JPH11136491A - Control method for network facsimile communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Problem] To provide a control method of a network facsimile communication system capable of appropriately performing communication management and the like of a network facsimile apparatus. SOLUTION: The communication management information of the network facsimile apparatus is collectively managed by a mail server apparatus, and when extracting the communication management information from the mail server apparatus, the communication is performed by authenticating with the account of the operating user and the communication matching the account. Since only the management information can be taken out by the user, there is an effect that communication management can be appropriately performed when a large number of users share the network facsimile apparatus.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a network facsimile apparatus having a function of exchanging data on a local area network and the Internet, and a function of exchanging facsimile data by a facsimile transmission procedure performed through a public network. A network facsimile communication system including a server device for executing various communication services in a local area network, and one or more workstation devices connected to the local area network and using communication functions of the server device and the network facsimile device. Control method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a network facsimile apparatus having a function of exchanging data on a local area network and the Internet, and a function of exchanging facsimile data by a facsimile transmission procedure performed via a public network, and a local area network And a network facsimile communication system including a server device that executes various communication services and one or more workstation devices connected to a local area network and using communication functions of the server device and the network facsimile device. ing.

When such a network facsimile communication system is used, the scanner, plotter, and modem functions of a network facsimile device connected to a local area network are used from a workstation device connected to the local area network. From the viewpoint of effective use of network resources.

[0004] In addition, a request for transmitting image information or a request for relaying image information to a network facsimile device can be made from a workstation device using an electronic mail or the like, which is compared with a case where the network facsimile device is used alone. In addition, the operating rate of the network facsimile apparatus can be improved, and the communication cost to a remote facsimile apparatus can be significantly reduced.

[0005]

In such a network facsimile communication system, since the network facsimile apparatus is shared by a large number of users, the communication status is managed in units of a user or a group in which a plurality of users are registered. Create need.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and has as its object to provide a control method for a network facsimile communication system capable of appropriately performing communication management and the like of a network facsimile apparatus.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a network facsimile apparatus having a function of exchanging data on a local area network and the Internet and a function of exchanging facsimile data by a facsimile transmission procedure performed through a public network. A network device comprising: a server device that executes various communication services in a local area network; and one or more workstation devices connected to the local area network and using communication functions of the server device and the network facsimile device. In the communication system control method, a unique account and a password for authentication are registered for each user of the network facsimile communication system, and the registration information is stored in the server. The network facsimile apparatus stores communication management information indicating the history of the communication operation and the like including the account name of the user at that time when the communication operation and the like are completed, and stores the communication management information in the server apparatus. On the other hand, when the server device receives the communication management information from the network facsimile device, the server device stores the communication management information in the communication management table, and when any one of the users requests reception of the communication management information. Authenticates the request using the stored account and the password, and if the request is authorized by the authentication, the communication management information including the account name corresponding to the notified account is transmitted. It is extracted from the communication management table and transmitted to the request source. .

Further, a network facsimile apparatus having a function of exchanging data on a local area network and the Internet, a function of exchanging facsimile data by a facsimile transmission procedure performed through a public network, and various types of local area networks. The method for controlling a network facsimile communication system, comprising: a server device for executing a communication service, and one or more workstation devices connected to a local area network and utilizing communication functions of the server device and the network facsimile device. For each user of the network facsimile communication system, a group to which the user belongs is registered, the registration information is stored in the server device, and the network facsimile device includes: When the communication operation or the like is completed, communication management information including the group name of the user user at that time and representing the history of the communication operation and the like is created, and the communication management information is stored in the server device. When receiving the communication management information from the network facsimile apparatus, the communication management information is stored in the communication management table, and when the reception of the communication management information is requested from any user, the stored group is used. If the request is authenticated by the authentication and the request is permitted by the authentication, the communication management information including the group name corresponding to the notified group is extracted from the communication management table and transmitted to the request source. It is like that.

Further, a network facsimile apparatus having a function of exchanging data on a local area network and the Internet, a function of exchanging facsimile data by a facsimile transmission procedure performed through a public network, and various types of local area networks. The method for controlling a network facsimile communication system, comprising: a server device for executing a communication service, and one or more workstation devices connected to a local area network and utilizing communication functions of the server device and the network facsimile device. Each of the workstation devices is provided with identification information, and the identification information is stored in the server device. When the network facsimile device terminates a communication operation or the like, the user at that time ends. The communication facsimile apparatus generates communication management information that includes the identification information of the workstation apparatus used by the user and indicates the history of the communication operation and the like, and stores the communication management information in the server apparatus. When receiving more communication management information,
The communication management information is stored in the communication management table, and when the reception of the communication management information is requested from any user, the request is authenticated using the stored identification information, and the authentication is performed. In the case where the request is permitted, the communication management information including the identification information matching the notified identification information is taken out from the communication management table and transmitted to the request source.

