JP3543919B2 - Control method for network facsimile machine - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has a function of exchanging data on a local area network, a function of exchanging facsimile data by a facsimile transmission procedure performed through a public network, and sub-address information received by a facsimile transmission procedure, and its sub-address information. An address conversion table that stores a network address corresponding to the image information, and stores the image information received via the public network in the address conversion table corresponding to the sub-address information notified from the partner terminal when the image information is received. The present invention relates to a method for controlling a network facsimile apparatus which distributes a network address to a destination terminal via a local area network.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, a function of exchanging data on a local area network and a function of exchanging facsimile data by a facsimile transmission procedure performed over a public network are provided, and sub-address information received by a facsimile transmission procedure, and An address conversion table storing the corresponding network addresses in association with each other, and storing the image information received via the public network in the address conversion table corresponding to the sub-address information notified from the partner terminal when the image information is received. A network facsimile apparatus that distributes a destination address of a network address via a local area network has been put to practical use.
[0003]
By using such a network facsimile machine, image information from a facsimile machine connected to a public network can be distributed to a workstation device connected to a local area network, greatly increasing the usability of the facsimile network. It can be expanded to be very convenient.
[0004]
Further, when the connected local area network is connected to the Internet, the image information transmission operation can be performed also to a terminal device connected to another local area network via the Internet. .
[0005]
By using such a network facsimile apparatus, image information can be exchanged between remote locations via the Internet, so that image information can be exchanged between remote locations without being charged a new communication fee. And communication costs can be greatly reduced.
[0006]
The polling reception operation between network facsimile machines is described in ITU-T draft recommendation T.30. ifax, as defined in this Recommendation T.40. Using ifax makes it possible to perform inexpensive polling reception between network facsimile apparatuses between remote locations.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the group 3 facsimile apparatus connected to the public network, it is possible to request the transfer of image information to the network facsimile apparatus or to receive the image information by polling from the network facsimile apparatus. When polling and receiving image information from a network facsimile apparatus, a high communication cost is charged as in the related art.
[0008]
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and a facsimile apparatus connected to a public network can receive image information at a low cost from a network facsimile apparatus installed in a remote place. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a control method.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention has a function of exchanging data on a local area network, a function of exchanging facsimile data by a facsimile transmission procedure performed through a public network, and sub-address information received by a facsimile transmission procedure, and its sub-address information. An address conversion table that stores a network address corresponding to the image information, and stores the image information received via the public network in the address conversion table corresponding to the sub-address information notified from the partner terminal when the image information is received. In a method of controlling a network facsimile apparatus that distributes a destination address of a network address via a local area network, when a call is issued from another facsimile apparatus via a public network and a polling request is issued, Opponent When the sub-address information notified from the end is that of another network facsimile machine, after storing the destination information of the other party's terminal, the connection with the other party's terminal is cut off, and the specified other network facsimile machine is disconnected. When a polling transmission request mail notifying the reception request of the polling reception image information is transmitted and the polling transmission image information is received from the other network facsimile apparatus, a call is transmitted to the destination terminal of the stored destination information. Then, the received polling transmission image information is transmitted. Further, when the polling transmission request mail is received, a polling reception mail for returning the polling image information to the transmission source of the polling transmission request mail is created and transmitted.
