JP4283130B2 - Facsimile device and data processing device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention provides a facsimile apparatus that communicates with a data processing apparatus connected via a network, a security mode that does not allow transmission to a destination other than a pre-registered destination, and a destination other than the pre-registered destination. The present invention relates to a data processing apparatus for transmitting image information via a network to a facsimile apparatus having a non-security mode that allows transmission of the image information.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a network facsimile apparatus having a facsimile communication function for connecting to a public network and performing facsimile communication via the public network and a network facsimile communication function for connecting facsimile image information via the network is provided. In a network system, another data processing apparatus (for example, a so-called personal computer apparatus) connected to a network can be requested to send a facsimile transmission to a network facsimile apparatus.

When such a communication system is used, the facsimile image information created by the data processing apparatus can be transmitted (transferred) to the target facsimile apparatus using the network facsimile apparatus, thereby improving the usability of the network facsimile apparatus. In addition, it is preferable because system resources can be effectively used.
JP 2000-50039 A

  However, when a data processing device makes a facsimile transmission request to a network facsimile device, if the transmission destination is arbitrarily allowed, for example, the security mode is set in the network facsimile device and registered in the network facsimile device. If it is set so that it cannot be transmitted directly to a destination other than the destination, a situation in which it is not preferable in terms of security occurs.

The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and an object thereof is to provide a facsimile apparatus and a data processing apparatus capable of facsimile communication with an improved security function.

The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus that communicates with a data processing apparatus connected via a network, and that does not allow transmission of image information received from the data processing apparatus to a destination other than a registered destination. A registration unit having a table for registering which non-security mode that allows transmission of the image information to a destination other than the pre-registered destination is set, and an operation inquiry from the data processing device Control means for checking whether or not the security mode is set by referring to contents registered in the registration means, and when the security mode is set, a request from the data processing device In response to the information, the destination information registered in advance is sent to the data processor. And when the non-security mode is set, the data processing device can select any of the image information when the non-security mode is set. The input of the destination is allowed.

In addition, a facsimile apparatus having a security mode that does not allow transmission to a destination other than a pre-registered destination and a non-security mode that allows transmission of the image information to a destination other than the pre-registered destination is connected via a network. A data processing apparatus for transmitting information, which makes an inquiry about the operation of the facsimile apparatus, and when the facsimile apparatus responds that the security mode is set as a result of the inquiry, Sending an acquisition request for acquiring a registered destination from the facsimile device, displaying a screen for selecting the destination of the created image information from the destinations acquired from the facsimile device, and as a result of the inquiry, The non-security mode is set from the facsimile machine. It is when it is answered that is being, is a screen for input of any of said picture information destination that be displayed on the display device.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, when the security mode is set in the network facsimile apparatus, even when a facsimile transmission request is received from an external data processing apparatus, the transmission destination or reply destination is set in the network facsimile apparatus. Since it is possible to limit only to registered destinations, the effect of enhancing security can be obtained.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows a network system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  In the figure, a local area network LAN is connected with a plurality of workstation devices (so-called personal computer devices, etc.) WS1 to WSn, a mail server device SM, and a network facsimile device FX, and a router device RT. Is connected to the Internet via Therefore, the workstation apparatuses WS1 to WSn, the mail server apparatus SM, and the network facsimile apparatus FX can exchange data with other appropriate terminal apparatuses via the Internet.

  Here, the mail server device SM is a known e-mail collection and distribution service for users using the workstation devices WS1 to WSn connected to the local area network LAN and the network network facsimile device FX. Is to provide.

  In the workstation devices WS1 to WSn, various programs such as facsimile application software for creating and displaying facsimile image information and various software for exchanging various data via the local area network LAN. Has been introduced and is used by specific users. Here, the specific user may be one or a plurality of users.

  The network facsimile apparatus FX is connected to an electronic mail processing function for exchanging image information and various reports as electronic mail and an analog public line network PSTN. A transmission function for transmitting image information according to a transmission procedure is provided.

  FIG. 2 shows a configuration example of the network facsimile apparatus FX.