Also, a network facsimile apparatus having a function of exchanging data on a local area network and the Internet, a function of exchanging facsimile data by a facsimile transmission procedure performed via a public network, and various types of local area networks. The method for controlling a network facsimile communication system, comprising: a server device for executing a communication service, and one or more workstation devices connected to a local area network and utilizing communication functions of the server device and the network facsimile device. For each user of the network facsimile communication system, register a unique account and password for authentication, and information on the presence or absence of printout authority, The network facsimile apparatus creates communication management information that indicates the history of communication operations and the like including the account name of the user user at the time of ending the communication operation and the like. While storing the management information in the server device, when the server device receives the communication management information from the network facsimile device, the server device stores the communication management information in the communication management table, and receives the communication management information from any user. If a printout is requested, the request is authenticated using the stored account and password, and information on whether or not the user has printout authority. Will update the communication management information containing the account name that matches the notified account. It is extracted from the communication management table, transferred as print information to any one of the network facsimile apparatuses, and instructs the network facsimile apparatus to print out. The network facsimile apparatus receives the print information from the server apparatus and prints out the printout. Is designated, the received print information is recorded and output.

Further, a network facsimile apparatus having a function of exchanging data on a local area network and the Internet, a function of exchanging facsimile data by a facsimile transmission procedure through a public network, and various types of local area networks. The method for controlling a network facsimile communication system, comprising: a server device for executing a communication service, and one or more workstation devices connected to a local area network and utilizing communication functions of the server device and the network facsimile device. Each user of the network facsimile communication system must have a unique account and password for authentication, group membership, and printout rights. The network facsimile apparatus, when the communication operation or the like is completed, the communication management information including the account name of the user user at that time and representing the history of the communication operation or the like. When the server device receives the communication management information from the network facsimile device, the server device stores the communication management information in the communication management table, and stores any of the communication management information in the communication management table. When the user requests a printout of the communication management information, the user authenticates the request using the stored account and the password, and the information on whether or not the user has the authority to printout. Will be granted to the group registered in the notified account. The communication management information including the matching group name is extracted from the communication management table, transferred to any one of the network facsimile apparatuses as print information, and instructed to print out to the network facsimile apparatus. When print information is received from a device and printout is instructed, the received print information is recorded and output.

[0012]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG.
An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

FIG. 1 shows a network system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, a local area network LAN includes a plurality of workstations WS1 to WS1.
WSn, the mail server device SM, and a plurality of network facsimile devices FX1 to FXm are connected. The local area network LAN is connected to the Internet via a router device RT, and can exchange various data with a host device or the like connected to another local area network or the like.

Here, the mail server device SM sends e-mail (described later) to users using the workstation devices WS1 to WSn connected to the local area network LAN and to the network facsimile devices FX1 to FXm. A collection and distribution service is provided, and the network facsimile machine F
It also has a function of collectively storing and managing communication management information created each time X1 to FXm executes a communication operation.

The workstation devices WS1 to WSW
Sn includes application software (e-mail transmission / reception processing, mail server device S) for exchanging various data via the local area network LAN.
M, etc.), and various programs such as application software for processing image information contained in e-mails received from the network facsimile machines FX1 to FXm.
It is used by a specific user. Here, the specific user may be one or more users.

Further, the network facsimile machine FX
Reference numerals 1 to FXm denote an e-mail transmission / reception function in a local area network LAN, a transmission function for connecting to a public network (PSTN) and transmitting image information according to a group 3 facsimile transmission procedure using the public network as a transmission path, and a mail server. A function of transferring communication management information to the apparatus SM, and a function of providing a scanner function (document image reading function) and a printing function to the workstation apparatuses WS1 to WSn and the mail server apparatus SM. I have.

In this embodiment, basically,
Data exchange between terminals connected to the local area network LAN is a so-called TCP / I
This is performed by applying a combination (a so-called protocol suite) of a transmission protocol up to a transport layer called P and a communication protocol of a higher layer than that. For example, in the exchange of e-mail data, SMTP (Simple) is used as the upper layer communication protocol.
A communication protocol called Mail Transfer Protocol is applied.

Communication protocols such as TCP / IP and SMTP, and data formats and data structures of e-mails are described in IETF (Intern).
etEngineering Task Force)
RFC (Request) issued by an organization that collects technical contents related to the Internet called
For Comments) document. For example, TCP is RFC793, IP is RFC79
3. SMTP is RFC821, E-mail format is R
FC822, RFC1521, RFC1522 (MIM
E (MultiPurpose Mail Exten
Sion) format).

FIG. 2 shows a network facsimile apparatus F
3 shows a configuration example of X (FX1 to FXm).

In FIG. 1, a system control unit 1 performs various control processes such as a control process of each unit of the network facsimile apparatus, a facsimile transmission control procedure process, a scanner function providing process, and a printing function providing process.
The system memory 2 stores a control processing program to be executed by the system control unit 1 and various data necessary for executing the processing program, and configures a work area of the system control unit 1. The memory 3 stores various information unique to the network facsimile apparatus, and the clock circuit 4 outputs current time information.

The scanner 5 is for reading a document image at a predetermined resolution, the plotter 6 is for recording and outputting an image at a predetermined resolution, and the operation display unit 7 is a network facsimile apparatus. , And comprises various operation keys and various display devices.

The encoding / decoding section 8 encodes and compresses the image signal and decodes the encoded and compressed image information into the original image signal.
This is for storing a large number of image information in a coded and compressed state.

