JP2002320064A - Facsimile system, data server unit and facsimile server unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a facsimile system where each facsimile server needs not to register and set its distribution condition and the maintenance of the distribution condition can be simplified. SOLUTION: The facsimile system is provided with facsimile server units 20-1, 20-2 and a data server unit 40 that are interconnected via a LAN 70. The data server unit 40 retrieves and decides a distribution condition table and a facsimile server unit capability table storing distribution destination and distribution source of image data in response to reception notice data from the facsimile server units 20-1, 20-2 and uses distribution destination notice data to inform the facsimile server units 20-1, 20-2 about the data. The facsimile server units 20-1, 20-2 distribute corresponding image data to the distribution destination instructed by the distribution destination notice data in response to the distribution destination notice data when the decided distribution source is the facsimile server units themselves or transmits distribution consignment data together with the corresponding image data when the decided distribution source is other facsimile server unit than the facsimile server unit itself.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile system including a plurality of facsimile servers and a data server connected to each other via a communication line, a data server for the facsimile system, and a facsimile server.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, a facsimile server device connected to a communication line such as a public telephone line and having a facsimile transmission / reception function and a client device such as a personal computer are connected to a local area network (hereinafter referred to as "L").
It is called AN. A facsimile system connected via a) has been put to practical use. In this conventional facsimile system, a facsimile server device transmits image data to a destination via a communication line by transmitting an e-mail including image data and destination information from a client device to a facsimile server device. On the other hand, when the facsimile server device receives the image data, the client device receives the image data by transmitting the image data to a predetermined client device.

The conventional facsimile server device can receive G3 facsimile image data or Internet facsimile image data using electronic mail and perform distribution processing to a client device or the like.

[0004]

However, in the prior art, when a plurality of facsimile server devices are used, it is necessary to register and set distribution conditions for each of the facsimile server devices, which makes the registration setting operation extremely complicated. There was a problem that it is. Further, when a plurality of facsimile server devices are used, and there is a difference between the capabilities of the respective facsimile server devices, maintenance of distribution conditions is extremely troublesome.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems. Even if a plurality of facsimile server devices are used, there is no need to register and set distribution conditions for each facsimile server device, and maintenance of the distribution conditions is not required. An object of the present invention is to provide a facsimile system, a data server device for the facsimile system, and a facsimile server device which are simpler than the prior art.

[0006]

A facsimile system according to the present invention comprises a plurality of facsimile servers and a data server connected to each other via a communication line. A data delivery condition table and a facsimile server device capability table are stored, and in response to the reception notification data from the facsimile server device, the delivery destination and the delivery source of the image data corresponding to the reception notification data are respectively described in the delivery condition table. And the facsimile server device capability table is searched and determined, and the determined destination and source are notified to the facsimile server device using the destination notification data, and each of the facsimile server devices transmits In response, the determined distribution source is the device itself. When the corresponding image data is delivered to the delivery destination specified by the delivery destination notification data, and when the determined delivery source is a facsimile server device other than the device itself, the delivery The data is transmitted together with the corresponding image data.

[0007] The data server device according to the present invention comprises:
In a data server device for a facsimile system including a plurality of facsimile server devices and a data server device connected to each other via a communication line, the data server device includes an image data distribution condition table and a facsimile server device capability table. And in response to the reception notification data from the facsimile server device,
The distribution destination and the distribution source of the image data corresponding to the reception notification data are determined by searching the distribution condition table and the facsimile server device capability table, respectively, and the determined distribution destination and the distribution source are determined using the distribution destination notification data. The facsimile server device is notified.

A facsimile server apparatus according to the present invention is a facsimile server apparatus for a facsimile system including a plurality of facsimile server apparatuses and a data server apparatus connected to each other via a communication line. Responds to the distribution destination notification data, when the determined distribution source is the device itself, distributes the corresponding image data to the distribution destination specified by the distribution destination notification data, When the origin is a facsimile server device other than the device itself, distribution commission data for commissioning distribution is transmitted together with the corresponding image data.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

<First Embodiment> FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a facsimile system including a facsimile server device 20 having an authentication application function for a public telephone network according to an embodiment of the present invention. The facsimile system according to this embodiment includes a plurality of N client personal computers (hereinafter abbreviated as client PCs) 30-1 to 30-N (hereinafter, generically denoted by reference numeral 3).
0 is added. ) And the distribution condition table 207a are stored in RAM2.
07 and a public telephone line L
1 and L2, two facsimile server devices 20-1 and 20-2 (hereinafter, collectively referred to as 20) connected to the public telephone network 80, a mail server device 50, and the Internet 90. Router device 6 connected to
0 are connected via a LAN 70.

The facsimile system according to this embodiment includes facsimile server devices 20-1 and 20-2 and a data server device 40 which are connected to each other via a communication line such as a LAN 70.
Stores the image data distribution condition table 207a in the RAM 2
07, and as shown in FIG. 9, in response to the reception notification data from the facsimile server device 20-1 or 20-2, the distribution destination of the image data corresponding to the reception notification data is set in the distribution condition table 207a. To determine
The facsimile server device 20-1 or 20-2 notifies the facsimile server device 20-1 or 20-2 of the determined distribution destination using the distribution destination notification data. The image data to be distributed is distributed to the distribution destination specified by the distribution destination notification data.