  In the figure, a system control unit 1 performs various control processes such as a control process of each part of the network facsimile apparatus FX and a facsimile transmission control procedure process. The system memory 2 is executed by the system control unit 1. The control processing program and various data necessary for executing the processing program are stored, and the work area of the system control unit 1 is configured. The parameter memory 3 is unique to the network facsimile apparatus FX. The clock circuit 4 outputs current time information.

  The scanner 5 is for reading a document image at a predetermined resolution, the plotter 6 is for recording and outputting an image at a predetermined resolution, and the operation display unit 7 operates the network facsimile apparatus FX. It consists of various operation keys and various displays.

  The encoding / decoding unit 8 encodes and compresses the image signal, and also decodes the encoded and compressed image information into the original image signal. The image storage device 9 performs encoding and compression. This is for storing a large number of image information in the selected state.

  The group 3 facsimile modem 10 is for realizing the modem function of the group 3 facsimile, and is a low-speed modem function (V.21 modem) for exchanging transmission procedure signals, and mainly for exchanging image information. A high-speed modem function (V.17 modem, V.34 modem, V.29 modem, V.27ter modem, etc.) is provided.

  The network control apparatus 11 is for connecting the network facsimile apparatus FX to the analog public line network PSTN, and has an automatic outgoing / incoming function.

  The local area network interface circuit 12 is for connecting the network facsimile apparatus FX to the local area network LAN, and the local area network transmission control unit 13 is connected to other data terminal apparatuses via the local area network LAN. It is for executing communication control processing of various predetermined protocol suites for exchanging various data between them.

  The system control unit 1, system memory 2, parameter memory 3, clock circuit 4, scanner 5, plotter 6, operation display unit 7, encoding / decoding unit 8, image storage device 9, group 3 facsimile modem 10, network The control device 11 and the local area network transmission control unit 13 are connected to an internal bus 14, and data exchange between these elements is mainly performed via the internal bus 14.

  Data exchange between the network control device 11 and the group 3 facsimile modem 10 is performed directly.

  Here, in the present embodiment, basically, data exchange between terminals connected to the local area network LAN is a transmission protocol up to a transport layer called TCP / IP, and more. This is performed by applying a combination with a higher layer communication protocol (so-called protocol suite). For example, in the exchange of e-mail data, a communication protocol called SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) is applied as an upper layer communication protocol.

  Further, as a protocol applied to each mail terminal device SM for confirmation of receiving or obtaining an e-mail addressed to the user, a so-called POP (Post Office Protocol) can be applied.

  Further, communication protocols such as TCP / IP, SMTP, POP, and data format and data structure of e-mail are defined by RFC documents issued from IETF. For example, RFC is defined as RFC 793, IP as RFC 793, SMTP as RFC 821, and e-mail format as defined in RFC 822, RFC 1521 and RFC 1522 (MIME (Multipurpose Mail Extension) format).

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3A, the network facsimile apparatus FX has a management table in which security information, a destination information table, and other setting information are registered. Formed and stored.

  The security information stores the setting state of the security function of the main body, and stores the state where the security function is on (set) or off (reset). In the following description, a state where the security function is turned on or set is referred to as “security mode”, and a state where the security function is turned off or reset is referred to as “non-security mode”.

  In the security mode, the network facsimile apparatus FX performs various security effective operations (set in advance) such as limiting the facsimile transmission destination to a transmission destination registered in advance.

  In addition, the destination information table holds, for example, registration information to a one-touch dial (not shown) or an abbreviated dial (not shown), and holds a lot of destination information as shown in FIG. Is done.

  The destination information includes a registration number in which a one-touch dial number, an abbreviated dial number, or the like is set, a communication mode in which a communication mode for communicating with the destination is registered, a destination number (facsimile number), as shown in FIG. Or a destination number / network address where the network address is registered.