The group 3 facsimile modem 10 is for realizing a group 3 facsimile modem function. The group 3 facsimile modem 10 has a low-speed modem function (V.21 modem) for exchanging transmission procedure signals and mainly exchanges image information. High-speed modem function (V.17 modem,
V. 34 modem, V.34. 29 modem, V.29. 27ter modem etc.). The group 3 facsimile modem 10 has a tone detecting function for generating various tones and various tones (push button signals and the like).
Is also provided.

The network control unit 11 is for connecting the facsimile apparatus to a public network (PSTN) and has an automatic transmission / reception function.

The local area network interface circuit 12 is for connecting the Internet facsimile apparatus to the local area network LAN.
Reference numeral 3 denotes communication control processing (e-mail transmission / reception processing, communication management information transfer processing, scanner control processing) of various predetermined protocol suites for exchanging various data with other data terminal apparatuses via the local area network LAN. Function providing processing, printing function providing processing, etc.).

The system control unit 1, the system memory 2, the parameter memory 3, the clock circuit 4, the scanner 5, the plotter 6, the operation display unit 7, the encoding / decoding unit 8, the image storage device 9, the group 3 facsimile modem The network controller 10, the network controller 11, and the local area network transmission controller 13 are connected to an internal bus 14. Data exchange between these elements is mainly performed via the internal bus 14. I have.

Data exchange between the network controller 11 and the group 3 facsimile modem 10 is directly performed.

The user of the network facsimile communication system sends a mail server device SM with an account name (user name) unique to each user, a password for authentication, and
It is necessary to register the group name of the group to which the user belongs.

The registration information is stored in the mail server S
By operating M as appropriate, it is stored in a user registration table as shown in FIG. Note that the user name "root"
Represents an administrator of the network facsimile communication system, and the user authenticated with the user name "root" is not restricted in access to communication management information.

Further, the network facsimile machine FX
Upon completion of the communication operation, 1 to FXm create communication management information as shown in FIG. 4, save the communication management information in its own terminal, and
Via the mail server device SM. Here, the communication management information in each of the network facsimile machines FX1 to FXm is limited to a predetermined number, and when storing more than the limit number, the storage management is performed such that the oldest one is deleted sequentially (for example, the oldest one). , A circular buffer, etc.). The transmission of the communication management information from each of the network facsimile apparatuses FX1 to FXm to the mail server apparatus SM is performed by an appropriate point-to-point communication protocol.

The communication management information includes the account name of the user requesting the communication operation, the group name of the user, the file number of the image information file related to the communication operation, and the workstation used by the user requesting the communication operation. Terminal identification ID for identification, used facsimile ID representing the network facsimile machine FX that has executed the communication operation, communication date and time, destination information (telephone number,
Name, e-mail address, etc.), the number of image information pages processed by the communication operation, the communication time indicating the time required for communication, the communication fee indicating the communication fee, the communication result, and the communication mode (for transmission and reception) , ECM / non-E
CM, document size, encoding method, storage / direct transmission, confidential / relay / polling, G3 /
G4).

FIG. 5, FIG. 6, and FIG. 7 show an outline of a processing example executed by the network facsimile machine FX.

The network facsimile apparatus monitors whether an e-mail is received, an incoming call is detected from the public network, a transmission operation is performed, or another user operation is performed (decision 101, 102, 103,
104 NO loop). If a user operation other than that is performed and the result of determination 104 is YES, a corresponding operation process is executed (process 105), and a determination 101 is made.
Return to

Further, the electronic mail is received, and
When the result of step (1) is YES, the content of the e-mail is analyzed (step 106), facsimile communication processing is executed according to the analysis result (step 107), and the communication operation is performed as described above in the communication management information. Is created and stored (process 108), the communication management information is transferred to the mail server device SM and stored (process 109), and the judgment 101 is made.
Return to

When the incoming call is detected and the result of the judgment 102 is YES, the incoming call is answered (process 110), and a predetermined group 3 facsimile process for incoming call is executed (process 111). At this time, the received image information is stored. When the image information reception ends, the line is restored (Process 1).
12).

At this time, it is determined whether or not it is instructed to distribute the received image information to the other work stations WS1 to WSn (decision 113). As the distribution instruction, for example, there is a method in which a user's mail address is registered in a sub-address in advance, and a sub-address corresponding to the mail address of the destination user is specified in a pre-transmission procedure.

If distribution of image information is instructed and the result of determination 113 is YES, image information distribution processing (processing 114) for transferring the received image information to the designated Hanshin destination is executed. When the distribution of the image information is not instructed and the result of the determination 113 is NO,
Since the terminal itself is the final destination, the received image information is recorded and output (process 115).

Then, regarding the receiving operation at that time, the above-mentioned communication management information is created and stored (process 116).
The communication management information is transferred to the mail server device SM and stored (process 117), and the process returns to the determination 101.

When the transmission operation is performed, the judgment 10
When the result of step 3 becomes YES, after the user's account, destination information, etc. are input, the process waits until transmission is instructed (step 120, NO loop of decision 121), and transmission start is instructed. If the result is YES, a call is made to the destination specified at that time (step 122), and a group 3 facsimile process at the time of predetermined transmission is executed (step 123). When the image information transmission is completed, the line is restored (process 124), the communication management information described above is created and stored for the transmission operation at that time (process 125), and the communication management information is transferred to the mail server device SM. And store it (step 126), and return to the determination 101.

