JP4142541B2 - Facsimile machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus, and more particularly, to a facsimile apparatus having a speed dial function and a one-touch dial function.

  With the spread of PCs (personal computers) as information processing devices in recent years, the use of electronic mail has expanded.

  However, to send document data by e-mail, start the PC, start the e-mail application, enter or select the destination e-mail address, enter the e-mail text, and / or attach the document file. A somewhat complicated procedure such as transmission is required.

  The direct transmission destination of the mail from the transmission source PC is a mail server, and even if the transmission of the mail is normally completed in the transmission source PC, the transmission mail is accumulated in the mail server. It does not indicate that transfer / distribution from the destination mail server to the network terminal such as the final destination PC has been performed correctly.

  On the other hand, in a facsimile apparatus that has been widely used in the past, a user who has a paper document serving as a transmission document goes to the installation location of the facsimile apparatus, sets the document on the scanner, and operates the operation panel. Enter the destination facsimile number directly, or enter the abbreviated number corresponding to the destination facsimile number in combination with pressing the [Speed] key (abbreviated dialing), or press the one-touch key that directly corresponds to the destination facsimile number. If you specify (one-touch dialing) by selecting and press the [Start] key to instruct the start of transmission, you can specify and send a destination with a very simple operation that the transmission operation is completed. .

  Since the transmission is performed by directly exchanging the facsimile protocol between the receiving facsimile machine and the transmitting facsimile machine, it is confirmed that the facsimile transmission has succeeded, that is, that the document has been reliably sent to the receiving facsimile machine. As shown in the figure, there is an advantage that it is extremely reliable and secure, and even today, when the use of electronic mail is widespread, facsimile machines are effectively used.

  In general, in companies, etc., a document to be sent by a facsimile machine is handwritten on a sheet of printed paper (such as a sending slip) in which each individual has a blank sheet or a fixed phrase at his / her seat, or a PC document is created. It is created by typing in application software and printing on paper with a printer, adding handwritten content to the printed document, or adding a handwritten figure separately.

  Then, the user who has the created document document visits the place where the facsimile apparatus is installed, and performs transmission by performing the above-described transmission operation.

However, a facsimile apparatus used in a company is used by a large number of users, for example, several tens of people, and each of the large number of users often has several destinations to which documents are transmitted.

  Therefore, for each of these many users, registration of speed dial and one-touch dial as described above, that is, registration of additional information such as destination facsimile number and destination name character string corresponding to each speed number and one-touch key number If you do, you will not be able to register due to the limit of the memory capacity that can be registered, or even if you can register, management will be complicated and you will not be able to use the registered information effectively. Remembering and writing down information on your business card and address book managed by your PC, or bringing the address book itself and then visiting the facsimile machine to send a fax, There is a problem that it is not time-consuming, and erroneous input of the destination facsimile number is likely to occur.

  Some facsimile machines are also connected to a network such as a LAN, and have the function of transferring and registering speed dial and one-touch dial settings information from other information processing equipment such as a PC via the network. However, associating the abbreviated number or one-touch key number with the corresponding information such as the destination facsimile number to be registered requires a certain consistency, while the document is simply transmitted by the facsimile machine. A large number of general users are not allowed to register via the network, and only a limited administrator or a person with equivalent authority can perform the registration.

  As a conventional technique close to the present invention, there is Patent Document 1. In this operation, the facsimile apparatus acquires one-touch information from the PC and displays the one-touch information on the display unit of the facsimile apparatus by an operation on the facsimile apparatus.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-032701

  However, the conventional technology has a drawback that it is difficult to find the destination when the number of one-touch registrations is large. In addition, in the present invention, in order to improve usability, a large display area (number of characters that can be displayed, etc.) is required, and it is desirable that the touch panel is used as an expensive display unit and a one-touch key. There was a drawback such as this.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and not only can a user register a speed dial or a one-touch dial of a facsimile machine while the user is in the seat and use these dial functions in the facsimile machine, but also many users. It is an object of the present invention to provide a facsimile apparatus that can realize registration of a speed dial and one-touch dial from the user's seat and use in a facsimile apparatus at a relatively low cost.

  When the abbreviated number is input, the facsimile apparatus according to claim 1 sends a document to the destination apparatus specified by the destination identification information registered in advance in the abbreviated dial registration table corresponding to the abbreviated number. In the facsimile apparatus that transmits the document data obtained by reading the document, the destination registration receiving means for receiving the speed dial registration request accompanied by the destination identification information from the information processing apparatus connected via the network, and the destination registration receiving means Address registration means for registering the received destination identification information in association with an abbreviated number available in the speed dial registration table, and registration completion notification information including at least the speed number registered by the destination registration means Registration completion notifying means for transmitting to the information processing apparatus via the network and the destination registration means Registered after the completion of transmission of the document data of the document to the destination device specified by the input of the corresponding abbreviated number and specified by the destination identification information, or registered by the destination registration means And registration management means for deleting registration of the destination identification information in the speed dial registration table after a predetermined time has elapsed after registration.

  The facsimile apparatus according to claim 2, when a one-touch key is selected, a document is sent to a destination apparatus specified by destination identification information registered in advance in the one-touch dial registration table corresponding to the one-touch key. In the facsimile apparatus that transmits the document data obtained by reading the document, the destination registration receiving means for receiving the one-touch dial registration request accompanied by the destination identification information from the information processing apparatus connected via the network, and the destination registration receiving means Registration completion including at least information for identifying destination registration means for registering the received destination identification information in association with an available one-touch key in the one-touch dial registration table, and one-touch keys registered by the destination registration means The notification information is sent to the information processing apparatus that is the registration request source. A registration completion notifying means for transmitting via a work, and a document of a document to a destination device specified by the selection of a corresponding one-touch key of the destination identification information registered by the destination registration means and specified by the destination identification information Registration management means for deleting registration of the destination identification information in the one-touch dial registration table after completion of data transmission or after a certain period of time has elapsed after registration of the destination identification information registered by the destination registration means. It is characterized by that.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, when a one-touch key is selected, the facsimile apparatus according to claim 3 is identified by one or a plurality of destination identification information registered in advance in the one-touch dial registration table corresponding to the one-touch key. Alternatively, a one-touch dial with one or more destination identification information from an information processing apparatus connected via a network in a facsimile apparatus that sequentially transmits document data obtained by reading a document to a plurality of destination apparatuses Destination registration receiving means for receiving a registration request; Destination registration means for registering one or a plurality of destination identification information received by the destination registration receiving means in association with a free one-touch key in the one-touch dial registration table; To identify the one-touch key registered by the destination registration means Registration completion notification means for transmitting registration completion notification information including at least the information to the information processing apparatus that is a registration request source via the network corresponds to one or a plurality of destination identification information registered by the destination registration means. After the completion of the sequential transmission of the document data of the document to one or more destination devices specified by the one-touch key selection and specified by the one or more destination identification information, or the destination registration means Registration management means for canceling registration of the one or more destination identification information in the one-touch dial registration table after a predetermined time has elapsed after registration of the one or more destination identification information registered by And