  Here, as the communication mode, information for identifying communication means applicable to the network facsimile apparatus FX is registered. “G3” shown in the figure represents group 3 facsimile communication, that is, facsimile communication using the analog public telephone network PSTN. “T37” is an ITU-T recommendation T.264 that transmits image information using electronic mail. 37 represents a network facsimile communication mode compliant with 37. "T38" is an ITU-T recommendation T.264 that performs facsimile communication in real time using an IP network. 38 represents a real-time network facsimile communication mode compliant with 38.

  As the contents of the destination number / network address, a telephone number (facsimile number) is registered when the communication mode is “G3”. When the communication mode is “T37”, an e-mail address is registered. When the communication mode is “T38”, the alias name set for the IP address or destination is registered.

  The communication mode can be the “G4” mode when the group 4 facsimile communication means is provided. In addition, communication means using an arbitrary communication protocol can be applied. In this case, information appropriately applied as destination information by the communication means used is a destination number / network corresponding to the communication mode. Registered in the address.

  Therefore, by examining the contents of the destination information, it is possible to determine the communication mode to be used when communicating by applying the destination information.

  In the present embodiment, the network facsimile apparatus FX can accept a facsimile transmission request from the workstation apparatuses WS1 to WSn. As a communication means used at the time of reception, an appropriate peer-to-peer protocol performed via electronic mail and the local area network LAN can be applied.

  At the time of this facsimile transmission request, the facsimile image information to be transmitted, the facsimile destination information, and the reply destination information that is the notification destination of the communication result are sent from the workstation apparatuses WS1 to WSn to the network facsimile apparatus FX.

  When the network facsimile apparatus FX receives a transmission request from the workstation apparatuses WS1 to WSn and receives facsimile image information, facsimile destination information, and reply destination information, the network facsimile apparatus FX first stores them.

  Next, the contents of the facsimile destination information are checked, and if it is a facsimile number (telephone number), a call is made to the facsimile number using the network control device 11, and a predetermined group 3 facsimile transmission procedure is applied. The stored facsimile image information is transmitted.

  Further, when the contents of the facsimile destination information is an e-mail address, the e-mail address stored as the facsimile destination information is set in the “To” field in the header information of the e-mail, and the MDN is used for a delivery confirmation request. (Message Disposition Innotification; refer to RFC2298 etc.) is set. The text information is set as an attached file after MIME conversion of the stored facsimile image information. Then, the e-mail created in this way is transmitted.

  On the other hand, when a transmission result is acquired for a transmission operation related to a facsimile transmission request, a communication result notification report for notifying the transmission result is created and stored. In addition, the communication result notification report transmitted to the reply destination at this time can include the upper half of the first page (or any page) or all the pages of the transmission original image.

  If the content of the reply destination information is a facsimile number, the communication result notification report is converted into facsimile image information, and a call is made to the facsimile number of the reply destination information using the network control device 11, and a predetermined number is sent. Applying the group 3 facsimile transmission procedure, the facsimile image information of the created communication result notification report is transmitted.

  When the reply destination information is an email address, the email address stored as the reply destination information is set in the “To” field in the header information of the email, and the created communication result is included in the body information. Arrange the contents of the notification report. Then, the electronic mail (transmission result notification mail) created in this way is transmitted.

  By the way, when the network facsimile apparatus FX is set to the security mode, the network facsimile apparatus FX does not perform a transmission operation to a destination other than the destination registered in the destination information table.

  Accordingly, the network facsimile apparatus FX receives a facsimile transmission request from the workstation apparatuses WS1 to WSn in a state where the security mode is set, and if the facsimile destination information is not registered in the destination information table, If the transmission operation is not performed and the reply destination information is not registered in the destination information table, the transmission result notification operation is not performed.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, when the users of the workstation apparatuses WS1 to WSn operate the facsimile transmission request, the workstation apparatuses WS1 to WSn inquire the network facsimile apparatus FX about the operation mode and the security mode is set. In this case, the contents of the destination information table are acquired from the network facsimile apparatus FX, and the items that can be selected are restricted to the destinations registered in the destination information table in the user destination designation operation and the reply destination designation operation. Thus, it is possible to appropriately issue a facsimile transmission request to the network facsimile apparatus FX.

