JPH09116725A - Data communication equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To correct distributed data when distributed data are not yet distributed in the data communication equipment where data distributed to a terminal equipment in a local area network by the command of a transmitter side. SOLUTION: A distribution state of image data received from a wired communication line 120 or a radio communication channel 121 and whose distribution to a client terminal equipment of a radio LAN 126 or a wired LAN 125 is commanded by a transmitter is informed to the transmitter in response to the inquiry from the transmitter. When a document ID and the correction mode of the distributed image data are designated from the transmitter, the image data in a memory 104 corresponding to the document ID is corrected according to the command.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a data communication device,
In particular, it relates to a data communication device connected to a local area network (LAN) and a public network.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an apparatus of this type, for example, LA
A facsimile machine connected to N and a public telephone line is known. Such a facsimile device has a function of storing image data received via a telephone line in a memory and distributing the received image data to a client terminal on a LAN designated by a transmission source.

[0003]

When the above-mentioned facsimile apparatus carries out the distribution processing of the received image data, there is no problem as long as the designated client terminal is logged in and the received image data can be immediately distributed. However, if the designated client terminal is not logged in or is busy, it may take some time before the received image data is actually delivered to the designated client terminal. For this reason, the sender is
I cannot know when the image data I sent was actually delivered to the specified client terminal.

On the other hand, when there is an error in the transmitted image data, the transmission source may want to retransmit the image data to correct the error or add contents to the previously transmitted image data. is there. In this case, the transmission source retransmits the image data in which the error has been corrected, or the image data with the added content. Such retransmitted data is distributed as new data by the facsimile apparatus. At this time, if the previously sent image data has not been delivered to the specified client terminal, the delivery process is performed although the delivery of the previously sent image data is completely useless. There is a problem that it will end up.

[0005]

According to the present invention, in a data communication device for distributing data from a transmission source to a terminal connected to a local area network, the distribution status of the distribution data to the terminal in the local area network is A means for notifying the sender of the distribution data and a means for correcting the distribution data according to an instruction from the sender are provided.

[0006]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

A facsimile apparatus will be described as an example of the embodiment, but the present invention is applicable not only to the facsimile apparatus but also to various data communication apparatuses.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to this embodiment. In FIG.
A system control unit 101 controls the entire facsimile apparatus. The ROM 102 is a memory that stores the control program of the CPU 101, and the RAM 103 is configured by, for example, SRAM, and stores the program control variables and the like. The RAM 103 also functions as a buffer RAM for various works such as setting values registered by the operator and management data of the apparatus. In addition, the storage memory 104
Is composed of, for example, a DRAM and stores image data.

The resolution conversion processing unit 105 performs resolution conversion control such as milli-inch conversion of raster data, and the communication encoding / decoding processing unit 106 reads and codes the encoding method and the communication code. If the encoding methods are different, encoding is performed for communication. Further, the reading / recording encoding / decoding processing unit 107 performs image data encoding / decoding processing at the time of reading and recording, and the MODEM 108 performs modulation / demodulation of a facsimile reception signal.

An NCU (network control unit) 109 sends a selection signal (dial pulse or tone signal of another frequency) of a communication partner to a wired line i / f (interface) 11
7 to the wired communication line 120, or the wired communication line 121 via the wireless line i / f 118.
It has the function of sending to. The NCU 109 also performs an automatic incoming call operation by detecting a calling signal from the wired communication line 120 or the wireless communication line 121. The wired / wireless line control unit 119 controls the wired line i / f 117 and the wireless line i / f 118.

The scanner 111 is composed of, for example, a CS image sensor, a document feeding mechanism, etc., and optically reads an image on the document and converts it into electrical image data. Further, the image processing unit 110 performs a correction process on the image data read by the scanner 111 and outputs high-definition image data. The operation unit 112 is composed of a keyboard (not shown) or the like, and is used by the operator to perform various input operations. Then, the external display unit 113, for example,
Predetermined information is displayed and notified to the user by an LCD, an LED or the like.