  The facsimile apparatus according to claim 4 is the facsimile apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the symbol string of the destination identification information received by the destination registration receiving means is destination identification information managed by the own apparatus. In the case where a symbol that is not permitted is included, registration failure notification means is further provided for transmitting registration failure notification information to the information requesting information processing apparatus via the network.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the facsimile apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the exchange with the information processing apparatus via the network is performed by an HTTP protocol.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, a user who is going to hand over a transmission document to the installation location of the facsimile apparatus according to the present invention, designate a destination by using a speed dial, and send a facsimile while staying at his or her seat, The registration is not continued for a long time, but after the facsimile transmission with the registered abbreviated number is completed or after a certain period of time has elapsed since registration, Therefore, there is no possibility that the abbreviated number is not lost. For this reason, the user processes the sent document at the seat, while referring to the system notebook, address book, business card holder, address book tool such as a personal computer at the seat, etc. You can register abbreviated dialing while confirming the facsimile number, etc., and you can specify the destination for facsimile transmission without the hassle of bringing the address book to the installation location of the facsimile machine according to the present invention and directly dialing In addition, many users can effectively use the speed dial function of the facsimile apparatus according to the present invention.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, a user who is going to hand over a transmission document to the installation location of the facsimile apparatus according to the present invention and designates a destination by one-touch dial and transmits a facsimile while staying at his / her seat, is provided with the one-touch dial. The registration is not continued for a long time, but automatically after the facsimile transmission with the registered one-touch key selected is completed or after a certain period of time has elapsed since the registration. Therefore, the empty one-touch key is not lost. For this reason, the user processes the sent document at the seat, while referring to the system notebook, address book, business card holder, address book tool such as a personal computer at the seat, etc. One-touch dialing can be registered while confirming the facsimile number, etc., and it is possible to specify a destination for facsimile transmission without the trouble of bringing the address book to the installation location of the facsimile apparatus according to the present invention and directly dialing. In addition, many users can effectively use the one-touch dial function of the facsimile apparatus according to the present invention.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, a user who tries to send a facsimile to a place where the facsimile apparatus according to the present invention is installed and designates one or a plurality of destinations with a one-touch dial and transmits the facsimile is his / her seat. The one-touch dial registration can be performed while the user is in the process, and the registration is not continued all the time, after one or more facsimile transmissions having selected the registered one-touch key are completed, or Since one or a plurality of destinations are automatically deleted after a lapse of a certain period of time after registration, there is no possibility that an empty one-touch key is lost. For this reason, the user processes one or more recipients who want to send a manuscript while referring to a system notebook, address book, business card holder, address book tool such as a personal computer, etc. One-touch dialing can be registered while confirming the destination identification information (facsimile number, etc.), and one or more destinations can be directly dialed individually by bringing the address book to the installation location of the facsimile apparatus according to the present invention. In addition to being able to specify a destination at the time of facsimile transmission that saves time and effort, many users can specify transmission to one or more destinations of the facsimile apparatus according to the present invention by selecting one one-touch key. There is an effect that the dial function can be used effectively.

  According to the invention according to claim 4, when the destination identification information related to the registration request from the information processing apparatus on the network does not satisfy the format allowed in the own apparatus, specifically, for example, the destination identification information is In the case where only numbers or “−” are allowed in the facsimile number but alphabets are included, the registration failure notification information is transmitted to the information processing apparatus and displayed on the information processing apparatus. Therefore, the user who is going to send a facsimile to the place where the facsimile apparatus according to the present invention is installed and transmits the facsimile by operating the information processing apparatus such as a personal computer on his / her seat operates the facsimile number. Make the user recognize the input error when specifying destination identification information such as Even if the registration operation corresponding to any one of claims 1 to 3 is performed appropriately and the facsimile apparatus according to the present invention is installed, the destination identification information input error in the information processing apparatus can be avoided. Therefore, it is possible to prevent an inconvenience that the original document cannot be transmitted to a desired destination.

  According to the invention of claim 5, since the exchange between the facsimile apparatus according to the present invention and the information processing apparatus via the network is performed by the HTTP protocol, the information processing apparatus is shortened from the facsimile apparatus according to the present invention. There is an effect that a general-purpose WEB browser can be used for registration via a dial or one-touch dial network.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  First, FIG. 1 shows a communication system configuration including a facsimile apparatus 1 according to the best mode for carrying out the present invention.

  In FIG. 1, a facsimile machine 1 is connected to a PSTN 200 and / or ISDN 300, and is sent to a destination device such as a facsimile machine 201 which is a G3 facsimile machine on the PSTN 200 or a facsimile machine 301 which is a G4 facsimile machine on the ISDN 300. Send the document data.

  On the other hand, the facsimile machine 1 is also connected to a LAN 100 as a network, and personal computers (PCs) 101 a, 101 b, and 101 c as information processing apparatuses on the LAN 100 are connected. Note that a server apparatus 102 is connected to the LAN 100. The server apparatus 102 returns an IP address corresponding to a host name given by DNS (Domain Name System) to the facsimile apparatus 1 and PCs 101a, 101b, 101c, etc. on the LAN 100, and provides a mail transmission service by SMTP. Or an information processing apparatus for providing a mail receiving service by POP3.

  FIG. 2 shows a block configuration of the facsimile apparatus 1 according to the best mode for carrying out the present invention.

  In the figure, the CPU 2 uses the RAM 4 as a work area, controls the apparatus unit based on a control program written in the ROM 3, performs various data processing, performs facsimile management processing, and performs protocol control. Central processing unit.

  The ROM 3 is a read-only memory that stores various data necessary for control such as a control program for the CPU 2 to control each part of the apparatus and font data corresponding to each character code. When the program becomes enormous, it is possible to install a magnetic disk device or the like in addition to the ROM 3 and store the program there. If the magnetic disk device is used as the image memory unit 6 described later, it is common It is also possible to do.

  The RAM 4 is a random access memory used as a work area for the CPU 2 as described above.

  An EEPROM (electrically rewritable read-only memory) 5 is a memory for storing various information necessary for the operation of the apparatus and holding the stored contents even when the apparatus is turned off. Replacement with a backed up SRAM (static RAM) or a magnetic disk device is also possible.

  The image memory 6 is for storing a large amount of data such as unprocessed transmission / reception document data, and includes a magnetic disk device, an SRAM module, a memory card inserted into a card slot, and the like.

  The clock circuit 7 always keeps track of the current date and time, and the CPU 2 can know the current date and time (date and time) by reading the clock circuit 7 via the system bus 16.

  The operation display unit 8 is provided with various keys for accepting operation input from the user, and includes a display such as a liquid crystal display device, and displays an operation state of the device to be notified to the user and various messages. It is.

  The writing unit 9 is for printing out image data on a recording sheet. Specifically, the writing unit 9 is a thermal recording apparatus using a thermal element, and directly transfers raw (not compressed and encoded) data from the CPU 2 via the system bus 16 to the thermal recording paper. Alternatively, an image is indirectly recorded on an ordinary recording sheet via an ink sheet. The writing device is not limited to a thermal recording device, and any method can be used as long as it can record an image on recording paper, such as an electrophotographic method, an inkjet method, and a toner jet method. Good.

  Further, the writing unit 9 has a page memory, the document file to be printed, which is specified in the CPU 2 and stored in the image memory 6, is stored in the page memory for each page and written sequentially. Good. Further, if an image processing function for decompressing compression-encoded document data is added to the writing unit 9, the document data to be printed can be received as compressed data and decompressed and expanded as raw data in the page memory. Can be printed out.

  The reading unit 10 reads a set original to obtain document image data. As the reading unit 10, for example, an image scanner using a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) is used. The set originals are placed on a contact glass (not shown) and then scanned and read to read the original image. Document image data is obtained.

