JPH10126539A - Network facsimile transmission system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide the network file transmission system at a high efficiency and with operating convenience. SOLUTION: Personal computers(PCs) are interconnected by a network and share storage media managed by a server machine. When a terminal equipment on the network transfers a transmission condition definition file and an actual facsimile transmission original file to a specific directory on a common share hard disk, a driver that is for realizing a facsimile equipment/printer fusion function and driven periodically is operated in the server. This driver is like a printer driver that sends print data stored in an exclusive spooler to a printer on a background, monitors the presence of a file having an exclusive directory or a specific identifier and sends the file in a specified format (F) to a digital composite machine via an I/F (E) when in existence.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a network facsimile transmission system for transmitting and receiving a facsimile via a network.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a personal computer is equipped with a modem, as is known in personal computer facsimile,
2. Description of the Related Art Devices that can transmit a word processing document or the like created on a personal computer by facsimile or receive data from another facsimile device have become widespread. In addition, one personal computer on the network is used as a facsimile server, and personal computers connected to the network are managed with IDs and sub-addresses, and files sent from the other party with these IDs and sub-addresses are
By transferring to the applicable computer or accessing the facsimile server from each computer on the network,
A system that can share a facsimile machine is used.

[0003]

A document created on a personal computer by a personal computer facsimile can be directly transmitted by facsimile, but the application software only supports up to 200 dpi and B4 size. Recent digital multifunction peripherals are copy-based and support up to A3 size and 400 dpi, and personal computer facsimile cannot support them. Further, various functions provided by the facsimile function of the digital copying machine (for example, relay request, document attachment transmission, polling transmission, etc.) are not supported. Furthermore, there are various restrictions, such as whether binary transmission is supported or not, and a dedicated word processor for creating texts by PC facsimile.

[0004] In addition, a network facsimile is called, and a sub-address is allocated to a personal computer connected to the network, managed by a facsimile server, and when transmitting or receiving, the sub-address is used to transmit to a specific machine on the network. Some have been able to pass received files to specific machines.
However, since the method of transmitting the subaddress is not general and is a local system, documents sent from other facsimile machines are only stored in the server after all and are not distributed. Also,
Regarding the transmission / reception files, it is not possible to handle files that are separated such as a tiff format, an MH / MR / MMR file, and a printer raw code data file together. Recently, digital multi-function peripherals support copy / facsimile / printer / scanner. Therefore, there is a demand for a system which can be connected to a personal computer and can be integrated and accessed from a network. The present invention has been made in view of the above, and has as its object to provide a more efficient network facsimile transmission system.

