JP2001036686A - Network facsimile system, its data processing method, server device and its control method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To realize a network facsimile system where one server can efficiently manage a plurality of facsimile terminals. SOLUTION: Each facsimile terminal manages a transmission job queue. Concretely a transmission queue management table 3001 is provided to each facsimile terminal. The table 3001 is provided with a transmission queue ID area 303 to which a specific transmission queue ID is stored. The presence/ absence of access right for each user is decided by using the transmission queue ID. Data relating to an actual job are recorded in job data 3003 connected to a job management table pointer area 305 of the table 3001. Upon the request of job acquisition from the facsimile terminal, a server references the job management table pointer of the table 3001 corresponding to the device ID specific to the facsimile terminal to decide the presence/absence of a job. When the job is present, the job data 3003 and required data are transferred to the facsimile terminal.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a network facsimile system, and more particularly to a network facsimile system capable of managing and controlling a plurality of facsimile apparatuses by one server, a data processing method thereof, a server apparatus and a control method thereof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With the spread of network environments in offices, OA devices such as printers have been used by being connected to a network. Similarly, facsimile apparatuses have been used by being connected to a network.

In such an office environment, a facsimile apparatus capable of transmitting and receiving, a client such as a personal computer for using the apparatus, and a server for managing them are installed on the same LAN, and a network facsimile system is constructed. I have.

According to this network facsimile system, a transmission instruction command from a client is stored in a transmission processing queue of a server and then processed by a facsimile apparatus on a network.

[0005] Facsimile apparatuses have also started to have various functions, and those that perform 33.6 Kbps communication, color communication, Internet communication, and the like have been commercialized.

[0006]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional network facsimile system, one
Only one facsimile machine can be installed on one server,
In order to connect a plurality of facsimile machines, it is necessary to install another server, which is problematic in terms of cost.

Further, in the conventional network facsimile system, it was not possible to confirm the functions of the facsimile apparatus from the client side.

[0008] From the viewpoint of user convenience, it is more convenient to select one having a desired function from a plurality of facsimile machines depending on the application, and such a system is desired.

An object of the present invention is to provide a network facsimile system capable of efficiently managing a plurality of facsimile apparatuses with one server and a data processing method thereof in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a server device in a network facsimile system in which a single server can efficiently manage a plurality of facsimile devices, and a control method therefor.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a network facsimile system capable of confirming the capability of a facsimile apparatus managed by a server from a client and selecting an apparatus to be used for transmission from a plurality of facsimile apparatuses, and a network facsimile system therefor. It is to provide a data processing method.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a server in a network facsimile system in which the capability of a facsimile device managed by a server can be confirmed from a client and a device to be used for transmission can be selected from a plurality of facsimile devices. An apparatus and a control method thereof are provided.

[0013]

That is, the gist of the present invention is to provide a network facsimile apparatus in which a facsimile apparatus, a server apparatus for managing and controlling the facsimile apparatus, and a client apparatus capable of communicating with the server apparatus are connected to a network. A network facsimile system characterized in that a server device manages a queue for each facsimile device using a facsimile device generated in the system.

Another aspect of the present invention is a storage medium storing a program that can be executed by an apparatus, the apparatus executing the program being stored in a server, a client, or a facsimile in a network facsimile system of the present invention. A storage medium characterized by being made to function as a device.

Another aspect of the present invention is a data processing in a network facsimile system including a facsimile apparatus, a server apparatus for managing and controlling the facsimile apparatus, and a client apparatus capable of communicating with the server apparatus. A method according to a network facsimile system, comprising: a job detecting step of detecting a job using a facsimile machine generated in the system; and a management step of managing a queue of the detected job for each facsimile machine. It lies in the data processing method.

Another aspect of the present invention is a server device in a network facsimile system in which a facsimile device, a server device for managing and controlling the facsimile device, and a client device capable of communicating with the server device are connected to a network. The present invention resides in a server device that manages a queue generated in a system using a facsimile device for each facsimile device.