FIG. 8 shows an example of processing of the mail server device SM for storing and accessing the communication management information.

The mail server SM monitors whether it receives a request for storing communication management information from any one of the network facsimile machines FX or a request for transmission of communication management information from any of the workstations WS. (NO loop of judgments 201 and 202).

When a request to save communication management information is received from any of the network facsimile machines FX and the result of determination 201 is YES, a connection response is made to the connection request at that time (process 203), and communication is performed. The management information is received and stored in a communication management table (not shown) (step 204), and the communication connection is disconnected (step 2).
05), returning to the decision 201.

When a request for transmission of communication management information is received from any of the workstations WS and the result of determination 202 is YES, a connection response is made to the connection request at that time (process 206). Then, the user requests the account name of the user to the workstation WS of the other party at that time, saves the input account name (step 207), and then, the workstation WS of the other party at that time , A password is requested, and the input password is stored (step 208). The user registration table stored in the terminal is referred to, and the password corresponding to the stored account name is matched. Is authenticated (process 209).

By this authentication, it is confirmed that the password for the account name is incorrect, and if the request at that time is rejected (the result of decision 210 is NO), the other party's workstation rejects the service. Device WS
(Process 211), disconnect the communication connection at that time (process 212), and return to determination 201.

Further, by this authentication, it is confirmed that the password for the account name is correct, and if the request at that time is permitted (the result of determination 210 is YES), the counterpart workstation apparatus WS at that time is sent to the counterpart workstation apparatus WS. In response to the request, a search key for extracting communication management information is requested, and the input search key is stored (process 213).
The specified element is extracted from the elements of the communication management information table based on the account name and the search key (processing 21).
4).

If one or more elements are found by this search (result of determination 215 is YES), list information in a predetermined format for displaying the list of the extracted elements is created (process 216). The list information is transmitted to the workstation device WS on the partner side (process 217). Then, the communication connection at that time is disconnected (processing 2).
18) Return to decision 201.

If none of the elements is found by the search in the process 214 (the result of the judgment 215 is NO), the corresponding workstation device WS is notified to the other workstation device WS (process 219), and the process is executed. The process proceeds to 218 to disconnect the communication connection, and returns to the determination 201.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the communication management information of the network facsimile machine FX is collectively managed by the mail server SM, and when the communication management information is taken out from the mail server SM, the operation of the user who operates the network facsimile machine FX is performed. Since the user is able to retrieve only communication management information that matches the account by authenticating with the account, communication management can be appropriately performed when many users share the network facsimile machine FX.

Also, when searching for communication management information, appropriate search conditions (for example, date and time) can be specified, so that the user can extract only desired communication management information, which is more convenient. Communication management can be performed.

In the above-described embodiment, the communication management information can be extracted for each user account. However, if the communication management information can be extracted for each group, for example, the communication management work can be performed for each department. It is convenient.

FIG. 9 shows an example of the processing of the mail server device SM for storing and accessing the communication management information in that case.

The mail server SM monitors whether it receives a request for storing communication management information from any one of the network facsimile machines FX or a request for transmission of communication management information from any of the workstations WS. (NO loop of judgments 301 and 302).

When a request for storing communication management information is received from any of the network facsimile machines FX and the result of determination 301 is YES, a connection response is made to the connection request at that time (process 303), and communication is performed. The management information is received and stored in a communication management table (not shown) (step 304), and the communication connection is disconnected (step 3).
05), and return to the determination 301.

When a transmission request for communication management information is received from any of the workstations WS and the result of determination 302 is YES, a connection response is made to the connection request at that time (process 306). Then, the user requests the workstation group WS of the other party to input the group name of the user, stores the input group name (step 307), and refers to the user registration table stored in the terminal. Then, it is checked whether or not the saved group name is registered (process 308).

By this inspection, it is confirmed that the group name has not been registered, and if the request at that time is rejected (result of determination 309 is NO), it is determined that the service is rejected. Notify WS (Process 3
10) Then, the communication connection at that time is disconnected (process 311), and the process returns to the determination 301.

Further, the inspection in the process 308 confirms that the group name has been registered, and if the request at that time is permitted (the result of the judgment 309 is YES), the workstation of the other party at that time The device WS is requested to input a search key for extracting the communication management information, the input search key is stored (step 312), and the element of the communication management information table is determined based on the group name and the search key. Then, the designated element is extracted from (step 313).

If one or more elements are found by this search (result of determination 314 is YES), list information in a predetermined format for displaying a list of the extracted elements is created (processing 315). The list information is transmitted to the work station apparatus WS on the partner side (step 316). Then, the communication connection at that time is disconnected (process 3).
17), and return to determination 301.

If none of the elements is found by the search in the process 313 (the result of the determination 314 is NO), the corresponding workstation is notified to the other workstation device WS (process 318). The flow shifts to 317 to disconnect the communication connection, and returns to determination 301.

