U.S. patent number RE40,892 [Application Number 11/651,087] was granted by the patent office on 2009-09-01 for network facsimile apparatus.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Panasonic Communications Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Junichi Iida.
United States Patent |
RE40,892 |
Iida |
September 1, 2009 |
Network facsimile apparatus
Abstract
The network facsimile apparatus is able to communicate using
both a public switched telephone network and a computer network,
and has a facsimile section which transmits and receives an image
via the public switched telephone network, a network communication
section which transmits and receives data via the computer network,
a storage which is to store received data and a structured
document, a web server which transmits received data or a
structured document to the computer network, and a reception list
generating section which generates a structured document of
reception list indicative of document information of received
data.
Inventors: |
Iida; Junichi (Fukuoka,
JP) |
Assignee: |
Panasonic Communications Co.,
Ltd. (Fukuoka, JP)
|
Family
ID: |
17548392 |
Appl.
No.: |
11/651,087 |
Filed: |
January 9, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
|
Reissue of: |
09314957 |
May 20, 1999 |
06900903 |
May 31, 2005 |
|
|
Foreign Application Priority Data
|
|
|
|
|
Sep 29, 1998 [JP] |
|
|
10-274920 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
358/1.15;
358/402; 358/403; 379/100.01; 379/100.08; 379/100.09; 379/100.12;
379/100.13; 709/206; 709/239 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N
1/00204 (20130101); H04N 1/32358 (20130101); H04N
1/32432 (20130101); H04N 1/00209 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G06F
15/00 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;358/1.15,402,403
;709/206,239 ;379/100.01-100.15 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
19704694 |
|
Aug 1997 |
|
DE |
|
0615377 |
|
Sep 1994 |
|
EP |
|
0801492 |
|
Oct 1997 |
|
EP |
|
835011 |
|
Apr 1998 |
|
EP |
|
0835011 |
|
Apr 1998 |
|
EP |
|
0845994 |
|
Jun 1998 |
|
EP |
|
0867817 |
|
Sep 1998 |
|
EP |
|
0887994 |
|
Dec 1998 |
|
EP |
|
3-289756 |
|
Dec 1991 |
|
JP |
|
4-235434 |
|
Aug 1992 |
|
JP |
|
5-14580 |
|
Jan 1993 |
|
JP |
|
5-014580 |
|
Jan 1993 |
|
JP |
|
5-347677 |
|
Dec 1993 |
|
JP |
|
6-035915 |
|
Feb 1994 |
|
JP |
|
8-223346 |
|
Aug 1996 |
|
JP |
|
8-305520 |
|
Nov 1996 |
|
JP |
|
8-307702 |
|
Nov 1996 |
|
JP |
|
8-339274 |
|
Dec 1996 |
|
JP |
|
9-163064 |
|
Jun 1997 |
|
JP |
|
9-214560 |
|
Aug 1997 |
|
JP |
|
9-223096 |
|
Aug 1997 |
|
JP |
|
9-231022 |
|
Sep 1997 |
|
JP |
|
09-231022 |
|
Sep 1997 |
|
JP |
|
9-233243 |
|
Sep 1997 |
|
JP |
|
9-258764 |
|
Oct 1997 |
|
JP |
|
9-331416 |
|
Dec 1997 |
|
JP |
|
10-65853 |
|
Mar 1998 |
|
JP |
|
10-063590 |
|
Mar 1998 |
|
JP |
|
10-065853 |
|
Mar 1998 |
|
JP |
|
10107836 |
|
Apr 1998 |
|
JP |
|
10-107836 |
|
Apr 1998 |
|
JP |
|
10-149270 |
|
Jun 1998 |
|
JP |
|
10-150462 |
|
Jun 1998 |
|
JP |
|
10150462 |
|
Jun 1998 |
|
JP |
|
10173890 |
|
Jun 1998 |
|
JP |
|
10-173890 |
|
Jun 1998 |
|
JP |
|
10-178488 |
|
Jun 1998 |
|
JP |
|
10-191010 |
|
Jul 1998 |
|
JP |
|
10191010 |
|
Jul 1998 |
|
JP |
|
10191463 |
|
Jul 1998 |
|
JP |
|
10-191463 |
|
Jul 1998 |
|
JP |
|
10-288428 |
|
Aug 1998 |
|
JP |
|
10-326288 |
|
Aug 1998 |
|
JP |
|
10233879 |
|
Sep 1998 |
|
JP |
|
10-233879 |
|
Sep 1998 |
|
JP |
|
10247179 |
|
Sep 1998 |
|
JP |
|
10-247179 |
|
Sep 1998 |
|
JP |
|
10-511792 |
|
Oct 1998 |
|
JP |
|
11-196214 |
|
Jul 1999 |
|
JP |
|
11196214 |
|
Jul 1999 |
|
JP |
|
7-212395 |
|
Aug 1999 |
|
JP |
|
WO-97/10668 |
|
Mar 1997 |
|
WO |
|
97/10668 |
|
Mar 1997 |
|
WO |
|
97/096682 |
|
Mar 1997 |
|
WO |
|
97/22203 |
|
Jun 1997 |
|
WO |
|
97/38510 |
|
Oct 1997 |
|
WO |
|
98/23058 |
|
May 1998 |
|
WO |
|
98/28892 |
|
Jul 1998 |
|
WO |
|
Other References
English Language Abstract of JP 9-214560. cited by other .