[0010]
In addition, it has a function of exchanging data on the local area network and a function of exchanging facsimile data according to the facsimile transmission procedure performed via the public network, and also supports sub-address information received by the facsimile transmission procedure and the sub-address information. An address conversion table that stores the network address associated with the image information, and stores the image information received via the public network in the address conversion table corresponding to the sub-address information notified from the partner terminal when the image information is received. In a method of controlling a network facsimile apparatus which distributes to a destination terminal having a network address via a local area network, when a call is issued from another facsimile apparatus via a public network and a polling request is issued, the other terminal When the notified sub-address information is that of another network facsimile machine, after storing the destination information of the other party's terminal, the connection with the other party's terminal is cut off, and the specified other network facsimile machine is disconnected. On the other hand, while requesting the reception of the polling reception image information, transmitting the polling transmission request mail notifying that the reception requesting image information is designated, and receiving the polling transmission image information from the other network facsimile apparatus, In this case, a call is made to the destination terminal of the destination information, and the received polling transmission image information is transmitted. Further, when the transmission request mail is received, a polling reception mail for returning the polling image information requested to be received to the transmission source of the polling transmission request mail is created and transmitted. Further, when the polling transmission request mail is received, when the image information requested to be received by the polling transmission request mail is polling reception image information list information, a list of stored polling image information is created, While creating and transmitting a polling list transmission mail for returning the list information to the sender of the polling transmission request mail, when receiving a polling list transmission mail from the other network facsimile apparatus, it is included in the polling list transmission mail. The list information of the polling image information is extracted, the display image information of the list information is created, a call is made to the terminal destination of the stored destination information, and the display image information of the list information is transmitted. is there.

[0011]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0012]
FIG. 1 shows a network system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0013]
This network system comprises a network NETA comprising workstation devices WSA1 to WSAn connected to a local area network LNA, a mail server device SMA, a network facsimile device FXA, and a router device RTA, and a group 3 facsimile connected to a public network PSTN. Group Facsimile connected to apparatus FGA, workstations WSB1 to WSBn connected to local area network LNB, mail server SMB, network facsimile apparatus FXB, network NETB including router RTBA, and public network PSTN It consists of the device FGB.
[0014]
Here, the group 3 facsimile apparatus FGA is installed geographically close to the network NETA (for example, in the same station area or the same area), and the group 3 facsimile apparatus FGB is geographically close to the network NETB. It is installed near. Further, the network NETA and the network NETB are geographically located at remote locations from each other, for example, in Japan and the United States.
[0015]
In the networks NETA and NETB, the mail server devices SMA and NETB are connected to the local area networks LNA and LNB, and are connected to the users using the workstation devices WSA1 to WSAn and WSB1 to WSBn, and the network facsimile devices FXA and FXB. Provides a service for collecting and distributing electronic mail (described later).
[0016]
Also, application software (e-mail transmission / reception processing, etc.) for exchanging various data via the local area networks LNA, LNB and the network facsimile machines FXA, FXB are provided to the workstation devices WSA1 to WSAn, WSB1 to WSBn. Various programs such as application software for processing image information included in the received e-mail have been introduced, and are used by specific users. Here, the specific user may be one or more users.
[0017]
Further, the network facsimile apparatuses FXA and FXB have a function of transmitting and receiving e-mails in the local area networks LNA and LNB, and predetermined points between the workstation apparatuses WSA1 to WSAn and WSB1 to WSBn connected to the local area networks LNA and LNB. A predetermined information communication function according to a two-point transmission procedure, and a connection to the public network PSTN, using this public network as a transmission path, and performing a group 3 facsimile transmission procedure with the group 3 facsimile apparatuses FGA and FGB. It has various transmission (communication) functions such as a transmission function for transmitting image information. Further, transmission (distribution) of facsimile image information from the network facsimile apparatuses FXA and FXB to the workstation apparatuses WSA1 to WSAn and WSB1 to WSBn (user thereof) is performed using electronic mail.
[0018]
The routers RTA and RTB are used to connect the local area networks LNA and LNB to the Internet INET, whereby the network facsimile apparatuses FXA and FXB mutually exchange various kinds of image information and the like via the Internet INET. Can be exchanged using e-mail. Similarly, the workstation devices WSA1 to WSAn and WSB1 to WSBn exchange various kinds of information with other host devices such as workstation devices connected to another local area network via the Internet INET. Is possible.
[0019]
In this embodiment, basically, data exchange between terminals connected to the local area networks LNA and LNB is performed by a transmission protocol up to a transport layer called TCP / IP, and This is performed by applying a combination (a so-called protocol suite) with a communication protocol of an upper layer. For example, when exchanging e-mail data, a communication protocol called SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) is applied as a communication protocol of an upper layer.