As described above, in this embodiment, the user can extract the communication management information from the mail server SM in units of groups, so that, for example, the communication management work can be performed for each department, which is convenient.

Incidentally, the local area network L
When a plurality of network facsimile machines FX are connected to the AN, there is a request to obtain communication management information for each network facsimile machine FX.

FIG. 10 shows an example of processing of the mail server device SM for storing and accessing the communication management information in that case.
Shown in

The mail server SM monitors whether it receives a request for storing communication management information from any of the network facsimile machines FX or a request for transmission of communication management information from any of the workstations WS. (NO loop of judgments 401 and 402).

When a request for storing communication management information is received from one of the network facsimile machines FX and the result of determination 401 is YES, a connection response is made to the connection request at that time (process 403), and communication is performed. The management information is received and stored in a communication management table (not shown) (step 404), and the communication connection is disconnected (step 4).
05), returning to the judgment 401.

When a transmission request for communication management information is received from any of the workstations WS and the result of determination 402 is YES, a connection response is made to the connection request at that time (process 406). At that time, a request is made for the terminal ID of the network facsimile machine FX to be input to the other workstation WS, and the input terminal ID is stored (step 40).
7) Referring to the user registration table stored in the own terminal, it is checked whether or not the stored terminal ID is registered (process 408).

By this inspection, it is confirmed that the terminal identification ID has not been registered, and if the request at that time is rejected (result of determination 409 is NO), the other party's workstation rejects the service. The device WS is notified (process 410), the communication connection at that time is disconnected (process 411), and the process returns to the determination 401.

Further, the inspection in the process 408 confirms that the terminal identification ID has been registered, and if the request at that time is permitted (the result of the determination 409 is YES), the work of the other party at that time is performed. Requesting the station device WS to input a search key for extracting communication management information;
The input search key is stored (process 412), and the specified element is extracted from the elements of the communication management information table based on the terminal ID and the search key (process 413).

If one or more elements are found by this search (the result of determination 414 is YES), list information in a predetermined format for displaying a list of the extracted elements is created (processing 415). The list information is transmitted to the workstation device WS on the partner side (step 416). Then, the communication connection at that time is disconnected (process 4).
17) Return to determination 401.

If none of the elements is found by the search in the process 413 (the result of the judgment 414 is NO), the corresponding workstation is notified to the other workstation device WS (process 418). The process proceeds to 417 to disconnect the communication connection, and returns to the determination 401.

As described above, in this embodiment, the user can extract the communication management information for each network facsimile device FX from the mail server device SM, so that the user can perform the communication management work for each network facsimile device FX, which is convenient. is there.

In each of the above-described embodiments, the user can extract the communication management information for each account name, group name, or network facsimile machine FX. However, there is also a request to print out the communication management information. is there.

FIG. 11 shows an example of the processing of the mail server apparatus SM for storing and accessing the communication management information in that case.
And FIG. In this case, for each user's account, whether or not the user has the right to print out is set, and table information (not shown) for that is formed and stored in the mail server SM.

The mail server device SM receives a communication management information storage request from one of the network facsimile devices FX or a communication management information transmission request from one of the workstation devices WS.
Alternatively, it monitors whether a print request for communication management information is received from any of the workstation devices WS (NO loop of determinations 501, 502, 503).

When a request for storing communication management information is received from any of the network facsimile machines FX and the result of determination 501 is YES, a connection response is made to the connection request at that time (process 504), and communication is performed. The management information is received and stored in a communication management table (not shown) (step 505), and the communication connection is disconnected (step 5).
06), returning to the decision 501;

If a transmission request for communication management information is received from any of the workstations WS and the result of determination 502 is YES, a connection response is made to the connection request at that time (process 507). A request is made for the user's account name to be input to the counterpart workstation apparatus WS at that time, the input account name is stored (step 508), and then the counterpart workstation apparatus WS at that time is stored. , Requesting the user to input a password, storing the input password (step 509), and referring to the user registration table stored in the own terminal to determine whether the password corresponding to the stored account name matches. Is authenticated (process 510).

By this authentication, it is confirmed that the password for the account name is incorrect, and if the request at that time is rejected (result of decision 511 is NO), the other party's workstation rejects the service. Device WS
(Process 512), disconnect the communication connection at that time (process 513), and return to determination 501.

Also, by the authentication of the process 510, it is confirmed that the password for the account name is correct, and if the request at that time is permitted (the result of the judgment 511 is YE
S), the counterpart workstation device WS at that time
Is requested to input a search key for extracting communication management information, and the input search key is stored (step 51).
4) Extract the specified element from the elements of the communication management information table based on the account name and the search key (process 515).

If one or more elements are found by this search (the result of determination 516 is YES), list information in a predetermined format for displaying a list of the extracted elements is created (step 517). The list information is transmitted to the workstation device WS on the partner side (step 518). Then, the communication connection at that time is disconnected (processing 5).
19), returning to the judgment 501;

If none of the elements is found by the search in the process 515 (the result of the determination 516 is NO), the corresponding workstation is notified to the other workstation device WS (process 520). The process proceeds to 519 to disconnect the communication connection, and returns to the determination 501.

