JP4300107B2 - Facsimile apparatus and control method thereof - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus that transfers image data received by FAX as an attached file of a mail and a control method therefor .

Conventionally, transmission / reception of image data to a remote place using a public line network is generally performed using a facsimile machine, but nowadays information processing apparatuses such as personal computers are used due to the widespread use of the Internet. There are increasing opportunities to send and receive image data as attachments to e-mails.
However, there are still many users who use a facsimile, and it is necessary to improve the connectivity between the facsimile function and electronic mail.

  As such a conventional technique, for example, in an Internet mail-based facsimile transmission system, when image data received from a facsimile apparatus is transferred to a mail address, a function of embedding the telephone number of the sender in the mail Subject header is provided. In the case where the telephone number of the Subject header is held at the time of reply, there is a “relay device” having a function of making a reply using this (see Patent Document 1).

In addition, for example, there is a “network facsimile apparatus control method” having a function of setting a transmission source telephone number in a From header or a Reply-To header when requesting relay of image data received from a facsimile apparatus to a mail address. Yes (see Patent Document 2).
JP 2002-135295 A JP-A-11-205504

However, in the conventional technology, the connectivity between the facsimile apparatus and the electronic mail is insufficient.
For example, there is a facsimile apparatus that can receive image data received from a facsimile apparatus as an electronic mail, but in this case as well, an electronic mail cannot be replied.

  In the relay device disclosed in Patent Document 1, the sender number is embedded in the Subject header, but the Subject header may be rewritten by the sender. In addition, there is a possibility that the Subject header may be processed by the mail server due to the limitation of the number of characters transmitted in the e-mail, and thus there is a problem that the reply cannot be correctly made to the sender.

  In the control method of the network facsimile apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 2, a telephone number is set in the From header or Reply-To header. However, since the telephone number is set as it is, a dedicated facsimile apparatus is used. Since it operates normally only in the constructed network, it cannot be sent to a normal mail terminal (such as a personal computer). In addition, when the destination is wrong, the From header or Reply-To header containing the telephone number cannot be processed.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a facsimile apparatus having improved connectivity with electronic mail.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the invention according to claim 1 is directed to transfer means for transferring image data received by FAX from an external facsimile apparatus to an e-mail terminal as an attached file of e- mail, and receiving e-mail from the e-mail terminal. And a reply means for returning the attached file of the electronic mail to the external facsimile apparatus based on the telephone number information set in the header of the electronic mail, and the transfer means is a telephone of the external facsimile apparatus that is the transmission source If the number can be obtained, the mail terminal that transfers the telephone number is set in the header of the e-mail with information that can be returned by e-mail, and if the telephone number cannot be obtained, the fact that the telephone number could not be obtained Is described in an e-mail .

  The invention described in claim 2 is characterized in that the header of the e-mail to be transferred is a Reply-To header.

  The invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that the header of the electronic mail to be transferred is a From header.

The invention according to claim 4 is characterized in that the reply means includes history management means for associating the FAX reception from the external facsimile apparatus with the FAX reply by the reply from the mail terminal and leaving it in the communication history .

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when image data received by FAX from an external facsimile apparatus is attached to the e-mail as an e-mail attachment file, and the telephone number of the external facsimile apparatus that is the transmission source can be acquired, If the mail terminal to which the number is transferred is set in the header of the email with information that can be sent back by email, if the phone number can not be obtained, write that the phone number could not be obtained in the email A transfer step of transferring to the terminal; and a reply step of receiving an e-mail from the mail terminal and returning an attached file of the e-mail to the external facsimile apparatus based on the telephone number information set in the header of the e-mail. It is characterized by including.

  According to the present invention, transfer means for transferring image data received by FAX from an external facsimile apparatus to a mail terminal as an attached file of an electronic mail, a reply electronic mail received from the mail terminal as the electronic mail reply mail, and the reply A reply means for sending a reply of the attached file of the electronic mail to the external facsimile apparatus as the transmission source, and the forwarding means can reply the FAX telephone number of the transmission source to the header of the electronic mail to be transferred By having a FAX number setting means for setting in a simple format, it is possible to send a FAX reply using a general e-mail tool (mailer) for reception from a facsimile. The connectivity is improved and the operation becomes easy.

