JP2010087860A - Fax read server device and fax read system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily respond to a FAX image viewed on a mobile phone. <P>SOLUTION: A FAX read server 10 obtains the FAX image received by a FAX device 12 and obtains a telephone number for communication and a mail address of a sender from the FAX image by performing a character recognition processing. When an access to the FAX read server 10 from a mobile phone 11 is performed, the FAX image is viewed and instructions to make a call to the sender are issued by the mobile phone 11, the telephone number for communication obtained from the FAX image is transmitted from the FAX read server 10 to the mobile phone 11 and the call to the telephone number for communication is automatically made. When a mail transmission instruction is issued, the mail address of the sender is transmitted from the FAX read server 10 to the mobile phone 11 and a mail creation function is activated in which the received mail address is used as a destination address. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a FAX browsing server device and a FAX browsing system.

  Patent Documents 1 and 2 are known as techniques for browsing a FAX image received by a FAX (facsimile) apparatus on the go. Patent Document 1 transmits a notification mail to a recipient's mobile phone when a transmitting FAX device transmits a FAX image or when a receiving FAX device receives a FAX image. Then, when the receiver instructs the FAX apparatus on the receiving side from the mobile phone, for example, a FAX image transferred by a FAX apparatus installed near the receiver can be received.

Further, in Patent Document 2, when a FAX apparatus on the transmission side makes a call to a FAX reception telephone number assigned to a mobile phone, it is transferred by an exchange and a FAX center receives a FAX image. The FAX center converts the FAX image into an HTML document and notifies the mobile phone of the URL referring to the HTML document by e-mail. Accordingly, the FAX image can be referred to by accessing the URL specified in the e-mail from the browser function of the mobile phone.
JP 2003-084945 A JP 2005-31508 A

  By the way, between the sender and receiver of the FAX image, the FAX image is exchanged as one of the communication means, and it is necessary for the receiver to contact the sender after receiving the FAX image. There are many cases. For this reason, it is not sufficient to simply browse the FAX image, and a means by which a receiver who has viewed the FAX image can easily contact the sender is desired.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problem, and a FAX browsing server device that allows a receiver who has viewed a FAX image on a mobile phone to easily contact the sender from the mobile phone. An object is to provide a FAX browsing system.

  In order to solve the above problem, in the FAX browsing server apparatus according to claim 1 of the present invention, the first communication means for acquiring the FAX image received by the FAX apparatus from the FAX apparatus, and the first communication means. Based on the acquired FAX image or incidental information attached to the FAX image, the sender information including at least one of the telephone number for calling the sender who transmitted the FAX image to the FAX apparatus or the e-mail address of the e-mail is specified. A communication unit that communicates with an external mobile phone and a data storage unit that stores the specifying unit, the FAX image acquired by the first communication unit, and the transmission source information specified by the specifying unit from the FAX image. When the browsing instruction from the communication means and the mobile phone is input, the FAX image instructed to be browsed is converted for browsing on the mobile phone, and the mobile phone Image providing means to be transmitted and displayed, and transmission source information associated with the FAX image when it is detected that a call instruction to the sender of the FAX image provided by the image providing means is performed on the mobile phone Is included in the transmission source information associated with the FAX image when it is detected that the telephone number for calling included in the telephone is transmitted to the mobile phone or the mail transmission instruction is performed on the mobile phone. A mail control unit that transmits a mail address to the mobile phone and sets the mobile phone to a mail creation state with the mail address as a transmission destination.

  In the FAX browsing server device according to claim 2, the identifying unit performs character recognition on the FAX image acquired by the first communication unit, so that at least one of the telephone number for the call or the mail address of the sender is obtained. The transmission source information included is specified.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a transmission source information storage means for preliminarily storing transmission source information for each sender including a transmission source FAX number on the sender side and at least one of a telephone number for calling or a mail address. The transmission unit information is recorded in the transmission source information storage unit, the transmission unit FAX number included in the incidental information is acquired, and the transmission source information in which the transmission FAX number that matches the acquired FAX number is recorded. The information is specified from a plurality of pieces of transmission source information.

  In the FAX browsing server device according to the fourth aspect, the call control means transmits the call telephone number to the mobile phone so that the call telephone number is transmitted.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the FAX browsing server device includes a history recording means for recording a FAX image browsing history and a history providing means for displaying the browsing history on a mobile phone.

  In the FAX browsing server device according to claim 6, the history recording unit is configured to send or receive an e-mail to a mail address provided by the mail control unit or not by the presence / absence of a call with the telephone number for calling given by the call control unit. The browsing history including the presence / absence is recorded, and the history providing means displays the presence / absence of a call or transmission / reception of an e-mail on a mobile phone.

