JP2008124541A - Communication device and information processing system using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a communication device such that a user of a transfer destination communication device can learn an outline of processing on the basis of transferred data when the received data are transferred, and can speedily perform processing. <P>SOLUTION: The communication device 1 stores a transfer condition table in which a transmission origin specification condition specifying a transmission origin of reception data, transfer destination information indicating a transfer destination of the reception data, and a processing code to be transmitted to the transmission destination are made to correspond to one another. The communication device 1 acquires the transmission origin information from communication contents stored in a storage unit 17, searches the transmission origin specification condition from the transfer condition table on the basis of the acquired transmission origin information, and reads the processing code corresponding to a matching condition out of the transfer condition table when there is the matching condition to generate transfer data by adding the read-out processing code to the reception data included in the communication contents, thereby transmitting the transfer data to a transfer destination stored in the transfer condition table corresponding to the matching condition. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication apparatus having a facsimile function and an Internet facsimile function and an information processing system using the communication apparatus.

  Some communication devices have a transfer function. The transfer function is a function of transmitting received data to a predetermined transfer destination communication device, and the communication device that executes the transfer function functions as a relay station. By the way, when the data received by the communication device as the relay station is transmitted to the transfer destination communication device as it is, for the user of the transfer destination communication device, it is determined whether the received data is transferred or by normal communication. It becomes difficult to judge. That is, it is difficult to determine where the original transmission source of the received data is.

In view of this, there has been proposed a communication apparatus configured so that a user of a transfer destination communication apparatus can easily confirm an original transmission source of data received (see, for example, Patent Document 1). When the facsimile server apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 transfers image data received by facsimile from G3 FAX to the mail client as Internet FAX via the Internet, a transfer message including a transmission source number acquired at the time of facsimile reception is obtained. It is added to the Internet FAX header or body and transmitted (see paragraphs [0025] to [0031]).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-34588

  In the above prior art, the user of the transfer destination communication device can recognize where the original transmission source of the received data is by looking at the transfer message including the transmission source number. Then, the user of the transfer destination communication apparatus recognizes the request of the transmission source based on the original transmission source and the transferred data, and performs processing for the request.

  By the way, in a communication device that transfers received data, transmission source information and transfer destination information are stored in association with each other. That is, data from a certain transmission source is to be transferred to a corresponding storage destination. This means that a transfer destination that requires data from a certain transmission source is determined, and processing to be performed is determined based on the transferred data. Therefore, for the user of the transfer destination communication apparatus, if the outline of the process performed based on the data is known before the transferred data is confirmed, the process can be performed quickly.

  Therefore, the problem to be solved by the present invention is that when the received data is transferred, the user of the transfer destination communication device can know the outline of the processing performed based on the transferred data, and the processing can be performed quickly. It is an object of the present invention to provide a communication device and an information processing system using the communication device.