[0005]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a facsimile apparatus or a digital multi-function peripheral having a facsimile function is connected to a host computer via a bidirectional interface, and the host computer is connected to a plurality of other devices via a network. A network facsimile transmission system capable of being connected to one or more computers, comprising: transmission means for transmitting a file from the plurality of computers to a predetermined directory or storage unit which can be managed by the host computer; When a file is transmitted by the means, a destination for facsimile transmission, setting means for setting conditions, and a file sent by the transmitting means from another computer to the host computer via a network is a file for transmission. Judgment to judge that there is Means and a facsimile transmitting means for transmitting a facsimile to a facsimile apparatus or a facsimile function according to the destination set by the setting means when the file is determined to be a file for transmission by the determination means. Achieve the goal.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the network facsimile transmission system according to the first aspect, the facsimile apparatus or the facsimile function has a binary transmission function, so that the facsimile transmission function is not provided for each application. It is made possible. According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the network facsimile transmission system according to the first aspect, the facsimile apparatus or the facsimile function has a binary transmission function, and the digital multifunction peripheral has a printer function, and is sent from a host computer. Judgment means for judging whether or not bitmap expansion processing is required by the printer function of the digital multi-function peripheral according to transmission conditions, and automatically expands the bitmap expansion processing required by this judgment means. After the processing, the facsimile transmission means performs facsimile transmission by the facsimile transmission means, and facsimile transmission is performed by the facsimile transmission means as it is when the bit map expansion processing is unnecessary by the determination means.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the network facsimile transmission system of the first aspect, the digital multi-function peripheral has a scanner function, and a designation means for designating a directory or file name designated by the digital multi-function peripheral. Storage means for reading in accordance with the designation from the designation means and automatically accumulating the data in a corresponding directory or a corresponding file name on the host computer side, which can be accessed from a network computer, and various files created on these computers. It is characterized in that facsimile transmission can be performed by facsimile transmission means together. According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the network facsimile transmission system according to the first aspect, further comprising a file creating means for creating a transmission condition relating to facsimile transmission from a host computer or a computer on a network as a transmission condition definition file with an ID. Loading the file created by the file creating means into a facsimile apparatus or a digital multifunction peripheral with a facsimile function, or referencing the file from the facsimile apparatus or the digital multifunction peripheral to cause the facsimile transmission means to perform facsimile transmission. Features.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the network facsimile transmission system according to the first aspect, information such as a transmission result and a call charge is transmitted to a transmission directory or a transmission condition definition file designated by the transmission means. And a function of writing from the digital multifunction peripheral side, and information such as a transmission result can be obtained by accessing these directories and files from a computer on the network. According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the network facsimile transmission system according to the first aspect, if a dedicated file for obtaining the other party's information for the facsimile number is created on the host computer side, calls are sequentially made in accordance with the facsimile number and the other party's call is made. A function that takes information and drops it into a dedicated file,
It has a function of automatically creating a reception-only directory for the information of the other party obtained in this way and, when facsimile reception is actually performed from the specified party, downloading and writing a file to a predetermined directory. I do.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to FIGS. FIG.
1 shows a configuration of a network facsimile transmission system used in the embodiment of the present invention. In this network facsimile transmission system, a plurality of personal computers (five in this figure, PC1 to PC5) and a server <A> are connected.
Has a two-way high-speed interface and is connected to a facsimile apparatus or a digital multifunction peripheral having a facsimile function having a similar interface. This interface may be either SCSI or Ethernet, provided that bidirectional image transmission and reception can be performed to some extent at high speed. Also, for convenience of explanation, the server MFP A is connected to a digital multifunction peripheral, which can be extended in functions such as a scanner function and a printer function as required in addition to a copier and a facsimile function. It is intended for.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the digital multifunction peripheral. The mode manager <X> receives and buffers control commands, image information, and binary file data from the server, interprets header information, passes information to appropriate applications, and processes and transfers data between applications. If necessary, the control is performed. Conversely, it also has a function of receiving commands, image information, result notification, and the like from the application to the server and transferring them to the server.

Next, the processing procedure of the embodiment will be described. First, it is assumed that a file for facsimile transmission is created by a personal computer (hereinafter, referred to as a PC) connected to the network in FIG. Here, for the sake of explanation, compression (MH / MR / MM) has already been performed so that facsimile transmission is possible.
R), but a file created by word processing software may be used.
The image information may be image information compressed in the F format or a control / print command for printer printing generated from a printer driver.

Next, a file defining the transmission conditions is created on the PC. This creation method is to create a text file having the contents shown in FIG. 4 “transmission condition setting file” with a word processor and to change the file extension to xxx. It is sufficient if the server (<A> in FIG. 1) can recognize that the file is a file defining transmission conditions as in att. Alternatively, application software for setting a dedicated transmission condition is run on a PC (personal computer), and the transmission condition set on the graphical screen is xxx. The operability is further improved by dropping the file into a file in the form of att.

Each PC in FIG. 1 is connected via a network (regardless of type), and can share a storage medium (for example, a hard disk) managed by the server <A>. Here, a terminal PC-1 on the network
Assume that the transmission condition definition file and the actual facsimile transmission manuscript file are transferred to a specific directory on the shared hard disk. On the server (FIG. 1A), there is a driver for realizing the facsimile / printer fusion function that is started periodically. This driver is like a printer driver that sends print data stored in a dedicated spooler to a printer in the background, and monitors the presence of a dedicated directory or a file (<Y> in FIG. 5) waiting for a specific identifier. If there is, I / F
(Fig. 3 <E>) to the digital MFP
(F in FIG. 3).

On the other hand, the mode manager (<X> in FIG. 2) of the digital multi-function peripheral receives facsimile transmission data from the server (<A> in FIG. 1) and internally establishes a route to be passed to the facsimile application. . In the facsimile application, the mode manager (Fig. 3 <C
>) Is temporarily stored in a memory, and then facsimile-transmitted in a specified mode to a destination specified by transmission conditions. This process is no different from normal facsimile memory transmission. As described above, in the first embodiment, network facsimile transmission can be easily realized only by copying the transmission conditions and the transmission file to the dedicated directory of the server.

Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, a facsimile machine having the same function and configuration only by providing a binary transfer function to the facsimile function of the digital multi-function peripheral and by providing a function for designating binary transmission in the transmission condition setting file, The file created on the PC can be sent to the digital multifunction peripheral. This will be described on the assumption that information is exchanged between the head office and the branch. First, when a file created at the head office (anything such as word processing software, spreadsheet, etc.) is sent to a branch, the file was conventionally transferred via a network by connecting a dedicated line, or was once sent out by a printer and sent by facsimile.

In this embodiment, a file created on a PC is downloaded to a digital multifunction peripheral by the method described in the first embodiment, and is downloaded to a digital multifunction peripheral connected to a similar system of the other party through a public line. Forward. In the system of the receiving side, it is sent to the server through the reverse route to the transmitting side, and if uploaded to a predetermined directory, it can be accessed from a PC on the network,
The file can be opened with the same application software as the creator. This is a function that can be performed because the facsimile function has a binary transmission function. Data format and control signal B for binary transmission
6A, 6B, 6C and 7 show the it assignment information. FIG. 8 shows a standard transmission procedure of the control signals NSF / NSS.

In the third embodiment, the digital multi-function peripheral is provided with a facsimile function having a binary transmission function and a printer function, and the data from the server is determined by the mode manager (<X> in FIG. 2) and passed to the printer once. Then, the data is expanded into a bitmap, compressed for facsimile transmission, and passed to a facsimile apparatus to enable facsimile transmission. This function is developed into image information when the system of the other party that performs facsimile transmission determines that it does not have a binary transmission function or a printer function (NSF / NSS (Fig. 9) exchanges capabilities with each other). , Compressed and sent. FIG. 9 shows the data flow here.
It is shown in

Therefore, in the capacity exchange, if it is determined that the other party has both the binary transmission and the printer function, the binary print can be transmitted as it is (without bitmap expansion) of the print command of the printer. In order to place the print command of the printer in the server-side dedicated directory, it is possible only by changing the setting of the spooler on the PC side. The printer dedicated spooler and the dedicated directory described in the present embodiment can be combined, or can be separate.If the print code is swept out for facsimile transmission, the printer driver is reworked and converted to the print code. Printer I / F for later sending destination
It is possible only by making it a dedicated directory of the server instead of (interface).

Next, a fourth embodiment will be described.
In this embodiment, a digital multifunction peripheral connected to a server is used as a scanner and can be used from any PC connected on a network. In this embodiment, a directory to be scanned by a PC on a network is created in advance. Then, when the scanner is read by the digital MFP, the directory name is input. And if the operation unit is simple and you can not enter the alphabet,
By inputting several digits from the numeric keypad, the mode manager that sends image data to the server continues the numeric input from the numeric keypad, beginning with the "S" of the scanner, and uses that as the directory name (FIG. 5 <Z>). ).

Alternatively, the PC does not make any settings, and the mode manager reads the file from the digital multi-function peripheral, so that the mode manager can tell the server that the file is the latest scanner read file (for example, date & time). Alternatively, it is possible if you have a mechanism that allows you to generate files by file name. The data flow path of the scanner, mode manager and server is shown in FIG. When accessing from a PC on the network, it is sufficient to refer to the corresponding directory or file.
If the data read from the scanner is created in a general-purpose TIFF format, reference and processing on a PC is easy.

Further, by setting the image information and the transmission condition file read by the scanner in a dedicated directory, facsimile transmission can be realized. In this case, the mode manager of the digital multi-function peripheral recognizes the file as a TIFF format file and performs compression mode conversion such as MMR for facsimile.
Facsimile transmission in combination with a scanner file (TIFF file) and the functions described in the first to third embodiments is also possible.

Next, a fifth embodiment will be described. If the transmission condition file described in the first embodiment is created on a PC on a network and a dedicated directory or a dedicated extension is added to the file, the file is downloaded to the mode manager of the digital multi-function peripheral.
Even if the digital MFP does not have a complicated operation unit, if the above transmission condition file is called using ID information, etc.,
A complicated transmission condition can be easily specified, and facsimile transmission can be performed with a document set and a start key.

This can be done by creating a transmission condition file as shown in FIG. 4 in a predetermined format using an editor or a word processor and dropping it as a text file. A facsimile operation unit as shown in FIG. When the application tool for displaying the setting screen is run on the PC, various settings are made and the processing is completed, the translation is automatically performed. If a transmission condition file as shown in FIG. 4 is generated, the operability is improved. If the digital MFP has a numeric keypad and a small LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), the transmission condition file is downloaded with an ID number from the server, and is held inside the MFP. By inputting, call expansion becomes possible.

