JPH10107938A - Image transmission system and server for the image transmission system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily send an image through the use of the Internet by allowing the server to call a called terminal equipment. SOLUTION: A terminal equipment TP51 calls a server S51 via a public telephone line network TEL 51 to conduct PPP connection processing between the server S51 and the terminal equipment TP51. When the terminal equipment TP51 and the server S51 are connected, the server S51 sends a verification request to the terminal equipment TP51, and the server S51 confirms the verification acknowledgement from the terminal equipment TP51. When they are coincident, the server assigns an IP address to the terminal equipment TP51 and returns the verification acknowledgement to the terminal equipment TP51. Thus, the connection to the Internet by the terminal equipment TP51 through the PPP protocol is started. When the terminal equipment TP51 sends an image transfer request to the server S51, the server S51 receives the request and returns a transfer acknowledgement to the terminal equipment TP51. Then the terminal equipment TP51 sends an image transfer request to a server S61 via the Internet. Then the server S61 receives the image transfer request and returns the transfer acknowledgement to the terminal equipment TP51. Thus, the server S51 sends a transfer destination address and caller information to the server S61.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to an image transmission system for transmitting and receiving image data by facsimile using the Internet and a server in the image transmission system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The Internet is a computer network in which computer networks existing in companies, universities, and the like are connected via a wide area line, and is spread all over the world. Various services using the Internet, such as an e-mail service, a file transfer service, and an information search service, have been actively performed. It has been considered to use such an Internet to send image data and use it instead of an existing facsimile system that sends image data via a telephone line.

That is, a facsimile system in which an image is read by a scanner and image data is transmitted via a public telephone line has already been widely used. In such a conventional facsimile system, as shown in FIG. 11, a facsimile terminal 161 on the transmitting side and a facsimile terminal 162 on the receiving side are connected by a telephone line network 163. An image is read by the scanner of the facsimile terminal 161 on the transmission side, and the image data is encoded. The encoded data is sent to the receiving facsimile terminal 162 via the public telephone line network 163. The receiving-side facsimile terminal decodes the image data from the received data. The decoded image data is sent to a printer, and the image is reproduced by the printer.

As described above, in the conventional facsimile system, the facsimile terminal 161 on the transmitting side and the facsimile terminal 162 on the receiving side are directly connected via the public telephone line network 163. Therefore, the public telephone network 163
As long as it is connected, images can be transmitted around the world.
However, the public telephone network 163 is currently charged according to distance and time. For this reason, especially when transmitting an image to a long distance such as overseas, the communication fee becomes extremely high.

[0005] On the other hand, the Internet, which is a computer network, is different from a public telephone line, and its connection fee is often constant regardless of the amount of communication and the communication time. Therefore, if the image data is transmitted using the Internet, the image data can be transmitted at a low cost especially when transmitting the image over a long distance such as overseas.

[0006]

However, the conventional system using the Internet is realized on a special terminal such as a personal computer, requires knowledge of the network, and is difficult for general users to use. is there. Conventionally, image data transfer using the Internet is not easy for general users to use, compared to telephone calls and facsimile transmission systems using a telephone line network.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an image transmission system that can easily transmit an image using the Internet.

[0008]

According to the present invention, a computer network is formed, a connection between terminals of the computer network is made via a server, and data including at least image data is transferred by the computer network. An image transmission system,
The first terminal on the image transmitting side calls the server including the first terminal, connects the first terminal to the computer network via the server including the first terminal, and receives the image on the image receiving side. Specify a second terminal to be
The server of the network including the first terminal calls the second terminal, and connects the second terminal to the computer network via the server including the second terminal.
Terminal transmits the image data to the second computer via the computer network in a format compatible with the computer network.
The second terminal is an image transmission system that receives image data in a format suitable for a computer network and reproduces an image from image data in a format suitable for a computer network.

The present invention relates to an image transmission system which forms a computer network, connects each terminal of the computer network via a server, and transfers at least data including image data through the computer network. Then, the first terminal on the image transmission side calls a server including the first terminal,
A second terminal to be an image receiving side is designated, a server of a network including the second terminal calls the second terminal, and the first terminal transmits facsimile image data to the first terminal via a public line. To the server including the first terminal, and the server including the first terminal converts the facsimile image data into image data in a format suitable for a computer network, and transmits the image data to the second terminal via the computer network. The server including the second terminal converts the image data in a format suitable for the computer network into facsimile image data, and sends the facsimile image data to the second terminal via a public line. Is an image transmission system that reproduces an image from facsimile image data.

