JP6287616B2 - Communication apparatus and communication system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication device and a communication system that acquire address information for communication with a counterpart device from an external device, and establish communication with the counterpart device based on the acquired counterpart address information.

  In recent years, in communication using a public communication line (telephone network) or network (IP network), address information (identification information for specifying the other party device) used in call control for establishing communication with the other party device is externally used. A communication device obtained from the device has been put into practical use.

  Such a communication device starts communication with the counterpart device in the following procedure. The communication device inputs key information (for example, the name of the other party) for specifying the desired address information to the external device in which the address information is stored, so that the desired address information (for example, telephone number or IP address). The communication device starts communication with the counterpart device using the acquired address information (for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-1000096 JP 2007-116264 A

  In the configuration in which the address information is acquired from the external device as described above, when the address information stored in the external device is altered by a malicious person, the data is transmitted to a destination different from the destination to which the caller tried to transmit. Will be. For example, if confidential information is transmitted by facsimile without knowing that the address information has been tampered with, the confidential information will leak to a third party.

  Further, Patent Documents 1 and 2 propose methods for avoiding erroneous transmission, but both are configured to perform a check during call control. In the configuration in which the check is performed during the call control, for example, when image data read by the image reading unit is transmitted by facsimile, the check is performed only when the call control is started after the image reading is completed. However, the user who has input the transmission start instruction to the communication device often leaves the communication device and returns to his / her seat. It is possible that the user will not notice.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems of the prior art, and can prevent data transmission to a destination different from the originally assumed destination, and the user can more reliably detect abnormal address information. It is an object of the present invention to provide a communication device and a communication system that can be recognized.

In order to achieve the above object, the communication apparatus according to the present invention employs the following technical means. First, the present invention presupposes a communication device that acquires address information for communication with a counterpart device from an external device and establishes communication with the counterpart device based on the acquired counterpart address information. The communication device according to the present invention includes an address information acquisition unit, an address information holding unit, a determination unit, and a communication control unit. The address information acquisition unit acquires address information of the counterpart device from the external device when designating the communication destination. The address information holding unit holds the address information used when communicating with the counterpart device first. The determination unit determines whether the address information newly acquired by the address information acquisition unit and the address information stored in the address information storage unit are the same when the address information confirmation is required. judge. When the communication control unit determines that the determination unit is the same , the communication control unit establishes communication with the counterpart device based on the address information newly acquired by the address information acquisition unit, and when the determination unit determines that the determination unit is not the same, the address establishing communication with a phase Tekata device based on the address information held in the information holding unit.

  This communication device establishes communication if the address information acquired from the external device is the same as the address information in the existing data communication with the same counterpart device when specifying the communication destination, and communicates when the address information is different. It is possible to perform control such as inquiring the user which address information is used for communication. Therefore, it is possible to prevent data from being transmitted to an unexpected destination due to falsification of address information in the external device. In addition, since the address information is checked when the communication destination is designated, the user can more reliably recognize an abnormality in the address information.

In addition, another communication apparatus according to the present invention includes an address information acquisition unit, an address information holding unit, a determination unit, a notification unit, an inquiry unit, and a communication control unit. The address information acquisition unit acquires address information of the counterpart device from the external device when designating the communication destination. The address information holding unit holds the address information used when communicating with the counterpart device first. The determination unit determines whether the address information newly acquired by the address information acquisition unit and the address information stored in the address information storage unit are the same when the address information confirmation is required. judge. When the notification unit determines that the determination units are not the same, the notification unit notifies the user accordingly. When the inquiry unit determines that the determination units are not the same, the inquiry unit presents options of “use newly acquired address information”, “use stored address information”, and “use none” and Request any choice. The communication control unit establishes communication with the counterpart device based on the address information newly acquired by the address information acquisition unit when “use newly acquired address information” is selected in response to the request from the inquiry unit. , When “Use retained address information” is selected, communication with the counterpart device is established based on the address information held in the address information holding unit, and “Do not use any” is selected. In this case, both the address information newly acquired by the address information acquisition unit and the address information stored in the address information storage unit are not set as communication destinations.