  In order to solve the above problems, in the invention of claim 1, communication content storage means for storing communication content including received data and transmission source information indicating a transmission source of the received data, and a transmission source of the received data are provided. A table storage means for storing a transfer condition table in which a transmission source identification condition to be specified, transfer destination information indicating a transfer destination to which received data is transferred, and a processing code to be transmitted to the transfer destination are stored; and the communication The transmission source information is acquired from the communication content stored in the content storage means, the transmission source identification condition in the transfer condition table is searched with the acquired transmission source information, and if there is a matching transmission source identification condition, the condition Is read from the transfer condition table, and the read process code is added to the received data stored in the communication content storage means to create transfer data. In response to the said transmission source identification condition and a transfer control means for transmitting the transfer data to the destination stored in the transfer condition table.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the communication device according to the first aspect, the transfer control means adds the processing code as an image to the received image data when the image data is received by facsimile communication. I have to.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the communication device according to the first aspect, when the e-mail is received, the transfer control means inserts the processing code into a predetermined part of the e-mail. Yes.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the information processing system comprising a communication device and an external processing device connected to the communication device via a network, the communication device is configured to receive received data and the received data Communication content storage means for storing communication content including transmission source information indicating a transmission source, transmission source identification conditions for identifying a transmission source of received data, transfer destination information indicating a transfer destination for transferring received data, and transfer A table storage unit storing a transfer condition table associated with a processing code to be transmitted first, and transmission source information is acquired from the communication content stored in the communication content storage unit, and the acquired transmission source information To search the transmission source specification condition in the transfer condition table, and if there is a matching transmission source specification condition, read the processing code corresponding to the condition from the transfer condition table The transfer processing table is added to the received data stored in the communication content storage means to create transfer data, and the transfer destination stored in the transfer condition table in correspondence with the matched transmission source specifying condition And a transfer control means for transmitting the transfer data, and when the external processing device receives the transfer data transmitted from the communication device, the external processing device extracts a processing code from the transfer data and corresponds to the extracted processing code A predetermined process is executed.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the processing code is added to the transfer data transmitted to the transfer destination. This processing code is predetermined for each transmission source of received data. By looking at the processing code, the transfer destination can know the outline of the processing indicated in the transfer data, and the processing can be performed quickly.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the image data is received by facsimile communication, the processing code is added as an image outside the frame (such as the header portion) of the received image data. By looking outside the data frame, the processing code can be recognized immediately.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, when an e-mail is received, the processing code is inserted into a predetermined part of the e-mail. Therefore, at the transfer destination, by looking at the predetermined part of the e-mail, The processing code can be recognized immediately.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, a processing code is added to the transfer data transmitted to the transfer destination. This processing code is predetermined for each transmission source of received data. The transfer destination external processing device extracts a processing code from the transfer data and executes a predetermined process corresponding to the extracted processing code. As a result, the processing shown in the transfer data can be automated and the processing can be speeded up.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a facsimile composite apparatus 1 as a communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The facsimile composite apparatus 1 is connected to a plurality of external processing apparatuses 31 such as personal computers via a network (for example, LAN) 18 to constitute an information processing system.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the facsimile multifunction device 1 includes a control unit 11, a reading unit 12, a recording unit 13, a display unit 14, an operation unit 15, a communication unit 16, a storage unit 17, and the like. Further, the functions of the facsimile multifunction apparatus 1 include a facsimile function, an Internet facsimile function, a copy function, a scanner function, a printer function, and the like.

  The control unit 11 supervises control of the facsimile multifunction peripheral 1 and is configured to include a CPU and the like. The control unit 11 includes a transfer control unit 11a as a transfer control unit as a functional element. The role and the like of the transfer control unit 11a will be described in detail later.

  The reading unit 12 reads an original, and is used for reading an original when transmitting a facsimile, reading an original when using a scanner function, and the like. The recording unit 13 includes a printer device and the like, and prints image data on paper or the like.

  The display unit 14 is constituted by a liquid crystal display device or the like, and is used for displaying operation information and the like of the facsimile composite apparatus 1. The operation unit 15 includes a plurality of operation buttons, a touch panel, and the like, and is used for operation of the facsimile multifunction device 1.

  The communication unit 16 plays a role as a communication interface of the facsimile apparatus 1. The communication unit 16 includes a facsimile communication unit 21 and a network communication unit 22.

  The facsimile communication unit 21 is responsible for facsimile transmission / reception via the telephone line network. More specifically, the facsimile communication unit 21 includes an NCU (Network Control Unit), a modem, and the like. The facsimile communication unit 21 stores the received communication content in the storage unit 17 when receiving a facsimile.

  The network communication unit 22 is responsible for data communication via the network 18 as a communication line such as a LAN (Local Area Network) and the Internet. More specifically, the network communication unit 22 has functions for handling SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol), POP (Post Office Protocol), SMB (Server Message Block), HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol), and the like. ing. Specific functions of the network communication unit 22 include transmission / reception of electronic mail, transmission / reception of an Internet facsimile that transmits / receives image data attached to the electronic mail, transmission / reception of data via a LAN or the Internet, and the like. . The network communication unit 22 stores the received communication content in the storage unit 17 when receiving e-mail or Internet facsimile.