This makes it possible to finish the operation section of the digital multifunction peripheral, which is unnecessarily complicated, inexpensively and simply, and to use a tool that enables the operation section to be simulated in color on a PC, thereby greatly improving the operability. This will provide a better environment for users.

Next, a sixth embodiment will be described. In the sixth embodiment, a PC on a network
When a facsimile is shared from, a transmission result notification that always appears as a request is easily realized. As described in the first embodiment, P
The facsimile transmission from C can be realized by providing a dedicated directory or a file with a special extension on a management storage medium (hard disk or the like) of the server. At this time, a transmission condition specification file (see FIG. 4) is created, and the facsimile transmission is performed in accordance with the transmission condition specification file. Received as a result, added to the transmission condition file,
Return to the server via 1 / F.

In response to this, the server can detect the information on which dedicated directory the transmission condition file was placed in, so that it may be placed there. Just by doing this, just refer to it from a PC on the network,
Information notification as to whether or not transmission has been completed can be realized.

Finally, a seventh embodiment will be described. There is a request to sort files received by facsimile from a specific destination into a predetermined directory. In this case, information on the other party (RTI / CSI)
If you do not know, you can not do it. In the present embodiment, FIG.
A file having the format shown in FIG. 1 is created, the facsimile number of the destination, and the destination (directory name) of the received original when facsimile is received from the destination.
Is written in advance. If a specific identifier is assigned to this file (text file) and placed on the server machine, the file is downloaded to the mode manager of the digital multi-function peripheral.

In response to this, the mode manager makes a call for each facsimile number, obtains the RTI / CSI information of the other party at the time of capability exchange as shown in FIG. 7, and then disconnects the line. Here, after receiving the DIS information, the DCN signal is passed to the other party without entering the image information transmission phase. The RTI / CSI information thus obtained is written, and after the acquisition of all the specified destination information is completed,
The mode manager returns this file to the server. As a result, even if the server, the facsimile number of the specific destination specified on the PC, all RTI / CSI
Is associated. In digital multifunction devices,
Remember the specific destination specified in the above file,
If it is determined that the reception has been received from the corresponding destination, the facsimile application issues an upload request to the mode manager to the server, and passes the reception file to the server together with the RTI / CSI information to specify the designated file. It can be saved in the server directory.

The PC on the network can refer to the designated directory to determine whether or not facsimile reception has been performed, and if so, can retrieve and read the contents of the facsimile.

[0030]

According to the first aspect of the invention, when a facsimile is shared from a computer on a network and used, there is no need to run special application software on the computer, and a word processor normally used is used. A file can be transmitted simply by creating a file using software or spreadsheet software and transmitting the file to a dedicated directory or a record holding unit managed by a server connected to the network by a transmission unit. in this way,
Files can be sent simply by creating a document on a computer and saving it in a specified directory.Since it can be easily sent from any computer on the network, facsimile transmission from a personal computer can be realized without restrictions. .

According to the second aspect of the present invention, if a binary transmission function of a digital multi-function peripheral (or facsimile) connected to a facsimile server on a network is used, a file created by any application on a computer can be used in a similar network facsimile. It can be sent to the system.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, if the binary transmission function of the digital multi-function peripheral (or facsimile) connected to the file server on the network is used, the destination of the facsimile is the same network facsimile system and the printer application. If the print command is installed, the communication time can be extremely reduced by transmitting the print command as it is, and it is possible to eliminate the deterioration of the image by outputting the print data after developing it on the receiving side. Also,
Even when a printer application is not provided, the transmitting side develops a bitmap and can perform facsimile transmission, so that the user can perform facsimile transmission as if printing on a printer without being aware of the environment on the receiving side.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, a computer on a network can be used as a scanner.
The read image can be stored in a dedicated directory, processed as needed, and further transmitted by facsimile together with a file created by another computer. At this time, the format (T
The IFF format, print data file, application file, etc.) can be facsimile-transmitted in various types in the same operating environment only by being described in the transmission condition definition file.