The printer formatter 114 is, for example,
When printing out file data from a workstation or the like, the printer description language is analyzed and converted into image data. Further, the printer 115 records the received image and file data on recording paper. Furthermore, wired LA
The Ni / f 122 connects the facsimile device to the wired LAN 125, and the wireless LAN i / f 123 the wireless LAN.
The wired LAN i / f 122 and the wireless LAN i / f 123 are interfaces for connecting a facsimile apparatus to the 126.
Controlled by 4. Then, the LAN control unit 116
Performs data processing for exchanging data with a server (not shown) or a terminal on the wired LAN 125 or the wireless LAN 126.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a connection form of a system including the facsimile apparatus shown in FIG. 1 according to this embodiment. In the figure, 201 is the facsimile apparatus (LAN-FAX) shown in FIG. 1 according to the present embodiment, and is a facsimile apparatus that can be directly connected to the wired LAN 215 and the wireless LAN 212. However, in the present embodiment, an example in which the facsimile machine is directly connected to the LAN is shown, but this embodiment is not fixed, and a server machine may be connected between the facsimile machine and the LAN.

Reference numeral 202 denotes a LAN server machine to which the facsimile apparatus according to this embodiment is connected.
And manages files on the LAN. WS-1 (20
3) and WS-2 (204) are client terminals (information processing terminals) connected to the wired LAN 215. A printer server 205 receives print requests from these client terminals and outputs them to the printer 206. The printer 206 outputs print image data.

The WS-3 (207) is a wireless LAN 212.
Reference numeral 208 is a client terminal connected to the facsimile machine, and 208 is a partner facsimile machine that communicates with the facsimile machine according to the present embodiment through a telephone line described later. Also, 20
Reference numeral 9 denotes a wireless base station, and the facsimile machine communicates with a partner facsimile machine via a wireless line 213.

Reference numeral 210 denotes a line network, and the facsimile device and the radio base station 209 are public telephone lines (PST).
N) 211 is connected to this network 210. Reference numeral 212 is a wireless LAN configured by a facsimile machine having a wireless LAN interface and a client terminal. A wireless line 213 connects the facsimile apparatus 201 and the wireless base station 209 via a wireless line interface.

Next, the flow of processing when the facsimile apparatus 201 receives the image data sent from the transmitting side apparatus will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. Note that this flowchart is based on the program stored in the ROM 102.

The flow shown in FIG. 3 is a wired communication line 120.
Alternatively, it is a process executed in response to an incoming call from the wireless communication line 121.

First, in step S1, a facsimile communication procedure is executed in response to the incoming call detection (call signal detection).

NSF in this facsimile communication procedure
(Non-standard function signal) notifies that the facsimile device is connected to the LAN, has the function of notifying the distribution status, and has the correction processing function of undelivered data. Then, NSS (non-standard function setting signal) which is a facsimile procedure signal from the calling side, TSI
Communication is performed in a mode designated by (calling station identification signal) and DCS (digital command signal). Information such as the document ID, the total number of pages of the transmitted document, and the user name of the delivery destination is also set in this NSS. For example, when the delivery status notification mode is designated by the NSS and the document ID is designated, the delivery status of the document is checked based on the identification information of the calling side of the TSI and the document ID, and the check result is used as a procedure. Signal the caller. If the NSS specifies delivery to the client terminal on the LAN, the image data is received from the calling side and stored in the storage memory 104.
Then, the distribution process to the specified client terminal is performed. When the normal image communication is designated, the received image data is printed out by the printer.

In S2, it is judged whether or not the distribution status notification mode is designated. If the distribution status notification mode is designated, the distribution status of the document designated by the NSS is checked in S3. Notify the calling party. And S4
At S1, the same facsimile communication procedure as in S1 is executed, and it is determined by this procedure whether to perform image communication following the notification of the distribution status or to terminate the communication. If image communication is to be performed, the process proceeds to S5. By this, following notification of delivery status,
It is possible to perform image communication and communication for correcting documents.