English Language Abstract of JP 9-258764. cited by other .
English Language Abstract of JP 10-178488. cited by other .
English Language Abstract of JP 10-326288. cited by other .
English Language Abstract of JP 10-288428. cited by other .
English Language Abstract of JP 6-035915. cited by other .
English Language Abstract of JP 09-231022. cited by other .
English Language Abstract of JP 10-65853. cited by other .
"Web Programming Secrets with HTML, CGI, Perl," Chapter 11 (A
CGI-Based Fax Viewer) published by BNN Inc., pp. 329-355. cited by
other .
Tittel et al., "Web Programming Secrets with HTML, CG1, and Perl,"
Chapters 1 and 11 (The Common Gateway Interface and the Basics of
CG1 Programming), published by IDG Books Worldwide, Inc., 1996, pp.
3-42 and 329-355. cited by other .
Bach, "The Design of the UNIX Operating System," Chapter 4
(Internal Representation of Files), Published by Prentice-Hall,
Inc., 1986, pp. 60-88. cited by other .
English Language Abstract of JP 10-191010. cited by other .
English Language Abstract of JP 10-191463. cited by other .
English Language Abstract of JP 10-233879. cited by other .
English Language Abstract of JP 10-247179. cited by other .
English Language Abstract of JP 11-196214. cited by other .
"The Secret of Web Programming by HTML, GCI, PERL" issued by BNN,
pp. 293-316. cited by other .
Saito et al. "Development of Internet Electronic Facsimile System"
NTT Technical Journal, vol. 9, No. 5, May 1, 1997, pp. 94-97,
together with an English language translation of the same. cited by
other .
Y. Saito "Trends and Aims of Internet FAX from Information
Distribution", NTT Technical Journal, vol. 10, No. 7, Jul. 1, 1998,
pp. 33-35, together with an English language translation of the
same. cited by other .
"Secrets in Web Programming with HTML, CGI, Perl," published by BNN
Inc., pp. 294-295, 303-306, 309-310 and 315-316, along with an
English language translation of the relevant portion. cited by
other .
English Language Abstract of JP 4-235434. cited by other .
English Language Abstract of JP 5-01480. cited by other .
English Language Abstract of JP 5-347677. cited by other .
English Language Abstract of JP 8-223346. cited by other .
English Language Abstract of JP 8-305520. cited by other .
English Language Abstract of JP 8-307702. cited by other .
English Language Abstract of JP 8-339274. cited by other .
English Language Abstract of JP 9-163064. cited by other .
English Language Abstract of JP 9-231022. cited by other .
English Language Abstract of JP 9-233243. cited by other .
English Language Abstract of JP 9-331416. cited by other .
English Language Abstract of JP 10-065853. cited by other .
English Language Abstract of JP 10-107836. cited by other .
English Language Abstract of JP 10-149270. cited by other .
English Language Abstract of JP 10-150462. cited by other .
English Language Abstract of JP 10-173890. cited by other .
English Language Abstract of JP 3-289756. cited by other .
English Language Abstract of JP 339274. cited by examiner.
|
Primary Examiner: Coles; Edward L
Assistant Examiner: Park; Chan S
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Greenblum & Bernstein,
P.L.C.
