U.S. patent application number 09/189584 was filed with the patent office on 2002-03-14 for communication equipment communication route selection method and computer program product in memory for selecting a communication route.
Invention is credited to IDEHARA, TAKENORI.
Application Number | 20020032736 09/189584 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 18237046 |
Filed Date | 2002-03-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020032736 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
IDEHARA, TAKENORI |
March 14, 2002 |
COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT COMMUNICATION ROUTE SELECTION METHOD AND
COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT IN MEMORY FOR SELECTING A COMMUNICATION
ROUTE
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A communication equipment having
multiple communication functions, a method of selecting a
communication route among multiple communication routes that are
available between the sending equipment and receiving equipment,
and a computer program product in memory for implementing the
communication route selecting process. In route selection mode, a
list of communication routes that are available between the sending
equipment and receiving equipment is produced and displayed. The
user selects a route and associated communication function on the
displayed list, and proceeds to communication.
Inventors: |
IDEHARA, TAKENORI; (TOKYO,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BARRY E BRETSCHNEIDER
MORRISON & FOERSTER
2000 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE NW
WASHINGTON
DC
200061888
|
Family ID: |
18237046 |
Appl. No.: |
09/189584 |
Filed: |
November 10, 1998 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
709/206 ;
379/100.08; 379/100.09; 709/238 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04L 45/22 20130101;
H04L 45/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
709/206 ;
709/238; 379/100.09; 379/100.08 |
International
Class: |
G06F 015/173; H04M
011/00; G06F 015/16 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 17, 1997 |
JP |
09-330832 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A communication equipment capable of sending information to a
receiving communication equipment via a plurality of communication
routes, said equipment comprising: a route finding controller which
finds a plurality of communication routes that are available
between said sending equipment and said receiving equipment; a
display device which displays the communication routes found by
said route finding controller; an input device used to specify a
communication route out of plural communication routes displayed on
said display device; and a transmission controller which transmits
information to said receiving equipment through the communication
route specified with said input device.
2. A communication equipment according to claim 1, wherein said
route finding controller lists up communication routes that are
available for said sending equipment and communication routes that
are available for said receiving equipment, and extracts
communication routes that are available commonly for said sending
equipment and said receiving equipment.
3. A communication equipment according to claim 2, wherein said
route finding controller sends to said receiving equipment a status
request for inquiring communication routes that are available for
said receiving equipment, and lists up communication routes that
are available for said receiving equipment upon receiving a reply
from said receiving equipment in response to the status
request.
4. A communication equipment according to claim 1, wherein said
route finding controller lists up communication routes that are
available for a network connected with said sending equipment and
communication routes that are available for a network connected
with said receiving equipment, and extracts communication routes
that are available commonly for said sending equipment and said
receiving equipment.
5. A communication equipment according to claim 4, wherein said
route finding controller sends to said receiving equipment a status
request for inquiring communication routes that are available for
said network connected with said receiving equipment, and lists up
communication routes that are available by said receiving equipment
upon receiving a reply from said receiving equipment in response to
the status request.
6. A communication route selection method for selecting a
communication route to be used for communication between a sending
equipment and a receiving equipment from among a plurality of
communication routes that are available between said sending
equipment and receiving equipment, said method comprising the steps
of: a step of finding a plurality of communication routes that are
available between said sending equipment and said receiving
equipment; a step of displaying the communication routes found in
said route finding step; a step of detecting the selection of a
communication route out of the communication routes displayed in
said displaying step; and a step of sending information from said
sending equipment to said receiving equipment through the
communication route in said detection step.
7. A communication route selection method according to claim 6,
wherein said route finding step comprises the steps of: a first
listing step of listing up communication routes that are available
for said sending equipment; a second listing step of listing up
communication routes that are available for said receiving
equipment; and a step of extracting communication routes that have
been listed commonly in said first and second listing steps.
8. A communication route selection method according to claim 7,
wherein said second listing step comprises the steps of: a step of
sending a status request from said sending equipment to said
receiving equipment for inquiring communication routes that are
available for said receiving equipment; and a step of sending back,
from said receiving equipment to said sending equipment in response
to the status request, reply information indicative of the
communication routes available for said receiving equipment.