For personal use, a facsimile apparatus having the functions shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 is sufficient. However, corporate users can be applied to ordering / customer management and the like by having the function of history management shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 below.
As an embodiment of the apparatus itself, there is a facsimile apparatus that is distributed as a consumer electronics. In addition, for an enterprise, an information processing apparatus in which a FAX function board is incorporated in an expansion slot of a personal computer or a server computer, a dedicated gateway, or the like is conceivable. one of.

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a functional configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Note that mechanisms that are not directly related to the present invention are omitted.
The operation unit 1 performs registration necessary for the operation of the apparatus, such as registration necessary for LAN communication and facsimile communication, and a mail address to be transferred when a FAX is received from the external facsimile apparatus 7.
The LAN communication control unit 2 controls transmission of e-mail to a mail server.
The system control unit 3 controls the operation unit 1 to accept setting of conditions for distribution. The set contents are stored in the storage unit 5. Further, communication with an external G3 / G4 facsimile is performed through the facsimile communication control unit 4. The received image data is stored in the storage unit 5.

The facsimile communication control unit 4 controls facsimile communication via a telephone line (analog / ISDN) or PBX. Note that when the facsimile communication control unit is composed of one line, it may be composed of two or more lines.
The storage unit 5 temporarily stores image data received from the external facsimile apparatus 7 and image data received by e-mail. Also, registration necessary for the operation of the apparatus input from the operation unit is stored.
Note that this apparatus needs to be registered so that it can be recognized as one of the mail servers from the mail server of the connected network. Normally, it is necessary to register in the MX record of the DNS server.

Next, the operation of the facsimile apparatus will be described.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a flow of operations of received image data transfer.
The system control unit 3 receives image data from the external facsimile apparatus 6 (transmission source) through the facsimile communication control unit 4 (step S1), and stores the received image data and the telephone number of the transmission source facsimile apparatus in the storage unit 5. (Step S2).
Note that the telephone number of the transmission source is obtained by the number display function, the method of using the TSI notified from the transmission source as it is, the method of searching for the telephone number registered in advance from the TSI notified from the transmission source, A method in which the transmitting side designates with a PB signal is conceivable.

  The system control unit 3 sets “phone number + @ + device host name (complete host name including domain)” in the Reply-To header to the transfer destination registered in advance via the LAN control unit 2. (Step S3 / Yes, S4), the received image data is transmitted as an attached file (Step S6). However, when the telephone number of the transmission source cannot be acquired (step S3 / No), the image data is transmitted (step S6) without adding a Reply-To header (step S5).

As an example of setting the Reply-To header, for example, when the source telephone number is “0312345678” and the host name including the domain is “faxsrv.aaa.bbb.jp”, “0312345678@faxsrv.aaa.bbb Set ".jp" in the Reply-To header of the email.
As for the format for setting the telephone number to Reply-To, there is no particular restriction on the local part (the part before @ of the mail address) as long as the host name is added.

In addition, instead of setting “telephone number + @ + device host name (complete host name including domain)” in the Reply-To header, there is also a method of setting it in the From header.
In general, when a mailer sends a reply to a certain electronic mail, the mail address described in the Reply-To header is set as a reply destination in preference to the mail address described in the From header. For example, as another embodiment of the present invention, it is configured using an external reception-only facsimile apparatus, an external transmission-only facsimile apparatus, and a storage unit (for example, a server apparatus) independently connected thereto. In such a case, “telephone number + @ + device host name (complete host name including domain)” is set in the Reply-To header, and the mail address of the reception-only facsimile machine (arbitrary address) is set in the From header. ) Can be described.
Also, as shown in FIG. 1, when transmission / reception is performed by one facsimile apparatus, either a Reply-To header or a From header may be set.

  In addition, the e-mail transferred from the facsimile machine may not be sent for some reason, such as when the e-mail address does not exist, and may be returned as an error e-mail. Thus, it is possible to perform appropriate error processing.

The header into which the FAX telephone number is incorporated is not limited to the Reply-To header or From header, but there is also a method in which the FAX number is incorporated into a header that can be processed in common by both the facsimile apparatus and the mailer. For example, in the Reply-To header or From header, set "arbitrary account + @ + device host name (complete host name including domain)" and embed the FAX telephone number in the Message-ID header. There is also a method like this.
However, if the Reply-To header or From header is used for return work at the mail terminal, the fax number is displayed at the mailer's destination, so the number can be confirmed. is there. In addition, when transmitting to another FAX number, there is also an advantage that the FAX number displayed at the mailer destination can be processed.