In FIG. 1, a mail server device 50 comprises:
E-mail received from a client PC or a mail server device (not shown) of the other party via the Internet 90 and the LAN 70, and when the received e-mail includes image data encoded in MIME format, the e-mail including the image data Hold. When transmitting an e-mail including image data via the Internet 90, the client PC 3
From 0, the message is transmitted to the destination mail server via the mail server 50, the router 60, and the Internet 90.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the client PC 30 shown in FIG. In FIG. 2, a client PC 30 is a known personal computer, and executes processes such as generation and recording of image data and character data. In the present embodiment, the client PC 3
0 is used, for example, as a terminal device for transmitting or receiving facsimile image data. Main control unit 10
1 is specifically configured by a CPU, which is connected to the following hardware units via a bus 113 to control them and execute various software functions to be described later. In the client PC 30, an image reading unit 102 and an image recording unit 103 are provided as an option. The image reading unit 102 reads an original with a scanner using a CCD or the like, and outputs dot image data converted into binary black and white. The image recording unit 103 is, for example, a printer device of an electrophotographic system or the like, and prints out and records image data received from another facsimile server device by facsimile communication as a hard copy, or records character data. The display unit 104 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) or a CRT display, and displays the operation state of the client PC 30 and displays image data of a document to be transmitted and received image data. The operation unit 105 is, for example, a keyboard for inputting character data and instruction commands.

The ROM 106 stores the client PC 3
0 are stored in advance, which are various software programs necessary for the operation of No. 0 and executed by the main control unit 101.
The RAM 107 includes an SRAM, a DRAM, an SDRA
M is used as a working area of the main control unit 101 and stores temporary data generated when the program is executed. In addition, hard disk drive 1
Reference numeral 08 denotes a storage device having a built-in recording medium, which stores an application program to be executed and an image memory.
The LAN interface 112 is connected to the LAN 70, receives signals and data from the LAN 70, and
It transmits signals and data to the AN 70 and executes interface processing such as signal conversion and protocol conversion.

FIG. 3 shows the facsimile server apparatus 2 of FIG.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a 0. In FIG. 3, a facsimile server device 20 has a facsimile communication function of a conventional G3 system or the like. The main control unit 1 is specifically composed of a CPU, and is connected to the following hardware units via a bus 13 to control them.
It executes various software functions to be described later. The display unit 4 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) or a CRT display, and the facsimile server device 20.
Of the document to be transmitted, and the received image data. The operation unit 5 includes character keys, dial numeric keys, speed dial keys, one-touch dial keys, and various function keys necessary for operating the facsimile server device 20. The display unit 4 may be configured to be a touch panel type so that some or all of the various keys of the operation unit 5 can be substituted.

The ROM 6 stores various software programs necessary for the operation of the facsimile server device 20 and executed by the main control unit 1 in advance. R
The AM 7 is composed of an SRAM, a DRAM, an SDRAM, or the like, and is used as a working area of the main control unit 1 and stores temporary data generated when a program is executed. When a flash memory is used as the RAM 7, even if the power is cut off due to a power failure, a movement of the apparatus, or the like, the contents of the data are not lost. The image memory 8 is composed of a DRAM or the like, and stores image data to be transmitted or received image data.

The fax modem 10 is connected to a public telephone line L
And has the function of a fax modem for normal facsimile communication. An NCU (Network Control Unit) 11 is a hardware circuit that performs closing and opening operations such as a DC loop of an analog public telephone line L and has an automatic dial function. To the public telephone line L. Here, the NCU 11 detects an ID receiving terminal activation signal and a normal telephone call signal in the outgoing telephone number notification service, and transmits a primary response signal and a secondary response signal in the outgoing telephone number notification service as necessary. can do. The NCU 11 may be connected to a baseband transmission type digital line (for example, an ISDN line) via a predetermined terminal adapter and a DSU (Digital Service Unit).

Further, the LAN interface 12
While being connected to the LAN 70 and receiving signals and data from the LAN 70, it transmits signals and data to the LAN 70 and executes interface processing such as signal conversion and protocol conversion.

The facsimile server device 20 configured as described above has a facsimile communication function of a normal G3 system or the like. The image memory 8 stores the image data as needed, and outputs the stored image data as needed. In addition, the facsimile server device 20 responds to the distribution destination notification data and distributes the corresponding image data to the distribution destination specified by the distribution destination notification data. Here, the distribution method is the public telephone network L.
1, L2, ITU-T Recommendation T. Facsimile transmission based on the communication procedure of No. 30 and Internet facsimile transmission of transmitting image data using electronic mail via the Internet 90 are included. Further, after the above-described distribution, the facsimile server device 20 transmits the destination result notification data including the data of the distribution result to the data server device 40.
Notify by outputting to

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the data server device 40 of FIG. This data server device 40
Stores the image data distribution condition table 207a in the RAM 2
7 in response to the reception notification data from the facsimile server device 20-1 or 20-2 by executing the data server processing of FIGS. The delivery destination is determined by searching the delivery condition table 207a, and the determined delivery destination is determined by the facsimile server device 2 using the delivery destination notification data.
Notify 0-1 or 20-2. Further, the data server device 40 is a facsimile server device 20-1 or 20-
2 receives the distribution destination result notification data including the data of the distribution result transmitted from the FAX 2, stores the data in the hard disk drive 208, and stores the data in the facsimile server 20.
Management of the communication history of the result of the distribution processing performed by the system.