On the other hand, in another aspect, the present invention provides a communication system that acquires address information for communication with a counterpart device from an external device and establishes communication with the counterpart device based on the acquired counterpart address information. You can also. That is, the communication system according to the present invention includes a storage device, a determination device, and a communication device. The storage device holds the address information used in the communication with the counterpart device already performed. When the determination device is set to require confirmation of the address information , the determination device determines whether the address information of the counterpart device newly acquired from the external device is the same as the address information held in the storage device. judge. The communication device includes an address information acquisition unit and a communication control unit. The address information acquisition unit acquires the address information of the counterpart device from the external device when designating the communication destination, and inputs the acquired address information to the determination device. When it is determined that the determination devices are the same , the communication control unit establishes communication with the counterpart device based on the address information newly acquired by the address information acquisition unit, and when it is determined that the determination devices are not the same, the storage establishing communication with a phase Tekata device based on the address information held in the device.

  According to the present invention, data transmission to a destination different from the originally assumed destination can be prevented. In addition, the user can more reliably recognize an abnormality in the address information.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing the overall configuration of a multifunction machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. The figure which shows the hardware constitutions of the multifunctional device in one Embodiment of this invention. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a multifunction machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. The flowchart which shows an example of the communication destination setting procedure which the multifunctional machine in one Embodiment of this invention implements

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings. Hereinafter, the present invention is embodied as a digital multi-function peripheral having a facsimile function which is a data transmission function for establishing communication with a counterpart device and performing data transmission.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of a digital multifunction peripheral according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the multifunction peripheral 100 includes a main body 101 including an image reading unit 120 and an image forming unit 140, and a platen cover 102 attached above the main body 101. An operation panel 171 is provided on the front surface of the multi-function device 100 so that a user can give a copy start or other instruction to the multi-function device 100, and can check the status and settings of the multi-function device 100.

  An image reading unit 120 is provided on the upper portion of the main body 101. The image reading unit 120 reads an image of a document with the scanning optical system 121 and generates digital data (image data) of the image.

  The generated image data can be printed on paper in the image forming unit 140. Further, the data can be transmitted to other devices (not shown) through the network 162 by the network interface 161. Further, facsimile transmission can be performed through the public line network 164 by the FAX interface 163.

  The image forming unit 140 prints the image data obtained by the image reading unit 120, the image data received from another device connected to the network 162, or the image data received through the public network 164 on a sheet. The image forming unit 140 feeds paper from the manual feed tray 151, the paper feed cassettes 152, 153, and 154 to the transfer unit 155 that transfers the toner image. The sheet on which the toner image has been transferred in the transfer unit 155 is discharged to a discharge tray 149.

  FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of a control system in the multifunction machine. The MFP 100 according to the present embodiment includes a central processing unit (CPU) 201, a random access memory (RAM) 202, a read only memory (ROM) 203, a hard disk drive (HDD) 204, an image reading unit 120, and an image forming unit 140. A driver 205 corresponding to each drive unit is connected via an internal bus 206. The ROM 203, the HDD 204, and the like store programs, and the CPU 201 controls the multifunction peripheral 100 in accordance with instructions from the control program. For example, the CPU 201 uses the RAM 202 as a work area, and controls the operation of each driving unit by exchanging data and commands with the driver 205. The HDD 204 is also used to store image data obtained by the image reading unit 120, image data received from another device through the network interface 161, and image data received through the FAX interface 163.

  An operation panel 171 and various sensors 207 are also connected to the internal bus 206. The operation panel 171 receives a user operation and supplies a signal based on the operation to the CPU 201. The operation panel 171 displays an operation screen on a display included in the operation panel 171 according to a control signal from the CPU 201. The sensor 207 includes various sensors such as an open / close detection sensor for the platen cover 102, a document detection sensor on the document table, a temperature sensor for the fixing device, and a detection sensor for the conveyed paper or document.

  The CPU 201 executes, for example, a program stored in the ROM 203 to realize the following means (functional blocks) and controls the operation of each means according to signals from these sensors.

  FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the MFP according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, in this embodiment, the multifunction peripheral 100 and the counterpart apparatus 200 are connected via a network 162 in a state where data can be exchanged. Although not particularly limited, in this example, SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) is used as a call control protocol for communication between the multifunction device 100 and the counterpart device 200. Therefore, the SIP server 300 is also connected to the network 162. The SIP server 300 may be configured as one server that implements the functions of a proxy server, a redirect server, a registrar server, and a location server, or each may be configured as a separate server. Since the SIP server is publicly known, a description thereof is omitted here.

  First, the counterpart device 200 will be described. The counterpart device 200 is a communication device similar to the multifunction device 100 and is connected to the network 162 via the network interface 211. The counterpart apparatus 200 includes a communication control unit 201. The communication control unit 201 performs control related to communication such as establishment of communication with other communication apparatuses and transmission / reception of data.

  When the counterpart device 200 is activated, the counterpart device 200 registers address information (for example, an IP address) assigned to the counterpart device 200 in the SIP server 300. This address information is information for causing a call connection request from the other communication device (for example, the multifunction device 100) to the counterpart device 200 to reach the counterpart device 200. The address information is a SIP URI (Uniform Resource Identifier). It is registered in the SIP server 300 in association with it. The correspondence relationship between the SIP URI and destination information such as a uniquely assigned name and a uniquely assigned number is also registered in the SIP server 300. Therefore, for example, when a call connection request is issued from the MFP 100 to the counterpart device 200, the above destination information can be input as key information for specifying the address information of the counterpart device instead of the SIP URI.

  On the other hand, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the multifunction peripheral 100 includes an address information acquisition unit 301, an address information holding unit 302, a determination unit 303, and a communication control unit 304.

  The address information acquisition unit 301 acquires address information of the counterpart device 200 from the SIP server 300 when designating the communication destination. The address information acquisition unit 301 acquires address information of the partner apparatus 200 from the SIP server 300 by transmitting destination information such as the partner name input through the operation panel 171 to the SIP server 300 through the network 162, for example.

  The address information holding unit 302 holds the address information used when communicating with the counterpart device 200 first. Here, “used when communicating with counterpart device 200 first” is used in call control in which communication is established before (for example, immediately before) call control to be performed at that time. Means. The address information holding unit 302 holds address information for each counterpart device. Although not particularly limited, in the present embodiment, the address information holding unit 302 holds address information in association with information specifying the counterpart device (the above-described destination information).

  The determination unit 303 determines whether the address information newly acquired by the address information acquisition unit 301 is the same as the address information stored in the address information storage unit 302.

  The communication control unit 304 establishes communication with the counterpart device 200 based on the determination result of the determination unit 303. In the present embodiment, when the determination unit 303 determines that they are the same, the communication control unit 304 makes a call to the counterpart device 200 based on the address information newly acquired by the address information acquisition unit 301. When the determination unit 303 determines that they are not the same, the communication control unit 304 makes a call to the counterpart device 200 based on the address information held in the address information holding unit 302 or does not make a call to the counterpart device 200. Although not particularly limited, in the present embodiment, the communication control unit 304 is configured to transmit data to be transmitted (for example, image data) to another apparatus via the network interface 161 or the FAX interface 163.

  The multifunction device 100 further includes an inquiry unit 305 and a notification unit 306.

  When the determination unit 303 determines that the determination unit 303 is not the same, the inquiry unit 305 determines which of the address information newly acquired by the address information acquisition unit 301 and the address information stored in the address information storage unit 302 is to be used. Contact user. For example, the inquiry unit 305 displays a selection button on a display included in the operation panel 171 and requests the user to select a calling method for the counterpart device 200.

  When the determination unit 303 determines that the determination unit 303 is not the same, the notification unit 306 notifies the user to that effect. The notification unit 306 uses, for example, an arbitrary method such as displaying a message on a display included in the operation panel 171, so that the address information acquired by the address information acquisition unit 301 is different from the address information in the previous communication. Notify users of this.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a communication destination setting procedure performed by the multifunction peripheral 100. The procedure starts with, for example, the multifunction device 100 being triggered by the designation of the counterpart device 200 to be called by a user instruction or the like through the operation panel 171. At this time, the communication control unit 304 transmits the above-described destination information corresponding to the counterpart device 200 to the SIP server 300 via the network 162, for example. In response to this, the SIP server 300 transmits the address information of the counterpart device 200 to the multi-function device 100.

