JP6318827B2 - Information processing apparatus, control method thereof, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a mechanism for acquiring a facsimile (hereinafter referred to as FAX) transmission result from an image processing apparatus, and in particular, can acquire a FAX transmission result from an image processing apparatus at an appropriate timing while reducing a communication load. The present invention relates to an information processing server, a control method thereof, and a program.

  In recent years, the Internet has become widespread, and electronic mail and file transfer are increasingly used for exchanging information. On the other hand, many companies still exchange information using FAX. FAX is often used not only for internal use but also for information transmission to customers.

  Therefore, it is necessary to confirm whether or not the FAX transmitted to the customer has been sent normally. However, in order to check the transmission result, it is necessary to go to the device that transmits the FAX to check the situation, which is troublesome.

  Therefore, in the following Patent Document 1, in a system in which the control device checks the status state of the controlled device and executes the next control, the control device performs the control when the predetermined status of the controlled device status is confirmed. Perform processing related to the device, and after a sufficient time has elapsed for a status response from the controlled device based on the execution of the processing, check the status of the controlled device and execute the next processing according to the status state. A characteristic status confirmation control method is disclosed.

JP 59-177647 A

  In the mechanism described in Patent Document 1 above, the status of the controlled device is investigated without considering the processing status and processing contents of the controlled device, so the controlled device may be processing. is there. Therefore, there is a problem that the processing result is acquired before the processing is completed.

  When sending a fax, the phone line or the Internet line is used to make a call, and data is sent after the communication with the destination is established. Cost. Therefore, even if the transmission result is acquired immediately after FAX transmission, the transmission result cannot be obtained. Of course, since the transmission time varies depending on the number of sheets sent by one FAX transmission, the correct transmission result cannot be acquired even if the transmission result is acquired at the same interval each time.

  Also, if the destination is busy at the time of FAX transmission, depending on the FAX device, retransmission processing (retry processing) may be performed at a set interval / number of times, and transmission results are acquired in consideration of those settings. There must be.

Accordingly, the present invention aims at providing a possible mechanism for obtaining a transmission result of the file from the image processing apparatus with appropriate timing.

The information processing apparatus of the present invention to achieve the above object, a file transmission instructing means for instructing the transmission of the file to the image processing apparatus, based on information about the file that is instructed to transmit in the file transmission instructing means, timing determining means for determining a timing of acquiring the status information indicating the transmission status of the file, designated file transmission timing and the file transmission instructing means of the file determined by said timing determination means is accumulated Acquisition control means for controlling to acquire status information from the image processing apparatus using information stored in a spooler file .

The present invention exhibits the possible effect of obtaining a transmission result of the file from the image processing apparatus with appropriate timing.

It is a figure which shows an example of the system configuration | structure of the information processing system in embodiment of this invention. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a FAX control server 101 and a client terminal 102. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a multifunction machine 103. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of functional configurations of a FAX control server 101, a client terminal 102, and a multifunction machine 103. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the flow of a series of processes of this invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a flow of a series of processes according to the present invention following FIG. 5. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a table configuration of a FAX information management table 700. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a table configuration of a FAX log management table 800. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of a series of processes for displaying a FAX transmission result screen 1000. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen configuration of a FAX transmission result screen 1000. FIG.

  Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration of an information processing system according to the present invention. A FAX control server 101 (information processing server), a client terminal 102, and a multifunction machine 103 (image processing apparatus) are connected to each other via a network such as a LAN 105 (Local Area Network) so that data communication can be performed. The multifunction machine 103 is connected to the facsimile 104 through a network such as a telephone line or the Internet. In the present invention, a device including these various devices and servers is referred to as an information processing system. Note that the configuration of various terminals or servers connected to the network in FIG. 1 is an example, and there are various configuration examples depending on applications and purposes.

  The FAX control server 101 is a server device. A file to be transmitted by FAX (hereinafter referred to as FAX data) input from the client terminal 102 is input to a spooler of an operating system (hereinafter referred to as OS) operating on the FAX control server 101, and further transmitted from the OS spooler to the MFP 103. A fax control application for managing and monitoring the fax transmission status of the fax data is installed in the fax control server 101. The FAX control application is assumed to be a Web application, but is not limited to this.

  The client terminal 102 is a general-purpose device. The client terminal 102 communicates with the FAX control server 101, and software (for example, a Web browser) for inputting / displaying information necessary for FAX transmission (FAX transmission destination number, FAX data) is installed. Yes. This software transmits information necessary for FAX transmission designated by the user to the FAX control server 101 by HTTP communication.

  The multifunction machine 103 is an apparatus having a plurality of functions such as FAX, printing, and scanning. In particular, it has a function of receiving FAX data or a FAX transmission destination number (hereinafter referred to as FAX transmission destination number) sent from the FAX control server 101 and transmitting the FAX data to the facsimile 104 having the designated FAX transmission destination number. . Further, when an error occurs in the FAX communication with the facsimile 104 during the FAX transmission, the error is detected, and the error information is recorded as a log in the MFP 103.

