JP4206956B2 - Facsimile machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus capable of communication using an IP network.

  In recent years, facsimile apparatuses such as MFP (Multi Functional Peripheral) have been frequently used by being connected to a network such as the Internet. In such a facsimile apparatus, data is transmitted and received using a communication protocol such as TCP / IP.

  In recent years, with the spread of the always-on connection environment, DDNS (Dynamic Updates in the Domain Name System) using a technique for dynamically updating the DNS database has been developed. By using DDNS, even if a terminal connected to an IP network such as the Internet does not have a unique IP address, the terminal can be accessed using the IP address.

In Patent Document 1, when a mail server that is normally used cannot be used or in an emergency, the IP address of a mail server that manages the destination domain is acquired, and the acquired IP address is electronically stored in the destination mail server. A technique for sending mail is disclosed. As a result, even when the mail server of the own domain cannot be used, it is possible to prevent troubles in sending urgent electronic mail.
JP 2003-216547 A

  As described above, by using DDNS, a terminal that does not have a unique IP address can be accessed using the IP address. For example, even if a facsimile machine connected to a predetermined IP network does not have a unique IP address, direct communication between terminals using the IP address is obtained by obtaining the IP address of the destination terminal from the DDNS. Is possible. By using the IP address, data can be directly transmitted and received between the facsimile machines, so that free communication can be performed without worrying about the protocol.

  On the other hand, conventionally, facsimile machines transmit and receive facsimile data via a PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) using a telephone number (telephone number). For this reason, it is common for a user of a facsimile apparatus to specify a destination terminal by a telephone number. Therefore, it is desired to construct a system that can also use the merit of communication using the above IP address without giving the user a sense of incongruity.

  The present invention has been made in view of these points, and an object of the present invention is to enable a user to handle a facsimile apparatus that communicates using an IP address in the same manner as a facsimile apparatus that communicates using a conventional telephone number. It is in the provision of technology to make.

  According to the present invention, a facsimile apparatus capable of transmitting facsimile data using a telephone number, a data acquisition means for acquiring facsimile data to be transmitted, and a numeric string similar to the telephone number for specifying the address of the destination terminal Receiving means, domain name generating means for generating a domain name including a numeric string, IP address acquiring means for acquiring an IP address corresponding to the domain name from a predetermined server, and IP via a predetermined IP network There is provided a facsimile apparatus including transmission means for transmitting facsimile data to an address.

  Here, the IP network is a network in which data is transmitted and received using an IP address, such as the Internet or an intranet. The telephone number includes a facsimile number.

  According to the facsimile apparatus of the present invention, when a numeric string similar to a telephone number is designated as an address, the IP address of the destination terminal is acquired from a predetermined server and the facsimile data is transmitted to the IP address. Can use a data transmission service using an IP address with the same usability as a conventional facsimile apparatus. Here, the predetermined server can be a DDNS server.

  When the facsimile apparatus of the present invention determines whether it is possible to generate a domain name for acquiring an IP address based on a numeric string, and the determination means determines that a domain name cannot be generated based on the numeric string And a telephone transmission means for transmitting the facsimile data to the destination terminal using the numeric string as the telephone number.

  In this way, as usual, when a telephone number is input as the address of the destination terminal, facsimile data can be transmitted to the destination terminal via the telephone network or the like using the telephone number.

The facsimile apparatus of the present invention may further include a storage unit that stores an identifier for identifying a numeric string that can generate a domain name, and the determination unit determines whether the numeric string received by the receiving unit includes an identifier. When the identifier is included in the numeric string, it can be determined that the domain name can be generated based on the numeric string.

  In the facsimile apparatus of the present invention, the storage means can further store information related to the server inquiring about the IP address corresponding to the domain name including the identifier in association with the identifier. The information related to the server can be the IP address or domain name of the server.

  In the facsimile apparatus of the present invention, the storage means can further store an additional character string for generating a domain name in association with an identifier and adding it to a numeric string including the identifier.

  In the facsimile apparatus of the present invention, the detecting means for detecting whether or not the facsimile data is transmitted by the transmitting means, and the facsimile data is transmitted to the destination terminal via the telephone network when the transmitting means is not transmitted. And a telephone transmission means.

  Here, the case where the facsimile data is not transmitted by the transmission means means that, for example, when the IP address cannot be obtained from the server, when it is not possible to connect to the corresponding IP address, during facsimile data transmission after connection to the IP address. This is the case when an error occurs.