Another aspect of the present invention is a server device in a network facsimile system in which a facsimile device, a server device for managing and controlling the facsimile device, and a client device capable of communicating with the server device are connected to a network. A method of controlling a server device, comprising: a job detecting step of detecting a job using a facsimile machine generated in a system; and a management step of managing a queue for each facsimile machine. .

Another aspect of the present invention is a server device in a network facsimile system in which a facsimile device, a server device for managing and controlling the facsimile device, and a client device capable of communicating with the server device are connected to a network. Storage medium storing a program code for controlling the facsimile apparatus, a program code for a job detection step for detecting a job generated in the system using a facsimile apparatus, and a program code for a management step for queue management for each facsimile apparatus And a storage medium characterized by having the following.

[0019]

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. (System Configuration) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a network facsimile system of the present invention. Reference numeral 101 denotes a first facsimile machine, which is connected to the LAN 109 via the first network adapter 102.

The first network adapter 102 is provided for connecting a facsimile apparatus to a LAN,
The facsimile server 103 performs protocol processing with the facsimile server 103 and data transfer processing between the first facsimile apparatus 101 and the facsimile server 103. In the present embodiment, the above functions are provided by the network adapter 10.
2, these functions can be incorporated in the first facsimile apparatus 101, in which case the first network adapter 102 is unnecessary.

A facsimile machine 103 manages various service queues such as a facsimile transmission queue, a facsimile reception queue, and a print queue in order to provide a facsimile service and a print service to an information processing terminal (client) on the LAN. A print server (hereinafter simply referred to as a facsimile server or simply a server).

Reference numerals 104 and 105 denote services such as network facsimile and network print.
Client machine to request. Reference numeral 106 denotes a file server that performs file management and the like for the entire LAN shown here.

Reference numerals 107 and 108 denote a second network adapter and a second facsimile apparatus connected to the system. When the second facsimile machine 108 has a function of a network adapter, the second network adapter 107 becomes unnecessary as in the case of the first network adapter 102. All of the above elements are connected via the LAN 109.

(Configuration of Facsimile Apparatus) FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the facsimile apparatus (101, 108) in the present embodiment. The facsimile apparatus has a configuration for controlling facsimile communication and copying of a document image, a page description language interpretation and image development, and an external I / O interface.
And a printer I / F control unit 2002 for controlling the F.
The printer I / F control unit 2002 is provided on an independent board, and is connected to the system bus of the facsimile apparatus 101 so as to be able to be inserted and removed. In the following description, the first facsimile apparatus 101 will be described as an example, but the second facsimile apparatus has a similar configuration.

In FIG. 1, a CPU 201 functions as a system control unit and controls the entire facsimile apparatus via a system bus 215. The ROM 202 is a CPU 2
01 control program and operating system (O
S) Stores programs and the like. RAM 20
Reference numeral 3 includes an SRAM or the like, and stores an ID unique to the system used in the present invention. Also, program variables, setting values registered by the operator, management data of the apparatus, and various work buffers are stored or secured in the RAM 203. The image memory 204 is composed of a DRAM or the like, and stores image data. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that various programs stored in the ROM 202 are controlled by software such as scheduling and task switches under the management of the OS stored in the ROM 202.

An operation unit 205 includes various keys, LEDs, and LCs.
D, etc., for performing various input operations by the operator and displaying the operation status of the facsimile machine. The reading control unit 207 includes a CS image sensor, a document conveying mechanism, and the like. Read control unit 20
Reference numeral 7 denotes a document which is optically read by using a CS image sensor and is converted into electrical image data.
Performs various image processing such as binarization processing and halftone processing to output high-definition image data. The converted image data is encoded by the encoding / decoding processing unit 212 according to a predetermined encoding method, and is stored in the image memory 204.

The recording control unit 213 includes a recording image processing control unit (not shown) for performing a smoothing process and the like,
14, a printer output control unit (not shown) for outputting image data. In the recording control unit 213,
Of the coded image data stored in the image memory 204, the image data to be recorded is decoded by the codec processing section 212, and various image processing such as smoothing processing and recording density correction processing is performed by the recording control section to achieve high definition. Printer 21 which is a page printer, for example.
4 is output.