  Although the FAX control server 101 and the client terminal 102 in the embodiment of the present invention are described as different apparatuses, the same apparatus may be used. In that case, the functions of the FAX control server 101 and the client terminal 102 are held by the apparatus. Further, the FAX control server 101 may not be a server device. A general-purpose device such as the client terminal 102 may be used. Further, the client terminal 102 may not be a general-purpose device. A server device such as the FAX control server 101 may be used. The FAX control server 101 and the client terminal 102 may be any device capable of executing information processing, and may be a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the FAX control server 101 and the client terminal 102 according to the embodiment of this invention.

  The CPU 201 comprehensively controls each device and controller connected to the system bus 204.

  Further, the ROM 202 or the external memory 211 (storage means) implements a BIOS (Basic Input / Output System) or an operating system program (hereinafter referred to as OS) that is a control program of the CPU 201, and functions executed by each server or each PC. Various programs necessary for this purpose are stored. The RAM 203 functions as a main memory, work area, and the like for the CPU 201.

  The CPU 201 implements various operations by loading a program necessary for execution of processing into the RAM 203 and executing the program.

  An input controller (input C) 205 controls input from an input device 209 such as a keyboard or a pointing device such as a mouse.

  A video controller (VC) 206 controls display on a display device such as the display 210. The display device may be a CRT or a liquid crystal display.

  The memory controller (MC) 207 is an adapter to a hard disk (HD), flexible disk (FD) or PCMCIA card slot for storing boot programs, browser software, various applications, font data, user files, editing files, various data, and the like. Controls access to an external memory 211 such as a card-type memory connected via the.

  A communication I / F controller (communication I / FC) 208 is connected to and communicates with an external device via a network, and executes communication control processing in the network. For example, Internet communication using TCP / IP is possible.

  Note that the CPU 201 enables display on the display 210 by executing outline font rasterization processing on a display information area in the RAM 203, for example. Further, the CPU 201 enables a user instruction with a mouse cursor (not shown) on the display 210.

  Various programs used by the FAX control server 101 and the client terminal 102 of the present invention to execute various processes to be described later are recorded in the external memory 211 and are executed by the CPU 201 by being loaded into the RAM 203 as necessary. It is what is done. Furthermore, definition files and various information tables used by the program according to the present invention are stored in the external memory 211.

  Next, an example of a hardware configuration of the multifunction machine 103 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The controller unit 316 is connected to the scanner unit 314 that functions as an image input device and the printer unit 312 that functions as an image output device, and inputs and outputs image data and device information by connecting to a LAN or WAN.

  The CPU 301 is a processor that controls the entire system. A RAM 302 is a system work memory for the operation of the CPU 301, and is a program memory for recording a program and an image memory for temporarily recording image data.

  The ROM 303 stores a system boot program and various control programs. A hard disk drive (HDD) 304 stores various programs for controlling the system, image data, and the like.

  An operation unit interface (operation unit I / F) 307 is an interface unit with the operation unit 308, and outputs image data to be displayed on the operation unit 308 to the operation unit 308. The operation unit I / F 307 serves to transmit information (for example, user information) input by the system user from the operation unit 308 to the CPU 301. Note that the operation unit 308 includes a display unit having a touch panel, and various instructions can be given by a user pressing (touching with a finger or the like) a button displayed on the display unit.

  A network interface (Network I / F) 305 is connected to a network (LAN) and inputs / outputs data. A modem (MODEM) 306 is connected to a public line and inputs / outputs data such as FAX transmission / reception.

  An external interface (external I / F) 318 is a USB (Universal Serial Bus), IEEE 1394 (Institut of Electrical and Electronic Engineers 1394), a printer port, an RS-232C (Recommended Standard 232) external input. A card reader 319 for reading an IC card, which is an F section and is necessary for authentication in this embodiment, is connected to the external I / F 318.

  Further, the CPU 301 can control reading of information from the IC card by the card reader 319 via the external I / F 318, and can acquire information read from the IC card. The above devices are arranged on the system bus 309.

  An image bus interface (IMAGE BUS I / F) 320 is a bus bridge that connects the system bus 309 and an image bus 315 that transfers image data at high speed and converts a data structure.

  The image bus 315 is configured by a PCI bus (Peripheral Components Interconnect bus) or IEEE1394. The following devices are arranged on the image bus 315.

  A raster image processor (RIP) 310 develops vector data into a bitmap image.

  A printer interface (printer I / F) 311 connects the printer unit 312 and the controller unit 316, and performs synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data.

  A scanner interface (scanner I / F) 313 connects the scanner unit 314 and the controller unit 316, and performs synchronous / asynchronous conversion of image data.

  The image processing unit 317 performs correction, processing and editing on input image data, printer correction, resolution conversion, and the like on print output image data. In addition to this, the image processing unit 317 also rotates the image data, JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) for multi-valued image data, and JBIG (Joint Bi-level Image Experts Group) for binary image data. And so on.

  The scanner unit 314 illuminates an image on paper as a document and scans it with a CCD line sensor, thereby converting it into an electrical signal as raster image data. The original paper is set on the tray of the original feeder, and when the apparatus user gives a reading start instruction from the operation unit 308, the CPU 301 gives an instruction to the scanner unit 314, and the feeder feeds the original paper one by one to read the original image. Perform the action.