  The image processing unit 11 encodes and compresses raw data and decodes / decodes encoded compressed data, binarization processing, scaling processing, reduction / enlargement processing, image correction processing, transmission Various image processing relating to image data handled in the facsimile apparatus 1 such as additional processing S of additional information such as date / time and character string information of reception date / time is performed.

  Note that the communication control unit 14, the communication control unit (G4) 13, the reading unit 9, and the writing unit 11 may have the functions of the image processing unit 11 individually.

  A NIC (Network Interface Card) unit 12 is connected to an Ethernet LAN 100, and can exchange various information by HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol) of the higher level by exchanging TCP / IP protocol over the Ethernet protocol. Is for.

  The communication control unit 13 is connected to the ISDN 200, specifically, the INS network 64 / digital exchange extension network, and controls communication with the counterpart communication terminal. The communication control unit 13 has a LAPD (Link Access Procedure on the D-channel) and a LAPB (Link Access Procedure Balanced) controller to perform control. Here, although the communication line to which the communication control unit 13 is connected is assumed to be ISDN here, the communication line corresponding to PSTN may be used similarly to the communication control unit 14. However, in this case, an NCU equivalent to the NCU (Network Control Unit) unit 15 is required.

  The communication control unit 14 is connected to the PSTN 200 via the NCU unit 15, specifically, a network of a subscriber telephone line / private premises line, and controls communication with the partner communication terminal. The communication control unit 5 controls the NCU unit 15 to detect a ringing voltage pulse detected by the NCU unit 15, a DTMF signal, a tone signal, and a call at the time of transmission. The communication control unit 5 has a modem, and demodulates reception data (modulated) received from the counterpart communication terminal, or conversely modulates and transmits transmission data at the time of transmission. Specifically, ITU-T recommendation T.I. A low-speed modem function (V.21 modem) for exchanging G3 facsimile control signals based on G.30 and a high-speed modem function for mainly exchanging document image data. 17, V. 33, V.R. 34, V.R. 29, V.R. It has 27ter modem functions.

  The NCU unit 15 is connected to the PSTN (general public network) and the communication control unit 14 is connected to a line and detects a call signal (ringing).

  The system bus 16 is a signal line including a data bus, an address bus, a control bus, an interrupt signal line, and the like for the above-described units to exchange data.

  FIG. 3 shows an arrangement configuration of the operation display unit 8 of the facsimile apparatus 1.

  In the figure, a numeric keypad 8a is used to input numerals and symbols such as “#” and “*”. The [Yes] key 8b is for making a positive operation input with respect to the contents displayed on the display 8j. The [No] key 8c is used for performing a negative operation input on the content displayed on the display 8j.

  [Stop] key 8d is used to instruct forcible interruption of the operation of the apparatus. The [Start] key 8e is used to instruct the start of various device operations such as the start of transmission. The [function] key 8f is used to call various setting / registration functions by a combination of the pressing operation and the number input operation using the numeric keypad 8a.

  The arrow key group 8g is composed of an [↑] key 8gu, a [↓] key 8gd, a [→] key 8gr, and a [←] key 8gl, and selects a specific item among the selection items displayed on the display 8j. Or scrolling the display on the display 8j vertically and horizontally.

  The one-touch key group 8h is configured as a collection of keys corresponding to the numbers 01 to 20, respectively. Numbers 01 to 20 are symbols for identifying the 20 keys from each other, and may be identified by other symbols such as letters A to T.

  The [abbreviated] key 8i is for abbreviated dialing that can specify a destination with a two-digit number. The display 8j is composed of a liquid crystal display or the like, and is used for displaying the operation state of the apparatus and various messages.

  The various keys arranged on the operation display unit 8 are not limited to mechanical keys that are turned on or off by pressing, but may be other forms such as touch panel keys. Any form may be used as long as it is acceptable.

  FIG. 4 shows a protocol stack in the facsimile machine 1.

  In the figure, “physical layer” and “data link layer” are “Ethernet” and correspond to the NIC unit 12, and the MAC header and the MAC data passed from the “IP” protocol of the “network layer”. A preamble and start frame delimiter are added to the head of the MAC packet consisting of the above, and a frame check sequence FCS is added to the end of the MAC packet and sent to the LAN 100 as an electrical signal, while received as an electrical signal via the LAN 100 The MAC packet addressed to its own MAC address is acquired as digital data and passed to the “IP” protocol of the “network layer”.

  The “IP” protocol of the “network layer” corresponds to the program of the “IP” protocol executed by the CPU 2, and the TCP (UDP) passed from the “TCP” or “UDP” protocol of the “transport layer”. ) Embed a TCP (UDP) packet composed of a header and TCP (UDP) data as the contents of the IP data, and embed an IP packet configured by adding an IP header to the IP data as the contents of the MAC data. The MAC packet configured by adding the MAC header to the MAC data is passed to “Ethernet” as described above. On the other hand, an IP packet is taken out from the MAC data constituting the MAC packet passed from “Ethernet”, a TCP (UDP) packet is taken out from the IP data constituting the IP packet, and “TCP” in the “transport layer” or Pass to "UDP" protocol.

  The “TCP” protocol of the “transport layer” corresponds to the “TCP” protocol program executed by the CPU 2, and is an HTTP Web that constitutes the “session layer”, “presentation layer”, and “application layer”. Data passed from an application program linked to a predetermined transmission source port number such as a server function (port number 80) is embedded as TCP data of a TCP packet composed of a TCP header and TCP data, and the “IP” protocol is used. On the other hand, a TCP packet composed of a TCP header and TCP data is taken out from the IP packet passed from the “IP” protocol, and the TCP data is passed to the upper “application” corresponding to the destination port number described in the TCP header. . “UDP” also exchanges data similar to “TCP”.

  FIG. 5 shows the storage contents of the EEPROM 5 of the facsimile apparatus 1 that are particularly relevant to the present invention.

  In the figure, in the storage areas 5a, 5b, and 5c, an abbreviated dial registration table, a one-touch dial registration table, and a Web registration form selection flag Fw are stored, respectively.

  The flag Fw in the storage area 5c is used to select and set a form for accepting WEB registration, that is, registration of abbreviated dialing or one-touch dialing via the LAN 100 as a network. One of these values is preset.

  Value 1 is a mode in which only one facsimile number (address identification information) is registered in the speed dial, value 2 is a mode in which a plurality of facsimile numbers (multiple addresses) are registered in the speed dial, and value 3 is one-touch. In this mode, only one facsimile number is registered in the dial, and a value of 4 is a mode in which a plurality of facsimile numbers are registered in the one-touch dial.

  The value of the flag Fw in the storage area 5c is set to, for example, a value 1 as an initial value at the time of shipment of the facsimile apparatus 1. However, after the facsimile apparatus 1 is installed in the user environment, The value setting can be changed by a registration operation from the operation display unit 8 by an administrator or the like. Specifically, when the [function] key 8f and the number “30”, for example, are entered, the mode is changed to the WEB registration mode setting change mode, and the selected item is displayed on the display 8j. The value of the flag Fw is rewritten to a value corresponding to the selected item.

  Thereby, the WEB registration in a form according to a place desired by the user can be performed. Of course, the WEB registration form may be fixed in any one way so that the setting cannot be changed.

  The specific contents of the abbreviated dial registration table 5a are shown in FIG.

  In the figure, a table 5a includes “destination identification information (facsimile number)”, “name character string”, “registration date / time”, “registration type flag Fs” corresponding to the management numbers 01 to 99 corresponding to the respective abbreviated numbers. ”And“ registration presence / absence flag Fu ”are configured as a set of records configured to correspond to each other.