In FIG. 4, a display unit 204 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) or a CRT display, and displays the operation state of the data server device 40, image data of a document to be transmitted, and The received image data is displayed. The operation unit 205 includes character keys necessary for operating the data server device 40, various function keys, and the like. The display unit 204 may be configured to be a touch panel type so that some or all of the various keys of the operation unit 205 can be substituted.

The ROM 206 stores the data server device 4
0 and various programs including the data server processing shown in FIGS. 6 to 8 and executed by the main control unit 201 are stored in advance. R
The AM 207 includes an SRAM, a DRAM, an SDRAM, or the like, and is used as a working area of the main control unit 201 and stores temporary data generated when a program is executed. Here, the RAM 207 includes a distribution condition table 207a described in detail later. When a flash memory is used as the RAM 207, the contents of the data are not lost even when the power is cut off due to a power failure, movement of the apparatus, or the like. Further, the LAN interface 212
While being connected to the LAN 70 and receiving signals and data from the LAN 70, it transmits signals and data to the LAN 70 and executes interface processing such as signal conversion and protocol conversion.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the distribution condition table 207a in the RAM 207 of FIG. 4, and shows distribution conditions indicating how to distribute the received or scanned image data. As the distribution conditions to be registered, various conditions and distribution destinations can be registered. In the example shown in FIG. 5, a distribution destination when the conditions are satisfied, and a reception condition and a distribution operation date and time, and And information indicating whether or not the received facsimile image data is to be recorded and output on a sheet by the image recording unit 3.

As the reception condition, a condition can be set for any information sent from the source device of the facsimile image data (or the exchange of the telecommunications carrier). For example, a caller ID notification or ISDN subaddress sent from the exchange when receiving a call, a source number or F sent as a TSI signal in a facsimile procedure.
Conditions can be set for the code subaddress and the password. If reception from a plurality of lines is possible, it is possible to set conditions for the line number and the like that have arrived. In the example shown in FIG.
The source number sent by the I signal is "03-456
7-8901 "and a receiving condition that the ISDN subaddress is" * 2 ". Of course, it is possible to set various conditions, such as setting partial information, such as only the area code of the transmission source, and setting conditions to be excluded.

As reception conditions, in addition to such individual conditions, conditions that are always suitable for facsimile reception (for all receptions) may be set. In FIG. 5, this condition is indicated by “always matching”. Further, it is possible to set a condition that, out of the distribution conditions stored in the distribution condition storage unit 13, the distribution condition other than the distribution condition is not satisfied. In FIG. 5, this condition is indicated as "other than the above condition".

The distribution operation date and time can be set on the condition of a time zone in which the distribution is performed. For example, the example shown in FIG. 5 shows a condition for designating distribution during working hours from 9:00 to 17:00, a condition for designating a Monday to Friday weekday, and a condition combining these. For example, it is possible to designate whether these conditions are valid every day, every week, every month, every year, or only at that time. In the example shown in FIG. 5, “every day” and “weekly” are set to be repeatedly enabled. Of course, such time may be specified in combination with the day of the week or date, and an example of the combination is also shown in FIG. Further, a time zone during which distribution is not performed may be designated. Further, as shown in FIG. 5 as “always”, the time zone may not be restricted.

As the distribution destination, various information for specifying the distribution destination can be set. For example, if distribution is to be made to the client PC 30 on another network such as a LAN, for example, an e-mail address can be set, or a Salutation user ID can be set.
Alternatively, if a device is specified, an IP address may be set. In the case of facsimile distribution via the public telephone line L, a facsimile number may be set. Of course, in addition to this, information for specifying the distribution destination according to the communication protocol with the distribution destination can be set. It is also possible to specify a distribution destination group, for example, by setting up to a domain when specifying an e-mail address. Note that a plurality of distribution destinations can be set as distribution destinations. In this case, distribution destinations having different communication protocols may coexist.

Information indicating whether or not to record and output on paper is
For example, it indicates whether or not facsimile image data received by the image recording unit 3 or a preset printer on the LAN 70 is to be recorded and output. When there are a plurality of matching distribution conditions, if at least one of them is designated to record and output, the received facsimile image data is recorded and output. Alternatively, the recording output conditions may be separately determined, such as recording and outputting the number of copies equal to the number of distribution conditions for which recording output is specified among the suitable distribution conditions. In addition, even if it is specified that recording and output are not performed under the applicable distribution conditions, if the received facsimile image data cannot be distributed to the destination specified in the distribution conditions, regardless of this setting, It can be configured to record and output.

FIG. 6 shows the facsimile server device 4 shown in FIG.
11 is a flowchart illustrating a data server process executed by a main control unit 201 of a No. 0.

In FIG. 6, first, in step S1, it is determined whether or not the reception notification data has been received, and the process of step S1 is repeated until the result becomes YES. When the result is YES, the process proceeds to step S2. After analyzing the reception notification data in step S2, FIG. 7 and FIG.
By executing the distribution destination determination processing shown in FIG. 2, the distribution destination of the image data corresponding to the reception notification data from the facsimile server device 20 is set in the distribution condition table 207.
a is searched and determined, and the process proceeds to step S4. Further, in step S4, distribution destination notification data including distribution destination data is returned to the facsimile server device 20, and the data server process is terminated.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are flowcharts showing the distribution destination determining process (step S3) which is a subroutine of FIG.