The FAX browsing system according to claim 7 includes a FAX browsing server device and a mobile phone, and the FAX browsing server device acquires a FAX image received by the FAX device from the FAX device; Based on the FAX image acquired by the first communication means or the incidental information attached to the FAX image, at least one of the telephone number for calling and the e-mail address of the sender who has transmitted the FAX image to the FAX apparatus is displayed. A specifying means for specifying the transmission source information, a FAX image acquired by the first communication means, a data storage means for storing the transmission information in association with the transmission source information specified by the specifying means from the FAX image, an external mobile phone, The second communication means for performing communication between the mobile phone and the browsing instruction from the mobile phone is input, so that the FAX image instructed to browse is In response to a call request from the mobile phone to the sender of the FAX image provided by the image providing means, In response to a call control means that sends the telephone number for calling included in the sender information to the mobile phone, or in response to a mail transmission request, the mail address included in the sender information associated with the FAX image is With one or both of the mail control means for transmitting to a mobile phone and setting the mobile phone in a mail creation state with the mail address as the destination,
Fax browsing by communicating between the communication means for the mobile phone to make a call through the line for the mobile phone, the mail making / sending means for creating the mail and sending the mail through the line for the mobile phone, and the second communication means. A mobile communication means connected to the server device, a display means for displaying a FAX image provided by the image providing means, and a call request in response to a call instruction operation while the FAX image is displayed on the display means And a request output means for sending a mail transmission request to the FAX browsing server apparatus in response to the mail transmission instruction operation, and a call telephone received from the FAX browsing server in response to the call request or the mail transmission request by the request output means. A mobile control means for giving a number to the calling means or for setting the received mail address as a destination and setting the mail creating and sending means to the mail creating state. It is intended.

  According to the present invention, a FAX image received by a FAX apparatus is acquired by a FAX browsing server apparatus, and transmission source information including a sender's telephone number and mail address is specified from the FAX image or incidental information attached thereto. When the FAX browsing server apparatus is accessed from the mobile phone, the FAX image is browsed, and a call instruction to the sender is given, the telephone number for the call associated with the FAX image is given to the mobile phone 11, and When an e-mail transmission request is made, the sender's e-mail address is transmitted to the mobile phone, and the e-mail creation function is activated using the e-mail address as a transmission destination. In addition, even if the sender's telephone number for calling and mail address are not known, the sender can be contacted even when not registered in the address book.

  FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a FAX (facsimile) browsing system embodying the present invention. The FAX browsing system includes a FAX browsing server 10 and a mobile phone 11 connected thereto. The FAX browsing server 10 allows the FAX image received by the external FAX apparatus 12 to be viewed on the mobile phone 11, and makes a telephone contact or mail transmission from the mobile phone 11 to the sender of the FAX image (transmission source partner). So that you can do it.

  The FAX browsing server 10 is connected to the FAX apparatus 12. The FAX device 14 on the transmission side may be unspecified, and the FAX device 12 receives a FAX image from any one of the FAX devices 14. The FAX apparatus 12 acquires the FAX image from the FAX apparatus 14 via the general public line 13 and stores it in the internal memory, like the conventional FAX apparatuses.

  In the FAX apparatus 12, a well-known confidential box is set for each user, and the FAX browsing server 10 limits the objects that can be browsed by the user to FAX images received in the confidential box set for the user. I am doing so. Note that the same confidential box may be set for a plurality of users, and any user may be allowed to view a FAX image transmitted without specifying the confidential box.

  The FAX browsing server 10 is connected to each FAX apparatus 12 via a first communication unit 16 as a first communication unit. The first communication unit 16 communicates with the FAX apparatus 12 to acquire the FAX image received by the FAX apparatus 12 and its accompanying information. The FAX browsing server 10 and the FAX apparatus 12 are in a state in which they are always connected by, for example, a LAN or the like. When the FAX apparatus 12 receives a FAX image, the FAX apparatus 12 starts communication with the FAX browsing server 10 to receive the FAX image. Transfer images.

  Note that the communication mode between the FAX browsing server 10 and the FAX apparatus 12 is not limited to the above. For example, the FAX browsing server 10 and the FAX apparatus 12 are connected via a general public line or the like, and whenever the FAX apparatus 12 receives a FAX image, the FAX browsing server 10 is connected to the FAX browsing server 10 to transfer the FAX image. Also good. Further, when the FAX browsing server 10 periodically communicates with the FAX apparatus 12 and a new FAX image is received, the FAX image may be acquired.