[0010] By enabling the server to call the called terminal, images can be transmitted over the Internet to terminals that are not always connected to the Internet. For this reason, when sending an image to a distant place or overseas, the image can be transmitted at a lower cost than when transmitting an image by facsimile using a public telephone line network. Further, the server is provided with a function of converting image data in a format transmitted over the Internet into image data of normal facsimile or converting normal image data of facsimile into image data of a format transmitted over the Internet. As a result, it is possible to perform image transmission via the Internet using a normal facsimile as a terminal.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The applicant of the present application first searches for a connection destination of a called terminal using a database by a server of a computer network provider, makes a call to the called connection destination by a telephone line, and By calling PPP (Point to Point Protocol)
l) An Internet call system is proposed in which a connection partner can be called and a call can be made on the Internet.

In other words, the Internet uses an IP address to designate a communication destination, but it is difficult for a home terminal to always connect to a network.
When connecting to the Internet with a home terminal, the connection is made by PPP using an Internet service provider. However, in such a connection using PPP, it is difficult to make a call by calling the other party because the other party is not always connected to the Internet. Then, the server searches the connection destination of the called terminal by using the database, calls the called terminal, and
To connect. This makes it possible to call the other party's terminal and make a call.

FIG. 1 shows an example of an Internet communication system in which a server calls a called terminal using a database. In FIG. 1, a computer network NET1 is, for example, a computer network of an Internet service provider. The computer network NET1 is connected to the server S1
And a router R1.

The server S1 includes modems M1, M2, M3,
Are connected to the public telephone network TEL1 via. At present, it is possible to transmit data at 28.8 Kbps using a public telephone network TEL1 by a high-speed modem.

The computer network NET1 is connected to another computer network forming the Internet via a router R1. Router R1
Performs a routing process of delivering data on a computer network to another computer network depending on the destination.

The terminals T1, T2, T3,... Are, for example, terminals of individuals who individually participate in the Internet. Terminal T
As 1, 1, T2, T3,..., In addition to a personal computer having a connection function by PPP, a terminal for an Internet telephone, a terminal having a telephone call, a facsimile function, or the like is used. An Internet telephone terminal is a terminal that allows a user to easily make a call using the Internet.

The server S1 has a database DB1. As shown in FIG. 2, the database DB1 includes:
"Terminal name", "terminal Japanese name", "notation name on the Internet", "connection type", "PPP telephone number",
"User name" is recorded. Database DB1
Is constructed, for example, using information obtained from the contents of a contract when a contract is concluded between the Internet service provider and the user. If the connection type is PPP, this database DB1 contains the PPP of the person who has contracted with the Internet service provider via PPP connection.
Phone number information is included.

For example, in FIG. 1, it is assumed that the terminal T1 calls the terminal T2 to make a call. In the Internet, a partner is specified using an IP address. In this case, the terminal T2 of the partner is a terminal connected by PPP. Therefore, when the other party is not connected to the PPP, the terminal T2 of the other party cannot be called using the IP address. Therefore, the database DB1 is used.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the procedure at that time. First, the calling terminal T1 calls the Internet service provider NET1. The server S1 of the Internet service provider NET1 is
Upon receiving the call, the terminal T1 is requested to input an account name and a password, and an authentication request is made as to whether a contract has been made with the Internet service provider. The calling terminal T1 returns an account name and a password in response to the authentication request. If it is verified that the entered account name and password are correct and a contract has been made with the Internet service provider, the server S1 assigns a temporary IP address to the terminal T1. Thereby, the PPP connection of the terminal T1 is started (step ST1).

Next, the terminal T1 designates the address (for example, the terminal T2) of the destination to which a call is to be made (step ST).
2).

When the address of the destination is specified, the server S1 uses the database DB1 to search for information on the terminal T2. From the information in the database DB1, the terminal T2
The telephone number for the PPP connection is known (step ST).
3).

The server S1 determines an IP address for designating the destination terminal T2 in the server, prepares for the PPP connection, and notifies the calling terminal T1 of the IP address of the destination terminal (step ST4). ).