  The printer unit 312 is a part that converts raster image data into an image on paper. The method is an electrophotographic method using a photosensitive drum or a photosensitive belt, and ink is ejected from a micro nozzle array directly on the paper. There is an inkjet method for printing an image, but any method may be used. The activation of the printing operation is started by an instruction from the CPU 301. The printer unit 312 has a plurality of paper feed stages so that different paper sizes or different paper orientations can be selected, and includes paper cassettes corresponding to the paper feed stages.

  The operation unit 308 has an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) display unit, and a touch panel sheet is pasted on the LCD, displays a system operation screen, and displays position information when a displayed key is pressed. This is transmitted to the CPU 301 via the operation unit I / F 307. The operation unit 308 includes, for example, a start key, a stop key, an ID key, a reset key, and the like as various operation keys.

  Here, the start key of the operation unit 308 is used when starting a document image reading operation. At the center of the start key, there are two color LEDs, green and red, which indicate whether or not the start key can be used. Further, the stop key of the operation unit 308 functions to stop the operation in operation. The ID key of the operation unit 308 is used when inputting the user ID of the user. The reset key is used when initializing settings from the operation unit.

  With the configuration described above, the multi-function peripheral 103 transmits image data read from the scanner unit 314 to the LAN from the network I / F 305, and print data received from the LAN from the printer unit 312 via the network I / F 305. Can be printed out.

  Further, the image data read from the scanner unit 314 and the data transmitted to the multi-function peripheral 103 can be faxed to the public line by the modem 306, and the image data received by fax from the public line can be output by the printer unit 312.

  Next, an example of a functional configuration of the FAX control server 101, the client terminal 102, and the multifunction machine 103 will be described with reference to FIG. Note that the functional configurations of the FAX control server 101, the client terminal 102, and the multi-function peripheral 103 in FIG. 4 are examples, and there are various configuration examples depending on applications and purposes.

  First, the client terminal 102 includes a FAX data generation unit 421 and a FAX data transmission unit (PC) 422 as functional units.

  The FAX data generation unit 421 is a functional unit that generates a file (FAX data) to be transmitted by FAX using an application installed in the client terminal 102. The file format for fax transmission is not particularly limited. It may be document data or image data.

  The FAX data transmission unit (PC) 422 is a functional unit that transmits the FAX data generated by the FAX data generation unit 421 to the FAX control server 101 so as to perform FAX transmission. The input of FAX data and FAX transmission destination number is accepted through the Web browser displayed on the display 210 of the client terminal 102, and the FAX data and FAX transmission destination number are transmitted to the FAX control server 101 by HTTP communication.

  Next, a FAX control application is installed in the FAX control server 101. As a function unit of the FAX control application, a FAX data receiving unit (server) 411, a FAX information managing unit 412, a FAX data name changing unit 413, and inputting FAX data. A unit 414, an inquiry time determination unit 415, a spooler confirmation unit 416, a FAX transmission result inquiry unit 417, and a FAX transmission result reception unit 418. The FAX control server 101 is installed with an operating system (hereinafter referred to as OS) for operating a FAX control application, and includes a spooler management unit 419 and a FAX data transmission unit (server) 420 as functional units of the OS.

  A FAX data receiving unit (server) 411 is a functional unit that receives FAX data and a FAX transmission destination number transmitted from the client terminal 102. The received FAX data and FAX transmission destination number are temporarily stored in the RAM 203.

  The FAX information management unit 412 registers the FAX data received by the FAX data receiving unit (server) 411 and the FAX transmission destination number in the FAX information management table 700 (see FIG. 7), and performs management. Details of the FAX information management table 700 will be described later.

  The FAX data name changing unit 413 uses the ID 701 of the FAX information management table 700 to change the file name of the FAX data that has been changed to a name such as “new document” by being input to the spooler of the OS by the FAX data input unit 414. It is a functional part that gives As the ID 701 to be assigned, the ID 701 of the record corresponding to the input FAX data is given. Conventionally, when FAX data is input to a spooler, the file name of the FAX data is arbitrarily changed according to the specifications of the spooler. That is, the MFP 103 records the FAX transmission result as a log with this file name. That is, since the FAX control server 101 cannot acquire the transmission result of FAX data with the original file name, the FAX data and the log of the MFP 103 can be obtained by adding the ID 701 of the FAX information management table 700. Are associated.

  The FAX data input unit 414 is a functional unit that inputs the FAX data and the FAX transmission destination number received by the FAX data receiving unit (server) 411 into the spooler of the OS.

  The inquiry time determination unit 415 is a functional unit that determines a time (timing) for inquiring the MFP 103 about the result of FAX transmission of the FAX data input to the spooler by the FAX data input unit 414. The FAX transmission result of the FAX data is inquired of the MFP 103 at the timing when it is input to the FAX data input unit 414 or when the FAX data transmission unit (server) 420 described below transmits FAX data to the MFP 103. There is a high possibility that no fax is sent. Since FAX transmission takes time such as establishment and transmission of communication with a FAX transmission destination, it is necessary to determine the inquiry timing in consideration of the time. In particular, since the transmission time varies depending on the number of pages of FAX data, it is necessary to consider this. Therefore, the inquiry time determination unit 415 analyzes the number of pages of FAX data for inquiring about the FAX transmission result, and determines the timing for inquiring the FAX transmission result according to the number of pages.

