JP3859385B2 - Facsimile machine - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus that calculates and transmits a sub-address using a HASH function when transmitting / receiving data to / from another apparatus via a network.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, network-compatible facsimile apparatuses that are connected to other terminal apparatuses via a network and can transmit / receive data to / from these apparatuses have become widespread. In this network-compatible facsimile apparatus, a distribution destination apparatus on the network is uniquely identified based on identification information added to a facsimile message received from a transmission-side apparatus via a line, and a LAN (local area The received facsimile data is distributed via the network to the specified distribution destination using a network interface.
Specifically, in the transmission side device, the fax number of the reception side device is designated as the destination fax number, and the identification number for specifying the desired destination (specific individual) on the network is designated as the subaddress. By making a call, a facsimile message was transmitted to the receiving apparatus.
[0003]
On the other hand, on the receiving device side, a mailbox ID is assigned in advance to each individual user, and a numeric string obtained from the sub-address received accompanying the received facsimile message is obtained as the mailbox ID, and the mail The received facsimile message is distributed to the mailbox specified by the box ID. Therefore, the user side of the transmission side device is required to recognize the correspondence between each individual and the mailbox ID in the reception side device in order to correctly specify the destination.
[0004]
However, since the correspondence between each individual and the mailbox ID is unique to each receiving facsimile machine, there is a problem when the same person has mailboxes in a plurality of receiving facsimile machines. It was. In other words, the user of the transmission side apparatus has to specify a different mailbox ID as a sub-address for each reception side facsimile apparatus even though the user wants to distribute to a specific individual. In addition, the user side of the transmission side apparatus has to recognize many mailbox IDs for the same destination.
In order to solve such a problem, in the invention described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-257290, a destination name character string corresponding to each distribution destination on the network is uniquely assigned as subaddress information using the HASH function. Converted into a destination symbol string, the converted destination symbol string is stored in association with each distribution destination, and is obtained as subaddress information received along with a facsimile message received from the transmission side device via the line. The distribution destination is specified by matching the destination symbol string with each stored destination symbol string and the received facsimile message is distributed to the specified distribution destination. Therefore, for the destination name character string corresponding to the same delivery destination device different unique destination symbol string even if vignetting with corresponding, it can be easily addressing operation in the facsimile communication specifies the delivery destination, also, The burden of distribution destination management can be reduced.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the invention described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-257290, a name obtained by inputting a user's name and mail address and calculating it with a HASH function is used as a subaddress, but the number of bits is 64. The bit length is large, and the calculation is expensive.
Further, it is impossible in principle to prevent the collision of HASH values, and the probability is further increased if the bit length is reduced.
Furthermore, the mail address cannot be calculated from the HASH value because of the one-way characteristic of the HASH function. Therefore, in the above technique, a sub address / mail address correspondence table is prepared and a mail address is determined. However, it is necessary to manage a mail address at a remote location on the Internet, which is very inconvenient.
[0006]
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to divide an e-mail address into an account part and a domain part, generate a 20-digit number by converting the account part and the domain part using the HASH function twice, and use it as a sub-address. Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide a facsimile machine that reduces the number of HASH value collisions in an area using an IP address .
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
According to the first aspect of the present invention, designation means for designating a destination mail address of a facsimile message, mail address division means for dividing the destination mail address designated by the designation means into an account part and a domain part, and the mail For the account part divided by the address dividing means, using the HASH function, the HASH value converting means of the account part for converting into the 10-digit HASH value, and the domain part divided by the mail address dividing means, The IP address of the mail server is acquired from the DNS server, and the acquired IP address is converted into a 10-digit HASH value by the domain part HASH value conversion means and the account part HASH value conversion means HASH value and HASH value of the domain part 10 digit HASH value obtained from conversion unit, said object is reached and the facsimile subaddress generating means for the 20-digit facsimile subaddress by Awa connecting, by providing the.
[0010]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a basic hardware configuration of a facsimile according to the present embodiment. The facsimile apparatus includes a CPU (central processing unit) 1001, a ROM (read only memory) 1002, a timer 1004, an image storage memory 1011, a LAN controller 1021, a modem (MODEM) 1031, an encoder / decoder (D C R) 1041, a scanner 1051, a printer 1052, and a system memory (RAM) 1003 are provided. Further, a transformer 1022 is connected to the LAN controller 1021, and a detector (NCU) 1032 is connected to the modem 1031.