The server S1 stores the database DB
The user dials the telephone number of the terminal T2 retrieved from 1 and calls the terminal T2. When the connection of the telephone line with the partner terminal T2 is confirmed, the server S1 performs authentication and assigns an IP address to the partner terminal (step ST5). Thereby, the PPP connection of the terminal T2 is started (step ST6). Then, voice data is transmitted and received between the terminal T1 and the terminal T2, and a call is performed (step ST).
7).

When the call ends, the terminal T1 and the server S1
PPP connection and telephone line connection with terminal T2 and server S
All connections such as PPP connection and telephone line connection with No. 1 are terminated (step ST8).

As described above, in the Internet, an IP address is used to designate a communication destination, but it is difficult at present to always connect to a network with a home terminal. For this reason, at present, when connecting to the Internet with a home terminal, an Internet service provider is contracted, and an IP address is temporarily assigned by PPP only when a connection is requested. However, in such a connection using PPP, it is difficult to make a call by calling the other party because the other party is not always connected to the Internet.

As described above, the server of the computer network provider searches the connection destination of the partner terminal using the database, makes a call to the partner connection by telephone line, calls the partner terminal, and calls the partner terminal. By assigning an IP address to the other computer, it becomes possible to connect to the terminal on the other end. When the connection with the partner terminal is completed, voice data can be transmitted and received between the partner terminal and a telephone conversation can be performed.

In the above-described example, a case has been described where a call is made between terminals in the same computer network. However, a call can be made with a terminal in another computer network. FIG. 4 shows an example in which a call is made between terminals between different computer networks.

In FIG. 4, the computer network NET11 has a server S11 and a router R11. The server S11 includes modems M11, M12, M1
Are connected to the public telephone network TEL11 through 3,. The server S11 has a database DB11. The database DB11 stores information including telephone numbers of terminals connected to the computer network NET11 by PPP. The computer network NET11 is connected to another computer network constituting the Internet via a router R11. The router R11 performs a routing process for delivering data on the network to the network according to its destination. Terminals T11, T12,
T13,... Are, for example, terminals of persons who individually participate in the Internet.

The computer network NET 21
It has a server S21 and a router R21. The server S21 is connected to the public telephone network TEL21 via modems M21, M22, M23,... The server S21 has a database DB21. The database DB21 includes a computer network NE.
At T21, information including the telephone number of the terminal connected by PPP is stored. Computer network NET2
1 is connected to another computer network constituting the Internet via a router R21. The router R21 performs a routing process for delivering data on the network to the network according to its destination. Terminals T21, T22, T23, ...
Is a terminal of a person who individually participates in the Internet.

For example, a computer network NET
11 terminal T11 from the computer network NE
It is assumed that a call is made to the terminal T21 of T21. In this case, FIG.
The processing shown in FIG.

First, the calling terminal T11 calls the server S11 of the computer network NET11.

Upon receiving the call, the server S11 requests input of an account name and a password, and makes an authentication request as to whether or not a contract has been made with an Internet service provider.

The user of the terminal T11 on the calling side inputs an account name and a password in response to the authentication request. If it is verified that the entered account name and password are correct and that a contract has been made with the Internet service provider, server S11 assigns a temporary IP address to terminal T11. This allows
The PPP connection of the terminal T11 is started.

Next, a call request is sent from the terminal T11 to the server S11, and a call response is returned from the server S11 to the terminal T11. When the call response is returned, the address (for example, terminal T21) of the other party with whom the call is desired is specified.

When the address of the call destination is designated, the server S11 including the terminal on the calling side transmits a computer network including the other party (for example, the computer network NE).
For example, a call request to the terminal T21 is sent to the server S21 in T21). Upon receiving the call request to the terminal T21, the server S21 returns a call response to the server S11. Server S11 of network NET11 including terminal on the calling side
Receives the call response, sends the address of the called party, and sends the information of the calling side.

Computer network N including the other party
The server S21 of the ET 21 uses the database DB21 to search for information on the terminal T21. Database DB
From the information of 21, the telephone number for the PPP connection of the terminal T21 can be known. The server S21 of the computer network NET21 dials the telephone number of the terminal T21 retrieved from the database DB21 and calls the terminal T21.