9. A communication route selection method according to claim 6,
wherein said route finding step comprises the steps of: a first
listing step of listing up communication routes that are available
for a network connected with said sending equipment; a second
listing step of listing up communication routes that are available
for a network connected with said receiving equipment; and a step
of extracting communication routes that have been listed commonly
in said first and second listing steps.
10. A communication route selection method according to claim 9,
wherein said first listing step comprises the steps of: a step of
sending a status request from said sending equipment to other
equipments connected with said network which is connected with said
sending equipment for inquiring available communication routes; and
a step of sending back, from said other equipments to said sending
equipment in response to the status request, reply information
indicative of the available communication routes.
11. A communication route selection method according to claim 9,
wherein said second listing step comprises the steps of: a first
inquiry step of sending a first status request from said sending
equipment to said receiving equipment for inquiring communication
routes that are available for said network connected with said
receiving equipment; a second inquiry step of sending, from said
receiving equipment to other equipments connected to said network
which is connected with said receiving equipment in response to the
first status request, a second status request for inquiring
available communication routes; a first reply step of sending back,
from said other equipments to said receiving equipment in response
to the second inquiry step, reply information indicative of the
available communication routes; and a second reply step of
transferring the information, which has been received in said first
reply step by said receiving equipment, to said sending
equipment.
12. A communication route selection method according to claim 9,
wherein said route display step displays communication routes on a
display device provided on said sending equipment.
13. A computer program product in memory for selecting a
communication route to be used for communication between a sending
equipment and a receiving equipment from among a plurality of
communication routes, said computer program product comprising:
route finding control for finding a plurality of communication
routes that are available for communication between said sending
equipment and said receiving equipment; display control for
displaying the communication routes found by said route finding
control; detection control for detecting the selection of a
communication route to be used for communication out of the
communication routes displayed by said display control; and
transfer control for sending information from said sending
equipment to said receiving equipment via the communication route
selected by said detection control.
14. A computer program product in memory according to claim 13,
wherein said route finding control comprises: a first listing
control for listing up communication routes that are available for
said sending equipment; a second listing control for listing up
communication routes that are available for said receiving
equipment; and route extraction control for extracting
communication routes that have been listed commonly by said first
and second listing controls.
15. A computer program product in memory according to claim 14,
wherein said second listing control comprises: inquiry control for
sending a status request from said sending equipment to said
receiving equipment for inquiring communication routes that are
available for said receiving equipment; and reply control for
sending back, from said receiving equipment to said sending
equipment in response to the status request, information indicative
of the communication routes available for said receiving
equipment.
16. A computer program product in memory according to claim 13,
wherein said route finding control comprises: a first listing
control for listing up communication routes that are available for
a network connected with said sending equipment; a second listing
control for listing up communication routes that are available for
a network connected with said receiving equipment; and route
extraction control for extracting communication routes that have
been listed commonly by said first and second listing controls.
17. A computer program product in memory according to claim 16,
wherein said first listing control comprises: inquiry control for
sending a status request from said sending equipment to other
equipments connected with said network which is connected with said
sending equipment for inquiring available communication routes; and
reply control for sending back, from said other equipments to said
sending equipment in response to the status request, reply
information indicative of the available communication routes.
18. A computer program product in memory according to claim 16,
wherein said second listing control comprises: a first inquiry
control of sending a first status request from said sending
equipment to said receiving equipment for inquiring communication
routes that are available for said network connected with said
receiving equipment; a second inquiry control of sending, from said
receiving equipment to other equipments connected to said network
which is connected with said receiving equipment in response to the
first status request, a second status request for inquiring
available communication routes; a first reply control of sending
back, from said other equipments to said receiving equipment in
response to the second inquiry control, reply information
indicative of the available communication routes; and a second
reply control of transferring the information, which has been
received by said first reply control of said receiving equipment,
to said sending equipment.
19. A computer program product in memory according to claim 13,
wherein said route display control displays communication routes on
a display device provided on said sending equipment.
Description
[0001] This application is based on patent application No. 9-330832
filed in Japan, the contents of which is hereby incorporated by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a communication equipment
having multiple communication functions, a communication route
selection method, and a computer program product in memory for
selecting a communication route.