  The spooler confirmation unit 416 is a functional unit that confirms whether or not the FAX data input to the spooler by the FAX data input unit 414 still remains in the spooler. Even when the inquiry time determined by the inquiry time determination unit 415 is reached, a large amount of FAX data has been input to the spooler of the FAX control server 101, so that FAX data has not yet been transmitted from the spooler to the MFP 103. there is a possibility. Or, there is a possibility that the FAX data remains in the spooler due to some kind of error. Therefore, the function of the spooler confirmation unit 416 confirms whether or not the FAX data for inquiring the FAX transmission result still remains in the spooler.

  The FAX transmission result inquiry unit 417 inquires the MFP 103 about the FAX transmission result of the FAX data (hereinafter referred to as target FAX data) for acquiring the FAX transmission result at the timing determined by the inquiry time determination unit 415. It is a functional part. When making an inquiry, an inquiry is made to acquire a FAX data log having an ID 701 corresponding to the target FAX data as a file name.

  The FAX transmission result receiving unit 418 is a functional unit that receives the FAX transmission result inquired by the FAX transmission result inquiry unit 417 from the multifunction peripheral 103. After receiving the FAX transmission result, the received FAX transmission result is registered in the FAX information management table 700 using the FAX information management unit 412.

  The spooler management unit 419 is a functional unit that manages the FAX data input from the FAX data input unit 414 to the spooler and the FAX transmission destination number until it is transmitted to the multi-function peripheral 103. Management is performed so that the FAX data and the FAX transmission destination number are transmitted in the order in which they are input to the spooler. In addition, the spooler management unit 419 changes the file name of the FAX data input to the spooler to a file name such as “new document”.

  The FAX data transmission unit (server) 420 transmits the FAX data and the FAX transmission destination number managed by the spooler management unit 419 to the MFP 103 in the order in which they are input to the spooler. By doing so, the MFP 103 instructs the FAX transmission.

  Next, the MFP 103 functions as a FAX data reception unit (MFP) 431, a FAX transmission result inquiry reception unit 432, a FAX transmission unit 433, a FAX transmission result acquisition unit 434, a FAX log management unit 435, and a FAX transmission result transmission. A portion 436.

  A FAX data receiving unit (MFP) 431 is a functional unit that receives FAX data and a FAX transmission destination number transmitted from the FAX control server 101. The received FAX data and FAX transmission destination number are temporarily stored in the RAM 203.

  The FAX transmission result inquiry reception unit 432 is a functional unit that receives an inquiry about the FAX transmission result of the target FAX data transmitted from the FAX control server 101.

  The FAX transmission unit 433 is a functional unit that transmits the FAX data received by the FAX data reception unit (MFP) 431 to the number indicated by the received FAX transmission destination number. When FAX data is transmitted by FAX, it may be transmitted through a public line (telephone line) via a modem 306 (ordinary FAX transmission) or via the network I / F 305 depending on the mode of the MFP 103. It may be transmitted through (Internet FAX). In the case of transmission through a public line, communication is performed in advance with the destination facsimile 104, and information is exchanged on the communication speed and encoding method of each other. Then, the FAX data is encoded according to the acquired information, and is FAX-transmitted to the destination facsimile 104. When transmitting through the Internet, FAX transmission is performed by a real-time transmission method, a storage exchange method, or the like. If the connection with the transmission destination cannot be established, the connection is retried a predetermined number of times.

  The FAX transmission result acquisition unit 434 manages the transmission result of the FAX data with the FAX log management unit 435 in response to the inquiry about the transmission result of the target FAX data received by the FAX transmission result inquiry reception unit 432. This is a functional unit acquired from the FAX log management table 800 (see FIG. 8). In the FAX log management table 800, since a transmission result is registered for each FAX data, a record including the FAX data name 802 including the ID 701 of the FAX data subject to the inquiry is specified, and the status 805 of the record is acquired. . Details of the FAX log management table 800 will be described later.

  The FAX log management unit 435 is a functional unit that manages the FAX transmission result of the FAX data received by the FAX data receiving unit (MFP) 431. The FAX transmission result is managed by registering the FAX transmission result by the FAX transmission unit 433 in the FAX log management table 800.

  The FAX transmission result transmission unit 436 is a functional unit that transmits the FAX transmission result of the target FAX data acquired by the FAX transmission result acquisition unit 434 to the FAX control server 101.

  Next, a flow of a series of processes in the embodiment of the present invention will be described using the flowcharts shown in FIGS.

  First, FIG. 5 will be described. In step S <b> 501, the CPU 201 of the client terminal 102 generates data (FAX data) desired to be faxed by an application installed in the client terminal 102. The FAX data may be document data or image data.

  In step S502, the CPU 201 of the client terminal 102 displays the Web page generated by the FAX control application of the FAX control server 101 on the display 210 with a Web browser, and the FAX data generated in step S501 and the FAX transmission destination number. Is received. Further, an instruction for FAX transmission is accepted.