  The address information acquisition unit 301 acquires the address information of the counterpart device 200 transmitted from the SIP server 300 (step S401). The address information acquisition unit 301 that acquired the address information notifies the determination unit 303 to that effect. Receiving the notification, the determination unit 303 confirms whether the address information corresponding to the destination information of the counterpart device 200 exists in the address information holding unit 302 (Yes in Steps S402 and S403).

  When the address information corresponding to the counterpart device 200 does not exist in the address information holding unit 302, the counterpart device 200 is a partner with which communication is performed for the first time, so the determination unit 303 sends the communication control unit 304 to the counterpart device 200. Notify that this is the first communication. Receiving the notification, the communication control unit 304 acquires address information from the address information acquisition unit 301, and sets the address information as a communication destination (No in steps S403 and S411).

  When the address information corresponding to the counterpart apparatus 200 exists in the address information holding unit 302, the determination unit 303 acquires the address information held in the address information acquisition unit 301 and holds it in the address information holding unit 302. The address information corresponding to the counterpart apparatus 200 is acquired. And the determination part 303 compares both (step S404).

  When the address information acquired from the address information acquisition unit 301 and the address information acquired from the address information holding unit 302 are the same, the determination unit 303 notifies the communication control unit 304 to that effect. Receiving the notification, the communication control unit 304 acquires address information from the address information acquisition unit 301, and sets the address information as a communication destination (steps S405 Yes, S411).

  On the other hand, when the address information acquired from the address information acquisition unit 301 and the address information acquired from the address information holding unit 302 are not the same, the determination unit 303 notifies the inquiry unit 305 and the notification unit 306 to that effect. Upon receiving the notification, the notification unit 306 displays a message on the display included in the operation panel 171 so that the address information acquired by the address information acquisition unit 301 is different from the address information used in the previous communication. Is notified to the user (steps S405 No, S406).

  The inquiry unit 305 that has received the notification arranges the message displayed on the notification unit 306 on the display provided in the operation panel 171, for example, a “use newly acquired address information” button, “held address” The “use information” button and the “use none” button are displayed, and the user is requested to select one (step S407).

  For example, if the user recognizes the change of the address information by the address information change notification from the user of the counterpart device 200, the user may select the “use newly acquired address information” button. In this case, the inquiry unit 305 notifies the determination unit 303 to that effect. In response to the notification, the determination unit 303 notifies the communication control unit 304 accordingly. Receiving the notification, the communication control unit 304 acquires address information from the address information acquisition unit 301, and sets the address information as a communication destination (steps S407 Yes, S411).

  In addition, for example, the user can make an inquiry immediately to the user of the counterpart device 200 and select the “use stored address information” button if the change of the address information can be confirmed. In this case, the inquiry unit 305 notifies the determination unit 303 to that effect. In response to the notification, the determination unit 303 notifies the communication control unit 304 accordingly. Receiving the notification, the communication control unit 304 acquires address information from the address information holding unit 302, and sets the address information as a communication destination (steps S407 No, S408 Yes, S409).

  Further, for example, if the user has not recognized the change of the address information by the address information change notification from the user of the counterpart device 200, the user may select the “None” button. In this case, the inquiry unit 305 notifies the determination unit 303 to that effect. In response to the notification, the determination unit 303 notifies the communication control unit 304 accordingly. Receiving the notification, the communication control unit 304 does not set both the address information acquired by the address information acquisition unit 301 and the address information stored in the address information storage unit 302 as communication destinations (steps S407 No, S408 No, S410). .

  As described above, when the setting of the transmission destination is completed, the communication control unit 304 makes a call to the counterpart apparatus 200 based on the set address information. When the call control is completed, the communication control unit 304 transmits the transmission target data to the counterpart device 200. When the transmission is completed, the communication control unit 304 registers the address information used for the communication in the address information holding unit 302 in association with the destination information of the counterpart device 200.