Upon receiving the call from the server S21, the partner terminal T21 returns a call response to the server S21. Upon receiving the call response, the server S21 receives the call response
When making a connection request and receiving the PPP connection request, the terminal T21 notifies that a PPP connection is to be made.

Then, the server S21 requests input of an account name and a password, and performs authentication. The user on the other side inputs an account name and a password according to the authentication. When it is confirmed that the entered account name and password are correct and a contract has been made with the Internet service provider, an IP address is assigned to the terminal T21. Thereby, P of terminal T21
The PP connection is started.

When the PPP connection is started, the server S21
Sends a call request to the terminal T21, and the terminal T21 returns a call response to the server S21. Then, a call connection completion is sent from the server S21 of the computer network NET21 to the server S21 of the computer network NET11, and a call completion is sent from the server S11 to the terminal T11. Then, voice data is transmitted and received between the terminal T11 and the terminal T21, and a call is performed.

When the call is completed, for example, the calling terminal T1
When a disconnection request is issued from No. 1, the disconnection request is sent to the terminal T21 on the other side. Upon receiving the disconnection request, the terminal T21 returns a disconnection response to the terminal T11, and disconnects all connections.

The system to which the present invention is applied transmits image data based on a system in which a server calls a called terminal as described above.

FIG. 6 shows an example of a telephone call and facsimile terminal used in the system to which the present invention is applied. In FIG. 6, reference numeral 1 denotes a CPU. The CPU 1 performs modem communication, audio processing, telephone call processing, and facsimile transmission / reception processing. A memory 3 is connected to the CPU 1 via a bus 2. The memory 3 stores a program for CPU processing and various constants and variables required for processing.

4 is a handset. Handset 4
, A microphone 5 and a speaker 6 are provided. An A / D and D / A conversion circuit 7 is provided for the microphone 5 and the speaker 6 of the handset 4. The audio signal from the microphone 5 is A / D and D / A
The signal is digitized by the conversion circuit 7,
Sent to U1. The CPU 1 performs digital audio signal compression processing. Further, the CPU 1 performs a process of expanding the received digital audio signal.
The decompressed digital audio signal is sent to an A / D and D / A conversion circuit 7 via a bus 2. A /
This audio signal is converted back to an analog signal by the D and D / A conversion circuit 7, and the analog audio signal is
Output from

Reference numeral 8 denotes a scanner, and 9 denotes a printer. The scanner 8 includes a CCD line sensor 10 and a mechanism unit 11. Image data is read by the CCD line sensor 10. This image data is sent to the scanner control unit 12,
The data is sent to the CPU 1 via the bus 2. The sent image data is converted by the CPU 1 into a format that can be printed out. This image data is supplied to the printer 9, and the printer 9 prints out the image.

Reference numeral 13 denotes a modem. The modem 13 is for accessing a network through a telephone line 14. When a modem with a facsimile function is used as the modem 13, when an image signal is transmitted by facsimile via the telephone line 14, the image signal can be directly received.

This call and facsimile terminal is a system for making a call and transmitting an image in a system for making a call via the Internet as described above.

That is, when making a telephone call over the Internet, the audio signal from the microphone 6 of the handset 4 is digitized by the A / D and D / A conversion circuit 7, compressed by the CPU 1, and compressed according to the Internet protocol. Packetized. This data is
The data is modulated by the modem 13, sent to the server via the telephone line 14, and sent to the terminal of the other party via the Internet. The voice data sent from the other terminal is sent to the CPU 1 via the telephone line 14 and the modem 13. In the CPU 1, the voice packet data is decomposed,
Decompression processing is performed, and the digital audio signal is decoded. This digital audio signal is A / D
The signal is returned to the analog signal by the D / A conversion circuit 7 and supplied to the speaker 6.

Also, the call and facsimile terminal can transmit image data via the Internet. When transmitting image data via the Internet, the image data captured by the scanner 8 is transmitted to the CPU 1.
, And packetized into a format that can be sent over the Internet. This image data is modulated by the modem 13, sent to the server via the telephone line 14, and sent to the terminal of the other party via the Internet. Also,
The image data transmitted from the terminal of the other party via the Internet is transmitted via the telephone line 14 and the modem 13 to the C terminal.
Sent to PU1. The CPU 1 decomposes the packet data of the image and performs an image decompression process. The decompressed image data is sent to the printer 9 and printed out by the printer 9.