  For example, regarding the management number “01”, the “destination identification information” (facsimile number in the best mode for carrying out the present invention) is “03-1234-1111”. The “name character string” is “B company Tabata branch”. “Registration date” is “2002/08/23 13:15”, that is, 13:15 on August 23, 2002. The “registration type flag Fs” has a value “0”, and the “registration presence / absence flag Fu” has a value “1”.

  The “registration presence / absence flag Fu” indicates that the value “1” indicates that the destination is registered for the corresponding management number (shortened number), and the value “0” indicates that the destination is not registered (new Can be registered).

  The “registration type flag Fs” indicates that the value “0” indicates self-device registration, and the value “1” indicates Web registration.

  In the self-registration, the “destination” entered by the “function” key 8f in correspondence with the abbreviated number (“management number”) designated via the operation display unit 8 in the state where the abbreviated dial registration mode is activated. This is a registration form in which “identification information” and “name character string” are registered in the table 5a in association with a designated “management number”. In this case, the date / time information read from the clock circuit 7 when a registration operation is input is stored as the “registration date / time”, the value “0” is set as the “registration type flag Fs”, and the value “1” is registered as the registration presence / absence flag Fu. Is set.

  The value of the registration presence / absence flag Fu corresponding to the “registration type” of “Web registration” is set to “1” or reset to “0” by the processing procedure described later.

  In the best mode for carrying out the present invention, the “name character string” is not registered in particular when the “registration type” is “WEB registration”, but it is sent from the PC 101a or the like by the processing procedure described later. When receiving the registration request for the identification information to the speed dial, the information of “name character string” may be received and registered together.

  Specific contents of the one-touch dial registration table 5b are shown in FIG.

  The table 5b shown in the figure has basically the same configuration as the speed dial registration table 5a shown in FIG. 6, except that the “management number” is not 01 to 99 but 01 to 20, and each “management” The difference is that “number” is not an abbreviated number, but corresponds to keys corresponding to numbers 01 to 20 constituting the one-touch key group 8h of the operation display unit 8 shown in FIG.

  A plurality (three in this case) of facsimile numbers are registered as destination identification information corresponding to the management numbers “03” and “04”. This is for a so-called group dial function. For example, when a destination is designated by pressing the one-touch key of the number “04”, each destination device corresponding to each corresponding destination identification information is sequentially set. Send document data. This group dial function can be similarly applied to the abbreviated dial registration table 5a shown in FIG.

  FIG. 8 shows a block configuration of the PC 101 applied as a personal computer (PC) 101a, b, or b connected to the LAN 100 of the network as shown in FIG.

  In the figure, the CPU 50 uses the RAM 52 as a work area, starts up based on the basic program written in the ROM 51, and expands and executes the OS (operating system paper program stored in the hard disk device 53 on the RAM 52. On the OS, the central processing unit executes various application programs stored in the hard disk device 53 after being expanded in the RAM 52.

  The ROM 51 is a read-only memory that stores a control program and various data for basic operations for the CPU 50 to control each part of the apparatus as described above.

  The RAM 52 is a random access memory used as a work area for the CPU 50 as described above.

  The hard disk device 53 stores the OS and application program files and data executed by the CPU 50 as described above.

  The display monitor 54 is a display device configured by a cathode ray tube, a liquid crystal display, or the like that performs image display based on an output signal from a video I / F 54a that generates an image signal based on drawing data passed from the CPU 50. .

  The mouse device 55 is for giving information such as movement amount data of itself and a signal indicating whether or not a button has been clicked to the CPU 50 via the mouse device I / F 55a.

  The keyboard 56 is used to give input key codes such as alphabets, numbers, and various symbols to the CPU 50 via the keyboard I / F 56a.

  The NIC unit 57 is equivalent to the NIC unit 12 of the facsimile apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 2, is connected to the Ethernet LAN 100, and exchanges the TCP / IP protocol over the Ethernet protocol, by the higher level SMTP / POP3. This is to enable various kinds of information exchange by e-mail communication or HTTP.

  FIG. 9 shows a protocol stack in the PC 101.

  The protocol stack shown in the figure is the same as that in the facsimile apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 4, but a general-purpose WEB browser application including an HTTP client function or mail transmission / reception above “TCP / UDP / IP”. Each protocol for SMTP and POP3 is located.

  The PC 101 applied as the PC 101a, b, c, etc. is given to each of a large number of users who work by arranging their desks at the installation location of the facsimile machine 1 (such as an office floor of a company). Starts the OS or application installed on each PC 101, sends / receives / sends mail, creates documents, schedules, and manages addresses, phone numbers, and facsimile numbers of business contacts. I do.

  In addition, by launching general-purpose WEB browser software and inputting or selecting a URL (Uniform Resource Locator), a target HTML document or image data can be acquired and displayed on the display monitor 54, or the display monitor can be displayed. The desired information is acquired and displayed by moving the mouse cursor to the character string, button or image linked to another URL displayed on 54 and operating the mouse device 55 to perform a click operation. For example, the file is stored in the hard disk device 53 as a file.

  Also, in the displayed HTML document, enter the required information in the input field corresponding to the description between <form> and </ form>, and click the button to change the contents entered in the input field It is also possible to send a URL (corresponding function of the corresponding device) to perform a predetermined operation.

  WEB browsers include Microsoft Internet Explorer (IE), OPERA Opera, and Netscape Netscape.

  In this way, the PC 101 that designates a URL by a WEB browser, acquires a desired file, and performs an operation such as display, the WEB registration of the speed dial or the one-touch dial of the facsimile apparatus 1 on the WEB browser is performed. When the URL related to the function is designated, the processing related to the destination WEB registration shown in FIGS. 10 to 13 is performed, while the facsimile apparatus 1 also performs processing corresponding to the processing on the PC 101 side.

  Note that the URL indicating the WEB registration function of the facsimile apparatus 1 may be specified by directly specifying the IP address of the facsimile apparatus 1 or by specifying a host name when DNS (Domain Name System) is valid. Good. The URL is “http://fax.xxx.co.jp/dialform.html” if the host name of the facsimile apparatus 1 is “fax.xxx.co.jp”, for example.

  When the URL is designated, the WEB browser interprets the destination TCP port number as 80 by “http:” and converts “fax.xxx.co.jp” into an IP address by address resolution by DNS.

  In FIG. 10, the PC 101 side performs destination Web registration processing as one aspect of a series of Web browsing processing.

  That is, an acquisition request for the HTML document registered in the WEB is made to the facsimile apparatus 1 (processing S101).

  Specifically, the acquisition request in step S101 is a WEB registration in the facsimile apparatus 1 in the HTTP GET command after establishing a connection on the TCP protocol with the TCP port number 80 of the IP address of the facsimile apparatus 1. This is done by adding and transmitting a URL (dialform.html) indicating a reception function. At this time, the IP address of the PC 101 is notified by being included in the IP header, and the TCP port number of the HTTP client is also notified by being included in the TCP header. The same applies when information is transmitted from the facsimile apparatus 1 to the PC 101 by HTTP.

  On the other hand, the facsimile machine 1 side monitors a WEB registration request as one aspect of the operation as an HTTP server (No loop of determination S201).

  Then, in response to the processing S101 on the PC 101 side, when an acquisition request by the GET command of “dialform.html” is detected by the HTTP server function of the TCP port number 80, the processing procedure of decision 202 is performed.