  The supplementary information stores information added to the FAX image by a facsimile protocol at the time of reception, information such as a transmission source FAX number acquired by the FAX apparatus 12 from the line, reception date and time, and FAX image. This is generated / acquired from information obtained from the FAX apparatus 12 itself such as the number of a confidential box (hereinafter referred to as a box number). In this example, the transmission FAX number of the FAX apparatus 14 as the transmission source The reception FAX number, the box number, and the reception date and time, which are telephone numbers of the FAX apparatus 12, are acquired.

  The data processor 17 receives the FAX image and the incidental information acquired by the first communication unit 16. The data processing unit 17 is a specifying unit that specifies transmission source information based on a FAX image, and acquires transmission source information by performing a character recognition process on the input FAX image. As the sender information, the sender's company name, person in charge name, telephone number for calling, FAX number, and mail address are acquired. These transmission source information can be acquired from the content described in the invoice, for example.

  The database unit 18 includes a storage that stores various types of data, a data access device that performs search / extraction for the data stored in the storage, writing new data, and the like. The database unit 18 stores a FAX image input from the data processing unit 17 with a file name assigned thereto, an image management list in which image management records are recorded, and a transmission source list in which transmission source records are recorded. Stored. Further, in this database unit 18, a user list including a plurality of user records in which user information for viewing FAX images is recorded is created and stored.

  As will be described in detail later, the image management record and the transmission source record are records for each FAX image that associates the FAX image, the incidental information, and the transmission source information. A data storage means for storing the information in association with the transmission source information specified from the FAX image is configured.

  A second communication unit 21 as a second communication unit connects the FAX browsing server 10 and the mobile phone 11. The second communication unit 21 communicates with the mobile phone 11 through the mobile phone network 22 to transmit and receive various data.

  The access control unit 23 performs user authentication when the mobile phone 11 is connected via the second communication unit 21 and determines whether or not the operator of the mobile phone 11 is an authorized user. In this user authentication, a user authentication screen is displayed on the mobile phone 11, and it is determined that the user is a legitimate user when the combination of the input user name and password matches that of any user record. When it is determined by the user authentication that the user is a regular user, the access control unit 23 sends information specifying the user to the content creation unit 24 and the response processing unit 25, and the mobile phone 11, the content creation unit 24, the response Data exchange with the processing unit 25 is allowed.

  Further, the access control unit 23 serves as a history recording unit, and records a reading state as to whether or not each FAX image has been browsed as a history. When the FAX image is sent from the content creation unit 24 to the mobile phone 11, the access control unit 23 confirms that the read state recorded in the image management record associated with the FAX image has been viewed from “unread”. Change to "Read". In addition, it may be changed to “read” in response to the notification that the FAX image screen is displayed from the mobile phone 11.

  When browsing the FAX image from the mobile phone 11, the content creation unit 24 generates a display code for displaying various display screens for browsing on the mobile phone 11, and carries the mobile phone via the second communication unit 21. Send to phone 11. The display code created by the content creation unit 24 includes a list screen that displays a list of received fax images, a fax image screen that displays fax images, and the like. As the display code, for example, an HTML code is used, but other codes and methods may be used as a method for displaying each screen.

  The list screen is created based on the user record, image management record, and transmission source record stored in the database unit 18. Based on the information from the access control unit 23, the list screen is for FAX images that are permitted to be browsed by the accessing user, that is, FAX images received in the confidential box set by the user. The list screen displays whether the FAX image has been read or not, and the content creation unit 24 is a history providing unit.

  Further, the content creation unit 24 is provided with a data conversion unit 24a, and an image format and resolution suitable for displaying the FAX image stored in the database unit 18 on the mobile phone 11 by the data conversion unit 24a. Convert to The content creation unit 24 creates a FAX image screen using the FAX image converted by the data conversion unit 24a. Therefore, the content creation unit 24 is an image providing unit.

  The response processing unit 25 constitutes a call control means and a mail control means for transmitting the caller's telephone number and mail address to the mobile phone 11. In response to the call request from the mobile phone 11, the response processing unit 25 extracts the call phone number from the transmission source record associated with the FAX image being viewed on the mobile phone 11, and sends this to the mobile phone 11. send. In response to the mail transmission request from the mobile phone 11, the response processing unit 25 similarly extracts the mail address from the transmission source record associated with the FAX image and sends it to the mobile phone 11. When transmitting a telephone number for calling and a mail address, the mobile phone automatically makes a call to the telephone number for calling, and a control code for activating a mail creating function with the mail address as a destination is given. As a result, the sender of the FAX image being browsed can make a call from the mobile phone 11 to the telephone number for calling, and can easily send a mail.