[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0005] When information is sent to the receiving party, it is
generally sent depending on the communication function equipped on
the communication equipment of the receiving party. For example, in
case the receiving equipment has the facsimile function (will be
termed "FAX function" hereinafter), information is sent by use of
its FAX function. In case the receiving equipment has the
electronic mail function (will be termed "E-mail function"
hereinafter), information is sent by use of its E-mail function. In
case the receiving equipment has the Internet FAX function,
information is sent by use of its Internet FAX function. In case
the sending equipment and receiving equipment are connected through
a LAN (local area network), information can be sent by use of the
LAN.
[0006] Some communication equipments developed recently have
multiple communication functions among the above-mentioned FAX
function, E-mail function, Internet FAX function, and LAN
connecting function. In the case of communication between these
multi-functional communication equipment, the sending party is
allowed to send information by choosing a proper communication
function of the receiving equipment, instead of installing plural
communication equipments having different functions.
[0007] These multi-functional communication equipment allow the
sending party to choose a communication function depending on
individual communication purposes. For example, for low-cost
communication, the expensive FAX communication can be avoided. For
retaining the high-quality image transfer, the LAN connecting
function or E-mail function can be used. In the latter case,
however, communication based on E-mail cannot be achieved unless
the receiving person operates the computer to open the mail box. In
contrast, the FAX communication produces a print of information on
the receiving equipment, and it can be handed to the receiving
person. Accordingly, the FAX communication can possibly be faster
practically than the E-mail communication, and the former may be
chosen occasionally.
[0008] The Internet FAX function will be explained. In sending
information by using FAX, the telephone line fee is charged, and
therefore the communication fee depends on the distance between a
sending party and a receiving party. A conceivable manner of
low-cost communication to a distant receiving party is the use of
the Internet, and it is called "Internet FAX function".
[0009] It is assumed that the sending party has FAX unit F1,
intermediate FAX units F2 and F3 are connected through the
Internet, and the receiving party has FAX unit F4, of which F1 and
F2 are located in town A, and F3 and F4 are located in remote town
B. In this situation, information is sent from F1 to F2 in the same
town over the telephone line, it is sent from F2 to F3 through the
Internet, and it is sent from F3 to F4 in the same town over the
telephone line. This information sending manner enables a low
communication fee based on the use of the Internet for
long-distance communication between town A and town B.
[0010] Among other information sending manners, the sending party
can connect its FAX F1 directly to the Internet, or the sending
party can connect its FAX F1 to the LAN which has the connection
with the Internet.
[0011] Although multi-functional communication units allow the
sending party to choose the best communication function based on
the judgement of situation as explained above, the conventionally
available multi-functional communication equipment do not inform
the sending party of what communication function has the receiving
equipment, or as to whether the receiving equipment has a
communication function that matches with the function of the self
equipment, causing the sending party to be troubled in choosing a
communication function or to send information by using a function
that is not the best.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] A prime object of the present invention is to provide an
innovative communication equipment capable of sending information
from the sending equipment to the receiving equipment based on the
selection of a proper communication route from among multiple
available communication routes.
[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide an
innovative communication equipment capable of sending information
from the sending equipment to the receiving equipment based on the
finding of multiple communication routes that are available between
these equipments and the selection of a communication route among
the found communication routes.
[0014] Still another object of the present invention is to provide
a method of selecting a communication route among multiple
communication routes that are available between the sending
equipment and receiving equipment.
[0015] Still another object of the present invention is to provide
a computer program product in memory for implementing the process
of selecting a communication route among multiple communication
routes that are available between the sending equipment and
receiving equipment.
[0016] Other objects of the present invention will become apparent
from the following detailed description of embodiments taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first example of the
communication network;
[0018] FIG. 2 is a front view of the operation panel of the
facsimile unit as a communication equipment;
[0019] FIGS. 3(a), 3(b) and 3(c) are diagrams showing examples of
display on the LCD display screen, listing available communication
means;
[0020] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of display on the LCD
display screen at the selection of a communication route;
[0021] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of display on the LCD
display screen at the entry of the receiving equipment
identification number;
[0022] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the processing carried out by
the CPU of the sending equipment for selecting a communication
route;
[0023] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the processing carried out by
the CPU of the receiving equipment for sending a list of available
communication means;
[0024] FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a second example of the
communication network;
[0025] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the FAX sending
dialog box which is displayed on the display screen of the sending
at the call of the FAX sending menu;
[0026] FIG. 10(a) and FIG. 10(b) are diagrams showing an example of
display on the LCD display screen, listing available communication
means;
[0027] FIG. 11 is a table showing examples of communication means
that are available between the sending equipment and receiving
equipment;
[0028] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of display on the
LCD display screen at the selection of a communication route;
[0029] FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the processing carried out by
the CPU of the sending equipment for selecting a communication
route;
[0030] FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the details of the processing
of making a list of available communication means;
[0031] FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the processing carried out by
the CPU of the receiving equipment for sending a list of available
communication means; and
[0032] FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the processing of
transferring document data.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0033] Embodiments of the present invention will be explained.