  In step S <b> 503, when the CPU 201 of the client terminal 102 receives an instruction for FAX transmission, the CPU 201 transmits the FAX data received through the Web page and the FAX transmission destination number to the FAX control server 101.

  In step S <b> 504, the CPU 201 of the FAX control server 101 receives the FAX data and the FAX transmission destination number transmitted from the client terminal 102.

  In step S505, the CPU 201 of the FAX control server 101 adds the FAX data and the FAX transmission destination number received in step S504 to the FAX information management table 700 (see FIG. 7). More specifically, a new record is created in the FAX information management table 700, and a new identification number is stored in the ID 701 of the created record. Then, the received FAX data file name is stored in the FAX data name 702, and the received FAX transmission destination number is stored in the FAX transmission destination number 703.

  The FAX information management table 700 is a table stored in the external memory 211 of the FAX control server 101 or the like. The FAX information management table 700 includes an ID 701, FAX data name 702, FAX transmission destination number 703, transmission date / time 704, transmission number 705, status 706, and transmission completion date / time 707. The configuration of the table is an example, and there may be other items.

  The ID 701 is an identification number that can uniquely identify a record in the FAX information management table 700. A FAX data name 702 indicates a file name of FAX data. The FAX transmission destination number 703 indicates the number of the transmission destination that performs FAX transmission. A transmission date / time 704 indicates the date / time when the MFP 103 is instructed to perform FAX transmission. A transmission number 705 is the number of pages constituting the FAX data and indicates the number of pages to be transmitted to the multi-function peripheral 103. A status 706 (status information) indicates a transmission result (transmission status) of FAX data transmitted by FAX from the multifunction machine 103. In addition, when an error occurs when FAX data is transmitted, or when FAX transmission has not been completed, the status is stored. The transmission completion date and time 707 indicates the date and time when transmission was completed by the multifunction machine 103.

  In step S506, the CPU 201 of the FAX control server 101 inputs the FAX data and FAX transmission destination number received in step S504 into a spooler provided in the OS of the FAX control server 101. When input to the spooler, the file name of the FAX data is changed to a predetermined file name according to the specifications of the spooler.

  In step S507, the CPU 201 of the FAX control server 101 assigns an ID 701 corresponding to the FAX data to the file name of the FAX data input to the spooler. More specifically, a record corresponding to the input FAX data is specified from the FAX information management table 700, and the ID 701 of the specified record is acquired. Then, the acquired ID 701 is assigned to the file name of the FAX data input to the spooler. Any file name may be used as long as the acquired ID 701 is included in the file name.

  In step S508, the CPU 201 of the FAX control server 101 updates the status 706 corresponding to the input FAX data to “wait for result”. “Waiting for result” in the status 706 indicates a state before the MFP 103 transmits FAX data. That is, it is a state before acquiring the FAX transmission result of the FAX data in the process described later.

  In step S509, the CPU 201 of the FAX control server 101 sequentially transmits the FAX data input to the spooler and the FAX transmission destination number to the multi-function peripheral 103. In this way, a FAX transmission instruction is given to the multi-function peripheral 103 (FAX transmission instruction means). Further, the transmission date and time is stored in the transmission date and time 704 of the record of the FAX information management table 700 corresponding to the FAX data. When the transmission step S509 is completed, the process proceeds to step S601 in FIG.

  In step S <b> 510, the CPU 301 of the MFP 103 receives the FAX data and the FAX transmission destination number transmitted from the FAX control server 101.

  In step S511, the CPU 301 of the MFP 103 adds the FAX data and the FAX transmission destination number received in step S510 to the FAX log management table 800 (see FIG. 8). More specifically, a new record is created in the FAX log management table 800, and a new identification number is stored in the job ID 801 of the created record. Then, the file name of the received FAX data is stored in the FAX data name 802, and the received FAX transmission destination number is stored in the FAX transmission destination number 803. Further, “unsent” is stored in the status 805. “Unsent” (incomplete) in the status 805 indicates that FAX data has not yet been transmitted from the multi-function peripheral 103 to the destination facsimile 104 indicated by the FAX destination number. Further, the received date / time is stored in the received date / time 804 of the record of the FAX log management table 800 corresponding to the FAX data.

  The FAX log management table 800 (see FIG. 8) is a table stored in the HDD 304 or the like of the multifunction machine 103. The FAX log management table 800 includes a job ID 801, FAX data name 802, FAX transmission destination number 803, reception date / time 804, status 805, and transmission completion date / time 806. The configuration of the table is an example, and there may be other items.

  The job ID 801 is a uniquely identifiable identification number issued for each job of FAX data received from the FAX control server 101. A FAX data name 802 indicates a file name of FAX data received from the FAX control server 101. The file name includes the ID 701 assigned in step S507. The FAX transmission destination number 803 indicates the number of the transmission destination that performs FAX transmission. A reception date and time 804 indicates the date and time when a FAX transmission instruction is received from the FAX control server 101. A status 805 (status information) indicates a transmission result of FAX data transmitted from the multi-function peripheral 103. If the FAX transmission has not been completed, the status is stored. The transmission completion date and time 707 indicates the date and time when transmission was completed by the multifunction machine 103.