  In this example, when a call request instruction or mail transmission request instruction is given to the display code for displaying the FAX image screen on the mobile phone 11, the FAX ID of the FAX image that is being viewed together with the call request and mail transmission request. Is transmitted to the FAX browsing server 10. This makes it possible to determine which FAX image is a call request or mail transmission request. The FAX browsing server 10 side manages which FAX image is provided and displayed on the mobile phone 11, and specifies which FAX image is requested for a call or mail transmission. Alternatively, it may be determined which of the FAX images a call request or mail transmission request has been made by using another method.

  The mobile phone 11 receives a display code from the FAX browsing server 10 and inputs the display code to the mobile control unit 30. The mobile control unit 30 executes the display code to control each unit, so that the mobile phone 11 has the same configuration as the conventional mobile phone 11. A function for browsing the image and contacting the sender of the FAX image by contacting with a common telephone number or sending an e-mail is realized. The portable control unit 30 is configured by a microcomputer, a memory storing various programs, and the like, and comprehensively controls each unit of the cellular phone 11. Note that application software may be installed in the mobile phone 11 to realize the function.

  The mobile communication unit 31 connects the mobile phone 11 to the line network 22. As a result, data communication such as a call on the mobile phone 11 and transmission / reception of mail is performed through the line network 22. In this example, the mobile communication unit 31 is a mobile communication means for communicating with the FAX browsing server 10, and communication with the FAX browsing server 10 is also performed via the mobile communication unit 31. This is done through the network 22.

  The operation unit 32 includes a numeric key provided on the mobile phone 11 and various function keys. Normally, by operating the operation unit 32, it is possible to input a telephone number, send a call, receive a call, input a mail address, create a mail text, and the like. Further, when viewing a FAX image, by operating the operation unit 32, it is possible to perform display screen switching, FAX image scrolling, call request instruction, mail transmission request instruction, and the like. When a call request instruction or a mail transmission request instruction is issued, the portable control unit 30 sends a call request or a mail transmission request to the FAX browsing server 10.

  The display unit 34 includes an LCD, a driver for driving the LCD, and the like, and is controlled by the portable control unit 30 so as to display a display screen according to the display code.

  The call unit 35 includes a microphone and a speaker for making a call, a transmission circuit for an input telephone number, and the like. Normally, the call unit 35 makes a call to a telephone number selected from an input in the operation unit 32 or an address book registered in advance by the user so that a call can be made with the other party of the telephone number. At the time of viewing the FAX image, the portable control unit 30 controls the telephone number transmitted from the FAX browsing server 10 in response to the call request.

  The mail transmission / reception unit 36 has an email creation function, an email transmission / reception function, a received email browsing function, and the like. When creating an e-mail or browsing an e-mail, the creation screen or the received e-mail is displayed on the display unit 34. Normally, the e-mail destination e-mail address is input from the operation unit 32 or selected from the address book as in the case of a telephone call. In response, the mail creation function is activated under the control of the portable control unit 30 so that the mail address transmitted from the FAX browsing server 10 becomes the transmission destination.

  The call unit 35 and the mail transmission / reception unit 36 perform a call and mail transmission via the mobile phone network 22, the general public network, the Internet, etc. without going through the FAX browsing server 10.

  As described above, the database unit 18 stores a user list, an image management list, and a transmission source list. As shown in FIG. 2, the user list includes a user record R1 for each user. In each user record R1, a user ID unique to each user, a user name, a user name and password for authentication, and an assigned box number are recorded. At the time of authentication, the access control unit 23 compares the combination of the user name and password input from the mobile phone 11 with those combinations recorded in each user record R1, and whether there is a matching user record R1. Is determined.

The assigned box number is a box number of a confidential box that can be browsed by the user.
The content creation unit 24 identifies each incidental information record in which the box number matching the allocated box number recorded in the user record R1 of the user is recorded for the accessing user, and each identified incidental A display code for displaying a list screen or the like for the FAX image indicated in the information record is generated. As a result, only FAX images that are permitted to be browsed are provided for each user.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the image management list includes an image management record R2, and the image management record R2 is recorded for each FAX image. Each image management record R2 associates a FAX ID, a reading state of a FAX image, a file name of the FAX image, and incidental information. The incidental information includes a reception date, a transmission source FAX number, and a reception FAX. A number and a box number are recorded.

  When the FAX image is stored in the database unit 18, a unique ID is assigned to each FAX image. In this example, this FAX ID associates the FAX image with the transmission source information recorded as the transmission source record. The incidental information is acquired together with the FAX image indicated by the file name.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the transmission source list includes a transmission source record R3 recorded for each FAX image. In each transmission source record R3, FAX ID and transmission source information are recorded, and as the transmission source information, a company name, a person in charge name, a telephone number for calling, a FAX number, and a mail address are recorded. As this transmission source information, information acquired from a FAX image associated with a FAX ID is recorded.

  Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described. When the sender designates a confidential box of the FAX apparatus 12 from the FAX apparatus 14 and transmits a FAX image, the FAX image is received by the designated confidential box of the FAX apparatus 12.

  When the FAX apparatus 12 receives the FAX image, communication from the FAX apparatus 12 side to the FAX browsing server 10 is started, and transfer of the FAX image to the first communication unit 16 is started. As a result, a FAX image is acquired by the first communication unit 16, and accompanying information of the FAX image acquired at the same time is acquired. Then, these FAX images and accompanying information are sent to the data processing unit 17.

  In the data processing unit 17, recognition processing is performed on the input FAX image, and the sender's company name, person in charge name, telephone number for calling, FAX number, e-mail address, for example, from the contents of the invoice on the FAX image. Are obtained as source information. Then, the FAX image, incidental information, and transmission source information are sent to the database unit 18.

  When a FAX image is input to the database unit 18, an appropriate file name is given and stored in a predetermined storage location. Also, after a unique FAXID is assigned to the FAX image, an image management record is created from the FAXID, the unread read state, the assigned file name, and the accompanying information, and this is added to the image management list of the database unit 18. . Further, a transmission source record is created from the FAX ID and the transmission source information, and this transmission source record is added to the transmission source list of the database unit 18.

  Each time the FAX apparatus 12 receives a FAX image, an image management record and a transmission source record are created in the same procedure as described above, added to each list, and the FAX image is stored in the database unit 18. .

  When a user browses a FAX image, a predetermined operation of the mobile phone 11, for example, a browser function for referring to a WEB site is used to instruct connection to the FAX browsing server 10. In response to this instruction, when the mobile communication unit 31 and the second communication unit 21 are connected via the line network 22, the display code of the authentication screen is sent from the access control unit 23 to the mobile phone 11. Thereby, an authentication screen as shown in FIG. 5A is displayed on the display unit 34 of the mobile phone 11. Note that when the FAX browsing server 10 acquires a FAX image, a notification mail may be transmitted to the mobile phone 11 of the user who can browse the FAX image.

  As shown in the procedure of FIG. 6, when the authentication screen is displayed, the user operates the operation unit 32 to input the user name and password of the user himself / herself. The user name and password are sent to the FAX browsing server 10 and user authentication is performed by the access control unit 23. When it is authenticated as a legitimate user by this authentication, the user ID recorded in the user record of the user is sent to the content creation unit 24.

  When the user ID is sent to the content creation unit 24 after authentication, the content creation unit 24 first extracts the allocation box number from the user record in which the user ID is recorded. Next, the image management list is examined, an image management record having a box number having the same number as the assigned box number is searched, the FAX ID recorded in each corresponding image management record, the read status, and the reception date and time And get respectively. Further, a transmission source record in which each FAX ID acquired from the image management record is searched, and a company name is acquired from the corresponding transmission source record. In this way, the reading status, the reception date and time, and the company name of the FAX image that is permitted to be browsed by the accessing user are acquired, and the display code of the list screen that lists them is generated. Then, the display code is transmitted to the mobile phone 11.

  When the display code is transmitted to the mobile phone 11 as described above, each display received in the confidential box set for the accessing user is displayed on the display unit 34 as shown in FIG. A list screen in which the reading status, the reception date and time, and the company name are listed for the FAX image is displayed.

  The user refers to the list screen and selects a FAX image to be browsed by operating the operation unit 32. For this selection, for example, various methods such as inputting a number given to an item corresponding to the FAX image in the list, or selecting an item corresponding to the FAX image by operating the cursor key and operating a decision key, etc. Can be adopted.

  The display code of the list screen includes a code that causes the FAX browsing server 10 to transmit the FAX ID of the selected FAX image when the browsing target is selected. Therefore, when a browsing selection operation is performed by operating the operation unit 32, a FAX ID is sent from the mobile phone 11 to the FAX browsing server 10 together with a FAX image browsing request, and is input to the content creating unit 24.

  By inputting the browsing request and the FAX ID, the content creation unit 24 refers to the image management record in which the FAX ID is recorded, and reads out the FAX image of the file name recorded in the record. Using the fax image converted by the data conversion unit 24 a for display on the mobile phone 11, a display code for the fax image screen is generated and sent to the mobile phone 11. In this way, when the display code of the FAX image screen is transmitted, the access control unit 23 changes the read state of the image management record from unread to read.

