JPH0918628A - Facsimile mail store and forward exchange - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To inform it to the user of a sender that a white paper original is sent from the facsimile mail store and forward exchange by providing a white original detection means detecting that an image of the white original is included in received image data. CONSTITUTION: When a service command is given to a facsimile mail store and forward exchange 1 from a facsimile terminal equipment on a network 14, a control section 2 detects an incoming call. An input section 3 commands reception operation of image data and start of white paper detection to a white paper detection section 5 via a control line 17. The control section 2 sends image data received from a terminal equipment to the white paper detection section 5. When the detection section 5 detects a white paper original, the fact is informed to a service control section 6, which provides a command of unarrival notice generation to an unarrival delivery control section 9. The control section 9 generates an unarrival notice and commands a call from an output section 4 to the control section 2 for a sender of the white original. The control section 2 receiving the unarrival notice sends the unarrival notice to the sender of the white paper original.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention [Industrial applications]

The present invention relates to a facsimile mail storage / exchange device.

[Prior art]

A facsimile mail storage / exchange device receives image data via a network using a facsimile as an input terminal and stores it as mail. The accumulated mail provides various services according to the user's request (broadcast communication, bulletin board, etc.). For example, if the e-mail cannot be sent to the designated recipient's facsimile, a "non-delivery notification e-mail" is created to inform the user of the fact and is output to the user's facsimile.

As an electronic mail system for performing such a service, as shown in Japanese Patent Application No. 3-72266, by outputting a non-delivery image together with a non-delivery image, which image cannot be sent to the user. I'm telling you.

However, in the case of the conventional facsimile mail, if the data stored in the facsimile mail storage / exchange device is sent to the other party, the mail is normally sent. For example, even if a blank original is sent to the other party, a normal mail will be sent. The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to notify a sender user that a blank original has been sent from a facsimile mail storage / exchange device.

[0004]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention comprises means for inputting image data from a facsimile apparatus connected to a network, and means for accumulating the image information input by the means. In the facsimile mail storing and exchanging apparatus having the above, a blank sheet document detecting unit is provided for detecting that the image data input by the unit includes an image of a blank sheet document.

Further, a non-delivery notification means for notifying the user that the blank sheet document detecting section has detected a blank sheet document may be provided. Further, a blank document page detecting unit for detecting a page on which a blank document exists may be provided. In addition, non-delivery notification means may be provided for notifying the user of a blank original page detected by the blank original page detecting means when the blank original detecting means detects a blank original.

[0006]

According to the storage exchange apparatus of the present invention, the blank original is included in the received mail because the blank original detecting unit for detecting that the read image data includes the image of the blank original is included. It can even be detected. Since the blank document detecting unit includes the non-delivery notification unit for notifying the user that the blank document has been detected, the user who has input the blank document can be notified of the fact.

Further, since the blank original page detecting means for detecting the page in which the blank original exists is provided, the page containing the blank original can be detected. Since the non-delivery notification unit for notifying the user of the blank original document page detected by the blank original document page detecting unit is provided, the user who has input the blank original document can know the page including the blank original document.

[0008]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a facsimile storage / exchange apparatus according to the present invention. Here, the facsimile storage / exchange apparatus 1 according to the present invention is connected to a line to perform call control, G
Facsimile control unit 2 that realizes basic communication control functions such as control of facsimile protocols of G3 and G4, expansion / compression of image data, input unit 3 that manages and controls the input processing of the facsimile control unit, and output of the facsimile control unit An output unit 4 that manages and controls the processing, a blank sheet detection unit 5 that analyzes the image data received from the facsimile control unit, and determines whether it is a blank sheet, a service control unit 6 that controls the entire system, 2 through the blank sheet detection unit 5 and the determination result of whether or not it is a blank sheet.
A received mail registration unit 7 stored in the next storage device 10, a user management unit 8 that stores and manages various databases for each user in the secondary storage device 10, and a non-delivery notification is created by an instruction from the service control unit. A non-delivery control unit 9 that performs non-delivery notification processing, a secondary storage device 10 for storing various data, and a received mail storage unit 11 that stores the received mail created by the received mail registration unit 7. , A user information storage unit 12 that stores user information necessary for processing of the user management unit, and a non-delivery standard mail storage unit 1 that stores mail data required when the non-delivery control unit creates a non-delivery mail
3 and a network 1 to which the facsimile device is connected
4, system control signal lines 15-22, data signal line 2
3 to 28.

In the system in which the facsimile storage / exchange apparatus 1 according to the present invention operates, the facsimile terminal apparatus 32 is connected to the network 14. Next, the embodiment of the invention of claim 1 (hereinafter, the first embodiment)
The explanation will be given based on the flowchart of. Where S10
0 indicates step 100, and will be expressed as follows. Facsimile terminal device 32 on the network 14
An instruction is issued to the facsimile storage / exchange apparatus 1 by ordering services (PB or OMR). The facsimile control unit 2 first enters a facsimile receiving operation by detecting an incoming call (101). Then, the image data is transmitted from the facsimile terminal 32. Prior to this, the contents of the ordering received by the facsimile control unit 2 with respect to the input unit 3 are transferred to the system control line 16
(S102). At this time, since the content of the ordering is mail transmission, the input unit 3 instructs the blank sheet detection unit 5 via the system control line 17 to start the image data reception operation and the blank sheet detection operation.

