KR100245025B1 - System and method of managing an information of transmitting/receiving fax data - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system and method for managing fax data transmission / reception information, wherein a host computer and an all-in-one connected to each other through an input / output interface periodically transmit and receive computer fax data and multifunction fax data transmission / reception information, respectively. By interchange, fax data transmission / reception information can be managed consistently on both the host computer and the MFP.

Description

Fax data transmission / reception information management system and method

The present invention relates to an information management system and method for transmitting / receiving fax data of a multifunction apparatus, and more particularly, to consistently (consistent) fax data transmission / reception information according to a fax function of the multifunction system on a multifunction apparatus and a host computer. The present invention relates to a system and method for managing fax data transmission / reception information.

In recent years, the field of fax technology has developed a lot. That is, the current technology trend is to avoid a stand-alone product having a simple function in the past and to develop a multi-function product in which a high function is combined.

In this case, the high-performance complex generally means integrating copiers, faxes, scanners, and printers, which are essential for an office environment, but in addition, it emphasizes the connection with a host computer in a central location in an office environment.

Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 1, a general multifunction device and stand-alone faxes connected to a host computer record information about sending / receiving fax data, and thus sending / receiving a report when a user requests it. It had its own output function.

This transmit / receive record output function also has a host computer connected to the multifunction device to store and manage information on data transmitted / received through itself.

On the other hand, for example, when the user transmits / receives a fax through the multifunction apparatus on the host computer, the transmission / reception information is stored in a storage unit that stores the transmission / reception information on the host computer. When a user transmits / receives data using the multifunction device's fax function without using an application program on the host computer, the send / receive information is stored only in the multifunction device. There was a problem of inconsistency in the transmission / reception information between the computer and the compound period.

In this way, general MFPs and stand-alone faxes having their own transmission / reception record output functions have their own transmission / reception information management functions independently of the fax data within the MFP itself and the application on the host computer connected thereto. Because of the management of the transmission and reception information, there was a problem that it is difficult to manage the transmission and reception information of the consistent and integrated fax data.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention in a host computer and a multifunction device interconnected via an input / output interface, the multifunction device and the host computer exchange fax data transmission / reception information with each other by using an input / output interface so that the fax data transmission / reception information is consistent in both. (consistency) to manage.

1 is a perspective view showing an interconnection relationship between a host computer and a multifunction device;

2 is a block diagram showing a fax data transmission / reception information management system composed of a host computer and a multifunction apparatus equipped with a transmission / reception information management unit according to the present invention;

3 is a flowchart illustrating a method of managing fax data transmission / reception information according to the present invention.

<Description of Symbols of Major Parts of Drawings>

200: host computer 210: transmission / reception information management unit

220: composite I / O driver 230: I / O interface

240: operating system 211: computer fax data transmission / reception information storage unit

212 request unit 213 timer

214: comparison unit 215: processing unit

300: multifunction device 310: multifunction I / O interface

320: transceiver

330: MFP fax data transmission / reception event generation storage unit

340: All-in-one fax data transmission / reception storage unit

350: multi-function processor

According to an aspect of the present invention for achieving the above object, a host computer for managing computer fax data transmission and reception information; Receiving a computer fax data transmission / reception information from the host computer to maintain a consistency of the computer fax data transmission / reception information and the multifunction fax data transmission / reception information; The host computer exchanges the multifunction machine and the computer fax data and the multifunction fax data transmission / reception information, integrates the data transmission / reception information into one data transmission / reception information, and shares the integrated data transmission / reception information with the multifunction device. A fax data transmission / reception information management system including an information management unit and data exchange means for converting the computer fax data and the multi-function fax data transmission / reception information into a predetermined form between the transmission / reception information management unit and the multifunction machine. This is disclosed.

Preferably, the transmission / reception information management unit, computer fax data transmission / reception information storage unit for storing the computer fax data transmission / reception information; A request unit which requests the multifunction fax data transmission / reception information; A timer for counting a time point for periodically requesting the multifunction fax data transmission / reception information; A comparator for comparing the computer fax data transmission / reception information with the multi-function fax data transmission / reception information requested and received; And controlling the portions to periodically exchange computer fax data and multifunction fax data transmission / reception information to maintain consistency of the computer fax data and multifunction fax data transmission / reception information.