  By receiving the display code, the display unit 34 of the mobile phone 11 displays a FAX image screen whose display content is the FAX image previously selected as the browsing target. In this example, on the FAX image screen, for example, as shown in FIG. 5C, in addition to the FAX image 41, the operation unit 32 for instructing a call request (call transmission) and a mail transmission request (mail reply). A guidance display 42 showing the keys (“1”, “2”) is also displayed, and the FAX image to be displayed may be transmitted together with the display code to the mobile phone 11 and read from the FAX browsing server when the display code is executed. You may be made to do.

  The user can browse the entire FAX image by operating the operation unit 32 and scrolling the FAX image. When browsing a FAX image and trying to make a telephone contact (call) to the sender of the FAX image, the user operates the operation unit 32 to give a call request instruction. In this example, the call request instruction is performed by operating the “1” key of the operation unit 32. When a call request instruction is issued, a FAX ID corresponding to the currently viewed FAX image and a call request are sent from the portable control unit 30 to the FAX browsing server 10 and input to the response processing unit 25.

  When the FAX ID and the call request are input, the response processing unit 25 specifies a transmission source record in which the input FAX ID is recorded, and takes out the telephone number for call recorded in the transmission source record. Then, this telephone number for calling is sent to the mobile phone 11 that transmitted the call request.

  When the call telephone number transmitted as described above is received by the mobile phone 11, the call control unit 30 controls the call unit 35 to make a call to the call phone number. As a result, it becomes possible to make a telephone call to the sender of the FAX image being browsed. In addition, after receiving the telephone number for a call, you may make it make a transmission by a user's instruction | indication.

  Similarly, when viewing a FAX image and attempting to send an e-mail to a sender, the operation unit 32 is operated, and in this example, the key “2” is operated to give a mail transmission request instruction. When a mail transmission request instruction is issued, the FAX ID corresponding to the currently viewed FAX image and the mail transmission request are input to the response processing unit 25 of the FAX browsing server 10.

  When the FAX ID and the mail transmission request are input, the response processing unit 25 extracts the mail address in the transmission source record in which the input FAX ID is recorded, and sends it to the mobile phone 11 that has made the mail transmission request. It is done.

  When the portable control unit 30 receives the mail address from the FAX browsing server 10, the mail creating function of the mail transmitting / receiving unit 36 is activated so that the mail address becomes a transmission destination. After the mail creation function is activated, the user operates the operation unit 32 to input a message or the like. At this time, since the mail address is automatically input to the transmission destination, the user does not need to input it. When mail transmission is instructed after inputting the contact information etc., the created e-mail via the mobile communication unit 31 and the network 22 via the mail server via the mail server is the PC or mobile phone of the sender of the FAX image being viewed. Sent to the phone.

  As described above, according to this FAX browsing system, when a call request or mail transmission request is made during browsing of a FAX image, the telephone number or mail address of the sender acquired from the FAX image being browsed is given. Thus, since the state of making a call to the telephone number for the call and the state of creating a mail with the mail address as the destination, it is possible not only to browse the FAX image but also to make a quick and simple contact with it.

  Further, even when the sender's contact information (telephone number for calling, mail address) is not known or when the sender is not registered in the address book, the sender can be contacted. Furthermore, since the contact information is acquired from the FAX image, even if the sender designates a contact address different from the contact information registered in advance in the mobile phone 11 by the content of the FAX image, the sender is notified. Contact can be made from the mobile phone 11.

  The example shown in FIGS. 7 to 9 shows an example in which a user who has viewed a FAX image and the corresponding contents of the user are recorded as history information so that the history information can be referred to. In addition, except being demonstrated below, it is the same as that of the said embodiment, The same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the substantially same thing, and the description is abbreviate | omitted. In this example, it is assumed that each FAX image can be viewed by a plurality of users.

  In this example, a history list is stored in the database unit 18, and records are added to the history list and contents are recorded / updated by the access control unit 23. As shown in FIG. 7, the history list includes a history record R4 created and added each time the user views the FAX image. Each history record R4 records FAXID, viewer, correspondence type, and date. The FAX ID corresponds to the browsed FAX image, and the viewer records the name of the user who viewed the FAX image.

  The correspondence type of the history record R4 is a record of the correspondence that the viewing user has performed to the sender of the FAX image when the FAX image is browsed. This correspondence type indicates “call” indicating that a call has been made with the telephone number for calling provided from the FAX browsing server 10 or that an e-mail has been transmitted to the mail address provided from the FAX browsing server 10. “Mail” is recorded. The date and time is the date and time when the above call is made or when an e-mail is sent. In the case of browsing only, the correspondence type is blank, and the date and time of browsing is recorded as the date and time. In addition, when both a call using a call telephone number and transmission of an e-mail are performed, a history record R4 may be created for each.