First Embodiment
[0034] FIG. 1 shows a communication network pertinent to the first
embodiment of this invention. The network includes equipment A
which is a facsimile (FAX) equipment 10A and unit B which is a FAX
unit 10B. These FAX units 10A and 10B are connected to the
telephone line 23 through communication controller 18, and also
connected through their interface adapters 15 to Ethernets, e.g.,
LANs, 24 and 25, respectively, with these Ethernets 24 and 25 being
connected through mail servers 20A and 20B, respectively, to the
Internet 27.
[0035] The following explains the sending of document data from the
FAX unit 10A to the FAX unit 10B.
[0036] Each of the FAX units 10A and 10B, which is controlled by a
CPU 11, has a RAM 12 for temporarily storing document data of a
source document which has been read and document data which has
been received, a ROM 13 for storing control programs, an image
reader 14 which reads the text in an optical manner, an interface
adapter 15 which connects the FAX unit to the Ethernet, an
operation panel 16, a printer 17, and a communication controller 18
which connects the FAX unit to the telephone line.
[0037] Among these functional devices, the image reader 14, printer
17, interface adapter 15, communication controller 18, and mail
servers 20A and 20B are known of their structures and functions,
and detailed explanation thereof will be omitted.
[0038] FIG. 2 shows the operation panel 30 of the sending FAX unit
10A. The operation panel 30 has a FAX mode select key 31a, a copy
mode select key 31b, a print mode select key 31c, a scan mode
select key 31d, an E-mail select key 31e, and an LCD display screen
23 which displays the selected mode and the state of the unit and
allows data input based on the laminated touch-panel.
[0039] Among the operational modes selected by the mode selection
keys of the FAX unit 10A, the copy mode is to read the source text
and make a copy of it, the print mode is to print data received by
facsimile and stored in the memory, and the scan mode is to send
document data which has been read on the sending FAX unit 10A to
the personal computer and the scan mode is operable when reception
program initiated in response to the detection of document data
from the FAX is stored in the personal computer. These operational
modes selected with the mode selection keys, however, do not relate
directly to the communication route selection which will be
explained later.
[0040] The operation panel 30 further includes a ten-key set 33
which is used to enter numerals and also enter alphabetic
characters in the E-mail mode. The ten-key set 33 is designed to
allow the entry of a comma, space and symbols, in addition to the
alpha-numeric characters and symbols * and # that are labeled on
the key tops. For example, when the key "1" is hit once, numeral
"1" is entered; when it is hit twice, character "A" is entered;
when it is hit three times, "B" is entered; when it is hit four
times, "C" is entered; and when it is hit gain, the initial
condition is restored to enter "1". The entered character is
displayed on the LCD display screen 32. When the key "*" is hit
once, symbol, "*" is entered; when it is hit twice, symbol "@" is
entered; when it is hit three times, symbol "&" is entered; and
when it is hit four times, symbol ".Yen." is entered. When the key
"#" is hit once, symbol "#" is entered; and when it is hit twice, a
space is entered. The entered symbol is displayed on the LCD
display screen 32.
[0041] The operation panel 30 further includes a start key 34 which
is used to start the operation of the FAX unit 10A, a stop key 35
which is used to terminate the operation, and a communication route
selection mode key 36 which is used to bring the unit into the mode
of selecting a image data transfer route.
[0042] The receiving FAX unit 10B may have the same operation
panel, or may include mode selection keys for other operational
modes.
[0043] FIGS. 3(a), 3(b) and 3(c) show displays on the LCD display
screen 32 when the communication route has been selected by the
operation of the communication route selection mode key 36 on the
operation panel 30.