Preferably, the computer fax data and the multifunction fax data transmission / reception information are information on the time at which the fax data is transmitted / received, the telephone number of the fax data, and the fax data itself.

Preferably, the multifunction device comprises: a multifunction input / output interface in data communication with the host computer; A transmitting / receiving unit which transmits / receives fax data through a public network; A composite transmission / reception event generation storage unit for storing whether or not a fax data transmission / reception event has occurred by the multifunction device alone; A multifunction fax data transmission / reception information storage unit for storing the multifunction fax data transmission / reception information for data transmission / reception of the multifunction device alone; And a multifunction peripheral processing unit for controlling each part and maintaining consistency of the computer fax data and the multifunction fax data transmission / reception information according to a periodic request of the host computer.

According to another aspect of the invention, a host computer for managing computer fax data transmission and reception information; In a transmission / reception information management system including a multifunction device for managing multifunction fax data transmission / reception information, when a data transmission / reception event occurs in the multifunction device, the multifunction fax data transmission / reception information is requested. An information request step; A transmission / reception information comparing step of comparing the computer-fax data transmission / reception information with the multi-function fax data transmission / reception information when receiving the requested multi-function fax data transmission / reception information; Transmitting / receiving information adding step of adding the multi-fax data transmission / reception information not included in the host computer to the computer-fax data transmission / reception information as a result of the comparison; A transmission / reception information transmission step of transmitting the computer fax data transmission / reception information not included in the multifunction device to the multifunction device as a result of the comparison; Disclosed is a method for managing fax data transmission / reception information including the step of adding multiple transmission / reception information to which the multifunction apparatus adds the transmitted computer fax data transmission / reception information to the multifunction fax data transmission / reception information.

Preferably, the computer fax data and the multifunction fax data transmission / reception information are information on the time at which the fax data is transmitted / received, the telephone number of the fax data, and the fax data itself.

Hereinafter, the objects, features, and advantages of the present invention described above will be described in more detail with reference to the preferred embodiments of the present invention shown in the accompanying drawings.

The terms to be described below are terms defined in consideration of functions in the present invention, and may vary according to the intention or custom of a person skilled in the art, and the definitions should be made based on the contents throughout the specification.

In the present specification, the fax data transmitted through the multifunction apparatus by the host computer is defined as 'computer fax data', and the fax data transmitted by the multifunction apparatus without the host computer is defined as 'multifunction fax data'.

2 is a block diagram showing a fax data transmission / reception information management system composed of a host computer and a multifunction apparatus equipped with a transmission / reception information management unit according to the present invention;

As shown in the figure, the host computer may be connected to the host computer 200 and may request a command for requesting computer fax data transmission / reception information for fax data transmission / reception by the host computer 200 through the multi-function input / output interface 310. 200) and a response thereto is received from the host computer 200, so that the computer fax data transmission / reception information and the MFP fax data transmission / reception information for fax data transmission / reception by the multifunction device are consistent. It is present in the multifunction device 300 and the host computer 200 to maintain and process the computer fax data and multifunction fax data transmission / reception information while exchanging the multifunction device 300 with the computer fax data and the multifunction fax data transmission / reception information. Transmitting / receiving information management unit 210 to share the integrated fax data transmission / reception information with the multifunction device 300 by integrating into one data transmission / reception information And a multifunction device that receives a logical command when data is required to be transmitted between the transmission / reception information management unit 210 and the multifunction device 300, converts it into a physical signal, and transmits a logical response of the response signal. The input / output driver 220, an input / output interface 230 for communicating with the multifunction apparatus 300, and an operating system 240 for driving the host computer 200 and the transmission / reception information management unit 210.

At this time, the transmission / reception information management unit 210 is a computer fax data transmission / reception information storage unit 211 for storing the computer fax data transmission / reception information, and requesting the multi-function fax data transmission / reception information to the multifunction device 300 Request unit 212, a timer 213 for counting time points for periodically requesting multi-function fax data transmission / reception information, computer-fax data transmission / reception information, and request-received multi-function fax data transmission / reception information A comparison unit 214 for comparing and controlling the respective parts to periodically exchange computer fax data and multifunction fax data transmission / reception information to maintain consistency of computer fax data and multifunction fax data transmission / reception information. And a processing unit 215.