[0020]
In addition, as a protocol applied by each terminal to the mail server devices SMA and SMB for confirming reception of an e-mail addressed to a user and requesting transmission, a so-called POP (Post Office Protocol) or the like can be applied. .
[0021]
Communication protocols such as TCP / IP, SMTP, and POP, and data formats and data structures of e-mails are issued by IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force), an organization that collects technical contents related to the Internet. It is defined by an RFC (Request For Comments) document. For example, TCP is RFC 793, IP is RFC 793, SMTP is RFC 821, and the e-mail format is RFC 822, RFC 1521, RFC 1522 (MIME (Multi-Pose Mail Extension) format).
[0022]
Then, the network facsimile apparatuses FXA and FXB transmit the read document image to another group 3 facsimile apparatus via the public network PSTN, or the local area networks LNA and LNB, and further, the workstation apparatus WSA1 via the Internet INET. To the users corresponding to the sub-address specified at that time, while transmitting the image information received from the other group 3 facsimile apparatuses FGA and FGB via the public network PSTN to the users corresponding to the sub-addresses. A public network PST corresponding to a designated abbreviated dial or the like, transferring image information transferred by e-mail or receiving image information received from workstation devices WSA1 to WSAn and WSB1 to WSBn of local area networks LNA and LNB. Group 3 facsimile apparatus FGA, and a transfer service function for forwarding to the FGB.
[0023]
Further, with respect to the electronic mail received to the own terminal, the image information arranged in the body information is extracted, recorded and output.
[0024]
Here, the facsimile image information is binary data, and the electronic mail cannot directly include the binary data. Therefore, a predetermined conversion method (for example, a Base64 encoding method) is applied to the readable information (7-bit data). It is included in the e-mail after being converted to a character code. Such a format of the body information of the electronic mail is called a MIME format.
[0025]
FIG. 2 shows a configuration example of the network facsimile machine FX (FXA, FXB).
[0026]
In FIG. 1, a system control unit 1 performs various control processes such as a control process of each unit of the network facsimile apparatus and a facsimile transmission control procedure process, and a system memory 2 is executed by the system control unit 1. The control processing program and various data required when executing the processing program are stored, and a work area of the system control unit 1 is configured. The parameter memory 3 stores various types of data unique to the network facsimile apparatus. The clock circuit 4 outputs current time information.
[0027]
The scanner 5 is for reading a document image at a predetermined resolution, the plotter 6 is for recording and outputting an image at a predetermined resolution, and the operation display unit 7 operates this network facsimile apparatus. It consists of various operation keys and various indicators.
[0028]
The encoding / decoding unit 8 encodes and compresses the image signal and decodes the encoded and compressed image information into the original image signal. The image storage device 9 encodes and compresses the image signal. This is for storing a large number of image information in the closed state.
[0029]
The group 3 facsimile modem 10 is for realizing the modem function of the group 3 facsimile, and is a low-speed modem function (V.21 modem) for exchanging a transmission procedure signal, and mainly for exchanging image information. It has a high-speed modem function (V.17 modem, V.34 modem, V.29 modem, V.27ter modem, etc.).
[0030]
The network control device 11 is for connecting the facsimile machine to a public network (PSTN) and has an automatic transmission / reception function.
[0031]
The local area network interface circuit 12 is for connecting the Internet facsimile apparatus to the local area network LAN, and the local area network transmission control unit 13 communicates with other data terminal devices via the local area network LAN. It is for executing communication control processing (e-mail transmission / reception processing, point-to-point communication processing, and the like) of various predetermined protocol suites for exchanging various data between them.
[0032]
These are a system control unit 1, a system memory 2, a parameter memory 3, a clock circuit 4, a scanner 5, a plotter 6, an operation display unit 7, an encoding / decoding unit 8, an image storage device 9, a group 3 facsimile modem 10, a network The control device 11 and the local area network transmission control unit 13 are connected to an internal bus 14, and data exchange between these elements is mainly performed through the internal bus 14.