According to the fifth aspect of the invention, by creating the transmission condition definition file by the file creation means, the file can be transmitted with only a simple operation, and the setting of the transmission condition is released. Further, since transmission can be performed with only a minimum number of buttons and an LCD, the cost of the facsimile machine can be reduced and the operability of the user can be improved.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, by realizing the network facsimile transmission system, it is possible to easily obtain the transmission result, the communication time, and the charge information for the file subjected to the transmission processing from each computer.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the storage location of the received file from a specific destination can be easily specified, and the reception from the specified destination is automatically stored in the management directory of the server on the network. It becomes possible to do.
In addition, this makes it easy to determine whether or not a facsimile from a specific party has been received on the computer, and if it has been received, it can be viewed on the screen.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a network facsimile transmission system used in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the digital multifunction peripheral.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a data structure between a server and a digital multifunction peripheral.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a transmission condition installation file.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a server management directory.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a data format relating to binary transmission and Bit assignment information of a control signal.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating bit assignment of NSF / NSS bit 169 and subsequent bits.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a transmission procedure in G3.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a flow of data of the integrated facsimile transmission.

FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display unit of the device according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a format file.

[Explanation of symbols]

 A server B PC (personal computer) C mode manager 400 operation unit 401 liquid crystal display unit 402 numeric keypad 403 clear / stop key 404 start key 405 program key 406 job recall key 407 mode clear key / preheat key 408 interrupt key 409 pause / redial key 410 Shortcut key 411 Receive key 412 FAX switching key 413 Copy switching key 414 Initial setting key 415 Guidance key 416 LCD density adjustment volume 417 FAX dedicated display

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A system in which a facsimile machine or a digital multi-functional peripheral having a facsimile function is connected to a host computer via a bidirectional interface, and the host computer can be connected to a plurality of other computers via a network. Transmission means for transmitting a file from the plurality of computers to a predetermined directory or storage unit which can be managed by the host computer; and a destination for facsimile transmission when transmitting the file with the transmission means. Setting means for setting conditions; determining means for determining that the file transmitted from the other computer to the host computer via the network by the transmitting means is a file for transmission; When it is determined that it is a credit file, Network facsimile transmission system characterized by comprising destination set by the serial setting means, and a facsimile transmitting means for facsimile transmission to the facsimile machine or facsimile function according to the conditions. 2. The network facsimile transmission system according to claim 1, wherein the facsimile apparatus or the facsimile function has a binary transmission function so that facsimile transmission can be performed without providing a facsimile transmission function for each application. . 3. The facsimile machine or facsimile function has a binary transmission function, and the digital multi-function peripheral has a printer function. According to transmission conditions sent from a host computer, a bit map in the printer function of the digital multi-function peripheral is provided. Judgment means for judging whether or not decompression processing is necessary, and for those for which bitmap decompression processing is required by this judgment means, after automatic decompression processing, compression and facsimile transmission means facsimile transmission, 2. The network facsimile transmission system according to claim 1, wherein the facsimile transmission means directly transmits the facsimile data for which the bitmap expansion processing is unnecessary by the determination means. 4. A digital multifunction peripheral having a scanner function, a designation means for designating a directory name or a file name designated by the digital multifunction peripheral, reading in accordance with the designation from the designation means, and automatically reading data from the host computer. 2. A storage means for storing data under a corresponding directory or a corresponding file name, wherein the storage means can be accessed from a network computer, and can be transmitted by facsimile transmission means together with various files created on these computers. The described network facsimile transmission system. 5. A facsimile apparatus or a facsimile apparatus comprising: a file creating means for creating a transmission condition definition file with an ID from a host computer or a computer on a network as a transmission condition definition file. 2. A facsimile transmission means for facsimile transmission by loading a digital multifunction peripheral with a facsimile function or referring to the data from a facsimile apparatus or a digital multifunction peripheral.
The described network facsimile transmission system. 6. A function of writing information such as a transmission result and a call charge from a facsimile apparatus or a digital multifunction peripheral to a transmission directory or a transmission condition definition file designated by a transmission means, and from a computer on a network. 2. The network facsimile transmission system according to claim 1, wherein information such as a transmission result is obtained by accessing these directories and files. 7. When the host computer creates a dedicated file for obtaining the other party's information with respect to the facsimile number, a call is sequentially made in accordance with the facsimile number, and the other party's information is fetched and dropped into the dedicated file. Automatically create a receive-only directory for the information of the other party obtained in step 1, and when a facsimile is actually received from the designated party, download a file to a predetermined directory and write it. The network facsimile transmission system according to claim 1.