On the other hand, computer fax data and multifunction fax data transmission / reception information is information on the time at which the fax data was sent / received, the telephone number of the fax data, and the fax data itself.

In addition, the multifunction apparatus 300 includes a multifunction I / O interface 310 for data communication with the host computer 200, a transmission / reception unit 320 for transmitting / receiving fax data via a public network, and a fax by the multifunction apparatus 300 alone. MFP fax data transmission / reception event generation storage unit 330 for storing data transmission / reception event occurrence, and MFP fax data transmission / reception information for fax data transmission / reception of the MFP 300 alone. A fax data transmission / reception information storage unit 340 and a multi-function processor that controls each part and maintains consistency of computer fax data and multifunction fax data transmission / reception information according to a periodic request of the host computer 200. It consists of 350.

Preferably, the transmission / reception information management unit 210 may be implemented as an application program.

3 is a flowchart illustrating a method of managing fax data transmission / reception information according to the present invention.

It is a flowchart which shows the transmission / reception information management method in the MFP system.

As shown in the figure, a transmission / reception determination step (S400) for determining whether or not a fax data transmission / reception event occurs in the multifunction device alone, and the data transmission / reception information of the multifunction device fax data in the multifunction device Sending / receiving information request step (S410) requesting, sending / receiving information receiving determination step (S420) to determine whether the received multi-function fax data transmission / reception information, and requested multi-function fax data transmission / reception information When received, the computer fax data transmission / reception information comparison step (S430) for comparing the computer fax data transmission / reception information and the multi-function fax data transmission / reception information, and the result of the comparison, the computer fax data transmission / reception information that the host computer does not have Sending / receiving information adding step to the data sending / receiving information (S440) and computer fax data sending / receiving information that the multifunction device does not have as a result of the comparison to the multifunction device. Transmitting / receiving information transmission step (S450), a transmission-sharing non-determination step (S460) for determining whether computer fax data transmission / reception information has been successfully transmitted to the multifunction device, and transmission / reception of computer-fax data transmitted to the multifunction device. The multimodal fax / receive information adding step (S470) of adding the information to the multifunction fax data transmission / reception information is included.

Hereinafter, the operation of the transmission / reception information management device in the multifunction system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First, the processing unit 215 of the transmission / reception information management unit 210 of the host computer 200 periodically checks the multi-function fax data transmission / reception event generation storage unit 330 by the timer 213 and outputs the multifunction apparatus 300. It is determined whether fax data transmission / reception has occurred independently (step: S400).

As a result of determining whether the multifunction device 300 independently transmits / receives the fax data, and if the multifunction device 300 receives the fax data transmission / reception event, the processing unit 215 of the multifunction device 300 through the request unit 212. The multi-function fax data transmission / reception information storage unit 340 requests multi-function fax data transmission / reception information for the transmission / reception of the fax data by the multifunction apparatus 300 (step: S410).

After requesting the MFP 300 to transmit / receive the MFP data, the processor 215 determines whether the MFP receives the requested MFP data from the MFP 300 (step S420).

As a result of determining whether the requested MFP fax data transmission / reception information is received from the MFP 300, if the host computer 200 receives the requested MFP fax data transmission / reception information, the processing unit 215 may compare the comparison unit 214. Computer fax data transmission / reception information for the fax data transmission / reception performed by the host computer 212 stored in the computer fax data transmission / reception information storage unit 211, and the received multifunction fax data transmission / reception Comparing the information, if there is a new multi-function fax data transmission / reception information that does not exist in the computer fax data transmission / reception information storage unit 211 of the host computer 200 it is a computer fax data transmission / reception information storage unit 211 ) (Steps S430, S440).

Meanwhile, the processing unit 215 compares the computer fax data transmission / reception information stored in the computer fax data transmission / reception information storage unit 211 with the received multifunction device fax data transmission / reception information through the comparison unit 214. If there is a new computer fax data transmission / reception information that does not exist in the multifunction fax data transmission / reception information storage unit 340 of 300, it is transmitted to the multifunction apparatus 300 (steps S430 and S450).

After transmitting the computer fax data transmission / reception information that the multifunction apparatus 300 does not have to the multifunction apparatus 300, it is determined whether the multifunction apparatus fax data transmission / reception information has been successfully transmitted to the multifunction apparatus 300 (step: S460). .