  Note that what is determined as a WEB registration request in the facsimile apparatus 1 depends on the creation of an HTTP server function in the facsimile apparatus 1. In other words, upon reception of data designating the IP address of the facsimile apparatus 1, it may be determined as a WEB registration request and an HTML document file of “dialform.html” may be returned.

  Alternatively, an HTML document “index.html” corresponding to a predetermined page for selecting a usable Web service (such as various registration functions) of the facsimile apparatus 1 upon receipt of data designating the IP address of the facsimile apparatus 1 When the file is returned, the returned “index.html” is displayed by the WEB browser on the PC 101 side, and information indicating the selection of the “WEB registration” function is returned, the HTML of “dialform.html” A document file may be returned.

  In the facsimile apparatus 1, when the judgment S201 is Yes, an acknowledgment “200” for the HTTP command is returned to the requesting PC 101 (its IP address and TCP port number), and then the WEB in the storage area 5c in FIG. By referring to the value of the registered form selection flag Fw, the current setting of the WEB form is confirmed (process S202).

  Then, an HTML document file (text data) for WEB registration corresponding to the setting is created (processing S203), and is returned to the requesting PC 101 as "dialform.html" (processing S204). An HTML document file for WEB registration according to the setting is not created each time, but text data corresponding to each setting is stored in advance in the ROM 3 or the EEPROM 5, and it is simply read out and returned. You may do it.

  On the other hand, the PC 101 monitors reception of a file addressed to its own device (the IP address and the TCP port number of the HTTP client) in the No loop of the decision 102.

  If the determination in step S102 is Yes corresponding to the process S204 on the facsimile apparatus 1, the received “dialform.html” is interpreted according to the HTML syntax and displayed (process S103).

  FIGS. 17 to 19 show an example of text data (a) and a display example (b) of an HTML document registered in WEB.

  In the example shown in FIG. 17, a destination number input field and an “OK” button are displayed by a description sandwiched between <form> and </ form> in an HTML document.

In particular,
<input type = "text" name = "dial">
Thus, the input field is secured, and the input character string is displayed as “dial” information if the “OK” button is clicked.
action = "http://fax.xxx.co.jp/dial">
A reply is sent (method = "post").
The “OK” button
<input type = "submit" name = "submit" value = "OK">
If “OK” is clicked, a message to that effect is returned (method = “post”) together with the information on the destination number. The “OK” button may be changed from “value =“ OK ”” to “value =“ registration ””, for example, and used as a “registration” button. Further, (method = "post") may be (method = "get").

  In the example shown in FIG. 17, when the Web registration form is “abbreviated: 1” or “one-touch: 1” (Fw = 1 or 3), it is returned to the requesting PC 101 for input. The PC 101 is not particularly notified as to whether the destination number registered in the facsimile apparatus 1 is registered in either the speed dial or the one-touch dial. You may add a character string such as "Register to one-touch dial" to make the user recognize whether the address to be entered or registered is set to shortened or one-touch. .

  The convenience of address designation is higher with the one-touch dial than with the speed dial, but which one is set depends on the setting of the WEB registration form setting flag Fw on the facsimile apparatus 1 side. When the number of users to be registered on the web is so large that a registration request for a destination is expected from a large number of PCs 101 such as PCs 101a, b, and c given to each user, and the one-touch dial registration in the main body of the facsimile apparatus 1 is affected. Is set to a speed dial capable of registering a larger number of destinations (flag Fw is a value of 1 or 2), and when the number of users to be registered on the web is small, priority is given to the convenience of the user and the one-touch dial (flag Fw may be set to the value 3 or 4).

  The example shown in FIG. 18 is similar to the example shown in FIG. 17 except that the Web registration form is set to “shortening: multiple cases” or “one touch: multiple cases” (Fw = 2 or 4). The difference is that one or more destinations can be input.

  In the example shown in FIG. 18, if only one destination is input, it is equivalent to the example shown in FIG. 17, but in the example shown in FIG. 18, a plurality of destinations are registered in one abbreviated number or one-touch key number. Registration to the group dial is permitted in the WEB registration.

  Further, the example shown in FIG. 18 may be modified like the example shown in FIG. The modification shown in FIG. 19 allows a user to set whether to register one or more input destination numbers in one-touch dial or speed dial by “input type =“ radio ””. On the facsimile apparatus 1 side, destination identification information related to WEB registration can be registered in either the one-touch dial or the abbreviated dial according to the selection. On the facsimile apparatus 1 side, destination identification information related to WEB registration is preferentially registered in either the one-touch dial or the abbreviated dial according to the setting of the flag Fw or the selection in the example of FIG. When the flag Fw is set to the one-touch dial and the one-touch dial keys 01 to 20 are all “registered”, as a second best measure, the destination identification information related to the Web registration is freed from the speed dial. In this case, there is an advantage that requests for WEB registration can be satisfied as much as possible. In addition, information on available one-touch key numbers and abbreviated numbers is also included in “dialform.html”, and one of the available one-touch key numbers and abbreviated numbers is selected for the Web registered user. However, in the best mode for carrying out the present invention, as will be described later, which one-touch key number or abbreviated number is assigned and registered is centrally managed on the facsimile apparatus 1 side. Then, only the registration result (registered one-touch key number or abbreviated number) is notified to the WEB registration user side.

  The HTML document file for WEB registration as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18 is not acquired and displayed by each PC 101 by requesting the HTTP to the facsimile machine 1 each time, but is displayed on the hard disk device 53 of each PC 101. The file stored in advance may be read out and displayed by the WEB browser.

  Returning to FIG. 10, after the display of FIG. 17 or 18 is performed in step S103, the destination identification information input process, that is, the process of displaying and storing the symbol string input in the input field of the destination number is performed ( Processing S104) Waits for the “OK” button to be pressed (No loop in determination S105), and when pressed (Yes in determination S105), transmits destination identification information (facsimile number) input as a destination number (action = "http://fax.xxx.co.jp/dial">) (process S106).

  Correspondingly, determination S205 is Yes on the facsimile apparatus 1 side, and the process proceeds to step S401 in FIG. Note that determination S205 corresponds to a destination registration accepting unit.

  In process S401, a destination identification information validity confirmation process is performed. In this confirmation process, the numbers “0” to “9” or “0” that the symbol string of the destination identification information (facsimile number) received in step S205 recognizes as a symbol included in the facsimile number input in the facsimile apparatus 1 are used. If it is composed only of “−”, it is determined as “valid”, otherwise it is determined as “invalid”. For example, “03333335555” and “03-2555-4444” are determined to be valid, but are determined to be “invalid” if they include an unacceptable symbol “.” Such as “03.256.2547”.

  If it is unfair as a result of the determination in the process S401 (No in the determination S402), an HTML document file for notification of an input error is created and transmitted to the PC 101 that is the web registration request source (process S403), and then the determination S201 in FIG. Return to.

  If it is valid in the determination S402 (Yes in the determination S402), the process proceeds to the process S404, and the setting of the WEB registration form, that is, the value of the flag Fw is confirmed.

  If the value of the flag Fw is 1 or 2, the corresponding abbreviated dial registration table 5a is referred to, and if the value of the flag Fw is 3 or 4, the corresponding one-touch dial registration table 5b is referred to (process S405).

Then, it is checked whether or not there is one or more unregistered management numbers, that is, management numbers having a corresponding flag Fu value of “0” (processing S406). As a result of the confirmation,
If there is no file (No in S407), an HTML document file for notification of registration failure is created and transmitted to the PC 101 as a web registration request source (Process S403), and the process returns to S201 in FIG.