[0033]
Data exchange between the network control device 11 and the group 3 facsimile modem 10 is directly performed.
[0034]
Further, the network facsimile machine FX stores an address conversion table in which the mail address of the user of the distribution destination is registered with respect to the subaddress notified from the transmission side when receiving image information from the public network. 3 is shown.
[0035]
This address conversion table stores, for each sub-address, a set of the sub-address registered for each distribution destination and the mail address of the user of the distribution destination. Here, the user name including the character string "ifax" as the mail address of the user of the distribution destination, such as "ifax@aaa.co.jp", belongs to the network facsimile machine FX, and the network facsimile machine FX Is handled as such in the internal processing of.
[0036]
In this embodiment, for example, the group 3 facsimile apparatus FGA connected to the public network PSTN can perform a polling reception operation to the network facsimile apparatus FXA by designating the network facsimile apparatus FXB as an image information acquisition destination. I do.
[0037]
If such a polling reception operation is possible, the group 3 facsimile machine FGA does not need to use the public network PSTN when receiving image information from the remote network facsimile machine FXB, so that the communication cost is greatly reduced. Can be done.
[0038]
FIG. 4 shows an example of the polling reception procedure in the group 3 facsimile transmission procedure. In this case, the image information requested to be polled is one page.
[0039]
When the calling side calls the called side, the called side answers the incoming call, and the called side sequentially responds with the called station identification signal CED, the non-standard function identification signal NSF, and the digital identification signal DIS, and the call is originated. The side sends out a signal SEP designating a file name to be polled, a calling terminal identification signal CIG, and a digital transmission command signal DTC for a polling reception request.
[0040]
Accordingly, the called side transmits a digital command signal DCS specifying a transmission function and the like, and then transmits a modem training signal TCF to transmit the specified image information.
[0041]
If the receiving state of the modem training signal TCF is normal, the calling side replies with the reception preparation confirmation signal CFR, whereby the called side transmits the designated image information PIX, and then the message A procedure end signal EOP is transmitted as a post signal.
[0042]
When the receiving side of the image information PIX is normal, the calling side transmits a message confirmation signal MCF, whereby the receiving side transmits a disconnection command signal DCN to restore the line. When receiving the disconnection command signal DCN, the calling side restores the line and terminates this operation.
[0043]
Here, in the present embodiment, when the group 3 facsimile machine FGA makes a polling reception request to the network facsimile machine FXA, the content of the information field included in the signal SEP has the following format.
[0044]
"[File number] ++ [request destination subaddress]"
[0045]
Therefore, when the group 3 facsimile machine FGA requests polling reception of the image information of the file number "0001" of the network facsimile machine FXB, the content of the information field of the signal SEP is "0001 ++ 1234". Here, “1234” is the value of the subaddress assigned to the network facsimile machine FXB in the address conversion table of the network facsimile machine FXA.
[0046]
On the other hand, when the group 3 facsimile machine FGA requests polling reception of the image information of the file number "0010" of the network facsimile machine FXA, the content of the information field of the signal SEP is "0010", and the request destination subaddress is omitted. .
[0047]
Therefore, the network facsimile apparatuses FXA and FXB correspond to the requested sub-addresses when the request sub-address is added to the information field of the signal SEP when polling reception is requested from the group 3 facsimile apparatuses FGA and FGB. Then, a polling reception request operation is performed with respect to the other network facsimile devices FX registered in the address conversion table, and the image information obtained thereby is transmitted to the group 3 facsimile devices FGA and FGB of the polling reception request source.
[0048]
In this case, the network facsimile apparatuses FXA and FXB transmit the image information of the reception standby report as shown in FIG. 5 to the group 3 facsimile apparatuses FGA and FGB, and transmit the polling reception request source group 3 facsimile. It notifies the users of the devices FGA and FGB that it will take some time to receive the image information requested to be received and instructs them to wait for reception.