When the facsimile control section receives the image data transmitted from the facsimile terminal 32, the facsimile control section transmits it to the blank sheet detection section 5 via the data line 23. Blank paper detector 5
Starts a blank sheet detection operation prior to transmission of the image data (S104). The blank sheet detection operation of the blank sheet detection unit 5 will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. The blank sheet detection is performed on the image data of one document. FIG.
The blank sheet detection unit 5 includes a blank sheet detection unit storage unit for temporarily storing image data, a one-line image data reading unit for reading and processing the image data of each line, and the number of lines of the read image data. And a total white line counter that increments when it is detected that the image for one line is entirely blank.

Next, the operation of the blank sheet detecting section 5 will be described with reference to FIG.
The explanation will be given based on the flowchart of. The image data transmitted from the facsimile control section 3 of FIG. 1 via the data line 23 is stored in the image data file by the blank sheet detection section storage means. First, the all-white line counter is cleared to 0 (S401). The one-line image data reading means reads the image data of one line from the image data file (S402). If the read image data is not EOF (EndOfFile), it is checked whether all the lines are white pixels (S404). Here, since the image data is accumulated as a black and white binary image, it can be determined that the white image is continuous when one line is entirely composed of white pixels and the lines are continuous. S405).

Here, if one line is all white pixels,
The all-white line counter is incremented by 1 (S40
6). If one line includes pixels other than white pixels (black pixels), it is determined that the line is not a blank sheet, and the operation of the blank sheet detection unit 5 is ended (S409). Next, it is determined whether the all-white line counter has reached the number of lines corresponding to the paper size (S40).
7). The number of lines for the paper size is a numerical value predetermined for each paper size. The size of the paper size is determined from the contents of the ordering received by the input unit 3 that has received the ordering, and is transmitted to the blank paper detection unit 5 via the system control line 17.

At this time, when the all-white line counter reaches the number of lines corresponding to the paper size, it is determined that the paper is blank (S40).
8). In the embodiment of the blank sheet detecting means in the present invention, a process for detecting a blank sheet is performed even when the actual size of the original document is less than the paper size separately from when the total white line counter reaches the number of lines for the paper size. I do. This is because originals of different sizes may be used when actually transmitting a facsimile original. In the embodiment of the blank sheet detecting means in the present invention, the read image data is EOF (E
ndOfFile), the case where the all-white line counter reaches 39 is detected as a blank sheet (S41).
0).

Here, 39 is 38.5 lines per cm in the G3 normal mode, and in this embodiment, image data that is less than the paper size is blank when white lines of 1 cm or more are continuous. The blank sheet detection unit 5 transmits the detection result (blank sheet, not blank sheet) to the service control unit 6 via the system control line 19.

The service control unit 6 performs various facsimile mail services as a normal operation (broadcast communication, time designated transmission, etc.). In the present invention, an operation after detecting a blank document will be described as one of the functions of such a facsimile mail. When the result (blank paper, not blank) detected by the blank sheet detection unit 5 is transmitted to the service control unit 6 via the system control line 19, the service control unit 6 sends the control line 20 to the non-delivery control unit 9. An instruction to create a non-delivery notification is issued via (S104 in FIG. 3). After that, the service control unit 9
Stops the execution of the service received by the user's ordering.

Next, the non-delivery control unit 9, which receives the instruction to create the non-delivery notification from the service control unit 6, sends the data of the non-delivery notification standard mail from the non-delivery standard mail 13 to the data line 28.
Read out via (S105). Subsequently, non-delivery notification information is synthesized from the read standard mail to create a non-delivery notification (S106). When the creation of the non-delivery notification is completed, the non-delivery notification unit 9 issues an instruction to send the non-delivery notification to the output unit 4 via the control line 15. The output unit 4 prepares to specify the telephone number of the sender of the blank document so that the non-delivery notification can be transmitted by facsimile.

Since the telephone number of the sender of the blank document is registered in the user information 12, the user information 12 is the number of the user terminal (registered in the received mail 11 as a part of the received mail information at the time of ordering). To obtain the telephone number registered in the matching user terminal number. The above operation is performed by the user management unit 8. When the preparation for sending the non-delivery notification by facsimile is completed, the output unit 4 instructs the facsimile control unit to call the sender of the blank document via the control line 15 (S10).
7).

Facsimile control unit 2 which receives an instruction to make a call
Performs a call operation and subsequently requests the service control unit 6 to transfer the non-delivery notification data via the control line 32 in order to transmit the non-delivery notification data. Upon receiving the request, the service control unit 6 instructs the non-delivery notification unit 9 to transfer the non-delivery notification data to the facsimile control unit 2. In response to this instruction, the non-delivery notification unit 9 transfers the non-delivery notification to the facsimile control unit via the data line 25. Upon receiving the non-delivery notification data, the facsimile control unit 2 transmits the non-delivery notification to the sender of the blank original document to which the calling operation has already been completed and the line is connected (S108).