[0044] FIG. 3(a) shows the display of communication means that are
available for the receiving equipment B, FIG. 3(b) shows the
display of communication means that are available for the sending
equipment A, and FIG. 3(c) shows the display of the result of
arrangement, indicating that FAX and E-mail are available as common
means of communication from the sending equipment A to the
receiving equipment B.
[0045] FIG. 4 shows the display on the LCD display screen 32 at the
selection of a communication route, prompting the selection of a
communication route for the case of the available communication
means shown in FIG. 3(c). When the user touches a screen position
on the line, i.e., telephone line 23 in this example, connecting
between FAX-A 10A and FAX-B 10B, or a screen position in a block of
facility, i.e., mail server 20B in this example, the touched
position is detected by the touch-panel on the LCD display screen
32, and the corresponding communication route is selected.
[0046] FIG. 5 shows the display on the LCD display screen 32 when
the unit is in the initial state or after the FAX mode key 31a has
been depressed. The display includes a FAX number field 32a, a
cursor 32b in the field 32a, cursor moving keys 32c and 32d, and a
cancel key 32e which is used to delete the numeral at the cursor
position. When a FAX number is entered with the ten-key set 33,
each digit is entered and displayed at the position of the cursor
32b.
[0047] Next, the processes implemented by the CPU 11 of FIG. 1 for
the selection of a communication route and the sending and
reception of document data will be explained on the flowcharts of
FIG. 6 and FIG. 7.
[0048] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the processing of
communication route selection and document data transfer
implemented by the CPU 11 of the sending equipment A. It is
detected whether the communication route selection mode which is
invoked with the communication route selection mode key 36 is
selected or not (step P1). When the communication route selection
mode is selected, there is provided a list of communication means
available for the sending equipment A as shown in FIG. 3(b) (step
P2).
[0049] Next, the user is prompted to enter the receiving equipment
identification number. On the LCD display screen 32 of the
operation panel 30, with the display of FIG. 5 appearing in
response to the setting of the communication route selection mode,
the user enters the FAX number of the receiving party with the
ten-key set 33 (step P3). The entered FAX number is dialed
automatically, and the sending equipment (FAX-A) and receiving
equipment (FAX-B) are linked through the telephone line.
[0050] The CPU 11 issues a status request to the receiving
equipment B in order to examine the state of the receiving
equipment B, i.e., it requests the transfer of a list of
communication means that are available for the receiving equipment
B as shown in FIG. 3(a) (step P4). The CPU 11 waits for the
transfer of the list of available communication means from the
receiving equipment B (step P5).
[0051] On receiving the list of available communication means from
the receiving equipment B, a communication means selection list
(refer to FIG. 3(c)) is produced from the list of communication
means available at the sending equipment A (refer to FIG. 3(b)) and
the list of communication means available for the receiving
equipment B (refer to FIG. 3(a)) (step P6), and displays a graphic
guidance for communication route selection (refer to FIG. 4) on the
LCD display screen 32 (step P7). In response to the user's
operation on the LCD display screen 32, the communication route and
communication means are determined (step P8).
[0052] The sending equipment A reads the source document and sends
document data to the receiving equipment B by using the selected
communication means over the selected communication route, i.e., by
using FAX or E-mail based on the selection and determination of
communication route and means (steps P9, P10 and P11), and
terminates the operation.
[0053] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the transmitting of available
communication means list and reception of document data implemented
by the receiving equipment B. It is judged whether document data is
received by FAX or E-mail or not (step P21). In case of E-mail
reception, the processing of E-mail reception is implemented (step
P27), and the operation is terminated.
[0054] In case of FAX reception in step P21, the processing of
telephone reception is implemented (step P22), and subsequently it
is judged whether a status request from the sending equipment A is
received or not (step P23). On receiving the status request, a list
of available communication means is produced and the list is
transmitted to the sending equipment A (steps P24 and P25), and the
operation is terminated.
[0055] Otherwise, in response to the negation of the status request
judgement in step P23, the processing of FAX reception is
implemented (step P26), and the operation is terminated.
Second Embodiment
[0056] Next, the second embodiment of this invention will be
explained.