The communication control section 210 is composed of a MODEM or the like, and controls modulation and demodulation of facsimile transmission / reception signals. An NCU (network control device) 211 sends a selection signal (dial pulse or tone dialer) to an analog communication line (PSTN) 220, detects a call signal, and performs line control such as automatic call control. Image memory 2
The image data stored in the image coding unit 04
2 and the resolution conversion processing unit 206
Inch resolution conversion and enlargement / reduction processing are performed. The resolution-converted image is coded for transmission by the code coder 212, and then subjected to transmission control such as flow control in accordance with the capability of the transmission destination, while being subjected to transmission control.
Is transmitted under the control of.

The I / F control unit 216 controls the interface with the network adapter 102 for connecting the facsimile apparatus to the LAN 109. In this embodiment, the interface between the facsimile apparatus 101 and the network adapter 102 is a bidirectional parallel interface (IEEE1284). The network adapter 102 is connected to the LAN 109
, And can receive remote operation requests such as transmission and printing from the facsimile server 103 on the LAN 109.

The external memory 209 is a recording medium such as a magnetic disk, and can store image data, data described in a page description language, or a program executed by the CPU 201.

The printer formatter 217 controls the development of a page description language into image data, and is used when performing print control from an information processing terminal as a client. In the present embodiment, the printer formatter 217 is connected to the I / F control unit 216 via a parallel interface, and the image developed into the image data is transmitted directly to the recording control unit 213 without passing through the system bus 215 and is sent to the printer 214. Shall be printed from

Remote operations such as transmission from the network adapter 102 to another facsimile apparatus connected to the first facsimile apparatus 101 via the communication line 220, printing by the printer 214, and data registration are performed by using predetermined commands, parameters, and data. And the like are transmitted to the first facsimile apparatus 101 via the I / F control unit 216.

(Configuration of Facsimile Server) FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the facsimile server 103. As shown in the figure, the facsimile server 103
It can be realized by a general-purpose computer device connectable to N109.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a CRT for displaying information on data being processed by an application program, various message menus, and the like. 2 is CRT
Video RAM for developing an image displayed on the screen
(Hereinafter, VRAM). Reference numerals 3 and 4 denote a keyboard and a pointing device used for inputting characters and the like in predetermined fields on the screen, pointing to icons and buttons on a GUI, and the like. 5
Is a CPU that controls the entire facsimile server.

Reference numeral 6 denotes a ROM that stores an operation processing procedure (program) of the CPU 5. The ROM 6 stores an application program and an error processing program for data processing, as well as programs for flowcharts to be described later. Reference numeral 7 denotes a RAM used as a work area when the above-described various programs are executed by the CPU 5 and a temporary save area during error processing.

9 is a hard disk drive (HD)
D), 10 is a floppy disk drive (hereinafter FD)
D), and each disk is used for storing and reading application programs and data, tables and later-described libraries, and the like. Also,
CD-ROM, M instead of or in addition to FDD
An optical (magnetic) disk drive such as O and DVD, a magnetic tape drive such as tape streamer and DDS, and the like may be provided.

Reference numeral 10 denotes a network interface for connecting the device to a network. Reference numeral 11 denotes an I / O bus (address bus,
A data bus and a control bus).

(Transmission Job Queue) FIG. 4 is a data configuration diagram of the transmission job queue managed on the facsimile server 103. In the present embodiment, these queue data are stored in a storage device of the server, for example, the HDD 8, and data management is performed by a program running on the server.

Reference numeral 301 denotes a queue management table pointer, which stores the address of the transmission job queue management table 3001. Transmission job queue management table 30
01 (3002) is composed of four data areas 302 to 305, each of which manages a job queue. One feature of the present invention is to prepare a transmission job queue management table corresponding to each device, and it is possible to have a plurality of this table.