Parent Case Text
.Iadd.The present application is a reissue application which is
related to U.S. application Ser. No. 09/314,957, filed on May 20,
1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,900,903, issued May 31, 2005. .Iaddend.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A communication apparatus including a printer and a scanner
connected to a terminal apparatus via a network, the communication
apparatus comprising: a receiver that receives e-mail via the
network; a memory that stores the e-mail data received by said
receiver; a generator that generates a HTML file including
management data corresponding to the stored e-mail data, the
management data including sender data of the e-mail data; a
communicator that performs a HTTP protocol communication with the
terminal apparatus to transmit the HTML file to the terminal
apparatus when a request for the management data is received from
the terminal apparatus, the management data in the HTML file being
displayable at the terminal apparatus; and a controller that, in
response to receipt of a designation of management data by the
terminal apparatus, and in response to receipt of a command output
by the terminal apparatus, controls a transmission of the stored
e-mail data corresponding to the designated management data, to a
destination, in accordance with the command, the destination being
distinct from the terminal apparatus and from the printer.
2. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said
memory stores a plurality of e-mail data, and said generator
generates a list of management data.
3. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said
memory stores a TIFF file attached to the e-mail data.
4. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
management data includes at least a time at which the e-mail data
corresponding to the management data is stored in said memory.
5. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
sender data comprises an origination address.
6. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
terminal apparatus comprises a personal computer with a
display.
7. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
scanner scans a document to obtain image data, said apparatus
further comprising: a compressor that compresses the image data;
and a facsimile transmitter that transmits the compressed image
data to a destination via a telephone network.
8. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, further
comprising: a facsimile receiver that receives facsimile data via a
telephone network; and a converter that converts the received
facsimile data into a TIFF file; wherein said memory stores the
TIFF file, and said generator generates management data
corresponding to the TIFF file as a structured document.
9. The communication apparatus according to claim 8, further
comprising a determining section that determines whether the data
was received via the network or the telephone network.
10. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said
generator assigns a specific number to each management data, the
specific number being utilized to identify each management
data.
11. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, further
comprising: a converter that converts the stored e-mail data into
image data; wherein the printer prints the converted image data;
and wherein said controller controls printing of the converted
e-mail data in accordance with the command from the terminal
apparatus.
12. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the
terminal apparatus displays command menu together with the
management data.
13. The communication apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the
terminal apparatus displays a plurality of commands including at
least a transmission command and a printing command, the stored
e-mail being controlled by selection of one of the commands.
14. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said
memory is configured to store a plurality of e-mail data, the HTML
file including management data for each of the plurality of stored
e-mail data, and said communicator transmitting a selected one of
said plurality of e-mail data to the terminal apparatus, in
response to a designation of a corresponding management data.
15. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, the
management data associating the HTML file with the stored e-mail
data.
16. A communication method using a communication apparatus
including a printer and a scanner connected to a terminal apparatus
via a network, the method comprising: receiving e-mail data via the
network; storing the received e-mail data into a memory; generating
a HTML file including management data corresponding to the stored
e-mail data, the management data including sender data of the
e-mail data; performing a HTTP protocol communication with the
terminal apparatus to transmit the HTML file to the terminal
apparatus when a request for the management data is received from
the terminal apparatus, the management data in the HTML file being
displayable at the terminal apparatus; controlling, in response to
receipt of a designation of management data by the terminal
apparatus and in response to receipt of a command output by the
terminal apparatus, transmission of the stored e-mail data
corresponding to the designated management data to a destination in
accordance with the command, the destination being distinct from
the terminal apparatus and from the printer.
17. The communication method according to claim 16, wherein the
storage stores a plurality of e-mail data into the memory, and the
generating generates a list of management data.
18. The communication method according to claim 16, wherein the
storing stores a TIFF file attached to the e-mail data.
19. The communication method according to claim 16, wherein
generating the HTML file including the management data includes
generating at least a time at which the e-mail data corresponding
to the management data is stored in the memory.
20. The communication method according to claim 16, wherein the
sender data comprises an origination address.
21. The communication method according to claim 16, wherein the
terminal apparatus comprises a personal computer with a
display.
22. The communication method according to claim 16, further
comprising: scanning a document to obtain image data; compressing
the image data; and transmitting the compressed image data to a
destination via a telephone network.
23. The communication method according to claim 16, further
comprising: receiving facsimile data via a telephone network; and
converting the received facsimile data into a TIFF file; wherein
the TIFF file is stored into the memory, and management data
corresponding to the TIFF file is generated as a structured
document.
24. The communication method according to claim 23, further
comprising determining whether the data is received via the network
or via a telephone network.
25. The communication method according to claim 16, further
comprising assigning a specific number to each management data, the
specific number being utilized to identify each management data,
the destination being distinct from the terminal apparatus and from
the printer.