  In step S512, the CPU 301 of the multi-function peripheral 103 transmits the FAX data instructed for FAX transmission from the FAX control server 101 to the destination indicated by the FAX transmission destination number received in step S510.

  In step S513, the CPU 201 of the multi-function peripheral 103 determines whether the transmission has failed as a result of the FAX transmission in step S512. The case where the transmission fails is a case where communication with the destination facsimile 104 cannot be established, or a case where the FAX transmission function of the MFP 103 is defective. If it is determined that the FAX transmission has failed, the process proceeds to step S515. If it is determined that the FAX transmission is successful, the process proceeds to step S514.

  In step S <b> 514, the CPU 301 of the MFP 103 updates the status 805 of the FAX log management table 800 to “successful transmission”. “Successful transmission” in the status 805 indicates that transmission of FAX data to the destination facsimile 104 is successful as a result of FAX transmission. The transmission date and time is stored in the transmission completion date and time 806 of the record of the FAX log management table 800 corresponding to the FAX data.

  In step S515, the CPU 301 of the multi-function peripheral 103 determines whether or not a retry has been performed a predetermined number of times (connection has been attempted a predetermined number of times) for the destination facsimile 104 indicated by the FAX transmission destination number. Here, the predetermined number may be a predetermined number. If the predetermined number of times is three, it is determined whether the retry has been performed three times. If it is determined that the predetermined number of retries has been performed, the process proceeds to step S516. If it is determined that the predetermined number of retries has not been performed, the process returns to step S512.

  In step S516, the CPU 301 of the MFP 103 updates the status 805 of the FAX log management table 800 to “transmission failure”. “Transmission failure” in the status 805 indicates that transmission of FAX data to the destination facsimile 104 has failed as a result of FAX transmission. In this way, the FAX transmission result is registered in the FAX log management table 800. The transmission date and time is stored in the transmission completion date and time 806 of the record of the FAX log management table 800 corresponding to the FAX data.

  On the other hand, after instructing FAX transmission in step S509, the FAX control server 101 executes step S601 and subsequent steps regardless of the processing status of the MFP 103. This will be described with reference to FIG.

  In step S601, the CPU 201 of the FAX control server 101 generates an error when sending the FAX data input to the spooler in step S506 to the multi-function peripheral 103 in step S509 or before sending, and the FAX transmission instruction is issued. It is determined whether it is not completed. That is, it is determined whether or not FAX data is retained in the spooler due to some kind of error. If it is determined that an instruction for FAX transmission has not been made, the process proceeds to step S602. If it is determined that an instruction for FAX transmission has been made, that is, there is no error, the process proceeds to step S603.

  In step S602, the CPU 201 of the FAX control server 101 interrupts transmission of FAX data in which an error has occurred. Then, a FAX transmission instruction for the subsequent FAX data waiting for the turn is executed.

  In step S603, the CPU 201 of the FAX control server 101 analyzes the FAX data (hereinafter referred to as target FAX data) from which the FAX transmission result is acquired in step S509, and specifies the number of pages constituting the FAX data. Then, the specified number of pages is stored in the transmission number 705 of the FAX information management table 700. The record to be stored is a record corresponding to the FAX data.

  In step S604, the CPU 201 of the FAX control server 101 determines the time (timing) for inquiring the MFP 103 about the transmission result of the target FAX data according to the number of pages analyzed in step S603 (decision unit). For example, if it is estimated that it takes 1 minute to transmit data for one page by FAX, it takes 5 minutes for 5 pages. In consideration of the transmission time from the FAX control server 101 to the MFP 103, the time for establishing communication between the MFP 103 and the FAX destination facsimile 104, the transmission result of the target FAX data is sent to the MFP 103. Decide when to inquire. In other words, by estimating the timing at which the MFP 103 would have stored the transmission result and making an inquiry at that timing, it is possible to reduce the processing of repeatedly making an inquiry because the transmission result is not stored. .

  In step S605, the CPU 201 of the FAX control server 101 determines whether or not the inquiry time (timing) determined in step S604 has come. If it is determined that the inquiry time determined in step S604 has come, the process proceeds to step S606. If it is determined that the inquiry time determined in step S604 is not reached, the process waits until the time is reached.

  In step S606, the CPU 201 of the FAX control server 101 determines whether target FAX data remains in the spooler. In other words, if the FAX transmission is interrupted due to an order of FAX transmission or due to an error, there is a possibility that the target FAX data remains in the spooler. In step S606, it is determined whether the target FAX data remains in the spooler. If it is determined that the target FAX data remains in the spooler, the process proceeds to step S607. If it is determined that the target FAX data does not remain in the spooler, that is, it has been transmitted to the MFP 103, the process proceeds to step S610.

  In step S607, the CPU 201 of the FAX control server 101 determines whether the target FAX data determined to remain in the spooler in step S606 is the error determined in step S601. If it is determined that the error is determined, the process proceeds to step S609. If it is not determined that there is an error, that is, if it is determined that it is not an error but waiting for the order of FAX transmission instructions, the process proceeds to step S608.

  In step S <b> 608, the CPU 201 of the FAX control server 101 waits for a predetermined time because it has not been transmitted to the multifunction peripheral 103 due to waiting in turn. It is desirable that the waiting time is dynamically determined according to the number and amount of FAX data transmitted before the target FAX data. When waiting for a predetermined time, the process returns to step S606.