In the transmission job queue management table 3001, the NEXT pointer area 302 stores the address of the next transmission job queue management table 3002, and a plurality of prepared transmission job queue management tables are sequentially linked by this pointer. . The value of the NEXT pointer in the last transmission job queue management table is NULL (0) (terminated by NULL). Any number of transmission job queue management tables can be provided as long as the storage capacity of the server permits.

Reference numeral 303 denotes a transmission queue ID area, which is given a unique value in the system. 304 is a device ID
This area stores an ID of a device corresponding to the transmission job queue. This device ID is also given a unique ID in the system, and in this embodiment, the IP address of the device is used as this value. A job management table pointer area 305 stores the address of the job data 3003 requested by the client.

The job data 3003 is composed of eight data, and is managed in the same manner as the job queue management data. The NEXT pointer area 306 is the NEXT pointer area 30 in the transmission job queue management table.
As in the case of No. 2, the address of the next job data 3004 is stored, and is terminated by NULL. 30
A job ID area 7 stores a job ID used for recognizing a job. The sender name field 308 stores the name of the sender, the recipient name field 309 stores the name of the recipient, and the recipient address field 310 stores the address of the recipient. The cover page file name area 311 stores the name of a file created for the cover page. The image page number area 312 stores the number of pages of the transmission image file in the image file name area 31.
3 stores the file name of the transmission image file. The cover page file and the transmission image file are transferred from the client to the server when the job is created, and are stored in the storage device of the server.

As described above, the transmission job queue in the present embodiment manages transmission jobs requested by clients for each queue.

(Device Management Table) FIG. 5 is a data configuration diagram of the device management table managed on the facsimile server 103. In the present embodiment, these tables are stored in a storage device of the server,
8 and data management is performed by a program running on the server.

Reference numeral 401 denotes a device management table pointer, which stores the address of the device management table 4001. The device management table 4001 is made up of seven data, and is managed in the same manner as job queue management data.

The NEXT pointer area 402 stores the address of the next device management table 4002.
Terminated by the ULL. The device ID area 403 stores a device ID. This ID is unique to the system, and in this embodiment, the ID of the device is
The P address is stored. Transmission queue ID area 40
4 stores a transmission queue ID corresponding to this device. The device name area 405 stores the name of the device. This device name is displayed to client users as the name of the queue. The transmission capacity area 406, the scan capacity area 407, and the output capacity area 408 respectively include device transmission,
Scan and output capability parameters are stored.

The device management table manages the facsimile machines connected to the server, and creates a device management table corresponding to all the facsimile machines under the management of the server. The device management table is also used in the client in the same structure. However, the client uses only the information notified from the server.

(User Management Table) FIG. 6 is a data configuration diagram of the user management table managed on the facsimile server 103. In the present embodiment, these tables are stored in a storage device of the server, for example, the HDD 8, and data management is performed by a program running on the server.

Reference numeral 5001 denotes a user management table. This table is not queue-managed like other tables, and is managed as a normal array.

The user ID area 501 stores a user ID. Access queue table pointer area 502
Stores the address of the access queue table 5002. The login user name area 503 stores a user name used when logging in to the server. Similarly, a password area 504 stores a password used for login. The user name area 505 stores the name of the user. The user name stored in the user name area 505 is used as the name of the sender of the cover page. The user telephone number area 506 stores the telephone number of the user, and this information is also used for the cover page.

The access queue table 5002 manages queue IDs of transmission job queues accessible to the user. The NEXT pointer area 507 stores the address of the next access queue table, and is terminated by NULL. The transmission queue ID area 508 stores a transmission queue ID. The user management table is used to manage users who use the facsimile server, and is created each time a user is added.

A transmission queue ID corresponding to a device usable by the user is set in advance. As a setting method, for example, a user at an administrator level who has a higher authority than a normal user logs in to the facsimile server 103 through an authentication procedure such as a password input, and uses the keyboard 3 or the like to transmit the transmission queue of the access queue table 5002. A method of setting the ID area 508 can be used.