26. The communication method according to claim 16, further
comprising: converting the stored e-mail data into image data; and
printing the converted image data; wherein the converted e-mail
data is printed in accordance with the command from the terminal
apparatus.
27. The communication method according to claim 16, the management
data associating the HTML file with the stored e-mail data.
28. A communication apparatus including a printer and a scanner
connected to a terminal apparatus via a network, the communication
apparatus comprising: a receiver that receives e-mail data via the
network; a memory that stores the e-mail data received by said
receiver; a generator that generates a HTML file including
management data corresponding to the stored e-mail data; a
communicator that performs a HTTP protocol communication with the
terminal apparatus to transmit the HTML file to the terminal
apparatus when a request for the management data is received from
the terminal apparatus, the management data in the HTML file being
displayable at the terminal apparatus; and a controller that, in
response to receipt of a designation of management data by the
terminal apparatus, and in response to receipt of a command output
by the terminal apparatus, controls a transmission of the stored
e-mail data corresponding to the designated management data, to a
destination, in accordance with the command, the destination being
distinct from the terminal apparatus and from the printer.
29. A communication method using a communication apparatus
including a printer and a scanner connected to a terminal apparatus
via a network, the method comprising: receiving e-mail data via the
network; storing the received e-mail data into a memory; generating
a HTML file including management data corresponding to the stored
e-mail data; performing a HTTP protocol communication with the
terminal apparatus to transmit the HTML file to the terminal
apparatus when a request for the management data is received from
the terminal apparatus, the management data in the HTML file being
displayable at the terminal apparatus; controlling, in response to
receipt of a designation of management data by the terminal
apparatus and in response to receipt of a command output by the
terminal apparatus, transmission of the stored e-mail data
corresponding to the designated management data to a destination in
accordance with the command, the destination being distinct from
the terminal apparatus and from the printer.
.Iadd.30. A communication apparatus including a printing
functionality, the communication apparatus being connected to a
terminal apparatus via a network, the communication apparatus
comprising: a receiver configured to receive e-mail data via the
network; a memory configured to store the e-mail data received by
said receiver; a generator configured to generate a HTML file
including management data related to the stored e-mail data, the
management data including data regarding a sender of the e-mail
data; a communicator configured to perform a HTTP protocol
communication with a terminal apparatus to transmit the HTML file
to the terminal apparatus when a request for the management data is
received from the terminal apparatus, the management data in the
HTML file being displayable at the terminal apparatus; a controller
that, in response to receipt of a designation of management data
and a command output by the terminal apparatus, being configured to
control a transmission of the stored e-mail data corresponding to
the designated management data, to a destination designated by a
facsimile number or an e-mail address, in accordance with the
command, the destination being distinct from the terminal apparatus
and from the communication apparatus. .Iaddend.
.Iadd.31. The communication apparatus according to claim 30, the
HTML file comprising a predetermined page including a plurality of
commands including at least a transmission command, a printing
command, an editing command, and a deletion command. .Iaddend.
.Iadd.32. The communication apparatus according to claim 30, the
communicator being further configured to perform the HTTP protocol
communication upon entry of a URL of the communication apparatus by
the terminal apparatus. .Iaddend.
.Iadd.33. The communication apparatus according to claim 30, the
management data including time and date data for the stored e-mail
data. .Iaddend.
.Iadd.34. A communication method involving communication apparatus
including a printing functionality, the communication apparatus
being connected to a terminal apparatus via a network, the
communication method comprising: receiving e-mail data via the
network; storing the received e-mail data; generating a HTML file
including management data related to the stored e-mail data, the
management data including data regarding a sender for the e-mail
data; performing a HTTP protocol communication with a terminal
apparatus to transmit the HTML file to the terminal apparatus when
a request for the management data is received from the terminal
apparatus, the management data in the HTML file being displayable
at the terminal apparatus; controlling, in response to receipt of a
designation of management data and a command output by the terminal
apparatus, a transmission of the stored e-mail data corresponding
to the designated management data, to a destination designated by a
facsimile number or an e-mail address, in accordance with the
command, the destination being distinct from the terminal apparatus
and from the communication apparatus. .Iaddend.
.Iadd.35. The communication method according to claim 34, the HTML
file comprising a predetermined page including a plurality of
commands including at least a transmission command, a printing
command, an editing command, and a deletion command. .Iaddend.
.Iadd.36. The communication method according to claim 34, the HTTP
protocol communication being performed upon entry of a URL of the
communication apparatus by the terminal apparatus. .Iaddend.