If the delivery status notification mode is not designated in S2, the image data is received in S5.
The received image data is stored in the storage memory 104. Then, when the reception of the image data is completed, in S6,
In the communication procedure executed in S1 or S4, it is determined whether or not the correction mode and the document ID of the delivery document are designated during the image communication. If the correction mode and the document ID of the distributed document are not designated, the document ID is set in the image data received in S7, and the document ID set in S8 is notified to the calling side by a procedure signal.

In S9, it is judged whether or not the distribution mode is designated. If the distribution mode is not designated, S1 is determined.
At 0, communication is terminated and the received image data is printed out. When the delivery mode is designated, in S11, information such as the sender ID, the document ID, the file name, and the arrival time is set in the delivery management table, and the client terminal designated by the NSS is delivered to the delivery destination. Set as S12
Register in the distribution queue at and end the communication.

When the correction mode and the document ID of the distributed document are designated in S6, the document ID is determined in S13.
If the distribution process of the document corresponding to is not being executed, the distribution process of the document is temporarily suspended so as not to be executed.
This can prevent the distribution process of the document from being started during the correction process of the document. And S14, S15
Determines whether the correction of the document is a full text correction or a partial correction. If the whole sentence is corrected, S17
At the storage memory 104 corresponding to the specified document ID
Of the image data of the document I
Replace the image data by assigning D.
If it is a partial correction, in S16, the image data of the page designated by the NSS is replaced with the received image data, or the received image data is added as an additional page.

Then, in S18, it is judged whether or not there is a change in the client terminal (delivery destination) to be delivered, and if there is a change in the delivery destination, the delivery destination is reset in S11, and then the delivery queue is set. If you do not change the delivery destination, please re-register with S18.
To S12 to re-register in the delivery queue.

FIG. 4 shows a distribution task that is executed when the distribution process is registered in the distribution queue. This delivery task is
This is a process that can be executed simultaneously with the incoming call processing task of FIG.

First, in S20, it is determined whether or not the distribution process is registered in the distribution queue. If the distribution process is registered, the distribution process data registered in the queue is managed in S21. The image data is read from the table, and the image data distribution process is executed according to the data read in S22.

Then, in S23, it is judged whether or not the distribution process is normally completed, and if it is normally completed, S24
In the RAM 10, the delivery process is deleted from the delivery queue, and the fact that the delivery process has been normally completed is used as communication management information.
3 is stored and the process is terminated. If the distribution process has not ended normally (it has ended in error), it is determined in S25 whether or not to retry the distribution process based on the cause of the error end. If the delivery process may end normally, a retry is performed a predetermined number of times. In this case, in S26, the information is re-registered in the distribution queue, and as the distribution status information, the information indicating the cause of the error and the fact that a retry is in progress is stored in the RAM 103 in association with the document ID. Also, if the cause of the error is that there is no possibility that the delivery process will end normally, or if the delivery process does not end normally even after retrying a predetermined number of times,
The process proceeds from S25 to S27, deletes the distribution process from the distribution queue, and registers the unregistered data together with the information of the registration date and time in S28. In this case, as the distribution status information, information indicating that the cause of the error and that it is being saved as undelivered data is stored in the RAM 103 in association with the document ID.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the processing task of undelivered data. This processing task can also be apparently executed at the same time as the tasks shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 described above.

First, in S30, the presence or absence of undelivered data held in the storage memory 104 is determined. It is determined whether or not a predetermined time has passed since the registration, and if the predetermined time has not passed, the process returns to S30. On the other hand, if the predetermined time or more has elapsed in S31, the undelivered image data is printed out by the printer 115 in S32, and the undelivered image data is deleted (cleared) from the storage memory 104 in S33. . In this case, as the distribution status information, information indicating that the cause of the error and the document data (image data) has been cleared is stored in the RAM 103 in association with the document ID.