  The HTML document file transmitted in processing S403 or S408 is received as one aspect of processing in the WEB browser application on the PC 101 side (Yes in determination S301), and is displayed on the display monitor 54 (processing S302).

  If it is determined in S407 that there is one or more unregistered management numbers (Yes in S407), the process proceeds to S501 in FIG.

  In step S501, the “destination identification information” related to the WEB registration request received in step S205 in FIG. 10 is registered in association with one of the unregistered management numbers. Note that step S501 corresponds to a destination registration unit.

  Further, “registration date” corresponding to the current time read from the clock circuit 7 is set (step S502). Further, the corresponding “registration type flag Fs” is set to 1 (WEB registration) (processing S503), and the corresponding “registration presence / absence flag Fu” is set to 1 (registration) (processing S504).

  Finally, an HTML document file for registration completion notification is created and transmitted to the PC 101 that is the web registration request source (processing S505), and the process returns to the determination S201 in FIG. Note that step S505 corresponds to registration completion notification means.

  The HTML document file transmitted in step S505 is received as one aspect of processing in the WEB browser application on the PC 101 side (Yes in determination S301 in FIG. 11) and displayed on the display monitor 54 (step S302 in FIG. 11).

  By processing S501 through S504, each field is registered, for example, as a record of management numbers “02” and “03” in the speed dial registration table 5a of FIG. In this case, “name character string” is blank because it is not acquired as information related to the WEB registration request as described above.

  As a result, the user who is away from the facsimile apparatus 1 can display the address book at hand and the information management application started on the PC 101 regarding the transmission destination of the original document to be transmitted. The speed dial and one-touch dial in the facsimile apparatus 1 can be registered by the PC 101 on the seat without going to the facsimile apparatus 1 and the facsimile number of the transmission destination is described up to the facsimile apparatus 1. Instead of having to take notes and address books directly and dial directly, you can specify a registered abbreviated number or select a one-touch key to specify the destination and send the document to the desired destination. It becomes possible.

  When there are a plurality of pieces of destination identification information related to the WEB registration request, that is, when the flag Fw is a value “2” or “4”, a plurality of pieces of destination identification information are displayed by the “form” as shown in FIG. Is transmitted from the PC 101 as the WEB registration request source, as shown in the record corresponding to the management number “03” in the one-touch dial registration table 5b in FIG. Register the received multiple destination identification information (group dial). Also in this case, “name character string” is blank because it is not acquired as information related to the WEB registration request as described above.

  As a result, the user who is away from the facsimile apparatus 1 can prepare an address book at hand or an information management application started on the PC 101 for a plurality of transmission destinations of a document to be transmitted that is prepared at hand. The speed dial and the one-touch dial in the facsimile apparatus 1 can be registered by the PC 101 on the seat without going to the facsimile apparatus 1 by referring to the display of the facsimile machine 1. Specify multiple destinations at once by using a simple operation such as specifying a registered abbreviated number or selecting a one-touch key instead of directly dialing the facsimile number of each destination by bringing a memo or address book with numbers. Thus, the original can be transmitted to a desired destination.

  When there are a plurality of pieces of destination identification information related to the WEB registration request, they are registered as so-called group dials in association with one management number (abbreviated number or one-touch key number). It is also conceivable to register (facsimile number) in association with each individual management number.

  In this case, it is assumed that a user who has WEB-registered a speed dial or one-touch dial from the PC 101 wants to send a plurality of manuscript documents prepared at his / her seat to different destinations. If such a registration form is referred to herein as “individual dial”, the registration mode of either the individual dial or the group dial is set to either one-touch dial or speed dial in the modification shown in FIG. May be selected in the same manner as the user can select on the PC 101 to flexibly respond to individual requests of the user of each PC 101. Alternatively, the registration mode of either the individual dial or the group dial may be selected and set by setting in the facsimile apparatus 1 in the same manner as the WEB registration mode is set by the flag Fw.

  FIG. 20 shows an HTML document example (a) and a display example (b) of a registration completion notification created / transmitted in step S505 of FIG.

  The example shown in the figure is for the case where the flag Fw is 1 (shortened: 1 case), and corresponds to the input by the “form” shown in FIG. Among them, information indicating that the destination identification information ("03-1234-2934") requested to be registered by the web is registered in association with the abbreviated number "55", and "55 after pressing the abbreviated key in the facsimile apparatus". "Please dial the number." And information indicating the operation procedure after visiting the installation location of the facsimile apparatus 1.

  Since the destination identification information (“03-1234-2934”) is input by the user himself / herself as desired for registration, the corresponding management number (in this case, abbreviated number) “55” is registered in the abbreviated dial. It is sufficient to notify only the character string of “abbreviation” as information indicating that it has been done, but by indicating the destination identification information (“03-1234-2934”) input by the user in association with the user, The registration result of the destination identification information input by the user can be recognized more reliably.

  FIG. 21 shows an HTML document example (a) and a display example (b) of a registration completion notification created / transmitted in step S505 of FIG.

  The example shown in the figure is for the case where the flag Fw is 3 (one touch: one case) and corresponds to the input by the “form” shown in FIG. Among them, information indicating that the destination identification information (“03-1234-2934”) requested for WEB registration is registered in association with the one-touch key number “13”, and “one-touch key number 13 in the facsimile apparatus” are included. "Please press". "Is included in the facsimile apparatus 1 indicating the operation procedure after visiting the installation location.

  Since the destination identification information (“03-1234-2934”) is input by the user himself / herself for registration, the corresponding management number (one-touch key number in this case) “13” and the one-touch dial It is sufficient to notify only the character string of “one touch” as information indicating that it has been registered, but by indicating the destination identification information (“03-1234-2934”) input by the user in association with it, It is possible to make the user recognize the registration result of the destination identification information input by the user more reliably.

  Although not shown, when a plurality of pieces of destination identification information are designated and registered as “group dial” in the form of FIG. 18, all the designated destinations in FIG. 20B and FIG. 21B are displayed. An HTML document file in which the identification information is displayed in a list is created and transmitted as a registration completion notification notification.

  If a plurality of pieces of destination identification information are designated by the form of FIG. 18 and registered as the above-mentioned “individual dial”, the registration completion notification corresponding to the HTML document is displayed in a list as shown in FIG. Will be created and sent. That is, each destination identification information and a management number (in this case, a one-touch key number) registered in association with each destination are displayed in a list.

  FIG. 23 shows an HTML document example (a) and a display example (b) of a registration impossible notification created and transmitted in step S408 of FIG.

  The example shown in the figure is for the case where the flag Fw is 1 (abbreviation: 1) or 2 and indicates that there is no space in the abbreviated dial registration table 5a to be registered, and the facsimile apparatus 1 directly The content prompts the user to dial the destination facsimile number using the numeric keypad 8a.

  FIG. 24 shows another example of the HTML document example (a) and the display example (b) of the registration impossible notification created / transmitted in step S408 of FIG.

  The example shown in the figure is for the case where the flag Fw is 3 (one-touch: 1) or 4, which indicates that there is no space in the one-touch dial registration table 5b to be registered, and the facsimile apparatus 1 directly The content prompts the user to dial the destination facsimile number using the numeric keypad 8a.

  FIG. 25 shows a display example of the HTML document of the input error notification created / transmitted in step S403 of FIG.