.Iadd.37. The communication method according to claim 34, the
management data including time and date data for the stored e-mail
data. .Iaddend.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a network facsimile apparatus
capable of performing transmission and reception of facsimile data
and e-mail data connecting to a PSTN and a network such as the
Internet or LAN.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, it has been performed to connect a personal computer,
work station, FAX server or the like to a network in order to
transmit and receive an e-mail and facsimile and to browse
homepages.
FIG. 1 illustrates a system structure of the case of performing
facsimile transmission and reception using a FAX server. The
reception operation at a client machine (personal computer) will be
described next. FAX modem 1001 receives a call from the PSTN
(Public Switched Telephone Network) and fetches image data to
transmit to FAX server 1002. FAX server software operating at FAX
server 1002 receives the image data, and stores the image data as
an image data file at file server 1003 through the network. At this
point, the storage of facsimile received data is finished.
To fetch the received image data into client machine 1004, a user
starts a dedicated application at client machine 1004 and reads out
the image data from file server 1003 through the network.
Further, a method of reusing facsimile received data by combining
an Internet FAX and a WWW server has been recently proposed. The
method utilizes the function of the internet FAX which converts
data received from the PSTN into an e-mail.
FIG. 2 illustrates a system structure of the case of performing
facsimile transmission and reception using an internet FAX and a
WWW server. The reception operation at the client machine will be
described.
Image data received at internet FAX 1101 via the PSTN is converted
into an attached file format to an e-mail at internet FAX 1101 and
is transmitted to WWW server 1103 as an attached file of
e-mail.
The e-mail with the attached file transferred from internet FAX
1101 is received at e-mail server 1102 via a network. The e-mail
with the attached file received at e-mail server 1102 is
transferred to WWW server 1103 that is a destination again via the
network.
WWW server 1103 stores the attached file of e-mail as image data to
link to a homepage for facsimile reception. The storage of
facsimile received data is finished at this point.
In order to fetch received data into client machine 1104, a user
starts a WWW browser at client machine 1104 and accesses to the
homepage for facsimile reception at WWW server 1103. The user reads
out an image data file at client machine 1104 via the network from
WWW server 1103.
However, in the system using the above described FAX server, since
image data is transferred two times through a network, i.e., from
the FAX server to the file server and further from the file server
to the client machine until the client machine receives facsimile
received data, there is a problem that network traffic is
increased.
Further, there is another problem that the system requires cost for
a dedicated application which is needed to transmit and receive
facsimile data at a file server for storing facsimile received data
and a client machine.
In addition, in the conventional system using the above-described
FAX server and WWW server, since image data is transferred three
time through a network, i.e., from the internet FAX to the e-mail
server, further from the e-mall server to the WWW server, and
furthermore from the WWW server to the client machine until the
client machine receives facsimile received data, and image data
attached to e-mail has a data capacity approximately 1.3 times that
of binary data, there is a problem that the network traffic is
further increased.
Further, there is another problem that the system requires cost for
a workstation as a WWW server and a dedicated application which is
needed to open received data as a homepage.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a network
facsimile apparatus which is able to decrease network traffic
caused by data transmission.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a network
facsimile apparatus which is able to transmit and receive image
data through a network with an inexpensive configuration without
requiring dedicated hardware and software.
The network facsimile apparatus of the present invention has a
facsimile section which transmits and receives an image via the
PSTN, a network communication section which transmits and receives
data via a computer network, a storage having a storage area at
which received data including an image received at the facsimile
section and the data received at the network communication section
are stored and another storage area at which a structured document
is stored, and a web server which transmits the received data or
the structured document stored in the storage to the computer
network.
According to the present invention, the network facsimile apparatus
is able to issue a homepage of the apparatus own toward outside,
which enables the network facsimile to communicate information
including image data with an external terminal using the home page.
Further, since the present invention enables the network facsimile
connected to the network to have a WWW server function, it is
possible to use the internet inexpensively with a plain
configuration without requiring a dedicated terminal for operating
server software.
In addition, the network facsimile apparatus of the present
invention has a reception list generating section which generates a
structured document of reception list indicative of document
information of the received data stored in the storage, and the web
server transmits the structured document of reception list to the
client via the computer network in response to a request from the
client.
According to the above configuration, since it is possible to
obtain data received and stored at the network facsimile apparatus
using WWW browser software at a network client, it is thereby
possible for a user of a personal computer who does not have a
facsimile apparatus to receive facsimile image data using the
existing software.