  The mail terminal 6 (such as a personal computer on which a mailer is installed) can receive a mail sent in this way and refer to received image data attached as an attached file. It is possible to send a reply to the facsimile apparatus by performing a normal mail reply operation such as describing the contents to be replied in the mail text or returning the image to be replied as an attached file.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a flow of FAX return operation.
As described above, the system control unit 3 receives the mail edited by the mail terminal 6 (description of the mail text or attachment of the image data) through the LAN communication control unit 2 (step S11). A telephone number is acquired from the destination and stored in the storage unit 5 together with the mail text and attached file (step S12).
The system control unit 3 expands the text and attached file of the mail stored in the storage unit 5, and transmits the fax to the transmission destination also stored in the storage unit 5 through the facsimile communication control unit 4 (step S13). ).

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of the operation improved when the transmission source telephone number cannot be acquired.
In the operation shown in FIG. 2, there is a possibility that the telephone number of the transmission source cannot be obtained in reception from the external facsimile apparatus 7 depending on the use environment.
Image data is received from the external facsimile machine 7 (step S21), the transmission source telephone number is acquired and stored in the storage unit 5 together with the received image data (step S22). Here, when the telephone number of the transmission source cannot be acquired (Step S23 / No), the Reply-To setting is not performed, and at the same time, a text part is added before the received image data, and FIG. The fact that the reply cannot be made by the operation of the normal mail terminal shown in the explanation of step 3 is described (step S25), and it is transmitted to the registered mail address (step S26).

  When such a mail is received at the mail terminal 6, the mail terminal 6 cannot reply as it is. Therefore, by specifying the reply destination telephone number, the mail terminal 6 performs a mail reply, The facsimile apparatus according to the present invention that has received the mail can return the FAX.

Here, for example, when receiving an acceptance of an order for an application such as an order receiving operation, it is necessary to manage the reception from the external facsimile and the communication history of the return in correspondence.
5 and 6 are flowcharts showing the flow of history management operations.
The system control unit 3 receives the FAX document (image data) transmitted from the external facsimile apparatus 7 that is the transmission source through the facsimile communication control unit 4 (step S31). At the same time, a document ID for uniquely identifying the received FAX document is generated, and the document ID is stored in the storage unit 5 together with the received image data and the telephone number of the transmission source facsimile apparatus (step S32). ).

  When the transmission source telephone number can be acquired (step S33 / Yes), a Reply-To header is set (step S34), and when the transmission source telephone number cannot be acquired (step S33 / No). Does not set Reply-To, and at the same time, adds a text part in front of the received image data and describes that it cannot be sent back (step S35), and performs mail transfer. A Message-ID header is added to the forwarded mail. The content to be added includes the document ID and a device ID that uniquely identifies the device (step S36).

The mail terminal 6 (such as a personal computer on which a mailer is installed) can receive a mail sent in this way and refer to received image data attached as an attached file. It is possible to send a reply to the facsimile apparatus by performing a normal mail reply operation such as describing the contents to be replied in the mail text or returning the image to be replied as an attached file.
Note that when returning a mail transferred by the mail terminal 6, the contents described in the Message-ID header of the forwarded mail are reflected in the In-Reply-To header of the reply mail. Some mailers may be reflected in the References header instead of the In-Reply-To header.

As described above, the system control unit 3 receives the mail edited by the mail terminal 6 (description of the mail text or attachment of image data) through the LAN communication control unit 2 (step S41). The telephone number is acquired from the destination and stored in the storage unit 5 together with the mail text and the attached file. Further, when the In-Reply-To header is analyzed and the reply is a reply (Reply) to the mail sent from the own device, a document ID for uniquely identifying the document is obtained from the In-Reply-To header, and the mail body is obtained. The file is stored together with the attached file and the telephone number (step S42). If there is no description in the In-Reply-To header, the References header is analyzed and the same processing is performed.
The system control unit 3 expands the mail text and the attached file stored in the storage unit 5, and transmits the fax to the transmission destination stored in the storage unit 5 through the facsimile communication control unit 4. Further, after the communication is completed, the document ID acquired from the mail is recorded in the communication history (step S13).