[0049]
At the same time, the network facsimile machine FX transmits a polling transmission request mail as shown in FIG. 6 to the network facsimile machine FX of the request subaddress specified in the information field of the signal SEP.
[0050]
“Message Type = Poll Request” in the body information of the polling transmission request mail indicates that this e-mail is a polling transmission request mail, and “SEP = 0001” indicates that the file number of the file requested to be received is “ 0001 ".
[0051]
The network facsimile machine FX that has received such a polling transmission request mail creates a polling reception mail as shown in FIG. 7 and transmits it to the source mail address of the polling transmission request mail.
[0052]
Here, the body information of the polling received mail is configured in a multi-part MIME format, and “Message Type = Poll Response” indicating that the electronic mail is the polling received mail is transmitted to the first part. “SEP = 0001” representing the file number of the image information is arranged. In the second part of the polling reception mail, the transmission image information obtained by MIME conversion is arranged.
[0053]
Then, the network facsimile machine FX that has received the polling reception mail determines which polling reception request it is based on the source of the polling reception mail and the content of the “SEP” of the first part, Of the second part is converted back to the original transmission image information and transmitted to the group 3 facsimile machine FX, which is the polling reception request source.
[0054]
As information for determining such a polling reception request, the network facsimile machine FX creates a polling reception waiting list as shown in FIG. This polling reception waiting list is formed by linking a plurality of pieces of polling reception waiting information. Each of the polling reception waiting information includes a subaddress designated by a polling reception request source and a designated file number as shown in FIG. , A reply destination telephone number storing the telephone number of the polling reception request source, and a destination mail address storing the mail address of the network facsimile machine FX of the polling reception request destination. The polling reception waiting information is formed when a polling reception request is received.
[0055]
9 and 10 show an outline of the processing of the network facsimile machine FX when an incoming call is detected.
[0056]
When an incoming call is detected, an incoming call is answered (process 101), a predetermined pre-transmission procedure is executed (process 102), and it is checked whether a polling reception request has been made by the calling side (decision 103).
[0057]
When the result of the determination 103 is NO, the image information is received from the calling side and stored in the image storage device 9 (process 104). When the image information reception is completed, a predetermined post-transmission procedure is executed (process 105). ), And restore the line (process 106).
[0058]
Next, it is checked whether or not the distribution destination of the image information has been designated at that time (decision 108). If the result of the determination 107 is YES, the image information stored in the image storage device 9 is transmitted to the distribution destination using an e-mail. The transmission process for transmission (process 108) is executed, the received image information stored in the image storage device 9 is deleted (process 109), and this operation ends.
[0059]
When the result of the determination 109 is NO, the image information stored in the image storage device 9 is converted into the original image data by the encoding / decoding section 8, and the image data is transferred to the plotter 6, and Is recorded and output (step 110), and the process proceeds to step 109, where the recorded and output image information is deleted from the image storage device 9, and this operation is terminated.
[0060]
If the polling reception request is made and the result of determination 103 is YES, the contents of the information field of the signal SEP are checked (step 111), and the "request sub-address" is not included, and It is checked whether or not (decision 112).
[0061]
When the result of the determination 112 is YES, it is checked whether or not the image information of the designated file number is stored as polling transmission image information in the image storage device 9 (a determination 113), and the result of the determination 113 is YES. In some cases, the image information of the designated file number is read and transmitted to the calling side (process 114). When the image information transmission operation is completed, a predetermined post-transmission procedure is executed (process 115) to restore the line. Then (process 116), this operation ends. On the other hand, if the result of the determination 113 is NO, it means that there is a communication error, and the processing shifts to the processing 116 to restore the line, and the operation at this time ends with an error.
[0062]
If the information field of the signal SEP includes the “request subaddress” and the result of the determination 112 is NO, the reception standby report as described above is created (process 117), and the reception standby report The image information is created and transmitted to the calling side (step 118). When the image information transmission operation is completed, a predetermined post-transmission procedure is executed (step 119), and the line is restored (step 120).
[0063]
Next, for the polling reception request at that time, the above-described polling reception waiting information is created, and the polling reception waiting information is added to the polling reception waiting list (process 121).