In addition, the network facsimile apparatus of the present
invention holds stored file information which is generated in
document structure markup language such as HTML, transmits the file
information to a terminal which accesses to the apparatus with a
URL address, and transmits or prints a predetermined file or
transmits the file to another terminal when receives an instruction
from the terminal.
According to the above processing, it is possible for a network
client to easily reuse data once stored. For example, it is
possible for a user of a personal computer who does not have a
facsimile apparatus to transmit facsimile image data using the
existing software.
In addition, the network facsimile apparatus of the present
invention transmits data, which is transmitted from the terminal
connected to the network facsimile apparatus by a network, to
another terminal by facsimile.
According to the above processing, it is possible to directly
transmit data, which the network client manages, by facsimile.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The above and other objects and features of the invention will
appear more fully hereinafter from a consideration of the following
description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing
wherein one example is illustrated by way of example, in which;
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a system using a conventional
FAX server;
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a system using a conventional
internet FAX and WWW server;
FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a configuration of
a network facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the
present invention;
FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a network system using the
network facsimile apparatus according to the above embodiment;
FIG. 5 is a flowchart to explain a reception operation at the
network facsimile apparatus according to the above embodiment;
FIG. 6 is a flowchart to explain an operation for transmitting data
stored at the network facsimile apparatus according to the above
embodiment to a client machine;
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a content of FAX reception list at
the network facsimile apparatus according to the above
embodiment;
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a content of a homepage at the
network facsimile apparatus according to the above embodiment
FIG. 9 is a flowchart to explain an operation for transmitting data
stored at the network facsimile apparatus according to the above
embodiment:
FIG. 10 is a flowchart to explain an operation for transmitting a
document file of the client machine after storing the file at the
network facsimile apparatus according to the above embodiment;
and
FIG. 11 is a flowchart to explain an operation for transmitting
status information generated at the network facsimile apparatus
according to the above embodiment to the client machine.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The embodiment of the present invention will be described below in
detail with reference to drawings.
FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic block diagram of a network facsimile
apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In
FIG. 3, CPU 1 controls over the entire apparatus. ROM 2 is a read
only memory to store programs, in which each program for HTML file
generating section 11, WWW server section 12, e-mail communication
section 13 and TIFF conversion section 14 is stored. RAM 3 is a
memory used for data of programs stored in ROM 2. RAM 3 is also
used to store e-mail software with the software e-mail address held
and URL addresses. External storage 4 is a storage such as a hard
disk and used to store compressed image data and HTML files.
Scanner 5 scans image data of, for example, an original. Printer 6
performs printing of received image data or scanned imaged data. A
user is able to perform operations such as an instruction to scan
image data and an enter of destination address using panel section
7. Compression/expansion section 8 performs expansion of received
image data and compression of scanned image data. FAX/speech
communication section 9 performs facsimile communication and speech
communication connecting to a PSTN. Network control section 10
performs the internet communication connecting to a network. HTML
file generating section 11 generates, for example, a list of
received image data as a HTML file which is readable on a homepage.
WWW server section 12 performs communications with WWW browser
software in accordance with HTTP protocol to exchange homepage data
(HTML files). E-mail communication section 13 performs transmission
and reception of e-mail via a network, while functions as an e-mail
server. TIFF conversion section 14 converts coded facsimile data
and document file data into TIFF format.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a system configuration in the case
of using a network facsimile apparatus according to the embodiment
of the present invention. In FIG. 4, network facsimile apparatus
201 is connected to the PSTN, while has a network interface.
Network facsimile apparatus also has the WWW server section and the
e-mail communication section as illustrated in FIG. 3. Client
machine 202 operates a WWW browser to browse a homepage.
The reception operation of the network facsimile apparatus
configured as described above will be described according to a
flowchart in FIG. 5.
At step (hereinafter abbreviated as ST) 301, it is decided whether
the reception is performed via the PSTN or the internet. At ST302
to ST307, when the reception is performed via the internet, e-mail
communication section 13 receives the e-mail. When attached data is
image data in TIFF (Tag Images File Format) that is a standard
format for an image file, e-mail communication section 13 stores
the image data at external storage 4 providing a file name such as,
for example, "mail0001.tif". When attached data is speech data,
e-mail communication section 13 stores the speech data at external
storage 4 providing a file name such as, for example,
"audio0001.wav". When the reception is performed via the PSTN,
FAX/speech communication section 9 receives imaged data or speech
data. When the received data is image data, FAX/speech
communication section 9 requests TIFF conversion section 14 to
convert the coded data into TIFF format. FAX/speech communication
section 9 provides a file name such as, for example, "fax0001.tif"
to the TIFF-converted received data to store at external storage 4.
