JPH0983767A - Fax machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a facsimile equipment which improves the efficiency of the memory of a server, eliminates the rejection of incoming and is easy for a transmission-side user to use by equipping the facsimile equipment with a means which retrieves log-in information on a LAN, a means which receives data, and a data distributing means which distributes data received by a terminal device on the LAN. SOLUTION: Once an incoming is detected, the image data are received in S502 and then it is decided in following S503 whether or not the data reception is completed. When it is decided that the data reception is completed, an advance to S504 is made to decide whether or not the transmitting station side has specified which terminal on the LAN the data are distributed to at the time of the data reception. When the distribution destination is designated, a distribution table is referred to in S505 and it is decided in S506 whether or not the designated user name has logged in. When the user is logged in, an advance to S511 is made to copy the data to the management area of the specified user present on the server.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile machine having a LAN interface.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a facsimile apparatus having a LAN interface, when a distribution request is made from an external line, the request is not received, or even if the request is received, does the distribution destination exist? The control is performed such that the determination as to whether or not to perform is not performed.

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional facsimile machine, for example, when an incoming call is made by a user designated to exist on the LAN, the user is
If it does not actually exist on the LAN, the incoming call is rejected, or the device keeps holding the state, and the memory of the facsimile device becomes full. There's a problem.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to improve the efficiency of use of the memory of the server and to reject incoming calls as much as possible, which is convenient for the sending user. To provide a good facsimile device.

[0005]

To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a local area network (LAN).
A facsimile apparatus which is accommodated in a LAN and which transmits and receives data to and from a partner communication apparatus through a line connected to the LAN, means for retrieving login information on the LAN, and means for receiving the data transmitted through the line, Data distribution means for distributing the received data to the terminal device on the LAN according to the login information.

[0006]

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

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, a CPU 101 is a system control unit (CPU),
Controls the entire device. The ROM 102 is the CPU 101
The RAM 103 stores the control program of
It is composed of SRAM or the like and stores variables and the like necessary for program control. The RAM 103 also stores setting values registered by the operator, management data of the apparatus, and the like, and further functions as a buffer for various works. Storage memory 10
Reference numeral 4 is composed of, for example, a DRAM or the like, and stores image data.

The resolution conversion processing section 105 performs resolution conversion control such as millimeter-inch conversion of raster data. The communication coding / decoding processing unit 106 performs coding for communication when the coding method at the time of reading and recording the image is different from the coding method at the time of communication. The reading / recording encoding / decoding processing unit 107 performs encoding / decoding processing of image data at the time of reading and recording.

The MODEM 108 modulates / demodulates a facsimile transmission / reception signal, and the NCU 109
Selection signal (dial pulse,
Or tone dial) to the wired communication line 120 via the wired line i / f 117, or the wireless line i / f
It has a function of sending to the wireless communication line 121 via 118, and also performs an automatic incoming call operation by detecting a calling signal.

The wired / wireless line controller 119 controls the wired line i / f 117 and the wireless line i / f 118.

The scanner 111 is, for example, a CS (not shown).
It is composed of an image sensor, a document transport mechanism, and the like, and optically reads a document and converts it into electrical image data. The image processing unit 110 performs correction processing on the image data read by the scanner 111 and outputs high-definition image data. The operation unit 112 is composed of, for example, a keyboard and the like, and the operator performs various input operations. The external display unit 113 is, for example, LCD, L
The ED or the like is used to display and notify the user of predetermined information.

The printer formatter 114 is, for example,
When printing file data from a workstation or the like, the printer description language is analyzed and converted into image data. Further, the printer 115 records the received image and file data on recording paper.

The wired LAN i / f 122 is a wired LAN 1
The wireless LAN i / f 123 is an interface for connecting a facsimile device to the wireless LAN 1
26 is an interface for connecting a facsimile apparatus to 26. The wired LAN i / f 122 and the wireless LAN i / f 123 are controlled by the wired / wireless LAN control unit 124. Then, the LAN control unit 11
6 performs data processing in order to exchange data with a server or terminal (not shown) on the wired LAN 125 or the wireless LAN 126.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a connection form of a system using the facsimile apparatus according to the present embodiment. In the figure, reference numeral 201 denotes a facsimile apparatus (LAN-FAX) according to this embodiment, which is a facsimile apparatus that can be directly connected to a wired LAN and a wireless LAN. Two
02 is the LA to which the facsimile apparatus 201 is connected
It is a server machine of N and manages LAN and files on the LAN.