First, in step S52 of FIG. 7, initialization is performed. Here, a variable N for sequentially selecting distribution conditions is set to 1, a print flag indicating whether or not to perform recording output is set to 0, and destination lists D1 and D2 for storing destinations are empty (Nu11). Set to. After performing various initial settings, processing for each distribution condition stored in the distribution condition table 7a is performed. In step S53, it is determined whether or not the current date and time is within the range of the distribution operation date and time for the N-th distribution condition. If it is within the range of the distribution operation date and time, it is determined that the distribution condition is not suitable, and the process proceeds to step S59.

If the current date and time falls within the range of the distribution operation date and time, the reception conditions in the distribution conditions are checked in steps S54 and S55. If the reception condition is always satisfied in step S54, the distribution destination set in the distribution condition is set to the destination list D in step S56.
Add to 1. At this time, the distribution destination already included in the destination list D1 is not added redundantly. Further, when the condition is that it does not meet any of the other distribution conditions (here, it is shown as “other than the above conditions”), at this point, step S59 is performed as it is.
Proceed to.

Further, if individual conditions other than these are set, it is determined in step S55 whether various information from the transmission source device (or exchange) at the time of facsimile reception satisfies the conditions. I do. If the individual condition is not satisfied, the process proceeds to step S59. If the individual conditions are met,
In step S56, the corresponding distribution destination is designated as destination list D
Add to 1. At this time, the distribution destination already included in the destination list D1 is not added redundantly.

In step S56, the destination list D1 of the distribution destination
After the addition, the setting of whether or not to perform the recording output is referred to in step S57. Only in the case where the setting for recording output has been made, the print flag is set to 1 in step S58. In step S59,
The variable N is compared with the number of registrations of the distribution condition. If the value of the variable N is smaller than the number of registrations, the value of the variable N is increased by 1 in step S60, and the process proceeds to step S53 in order to perform the processing for the next distribution condition. Return. Note that the number of registered distribution conditions is, for example, the number of distribution conditions actually stored in the distribution condition table 7a, and is fixed to the maximum number of distribution conditions that can be registered. It may be controlled not to do so.

When the value of the variable N is equal to or greater than the number of registrations and all the distribution conditions have been processed, step S6 in FIG.
In 1, it is determined whether or not the destination is stored in the destination list D1 (whether or not it is Nu11). If the destination is stored in the destination list D1, step S
At 62, the facsimile image data received at step S51 is distributed to the respective distribution destinations stored in the destination list D1. If the destination list D1 remains empty (Nu11) in step S61,
If there is a delivery condition that satisfies none of the other delivery conditions,
Steps S63 to S71 are performed.

That is, in step S63, the same variable N as described above is reset to 1. Then, the N-th distribution condition is examined while increasing the value of the variable N by one. In step S64, it is determined whether the distribution operation date and time of the Nth distribution condition includes the current date and time,
If not included, it is determined that the distribution condition is not satisfied, and the process proceeds to step S69. If the distribution operation date and time of the Nth distribution condition includes the current date and time, the condition in step S65 is that the reception condition in the distribution condition does not match any other distribution condition. It is determined whether or not. Note that FIG. 5 shows “other than the above conditions” as a condition that the distribution condition is not satisfied. If the reception condition is not this condition, that is, if the condition is always satisfied or individual condition, the process proceeds to step S69.

In this manner, if a distribution condition that satisfies the condition that the current date and time is within the distribution operation date and time and does not meet any of the other distribution conditions is found, in step S66 the distribution condition is determined. Is added to the destination list D2. At this time, the destination list D2 has already been set.
The distribution destinations included in the URL are not added redundantly.

For the distribution conditions found, reference is made to the setting of whether or not to perform recording output in step S67. Then, only when the setting for performing the recording output is made, the print flag is set to 1 in step S68. Next, in step S69, the variable N and the number of registered distribution conditions are compared. If the value of the variable N is smaller than the registered number, the value of the variable N is increased by 1 in step S70, and the process for the next distribution condition is performed. To perform, the process returns to step S64. Note that the number of registered distribution conditions is the same as in step S59.

When the value of the variable N is equal to or greater than the number of registrations and all the distribution conditions have been processed, in step S71, the facsimile image received in step S51 is transmitted to the respective distribution destinations stored in the destination list D2. Distribute data. In this example, the processing of steps S63 to S70 performs a process of searching again for a distribution condition that satisfies none of the other distribution conditions. For example, in step S54, the distribution condition of this condition is determined. When it is found, the value of the variable N at that time may be saved, and the distribution destination may be acquired based on the saved value.

Step S62 or step S71
Delivery of facsimile image data to the delivery destination in
This is performed by a protocol corresponding to each distribution destination. For example, it can be transmitted by a known Salutation protocol via the LAN 70, or can be transmitted by e-mail by SMTP. Alternatively, facsimile transmission can be performed via the public telephone line L.

After the facsimile image data is distributed to the destination in step S62 or S71, the print flag is referenced in step S72. If the print flag is 1, step S7
At 4, the received facsimile image data is recorded and output from, for example, the recording unit 16. If the print flag remains 0, it is determined in step S73 whether there is a delivery destination that could not be delivered. If there is a delivery destination that could not be delivered, the facsimile received in step S74 is also determined. Return to the original main routine by designating recording and output of image data. When determining whether or not the facsimile image data has been successfully delivered to the delivery destination, for example, after the delivery, if there is no reception response from the delivery destination after waiting for a predetermined time, or retry the delivery a predetermined number of times. In cases such as when the distribution could not be performed, it can be determined that the distribution could not be performed. In this way, the received facsimile image data can be distributed to the distribution destination according to the distribution conditions registered in advance.