(Connecting Process of Facsimile Device to Server) FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing of the server when the facsimile device is connected to the facsimile server.

The facsimile apparatus first makes a log-in request to a facsimile server set in advance in the facsimile machine, and the server accepts this request (step S).
601). The login command includes the information shown in the device management table 4001. Further, the facsimile server 301 according to the present embodiment can manage a plurality of facsimile apparatuses, and thus there is no particular limitation on the number of login requests that can be accepted.

The server that has accepted the login checks the device management table pointer 401 to check the devices managed by the server (step S60).
2). If the value of the pointer is NULL, there is no device currently being managed, and the process proceeds to step S606.

If the value of the pointer is not NULL, a device management table indicated by the pointer is obtained, and the value of the device ID area 403 is read (step S60).
3). Here, the device ID included in the login command data and the device ID read from the table
Are compared (step S604), and if they match, it is determined that the device is already under management, and the process proceeds to step S608.

If the device IDs do not match, the value of the NEXT pointer area of the device management table is checked to compare with the data of the next management table (step S60).
5) If not NULL, return to step S603 to acquire the next management table.

If the NEXT pointer is NULL, the device that has logged in is determined to be a newly connected device, and the flow advances to step S606. In step S606, a new device management table is created based on the information of the login command, and the newly created device management table is connected to the end of the currently existing device management table. That is, the address of the newly created device management table is stored in the NEXT pointer area of the device management table whose NEXT pointer area was previously NULL.

Simultaneously with the creation of the device management table, a corresponding transmission job queue management table 3001 is created, and the newly created transmission job queue management table at the end of the existing transmission job queue management table 3002 is made in the same manner as the device management table. Connect (Step S
607). Finally, the process ends by returning a response to the login command to the facsimile machine (step S608).

When the device management table and the transmission job queue management table are created, all the values that need to be stored in each area of these tables may be included in the login command, or after the tables are created. The facsimile server may individually acquire the information from the device.

(Job Acquisition Request Processing) FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing the flow of processing of the server when the facsimile apparatus receives a job acquisition request command sent to the facsimile server for performing transmission processing.

Since the facsimile apparatus issues a job acquisition request to the facsimile server, the server accepts this request (step S701). The job acquisition request is issued periodically when the facsimile apparatus is not performing an operation such as communication, and the command includes a device ID (IP address in the present embodiment) assigned to the facsimile apparatus. I have.

The server that has received the job acquisition request checks the transmission job queue managed by the server.
The transmission job queue management table pointer 301 is checked (step S702). Pointer value is NULL
If there is no transmission job queue currently being managed, the process proceeds to step S710.

If the value of the pointer is not NULL, a job queue management table indicated by the pointer is acquired, and
Read the value of the device ID area (step S70)
3). Here, the device ID included in the data of the job acquisition request command is compared with the device ID read from the device ID area (step S704).
If they match, the process advances to step S706 to search for a job connected to the queue.

If they do not match, the NEXT pointer area 302 is checked to find the next queue (step S705). If the pointer is NULL, there is no more queue to search, so the process proceeds to step S710.
If it is not NULL, the process returns to step S703 to acquire the next table.

In step S706, the job management table pointer area 305 of the transmission job queue management table
Is checked, and if NULL, there is no job to be processed by the device at present, and a response is returned to the facsimile without a job (step S710). When the queue management table corresponding to the device that has transmitted the job acquisition request is not found, the process is similarly returned without a job.

On the other hand, if the job management pointer area 305
If not, the job data 3003 indicated by the pointer is acquired (step S707), and the job data 3003 and the image file having the file name stored in the image file name area of the job data 3003 and the file name are stored in the cover page file name area. If it is stored, the cover page file is transferred to the facsimile machine (step S708).

After the transfer is completed, the job data and the image file remaining in the server are deleted, and the process ends (step S709). The facsimile apparatus generates and transmits data for facsimile transmission using the received cover page file (if it exists), image file, and job data.