Reference numerals 203 and 204 denote wired LAN 1 respectively.
Client machine connected to 25 (information processing terminal)
WS-1 and WS-2. 205 receives the print request from the client machine, and the printer 2
The printer 206 is a printer server that performs control to output the print image data to the printer 06, and the printer 206 visually outputs the input print image data.

Reference numeral 207 denotes a client machine WS-3, 208 connected to the wireless LAN 126, and a facsimile machine for communicating with the facsimile machine 201 through a telephone line from the public line network (PSTN) 211 and the public telephone network 210. . A wireless base station 209 performs facsimile communication with the facsimile apparatus 201 through the wireless line 213.

The wireless LAN 126 is a LAN composed of a facsimile machine having a wireless LAN interface and a client machine, and a wireless line 213.
Is a line connecting the facsimile apparatus 201 and the wireless base station 209 via a wireless line interface.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing a process after power is turned on in a general network terminal. This is especially true for the client machines 203, 20 shown in FIG.
It is a flow chart which shows a processing procedure at the time of starting 4 etc.

In FIG. 3, if power is turned on in step S301, the hardware (various devices) of the terminal is initialized in step S302. In the following step S303, an idle state, that is, a normal stand-alone terminal is activated.

Since the terminal device is connected to the LAN, the following steps are performed automatically or by the operation of the user. That is, in step S304, the LA to be connected is connected.
The user logs in to participate in the N specific networks and performs operations such as inputting a user name and a server name that manages the network desired to participate. In step S305, as network link settings,
The initial communication operation relating to the above login is performed between the terminal device and the server machine 202. This step S305
By executing, the registration management of the fact that the clients 203, 204 and the like have logged in is performed on the server 202.

In step S306, the area managed by each user who logs in is searched on the server 202. Then, in step S307, it is confirmed whether the received mail or the like has not arrived in the user management area while the user is not logged in. If it is determined that there is the mail or the like here, in step S308, the mail is received. Is displayed on the display or the like. Then, step S30
The process proceeds to the login mode in 9, and the terminal device is operated either as a stand-alone device or as a terminal on the network.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a distribution table used in the facsimile apparatus (LAN-FAX) according to this embodiment. The distribution table shown in FIG.
It may exist on the M103 and may be rewritten at regular time intervals, or may be rewritable by the user of the LAN-FAX.

In this table, 401 is the same LA
Multiple network numbers that can exist are stored in N, 40
2 is the user name used when logging in, 403 is
This is a priority order section that indicates users to be delivered when the delivery destination receives data without designation from the line. Here, the one whose priority is shown as “1” first becomes a candidate as a distribution destination.

Further, reference numeral 404 is a proxy user name indicating a user who receives data instead when the specified user does not log in when the incoming call is received from the line by designating the delivery destination.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing an example of control using the table shown in FIG. More specifically, FIG.
LAN-FAX 201 is from FAX 208 to line 2
9 is a flowchart showing control of proxy reception when an incoming call is received via 10 or the like.

If an incoming call is detected in step S501 of FIG. 5, the image data is received in step S502, and in the following step S503, it is determined whether or not the data reception is completed. If it is determined that the data reception is completed, the process proceeds to step S504, and it is determined whether or not the transmission station side has designated which terminal on the LAN the data will be delivered to when receiving the data.

In step S504, no delivery destination is specified,
Alternatively, if it is determined that there is no priority, the process proceeds to step S513, and the LAN-FAX 201 itself prints out. However, if the delivery destination is specified, step S5
In 05, the distribution table shown in FIG. 4 is referred to, and in step S506, it is determined whether or not the designated user name is logged in. If the user is logged in, the process proceeds to step S511, and the operation of copying the data to the management area of the designated user existing on the server 202 is performed.