As described above, according to the data server processing according to the present embodiment, the distribution destination is determined based on the distribution conditions, so that distribution according to the situation can be performed.
Flexible system operation becomes possible. For example, by registering a time zone in which distribution is performed as a distribution condition, it is possible to easily perform a setting such as changing a distribution destination according to a facsimile reception time. Also, even if a plurality of distribution destinations with different protocols are specified as distribution destinations, distribution is performed according to the protocol according to each distribution destination, so that the distribution destination can be easily set without regard to the communication protocol and the like. it can.
Of course, the recording output can also be specified. further,
By recording and outputting the facsimile image data that could not be distributed, it is possible to avoid a situation where the received facsimile image data is stored in the apparatus and is forgotten.

FIG. 9 is a timing chart showing the processing operation including the data server processing according to the first embodiment.

[0045]

[Table 1] Example of reception notification data ――――――――――――――――――――――――― SERVER-NAME: FAX Server 01 SERVER-ADDR: 200.1.31.200 SERVER- NO: 000001 <CRLF> DOC-INFO = {DOC-ID: 00054213 TYPE: G3FAX FAX-TSI: 075-672-1234 FAX-SUB: 123456 ――――――――――――――――――― ――――――――

Next, the data server device 40 executes the data server processing shown in FIGS. 6 to 8 in response to the reception notification data, thereby determining the distribution destination with reference to the distribution condition table 207a, Is transmitted to the facsimile server device 20-1. As is clear from Table 2, a facsimile number is designated when facsimile transmission is performed via the public telephone network L1, while, for example, when image data is transmitted using e-mail according to the SMTP communication procedure, an electronic mail is transmitted. Email is specified. The last two lines in Table 2 are
No printing is performed by the image recording unit 3, and image data and received information are stored in a designated location.

[0047]

[Table 2]

Next, the facsimile server device 20-1
Transmits the image data previously received by facsimile as distribution data to, for example, the client PCs 30-1 and 30-2 based on the received distribution destination notification data.
Here, the distribution method is the T.A. method specified by the distribution destination notification data via the public telephone network L1. This is a method of transmitting image data by using a communication procedure of 30 or an electronic mail. Further, the facsimile server device 20-1 transmits the destination result notification data shown in Table 3 including the information of the result of the distribution (whether it is OK or NG) to the data server device 40, and performs the series of facsimile transmission. Is completed. In the seventh row of Table 3, "T.3.1" indicates a communication error interrupted halfway.

[0049]

[Table 3]

In the facsimile system according to the first embodiment configured as described above, by providing the data server device 40 for maintaining and managing the distribution condition table 207a including the distribution setting data, each facsimile server device 20 A plurality of facsimile machines characterized in that the facsimile system can be easily constructed or changed, such as adding or removing a facsimile server device 20, determining distribution conditions, adding or deleting distribution conditions, etc. A distribution system using the server device 20 can be provided.

The delivery condition table 20 as shown in FIG.
By providing the data server device 40 that stores and manages the data 7a, the distribution settings can be edited by accessing the data server device 40 from the client PC 30 using a web browser or the like. Further, the facsimile server device 20 can distribute received image data of a facsimile document, received e-mail, image data of a document read from the image reading unit 2, and the like. Here, the distribution means distribution by electronic mail, distribution by facsimile communication, distribution by Salutation or the like, printing by the image recording unit 3, or storage in a disk drive of an internal or external server device.

As shown in FIG. 5, the distribution condition table 20
The conditions for distribution in 7a include the identifiers (name, number, IP address, etc. of the facsimile server device) of the 20 facsimile server devices, the source number of the received facsimile image data, the sub address, and the notification of the caller ID. The condition can be a number, an address of an e-mail sender, an e-mail format, an attached file format, and the like.

In the first embodiment, when the facsimile server device 20 receives the image data of the document to be distributed, the facsimile server device 20 transmits to the data server device 40 various information of the received document for searching the distribution conditions. The notification is performed by transmitting the reception notification data including the data to the data server. The method of notifying the data server device 40 is SMTP, HT
This can be performed using TP or a unique protocol. In response, the data server device 40 searches the stored distribution condition table 207a based on the information notified from the facsimile server device 20, and determines the determined distribution destination (including the case where distribution is not performed) as a response. Facsimile server device 2 by transmitting distribution destination notification data
Notify 0. Here, the facsimile server device 20 performs distribution according to the notified result, and transmits the destination result notification data including the result to the data server device 40.
Notify by sending to

As described above, the data server device 4
Reference numeral 0 describes the communication information (the server name of the facsimile server device, various information of the received document, the distribution result, etc.) as the communication history in the internal communication management data, so that the communication can be centrally managed. The communication history can be edited by referring to it from a web browser such as the client PC 30 in the same manner as the distribution setting data.