[0057] FIG. 8 shows a communication network including equipment A
which is a personal computer 50A and equipment B which is a
personal computer 50B. These computers 50A and 50B are connected to
the telephone line 93 through their modems 60A and 60B, and also
connected through their interface adapters 55 to Ethernets, e.g.,
LANS,94 and 95, respectively, with these Ethernets 94 and 95 being
connected through mail servers 80A and 80B, respectively, to the
Internet 97. The network further includes a facsimile unit (FAX-1)
71 and another facsimile unit (FAX-2) 72 both connected to the
telephone line 93 and also connected to Ethernets 94 and 95,
respectively.
[0058] The following explains the transfer of data from the
equipment A, i.e., personal computer 50A, to the equipment B, i.e.,
personal computer 50B.
[0059] Each of the personal computers 50A and 50B, which is
controlled by a CPU 51, has a RAM 52 for temporarily storing
document data of a source document which has been read and document
data which has been received, a VRAM 53 for storing control
programs, a keyboard 54, an interface adapter 55, a floppy disk
drive (FDD) 56, a hard disk drive (HDD) 57, a display 58, and a
communication controller 59 which connects the personal computer to
the telephone line.
[0060] Among these functional devices, the personal computers 50A
and 50B, FAX units 71 and 72, and mail servers 80A and 80B are
known of their structures and functions, and detailed explanation
thereof will be omitted.
[0061] FIG. 9 shows the FAX sending dialog box which is displayed
on the display screen 58 of the personal computer 50A in response
to the call of the FAX sending menu from an application program
running currently on the equipment A. The user enters the FAX
number of the receiving equipment B in the field 101. By clicking
the OK key 102 with the mouse device, the data specified in the
range field 105 is sent to the equipment B. The user can point the
cancel key 103 and click the mouse device to turn off the FAX
sending dialog box and return to the application program.
[0062] The dialog box further includes a communication route
selection mode key 104. By clicking the key 104 with the mouse
device, the unit enters the mode for selecting a communication
route between the sending equipment A, i.e., personal computer 50A,
and the receiving equipment B, i.e., personal computer 50B, with
lists of available communication routes being displayed.
[0063] FIG. 10(a) shows a display of communication routes available
for the sending equipment A, and FIG. 10(b) shows a display of
communication routes available for the receiving equipment B.
[0064] FIG. 11 is a list of communication means available as common
for communication between the sending equipment A and the receiving
equipment B resulting from the tables of FIGS. 10(a) and 10(b). On
the table of FIG. 11, column "address-1" indicates the address of
the first destination of document data from the sending equipment
A, and column "address-2" indicates the address of the final
destination of document data. An IP address means an Internet
Protocol address.
[0065] FIG. 12 shows a display on the LCD display screen 105 when
communication route selection mode key 104 is depressed, and this
example is for the case where the communication means listed in
FIG. 11 are available. The user selects a communication route by
sequentially clicking the mouse device while pointing a line or a
facility (FAX 1, FAX 2, modem A, modem B, or mail server in this
example) located between the sending equipment A and the receiving
equipment B.
[0066] Next, the processes implemented by the CPU 51 of FIG. 8 for
the selection of a communication route and the transfer of image
data will be explained on the flowcharts of FIG. 13 through FIG.
16.
[0067] FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the processing of
communication route selection and document data transferring
implemented by the CPU 51 of the sending equipment A.
[0068] It is detected whether the communication route selection
mode key is pointed and clicked in the dialog box in the display or
not (step P31). When the route selection mode is selected, there is
provided a list of communication means available for the sending
equipment A as shown in FIG. 10(a) (step P32). This listing process
will be explained in detail later on the flowchart of FIG. 14.
[0069] Subsequently, the communication route selection dialog box
is displayed to prompt the user to enter the FAX number of the
receiving equipment B in the FAX number field. The user operates
the ten-key set to enter the destination FAX number (step P33). The
entered FAX number is dialed automatically, and the sending
equipment and receiving equipment are linked through the telephone
line.
[0070] The CPU 51 issues a status request to the receiving
equipment B in order to examine the state of the receiving
equipment B, i.e., it requests the transfer of a list of
communication means that are available for the receiving equipment
(step P34). The CPU 51 waits for the transfer of the list of
available communication means from the receiving equipment B (step
P35).