FIG. 7 shows an example of a process for transmitting image data using the Internet. In this example, the terminal on the transmitting side and the server are connected by PPP, the terminal on the receiving side and server are connected by PPP,
Image data is transmitted from the transmitting terminal to the receiving terminal via the Internet.

In FIG. 7, the computer network NET 51 has a server S 51 and a router R 51. LA is included in the computer network NET51.
A terminal T51 which is always connected by N is provided, and has terminals TP51, TP52, TP53,... Which are connected by PPP via the public telephone network TEL51.

The computer network NET 61
It has a server S61 and a router R61. Also,
The computer network NET61 is provided with a terminal T61 which is always connected by LAN, and a terminal TP which is connected by PPP via the public telephone network TEL61.
61, TP62,... The server S5
1. In S61, a public telephone network TEL5 (not shown)
1. A modem for connecting to the TEL 61 is provided.

Each computer network NET51,
. Are connected to the Internet via routers R51, R61, R71,. Router R5
1, R61, R71,... Perform routing processing for delivering data on the computer network to the computer network according to the destination.

For example, in FIG. 7, the network NE
Assume that image data is transmitted from the terminal TP51 of T51 to the terminal TP61 of the network NET 52 via the Internet. In this case, it is assumed that both the terminal TP51 on the transmitting side and the terminal TP61 on the receiving side can be connected by PPP and can transmit and receive image data via the Internet. That is, a configuration such as a telephone call or a facsimile terminal as shown in FIG. 6 is used.

FIG. 8 shows the processing at that time.
As shown in FIG. 8, first, the terminal TP51 is called by the server S51 via the public telephone network TEL51, and a PPP connection process between the terminal TP51 and the server S51 is performed (step ST101). Terminal TP51 and server S
When the server 51 is connected, the server S51 sends an authentication request to the terminal TP51, and the terminal TP51 returns an account name and a password in response to the authentication request. Server S51
Confirms the authentication response, and if they match, the terminal TP51
And an authentication confirmation is returned. Thereby, the connection of the terminal TP51 to the Internet by the PPP is started.

The terminal TP51 sends an image transfer request to the server S51. Upon receiving the image transfer request, the server S51 returns a transfer confirmation response to the terminal T51. Terminal TP51
Receives the transfer confirmation response, sends the transfer destination address to the server S51. Then, the server S51 sends an image transfer request to the server S61 via the Internet. Upon receiving the image transfer request, the server S61 returns a transfer confirmation response. The server S51 sends the transfer destination address and the caller information to the server S61.

The server S61 is provided with a database for searching for the telephone number of the terminal to be connected to the PPP. The server S61 transmits the image to the transfer destination (for example, the terminal TP
When the address of 61) is received, the transfer destination telephone number is checked from this database. And the public telephone line NE
The terminal TP61 is called through T61.

When the terminal TP61 responds to the call in response to the call from the server S61, the server S61 transmits the PP
A P connection request is sent to the terminal TP61. Server S61 is P
Upon receiving the PP connection request, it sends an authentication request to terminal TP61, and terminal TP61 returns an authentication response to server S61. The server S61 confirms the authentication response, and if it matches, assigns an IP address to the terminal TP61,
Returns authentication confirmation. As a result, the connection of the terminal TP61 by PPP is started, and data can be transmitted between the terminal TP51 and the terminal TP61 via the Internet.

When the PPP connection is completed, the terminal TP61
Sends a transfer confirmation response to the server S61. Then, a transfer confirmation response is sent to the terminal TP51 via the server S61 and the server S51.

Upon receiving the completion of the transfer connection, the terminal TP51 initiates the transfer of the image by the server S51 and the server S61.
Via the terminal to the terminal TP61. Then, using the image transfer software of both, the terminal TP51 to the terminal T
The image is transferred to P61.

When the image transfer is completed, the terminal TP51 sends a terminal TP61 disconnection request. Upon receiving the disconnection request, the terminal TP61 returns a disconnection response to the terminal TP51, and upon receiving the disconnection response, the terminal TP51 disconnects the line.