Each facsimile server device 20 operates as a terminal device of the distribution system without mounting the capability of setting and managing the distribution only by mounting an interface circuit with the data server device 40. it can.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, the data server device 40 stores the image data distribution condition table 207a in the RAM 207, and as shown in FIG. 9, the facsimile server device 20-1. Or 20-2
In response to the reception notification data from the server, the destination of the image data corresponding to the reception notification data is determined by searching the distribution condition table 207a, and the determined destination is determined by the facsimile server using the distribution destination notification data. Notify the device 20-1 or 20-2 and send it to the facsimile server device 20-1.
Alternatively, 20-2 responds to the distribution destination notification data to distribute the corresponding image data to the distribution destination specified by the distribution destination notification data. Therefore, even when a plurality of facsimile server devices 20 are used, it is not necessary to register and set the distribution conditions for each facsimile server device 20, and the distribution conditions of the data server device can be used even if the facsimile server devices 20 are added. . Further, by simply changing the delivery condition table stored in the data server device 40, the changed delivery condition table can be applied to all the facsimile server devices 20. Thereby, the operability of the facsimile system can be greatly improved.

<Second Embodiment> FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a data server device 40 according to a second embodiment. Compared to the first embodiment, the second embodiment further includes a facsimile server device capability table 207b in the RAM 207 of the data server device 40 of FIG. 4, as shown in FIG. ,
As shown in FIG. 12, in response to the reception notification data from the facsimile server device 20, the distribution destination table and the distribution source of the image data corresponding to the reception notification data are stored in the distribution condition table 207a and the facsimile server device capability table 207b, respectively. The facsimile server device 20 is searched and determined, and the determined distribution destination and distribution source are notified to the facsimile server device 20 using the distribution destination notification data.
In response to the distribution destination notification data, when the determined distribution source is the device itself, the corresponding image data is distributed to the distribution destination specified by the distribution destination notification data, while the determined distribution source is When the facsimile server device is other than the facsimile server device itself, it is characterized by transmitting distribution entrustment data for entrusting distribution together with corresponding image data. Hereinafter, differences from the first embodiment will be described in detail.

The RAM 20 of the data server device 40 shown in FIG.
As described above, the facsimile server 7 further stores the facsimile server device capability table 207b in advance. In the facsimile server device capacity table 207b, data such as device capabilities of a plurality of facsimile server devices 20 that are centrally managed in the data server device 40 are stored. Specifically, the device capability and the like include the server name, IP address (or MAC address), server number, maximum speed of the modem, and the like of the facsimile server device 20.
Ability to send and receive image data by e-mail (SMTP / POP3
), The capability as a SALUTATION terminal (FAXFU, PRTFU, etc.), the printing speed of the image recording unit 3, the maximum width of paper, non-standard capabilities, and the like.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a data server process according to the second embodiment. The data server process according to the second embodiment corresponds to the first server shown in FIG.
Steps S5 to S8 are additionally inserted between step S3 and step S4 as compared with the embodiment of FIG.
The processing of step 4 is changed to step S4A.

In FIG. 6, first, in step S1, it is determined whether or not the reception notification data has been received, and the process in step S1 is repeated until the result becomes YES. When the result is YES, the process proceeds to step S2. After analyzing the reception notification data in step S2, FIG. 7 and FIG.
By executing the distribution destination determination processing shown in FIG. 2, the distribution destination of the image data corresponding to the reception notification data from the facsimile server device 20 is set in the distribution condition table 207.
a is searched and determined, and the process proceeds to step S5.

In step S5, it is determined whether or not all the facsimile server devices 20 have been checked. If NO, the process proceeds to step S6, while if YES, the process proceeds to step S4A. Next, in step S6, it is determined whether or not the facsimile server device 20 has distribution capability with reference to the facsimile server device capability table 207b. If YES, the process proceeds to step S7, whereas if NO, the process proceeds to step S5. Return. Further, in step S7, it is determined by referring to the facsimile server device capability table 207b whether or not the distribution efficiency is higher than that of the facsimile server device 20 determined previously.
If S, the process proceeds to step S8, while if NO, the process returns to step S5. Then, in step S8, the facsimile server device 20 of the distribution source is temporarily registered in the RAM 207, and the process returns to step S5.

If YES in step S5, step S5
In 4A, distribution destination notification data including the data of the determined distribution destination and distribution source is returned to the corresponding facsimile server device 20 that has transmitted the reception notification data, and the data server process ends.

FIG. 12 is a timing chart showing a processing operation including a data server process according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 12, the facsimile server device 20-1
Is transmitted from the facsimile apparatus 200 via the public telephone network L1 to the ITU-T Recommendation T. The facsimile image data is received based on the communication procedure of No. 30. In response, the facsimile server device 20-1 transmits the reception notification data shown in Table 4 to the data server device 40.
As is clear from Table 4, the reception notification data includes the format and telephone number of the facsimile device 200 that is the original distribution source, as well as the data of the device capability of the facsimile server device 20-1 itself.

[0064]

[Table 4]

Next, the data server device 40 executes the data server process of FIG. 11 in response to the reception notification data to determine the destination by referring to the distribution condition table 207a, and to determine the facsimile server device capability. The distribution source is determined with reference to the table 207b, and the distribution destination notification data shown in Table 5 including these pieces of information is returned to the facsimile server device 20-1. As is clear from Table 5, when facsimile transmission is performed via the public telephone network L1, a facsimile number is designated, for example, S
When transmitting image data using e-mail according to the MTP communication procedure, e-mail is specified. The last two lines in Table 5 indicate that no printing is performed by the image recording unit 3 and the image data and the received information are stored in the designated location.