[0064]
Then, for the polling reception request at that time, the above-described polling transmission request mail is created (step 122), the polling transmission request mail is transmitted to the mail server SM (step 123), and this operation ends. .
[0065]
FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 show an example of a schematic process of the network facsimile machine FX when an electronic mail is received.
[0066]
First, the mail server device SM is inquired as to whether an e-mail addressed to its own terminal has been received (process 201), and it is notified that there is an incoming mail. One e-mail is received from the server device SM (process 203), and the content of the e-mail is analyzed (process 204).
[0067]
Then, it is checked whether or not the e-mail is a polling transmission request mail (determination 205). If the result of the determination 205 is YES, the image information of the designated file number is used as the polling transmission image information in the image storage device 9 It is checked whether or not it is stored in the file (decision 206). If the result of the decision 206 is YES, the image information of the designated file number is read, and the polling reception mail as described above is created (process 207). The polling reception mail is transmitted to the mail server device SM (process 208).
[0068]
Next, it is checked whether or not the check has been completed for all the received mails (decision 209). When the result of the decision 209 is NO, the process returns to the process 203, and the same process is repeated for the next e-mail. Further, when the result of the determination 209 is YES, the operation for all the received mails has been completed, and this processing is ended. If the result of the determination 206 is NO, an error notification mail for notifying the sender of the polling transmission request mail that there is no polling transmission standby file of the file number is created (processing 210), and the processing proceeds to processing 208. The process proceeds to transmit the error notification mail to the mail server device SM.
[0069]
When the result of the judgment 205 is NO, it is checked whether or not the received mail is a polling received mail (decision 211). When the result of the determination 211 is YES, the corresponding polling reception waiting information is extracted from the polling reception waiting list (processing 212), the return destination telephone number is extracted from the polling reception waiting information (processing 213), and the body information of the e-mail is obtained. Of the second part is converted back to the original transmission image information (process 214).
[0070]
Then, a call is made to the reply destination telephone number, and the transmission image information created in step 214 is transmitted (step 215). Next, the process proceeds to the judgment 209, and the subsequent processes are repeated.
[0071]
When the result of the determination 211 is NO, an appropriate process corresponding to the content of the e-mail received at that time is executed (process 211), and the process shifts to the determination 209 to repeat the subsequent processes.
[0072]
In the above-described embodiment, the file number for which the polling is requested is specified, but this specification can be omitted. In this case, the content of the information field of the signal SEP is, for example, “++ 0123”. Then, when the designation of the file number is omitted as described above, the operation may be performed assuming that the specific image information is requested. That is, in this case, an operation similar to a so-called free polling operation is performed.
[0073]
By the way, for example, a user of the group 3 facsimile machine FGA knows that image information to be polled and received is stored in the remote network facsimile machine FXB, but does not know a specific file number. Can be
[0074]
In this case, if the list information of the transmission image information waiting for polling transmission stored in the network facsimile apparatus FXB can be requested to be received from the group 3 facsimile apparatus FGA, the user of the group 3 facsimile apparatus FGA can This is very convenient because the target file number can be clearly known and the target file number can be specified at the next polling reception request.
[0075]
In this case, for example, a specific file number, for example, “FFFF” is defined as information instructing a request for list information of transmission image information waiting for polling transmission. For example, when the network facsimile machine FXA receives a polling reception request from the group 3 facsimile machine FGA, and when a request destination subaddress is added to the information field of the signal SEP, the network facsimile machine FXB transmits a polling transmission to the network facsimile machine FXB. Send request email.
[0076]
Accordingly, the network facsimile machine FXB creates the list information of the image information waiting for polling transmission stored in the image storage device 9 at that time because the file number specified in the polling transmission request mail is “FFFF”. Then, a polling reception mail having the list information as the content of the second part of the text information is returned to the network facsimile machine FXA.