When the received data is speech data, FAX/speech communication
section 9 converts the speech data into the digital data and
provides a file name to the speech data to store an external
storage 4. In addition, it is possible to talk with a receiver
after buzzing at the network facsimile apparatus depending on the
setting.
HTML file generating section 11 manages a reception list table,
illustrated in FIG. 7, stored in external storage 4. At ST308, when
HTML file generating section 11 receives a file name, which is
provided to the received data, from FAX/speech communication
section 9 or e-mail communication section 13, HTML file generating
section 11 adds the file name to the reception list. In addition,
at this stage, a document number that is provided in order of
storing, a title of e-mail notified from e-mail communication
section 13 (in the case of facsimile reception, a fixed character
sequence such as "G3FAX received document), data registered to the
reception list table, and sender name are also stored. HTML file
generating section 11 next updates a HTML file used in displaying
the reception list on the browser, based on the updated reception
list table. Specifically, HTML file generating section 11 reads the
HTML file that is prepared in advance to display a FAX reception
list page illustrated by 602 in FIG. 8 and writes a character
sequence indicative of, for example, document number that is newly
stored management data in the reception list table illustrated in
FIG. 7 in order to edit. "0001" that is a character sequence of the
edited document number is tagged with <A HREF="fax0001.tif">,
thereby the character sequence "0001"is linked to a file of
fax0001.tif that is the received file.
At ST309, when received data is speech data, the processing is
finished.
The network facsimile apparatus is able to set printer 6 to print
the received image data instantly after the received image data is
stored in external storage 4.
At ST310, it is judged whether or not the setting is the instant
printing. When the setting is not the instant printing, the
reception operation is finished. When the setting is the instant
printing, at ST311 to ST312, compression/expansion section 8
decompresses the image data stored in TIFF format at external
storage 4 to output to printer 6. Printer 6 prints the decompressed
data.
The operation of transmitting data received and stored at the
network facsimile apparatus to a client machine will be described
next according to a flowchart in FIG. 6. At ST401, the network
facsimile apparatus is in a stand-by state until a homepage address
(URL address) is entered. At ST402, the client machine connected to
a network starts a WWW browser (homepage browsing software) and
enters the URL address of the network facsimile apparatus to access
the homepage. In the accessed network facsimile apparatus, at
ST403, WWW server section 12 initiates the processing through
network control section 10, and transmits homepage data (HTML file)
stored in external storage to the WWW browser of the client
machine. According to the aforementioned processing, at ST404, the
homepage of the network facsimile is displayed at the client
machine, for example, as illustrated by 601 in FIG. 8. The network
facsimile apparatus awaits at ST405 until next selection is
performed.
At ST406 to ST408, when a user selects "FAX reception list" among
from displayed data, the network facsimile apparatus transmits the
HTML file on FAX reception list linked to the character sequence of
"FAX reception list" to the client machine, and the FAX reception
list is thereby displayed on the WWW browser at the client machine
as illustrated by 602 in FIG. 8. The network facsimile apparatus
awaits at ST409 until next selection is performed.
At ST410 to ST412, when a user selects a file to display among from
the FAX reception list, the network facsimile apparatus transmits
an image data file. The image data (for example, file0001.tif) is
displayed on the WWW browser at the client machine using the helper
application to display the TIFF file as illustrated by 603 in FIG.
8.
The aforementioned example describes about the case of displaying
FAX received data. However, when a speech file is selected, the
speech data linked to the speech file is played back at a speaker
of the client machine. The speech data includes speech data that
the user records at a receiver of the network facsimile apparatus
besides the speech data received from outside, and it is possible
to link these speech data to the homepage and also to transmit
toward outside.
The next description illustrates the operation in the case where
the WWW browser at the client machine performs transmission of the
network facsimile apparatus. As the transmission operation, there
are two cases of transmitting data stored at the network facsimile
apparatus and of transmitting a document file at the client
machine.