[0066]

[Table 5]

Next, the facsimile server device 20-1
Responds to the distribution destination notification data,
Transmission commission data shown in Table 6 is transmitted to the facsimile server apparatus 20-2, indicating that the distribution to the facsimile server apparatus 20-2 is entrusted to the 30-1 and 30-2 and the mail server apparatus 50. I do.

[0068]

[Table 6]

Further, the facsimile server device 20-2
Are based on the distribution entrustment data from the facsimile server device 20-1, based on the client PCs 30-1 and 30-
After transmitting the image data to be distributed to the mail server device 50 and the mail server device 50 as distribution data, distribution destination result notification data shown in Table 7 including information on the distribution result is returned to the data server device 40.

[0070]

[Table 7]

In the second embodiment, the delivery condition table 207a and the facsimile server device capability table 2
07b is stored in the RAM 207, and the data server device 40 for maintaining and managing the distribution condition setting data and the distribution capability of each facsimile server device 20 is provided, so that a facsimile system is constructed by a plurality of facsimile server devices 20 having different capabilities. can do.

That is, the facsimile server device 20
When receiving image data which is a document to be distributed, transmits to the data server device 40 reception notification data including various information of the received document for searching for distribution conditions to the data server device 40. Notify by doing. The method of notifying the data server device 40 is SMT
This is performed using P, HTTP, or a unique protocol. Further, the notification of the image data as the received document may also describe its own distribution capability.

Based on the information notified from the facsimile server device 20 and the distribution capability of the facsimile server device 20 stored in the facsimile server device capability table 207b, the data server device 40 Search the distribution settings data,
The determined delivery destination (including the case where the delivery is not performed) and the terminal information of the facsimile server device 20 adapted to the delivery are transmitted as a response to the facsimile server device 20 using the delivery destination notification data to be notified. If the facsimile server device 20 distributes itself from the notified result included in the distribution destination notification data, the facsimile server device 20 performs distribution to the notified distribution destination, and transmits the result using the distribution destination notification data. Notify the server device 20. On the other hand, when an instruction to distribute to the facsimile server device 20 as another terminal device has been given, the distribution destination information received from the data server device 40 is transmitted to the facsimile server device 20 as the designated terminal device, Send the image data of the document. Further, the facsimile server device 20 entrusted with the distribution sends the distribution result notification data to the data server device 4 after the distribution is completed.
Notify 0.

Each of the facsimile server devices 20 is provided with an interface with the data server device 40 and an interface for transferring image data to the other facsimile server devices 20, and is capable of setting and managing distribution. In addition, even if all the communication capabilities necessary for distribution are not installed, the distribution system can be operated as a terminal device.

Further, the data server device 40 describes the communication information (the server name of the facsimile server device 20, various information of the received document, the distribution result, etc.) as the communication history in the internal communication management data, and thereby performs the communication. Can be centrally managed, and the information of each facsimile server device 20 can also be centrally managed.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, the data server device 40 responds to the reception notification data from the facsimile server device 20 and distributes the image data corresponding to the reception notification data. And the delivery source are determined by searching the delivery condition table 207a and the facsimile server device capability table 207b, respectively, and the determined delivery destination and delivery source are notified to the facsimile server device 20 using the delivery destination notification data. 20 responds to the distribution destination notification data and distributes the corresponding image data to the distribution destination specified by the distribution destination notification data when the determined distribution source is the device itself, When the distribution source is a facsimile server other than the device itself, it supports distribution commission data to consign distribution. To send with that image data. Therefore, even if a plurality of facsimile server devices 20 are used, there is no need to register and set the distribution conditions for each facsimile server device 20.
07a is available. Further, only by changing the distribution condition table 207a stored in the data server device 40,
The changed delivery condition table 207a can be applied to all the facsimile server devices 20. Further, since the distribution source is determined with reference to the facsimile server device capability table 207b, the optimum distribution source can be determined.
In addition, the data server device 40 determines the distribution conditions and the distribution source.
Can be unified. Therefore, the operability of the facsimile system can be greatly improved.

<Modification> In the above embodiment, an example of the facsimile server device 20 has been described.
The present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to a communication terminal device connected to a public network such as a public telephone network or a public digital line network, including a telephone, a data communication device, a server device, and the like.

[0078]

As described above in detail, according to the facsimile system of the present invention, in a facsimile system including a plurality of facsimile server devices and a data server device connected to each other via a communication line, The apparatus stores the image data distribution condition table and the facsimile server apparatus capability table, and responds to the reception notification data from the facsimile server apparatus,
The distribution destination and the distribution source of the image data corresponding to the reception notification data are determined by searching the distribution condition table and the facsimile server device capability table, respectively, and the determined distribution destination and the distribution source are determined using the distribution destination notification data. Notifying the facsimile server device, each of the facsimile server devices responds to the distribution destination notification data, and when the determined distribution source is the device itself, indicates corresponding image data with the distribution destination notification data. When the determined delivery source is a facsimile server device other than the device itself, delivery delivery data for outsourcing the delivery is transmitted together with the corresponding image data.
Therefore, according to the present invention, even when a plurality of facsimile server devices are used, there is no need to register and set distribution conditions for each facsimile server device. Can be used. Further, by simply changing the distribution condition table stored in the data server device, the changed distribution condition table can be applied to all facsimile server devices. Furthermore, since the distribution source is determined with reference to the facsimile server device capability table, the optimum distribution source can be determined, and the distribution conditions and the determination of the distribution source can be unified by the data server device. Therefore, the operability of the facsimile system can be greatly improved.