After the image transfer, if necessary, other data exchange including communication between the terminals can be performed. However, in this case, all the processes are terminated.

When voice data is transferred using the Internet, UDP (User Datagram Protocol) is used as a transport layer protocol.
UDP is a connectionless protocol, and is suitable for use in a case where real-time properties such as voice data are required. In the case of image data such as a facsimile, the data can be sent by UDP, but it is necessary to perform data transfer without transmission errors.
It would be preferable to use the Control Protocol to increase the reliability of data transfer over the Internet.

As described above, if the Internet telephone system is constructed so that the other party can be called by the server, the image data can be transmitted over the Internet by specifying the other party to receive the image based on the Internet telephone system.
Further, in such a system, it is not difficult to handle a color image by preparing a color scanner and a color printer.

As a terminal for transferring image data, a personal computer can be used in addition to a telephone and facsimile terminal as shown in FIG.

That is, in recent years, personal computers have begun to spread in homes. If a function to support TCP / IP and PPP is added to a personal computer and a modem is connected, the personal computer can be used as a terminal of a system for transferring images using the Internet, as described above. As described above, when the terminal is a personal computer, the received image data can be displayed on the display and printed out as necessary.

Further, when a personal computer is used, the above-described procedure can be used as it is even when transferring a file. That is, the image data can be regarded as a part of the file inside the personal computer, and the file transfer can be performed as in the case of transferring the image data. However, in the case of file transfer, since data reliability is required more, it is necessary to transfer data using TCP.

By the way, in the above example, the transmitting terminal T
The terminal P51 is connected to the Internet via PPP, the terminal TP61 on the receiving side is connected to the Internet via PPP, and facsimile image data is transferred between the terminals TP51 and TP61 via the Internet. In this case, both the terminal TP51 and the terminal TP61
Since they are connected to the Internet, both are required to have a function that can connect to the Internet. Therefore, a normal facsimile or a modem with a facsimile function cannot be used as a terminal.

Therefore, it is conceivable to provide the server with a function of converting image data sent via the Internet and image data sent by normal facsimile. In this way, images can be transmitted using a normal facsimile or a modem with a facsimile function.

FIG. 9 shows a server provided with such a conversion function. In FIG. 9, computer networks NET71, NET81,... Are connected to the Internet. The computer network NET71 has a server S71 and a router R71. The computer network NET71 is provided with a terminal T71 which is always connected by a LAN, and a modem M71 with a facsimile function. For the server S71, the public telephone line network TEL71
Are provided. Terminals F71, F72,. The server S71 has a conversion function TRAN71 for converting an image sent via the Internet and image data of a normal facsimile.

The computer network NET81 is
It has a server S81 and a router R81. Also,
The computer network NET81 is provided with a terminal T81 which is always connected by a LAN, and a modem M81 with a facsimile function. Server S81
Are provided with terminals F81, F82,... Which can be connected via a public telephone network TEL81. The server S81 has a conversion function T for converting between an image sent via the Internet and image data of a normal facsimile.
RAN81 is provided.

Each computer network NET71,
NET81,... Are routers R71, R81, R9.
.. Are connected. Routers R71, R81,
R91,... Perform routing processing to deliver data on the computer network to the computer network according to the destination.

For example, in FIG. 9, from the terminal F71,
It is assumed that the image data is transmitted to the terminal F81 of the network NET81. In this case, the terminal F71 is a personal computer to which a modem with a facsimile function is added, and the terminals F72, F81, and F82 are, for example, normal G3 facsimile.

FIG. 10 shows the processing at this time. As shown in FIG. 10, first, the server F71 calls the terminal F71 via the public telephone network TEL71. When the terminal F71 and the server S71 are connected by a telephone line, the server S71 sends a user number request to the terminal F71, and the terminal F71 responds to the user number request by
Returns the user number. Upon receiving the user number, the server S71 sends a password request, and the terminal F71 returns the password in response to the password request. The server S71,
If the PIN matches, the PIN confirmation response is sent to the terminal F.
Send to 71.

The server S71 sends an image transfer request to the server S81 of the computer network NET81 to which the partner terminal F81 belongs via the Internet. The terminal F71 sends the address of the terminal F81 on the other side to which the image is to be transferred to the server S81. Upon receiving the image transfer request, the server S81 returns a transfer confirmation response to the server S71. Upon receiving the transfer confirmation response, the server S71 sends the communication destination address to the server S81.