(Queue Information Acquisition Request Processing) FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing of the server when a user receives a queue information acquisition request issued by a client when performing a transmission operation from the client.

When the user performs a transmission operation, it is necessary to know which facsimile machine can be used.
The client issues a queue information acquisition request to the server. The acquisition request command includes the user ID, and the server receives the request (step S80).
1), search the user information table 5001 having the corresponding user ID and check the value of the access queue table pointer area 502 (step S802).
If the value is NULL, there is no queue that the user can access, so the process proceeds to step S811.

If the value of the pointer is not NULL, the access queue table 5002 pointed to by the pointer is obtained (step S803), and the value of the transmission queue ID area 508 therein is read (step S804).

Next, in order to obtain information on a device corresponding to the transmission queue ID, it is checked whether or not the device management table pointer 401 is NULL (step S805). If the pointer is NULL, there is no device managed by the system, and the process advances to step S811.

If the value of the pointer is not NULL, the device management table indicated by the pointer is obtained, and the value of the transmission queue ID area 404 is read (step S80).
5). Then, it is checked whether the transmission queue ID of the access queue table read in step S804 matches the transmission queue ID registered in the device management table (step S807). If the transmission queue ID matches, the device can be used by the user. The device information (device name, transmission capability, scan capability, output capability, etc. stored in the device management table) is set in a device list, which is data for a response (step S808). If they do not match, the value of the NEXT pointer area 402 is checked to obtain the next device table (step S809), and the pointer is set to NULL.
If not L, the process returns to step S806.

If the pointer is NULL, it is determined that there is no device corresponding to the transmission queue ID, and the value of the NEXT pointer area 507 of the access queue table 5002 is checked to acquire the next transmission queue ID. .

When the value of the NEXT pointer area 507 is NULL
If not, the flow returns to step S803 to acquire the next access queue table. If NULL, the device list created in the processing up to the present is responded to the client, and the processing ends (step S811). The client creates a device management table similar to the device management table of the server based on the device list.

Then, on the setting screen displayed when performing facsimile transmission, the facsimile apparatus which can be used by the user and the capability thereof are displayed using the information of the device management table, and the desired apparatus can be selected.

FIG. 10 shows an example of the setting screen. This figure shows a screen display example in the case of selecting and setting a device to be used on a facsimile transmission destination setting screen. On the setting screen, a destination name setting area 90 for setting a destination name,
A facsimile number setting area 91 for setting a destination facsimile number, a sender name setting area 92 and a sender number setting area 93 for setting a sender name and a sender's facsimile number, and a client (user ), A device list display area 94 in which a list of names of facsimile apparatuses that can be used is displayed, a device information display area 95 in which capability information of the facsimile apparatus selected in the device list display area 94 is displayed, and the setting contents on the screen are transmitted. A transmission button 96 for instructing start and a cancel button 97 for canceling the setting are provided.

In FIG. 10, the device list display area 94
3 facsimile machines are displayed, and the top facsimile machine (device name “business facsimile machine 4
F ”) indicates a selected state, and the capability information of this device is displayed in the device information display area 95. The operation on the screen can be performed using a keyboard, a mouse, or the like, as is performed with a general GUI-based OS.

The device name displayed in the device list display area 94 and the capability information displayed in the device information display area 95 are respectively displayed using information stored in the corresponding areas of the device management table.

When the transmission button 96 is pressed (clicking with a mouse, pressing a corresponding key), necessary setting item information, user information, an image data file, a cover page data file, and the like are transmitted from the client to the server. The transmission job is added to the transmission job queue.

[0081]

[Other Embodiments] In the above embodiment, an IP address is used as a device ID. However, another value unique to a device such as a MAC address may be used.

The information stored in each table is not limited to the information described in the above embodiment, but can be appropriately determined in the system.

Further, as a facsimile apparatus, a LAN
As long as connection and communication with the server are possible, not only a dedicated facsimile machine but also any facsimile transmission device may be used. For example, a computer device connected to a facsimile modem can be used as the facsimile device in the above embodiment.