  In this case, it is preferable to apply an appropriate peer-to-peer communication protocol for exchanging information between the workstation apparatuses WS1 to WSn and the network facsimile apparatus FX because of communication response.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of processing when the workstation apparatuses WS1 to WSn issue a facsimile transmission request to the network facsimile apparatus FX.

  When a facsimile transmission request is instructed by the user (the result of determination 101 is YES), the network facsimile apparatus FX is inquired about the operation mode and acquired (process 102). It is checked whether or not the operation mode acquired from the network facsimile apparatus FX is the security mode (determination 103), and when the result of determination 103 is YES, the network facsimile apparatus FX is requested to acquire the destination information table and acquired. The destination information table is saved (process 104).

  Next, for example, a destination input screen as shown in FIG. 5A is displayed, and the user is allowed to select a destination (processing 105). Here, the destination input screen shown in the figure shows a case where the transmission destination can be specified by either the “direct destination designation” or “device registration address designation” method. Therefore, the item “direct addressing” is displayed in half luminance (gray) so that it cannot be selected. In this case, the user can operate only the operation item “specify device registration address”. In addition, under the “device registration address designation” operation item, each destination in the destination information table acquired in the processing 104 is displayed in a list, and the user designates one of the destinations as a transmission destination. In this case, the number of destinations selected is one, but a plurality of destinations can be selected. In this case, it may be necessary to perform a transmission operation described later a plurality of times.

  Next, the transmission destination selected by the user is saved (process 106). In this case, what is saved is the destination number / network address of the destination information.

  Next, for example, a reply destination input screen as shown in FIG. 5B is displayed to allow the user to select a reply destination (process 107). Here, the illustrated reply destination input screen shows a case where the transmission destination can be designated by either the “direct destination designation” or “device registration address designation” method. Therefore, the item “direct address designation” is displayed in half luminance (gray) so that it cannot be selected. In this case, the user can operate only the operation item “specify device registration address”. In addition, under the “device registration address designation” operation item, each destination in the destination information table acquired in processing 104 is displayed in a list, and the user designates one of the destinations as a reply destination.

  Then, the reply destination selected by the user is stored (process 108). In this case, what is saved is the destination number / network address of the destination information.

  On the other hand, when the operation mode of the network facsimile apparatus FX is the non-security mode and the result of determination 103 is NO, a destination input screen as shown in FIG. 5A is displayed and the destination is input to the user. (Processing 109). In this case, as shown in the figure, the transmission destination can be designated by either “direct destination designation” or “device registration address designation”.

  Then, the destination input or selected by the user is saved (process 110). In this case, what is saved is the destination information directly input or the destination number / network address of the destination information selected from the list display.

  Next, a reply destination input screen as shown in FIG. 5B is displayed to allow the user to input and select a reply destination (process 111). In this case, as shown in the figure, the reply destination can be designated by either “direct destination designation” or “device registration address designation”.

  Then, the reply destination input or selected by the user is stored (processing 110). In this case, what is saved is the destination information directly input or the destination number / network address of the destination information selected from the list display.

  When the destination and reply destination are input in this way, the user is then allowed to select or create a transmission document (process 113). When the user selects a transmission document, an appropriate document stored in the apparatus can be designated. When a user creates a transmission document, for example, an image file opened and appropriately edited can be created as a transmission document.

  Next, the transmission document selected / created in process 113 is converted into corresponding facsimile image information (process 114). A conventionally well-known method can be applied to this method. For example, a method of creating print data of a transmission document selected / created in the process 113 and converting the print data into facsimile image information can be applied.

  Then, a facsimile transmission request is issued to the network facsimile apparatus FX, and the facsimile image information, destination, and reply destination created in process 114 are transmitted to the network facsimile apparatus FX (process 115), and the series of operations is terminated. .

  FIG. 6 shows an example of processing executed by the network facsimile apparatus FX for various requests received from the workstation apparatuses WS1 to WSn.

  First, it waits to receive an operation mode acquisition request or a transmission request from any of the workstation apparatuses WS1 to WSn (NO loop of determinations 201 and 202).