Upon receiving the transfer address of the other party to which the image is to be transferred, the server S81 checks the transfer destination telephone number from the database. And the public telephone network TEL81
, The terminal F81 of the transfer destination is called. Then, the server S81 sends the image transfer connection completion to the terminal F71 via the server S71.

Upon receiving the image transfer connection completion, the terminal F71 communicates with the server F71 and the server S71 with the terminal F81.
Initiate a fax transfer negotiation via 81.

Then, the facsimile image is sent from the terminal F71 to the server S71. The server S71 has G3
It has a conversion function TRAN71 for converting normal facsimile image data into a packet format so that it can be sent over the Internet. The server S71 converts the image data sent from the terminal F71 into a packet format suitable for the Internet. Then, the data is transferred from the server S71 to the server S81 via the Internet.

The server S81 has a conversion function TRAN81 for converting facsimile image data sent via the Internet into normal facsimile image data such as the G3 format. From server S71,
The image data sent via the Internet is converted into facsimile image data by the server S81.
Then, the image data of the facsimile is sent to the facsimile terminal F81 via the public telephone line network TEL81 by telephone line.

When the transfer of the image is completed, the terminal F71 sends a terminal F81 disconnection request. Upon receiving the disconnection request, the server S81 issues a disconnection request with the terminal F81. Upon disconnection, the terminal F81 returns a disconnection response. As a result, the line is disconnected.

As described above, if the server is provided with the functions TRAN71 and TRAN72 for converting facsimile image data and image data transmitted through the Internet, the server can be connected to the Internet by using a normal facsimile or a modem with a facsimile function. , It is possible to send image data.

However, in the case of such a system, it is necessary to incorporate an authentication system for charging a user into ordinary facsimile transmission. This is also possible with a normal G3 facsimile terminal, which can shift from a call state to a facsimile transmission / reception process. By using this, when a connection is made by facsimile, an authentication request is made by voice from a server, and a numeral is output. The authentication process can be performed by inputting the user number and the password from the user terminal using the dial button.

When the connection authentication processing in the server is completed, the actual transmission of facsimile data is performed as usual.
In this case, since the receiving facsimile terminal often responds automatically, the authentication process between the receiving server and the receiving facsimile terminal can be omitted if there is no problem in the accounting system.

In the above example, the case where a normal facsimile terminal is used for both the terminal on the transmitting side and the terminal on the receiving side has been described. However, by combining the conventional procedures, one terminal can use the Internet. It is needless to say that transmission can be performed without any problem even if the terminal is a facsimile terminal that transfers an image.

That is, if the transmitting terminal is a normal facsimile terminal and the receiving terminal is an Internet terminal, the transmitting terminal specifies the address of the other party and sends the facsimile image to the server. Send data. The server on the receiving side calls the terminal on the receiving side and connects to the Internet by PPP. The server including the terminal on the transmitting side converts the facsimile image data into a format that can be transmitted on the Internet, and sends it to the terminal on the receiving side. The receiving terminal receives and reproduces the image data sent via the Internet.

If the transmitting terminal is an Internet terminal and the receiving terminal is a normal facsimile terminal, the transmitting terminal is connected to the Internet by PPP. The transmitting terminal specifies the address of the receiving device. The image data is sent from the terminal on the transmitting side to a server including the terminal on the receiving side via the Internet in a format transmitted by the Internet. The server including the terminal on the receiving side calls the terminal on the receiving side, converts the image data sent in a format sent over the Internet into facsimile image data, and sends it to the terminal on the receiving side. The receiving terminal receives and reproduces the facsimile image data sent from the server.

The server may be provided with a function of storing image data. In this way, if the server is provided with a function of storing image data, if it is not possible to connect with the other party due to a busy state or the like, the image data is stored in the server, and when a connection is made to the server after a certain period, The stored image data can be sent from the server to the terminal.

[0087]

According to the present invention, an image can be transmitted to a terminal that is not constantly connected to the Internet via the Internet by allowing the server to call the called terminal. . For this reason, when transmitting an image over a long distance or overseas, the image can be transmitted at a lower cost than when transmitting an image by facsimile using a public telephone line. Unlike ordinary facsimile transmission, it is easy to transmit not only black and white images but also color images. Further, using this system, various image information and, if necessary, other information can be easily transferred between terminals.