  The telephone transmission means refers to an address book in which a telephone number is associated with a numeric string for acquiring an IP address, for example, acquires the telephone number of the transmission destination terminal, and uses the telephone number to transmit to the transmission destination terminal Facsimile data can be transmitted.

  In addition, a numeric string for obtaining an IP address can be used as a telephone number. In this way, for example, when facsimile data cannot be transmitted using an IP address, the facsimile data can be transmitted to the destination terminal using the numeric string as it is as a telephone number.

  The facsimile apparatus of the present invention can further include a designation receiving unit that receives designation of the port number of the destination terminal.

  It should be noted that any combination of the above-described constituent elements and a conversion of the expression of the present invention between a method, an apparatus, a system, a recording medium, a computer program, etc. are also effective as an aspect of the present invention.

  According to the present invention, a user can handle a facsimile apparatus that communicates using an IP address in the same manner as a facsimile apparatus that communicates using a conventional telephone number.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of facsimile apparatus 100 in the present embodiment.
The facsimile apparatus 100 includes a reception unit 102, a determination unit 104, an identification information storage unit 106, a domain name generation unit 108, an IP address acquisition unit 110, a detection unit 112, an IP address connection transmission processing unit 114, a telephone connection transmission processing unit 116, A data acquisition unit 118, a data storage unit 120, a communication unit 122, and an address book 124 are included.

  In FIG. 1, the configuration of parts not related to the essence of the present invention is omitted. For example, the document reading unit, the image processing unit, etc., which are the configuration of the facsimile apparatus, are not shown.

  Each component of the facsimile machine 100 includes an arbitrary computer CPU, memory, a program for realizing the components shown in the figure loaded in the memory, a storage unit such as a hard disk for storing the program, and a network connection interface. It is realized by any combination of hardware and software. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that there are various modifications to the implementation method and apparatus. Each drawing described below shows a functional unit block, not a hardware unit configuration.

Hereinafter, an example of transmitting a facsimile will be described.
The facsimile apparatus 100 is, for example, a network facsimile apparatus or an MFP (Multi Functional Peripheral). In the present embodiment, the facsimile apparatus 100 can be connected to an IP network 130 or a telephone network 132. When the IP address is designated, the facsimile apparatus 100 can transmit facsimile data to another facsimile apparatus 140 using the IP address. Further, when a telephone number is designated, the facsimile apparatus 100 can transmit facsimile data to the facsimile apparatus 140 using the telephone number.

  In the present embodiment, IP network 130 is an intranet used in the company, for example. The telephone network 132 is, for example, an in-house extension telephone network. A plurality of DDNS (Dynamic Domain Name System) servers 150 and a DDNS server 152 are connected to the IP network 130. The DDNS server 150 and the DDNS server 152 have an address conversion table in which a domain name including a telephone number-like number string is associated with an IP address.

  Although not shown here, a DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) server that dynamically assigns an IP address to a domain name is also connected to the IP network 130. The DDNS server 150 and the DDNS server 152 receive the correspondence between the IP address and the domain name from the DHCP server every predetermined period, and update the address conversion table.

  In the present embodiment, when a predetermined numeric string such as a telephone number is input, the facsimile apparatus 100 generates a domain name based on the numeric string and stores the domain name in the DDNS server 150 or the DDNS server 152 as the domain name. Queries the corresponding IP address. The facsimile machine 100 acquires an IP address from the DDNS server 150 or the DDNS server 152 and transmits facsimile data to the IP address via the IP network 130. Here, the phone number-like numeric string is a numeric string such as a telephone number having the same number of characters as the telephone number of the extension. In this way, even when the facsimile data is transmitted using the IP address, the user can specify the destination terminal in the same way as specifying a normal telephone number, and can operate without any sense of incongruity. be able to.

  The communication unit 122 communicates with other facsimile terminals 140, the DDNS server 150, the DDNS server 152, and the like.

  The accepting unit 102 accepts input of a destination address from the user. The address book 124 stores a plurality of destination addresses. Here, the address includes a telephone number-like number string and a telephone number for obtaining an IP address.