  The example shown in the figure is for the case where the flag Fw is 1 (shortened: 1), and indicates that there is an error in the designation of the destination number to be registered, and as destination identification information (facsimile number). This indicates that the only allowed symbol string is a number and “-”. If the destination identification information allows use of other types of symbols such as e-mail addresses, it may be possible to display a symbol string that is not allowed to be displayed more simply. A similar error notification is also made when the flag Fw is 2, 3 or 4.

  As a result, in the facsimile apparatus 1, destinations that cannot be correctly transmitted as a result are not registered in the abbreviated dial or one-touch dial, and for each user of the PC 101, input of the destination that the user tried to register was incorrect. It is possible to take appropriate measures such as re-performing the WEB registration operation.

  FIG. 13 shows a transmission processing procedure in the facsimile apparatus 1.

  In the figure, first, the process waits for a document to be set in the reading unit 9 (No loop of determination S601). A user who has arrived at the installation location of the facsimile apparatus 1 in order to use the facsimile apparatus 1 (may be a user who has already registered a destination WEB from the PC 101 by the processing procedure of FIG. 10) When the document is set, the determination in S601 is Yes, and either the ten key 8a is pressed, or there is a combination operation of pressing the [shortening] key 8i and inputting the short number, or any key of the one touch key group 8h. Is pressed (No in decision S602, No in decision S605, No in decision S606).

  In the determination S602, when the numeric keypad 8a is pressed, that is, when the destination is designated by direct dialing (Yes in the determination S602), the symbol string of the directly input destination is sequentially displayed and stored on the display 8i. The address direct input display process is performed (process S603) until the [start] key 8e indicating the start of transmission is pressed (No loop in determination S604), and when the [start] key 8e is pressed (Yes in determination S604). ), The process proceeds to step S701 in FIG.

  In the determination S605, when there is a combination operation of pressing the [shortening] key 8i and inputting a shortened number (Yes in determination S605), a destination (facsimile number) corresponding to the input shortened number (management number) is set. A display process specified in the abbreviated dial registration table 5a (process S607) and displaying a “destination name character string” or the like registered corresponding to the specified address (process S608), indicates the start of transmission [Start] The process is performed until the key 8e is pressed (No in S609). When the [Start] key 8e is pressed (Yes in S609), the process proceeds to S701 in FIG.

  In the determination S606, when the one-touch key is pressed (Yes in the determination S606), the destination (facsimile number) corresponding to the one-touch key number (management number) selected by the pressing is specified in the one-touch dial registration table 5b ( Processing S610), display processing for displaying “destination name character string” registered corresponding to the specified destination (processing S611) is performed until the [Start] key 8e indicating the start of transmission is pressed (step S611). When the [Start] key 8e is pressed (Yes in decision S612), the process proceeds to step S701 in FIG.

  FIG. 15 shows a display example in the process S611.

  In the figure, a display D01a is a case where a one-touch key number (02 in this case) having a registration type flag Fs of 1 (WEB registration) is designated, and a display D01b has a registration type flag Fs of a value 0 ( This is a case where the one-touch key number (01 in this case) of “own device registration” is designated.

  In the display D01a, since “destination name character string” is not registered in the table 5b, instead of “WEB registration”, the corresponding facsimile number is displayed as an alternative to the destination name. Yes. As a result, when the user who has arrived at the facsimile apparatus 1 after registering the WEB through the PC 101 at his / her seat uses the one-touch dial actually registered by himself / herself, the registered content can be confirmed again. Even when registered, reliable destination designation can be performed.

  In the display D01b, since “destination name character string” is registered, the registered character string is displayed as it is in the “destination name:” field. Since the one-touch key with the registration type flag Fs having the value 0 (own device registration) is repeatedly used for the same destination many times, it has been proven in terms of certainty of address designation, and the corresponding facsimile number. Since there is not much meaning even if is displayed, it is not particularly displayed.

  In the display D01a, when a “group dial” key in which a plurality of destinations are registered in one one-touch key is specified, all or a part of the corresponding plurality of destination facsimile numbers may be displayed. Alternatively, a character string indicating “group dial” may be displayed.

  The display similar to that shown in FIG. 15 is also performed in the display process of the speed dial in process S608.

  In step S701 in FIG. 14, a call is made to the designated destination facsimile number (step S701), and the original document set on the reading unit 9 is exchanged while exchanging the facsimile protocol with the partner apparatus. Facsimile transmission processing, which is processing for sequentially transmitting the image data read and stored in the image memory 6, is performed (processing S702).

  Note that the processing S701 and the processing S702 are repeatedly performed for each destination when a plurality of destinations are collectively designated by “group dial”.

  After step S702, it is determined whether or not all destinations (one or more) for which facsimile transmission has been specified have been normally completed (decision S703). If there is an address that has not ended normally (decision S703). No), a retransmission process for calling again and transmitting by facsimile (process S704) is performed until all the destinations are normally completed or the maximum number of retransmissions (for example, 5) is reached (No in determination S705). , No loop of decision 706).

  In the determination 706, when the upper limit number is reached (Yes in the determination S706), the processing is ended. However, in the case where the determination is normal in the determination 703 or the determination 705 (Yes in the determination S703 or Yes in the determination S705). ) Confirms whether the destination designation is performed by abbreviated dialing or one-touch dialing (processing S707). If the destination designation is performed by direct dialing instead of shortening or one-touching dialing (No in determination S708), the process ends. Is a shortened or one-touch dial (Yes in judgment S708), the value of the registration type flag Fs corresponding to the designated management number (one-touch number or shortened number) in the table 5a or 5b is “1: It is determined whether it is “WEB registration” (determination S709).

  If it is not “WEB registration” but “own device registration” in the determination S709 (No in the determination S709), the process is terminated, but if it is “WEB registration” (Yes in the determination S709), The corresponding registration presence / absence flag Fu in the table 5a or 5b is reset to 0 (step S710), and the processing is terminated.

  As a result, the abbreviated dial or one-touch dial registered by the WEB registration is used after the use, that is, after the transmission of the original document data specifying the corresponding abbreviated number or one-touch key number is completed normally, from the tables 5a and 5b. The registration is canceled without delay, and it can be used for new “own device registration” or “WEB registration”. The number of registered one-touch dials and speed dials is limited by “WEB registration” from many users (20 or 99)), and it becomes possible to accept “WEB registration” from many users.

  FIG. 16 shows a Web registration management processing procedure in the facsimile apparatus 1. The processing procedure shown in FIG. 16 corresponds to registration management means, and the processing procedures shown in FIGS. 12 and 14 respectively include a part of the processing procedure corresponding to registration management means.

  In the figure, first, the current time read from the clock circuit 7 is confirmed, and the “registration presence / absence flag Fu” and “registration type” registered corresponding to each management number in the speed dial table 5a and the one-touch dial registration table 5b. By referring to the flag Fs, “registration date / time” is referred to for all the records with the management number “registered” and “WEB registration” (processing S802).

  Then, it is confirmed whether or not there is a record that has passed a certain time (for example, 2 hours) since registration (processing S803). If there is no record that has passed a certain time (No in determination S804), the process returns to processing S801. If there is a record whose time has elapsed (Yes in determination S804), the “registration presence / absence flag Fu” corresponding to the corresponding record is reset to 0 (processing S805), and the processing returns to processing S801.

  As a result, the destination “WEB registered” in the one-touch dial or speed dial is not used in the transmission processing of FIG. 13 and FIG. 14, and never remains permanently registered. It becomes possible to use for registration of a destination by “WEB registration”.