  The storage unit 17 includes a large-capacity storage device such as a hard disk device. The storage unit 17 is a communication content storage unit and a table storage unit. The storage contents of the storage unit 17 include a transfer condition table (to be described later), transmitted / received communication contents, image data read when the scanner function is used, and data relating to settings and maintenance management of the facsimile multifunction peripheral 1. . The communication contents include facsimile transmission / reception image data, Internet facsimile transmission / reception image data, electronic mail transmission / reception data, transmission source information, and the like transmitted and received via the communication unit 16.

  Each external processing device 31 includes a control unit 41, a display unit 42, an operation unit 43, a network communication unit 44, a storage unit 45, and the like.

  The control unit 41 supervises the control of the external processing device 31, and includes a CPU and the like. The control unit 41 includes a print request creation unit 41a as a functional element. The display unit 42 is configured by a liquid crystal display device or the like, and is used for displaying operation information, processing results, and the like of the external processing device 31. The operation unit 43 includes a plurality of operation buttons and is used for operating the external processing device 31.

  The network communication unit 44 has substantially the same function as that of the network communication unit 22 of the facsimile composite apparatus 1, and various data communication is performed between the external processing device 31 and the facsimile composite apparatus 1. .

  The storage unit 45 includes a large-capacity storage device such as a hard disk device. The storage contents of the storage unit 45 include a processing program executed by the external processing device 31 such as a printer driver or a scanner driver, a processing result by the processing program, data related to setting or maintenance management of the external processing device 31, and the like. .

  The purpose of this embodiment is to enable the user of the transfer destination communication apparatus to know the outline of the processing to be performed based on the communication content when the communication content is transferred, and to perform the processing quickly. It is what.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the transfer condition table 51 stored in the storage unit 17 of the facsimile multifunction machine 1. The transfer condition table 51 includes a condition number field R1, a transmission source specifying condition field R2, a processing code / transmission source name field R3, and a transfer destination field R4. In the condition number column R1, numbers (1, 2, 3,...) For distinguishing transfer conditions are stored.

  In the transmission source specifying condition column R2, transmission source information indicating the transmission source of received data received by the facsimile multifunction peripheral 1 is stored. The stored conditions are a FAX number, a mail address, an IP address, a telephone line number, and the like.

  The processing code / sender name column R3 stores information to be added to the received data transmitted to the transfer destination when the received data is transferred. The stored information is a processing code or a sender name. The processing code is a code indicating the processing content to be performed by the transfer destination based on the transferred received data. For example, the code “0010” indicates the processing type “consumables order”, and the code “0001” indicates “in-house / consumables request”. The sender name is a name given to the sender, such as “Kyoto / others” or “general / forward”.

  In the transfer destination column R4, transfer destination information for calling the transfer destination in the communication protocol at the time of transfer is stored together with the transfer destination name. The transfer destination name is a name given to the transfer destination. The transfer destination information is, for example, a FAX number or a mail address.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the transfer processing operation by the transfer control unit 11a of the facsimile multifunction machine 1. This processing operation is started when facsimile communication or Internet facsimile communication is completed.

  In step S1, transmission source information is extracted from the communication content stored in the storage unit 17. In the case of facsimile communication (FAX), the sender number is read, and in the case of Internet facsimile communication (I-FAX), the mail address of the sender is read.

  In step S <b> 2, the “transmission source identification condition” in the transfer condition table 51 is searched using the extracted “transmission source information”. If there is a record (sender information) that matches the condition, the process proceeds to step S3. If there is no record that matches the condition, the process proceeds to step S6.

  In step S3, the “processing code / sender name” corresponding to the record matching the condition is read from the transfer condition table 51, and the process proceeds to step S4.

  In step S4, processing data and a sender name are embedded in the received data, and transfer data is created. In the case of facsimile communication, a processing code or a sender name is added as an image outside the frame of the received original image, for example, in the header portion. In the case of Internet facsimile communication, a processing code or an insertion is made at a predetermined part of the body of the e-mail.