[0077]
Since the file number of the received polling received mail is "FFFF", the network facsimile apparatus FXA creates image data for displaying the list information of the second part of the body information, and encodes and compresses the image data. Then, the transmission image information is created, and the transmission image information is transmitted to the reply source telephone number.
[0078]
As a result, the group 3 facsimile machine FGA that has requested the polling reception can obtain the list information of the files that can be requested for the polling reception to the network facsimile machine FXB, and appropriately set the file number of the desired file at the next polling reception request. Can be specified.
[0079]
In this case, FIGS. 13 and 14 show an example of an outline of a process executed when the network facsimile machine FX receives an e-mail.
[0080]
First, an inquiry is made to the mail server device SM as to whether an e-mail addressed to the terminal itself has been received (process 301), and the presence of the received e-mail is notified. One e-mail is received from the server device SM (process 303), and the content of the e-mail is analyzed (process 304).
[0081]
Then, it is checked whether or not the e-mail is a polling transmission request mail (determination 305). If the result of the determination 305 is YES, the image information of the designated file number is used as the polling transmission image information as the image storage device 9 (Step 306). If the result of Step 306 is YES, the image information of the designated file number is read, and the polling reception mail as described above is created (Step 307). The polling reception mail is transmitted to the mail server device SM (process 308).
[0082]
Next, it is checked whether or not the check has been completed for all the received mails (decision 309). If the result of the decision 309 is NO, the process returns to the step 303, and the same processing is repeated for the next e-mail. Further, when the result of the determination 309 is YES, the operation for all the received mails has been completed, and this processing is ended.
[0083]
When the result of the judgment 306 is NO, it is checked whether or not the file number at that time is equal to "FFFF" (decision 310). When the result of the determination 310 is YES, list information of files stored as image information waiting for polling transmission in the image storage device 9 is created (process 311), and the list information of the files is transmitted to a polling transmission request mail. Then, a list information transmission mail to be transmitted to the transmission source is created (step 312), the process proceeds to step 308, and the list information transmission mail is transmitted to the mail server SM.
[0084]
If the result of determination 310 is NO, an error notification mail for notifying the sender of the polling transmission request mail that there is no polling transmission standby file of the file number is created (processing 313), and the processing proceeds to processing 308. The process proceeds to transmit the error notification mail to the mail server device SM.
[0085]
When the result of the judgment 305 is NO, it is checked whether or not the received mail is a polling received mail (decision 314). If the result of the determination 314 is YES, the corresponding polling reception waiting information is extracted from the polling reception waiting list (processing 315), and the return destination telephone number is extracted from the polling reception waiting information (processing 316).
[0086]
Next, it is checked whether or not the file number is "FFFF" (decision 317). If the result of the decision 317 is NO, the MIME information of the second part of the body information of the electronic mail is reversed to the original transmission image information. After conversion (process 318), a call is made to the return destination telephone number, and the transmission image information created in process 318 is transmitted (process 319). Next, the processing shifts to decision 309, and the subsequent processing is repeated.
[0087]
If the result of determination 317 is YES, the received e-mail is a list information transmission mail, so display data of list information of the second part of the body information is created (process 320), and the display data is transmitted. The image information is converted into image information (process 321), and the process proceeds to process 319, where the transmission image information created in process 321 is transmitted to the destination of the return telephone number, and the subsequent processes are repeated.
[0088]
When the result of the determination 314 is NO, an appropriate process corresponding to the content of the e-mail received at that time is executed (process 322), and the process proceeds to the determination 309 to repeat the subsequent processes.
[0089]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, from a facsimile machine connected to a public network, to a network facsimile machine installed in a nearby area, a network facsimile machine installed in a remote place is obtained image information. Since the polling reception operation specified as above can be performed, there is an effect that the communication cost when the facsimile apparatus receives image information from a remote network facsimile apparatus can be greatly reduced.
[0090]
Further, the user of the facsimile machine that has requested the polling reception can obtain the list information of the files that can make the polling reception request to the network facsimile machine, so that the file number of the desired file is appropriately set at the next polling reception request. As a result, useless polling reception request operation can be suppressed, and the effect of improving communication efficiency can be obtained.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a network system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a network facsimile machine FX (FXA, FXB).
FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an address conversion table.
FIG. 4 is a time chart showing an example of a polling reception procedure in a group 3 facsimile transmission procedure.
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a reception waiting report.
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a polling transmission request mail.
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a polling received mail.
FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a polling reception waiting list and polling reception waiting information.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a part of an outline of processing of the network facsimile apparatus FX when an incoming call is detected.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the rest of the outline of the processing of the network facsimile machine FX when an incoming call is detected.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a part of an example of an outline of a process of the network facsimile apparatus FX when receiving an electronic mail;
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing another part of the example of the outline of the processing of the network facsimile machine FX when an electronic mail is received.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a part of another example of the outline of the processing of the network facsimile machine FX when an electronic mail is received.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing another part of another example of the outline of the processing of the network facsimile machine FX when receiving the electronic mail.

Claims (5)

It has a function of exchanging data including e-mail on the local area network and a function of exchanging facsimile data by a facsimile transmission procedure performed via a public network, and sub-address information received by the facsimile transmission procedure and its sub-address. An address conversion table storing network addresses corresponding to the information in association with each other, and storing the image information received via the public network in the address conversion table corresponding to the sub-address information notified from the partner terminal when the image information is received. A method for controlling a network facsimile apparatus which distributes to a destination terminal of a stored network address via a local area network,
When a call is made from another facsimile apparatus via the public network and a polling request is made, if the subaddress information notified by the other terminal at that time is that of another network facsimile apparatus, the destination of the other terminal is used. After memorizing the information, disconnect from the other terminal,
To the specified other network facsimile apparatus, a polling transmission request mail for notifying that the polling reception image information is requested to be received is transmitted, and when the polling transmission image information is received from the other network facsimile apparatus, the storage is performed. A method for controlling a network facsimile apparatus, wherein a call is sent to a partner terminal of the destination information, and the received polling transmission image information is transmitted. 2. The network facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the polling transmission request mail is received, a polling reception mail for returning the polling image information to the transmission source of the polling transmission request mail is created and transmitted. Control method. A network that has the function of exchanging data on the local area network and the function of exchanging facsimile data by the facsimile transmission procedure performed via the public network, and the sub-address information received by the facsimile transmission procedure and the network corresponding to the sub-address information An address conversion table storing addresses in association with each other, wherein the image information received via the public network is stored in the address conversion table corresponding to the sub-address information notified from the partner terminal when the image information is received. In a method for controlling a network facsimile apparatus which distributes an address to a destination terminal via a local area network,
When a call is made from another facsimile apparatus via the public network and a polling request is made, if the subaddress information notified by the other terminal at that time is that of another network facsimile apparatus, the destination of the other terminal is used. After memorizing the information, disconnect from the other terminal,
Requests reception of the polling received image information to the specified other network facsimile apparatus, and transmits a polling transmission request mail notifying that the image information to be requested to be specified is specified. A method for controlling a network facsimile apparatus, wherein upon receiving polling transmission image information, a call is made to a partner terminal of the stored destination information and the received polling transmission image information is transmitted. 4. The method according to claim 3, wherein, when the polling transmission request mail is received, a polling reception mail for returning the polling image information requested to be received to the transmission source of the polling transmission request mail is created and transmitted. A method for controlling a network facsimile machine. If the polling transmission request mail is received, and the image information requested to be received by the polling transmission request mail is polling reception image information list information, a list of stored polling image information is created, and the list is created. While creating and sending a polling list transmission email that returns information to the sender of the polling transmission request email,
When the polling list transmission mail is received from the other network facsimile apparatus, the list information of the polling image information included in the polling list transmission mail is extracted, the display image information of the list information is created, and the stored destination information is stored. 4. The control method for a network facsimile apparatus according to claim 3, wherein a call is made to a terminal destination of the network facsimile and the display image information of the list information is transmitted.

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