Fax sending / receiving server, fax sending / receiving system, and fax sending / receiving method

Abstract

To allow a receiver device of broadcasted facsimile data to confirm a browsing state in another receiver device.SOLUTION: A facsimile transmitting / receiving server includes: a facsimile receiving unit which receives facsimile data, multiple receiver IDs, and data ID from a transmission source device; a storage processing unit which causes a memory to store the data ID, the facsimile data, the multiple receiver IDs, and multiple browsing states, in association with each other; a reception notification unit which notifies a plurality of receiver devices about reception of the facsimile data, from the transmission source device; a facsimile transmission unit which transmits, on receipt of a transmission request including a receiver ID from a receiver device, the facsimile data to the receiver device identified by the receiver ID; a state update unit which updates a browsing state corresponding to the receiver ID from unread state to already-read state; and a browsing state transmission unit which transmits, on receipt of a browsing state confirmation request including the data ID, a plurality of browsing states associated with the data ID.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a fax sending and receiving server, a fax sending and receiving system, and a fax sending and receiving method. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, there has been known a receiving device that stores fax data received from a sending device in a memory without printing it, and displays the fax data on a display in accordance with a user's operation (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] The receiving device described in Patent Document 1 manages the viewing status of each of a plurality of fax data stored in a memory, indicating whether the data has been viewed by a user. That is, when the receiving device displays the fax data on a display, it updates the viewing status of the fax data from an "unread state" indicating that the fax data has not been viewed to a "read state" indicating that the fax data has been viewed. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] A sending device can send common fax data to multiple receiving devices by fax, which is called "broadcast transmission." However, the receiving device described in Patent Document 1 has a problem in that it cannot know whether the fax data has been viewed by other receiving devices.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve such problems, and aims to provide a technology that enables a receiving device of broadcast fax data to check the viewing status of other receiving devices. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, one aspect of the present invention is a method for providing a fax receiving unit that receives fax data, a plurality of destination IDs that uniquely identify destination devices that are to receive the fax data, and a data ID that uniquely identifies a combination of the fax data and the plurality of destination IDs from a source device; a storage processing unit that stores in a memory, in association with each other, a plurality of viewing states that indicate whether the fax data has been viewed by the destination devices identified by each of the plurality of destination IDs; a reception notification unit that notifies the destination devices identified by each of the plurality of destination IDs received from the source device that the fax data has been received from the source device; a fax sending unit that, in response to receiving a transmission request including an ID from a receiving device, transmits the fax data to the receiving device identified by the receiving device ID included in the transmission request; a status updating unit that updates the viewing status corresponding to the receiving device ID included in the transmission request from an unread status indicating that the fax data has not been viewed to a read status indicating that the fax data has been viewed; and a viewing status sending unit that, in response to receiving a first viewing status confirmation request including the data ID from one of a plurality of receiving devices identified by the plurality of receiving device IDs, transmits the plurality of viewing statuses associated with the data ID to the one receiving device that is a sender of the first viewing status confirmation request. The memory stores the destination ID and the user ID in association with each other, and the fax sending unit transmits the fax data to the user terminal identified by the user ID included in the transmission request in response to receiving a transmission request including the user ID from the user terminal, and the status update unit reads out the destination ID associated with the user ID included in the transmission request from the memory and updates the viewing status corresponding to the read destination ID from the unread status to the read status. It is characterized by: [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, a recipient device of broadcast fax data can check the viewing status of other recipient devices. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of a fax sending and receiving system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] MFP hardware configuration diagram. [Figure 3] Hardware configuration diagram of a smartphone. [Figure 4] Hardware configuration diagram of a fax sending / receiving server. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a fax sending / receiving server. [Figure 6] Example of fax management table data. [Figure 7] Examples of data in the data management table (A) and the user management table (B). [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart of an upload process. [Figure 9] 10 is a flowchart of a download process executed between the MFP and the fax sending and receiving server. [Figure 10] Examples of the data list screen (A), data display screen (B), and viewing status list screen (C) displayed on the panel display of an MFP. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart of a download process executed between a smartphone and a fax sending / receiving server. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, a fax sending and receiving system, a fax sending and receiving server, and a fax sending and receiving method according to this embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0010] 1 is a schematic diagram of a fax sending and receiving system 1 according to this embodiment. The fax sending and receiving system 1 includes multiple MFPs 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D (hereinafter, these may be collectively referred to as "MFPs 10"), a smartphone 20, and a fax sending and receiving server 30. The MFPs 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D, the smartphone 20, and the fax sending and receiving server 30 are configured to be able to send and receive data to and from each other via a communications network 100. The communications network 100 is configured, for example, by a wired LAN, a wireless LAN, the Internet, a public telephone line, or a combination of these.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 2, MFP (Multifunction Peripheral / Product / Printer) 10 is an image forming device equipped with a scanner unit 231, a printer unit 232, and a fax unit 233. The scanner unit 231 reads an image recorded on an original document and generates image data. The printer unit 232 forms an image represented by the image data on a sheet. The fax unit 233 transmits and receives fax data to and from other devices in accordance with a fax protocol. However, the fax transmission and reception system 1 may be configured by a single-function fax machine equipped with the fax unit 233, a PC with a fax program installed, or the like, instead of the MFP 10.

[0012] A fax number is set in the fax unit 233 of each of MFPs 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D. In the example of Fig. 1, fax number [03-1111-2222] is set in MFP 10A, fax number [03-3333-4444] is set in MFP 10B, fax number [06-5555-6666] is set in MFP 10C, and fax number [045-777-8888] is set in MFP 10D. The fax numbers are examples of device IDs (sender ID and recipient ID, described later) that uniquely identify MFP 10.