  In step S5, the “transfer destination” corresponding to the record (sender identification condition) that matches the condition is read from the transfer condition table 51, and the transfer data is transmitted to this transfer destination.

  On the other hand, if there is no record that matches the condition in step S3, a predetermined (default) transfer destination is set as the transfer destination in step S6, and the process proceeds to step S5. In step S5, the received data is directly transferred to the set transfer destination.

  For example, when the transfer destination is the external processing device 31, the user of the external processing device 31 can know the outline of the processing indicated in the transfer data by looking at the processing code of the transfer data transferred. Can be done quickly. For example, when the processing code is “0010”, the processing type is “consumables orders”, so the order contents of the consumables from the transfer data source, for example, the business partner is confirmed with the transfer data, Get ready to ship the item. Also, when the processing code is “0001”, the processing type is “in-house / consumables request”, so confirm the contents of the consumables request from the internal department that is the transmission data source with the transfer data, Get ready for consumables.

  For example, when the transfer destination is the external processing device 31, the control unit 41 of the external processing device 31 extracts a processing code from the transferred transfer data, and executes a predetermined process corresponding to the extracted processing code. You may do it. As a result, it is possible to automate the processing indicated in the transferred communication content, and to speed up the processing.

  Furthermore, the position where the processing code or the sender name is embedded is not limited to the outside of the frame of the original image or the body of the e-mail, but may be embedded within the frame of the original image or the subject of the e-mail.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case of transferring facsimile communication and Internet facsimile communication has been described. However, the embodiment may be executed when only e-mail is transferred.

1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a facsimile multifunction apparatus as a communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the transfer condition table memorize | stored in the memory | storage part of the facsimile compound apparatus. 5 is a flowchart showing a transfer processing operation by a transfer control unit of the facsimile multifunction machine.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Facsimile compound apparatus 11 Control part 11a Transfer control part 17 Memory | storage part 18 Network 31 External processing apparatus 51 Transfer condition table

Claims (4)

Communication content storage means for storing communication content including received data and transmission source information indicating a transmission source of the received data;
A table that stores a transfer condition table in which a transmission source specifying condition for specifying a transmission source of received data, transfer destination information indicating a transfer destination for transferring received data, and a processing code transmitted to the transfer destination are associated with each other. Storage means;
Obtaining transmission source information from the communication content stored in the communication content storage means, searching for the transmission source identification condition of the transfer condition table with the acquired transmission source information, if there is a matching transmission source identification condition, A processing code corresponding to the condition is read from the transfer condition table, the read processing code is added to the reception data stored in the communication content storage means, and transfer data is created, and the matching transmission source specifying condition is set. Correspondingly, a communication apparatus comprising transfer control means for transmitting the transfer data to a transfer destination stored in the transfer condition table. The communication device according to claim 1,
The transfer control means, when image data is received by facsimile communication, adds the processing code as an image to the received image data. The communication device according to claim 1,
The transfer control means, when an e-mail is received, inserts the processing code into a predetermined part of the e-mail. In an information processing system including a communication device and an external processing device connected to the communication device via a network,
The communication device includes a communication content storage unit that stores communication content including reception data and transmission source information indicating a transmission source of the reception data;
A table that stores a transfer condition table in which a transmission source specifying condition for specifying a transmission source of received data, transfer destination information indicating a transfer destination for transferring received data, and a processing code transmitted to the transfer destination are associated with each other. Storage means;
Obtaining transmission source information from the communication content stored in the communication content storage means, searching for the transmission source identification condition of the transfer condition table with the acquired transmission source information, if there is a matching transmission source identification condition, A processing code corresponding to the condition is read from the transfer condition table, the read processing code is added to the reception data stored in the communication content storage means, and transfer data is created, and the matching transmission source specifying condition is set. Correspondingly, comprising transfer control means for transmitting the transfer data to the transfer destination stored in the transfer condition table,
When the external processing device receives the transfer data transmitted from the communication device, the external processing device extracts a processing code from the transfer data, and executes a predetermined process corresponding to the extracted processing code. .

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