  Although not shown here, the facsimile machine 100 includes an operation unit operated by a user. The operation unit is, for example, an operation button, a switch, a lever, a keyboard, a touch panel, or the like. The accepting unit 102 accepts an input of an address based on the operation of the operation unit by the user. The accepting unit 102 can accept an input of an address by performing an operation in which the user reads an address registered in the address book 124 and selects one of the addresses.

  The data acquisition unit 118 acquires facsimile data to be transmitted. The data storage unit 120 temporarily stores the facsimile data acquired by the data acquisition unit 118.

  The identification information storage unit 106 stores an identifier for identifying a transmission destination terminal capable of generating a domain name. Here, the identifier can be a numeric string. When the receiving unit 102 receives an input of an address, the determining unit 104 refers to the identification information storage unit 106 and determines whether an identifier is included in the address. When the identifier includes an identifier, the determination unit 104 notifies the domain name generation unit 108 to that effect. The domain name generation unit 108 generates a domain name based on the address. The IP address acquisition unit 110 inquires a predetermined DDNS server for the IP address corresponding to the domain name generated by the domain name generation unit 108 via the communication unit 122 and the IP network 130, and acquires the IP address of the destination terminal. .

  The detection unit 112 detects whether or not the IP address acquisition unit 110 has acquired the IP address of the transmission destination terminal.

  When the detection unit 112 detects that the IP address of the destination terminal has been acquired, the IP address connection transmission processing unit 114 connects to the IP address acquired by the IP address acquisition unit 110 via the communication unit 122 and the IP network 130. . Next, the IP address connection transmission processing unit 114 transmits the facsimile data stored in the data storage unit 120 to the connected IP address.

  The detecting unit 112 detects the connection state with the destination terminal by the IP address connection / transmission processing unit 114 and detects whether or not the facsimile data using the IP address has been transmitted.

  When the determination unit 104 refers to the identification information storage unit 106 and the address does not include an identifier, the determination unit 104 notifies the telephone connection transmission processing unit 116 of the fact. The telephone connection transmission processing unit 116 receives the notification from the determination unit 104 and transmits the facsimile data stored in the data storage unit 120 using the address received by the reception unit 102. In the present embodiment, the telephone connection transmission processing unit 116 transmits facsimile data via the telephone network 132.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the data structure of the identification information storage unit 106.
The identification information storage unit 106 includes an identifier for identifying a destination terminal capable of generating a domain name, an additional character string added to a telephone number for generating a domain name, and information regarding a DDNS server that inquires an IP address. .

  Here, for example, no. 1, the identifier is “050”, the additional character string is “abc.net”, and the IP address of the DDNS server is “192.168..x.x”.

  For example, No. 3, the identifier is “052”, there is no additional character string, and the IP address of the DDNS server is “192.168..xxx.xxx”.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the data structure of the address book 124.
Here, the IP address acquisition number string and the telephone number are associated with each other. For example, no. 1, the telephone number “060-1234” is associated with the IP address acquisition numeric string “050-1234”.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the facsimile apparatus 100 in the present embodiment.
First, a transmission destination address (numeric string) is designated by a user operation, and the receiving unit 102 receives an input of the address (S10). Although not shown here, the data acquisition unit 118 acquires facsimile data to be transmitted and stores it in the data storage unit 120.

  Subsequently, the determination unit 104 refers to the identification information storage unit 106 and determines whether an identifier is included in the input address (S12). When the identifier is included in the input address (YES in S12), the determination unit 104 notifies the domain name generation unit 108 to that effect. The domain name generation unit 108 refers to the identification information storage unit 106 and determines whether an additional character string is necessary to generate the domain name of the address (S14). When it is necessary to add a character string (YES in S14), the domain name generation unit 108 adds a corresponding character string to the input address and generates a domain name (S16). Next, the IP address acquisition unit 110 refers to the identification information storage unit 106, acquires the IP address of the corresponding DDNS server based on the identifier (S17), and the domain name generated by the domain name generation unit 108 in the DDNS server. An inquiry is made about the IP address of the destination terminal corresponding to (S18).

  In step S14, when it is not necessary to add a character string (NO in S14), the domain name generation unit 108 uses the numeric string of the input address as it is as the domain name, and proceeds to step S18. The detection unit 112 detects whether or not the IP address acquisition unit 110 has acquired the IP address of the destination terminal (S20). When the IP address can be acquired (YES in S20), the IP address connection transmission processing unit 114 connects to the IP address acquired by the IP address acquisition unit 110 via the communication unit 122 and the IP network 130 (S22).