  In the MFP 100 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to selectively set whether or not to confirm the address information by comparing the address information of the counterpart device 200 with the address information of the previous counterpart device 200. When “address information confirmation is not required” is set, the MFP 100 sets the address information acquired by the address information acquisition unit 301 as the communication destination in the communication control unit 304 without comparing the address information. (Step S402 No, S411). After the communication is completed, the communication control unit 304 registers the address information used for the communication in the address information holding unit 302 in association with the destination information of the counterpart device 200. As a result, even when the setting is changed to “requires confirmation of address information”, the comparison of address information can be started promptly.

  Further, in the above description, the other party address information for specifying the other party device 200 used when establishing communication with the other party device 200 is obtained from the SIP server 300. However, the address information is acquired from the external device. Any configuration can be adopted as long as the configuration is obtained from the above. For example, a configuration in which the address information is acquired by LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol) can be adopted.

  In this configuration, when specific address information is requested from the multifunction device 100, not only the specific address information but all address information is transmitted to the multifunction device 100 from the LDAP server. In this case, for example, the address information acquisition unit 301 may acquire only specific address information from all the address information. Further, the address information holding unit 302 may hold only the address information used for communication in association with the destination information.

  As described above, in the MFP 100, the address information acquired from the external device such as the SIP server or the LDAP server is the same as the address information in the existing data communication with the same counterpart device 200 when specifying the communication destination. Communication can be established such that communication is established in some cases, communication is not performed if they are different, or which address information is used for communication is inquired to the user. Therefore, it is possible to prevent data from being transmitted to an unexpected destination due to falsification of address information in the external device.

  In addition, since the address information is checked when the communication destination is designated, the user can more reliably recognize an abnormality in the address information. In addition, even when the image data read by the image reading unit 120 is transmitted, the address information can be confirmed before the transmission start instruction is input to the multi-function device 100, so that useless image reading operation and useless communication occur. There is nothing.

  The above-described embodiments do not limit the technical scope of the present invention, and various modifications and applications other than those already described are possible within the scope of the present invention. For example, in the above embodiment, a configuration including the inquiry unit 305 and the notification unit 306 has been described as a particularly preferable mode, but these components are not essential. Even in a configuration that does not include these components, for example, control that does not establish communication when the address information is changed can be realized.

  Further, the flowchart shown in FIG. 4 can be changed as appropriate within a range where an equivalent operation is achieved. For example, in FIG. 4, whether or not the address information corresponding to the counterpart device 200 is retained in the address information retaining unit 302 is confirmed after the acquisition of the address information. May be implemented.

  Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the present invention is embodied as a digital multifunction peripheral. However, the present invention is not limited to a digital multifunction peripheral and can be applied to an arbitrary communication device such as a facsimile.

  In addition, in the above description, a configuration in which a multifunction peripheral serving as a communication device includes all the elements has been described. However, the present invention is configured as a communication system in which each separately configured element is connected through a network or the like. You can also. For example, the address information holding unit and the determination unit may be configured separately from the multifunction peripheral as the storage device and the determination device. In this case, the address information acquisition unit of the multifunction peripheral acquires the address information of the counterpart device from the external device, and inputs the acquired address information to the determination device. In such a communication system, for example, a storage device and a determination device can be shared with a plurality of communication devices.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent data transmission to a destination different from the originally assumed destination, and it is possible for a user to more reliably recognize an abnormality in address information, which is useful as a communication device and a communication system. It is.