According to the data server device of the present invention, in a data server device for a facsimile system including a plurality of facsimile server devices and a data server device connected to each other via a communication line, The server device stores the image data distribution condition table and the facsimile server device capability table, and responds to the reception notification data from the facsimile server device to determine a distribution destination and a distribution source of the image data corresponding to the reception notification data. The distribution condition table and the facsimile server device capability table are searched and determined, and the determined destination and source are notified to the facsimile server device using the distribution destination notification data. Therefore, according to the present invention, even when a plurality of facsimile server devices are used, there is no need to register and set distribution conditions for each facsimile server device. Can be used. Also,
By simply changing the delivery condition table stored in the data server device, the changed delivery condition table can be applied to all facsimile server devices. Furthermore, since the distribution source is determined with reference to the facsimile server device capability table, the optimum distribution source can be determined, and the distribution conditions and the determination of the distribution source can be unified by the data server device. Therefore, the operability of the facsimile system can be greatly improved.

Further, according to the facsimile server apparatus of the present invention, the facsimile server apparatus for a facsimile system including a plurality of facsimile server apparatuses and data server apparatuses connected to each other via a communication line. In response to the distribution destination notification data, when the determined distribution source is the device itself, the server device distributes the corresponding image data to the distribution destination specified by the distribution destination notification data, and When the distribution source is a facsimile server other than the facsimile server itself, it transmits distribution entrustment data for entrusting the distribution together with the corresponding image data. Therefore, according to the present invention, even if a plurality of facsimile server devices are used,
There is no need to register and set distribution conditions for each facsimile server device. Even if a facsimile server device is added, the distribution conditions of the data server device can be used. Further, by simply changing the distribution condition table stored in the data server device, the changed distribution condition table can be applied to all facsimile server devices. Furthermore, since the distribution source is determined with reference to the facsimile server device capability table,
The optimum distribution source can be determined, and the distribution conditions and the determination of the distribution source can be unified by the data server device. Therefore, the operability of the facsimile system can be greatly improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a facsimile system including a facsimile server device 20 and a data server device 50 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a client personal computer 30 of FIG.

FIG. 3 shows a facsimile server device 20 (20-
1, 20-2) is a block diagram showing the configuration.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a data server device 40 of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a distribution condition table 2 in a RAM 207 of FIG. 4;
It is a figure showing an example of 07a.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a data server process executed by the main control unit 201 of the facsimile server device 40 of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a first part of a distribution destination determination process (step S3) which is a subroutine of FIG.

8 is a flowchart showing a second part of the distribution destination determination process (step S3), which is a subroutine of FIG.

FIG. 9 is a timing chart showing a processing operation including a data server process according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a data server device 4 according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a 0.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a data server process according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a timing chart showing a processing operation including a data server process according to the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Main control part, 6 ... ROM, 7 ... RAM, 8 ... Image memory, 10 ... Fax modem, 11 ... NCU, 12 ... LAN interface, 13 ... Bus, 20, 20-1, 20-2 ... Facsimile server device , 30, 30-1 to 30-N: client personal computer (client PC), 40: data server device, 50: mail server device, 60: router device, 70: local area network (LAN), 80: public telephone network Reference numeral 90: Internet, 101: Main control unit, 106: ROM, 107: RAM, 108: Hard disk drive, 112: LAN interface, 113: Bus, 201: Main control unit, 206: ROM, 207: RAM, 207: Distribution Condition table, 208 ... Hard disk drive Bed, 212 ... LAN interface, 213 ... Bus, L1, L2 ... public telephone line.

Continued on the front page F-term (reference)

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A facsimile system including a plurality of facsimile server devices and a data server device connected to each other via a communication line, wherein the data server device includes a distribution condition table for image data and a facsimile server device capability table. Store,
In response to the reception notification data from the facsimile server device, the distribution destination and the distribution source of the image data corresponding to the reception notification data are determined by searching the distribution condition table and the facsimile server device capability table, respectively.
The facsimile server device is notified of the determined distribution destination and distribution source using the distribution destination notification data, and each of the facsimile server devices responds to the distribution destination notification data, and the determined distribution source is the device itself. When the corresponding image data is distributed to the distribution destination specified by the distribution destination notification data, while the determined distribution source is a facsimile server device other than the device itself,
A facsimile system for transmitting distribution commission data for commissioning distribution together with corresponding image data. 2. A data server device for a facsimile system comprising a plurality of facsimile server devices and a data server device connected to each other via a communication line, the data server device comprising: Stores the facsimile server device capacity table,
In response to the reception notification data from the facsimile server device, the distribution destination and the distribution source of the image data corresponding to the reception notification data are determined by searching the distribution condition table and the facsimile server device capability table, respectively.
A data server device which notifies the facsimile server device of the determined distribution destination and distribution source using distribution destination notification data. 3. A facsimile server device for a facsimile system including a plurality of facsimile server devices and a data server device connected to each other via a communication line, wherein the facsimile server device responds to the distribution destination notification data. When the determined distribution source is the device itself, the corresponding image data is distributed to the distribution destination specified by the distribution destination notification data, while the determined distribution source is a facsimile server other than the device itself. A facsimile server device which, when the device is a device, transmits distribution commission data for commissioning distribution together with corresponding image data.