When a print request for communication management information is received from any of the workstations WS,
If the result of determination 503 is YES, a connection response is made to the connection request at that time (process 521), and an input request of the user's account name is made to the workstation at the other end of the work at that time, and The entered account name is saved (process 522), and then a password is requested to the counterpart workstation device WS at that time, and the entered password is saved (process 523). Then, the user authentication table is authenticated by referring to the user registration table stored in the process (step 524).

The authentication of this process 524 confirms that the password for the account name is correct, and if the request at that time is permitted (the result of decision 525 is YE
S), it is checked whether the print authority is set to “Yes” for the input account name (decision 5).
26).

If the print authority is set to "Yes" for the account name and the result of determination 527 is YES, the communication management information is extracted from the workstation WS of the other party at that time. Request for a search key to perform the search, save the input search key (process 528), and extract the specified element from the elements of the communication management information table based on the account name and the search key (process 528). 529).

If one or more elements are found by this search (result of determination 530 is YES), the communication connection at that time is disconnected (process 531). Then, list information in a predetermined format for displaying a list of the extracted elements is created (step 532), a network facsimile machine FX for recording and outputting the list information is selected (step 533), and the network facsimile apparatus F is selected.
A printout request is sent to X via the local area network LAN, and the created list information is
The data is transmitted to the selected network facsimile machine FX (process 534), and the process returns to the judgment 501.

Thus, the destination network facsimile machine FX accepts the printout request at that time and records and outputs the received list information.

If none of the elements is found by the search in the process 529 (the result of the determination 530 is NO), the corresponding workstation device WS is notified of the absence of the corresponding item (process 531), and the communication is performed. Is disconnected (process 536), and the process returns to the judgment 501.

Further, the authentication in the process 524 confirms that the password for the account name is incorrect, and the request at that time is rejected (the result of the determination 525 is NO), or the notified account name If the print authority is set to "None", the judgment 52
If the result of step 7 is NO, the service refusal is notified to the counterpart workstation apparatus WS (step 536), the communication connection at that time is disconnected (step 537), and the process returns to the judgment 501.

As described above, in this embodiment, the communication management information of the network facsimile machine FX is collectively managed by the mail server SM, and when the communication management information is taken out from the mail server SM, the operation of the user who operates the mail facsimile machine FX is performed. Since the user is able to retrieve only communication management information that matches the account by authenticating with the account, communication management can be appropriately performed when many users share the network facsimile machine FX.

Also, when searching for communication management information, appropriate search conditions (for example, date and time) can be specified, so that the user can extract only desired communication management information, which is more convenient. Communication management can be performed.

Further, since a list of communication management information under conditions specified by the user can be recorded and output from any of the network facsimile machines FX, the communication management information can be managed as a printed matter, which is convenient. The selection of the network facsimile machine FX to be recorded and output may be one set in advance,
You may make it set for every account.

FIGS. 13 and 14 show still another example of the processing of the mail server device SM relating to the storage and access of the communication management information. In this case, for each user's account, whether or not the user has the right to print out is set, and table information (not shown) for that is formed and stored in the mail server SM.

The mail server SM receives a request for storing communication management information from any one of the network facsimile machines FX or a transmission request for communication management information from any of the workstations WS.
Alternatively, it monitors whether a print request for communication management information is received from any of the workstations WS (NO loop of determinations 601, 602, and 603).

When a request to save communication management information is received from any of the network facsimile machines FX and the result of determination 601 is YES, a connection response is made to the connection request at that time (process 604), and communication is performed. The management information is received and stored in a communication management table (not shown) (step 605), and the communication connection is disconnected (step 6).
06), and return to the determination 601.

When a transmission request for communication management information is received from any of the workstations WS and the result of determination 602 is YES, a connection response is made to the connection request at that time (process 607). A request is made for the user's account name to be input to the counterpart workstation apparatus WS at that time, the input account name is stored (step 608), and then the counterpart workstation apparatus WS at that time is stored. , Requesting the user to input a password, storing the input password (step 609), and referring to the user registration table stored in the own terminal to determine whether the password for the stored account name matches. Is authenticated (process 610).

By this authentication, it is confirmed that the password for the account name is incorrect, and if the request at that time is rejected (result of determination 611 is NO), it is determined that the service is rejected. Device WS
(Process 612), disconnect the communication connection at that time (process 613), and return to determination 601.

Further, the authentication of the process 610 confirms that the password for the account name is correct, and if the request at that time is permitted (the result of the determination 611 is YE
S), the counterpart workstation device WS at that time
Request for a search key for extracting communication management information from the user, and save the input search key (processing 61
4) Extract the specified element from the elements of the communication management information table based on the account name and the search key (process 615).

If one or more elements are found by this search (the result of decision 616 is YES), list information in a predetermined format for displaying the list of the extracted elements is created (step 617). The list information is transmitted to the workstation WS of the other party (step 618). Then, the communication connection at that time is disconnected (process 6).
19), and return to decision 601.

If none of the elements is found by the search in the process 615 (the result of the judgment 616 is NO), the corresponding workstation is notified to the other workstation device WS (process 620). The process proceeds to 619 to disconnect the communication connection, and returns to the determination 601.