Further, according to the present invention, the server converts the image data in the format sent on the Internet to normal facsimile image data, or converts the normal facsimile image data to image data in the format sent on the Internet. Function is provided. As a result, it is possible to perform image transmission via the Internet using a normal facsimile as a terminal.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram used to describe an example of a call system that can call a terminal.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram used for describing an example of a telephone communication system capable of calling a terminal.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart used to describe an example of a call system that can call a terminal.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram used to describe another example of a call system that can call a terminal.

FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram used to explain another example of a call system that can call a terminal.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a terminal in an image transmission system to which the present invention has been applied.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram used to describe an example of an image transmission system to which the present invention has been applied.

FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram used for describing an example of an image transmission system to which the present invention has been applied.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram used for explaining another example of the image transmission system to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram used for describing another example of the image transmission system to which the present invention has been applied.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram used for describing a conventional facsimile system.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... CPU, 8 ... Scanner, 9 ... Printer, 13 ... Modem, TP51, TP52, TP5
3, TP61, TP62 ... terminal, S51, S61
··server

Claims (6)

[Claims] Forming a computer network,
An image transmission system wherein connection between terminals of the computer network is performed via a server and data including at least image data is transferred by the computer network, wherein a first terminal on an image transmission side is provided. Calls a server including the first terminal, connects the first terminal to a computer network via the server including the first terminal, and a second terminal serving as an image receiving side. The server of the network including the second terminal calls the second terminal, and connects the second terminal to the computer network via the server including the second terminal. The first terminal transmits the image data to the computer network in a format suitable for the computer network; The second terminal receives the image data in a format suitable for the computer network, and reproduces an image from the image data in a format suitable for the computer network. Image transmission system. 2. Forming a computer network,
An image transmission system in which connection between terminals of the computer network is performed via a server and data including at least image data is transferred by the computer network, wherein a first terminal on an image transmission side is provided. Calls a server that includes the first terminal, specifies a second terminal that is to receive an image, a server of a network that includes the second terminal calls the second terminal, The first terminal sends facsimile image data to a server including the first terminal via a public line, and the server including the first terminal adapts the facsimile image data to the computer network. To the server including the second terminal via the computer network, The server including the second terminal converts the image data in a format suitable for the computer network into the facsimile image data and sends the facsimile image data to the second terminal via a public line. An image transmission system in which a terminal reproduces an image from the facsimile image data. 3. Forming a computer network,
An image transmission system in which connection between terminals of the computer network is performed via a server and data including at least image data is transferred by the computer network, wherein a first terminal on an image transmission side is provided. Calls a server that includes the first terminal, specifies a second terminal that is to receive an image, a server of a network that includes the second terminal calls the second terminal, A second terminal connected to the computer network via a server including the second terminal, wherein the first terminal transmits facsimile image data via a public line to the network including the first terminal; The server of the network including the first terminal transmits the facsimile image data to the computer network. The image data is converted into image data in a format suitable for a network, and sent to the server including the second terminal via the computer network. The second terminal transmits the image data to the server via the computer network. An image transmission system which receives image data in a format suitable for a network and reproduces an image from the image data in a format suitable for the computer network. 4. Forming a computer network,
An image transmission system in which connection between terminals of the computer network is performed via a server and data including at least image data is transferred by the computer network, wherein a first terminal on an image transmission side is provided. Calls a server including the first terminal, connects the first terminal to a computer network via the server including the first terminal, and a second terminal serving as an image receiving side. The server of the network including the second terminal calls the second terminal, and the first terminal transmits the image data to the computer network in a format suitable for the computer network. Via the computer, the server including the second terminal, and the server including the second terminal. The system converts image data in a format suitable for a network to facsimile image data and sends it to the second terminal via a public line, and the second terminal reproduces an image from the facsimile image data. Image transmission system. 5. The image transmission system according to claim 1, wherein said server has a function of storing image data. 6. Converting image data in a format compatible with a computer network to image data compatible with a public line facsimile, or converting image data compatible with a public line facsimile into a format compatible with the computer network. A server in an image transmission system having a function of converting image data.