100 MFP (communication device)
200 Counterpart device 300 SIP server (external device)
301 Address information acquisition unit 302 Address information holding unit 303 Determination unit 304 Communication control unit 305 Inquiry unit 306 Notification unit

Claims (4)

A communication device that acquires address information for communication with a counterpart device from an external device, and establishes communication with the counterpart device based on the acquired counterpart address information,
When specifying a communication destination, an address information acquisition unit that acquires address information of the counterpart device from the external device;
An address information holding unit for holding the address information used when communicating with the counterpart device first;
When it is set to confirm the address information, it is determined whether the address information newly acquired by the address information acquisition unit is the same as the address information stored in the address information holding unit. A determination unit to perform,
When it is determined that the determination unit is the same, the address information acquisition unit establishes communication with the counterpart device based on the newly acquired address information, and when it is determined that the determination unit is not the same, the address a communication control unit to establish communication with the pre-Symbol opposite device based on the address information held in the information holding unit,
A communication device comprising: A communication device that acquires address information for communication with a counterpart device from an external device, and establishes communication with the counterpart device based on the acquired counterpart address information,
When specifying a communication destination, an address information acquisition unit that acquires address information of the counterpart device from the external device;
An address information holding unit for holding the address information used when communicating with the counterpart device first;
When it is set to confirm the address information, it is determined whether the address information newly acquired by the address information acquisition unit is the same as the address information stored in the address information holding unit. A determination unit to perform,
When it is determined that the determination unit is not the same, a notification unit that notifies the user to that effect,
When it is determined that the determination units are not the same, the options of “use newly acquired address information”, “use stored address information”, and “use none” are presented to the user. An inquiry section requesting one of the choices;
When “use newly acquired address information” is selected in response to the request by the inquiry unit, communication with the counterpart device is established based on the address information newly acquired by the address information acquisition unit. If “Use retained address information” is selected, communication with the counterpart device is established based on the address information held in the address information holding unit, and “None” is selected. A communication control unit that does not set both the address information newly acquired by the address information acquisition unit and the address information stored in the address information storage unit as a communication destination ;
A communication device comprising: A communication system that acquires address information for communication with a counterpart device from an external device, and establishes communication with the counterpart device based on the acquired counterpart address information,
When the counterpart device is activated, the address information of the counterpart device is registered in association with a SIP URI (Session Initiation Protocol Uniform Resource Identifier), and destination information that is uniquely associated with the SIP URI is registered. The external device registered and providing the address information identified with the destination information as key information;
A storage device that holds the address information used in communication with the counterpart device already implemented;
When it is set to confirm the address information, it is determined whether the address information of the counterpart device newly acquired from the external device is the same as the address information held in the storage device A determination device to
When specifying the communication destination, when it is determined that the address information acquisition unit that acquires the address information of the counterpart device from the external device and inputs the address information acquired to the determination device , and the determination device are the same, It said establishing the communication with the partner device based on the address information address information acquiring unit has acquired new, if it is determined that the determination device is not the same, before based on the address information held in the storage device's rating A communication device including a communication control unit for establishing communication with the counterpart device;
A communication system comprising: A communication system that acquires address information for communication with a counterpart device from an external device, and establishes communication with the counterpart device based on the acquired counterpart address information,
When the counterpart device is activated, the address information of the counterpart device is registered in association with a SIP URI (Session Initiation Protocol Uniform Resource Identifier), and destination information that is uniquely associated with the SIP URI is registered. The external device registered and providing the address information identified with the destination information as key information;
A storage device that holds the address information used in communication with the counterpart device already implemented;
When it is set to confirm the address information, it is determined whether the address information of the counterpart device newly acquired from the external device is the same as the address information held in the storage device A determination device to
When designating a communication destination , if it is determined that the determination device is not the same , an address information acquisition unit that acquires the address information of the counterpart device from the external device and inputs the acquired address information to the determination device. When it is determined that the notification unit for notifying the user and the determination devices are not the same, the options of “use newly acquired address information”, “use stored address information”, and “use none” are selected. The address information acquisition unit newly presents when an inquiry unit that presents a request to the user for selection and “use newly acquired address information” is selected in response to a request by the inquiry unit. Establishing communication with the counterpart device based on the acquired address information, and when "Use retained address information" is selected, Address information newly acquired by the address information acquisition unit when the communication device establishes communication with the counterpart device based on the address information held in the storage device and “None” is selected, and the storage device A communication device including a communication control unit that does not set both of the address information held in the communication destination ,
A communication system comprising:

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