As a result of determining whether the all-in-one fax data transmission / reception information has been successfully transmitted to the multifunction apparatus 300, if the computer-fax data transmission / reception information is successfully transmitted to the multifunction apparatus 300, the multifunction apparatus 300 transmits the host computer ( The computer fax data transmission / reception information of 200 is added to the multifunction apparatus data transmission / reception storage unit 340 (step: S470).

By doing so, the computer fax data transmission / reception information storage unit 211 of the host computer 200 and the computer fax data transmission / reception information storage unit 340 stored in the multifunction fax data transmission / reception information storage unit 340 of the multifunction apparatus 300, respectively. Receive information is always managed the same.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention may be modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. It will be appreciated that modifications or variations may be made. Therefore, changes in the future embodiments of the present invention will not be able to escape the technology of the present invention.

As described above, according to the present invention, in the host computer and the multifunction apparatus interconnected through the input / output interface, the multifunction apparatus and the host computer exchange fax data transmission / reception information with each other using the input / output interface so that both the fax data transmission / reception information can be obtained. All have the effect of being consistently managed.

Claims (6)

A host computer managing computer fax data transmission / reception information; Receiving a computer fax data transmission / reception information from the host computer to maintain a consistency of the computer fax data transmission / reception information and the multifunction fax data transmission / reception information; The host computer, A transmission / reception information management unit exchanging the multi-function machine and the computer-fax data and multi-fax data transmission / reception information and integrating them into one data transmission / reception information to share the integrated data transmission / reception information with the multifunction device; And a data exchange means for converting the computer fax data and the multifunction fax data transmission / reception information into a predetermined form and exchanging between the transmission / reception information management unit and the multifunction apparatus. . According to claim 1, wherein the transmission / reception information management unit, A computer fax data transmission / reception information storage unit for storing the computer fax data transmission / reception information; A request unit which requests the multifunction fax data transmission / reception information; A timer for counting a time point for periodically requesting the MFP fax data transmission / reception information; A comparison unit for comparing the computer fax data transmission / reception information with the multi-function fax data transmission / reception information received and requested; And controlling the portions to periodically exchange the computer fax data and the multifunction fax data transmission / reception information to maintain consistency of the computer fax data and the multifunction fax data transmission / reception information. Fax data transmission / reception information management system. According to claim 1, wherein the computer fax data and multi-function fax data transmission / reception information, A fax data transmission / reception information management system, characterized in that the information is about the time at which the fax data was transmitted / received, the telephone data transmission / reception telephone number, and the fax data itself. The method of claim 1, wherein the multifunction device, A composite write / output interface in data communication with the host computer; A transmitting / receiving unit for transmitting / receiving fax data through a public network; A composite transmission / reception event generation storage unit for storing whether or not a fax data transmission / reception event has occurred by the multifunction device alone; A multifunction fax data transmission / reception information storage unit for storing the multifunction fax data transmission / reception information for data transmission / reception of the multifunction device alone; Fax data transmission and reception information management, characterized in that it comprises a multi-function processor that controls each part and maintains the consistency (consistency) of the computer fax data and multi-function fax data transmission / reception information according to the periodic request of the host computer system. A host computer managing computer fax data transmission / reception information; In a transmission / reception information management system including a multifunction device for managing multifunction fax data transmission / reception information, A transmission / reception information requesting step of requesting the multifunction device fax data transmission / reception information to the multifunction device when a data transmission / reception event occurs in the multifunction device; A transmission / reception information comparing step of comparing the computer-fax data transmission / reception information with the multi-function fax data transmission / reception information when receiving the requested multi-function fax data transmission / reception information; Transmitting / receiving information adding step of adding the multi-fax data transmission / reception information not included in the host computer to the computer-fax data transmission / reception information as a result of the comparison; A transmission / reception information transmission step of transmitting the computer fax data transmission / reception information not included in the multifunction device to the multifunction device as a result of the comparison; And a multi-transmitter / receive information adding step of the multifunction apparatus adding the transmitted computer-fax data transmission / reception information to the multi-function fax data transmission / reception information. According to claim 5, The computer fax data and multi-function fax data transmission / reception information, A method for managing fax data transmission / reception information, characterized in that the information is about the time at which the fax data was sent / received, the telephone number of the fax data sent / received, and the fax data itself.

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