The case of transmitting data stored at the network facsimile
apparatus is first described with a flowchart in FIG. 9. At ST701,
the network facsimile apparatus is in a stand-by state until a
homepage address (URL address) is entered. At ST702, the client
machine connected to the network starts the WWW browser (homepage
browsing software) and enters the URL address of the network
facsimile apparatus to access to the homepage. At ST703, in the
network facsimile that receives the access, WWW server section 12
initiates the processing through network control section 10, and
transmits homepage data (HTML file) stored in external storage 4 to
the WWW browser at the client machine. According to the
aforementioned processing, at ST704, the homepage of the network
facsimile is displayed at the client machine (601 in FIG. 8). At
ST705 the network facsimile apparatus awaits until next selection
is performed.
At ST706 to ST708, a user selects an object file on the page
illustrated by 602 in FIG. 8, and pushes "send" button. At ST709,
the network facsimile apparatus transmits a page for instructing
transmission (not shown). At ST710, the page is displayed at the
client machine. At ST711 to ST713, when the user designates a
destination facsimile number or destination e-mail address to
perform a transmission instruction, WWW server section 12, to which
the transmission instruction is provided, starts a CGI program for
transmission with a CGI interface and performs the transmission
processing.
The next description illustrates the case where the network
facsimile apparatus transmits a document file stored at client
machine with reference to a flowchart in FIG. 10. At ST801 to
ST802, a suer of the client machine opens an object document file
using, for example word processor software, and designates the
network facsimile as a printer and performs the same instruction as
printing.
At ST803 to ST805, network control section 10 at the network
facsimile apparatus receives transmission data from the client
machine, instructs TIFF conversion section 14 to convert the data
into TIFF format, provides a file name to the converted file and
store the file at external storage 4. Further, network control
section 10 notifies the HTML file generating section of the storage
of the file.
At ST806, HTML file generating section that receives the
notification adds the file information to a reception list table
illustrated in FIG. 7, while updates the HTML file for displaying
the file information on the browser.
As described above, the document file at the client machine is
temporarily stored at the network facsimile apparatus. The network
facsimile apparatus then transmits the temporarily stored data in
the same way as transmitting the stored data illustrated in FIG. 9.
In the case of only printing without transmitting, it is possible
to transmit the data to printer 6 to print.
The above-description illustrates the case of storing transmission
data temporarily at external storage 4 to transmit. However, it may
be possible for a user to enter a facsimile number or e-mail
address when instructs printing so that the send program is started
by the CGI interface immediately after the transmission data is
converted into TIFF format in order to transmit the data.
The next description illustrates the operation in which a user
performs the device setting of the network facsimile apparatus
using the WWW browser at the client machine. The homepage of the
network facsimile apparatus provides an enter page adapted to enter
various device settings such as user setting and destination
registration. A user of the client machine starts the WWW browser,
accesses to the homepage of the network facsimile apparatus and
displays the page for performing object device setting. For
example, when the user opens the setting page concerning a send,
designates a fine as a character size; and pushes "setting" button,
WWW server section 12 executes the setting program linked to the
"getting" button with the CGI interface to perform the setting of
the network facsimile apparatus.
The next description illustrates the operation in which the network
facsimile apparatus generates the device status in HTML file with
reference to a flow chart in FIG. 11. At ST901, scanner 8, printer
6, panel section 7 and FAX/speech communication section 9 always
directs changes of own respective status.
At ST902 to ST903, when a state change occurs, for example, paper
is out of stock at printer 6, printer 6 notifies HTML file
generating section 11 of change content.
At ST904, since HTML file generating section 11 holds in advance
many HTML files to display status (device status) information and
GIF files to display a status with a picture, HTML file generating
section 11 updates the contents of HTML files and changes GIF files
whenever a status changes.
When a user of the client machine refers to the status (device
status) information, at ST905 to ST912, the user starts the WWW
browser, displays a homepage of the network facsimile and selects
respective status information on scanner 8, printer 6, panel
section 7 and FAX/speech communication section 9 to display, which
enables the user to know the latest device status at any time.
In addition, the network facsimile apparatus updates the content of
HTML files and changes GIF files at the time a device status
changes even though a user of the client machine is accessing to
the homepage of the network facsimile, the user is able to know a
device status at real time.
The present invention is not limited to the aforementioned
operation. It may be possible to generate other information such as
facsimile communication log and facsimile apparatus manual in HTML
file in order to enable a user to read the information with the WWW
browser.
The present invention is not limited to the above described
embodiments, and various variations and modifications may be
possible without departing from the scope of the present
invention.
This application is based on the Japanese Patent Application No.
HEI 10-274920 filed on Sep. 29, 1998, entire content of which is
expressly incorporated by reference herein.
* * * * *