  In step S609, the CPU 201 of the FAX control server 101 interrupts the transmission of the target FAX data due to an error in the spooler. Therefore, the status 706 of the target FAX data record in the FAX information management table 700 is displayed as “ Update "Spooler error". A “spooler error” in the status 706 indicates that an error has occurred in the spooler of the FAX control server 101 and FAX transmission to the MFP 103 has been interrupted.

  In step S610, since the CPU 201 of the FAX control server 101 has reached the timing determined in step S604, it inquires the MFP 103 about the FAX transmission result of the target FAX data (status information acquisition instruction unit). At this time, the ID 701 of the target FAX data is also transmitted.

  In step S <b> 611, the CPU 301 of the multi-function peripheral 103 receives an inquiry about the FAX transmission result of the target FAX data transmitted from the FAX control server 101.

  In step S612, the CPU 301 of the MFP 103 acquires the FAX transmission result of the target FAX data from the status 805 of the FAX log management table 800 in response to the inquiry received in step S611. Since the inquiry received in step S611 includes the ID 701 of the target FAX data, the FAX data having the ID 701 as the file name is specified from the FAX data name 802, and the record having the specified FAX data name 802 is specified. The status 805 may be acquired. As a result, one of the statuses “transmission success”, “transmission failure”, and “unsent” can be acquired.

  In step S <b> 613, the CPU 301 of the multifunction peripheral 103 transmits the FAX transmission result of the target FAX data acquired in step S <b> 612 to the FAX control server 101. Here, the transmission completion date and time 806 of the target FAX data is also acquired and transmitted together.

  In step S614, the CPU 201 of the FAX control server 101 receives the FAX transmission result of the target FAX data transmitted from the MFP 103 (status information receiving unit).

  In step S615, the CPU 201 of the FAX control server 101 determines whether the content indicated by the FAX transmission result received in step S614 is “transmission success” or “transmission failure”. That is, it is determined whether or not the FAX transmission of the target FAX data has been executed to the destination facsimile 104 indicated by the FAX transmission destination number. When it is determined that the content indicated by the FAX transmission result is “transmission success” or “transmission failure”, the process proceeds to step S617. If it is determined that the content indicated by the FAX transmission result is not “transmission success” or “transmission failure”, that is, the content indicated by the FAX transmission result is “unsent”, the process proceeds to step S616.

  In step S616, the CPU 201 of the FAX control server 101 waits for a predetermined time because the target FAX data has not yet been transmitted or is being transmitted. Although the inquiry time is estimated in step S604, it is only an estimate of the time that transmission will be completed, and it is not accurate. Therefore, there is a possibility that the status 805 is “unsent” even if the inquiry is made at the determined inquiry time. Therefore, an inquiry is made again by waiting for a predetermined time. When waiting for a predetermined time, the process returns to step S606.

  In step S617, the CPU 201 of the FAX control server 101 determines that the status 706 of the target FAX data record in the FAX information management table 700 is “successful transmission” or “transmission failure” depending on the transmission result received in step S614. (Status information registration means). Further, the transmission completion date and time 806 received in step S614 is also stored in the transmission completion date and time 707.

  In this way, by inquiring the transmission result from the MFP 103 at an appropriate timing, the transmission is not completed and the inquiry is not repeated many times, so that unnecessary communication can be reduced. Become.

  Next, a flow of a series of processes for displaying the FAX transmission result acquired by the FAX control server 101 on the client terminal 102 will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG.

  In step S <b> 901, the CPU 201 of the client terminal 102 transmits a FAX transmission result acquisition request to the FAX control server 101 through the Web browser included in the client terminal 102.

  In step S <b> 902, the CPU 201 of the FAX control server 101 receives a FAX transmission result acquisition request transmitted from the client terminal 102.

  In step S903, the CPU 201 of the FAX control server 101 acquires information on each item from the FAX information management table 700 stored in the external memory 211 or the like. At least the transmission result stored in the status 706 is acquired.

  In step S904, the CPU 201 of the FAX control server 101 generates a FAX transmission result screen 1000 including information stored in the status 706 as shown in FIG. 10 using the FAX transmission result acquired in step S903 (screen generation). means). The FAX transmission result screen 1000 is a Web page on which various information stored in the FAX information management table 700 is arranged. In particular, a record in which a predetermined status such as “spooler error” or “transmission failure” is stored in the status 706 is displayed so as to be distinguishable from other records as indicated by 1001 and 1002. By doing so, it is possible to easily notify the user viewing the FAX transmission result screen 1000 on the client terminal 102 of the record to be watched.

  In step S 905, the CPU 201 of the FAX control server 101 transmits the FAX transmission result screen 1000 generated in step S 904 to the client terminal 102.

  In step S <b> 906, the CPU 201 of the client terminal 102 receives the FAX transmission result screen 1000 transmitted from the FAX control server 101.

  In step S907, the CPU 201 of the client terminal 102 displays the FAX transmission result screen 1000 received in step S906 on the Web browser included in the client terminal 102.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, there is an effect that the FAX transmission result can be acquired from the image processing apparatus at an appropriate timing while reducing the communication load.