  When the operation mode acquisition request is received from any one of the workstation apparatuses WS1 to WSn and the result of the determination 201 is YES, the security information content of the management table is examined, and the security mode or the non-security mode is determined. Notification is made to the requesting workstations WS1 to WSn (step 203).

  Next, the process waits until receiving a destination information table acquisition request from the requesting workstations WS1 to WSn (NO loop of determination 204). When the result of determination 204 is YES, the contents of the destination information table of the management table are changed. Then, the request is transmitted to the requesting workstations WS1 to WSn (process 205).

  When the transmission request is received and the result of determination 202 is YES, the image information, the destination, and the reply destination are received and stored from the requesting workstations WS1 to WSn (process 206).

  Next, it is checked whether or not the security mode is set (determination 207). If the result of determination 207 is NO, transmission processing for each received communication mode is performed to transmit image information to the destination (processing). 208).

  Next, the transmission result at that time is notified to the reply destination by the transmission result notifying process of the received reply destination for each communication mode (process 209), and the operation at this time is ended. In addition, the transmission result notification report transmitted to the reply destination at this time can include the upper half of the first page of the transmission original image or all the pages.

  If the security mode is set and the result of determination 207 is YES, first, whether or not the content of the stored destination is registered in any destination information in the destination information table. (Processing 210).

  If it is registered and the result of determination 211 is YES, it is checked whether it is registered in any destination information in the stored destination information table of the reply destination (process 212).

  If the result of determination 213 is YES in the case of registration, image information is transmitted to the destination by performing transmission processing for each received communication mode of the destination (processing 214).

  Next, the transmission result at that time is notified to the reply destination by the transmission result notifying process for each communication mode of the received reply destination (process 215), and the operation at this time is ended.

  When the result of determination 213 is NO or when the result of determination 211 is NO, an error is displayed on the operation display unit 7 (process 216), and the operation at this time ends with an error.

  As for the process 216, the occurrence of an error can be notified to the workstation apparatuses WS1 to WSn which are facsimile transmission request sources.

1 is a block diagram showing a network system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The block diagram which showed the structural example of the network facsimile apparatus FX. Schematic which showed an example of the management table, the destination information table, and the destination information. The flowchart which showed an example of the process at the time of the workstation apparatuses WS1-WSn issuing the facsimile transmission request to the network facsimile apparatus FX. Schematic which showed an example of the destination input screen and the reply destination input screen. The flowchart which showed an example of the process which the network facsimile apparatus FX performs about the various request | requirements received from the workstation apparatuses WS1-WSn.

Explanation of symbols

FX network facsimile machine WS1 to WSn workstation equipment LAN local area network

Claims (2)

A facsimile machine that communicates with a data processing apparatus connected via a network,
A security mode in which image information received from the data processing apparatus is not allowed to be transmitted to a destination other than a pre-registered destination, and a non-security mode in which transmission of the image information to a location other than the pre-registered destination is permitted Registration means having a table that registers which is set;
Control means for checking whether the security mode is set by referring to the contents registered in the registration means when receiving an inquiry about the operation from the data processing device;
When the security mode is set, in response to a request from the data processing apparatus, information on a destination registered in advance is transmitted to the data processing apparatus, and the data processing apparatus has the information in advance. Select the destination of the image information from the destination information,
2. A facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the non-security mode is set, the data processing apparatus is allowed to input an arbitrary destination of the image information. Image information is transmitted via a network to a facsimile apparatus having a security mode that does not allow transmission to a destination other than a pre-registered destination and a non-security mode that allows transmission of the image information to a destination other than the pre-registered destination. A data processing device for transmitting,
Inquires about the operation of the facsimile apparatus, and when the result of the inquiry indicates that the security mode is set from the facsimile apparatus, the destination registered in the facsimile apparatus is acquired from the facsimile apparatus. Display a screen for selecting the destination of the created image information from the destinations acquired from the facsimile device,
As a result of the inquiry, when the facsimile apparatus responds that the non-security mode is set, a screen for inputting an arbitrary destination of the image information is displayed on the display device. Processing equipment.

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