[0011]
A system memory (RAM) 1003 temporarily stores data necessary for facsimile control. The ROM 1002 stores a facsimile control procedure, and the scanner 1051 is used for a facsimile transmission operation. The modem 1031 performs modulation for enabling transmission of binary-coded image information to the public line, and demodulation for returning the code of the modulated image information from the other party to the original binary code. Realize. A detector (NCU) 1032 detects and analyzes a DTMF signal from the other party. The encoder / decoder 1041 compresses and encodes the binary image read by the scanner, and decodes the compressed image sent from the other party into a binary image so that it can be printed. The printer 1052 records the image information decoded by the decoder 1041 on a sheet and outputs it.
[0012]
The LAN controller 1021 and the transformer 1022 perform Ethernet network control, the modem 1031 and the detector 1032 control the PSTN network, and a FAX image communicated through the PSTN network is encoded / decoded through the encoder / decoder 1041. Decrypt.
The received FAX image is stored in the image storage memory 1011 via the detector 1032 and the modem 1031. The image storage memory 1011 can also be used as the RAM 1003. The e-mail address is determined based on the sub-address information and TSI information obtained at the time of FAX reception, and the accumulated FAX image and incoming notification mail are sent to each client host on the Ethernet via the LAN controller 1021 and the transformer 1022. Forward to etc.
[0013]
When creating a mailbox, the receiving side inputs his name and mail address, associates the value obtained by calculating it with the HASH function as a subaddress, and the transmitting side specifies the mailbox. The name and mail address of the user of the other party used when creating the mail box are input, and the HASH function value obtained from the name is sent as a sub address. The subaddress / mail address correspondence table 1013 is not necessary.
[0014]
FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the FAX protocol. The basic facsimile can communicate with the other party based on the protocol shown in FIG. 2 and receive an image from the other party. First, when the transmission side (TX) is connected to the reception side (RX), a CNG signal is transmitted to declare that it is a facsimile terminal.
On the other hand, when the receiving side (RX) connects the line, it sends a CED to declare that it is a facsimile and is in a receiving state.
[0015]
Then, NSF (non-standard function) and DIS (standard function) are transmitted in order to inform the transmitting side of the function of the own device. The transmission side determines the function to be used for transmission from the contents of the received NSF and DIS, transmits NSS (non-standard function) and DCS (standard function), and notifies the reception side. In some cases, SUB (sub address) is also sent before DCS. Thereafter, TCF (training) is performed at a modem speed used for transmission of image information from the determined function.
When the training is successful, the receiving side returns CFR and enters the image information receiving state. When receiving the CFR, the transmission side transmits image information at the modem speed used in the training, and when the transmission of the image information is completed, issues an EOP to notify the reception side of the end of the image information. The receiving side transmits MCF when the image information is received normally. Then, the line is disconnected by the transmission of DCN.
[0016]
In this embodiment, in this part, it is used as distribution information such as SUB (sub address) before DIS. Normally, a mailbox ID is designated for the subaddress, and the subaddress is distributed to the mailbox. In addition, an incoming notification mail or the like at the time of distribution can be determined to which mail address the received FAX image or incoming notification mail should be distributed by preparing a correspondence table between the subaddress and the mail address of the user of the distribution destination.
[0017]
The above is a description of the basic operation of facsimile transmission. The problem here is the format of the subaddress. Only 20 digits (and a few symbols) can be specified for the SUB frame. For this reason, when this is used for delivery of a mailbox, a number within 20 digits is calculated using the HASH function as in the invention described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-257290, but the calculation load is high. In this embodiment, such a sub-address problem is solved by the following method.
[0018]
Here, a hash (HASH) function will be described. The hash function converts data (key value) given as an argument into a unique value that does not overlap according to a predetermined conversion algorithm. It is used to increase the retrieval efficiency of the storage address of the key value of the record by finding out the storage address of the value. There are various methods for hash functions depending on the conversion algorithm. In other words, there are some that are considered so that the converted values are uniformly scattered so that the converted values do not overlap as much as possible. In this hash function, the greater the number of digits allowed as the converted value, the fewer the chances that the converted value will be duplicated.
Therefore, the character string (value consisting of the character code string) input as the user name during the mailbox ID assignment operation is used as an argument of the hash function, and the value obtained by conversion corresponds to each mailbox ID. By using the hash subaddress, a unique value (symbol string) that does not overlap each other is assigned to each mail address ID.
[0019]
Next, the process of the first embodiment will be described.