  The present invention can be implemented as a system, apparatus, method, program, storage medium, or the like, and can be applied to a system including a plurality of devices. You may apply to the apparatus which consists of one apparatus.

  Note that the present invention includes a software program that implements the functions of the above-described embodiments directly or remotely from a system or apparatus. The present invention also includes a case where the system or the computer of the apparatus is achieved by reading and executing the supplied program code.

  Accordingly, since the functions of the present invention are implemented by computer, the program code installed in the computer also implements the present invention. That is, the present invention also includes a computer program for realizing the functional processing of the present invention.

  In that case, as long as it has the function of a program, it may be in the form of object code, a program executed by an interpreter, script data supplied to the OS, or the like.

  Examples of the recording medium for supplying the program include a flexible disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, MO, CD-ROM, CD-R, and CD-RW. In addition, there are magnetic tape, nonvolatile memory card, ROM, DVD (DVD-ROM, DVD-R), and the like.

  As another program supply method, a browser on a client computer is used to connect to an Internet home page. The computer program itself of the present invention or a compressed file including an automatic installation function can be downloaded from the homepage by downloading it to a recording medium such as a hard disk.

  It can also be realized by dividing the program code constituting the program of the present invention into a plurality of files and downloading each file from a different homepage. That is, a WWW server that allows a plurality of users to download a program file for realizing the functional processing of the present invention on a computer is also included in the present invention.

  In addition, the program of the present invention is encrypted, stored in a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, distributed to users, and key information for decryption is downloaded from a homepage via the Internet to users who have cleared predetermined conditions. Let It is also possible to execute the encrypted program by using the downloaded key information and install the program on a computer.

  Further, the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the computer executing the read program. In addition, based on the instructions of the program, an OS or the like running on the computer performs part or all of the actual processing, and the functions of the above-described embodiments can also be realized by the processing.

  Further, the program read from the recording medium is written in a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer. Thereafter, the CPU of the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing based on the instructions of the program, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

  The above-described embodiments are merely examples of implementation in carrying out the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention should not be construed as being limited thereto. That is, the present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from the technical idea or the main features thereof.

101 FAX control server 102 Client terminal 103 MFP 104 Facsimile 105 LAN
201 CPU
202 RAM
203 ROM
204 System Bus 205 Input Controller 206 Video Controller 207 Memory Controller 208 Communication I / F (Interface) Controller 209 Input Device 210 Display 211 External Memory 301 CPU
302 RAM
303 ROM
304 HDD
305 Network I / F
306 MODEM
307 Operation unit I / F
308 Operation unit 309 System bus 310 RIP
311 Printer I / F
312 Printer unit 313 Scanner I / F
314 Scanner unit 315 Image bus 316 Controller unit 317 Image processing unit 318 External I / F
319 card reader

Claims (10)

And file transmission instruction means for instructing the transmission of files to the image processing apparatus,
Timing determining means for determining a timing for acquiring status information indicating a transmission state of the file based on information on the file instructed to be transmitted by the file transmission instruction means;
To obtain the status information from the image processing apparatus by using the stored information of the file spooler said timing determining means file instructed determined the timing of the file transmission in the file transmission instruction means is stored Acquisition control means to control;
An information processing apparatus comprising:   2. The timing determination unit according to claim 1, wherein the timing determination unit determines a timing at which the status information is acquired from the image processing apparatus according to the number of pages of the file instructed to be transmitted by the file transmission instruction unit. Information processing equipment. Before SL acquisition control means, based on the accumulated information of the file of the spooler, after when the file is stored in the spooler waiting a predetermined time, status corresponding to the file to the image processing apparatus The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus is controlled to acquire information. The information processing apparatus further includes receiving means for receiving the status information from the image processing apparatus according to the acquisition control means,
If the status information received by the receiving means indicates that the file transmission is incomplete, the acquisition control means waits for a predetermined time and then responds to the image processing apparatus again. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein control is performed so as to acquire status information to be acquired. The information processing apparatus is further connected to be communicable with a client terminal,
The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the file transmission instruction unit instructs transmission of a file transmitted from the client terminal. The information processing apparatus comprises: registration means for registering the status information in association with the file;
Screen generation means for generating a screen including the status information registered in the registration means;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:   The information processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the screen generation unit generates a screen that can be distinguished from other status information when the status information indicates a predetermined situation.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the file transmission instruction unit instructs to transmit a file using FAX communication. A method for controlling an information processing apparatus,
File transmission instructing unit of the information processing apparatus, and a file transmission instruction step of instructing the transmission of the file to the image processing apparatus,
A timing determining step in which the timing determining means of the information processing apparatus determines a timing for acquiring status information indicating a transmission state of the file based on information on the file instructed to transmit in the file transmission instructing step;
Wherein the acquisition control unit of the information processing apparatus, by using the stored information of the file spooler said file file instructed to transmit in the file transmission instruction step and timing determined by the timing determination step is accumulated An acquisition control step for controlling to acquire status information from the image processing apparatus ;
A method of controlling an information processing apparatus, which comprises a.   The program for functioning a computer as each means of the information processing apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1 thru | or 8.

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