Further, an object of the present invention is to supply a storage medium (or a recording medium) in which program codes of software for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments are recorded to a system or an apparatus, and to provide a computer (a computer) of the system or the apparatus. It is needless to say that the present invention can also be achieved by a CPU or an MPU) reading and executing the program code stored in the storage medium. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium implements the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention. Also,
When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized, but also the operating system (OS) running on the computer based on the instructions of the program code.
It goes without saying that a case where the functions of the above-described embodiments are implemented by performing some or all of the actual processing, and the processing performs the functions of the above-described embodiments.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion card inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, the program code is read based on the instruction of the program code. Needless to say, the CPU included in the function expansion card or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

When the present invention is applied to the storage medium, the storage medium stores program codes corresponding to the above-described flowcharts (shown in FIGS. 7 to 9).

[0087]

As described above, according to the present invention,
By providing a transmission job queue management table for each facsimile device under the control of the server, a network facsimile system capable of managing and controlling a plurality of facsimile devices with one server can be realized.

Further, according to the present invention, in a network facsimile system, by setting an accessible transmission job queue for each user, it becomes possible to obtain information on facsimile machines usable by the user, It is possible to select an appropriate facsimile machine according to the type and contents of the data to be processed.

In addition, by storing information on the performance of each facsimile machine in a device management table provided for each facsimile machine, the user can confirm the capability of the facsimile machine on the client, and It has a remarkable effect such that it is possible to reliably and easily select an appropriate facsimile machine.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a network facsimile system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a facsimile apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a facsimile server according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a data configuration example of a transmission job queue.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a data configuration example of a device management table.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a data configuration example of a user management table.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a processing flow of the facsimile server when the server is connected to the facsimile server.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a processing flow of a server when a job acquisition request command is received.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a processing flow of a server when a queue information acquisition request is received.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a facsimile transmission setting screen displayed on the client.

[Explanation of symbols]

 102, 107 Network adapter 109 LAN 201 CPU 202 ROM 203 RAM 204 Image memory 205 Operation unit 206 Resolution conversion processing unit 207 Reading control unit 208 Image processing control unit 209 External memory 210 Communication control unit 211 NCU 212 Code decoding processing unit 213 Recording Control unit 214 Printer 215 System bus 216 I / F control unit 217 Printer formatter

Claims (27)