[0071] On receiving the list of available communication means from
the receiving equipment B, a communication means selection list
(refer to FIG. 11) is produced from the list of communication means
available for the sending equipment A (refer to FIG. 10(a)) and the
list of communication means available for the receiving equipment B
(refer to FIG. 10(b)) (step P36), and a graphic guidance for the
communication route selection (refer to FIG. 12) is displayed on
the display screen 105 (step P37).
[0072] In response to the user's operation on the display, the
communication route and communication means are determined (step
P38).
[0073] The sending equipment A reads the source document, and sends
document data to the receiving equipment B by using the selected
communication means over the selected communication route, i.e., by
using the modem A, FAX-1 or mail server based on the selection and
determination of communication route and means (steps P39, P40, P41
and P42), and terminates the operation.
[0074] Next, the process of step P40 on the flowchart of FIG. 13
for sending document data to the receiving equipment B via the
determined communication route and modem A will be explained. The
process is carried out based on the modem communication program
stored on the hard disk of the sending equipment A, with the
destination FAX number being set to the program.
[0075] In case the communication route is from equipment
A.fwdarw.modem A.fwdarw.modem B and to equipment B, the FAX number
of modem B is used on the first row of the address-1 column in the
table of FIG. 11 to carry out the FAX communication.
[0076] In case the communication route is from equipment
A.fwdarw.modem A.fwdarw.FAX 2 and to equipment B, the FAX number of
FAX 2 is used on the second row of the address-1 column and the
sub-address (address-2) for the transfer of document data from the
FAX 2 to the equipment B in the table of FIG. 11 to carry out the
FAX communication. Document data is transferred from the FAX 2 to
the equipment B over the network, and therefore the sub-address
(address-2) is the IP address (Internet Protocol address) of the
equipment B.
[0077] In case the communication route is from equipment
A.fwdarw.modem A.fwdarw.FAX 2 and to equipment B via E-mail, the
FAX number of FAX 2 is used on the third row of the address-1
column and the sub-address (address-2) for the transfer of document
data from the FAX 2 to the equipment B in the table of FIG. 11 to
carry out the FAX communication. Document data is transferred from
the FAX 2 to the equipment B via E-mail, and therefore the
sub-address (address-2) is the E-mail address of the equipment
B.
[0078] Next, the process of step P41 on the flowchart of FIG. 13
for sending document data to the receiving equipment B via the
determined communication route and FAX 1 will be explained. The
process is carried out based on the program for the FAX 1 stored on
the hard disk of the sending equipment A.
[0079] In case the communication route is from equipment
A.fwdarw.FAX 1.fwdarw.modem B and to equipment B, the FAX number of
modem B is used on the fourth row of the address-1 column in the
table of FIG. 11 to carry out the FAX transfer.
[0080] In case the communication route is from equipment
A.fwdarw.FAX 1.fwdarw.FAX 2 and to equipment B, the FAX number of
FAX 2 is used on the fifth row of the address-1 column and the
sub-address (address-2) for the transfer of document data from the
FAX 2 to the equipment B in the table of FIG. 11 to carry out the
FAX transfer. Document data is transferred from the FAX 2 to the
equipment B over the network, and therefore the sub-address
(address-2) is the IP address (Internet Protocol address) of the
equipment B.
[0081] In case the communication route is from equipment
A.fwdarw.FAX 1.fwdarw.FAX 2 and to equipment B via E-mail, the FAX
number of FAX 2 is used on the sixth row of the address-1 column
and the sub-address (address-2) for the transfer of document data
from the FAX 2 to the equipment B in the table of FIG. 11 to
carryout the FAX transfer. Document data is transferred from the
FAX 2 to the equipment B via E-mail, and therefore the sub-address
(address-2) is the E-mail address of the equipment B.
[0082] Next, the process of step P42 on the flowchart of FIG. 13
for sending document data to the receiving equipment B via the
determined communication route and communication means of E-mail
will be explained. The process is carried out based on the program
for E-mail stored on the hard disk of the sending equipment A, with
the receiving equipment number being set to the E-mail server.
[0083] The destination mail address is determined with reference to
the E-mail address on the seventh row of the address-1 column in
the table of FIG. 11. The determined E-mail address is set to the
program for E-mail, and image data is transferred to the specified
address of the E-mail server. The user of the receiving equipment B
will be notified of the delivery of an E-mail, and receive the
document data from the E-mail server.