The above-described flows of FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 are the processes executed when an incoming call arrives.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the processing on the calling side (transmission side).

First, in S40 and S41, it is determined whether the operator on the calling side has designated a distribution status inquiry (notification) mode or an image data transmission mode. When the distribution status inquiry (notification) mode is designated, the document ID is set in the procedure signal based on the input by the operator in S42. In this case, the operator may remember the document ID notified from the receiving side and directly input the document ID, or the document ID notified from the receiving side may be stored in the communication management information,
Corresponding document ID when the operator specifies which communication
May be read from the communication management information and set. In the latter case, the operator on the calling side does not need to remember the document ID notified from the called side, so the operation is simple. In S43, the funky millimeter communication procedure described in S1 of FIG. 3 is executed, and the notification mode of the delivery status is designated to the called side. Then, in S44, information indicating the distribution status of the image data corresponding to the document ID (whether distribution is waiting, distribution is being retried, error cause, is held as undelivered data, or data is not held due to error in delivery). , Or information indicating whether the distribution was successful, etc.),
The content of the distribution status received in S45 is displayed on the display unit of the operation unit 112. The operator on the calling side can specify the correction mode (full-text correction or partial correction) of the image data to be distributed, change the distribution destination (client terminal on the other party's LAN), or use the normal display. Select the delivery mode for delivery documents. In S46 and S47, it is determined which mode is selected according to the operator's input. When the delivery destination change, redelivery, or delivery document correction mode is selected, the processing mode is set to the procedure signal (NSS) based on the operator's input in S48. Then, in S49, the procedure described in S1 or S4 of FIG. 3 is executed, and in S50, the image data is transmitted. In the case of partial correction, the operator inputs the page number to be corrected, or inputs that the image data is added. Then, those input information also include the procedure signal (NS
S) is set. Thus, when the transmission of the image data is completed, the post-procedure is executed in S51 and the process is completed.

Further, when the normal delivery document transmission mode is selected and the process proceeds from S47 to S52, in S52, the information designating the delivery destination and the delivery mode is set in the NSS, and the facsimile communication procedure is executed. The image data is transmitted in step S54, the post-procedure is executed in step S54, and the document ID notified by the called side by the procedure is received in step S55.
The document ID received in 6 is stored in the communication management information of the RAM 103.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the distribution management table.

According to the above processing, the calling side can know the distribution status of the distribution document (image data) transmitted earlier, and the correction and distribution destination of the distribution document transmitted earlier according to the status. Can be instructed to change. As a result, the calling side does not have to retransmit the delivery document many times from the beginning, and efficient communication can be performed.

On the other hand, the called side does not need to receive similar image data many times, and efficient communication can be performed.

Further, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, but various modifications can be made.

[0039]

As described above, according to the present invention, efficient data communication can be performed.

Further, the calling side can know the distribution status of the previously transmitted data and can instruct the correction of the data or the change of the distribution destination according to the status.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a connection form of the facsimile apparatus of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing processing of an incoming call processing task.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing processing of a delivery task.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing processing of undelivered data.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing processing on the calling side (transmission side).

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a distribution management table.

[Explanation of symbols]

 101 CPU 102 ROM 103 RAM 104 Storage Memory 105 Resolution Conversion Processing Unit 106 Communication Encoding / Decoding Processing Unit 107 Reading / Recording Encoding / Decoding Processing Unit 108 MODEM 109 NCU 110 Image Processing Unit 111 Scanner 112 Operation Unit 113 External Display Part 114 Printer Formatter 115 Printer 116 LAN Control Unit 117 Wired Line i / f 118 Wireless Line i / f 119 Wired / Wireless Line Control Unit 120 Wired Communication Line 121 Wireless Communication Line 122 Wired LAN i / f 123 Wireless LAN i / f 124 Wired / Wireless LAN control unit 125 Wired LAN 126 Wireless LAN