[Claims] 1. A network facsimile system in which a facsimile apparatus, a server apparatus for managing and controlling the facsimile apparatus, and a client apparatus capable of communicating with the server apparatus are connected to a network, wherein the server apparatus is included in the system. A network facsimile system, wherein a job using the facsimile machine generated in the step (a) is managed in a queue for each facsimile machine. 2. The network facsimile system according to claim 1, wherein said server device has table means provided for each facsimile and containing information on the capability of said facsimile device. 3. The network facsimile system according to claim 1, wherein said facsimile apparatus has a notifying means for notifying said server apparatus of information on its capability. 4. The network facsimile system according to claim 1, wherein said server device manages an access right to said facsimile device for each user of said system or said client. . 5. A detecting means for detecting that the server device has been accessed from a facsimile machine without the table means, and in response to the detection of the detecting means, the table means for the facsimile apparatus without the table means. The network facsimile system according to claim 2, further comprising a generation unit configured to generate the network facsimile. 6. An information transmitting means for transmitting, in response to a request from the client or a user of the system, the server apparatus transmitting information on the facsimile apparatus to which the client or the user who has made the request has an access right. The network facsimile system according to claim 4, further comprising: 7. A storage medium storing a program that can be executed by an apparatus, the apparatus having executed the program,
7. A storage medium for causing the server device according to claim 1 to function as a server device, a client device, or a facsimile device. 8. A data processing method in a network facsimile system in which a facsimile apparatus, a server apparatus for managing and controlling the facsimile apparatus, and a client apparatus capable of communicating with the server apparatus are connected to a network. A data processing method in a network facsimile system, comprising: a job detecting step of detecting a job using the facsimile machine generated in the step (a); and a management step of managing the detected job in a queue for each facsimile machine. 9. The data processing method in a network facsimile system according to claim 7, further comprising a storage step of storing information on the capability of the facsimile machine for each facsimile. 10. The network according to claim 8, further comprising an access right management step of managing an access right to said facsimile machine for each user or client of said system. A data processing method in a facsimile system. 11. An access detecting step for detecting an access to the server from a facsimile apparatus which does not store the information on the capability, and wherein the information on the capability is not stored in response to the detection in the access detecting step. 10. The data processing method in a network facsimile system according to claim 9, further comprising a collecting step of collecting and storing information on a capability of the facsimile apparatus. 12. An information transmitting step of transmitting, in response to an information request from the client or a user of the system, information on the facsimile apparatus to which the client or the user who has made the request has access right. The data processing method in a network facsimile system according to claim 10, wherein: 13. A server device in a network facsimile system in which a facsimile device, a server device for managing and controlling the facsimile device, and a client device capable of communicating with the server device are connected to a network. A server device that manages a queue of generated jobs using the facsimile machine for each of the facsimile machines. 14. The server device according to claim 13, further comprising table means provided for each facsimile and including information relating to the capability of the facsimile device. 15. The server device according to claim 13, wherein an access right to said facsimile device is managed for each user of said system or said client. 16. A detecting means for detecting access from a facsimile apparatus without the table means, and a generating means for generating the table means for the facsimile apparatus without the table means in response to the detection by the detecting means. The server device according to claim 14, further comprising: 17. An information transmitting means for transmitting, in response to a request from the client or a user of the system, information on the facsimile apparatus to which the client or the user who has made the request has an access right. The server device according to claim 15, characterized in that: 18. A method for controlling a server device in a network facsimile system comprising a facsimile device, a server device for managing and controlling the facsimile device, and a client device capable of communicating with the server device, the network device comprising: A control method for a server device, comprising: a job detecting step of detecting a job generated in a system using a facsimile device, and a management step of managing a queue for each facsimile device. 19. The method according to claim 18, further comprising a storage step of storing information on the capability of the facsimile machine for each facsimile. 20. The server according to claim 18, further comprising an access right management step of managing an access right to said facsimile machine for each user of said system or said client. How to control the device. 21. An access detecting step of detecting access to the server from a facsimile machine that does not store the information on the capability, and the information on the capability is not stored in response to the detection in the access detecting step. 20. The method according to claim 19, further comprising a collecting step of collecting and storing information on a capability of the facsimile apparatus. 22. An information transmitting step of transmitting, in response to an information request from the client or a user of the system, information of the facsimile apparatus to which the client or the user who has made the request has an access right. The method for controlling a server device according to claim 20, wherein: 23. A facsimile apparatus, a server apparatus for managing and controlling the facsimile apparatus, and a program code for controlling a server apparatus in a network facsimile system in which a client apparatus communicable with the server apparatus is connected to a network. A storage medium storing the program code of a job detection step of detecting a job generated in the system and using the facsimile apparatus, and a program code of a management step of managing a queue for each facsimile apparatus. Characteristic storage medium. 24. The apparatus according to claim 23, further comprising a program code for a storage step of storing information relating to the capability of the facsimile machine for each facsimile.
The storage medium according to the above. 25. The system according to claim 23, further comprising a program code for an access right management step of managing an access right to said facsimile machine for each user of said system or said client.
4. The storage medium according to any one of 4. 26. A program code of an access detecting step for detecting an access to the server from a facsimile apparatus which does not store the information on the capability, and stores the information on the capability in response to the detection in the access detecting step. 25. The storage medium according to claim 24, further comprising a program code for a collection step of collecting and storing information on the capability of the facsimile apparatus that has not been executed. 27. A program code for an information transmitting step of transmitting information on the facsimile apparatus to which the client or the user who has made the request has access in response to an information request from the client or a user of the system. 3. The method according to claim 2, further comprising:
5. The storage medium according to 5.