The sending side first sends a FAX to the receiving side user, and at this time designates the recipient's mail address.
In this embodiment, the obtained mail address is given as an argument to the HASH function. The HASH function uses the same function used on the receiving side. At that time, the HASH function output size of 32 bits is selected. By the HASH function, a name that uniquely designates a user is rounded to 32 bits, and a decimal number is used as a subaddress. The user on the sending side enters a mail address instead of entering a subaddress.
[0020]
When calculating the HASH function, the HASH function having a 32-bit length is used twice without using the HASH function having a 64-bit length. That is, the 20-digit sub-address is divided into two areas of 10 digits each, and a 32-bit long HASH function is used for each. That is, the mail address is divided into two at appropriate portions, and two HASH functions are given. In this way, two HASH values are obtained.
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a sub-address frame (SUB). (1) shows a conventional 64-bit length, and (2) shows a 32-bit length according to this example.
A 32-bit length can be expressed in decimal notation from 0 to 4294967295. That is, since the output result is within 10 digits, the output of two 32-bit length HASH functions is connected to generate a 20-digit number, which is used as a subaddress.
As another method of this embodiment, two types of HASH functions can be used. In addition, when giving a mail address to two HASH functions, it is also possible to add different parameters.
[0021]
Next, a second embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, in addition to the operation of the first embodiment, the following is necessary.
As a component, a DNS (Domain Name System) server is required on the network. However, DNS is always present as long as it is in an environment connected to the Internet.
First, the mail address is divided into @before (account) and after (domain). As with the first embodiment, the account portion is converted into a 32-bit length, that is, a decimal number of 10 digits using the HASH function.
[0022]
For the domain part, DNS is used to obtain the IP (Internet Protocol) address of the mail server of the mail address. This procedure is predetermined by RFC.
This IP address is an address for specifying a node on the network, and is a number that can be expressed by a 32-bit value and is assigned to each node on the network. By using this IP address, a communication partner can be specified.
The IP address is expressed by four sets of numerical values, which is data of a 4-byte length (32 bits). Therefore, this IP address can be expressed in 10-digit decimal notation.
Then, a 20-digit number is generated by connecting a decimal representation portion of the HASH value obtained in the account portion and a decimal representation portion of the value selected from the IP address, and this is used as a sub-address.
The sub-address frame (SUB) in this embodiment is shown in (3) of FIG.
[0023]
Next, a third embodiment will be described. In addition to the operation of the second embodiment, the following is necessary.
In the receiving mail server, a 10-digit decimal number selected from the output result of the HASH function used in the second embodiment is also registered as an alias when a new account is generated.
Since the received FAX knows the IP address of the mail server from the sub-address format of the second embodiment, it communicates with the server using SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol). The SMTP procedure is defined by RFC822 and others.
Once the SMTP procedure with the server is established, if the HASH value is directly specified as the mail account, since the alias is already set for the receiving mail server, the receiving mail server transfers to the correct account. .
[0024]
【The invention's effect】
In the first aspect of the invention, the mail address is divided into an account part and a domain part, and a 10-digit facsimile subaddress and a 10-digit IP address converted to a HASH value are used for the account part and the domain part, respectively. By converting and connecting to generate a 20-digit facsimile address, there is no possibility of a HASH value conflict in the area using the IP address that is the only unique number in the Internet world, and the correct account mailbox Surely.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a basic hardware configuration of a facsimile according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a FAX protocol.
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a sub-address frame (SUB).
[Explanation of symbols]
1001 CPU (central processing unit)
1002 ROM (read-only memory)
1003 System memory (RAM)
1004 timer 1011 image storage memory 1021 LAN controller 1031 modem (MODEM)
1041 encoding and decoding unit (D C R)
1051 Scanner 1052 Printer

Claims (1)

A designation means for designating a destination e-mail address of the facsimile message;
An email address dividing means for dividing the destination email address designated by the designation means into an account part and a domain part;
HASH value conversion means for the account part for converting the account part divided by the mail address dividing means into a 10-digit HASH value using a HASH function;
A domain part HASH value converting means for acquiring an IP address of a mail server from a DNS server for the domain part divided by the mail address dividing means, and converting the acquired IP address into a 10-digit HASH value;
Facsimile subaddress that combines the 10-digit HASH value obtained from the HASH value conversion means of the account part and the 10-digit HASH value obtained from the HASH value conversion means of the domain part into a 20-digit facsimile subaddress. Generating means;
A facsimile apparatus comprising:

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