[0084] FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the subroutine for making a
list of available communication means shown by step P32 on the
flowchart of FIG. 13.
[0085] The sending equipment A issue status requests to all
equipments connected to the network (refer to FIG. 8, Ethernet 94)
which is connected with the sending equipment A. Specifically, it
requests the transfer of lists of communication means available for
these equipments (step P45), and waits for the reception of the
lists (step P46). On receiving the lists of available communication
means from all equipments in the network, the sending equipment A
adds its own available communication means to the received lists
and provides the lists of communication means that are available
for the transfer operation of the equipment A (step P47), and
returns to the main routine.
[0086] FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the processing for the
transfer of available communication means list and document data
reception implemented by the CPU 51 of the receiving equipment B
which is a personal computer 50B shown in FIG. 8. Initially, the
CPU 51 receives a telephone call from a sending equipment (step
P51), and judges whether it is a status request or not (step
P52).
[0087] On receiving the status request, it issues status requests
to all equipments connected to the network (Ethernet 95) which is
connected with the sending equipment B (step P53), and waits for
the reception of status information (step P54). On receiving status
information from all equipments, there is provided a list of
communication means available on these equipments in the network
and a list of communication means available for the self equipment
B (step P55). The list is transmitted to the sending equipment A
(step P56), and the operation is terminated.
[0088] Otherwise, in response to the negation of the status request
judgement in step P52, the processing of FAX reception is
implemented (step P57), and the operation is terminated.
[0089] FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the document data transfer
process implemented by the CPU of the FAX 2 in the network shown in
FIG. 8. The CPU judges whether or not the FAX 2 has received
document data and information indicative of the destination from
the modem A or FAX 1 (step P61). On receiving document data and
destination information, it judges whether the destination is an
E-mail address or IP address (Internet Protocol address) of a
receiving personal computer (step P62).
[0090] When the destination information is an E-mail address in
step P62, the E-mail address is set (step P63), the data format is
converted so that the document data can be processed by the
receiving equipment B (step P64), the converted document data is
attached to an E-mail (step P65), and finally the E-mail is sent to
the specified E-mail address (step P66).
[0091] In case the judgement step P62 reveals that the destination
information is an IP address, the IP address is set (step P67), the
document data is sent to the specified IP address based on the file
transfer protocol (FTP) (step P66), and the operation is
terminated. The receiving equipment B is running under the
operating system (OS) which can deal with the file transfer
protocol (FTP), and it receives the document data and automatically
stores the data onto the hard disk of the personal computer.
[0092] Although a list of communication means that are available
for communication between the sending equipment and receiving
equipment are transacted by using FAX in the above explanation, the
list may be transacted via other means, e.g., E-mail.
[0093] Although the communication route selection control program
is stored in the hard disk of the personal computer in the above
explanation of the second embodiment, this program may be stored on
a floppy disk and loaded with the floppy disk drive of the personal
computer into the main memory at the time of processing. This
variant scheme is made possible by the provision of a floppy disk
drive 56 on the personal computer 50A and the preparation of a
floppy disk 56f as shown in FIG. 8.
[0094] The floppy disk for storing the communication route
selection control program may be replaced with a CD-ROM, with a
CD-ROM drive being provided on the personal computer obviously.
[0095] Although in the foregoing first and second embodiments, the
sending equipment inquires of the receiving equipment the available
communication means and produces a graphic communication route
guidance (shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 12) at each time of
communication, an alternative scheme is to memorize the reply of
inquiry and produces the guidance from the stored record for
successive communications within a certain period of time. Inquiry
of available communication means may be made at certain events,
e.g., when the equipment is turned on, or on expiration of a
certain time length after turn-on of the equipment, thereby to
update the information of available communication means of the
receiving equipment.
[0096] A conceivable preset destination equipment is an equipment
which is registered with the allotment of a one-touch dial number
of the usual facsimile unit.
[0097] According to the present invention arranged as described
above, the user is allowed to choose a communication means and
communication route among multiple available means and routes
depending on the content of communication, communication speed and
communication cost, whereby the user is prevented from being
troubled in choosing a communication function or sending
information by using a function that is not the best.
* * * * *