When a print request for communication management information is received from any of the workstations WS,
When the result of the determination 603 is YES, a connection response is made to the connection request at that time (process 621), and an input request of the user's account name is made to the counterpart workstation apparatus WS at that time. The entered account name is saved (process 622), and then a password is requested to the other workstation WS at the time, and the entered password is saved (process 623). Then, referring to the user registration table stored in (1), it is authenticated whether or not the password for the stored account name matches (process 624).

By the authentication in this process 624, it is confirmed that the password for the account name is correct, and if the request at that time is permitted (the result of decision 625 is YE
S), it is checked whether the print authority is set to “Yes” for the input account name (determination 6).
26).

When the print authority is set to “Yes” for the account name and the result of determination 627 is YES, the communication management information is extracted for the workstation WS of the other party at that time. Request for a search key to perform the search, save the input search key (process 628), and, based on the group name and the search key registered corresponding to the account name, the elements of the communication management information table. Then, the specified element is extracted from (step 629).

If one or more elements are found by this search (result of determination 630 is YES), the communication connection at that time is disconnected (process 631). Then, list information in a predetermined format for displaying a list of the extracted elements is created (step 632), a network facsimile machine FX for recording and outputting the list information is selected (step 633), and the network facsimile apparatus F is selected.
A printout request is sent to X via the local area network LAN, and the created list information is
The data is transmitted to the selected network facsimile machine FX (process 634), and the process returns to the determination 601.

Thus, the destination network facsimile machine FX accepts the printout request at that time and records and outputs the received list information.

If no element is found by the search in the process 629 (NO in the result of the judgment 630), the corresponding workstation is notified to the other workstation device WS (process 631), and the communication is performed. Is disconnected (process 636), and the process returns to the determination 601.

Further, the authentication in the process 624 confirms that the password for the account name is incorrect, and rejects the request at that time (the result of the determination 625 is NO), or If the print authority is set to "None", the judgment 62
When the result of step 7 is NO, the service refusal is notified to the counterpart workstation apparatus WS (step 636), the communication connection at that time is disconnected (step 637), and the process returns to the judgment 601.

As described above, in the present embodiment, a list of communication management information of specified conditions for a group to which a user belongs can be recorded and output from any of the network facsimile apparatuses FX. Communication management information can be managed as printed matter, which is convenient. The selection of the network facsimile machine FX to be recorded and output may be one set in advance or may be set for each account.

In the above-described embodiment, the print authority is set for the personal account. However, the print authority can be set for each group.

[0107]

As described above, according to the present invention,
The communication management information of the network facsimile machine FX is collectively managed by the mail server SM, and when the communication management information is taken out from the mail server SM, the communication management information corresponding to the account is authenticated by authenticating the operating user's account. Since only the information can be taken out by the user, the effect is obtained that when a large number of users share the network facsimile machine FX, communication management can be performed appropriately.

Further, when searching for communication management information, appropriate search conditions (for example, date and time) can be designated, so that the user can extract only desired communication management information, which is more convenient. There is also an effect that communication management can be performed.

Further, since the user can extract the communication management information from the mail server device SM on a group basis, the user can carry out the communication management work for each department, for example, which is convenient.

Further, since the user can extract the communication management information for each network facsimile machine FX from the mail server SM, the network facsimile machine FX
The communication management work can be performed every time, so that there is also an advantage that it is convenient.

Further, since a list of the communication management information under the conditions designated by the user can be recorded and output from any of the network facsimile apparatuses FX, the communication management information can be managed as a printed matter, which is convenient. Also get the effect.

A list of communication management information of a group to which a user belongs under specified conditions can be recorded and output from any of the network facsimile apparatuses FX, so that the communication management information is managed as a printed matter for each group. And it is convenient.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a network system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows a network facsimile machine FX (FX1 to FX1).
FXm) is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a user registration table.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of communication management information.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart schematically showing a part of a processing example executed by the network facsimile machine FX;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart schematically illustrating another part of a processing example executed by the network facsimile machine FX;

FIG. 7 is a flowchart schematically illustrating the remaining part of a processing example executed by the network facsimile machine FX;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of processing of the mail server device SM for storing and accessing communication management information.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing another example of the processing of the mail server device SM for storing and accessing the communication management information.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing still another example of the processing of the mail server device SM for storing and accessing the communication management information.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a part of another example of the processing of the mail server device SM for storing and accessing the communication management information.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing another part of another example of the processing of the mail server device SM relating to storage and access of the communication management information.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a part of still another example of the process of the mail server device SM for storing and accessing the communication management information.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing another part of still another example of the processing of the mail server device SM for storing and accessing the communication management information.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code FI H04L 12/58 H04L 9/00 675D H04M 11/00 302 11/00 310C H04N 1/00 107 11/20 101C 1/44