Further, in the following step S512, a distribution mail including a message indicating that the mail has been distributed, for example, "Data has been received from Mr. XXX" is sent to the terminal where the designated user has logged in. Send to the device. However, if it is determined in step S506 that the user designated by the FAX 208 has not logged in yet, the proxy reception operation described below is performed.

For example, when an incoming call is made to the user "Abe" shown in FIG. 4, but Mr. Abe is not logged in,
The determination in step S507 is entered. That is, in step S507, it is determined whether the proxy user shown in FIG. 4 is logged in. When Mr. Abe is not logged in, it is determined whether Mr. Saru, who is the proxy user, is logged in.

If it is determined in step 507 that the proxy user has logged in, the flow advances to step S508 to copy the data to the management area of the proxy user existing on the server 202. Then, in step S509
Then, a distribution mail including a message indicating that the distribution has been made, for example, "Data has been received from Mr. XXX" is transmitted to the terminal device to which the proxy user has logged in.

If it is determined in step S507 that the proxy user has not logged in, the process advances to step S510 to copy the data to the designated user management area existing on the server 202.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when a corresponding user does not exist on the LAN when an incoming call is designated by the user, the proxy user who receives the received data by the proxy is stored in the memory on the LAN-FAX. Can be used to improve the memory usage efficiency of the server,
It is possible to avoid rejecting incoming calls as much as possible and provide a device that is easy for the sending user to use.

Further, when neither the designated user nor the substitute user is logged in, the mail is not sent to them and the data is received from the sending side by the user's designation, so that the facsimile machine prints without permission. Since the operation such as the out is not performed, the confidentiality of the communication can be maintained when the sender receives the incoming call designated by the user.

The present invention may be applied to a system including a plurality of devices such as a host computer, an interface and a printer, or may be applied to an apparatus including a single device. Further, it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to the case where it is implemented by supplying a program to a system or an apparatus. In this case, the storage medium storing the program according to the present invention constitutes the present invention. Then, by reading the program from the storage medium into the system or device, the system or device operates in a predetermined manner.

[0035]

As described above, according to the present invention,
When the designated terminal device does not exist on the LAN, the proxy user accepts the received data to improve the memory usage efficiency of the server and eliminate incoming calls as much as possible. A good facsimile device can be provided.

[0036]

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a connection form of a system using the facsimile apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing processing after power is turned on in a general network terminal.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a configuration of a distribution table.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a control procedure for proxy reception.

[Explanation of symbols]

 101 CPU 102 ROM 103 RAM 104 Storage Memory 105 Resolution Conversion Processing Unit 106 Communication Encoding / Decoding Processing Unit 107 Reading / Recording Encoding / Decoding Processing Unit 108 MODEM 109 NCU 110 Image Processing Unit 111 Scanner 112 Operation Unit 113 External Display Section 114 printer formatter 115 printer 116 LAN control section 117 wired line i / f 118 wireless line i / f 119 wired / wireless circuit control section 120 wired communication line 121 wireless communication line 122 wired LAN i / f 123 wireless LAN i / f 124 wired / Wireless LAN control unit 126 Wireless LAN

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Koichi Matsumoto 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Ken Saruto 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Incorporated (72) Inventor Fumio Shoji 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc.

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A local area network (LAN)
A facsimile apparatus which is accommodated in a LAN and which transmits and receives data to and from a partner communication apparatus through a line connected to the LAN, means for retrieving login information on the LAN, and means for receiving the data transmitted via the line, A facsimile apparatus comprising: a data distribution unit that distributes the received data to a terminal device on the LAN according to the login information. 2. The system further comprises means for setting a proxy user and means for determining whether or not the proxy user can receive data, wherein the data distribution means is such that the terminal device of the distribution destination of the received data is the LAN. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the data is transmitted to the proxy user when the user has not logged in. 3. The data distribution means registers the received data in a management area of a designated terminal device when the proxy user is not logged in to the LAN. Fax machine. 4. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the proxy user is set in the form of a rewritable distribution table in the facsimile apparatus. 5. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the distribution table is set with a priority order indicating a distribution destination of the received data when there is no distribution destination of the received data. 6. The received data is output by the facsimile machine when the priority is not set or when the received data is not delivered to the facsimile device. Fax machine.