  As is apparent from the above description, transfer means for transferring image data received by FAX from an external facsimile apparatus to a mail terminal as an attached file of an e-mail, and a reply e-mail received from the mail terminal as a reply mail of the e-mail And a reply means for replying the attached file of the reply electronic mail to the external facsimile apparatus as the transmission source, and the forwarding means includes a FAX telephone number of the transmission source in a header of the forwarded electronic mail. The facsimile number setting means for setting the message in a replyable format makes it possible to send a FAX reply using a general electronic mail tool (mailer) in response to reception from the facsimile. And e-mail connectivity become easier and easier to operate.

  In addition, the transfer means has a mail body creation means for describing that the sender's FAX telephone number could not be acquired in the body of the e-mail to be transferred when the sender's FAX telephone number could not be acquired. Thus, for example, even if the sender's phone number could not be obtained due to non-notification of the number, etc., the user can confirm the description in the mail text that the reply cannot be made. Thus, it is possible to cope with the contents of the attached file (FAX document) received at the same time by another means.

Further, the reply means has history management means for associating the FAX reception from the external facsimile apparatus with the FAX reply by the reply from the mail terminal and leaving it in the communication history, so that the user manages the communication history. Thus, the interoperability between the facsimile apparatus and the information processing apparatus such as a computer is improved.
For example, there is an effect of reducing business mistakes such as forgetting to respond to an order by referring to the communication history in the order receiving operation.

The embodiment described above is an example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. However, the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to these, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.
For example, as an actual facsimile machine, a facsimile machine having a scanner function for reading a paper for FAX transmission and a paper output function for outputting FAX received data to a paper is generally used.
However, today, using the expansion function of a personal computer or server computer, the FAX function board is inserted into the expansion slot, and the software necessary for operation is incorporated to confirm the received image on the computer screen. FAX function on the computer, such as sending a document edited on the computer, or referring to the phone book stored on the computer for the destination FAX phone number Such a computer is also one of facsimile machines.

  In addition, a gateway for FAX communication, a gateway for data communication with a mail terminal, and a device incorporating only a mutual conversion function (various functions described above) between FAX image data and electronic mail is also one of the facsimile apparatuses. One. In such a case, it is possible to confirm and return the received data at another terminal connected to the apparatus.

  The history management shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 is not limited to orders, and for example, when a reservation is received from a customer by FAX, the fact that the reception has been completed is returned and the history is managed. , Etc. are also conceivable.

1 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of operation | movement of received image data transfer. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the operation | movement of FAX return. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of operation | movement which improved operation | movement when a transmission origin telephone number cannot be acquired. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of operation | movement of log | history management (transfer of a received image). It is a flowchart which shows the flow of operation | movement of log | history management (FAX return).

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Operation part 2 LAN communication control part 3 System control part 4 Facsimile communication control part 5 Memory | storage part 6 Mail terminal 7 External facsimile apparatus

Claims (5)

Transfer means for transferring image data received by FAX from an external facsimile apparatus to an e-mail terminal as an attached file of e-mail;
A reply means for receiving an e-mail from a mail terminal and returning an attached file of the e-mail to an external facsimile apparatus based on telephone number information set in a header of the e-mail;
When the telephone number of the external facsimile machine that is the transmission source can be acquired, the transfer means is set in the header of the email with information that the mail terminal that transfers the phone number can reply by email,
A facsimile machine characterized in that, when a telephone number cannot be obtained, an electronic mail is written to the effect that the telephone number could not be obtained.   2. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a header of the e-mail to be transferred is a Reply-To header.   3. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a header of the electronic mail to be transferred is a From header.   The reply means includes history management means for associating FAX reception from an external facsimile apparatus with FAX reply by reply from a mail terminal and leaving it in a communication history. The facsimile apparatus according to the item. The image data received by fax from an external facsimile machine is attached to the e-mail as an e-mail attachment file,
When the telephone number of the external facsimile machine that is the transmission source can be acquired, the mail terminal that transfers the telephone number is set in the header of the email with information that can be sent back by email,
If the phone number could not be obtained, describe in the email that the phone number could not be obtained,
A transfer process for transferring to a mail terminal;
A reply step of receiving an e-mail from the mail terminal and returning the attached file of the e-mail to the external facsimile apparatus based on the telephone number information set in the header of the e-mail;
A method for controlling a facsimile apparatus, comprising:

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