  As shown in FIG. 8, in response to the user selecting a FAX image to be browsed, the FAX browsing server 10 generates a display code for the FAX image screen and transmits it to the mobile phone 11. A new history record is created and added to the history list. At this time, the FAX ID of the FAX image to be viewed and the name of the accessing user are recorded in the history record.

  Further, when the telephone number for calling transmitted from the FAX browsing server 10 to the mobile phone 11 in response to the call request is transmitted by the mobile phone 11, a notification that the call has been made is sent from the mobile phone 11. It is sent to the FAX browsing server 10. In response to this notification, “call” is recorded in the correspondence type of the history record corresponding to the access control unit 23. Similarly, when an e-mail addressed to the e-mail address transmitted from the FAX browsing server 10 is transmitted in response to the e-mail transmission request, a notification that the e-mail transmission has been performed is sent to the FAX browsing server 10. It is done. In response to this notification, “mail” is recorded as the correspondence type of the history record.

  On the other hand, when the user selects a FAX image to be browsed, the content creation unit 24 generates a history record in which the FAX ID of the selected FAX image is recorded when generating the display code of the FAX image screen. Search and generate a display code that also displays the history recorded in each retrieved history record. As a result, when the FAX image screen is displayed on the display unit 34 of the mobile phone 11, as shown in FIG. 9, the user who has already browsed the currently browsed FAX image along with the FAX image 41. Then, a history display 43 containing the browsing date and the correspondence taken is displayed.

  Thereby, the user who browsed the FAX image can know whether or not another user who should browse is browsing, whether or not the other user has already dealt with, and the like. In this example, the history is displayed on the FAX image screen. However, the history is not limited to this, and the history may be displayed on a list screen or a history display dedicated screen.

  In each of the above embodiments, the telephone number and mail address of the sender are specified based on the FAX image. However, these may be specified based on incidental information attached to the FAX image. In this case, for example, a customer information list as shown in FIG. 10 is registered in advance in the database unit 18 serving as a transmission source information storage unit. This customer information list includes a plurality of customer records R5. In each customer record R5, a customer ID and customer information serving as transmission source information are recorded. As the customer information, a company name, a person in charge name, a telephone number for calling, a FAX number, and an e-mail address are recorded. . Each content of the customer information is the same as that of the transmission source information in the above embodiment, but is created and recorded in advance from materials such as a business card and company information.

  Then, as schematically shown in FIG. 11, when there is a call request or a mail transmission request, the response processing unit 25 transmits the transmission source from the image management record (accompanying information) associated with the currently browsed FAX image. Get the fax number. Subsequently, a customer record in which the acquired transmission source FAX number is recorded is searched and extracted. If it is a call request, the telephone number for call recorded in the extracted customer record is transmitted to the mobile phone 11, and if it is a call request, it is recorded in the extracted customer record. The mail address is transmitted to the mobile phone 11.

  In each of the above embodiments, if the FAX image acquired from the FAX browsing server, the destination e-mail address, and the telephone number for a call are not stored in the mobile phone as a history or the like, even if the mobile phone is lost, etc. It is possible to prevent leakage of information on customers and the like.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the case where there is one receiving-side FAX apparatus has been described. However, a plurality of FAX apparatuses having different FAX numbers may be connected to the FAX browsing server. Also, a plurality of mobile phones can be connected to the FAX browsing server.

  The above-described methods for storing and storing FAX images and methods for associating various types of information in the FAX browsing server are examples, and the present invention is not limited to these. The functions of the FAX apparatus and the FAX browsing server may be a single apparatus, and a FAX image may be received using a FAX modem. Furthermore, the present invention can be used for various information terminals having a call function and a mail transmission function instead of a mobile phone.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the FAX browsing system which implemented this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the user list stored in the database part. It is explanatory drawing which shows the image management list | wrist stored in the database part. It is explanatory drawing which shows the transmission source list | wrist stored in the database part. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the display screen of a mobile telephone. It is explanatory drawing which shows the process sequence in the mobile telephone side at the time of browsing a FAX image, and a FAX browsing server. The history list in the example which enabled it to refer to the browsing user and the corresponding content of the user as a log | history is shown. It is explanatory drawing which shows the process sequence in the mobile telephone side and the FAX browsing server in the example which enabled it to refer the user who browsed and the corresponding content of the user as a log | history. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of a display of the mobile telephone which displayed the user who browsed and the corresponding content of the user as a log | history. It is explanatory drawing which shows the transmission source list stored in the database part in the example which specifies transmission source information using incidental information and the customer information list registered beforehand. It is a flowchart which shows the process sequence at the time of specifying transmission origin information using incidental information and the customer information list registered beforehand.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 FAX browsing server 11 Mobile phone 12 FAX apparatus 16, 21, 31 Communication part 17 Data processing part 18 Database part 24 Content creation part 23 Access control part 25 Response processing part 30 Mobile control part 35 Calling part 36 Mail transmission / reception part