  The detection unit 112 detects whether the IP address connection transmission processing unit 114 has established a connection with the target IP address (S24). When the connection to the target IP address is successful (YES in S24), the IP address connection transmission processing unit 114 transmits the facsimile data stored in the data storage unit 120 to the target IP address (S26).

  The detection unit 112 monitors the transmission state of the facsimile data by the IP address connection transmission processing unit 114 and detects the occurrence of an error (S28). If no error occurs and all the facsimile data can be transmitted (NO in S28), the process is terminated.

  On the other hand, when the determination unit 104 refers to the identification information storage unit 106 in step S12 and determines that the input address does not include a predetermined identifier, the determination unit 104 notifies the telephone connection transmission processing unit 116 of that fact. Notice. The telephone connection transmission processing unit 116 transmits the facsimile data to the destination terminal via the communication unit 122 and the telephone network 132 using the address received by the reception unit 102 as a telephone number (S30).

  In addition, when the IP address of the destination terminal could not be acquired in step S20 (NO in S20), when the target IP address could not be connected in step S24 (NO in S24), and an error occurred in step S28. In the case (YES in S28), the detection unit 112 notifies the telephone connection transmission processing unit 116 of the fact. The telephone connection transmission processing unit 116 refers to the address book 124 and obtains a telephone number corresponding to the numeric string of the address input in step S10 (S29). Next, the telephone connection transmission processing unit 116 transmits the facsimile data to the destination terminal via the communication unit 122 and the telephone network 132 using the telephone number (S30).

Next, a specific example will be described with reference to FIGS.
For example, when the reception unit 102 receives “050-1234” as an address (S10), the determination unit 104 refers to the identification information storage unit 106, and the address is “No. 1 is detected (YES in S12), and the domain name generation unit 108 is notified. The domain name generation unit 108 refers to the identification information storage unit 106, adds an additional character string “abc.net” to the telephone number, and generates a domain name “0501234.abc.net” (YES in S14 and S16). Subsequently, the IP address acquisition unit 110 refers to the identification information storage unit 106, and acquires the IP address “192.168..X.x” of the DDNS server that inquires about the IP address of this domain name based on the identifier (S17). ). Next, the target DDNS server is inquired about the IP address of the domain name “0501234.abc.net”, and the IP address of the destination terminal is acquired (S18). Thereafter, the same processing as described with reference to FIG. 4 is performed. When the data transmission using the IP address is not possible (NO at S20, NO at S24, YES at S28), the telephone connection transmission processing unit 116 refers to the address book 124 and calls the telephone corresponding to “050-1234”. The number “060-1234” is acquired (S29), and data transmission by telephone number is performed (S30).

  For example, when the receiving unit 102 receives “052-1234” as the telephone number (S10), the determining unit 104 refers to the identification information storage unit 106, and the address is “No. 3 identifier “052” is detected (YES in S12), and the domain name generation unit 108 is notified. The domain name generation unit 108 refers to the identification information storage unit 106, and since this telephone number has no additional character string, the telephone number “052234” is used as the domain name as it is (NO in S14). Subsequently, the IP address acquisition unit 110 refers to the identification information storage unit 106 and acquires the IP address “192.168..xxx.xxx” of the DDNS server that inquires about the IP address of the domain name (S17). . Next, the IP address of the domain name “052234” is inquired to the target DDNS server, and the IP address of the destination terminal is acquired (S18). Thereafter, the same processing as in the above example is performed.

  For example, when the reception unit 102 receives “060-1234” as the telephone number (S10), the determination unit 104 refers to the identification information storage unit 106 and determines that this telephone number does not include any identifier. Detect (NO in S12) and notify the telephone connection transmission processing unit 116. The telephone connection transmission processing unit 116 transmits facsimile data using the telephone number “060-1234” (S30).

  As described above, according to the facsimile apparatus 100 in the embodiment of the present invention, when a predetermined numeric string such as a telephone number is input as the transmission destination address, the facsimile apparatus 100 sets the IP address of the transmission destination terminal. Obtained automatically and performs communication using the IP address. Therefore, the user can enjoy such a service without being aware of acquiring an IP address or performing communication using the IP address. In addition, since the numeric string for obtaining an IP address is similar to a telephone number, data communication using an IP address can be performed with the same ease of use as that of a conventional facsimile apparatus.