Next, an embodiment of the invention of claim 2 (hereinafter, the second embodiment) will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 4. FIG. 2 shows the ordering information 29 stored in the secondary storage device 10.
It was installed in. The ordering information is issued from the user terminal 32 prior to receiving the facsimile data (S203). In the second embodiment, the facsimile control unit 2 registers the ordering information itself in the secondary storage device 10 via the received mail registration unit 7. FIG. 4 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of the second embodiment.

Here, S100 indicates step 100, and will be expressed as follows. Services are ordered from the facsimile terminal device 32 on the network 14 to the facsimile storage / exchange device 1 (PB or OM).
R) gives instructions. The facsimile control unit 2 first enters a facsimile receiving operation by detecting an incoming call (201). Then, the image data is transmitted from the facsimile terminal 32. Prior to this, the contents of the ordering received by the facsimile control unit 2 are transmitted to the input unit 3 via the system control line 16 (S202).
At this time, the contents of the ordering are registered in the ordering information 29 in the secondary storage device 10.

In the second embodiment, the operation from S203 to S209 is basically the same as that of the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, the contents of the ordering information 29 is the data line 3
The non-delivery notification control unit 9 reads out via 1 and synthesizes the non-delivery notification information to create a non-delivery notification. The ordering information is stored in the ordering information 29 (S206).
Next, an embodiment of the invention described in claim 3 (hereinafter, third embodiment) will be described with reference to FIG. In the third embodiment, the operations from S301 to S306 are the same as the contents described in the first and second embodiments.

In the third embodiment, when the mail is received from the user terminal 32, the TSI data is also registered in the received mail 11 as a part of the received mail. Subsequently, when the non-delivery notification information is created (S306), the registered telephone number is read from the user information 12 as the telephone number of the sender of the blank document. Then, the TSI data is read from the received mail 11 and compared with the above-mentioned telephone number. If both telephone numbers match here, the process proceeds to S308 and the non-delivery notification is transmitted to the telephone number registered in the user information 12.
If they do not match, the process proceeds to S310 and a non-delivery notification is transmitted to the telephone number included in the TSI data. The above operation is performed by the user management unit 21.

According to the present invention, a non-delivery notice can be sent to a user who has sent a facsimile without knowing that a blank original is included. Therefore, a blank original is sent. The user who made the request can surely redo the transmission. Further, even when a plurality of originals are sent as facsimile mails, it is possible to distinguish a blank mail from other mails. Furthermore, the non-delivery notice can be transmitted from the facsimile storage / exchange apparatus to the facsimile terminal to which the user has transmitted the blank document.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a facsimile storage / exchange apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a facsimile storage / exchange apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the blank sheet detecting means in the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Facsimile storage / exchange device 2 ... Facsimile control unit 3 ... Input unit 4 ... Output unit 5 ... Blank sheet detection unit 6 ... Service control unit 7 ... Received mail registration unit 8・ ・ ・ User management unit 9 ・ ・ ・ Non-delivery control unit 10 ・ ・ ・ Secondary storage device 11 ・ ・ ・ Received mail storage unit 12 ・ ・ ・ User information storage unit 13 ・ ・ ・ Non-delivery standard mail storage unit 14 ・ ・ ・ Network 15-22 System control signal lines 23-28, 30, 31 Data signal lines 29 Ordering information 32 Facsimile terminal device

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A facsimile mail storing and exchanging device having means for inputting image data from a facsimile device connected to a network and means for accumulating the image information inputted by said means, wherein the input image data is blank. A facsimile mail storing and exchanging device comprising a blank document detecting means for detecting that an image of a document is included. 2. A facsimile mail storing and exchanging device having means for inputting image data from a facsimile device connected to a network, and means for storing image information input by said means, wherein the input image data is blank. Facsimile mail characterized by comprising a blank document detecting means for detecting that a document image is included, and a non-delivery notifying means for notifying a user that the blank document detecting means has detected a blank document. Storage and exchange equipment. 3. A facsimile mail storing and exchanging device having means for inputting image data from a facsimile device connected to a network and means for accumulating the image information inputted by said means, wherein the input image data is blank. A blank original detection unit that detects that the original image is included, and a blank original page detection unit that detects a page where the blank original exists when the blank original detection unit detects a blank original A facsimile mail storage and exchange device characterized in that 4. A facsimile mail storing and exchanging device having means for inputting image data from a facsimile device connected to a network and means for accumulating the image information input by said means, wherein the input image data is blank. A blank original detection unit that detects that an image of the original is included; a blank original page detection unit that detects a page on which a blank original exists when the blank original detection unit detects a blank original; A facsimile mail storage / exchange apparatus comprising: non-delivery notification means for notifying a user of a blank original page detected by the blank original page detecting means when the original detecting means detects a blank original.