  Note that the “certain time” in the process S803 is set to a short time although the number of registered users may become full if the number of registered users is large when the number of registered users is large. Then, since the number of cases that can be registered cannot be used effectively, the “certain time” may be arbitrarily set according to the number of users expected to use “WEB registration”.

  In the best mode for carrying out the present invention described above, the destination identification information for specifying the partner device is a facsimile number, that is, the partner device is connected to the partner device via a public network such as PSTN or ISDN. The present invention has been applied to transmission of original document data using the G3 facsimile protocol or the G4 facsimile protocol. However, the present invention is not limited by the format of the destination identification information. For example, the TCP / UDP / In order to send the original document data to the destination apparatus in the e-mail format via the IP network, the e-mail address becomes the destination identification information, or the IP address and the corresponding character string of the host name become the destination identification information. It goes without saying that the present invention can be similarly applied to cases.

  In the best mode for carrying out the present invention described above, as an indirect designation form of destination identification information (facsimile number), abbreviated dial, that is, pressing of the [abbreviated] key 8i and input of abbreviated number are performed. In the above description, the two designation forms of designation by one and one-touch dialing, that is, designation by pressing any one of the keys constituting the one-touch key group 8h have been described as examples. Other forms that specify destination identification information registered in advance in response to a predetermined destination designation operation such as a touch operation on the mouse or a mouse button click operation after moving the mouse cursor to a predetermined position on the screen The same applies to the registered dial.

  Further, in the best mode for carrying out the present invention described above, when the exchange concerning “WEB registration” between the facsimile apparatus 1 and each PC 101 is performed mainly by exchanging HTML document files by the HTTP protocol. Although the present invention is applied, the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention is also applicable to the case where “WEB registration” is performed by exchanging information in a unique format using a unique protocol.

1 is a diagram showing a communication system configuration including a facsimile apparatus according to the best mode for carrying out the present invention. 1 is a diagram showing a block configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to the best mode for carrying out the present invention. It is a figure shown about the arrangement configuration of the operation display part of the facsimile apparatus which concerns on the best form for implementing this invention. It is a figure which shows about the protocol stack in the facsimile apparatus which concerns on the best form for implementing this invention. It is a figure which shows about the memory content of EEPROM of the facsimile apparatus based on the best form for implementing this invention. It is a figure shown about the specific content of the speed dial registration table. It is a figure shown about the specific content of the one-touch dial registration table. It is a figure shown about the block configuration of a personal computer (PC). It is a figure shown about the protocol stack in PC. 6 is a flowchart showing destination Web registration-related exchanges between the facsimile apparatus and the PC according to the best mode for carrying out the present invention. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing exchange related to destination Web registration between a facsimile apparatus and a PC according to the best mode for carrying out the present invention, with FIG. 10. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing destination Web registration-related exchanges between the facsimile apparatus and the PC according to the best mode for carrying out the present invention, together with FIGS. 10 and 11. It is a flowchart which shows the transmission process procedure in the facsimile apparatus which concerns on the best form for implementing this invention. 14 is a flowchart showing a transmission processing procedure in the facsimile apparatus according to the best mode for carrying out the present invention, with FIG. It is a figure shown about the example of a display in the process sequence of FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a Web registration management processing procedure in the facsimile apparatus according to the best mode for carrying out the present invention. It is a figure shown about the HTML document example (a) of the form for destination Web registration (one case), and the example of a display (b). It is a figure shown about the HTML document example (a) and display example (b) of the form for destination Web registration (plural cases). It is a figure shown about the modification of what was shown in FIG. It is a figure shown about the HTML document example (a) of the registration completion notification (one case) of a speed dial, and its display example (b). It is a figure shown about the HTML document example (a) of the registration completion notification (one case) of a one-touch dial, and its display example (b). It is a figure shown about the example of a display of the HTML document of the registration completion notification (multiple cases) of a one-touch dial. It is a figure shown about the HTML document example (a) of the registration impossible notification of abbreviated dial, and the example of a display (b). It is a figure shown about the HTML document example (a) of the registration impossible notification of abbreviated dial, and the example of a display (b). It is a figure shown about the example of a display of the example HTML document of the input error notification of a speed dial.

Explanation of symbols

1 Facsimile machine 100 LAN
101a, b, c Personal computer 200 PSTN
201 Facsimile machine 300 ISDN
301 facsimile machine

Claims (5)

When the abbreviated number is input, the document data obtained by reading the document is transmitted to the destination device specified by the destination identification information registered in advance in the abbreviated dial registration table corresponding to the abbreviated number. In a facsimile machine,
Destination registration accepting means for receiving a speed dial registration request accompanied by destination identification information from an information processing apparatus connected via a network;
A destination registration means for registering the destination identification information received by the destination registration receiving means in association with an abbreviated number in the speed dial registration table;
Registration completion notification means for transmitting registration completion notification information including at least the abbreviated number registered by the destination registration means to the information processing apparatus of the registration request source via the network;
The destination identification information registered by the destination registration means is designated by inputting the corresponding abbreviated number and the transmission of the document data of the document to the destination device specified by the destination identification information is completed, or the destination A facsimile apparatus comprising: registration management means for deleting registration of the destination identification information in the speed dial registration table after a predetermined time has elapsed after registration of the destination identification information by the registration means. When a one-touch key is selected, the document data obtained by reading the document is transmitted to the destination apparatus specified by the destination identification information registered in advance in the one-touch dial registration table corresponding to the one-touch key. In a facsimile machine,
Destination registration accepting means for receiving a one-touch dial registration request accompanied by destination identification information from an information processing apparatus connected via a network;
Destination registration means for registering the destination identification information received by the destination registration receiving means in association with a free one-touch key in the one-touch dial registration table;
Registration completion notification means for transmitting registration completion notification information including at least information for identifying the one-touch key registered by the destination registration means to the information processing apparatus of the registration request source via the network;
The destination identification information registered by the destination registration means is designated by the selection of the corresponding one-touch key and the transmission of the document data of the document to the destination device specified by the destination identification information is completed, or the destination A facsimile apparatus comprising: registration management means for deleting registration of the destination identification information in the one-touch dial registration table after a predetermined time has elapsed after registration of the destination identification information by the registration means. When a one-touch key is selected, one or a plurality of destination devices respectively identified by one or a plurality of destination identification information registered in advance in the one-touch dial registration table corresponding to the one-touch key, In a facsimile machine that sequentially transmits document data obtained by reading a document,
Destination registration accepting means for receiving a one-touch dial registration request with one or more destination identification information from an information processing apparatus connected via a network;
Destination registration means for registering one or a plurality of destination identification information received by the destination registration receiving means in association with a free one-touch key in the one-touch dial registration table;
Registration completion notification means for transmitting registration completion notification information including at least information for identifying the one-touch key registered by the destination registration means to the information processing apparatus of the registration request source via the network;
One or more destination identification information registered by the destination registration means is designated by selecting a corresponding one-touch key, and is specified by the one or more destination identification information. After the sequential transmission of the document data of the document is completed, or after one or more destination identification information registered by the destination registration means has passed a predetermined time after registration, the one or more destination identification information of the one or more destination identification information A facsimile apparatus comprising: registration management means for deleting registration in the one-touch dial registration table. When the symbol string of the destination identification information received by the destination registration accepting unit includes a symbol that is not permitted as the destination identification information managed by the own device, the registration impossible notification information is sent to the information processing device that is the registration request source. 4. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a registration failure notification means for transmitting through the facsimile apparatus. 5. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the exchange with the information processing apparatus via the network is performed by an HTTP protocol.

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