC, the event in the I-FAX 1 An e-mail corresponding to is created. Then, the electronic mail is transmitted from the I-FAX 1 to the predetermined notification destination via the mail server 3 based on the level table T1 and the notification destination table T2.
[0037]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the following operations and effects can be obtained.
(1) The RAM 13 stores a level table T1 indicating a level corresponding to an event, and a notification destination table T2 indicating a notification destination corresponding to the level. Then, authentication is performed based on authentication data from a person who has authority to change the level table T1 or the notification destination table T2, for example, an administrator or a specific user. As a result, when authentication is obtained, the I-FAX 1 changes the level table T1 or the notification destination table T2 in accordance with an operation from a person who has authority to change. Accordingly, it is possible to arbitrarily change the e-mail notification destination when an event occurs. Therefore, it is possible to flexibly cope with an event that occurs in the I-FAX 1.
[0038]
(2) When authentication is obtained, the I-FAX 1 changes the level table T1 or the notification destination table T2 in accordance with an operation from a person who has authority to change. That is, the apparatus for changing the level table T1 or the notification destination table T2 is not limited. For this reason, a person who has the authority to change can change the level table T1 or the notification destination table T2 from the operation unit 16 of the I-FAX 1 or the client PC connected to the communication network T. Accordingly, a person who has the authority to change can easily change the e-mail notification destination when an event occurs from any device.
[0039]
(3) The level table T1 indicating the level corresponding to the event and the notification destination table T2 indicating the notification destination corresponding to the level are stored in the RAM 13 separately. For this reason, even if only the level of the level table T1 is changed, the e-mail notification destination is changed. Therefore, when the notification destination corresponding to the event is changed, the notification destination of the e-mail can be changed by changing only the level of the level table T1.
[0040]
(4) In the level table T1 or the notification destination table T2, in the case of a moderate event such as toner out, for example, the administrator PC 4 and a specific user (I-FAX 1 knowledge is obtained by e-mail) If it is set to notify the user), even if the administrator is absent, the specific user can deal with the toner exhaustion. As a result, an event of I-FAX 1 can be dealt with quickly. Therefore, it is possible to flexibly cope with an event that occurs in the I-FAX 1.
[0041]
In addition, the said embodiment can also be changed and actualized as follows.
The level table T1 shown in FIG. 3A may be changed to the level table T1 shown in FIG. That is, as shown in FIG. 6, notifications of e-mails that do not involve humans, such as recording paper near-end and toner near-end, are called level “1”, so-called warnings such as out of recording paper and recording paper jam. A level table in which an e-mail notification that intervenes the service level is “2”, and an e-mail notification that intervenes a service person such as a lamp break of the reading unit or replacement of the photosensitive drum is level “3” It may be T1.
[0042]
In the case of an event that can be dealt with by the user, such as a recording paper break or a recording paper jam, only an e-mail is sent to the client PC (administrator PC 4 or user PC 5) that has issued a print instruction to the I-FAX 1 It may be configured to notify that an event has occurred, or may be configured to notify all client PCs that an event has occurred by e-mail.
[0043]
As a notification destination changing method, a configuration in which a notification destination of “Bcc:” is changed or a configuration in which a notification destination is added to “Bcc:” may be adopted. In other words, even in the case of an event that can be dealt with by the user, such as recording paper running out or recording paper jam, the administrator may be notified by e-mail using “Bcc:”. According to this configuration, an administrator who manages the inventory of recording paper can obtain an opportunity to check the inventory of recording paper based on this notification.
[0044]
Furthermore, the technical idea grasped from the above embodiment will be described below together with the effects thereof.
[1] change means, the Internet facsimile apparatus to change the level corresponding to the stored events in the storage means. With this configuration, the level corresponding to the event can be changed, so that the e-mail notification destination at the time of the event can be arbitrarily changed.
[0045]
[2] Change means, the Internet facsimile machine to change the notification destination corresponding to the stored level in the storage means. With this configuration, the notification destination corresponding to the level can be changed, so that the notification destination of the e-mail when the event occurs can be arbitrarily changed.
[0046]
【The invention's effect】
Since this invention is comprised as mentioned above, there exist the following effects.
According to the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 3, the level associated with the event and the e-mail notification destination when the event occurs can be arbitrarily changed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a communication network system.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a FAX server.
FIG. 3A is a level table showing levels corresponding to events.
(B) A notification destination table indicating notification destinations corresponding to levels.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation when a level or a notification destination is changed from an operation unit.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation when a level or a notification destination is changed from an administrator PC.
FIG. 6 is a level table showing levels corresponding to events in another embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Internet facsimile machine (I-FAX), 4 ... Administrator PC as client PC, 5 ... User PC as client PC, 11 ... MPU which comprises change means, 12 ... ROM which comprises change means, 13 ... RAM which comprises a memory | storage means and a change means, 16 ... Operation part, T ... Communication network.

Claims (3)

A first storage unit that stores an event that occurs in the device in association with a level that is an index indicating the importance of the event, and a notification that notifies that the event associated with the level has occurred A storage unit having a second storage unit that stores the destination in association with each other;
Change means for changing a level associated with the event stored in the storage means and a notification destination corresponding to the level, and the change means selects the level in a state in which the event of the first storage unit is selected. Is input to change the level corresponding to the event stored in the first storage unit, and the notification destination is input while the level of the second storage unit is selected. An Internet facsimile machine that changes a notification destination corresponding to a level stored in a storage unit . 2. The Internet facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the changing means changes the level and the notification destination in accordance with an operation from a client PC connected via an operation unit of the own apparatus or a communication network. . The Internet facsimile apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the notification destination of the change by the changing means, the Internet facsimile apparatus that includes an additional notification destination Remove notification destination.

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