Claims (20)

[Claims] 1. In a data communication device connected to a local area network and a public network, receiving means for receiving data, storage means for storing the received data, and distributing the stored data to terminals of the local area network. Distribution means, a notification means for notifying the sender of the data distributed by the distributor of the distribution status of the distribution data, and a distribution for correcting the distribution data of the storage means according to an instruction from the sender. A data communication device comprising data correction means. 2. The data communication device according to claim 1, wherein the distribution data correction means corrects all or a part of the data designated by the instruction. 3. The data communication device according to claim 1, wherein the distribution unit distributes the distribution data to a terminal of the local area network instructed by the transmission source. 4. The data communication device according to claim 3, wherein the delivery data correction means changes the delivery destination terminal according to an instruction from the transmission source. 5. The data communication device according to claim 1, wherein when an error has occurred in the distribution by the distribution unit, the notification unit notifies the cause of the error. 6. The distribution data correction according to claim 1, further comprising means for generating identification information for identifying the distribution data when receiving the distribution data, and notifying the transmission source of the identification information. A means for correcting the distribution data of the storage means specified by the identification information sent from the transmission source. 7. The delivery data correction means according to claim 1, following the delivery status notification by the notification means,
Receive the correction instruction and the correction data of the distribution data from the transmission source, and based on the received correction instruction and the correction data,
A data communication device for correcting the distribution data. 8. The communication procedure signal according to claim 1, wherein the device is connected to the local area network, has a distribution function, and has a distribution data correction function. A data communication device comprising means for notifying a calling side. 9. A distribution instruction means for instructing another data communication device connected to a local area network to distribute data to a terminal within the local area network, and the data communication device from the other data communication device. Receiving means for receiving information indicating the distribution status of the distribution data, display means for displaying the distribution status of the distribution data based on the information received by the receiving means, and correction of the previously transmitted distribution data as described above. A data communication device, comprising: a correction instructing means for instructing the data communication device. 10. The data communication device according to claim 9, wherein the correction instructing means instructs to correct all or part of the distribution data. 11. The data communication device according to claim 9, wherein the correction instructing unit instructs to change a delivery destination of the delivery data. 12. The data communication device according to claim 9, wherein the correction instruction means transmits identification information to the other data communication device for designating the previously transmitted distribution data. 13. The data communication device according to claim 12, wherein the identification information is information received from the other data communication device when the distribution data was previously transmitted. 14. The data communication device according to claim 9, further comprising means for inquiring of the other data communication device about a distribution status of the distribution data. 15. A first data communication device as a transmission source instructs a second data communication device connected to a local area network to distribute data, and the second data communication device follows the instruction. A data communication method for distributing the distribution data received from the first data communication device to a terminal in the local area network, wherein the second data communication device transmits the data to the first data communication device. Notifying a distribution status, the first data communication device instructs the second data communication device to correct the previously transmitted distribution data, and the second data communication device causes the second data communication device to correct the distribution data. According to
A data communication method comprising correcting the distribution data. 16. The data communication device according to claim 15, wherein the first data communication device transmits identification information of the distribution data, and the second data communication device corrects the distribution data specified by the identification information. A data communication method characterized by. 17. The data communication according to claim 16, wherein the second data communication device notifies the first data communication device of the identification information when the distribution data is previously received. Method. 18. The data communication device according to claim 15, wherein the first data communication device inquires of the second data communication device about a distribution status of the distribution data, and the second data communication device responds to the inquiry. A data communication method, characterized in that the delivery status is notified. 19. The data communication method according to claim 15, wherein the second data communication device corrects all or part of the distribution data according to the correction instruction. 20. The data communication method according to claim 15, wherein the second data communication device changes a distribution destination of the distribution data according to the correction instruction.