Claims (7)

First communication means for acquiring a FAX image received by the FAX apparatus from the FAX apparatus;
Based on the fax image acquired by the first communication means or the supplementary information attached to the fax image, at least the telephone number for calling the sender who sent the fax image to the fax machine, or the email address of the e-mail Identifying means for identifying source information including one of the following:
A data storage means for storing the FAX image acquired by the first communication means in association with the transmission source information specified by the specifying means from the FAX image;
A second communication means for communicating with an external mobile phone;
An image providing means for converting a FAX image instructed to be browsed for viewing on a mobile phone by inputting a viewing instruction from the mobile phone, and transmitting and displaying the fax image on the mobile phone;
When it is detected that a call instruction to the sender of the FAX image provided by the image providing means is performed on the mobile phone, the telephone number for calling included in the transmission source information associated with the FAX image is When it is detected that a call control means to be sent to a mobile phone or a mail transmission instruction is made on the mobile phone, the mail address included in the transmission source information associated with the FAX image is sent to the mobile phone. A FAX browsing server apparatus comprising: one or both of mail control means for setting the mobile phone in a mail creation state with the mail address as a transmission destination.   The specifying means specifies the sender information including at least one of the telephone number for calling and the mail address of the sender by performing character recognition on the FAX image acquired by the first communication means. The FAX browsing server device according to claim 1, wherein: Comprising transmission source information storage means for pre-recording transmission source information for each sender including a transmission source FAX number on the sender side and at least one of a telephone number for calling or an email address;
The specifying unit acquires a transmission-side FAX number included in the incidental information, and stores transmission source information in which a transmission source FAX number that matches the acquired FAX number is recorded in the transmission source information storage unit. 2. The FAX browsing server device according to claim 1, wherein the FAX browsing server device is specified from a plurality of transmission source information.   The FAX browsing server device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the call control means transmits a call telephone number to the mobile phone and transmits the call telephone number.   5. The FAX browsing server according to claim 1, further comprising: history recording means for recording a browsing history of FAX images; and history providing means for displaying the browsing history on a mobile phone. apparatus.   The history recording means records a browsing history including presence / absence of a call at the telephone number for calling given by the call control means, or presence / absence of transmission of an e-mail to a mail address given by the mail control means, 6. The FAX browsing server device according to claim 5, wherein the history providing means displays on the mobile phone whether or not a call is made or whether or not an electronic mail is transmitted. It consists of a FAX browsing server device and a mobile phone.
The FAX browsing server device includes a first communication unit that acquires a FAX image received by the FAX device from the FAX device;
Based on the fax image acquired by the first communication means or the supplementary information attached to the fax image, at least the telephone number for calling the sender who sent the fax image to the fax machine, or the email address of the e-mail Identifying means for identifying source information including one of the following:
A FAX image acquired by the first communication means, and a data storage means for storing the FAX image in association with the transmission source information specified by the specifying means from the FAX image;
A second communication means for communicating with an external mobile phone;
An image providing means for converting a FAX image instructed to be browsed for browsing on a mobile phone by inputting a viewing instruction from the mobile phone and transmitting the image to the mobile phone;
In response to a call request from the mobile phone to the sender of the FAX image provided by the image providing means, the phone number for calling included in the transmission source information associated with the FAX image is transmitted to the mobile phone. In response to a call control means or a mail transmission request to be sent, the mail address included in the transmission source information associated with the FAX image is transmitted to the mobile phone, and the mobile phone is used as the destination. With either or both of the email control means to create emails,
The mobile phone includes a call means for making a call through a mobile phone line;
Email creation and transmission means for creating email and sending email via a mobile phone line;
Mobile-side communication means for communicating with the second communication means and connecting to the FAX browsing server device;
Display means for displaying a FAX image received from the image providing means;
Request output means for sending a call request in response to a call instruction operation and sending a mail transmission request to the FAX browsing server device in response to a mail transmission instruction operation while displaying a FAX image on the display means;
In response to a call request or mail transmission request by the request output means, the telephone number for a call received from the FAX browsing server is given to the call means, or the mail creation / transmission means is mailed to the received mail address as a destination. A FAX browsing system, comprising: a portable control unit configured to be in a created state.

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