  The present invention has been described based on the embodiments. The embodiments are exemplifications, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to combinations of the respective constituent elements and processing processes, and such modifications are within the scope of the present invention. .

  For example, the accepting unit 102 can accept the input of the port number of the destination terminal together with the destination address. When connecting to the destination terminal using the IP address, the IP address connection / transmission processing unit 114 can specify the destination terminal using the port number together with the IP address. The port number may be input from the user substantially simultaneously when the destination address is input. In addition, as shown in FIG. 5, the port number can be stored in the address book 124 in association with the IP address acquisition character string. The accepting unit 102 reads out the port number associated with the IP address acquisition character string as well as the IP address acquisition character string.

  In transmitting facsimile data, whether to use an IP address or a telephone number can be set in advance by the facsimile apparatus 100, but may be selected by the user. For example, the address book No. as shown in FIG. In the case of transmitting facsimile data to one terminal, if the user selects “050-1234”, data transmission by IP address is preferentially performed. When the user selects “060-1234”, data transmission by telephone number is performed.

  Further, in the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, an example in which the IP address acquisition number string and the phone number are different numbers has been shown. It can also be used. In this case, according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 4, when facsimile data transmission using an IP address cannot be performed (NO in step S20, NO in step S24, and YES in step S28), the process in step S29 is performed. Omitted, the IP address acquisition number string can be used as a telephone number as it is, and data transmission using the telephone number in step S30 can be performed.

  Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the IP network 130 has been described as an intranet and the telephone network 132 is an extension telephone network. However, the IP network 130 may be the Internet, and the telephone network 132 may be an IP telephone network or PSTN. can do.

  Although not described above, the facsimile apparatus 100 can also have an e-mail transmission / reception function, and can transmit / receive data to / from other facsimile apparatuses based on, for example, SMTP. The facsimile apparatus 100 can also communicate with a mobile phone terminal, and in that case, communicates via a radio base station and a radio relay station.

1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the data structure of an identification information storage part. It is a figure which shows an example of the data structure of an address book. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation of the facsimile apparatus in the embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the data structure of an address book.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Facsimile apparatus 102 Reception part 104 Judgment part 106 Identification information storage part 108 Domain name generation part 110 IP address acquisition part 112 Detection part 114 IP address connection transmission process part 116 Telephone connection transmission process part 118 Data acquisition part 120 Data storage part 122 Communication Section 124 Address book 130 IP network 132 Telephone network 140 Facsimile device 150 DNS server 152 DNS server

Claims (7)

A facsimile apparatus capable of transmitting facsimile data using a telephone number,
Data acquisition means for acquiring facsimile data to be transmitted;
Accepting means for accepting designation of the address of the destination terminal as a numeric string similar to a telephone number;
Domain name generating means for generating a domain name including the numeric string;
IP address acquisition means for acquiring an IP address corresponding to the domain name from a predetermined server;
Transmitting means for transmitting the facsimile data to the IP address via a predetermined IP network;
A facsimile apparatus comprising: The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1,
Determining means for determining whether a domain name for acquiring an IP address can be generated based on the numeric string;
A telephone transmitting means for transmitting the facsimile data to the destination terminal using the numerical string as a telephone number when the determining means determines that a domain name cannot be generated based on the numerical string;
A facsimile apparatus further comprising: The facsimile apparatus according to claim 2 ,
Storage means for storing an identifier identifying a numeric string capable of generating a domain name;
The determination unit determines whether or not the identifier is included in the number string received by the reception unit, and determines that a domain name can be generated based on the number string when the identifier is included in the number string. A facsimile machine characterized by: The facsimile apparatus according to claim 3 ,
The storage device further stores information relating to a server inquiring about an IP address corresponding to a domain name including the identifier in association with the identifier. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 3 or 4 ,
The facsimile apparatus further stores an additional character string for generating a domain name by adding to a numeric string including the identifier in association with the identifier. The facsimile apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
Detecting means for detecting whether or not the facsimile data is transmitted by the transmitting means;
Telephone transmission means for transmitting the facsimile data to the destination terminal via a telephone network when transmission by the transmission means is not performed;
A facsimile apparatus further comprising: The facsimile apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
The facsimile apparatus further comprising a designation receiving means for receiving designation of a port number of the destination terminal.

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