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A network facsimile apparatus having a function of exchanging data on a local area network and the Internet, a function of exchanging facsimile data by a facsimile transmission procedure performed through a public network, and various types of local area networks. A server device that executes a communication service, and is connected to a local area network to use the communication function and the like of the server device and the network facsimile device.
In a method for controlling a network facsimile communication system including at least one workstation device, a unique account and a password for authentication are registered for each user of the network facsimile communication system, and the registration information is stored in the server device. When the network facsimile apparatus terminates the communication operation or the like, the network facsimile apparatus creates communication management information indicating the history of the communication operation including the account name of the user user at that time and saves the communication management information in the server apparatus. On the other hand, when the server device receives the communication management information from the network facsimile device, the server device stores the communication management information in a communication management table, and when any of the users requests reception of the communication management information, On, saved The request is authenticated using the account and the password, and if the request is permitted by the authentication, the communication management information including the account name that matches the notified account is extracted from the communication management table. A method for controlling a network facsimile communication system, characterized by transmitting the request to the request source. 2. A network facsimile apparatus having a function of exchanging data on a local area network and the Internet, a function of exchanging facsimile data by a facsimile transmission procedure performed through a public network, and various types of local area networks. A server device that executes a communication service, and is connected to a local area network to use the communication function and the like of the server device and the network facsimile device.
A method for controlling a network facsimile communication system comprising at least one workstation device, comprising: registering a group to which each user of the network facsimile communication system belongs; storing the registration information in the server device; Creates communication management information indicating the history of communication operations and the like including the user user's group name at that time when the communication operations and the like are completed, and stores the communication management information in the server device. When receiving the communication management information from the network facsimile apparatus, the communication management information is stored in a communication management table, and when the reception of the communication management information is requested by any user, the stored group is stored. About the request using It performs a testimony, if the request is granted by the authentication,
A control method for a network facsimile communication system, comprising: taking out communication management information including a group name corresponding to a notified group from the communication management table and transmitting the communication management information to a request source thereof. 3. A network facsimile apparatus having a function of exchanging data on a local area network and the Internet, a function of exchanging facsimile data by a facsimile transmission procedure performed through a public network, and various types of local facsimile equipment. A server device that executes a communication service, and is connected to a local area network to use the communication function and the like of the server device and the network facsimile device.
In a method for controlling a network facsimile communication system including at least one workstation device, identification information is assigned to each of the workstation devices, and the identification information is stored in the server device. Upon completion of the above, communication management information including the identification information of the workstation device used by the user user at that time and representing the history of the communication operation and the like is created, and the communication management information is stored in the server device, while the server When the device receives the communication management information from the network facsimile device, the device stores the communication management information in the communication management table, and when any of the users requests reception of the communication management information, the device stores the communication management information. Authenticate the request using the above identification information Done, if the request is granted by the authentication,
A control method for a network facsimile communication system, characterized in that communication management information including identification information that matches the notified identification information is extracted from the communication management table and transmitted to the request source. 4. A network facsimile apparatus having a function of exchanging data on a local area network and the Internet, a function of exchanging facsimile data by a facsimile transmission procedure performed via a public network, and various types of local area networks. A server device that executes a communication service, and is connected to a local area network to use the communication function and the like of the server device and the network facsimile device.
A method for controlling a network facsimile communication system comprising at least one workstation device, comprising: for each user of the network facsimile communication system, a unique account and a password for authentication, and information on the presence or absence of printout authority. Registers and stores the registration information in the server device. When the network facsimile device terminates the communication operation or the like, the network facsimile device creates communication management information including the account name of the user user at that time and representing the history of the communication operation and the like. Upon receiving the communication management information from the network facsimile apparatus, the server apparatus stores the communication management information in the communication management table, and stores the communication management information in the communication management table. Management information If the print-out has been requested, it conserved the account and the password,
If the request is authenticated by using the printout authority information and the request is permitted by the authentication, the communication management information including the account name corresponding to the notified account is transmitted to the communication management information. It is taken out from the table, transferred as print information to any of the network facsimile apparatuses, and instructs the network facsimile apparatus to print out. The network facsimile apparatus receives the print information from the server apparatus, and the printout is instructed. And receiving and printing the received print information. 5. A network facsimile apparatus having a function of exchanging data on a local area network and the Internet, a function of exchanging facsimile data by a facsimile transmission procedure performed via a public network, and various types of local area networks. A server device that executes a communication service, and is connected to a local area network to use the communication function and the like of the server device and the network facsimile device.
A method for controlling a network facsimile communication system comprising at least one workstation device, comprising: for each user of the network facsimile communication system, a unique account and a password for authentication, a group to which the user belongs, and a printout authority. The presence / absence information is registered, the registration information is stored in the server device, and the network facsimile device, when terminating the communication operation or the like, displays a history of the communication operation including the account name of the user user at that time. While creating the information and storing the communication management information in the server device, the server device, when receiving the communication management information from the network facsimile device, stores the communication management information in a communication management table, and Users If the print-out of al communication management information is requested, it conserved the account and the password,
If the request is authenticated using the information on whether or not the user has the right to print out, and the request is permitted by the authentication, a communication including a group name corresponding to the group registered in the notified account is performed. The management information is extracted from the communication management table, transferred to any one of the network facsimile apparatuses as print information, and instructed to print out to the network facsimile apparatus. The network facsimile apparatus receives print information from the server apparatus. And receiving and printing the received print information when a printout is instructed, the method for controlling a network facsimile communication system.