[0013] The smartphone 20 is a user terminal carried by the user of the MFP 10. Specific examples of the user terminal are not limited to the smartphone 20 and may be a PC, a laptop computer, a mobile phone, etc., but it is preferable that the smartphone 20 is a portable terminal that can be carried around. A user ID that uniquely identifies the user who owns the smartphone 20 is set in the smartphone 20.

[0014] The fax sending and receiving server 30 relays the sending and receiving of fax data between, for example, the MFP 10A, which is a sending device, and the MFPs 10B, 10C, and 10D, which are receiving devices. The fax sending and receiving server 30 also manages the viewing status of fax data on each of the MFPs 10B, 10C, and 10D. The fax number set in the sending device is an example of a sending ID, and the fax number set in the receiving device is an example of a receiving ID. However, the combination of sending device and receiving device is not limited to the above examples.

[0015] 2 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of the MFP 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the MFP 10 includes a controller 210, a short-range communication circuit 220, an engine control unit 230, an operation panel 240, and a network I / F 250.

[0016] Of these, the controller 210 has a CPU 201, which is the main part of the computer, a system memory (MEM-P) 202, a north bridge (NB) 203, a south bridge (SB) 204, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 206, a local memory (MEM-C) 207, which is a storage unit, an HDD controller 208, and an HD 209, which is also a storage unit, and is configured such that the NB 203 and the ASIC 206 are connected by an AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) bus 221.

[0017] Of these, the CPU 201 is a control unit that performs overall control of the MFP 10. The NB 203 is a bridge that connects the CPU 201 with the MEM-P 202, the SB 204, and the AGP bus 221, and includes a memory controller that controls reading and writing to and from the MEM-P 202, a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) master, and an AGP target.

[0018] The MEM-P202 comprises a ROM 202a, which is memory for storing programs and data that realize the functions of the controller 210, and a RAM 202b, which is used for expanding the programs and data and as a drawing memory during memory printing. The programs stored in the RAM 202b may be provided by being recorded in an installable or executable format on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, CD-R, or DVD.

[0019] The SB 204 is a bridge for connecting the NB 203 with PCI devices and peripheral devices. The ASIC 206 is an integrated circuit (IC) for image processing applications that has hardware elements for image processing and serves as a bridge connecting the AGP bus 221, PCI bus 222, HDD controller 208, and MEM-C 207. The ASIC 206 includes a PCI target and AGP master, an arbiter (ARB) that forms the core of the ASIC 206, a memory controller that controls the MEM-C 207, multiple direct memory access controllers (DMACs) that perform image data rotation using hardware logic, and a PCI unit that transfers data between the engine control unit 230 and the ASIC 206 via the PCI bus 222. A Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface or an Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers 1394 (IEEE 1394) interface may also be connected to the ASIC 206.

[0020] The MEM-C 207 is a local memory used as an image buffer for copying and a code buffer. The HD 209 is a storage for storing image data, font data used during printing, and forms. The HD 209 controls the reading and writing of data from and to the HD 209 under the control of the CPU 201. The AGP bus 221 is a bus interface for a graphics accelerator card proposed to speed up graphics processing, and by directly accessing the MEM-P 202 at high throughput, the graphics accelerator card can be made faster.

[0021] The short-range communication circuit 220 is also equipped with an antenna 220a. The short-range communication circuit 220 is a communication circuit such as NFC or Bluetooth (registered trademark). Furthermore, a scanner unit 231, a printer unit 232, and a fax unit 233 are connected to the engine control unit 230. The controller 210 controls the operations of the scanner unit 231, the printer unit 232, and the fax unit 233 via the engine control unit 230.

[0022] The operation panel 240 includes a panel display unit 240a such as a touch panel that displays the current setting values ​​and selection screens, etc., and accepts input from the operator, and an operation panel 240b that includes a numeric keypad that accepts setting values ​​for image formation conditions such as density setting conditions, and a start key that accepts a copy start instruction.

[0023] The network I / F 250 is an interface for data communication using a communication network. The short-range communication circuit 220 and the network I / F 250 are electrically connected to the ASIC 206 via a PCI bus 222. The controller 210 can transmit information to an external device and receive information from an external device via the network I / F 250.

[0024] Fig. 3 is a hardware configuration diagram of the smartphone 20. As shown in Fig. 3, the smartphone 20 includes a CPU 301, a ROM 302, a RAM 303, an EEPROM 304, a CMOS sensor 305, an image sensor I / F 306, an acceleration / direction sensor 307, a media I / F 309, and a GPS receiver 311.

[0025] Of these, the CPU 301 controls the overall operation of the smartphone 20. The ROM 302 stores programs used to drive the CPU 301, such as the CPU 301 and the IPL. The RAM 303 is used as a work area for the CPU 301. The EEPROM 304 reads and writes various data, such as smartphone programs, under the control of the CPU 301. The CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) sensor 305 is a type of built-in imaging device that captures an image of a subject (mainly a self-portrait) and obtains image data under the control of the CPU 301. Note that instead of a CMOS sensor, an imaging device such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensor may also be used. The imaging element I / F 306 is a circuit that controls the operation of the CMOS sensor 305. The acceleration / azimuth sensor 307 is a sensor such as an electronic magnetic compass or gyrocompass that detects geomagnetism, or an acceleration sensor. The media I / F 309 controls the reading and writing (storage) of data from and to a recording medium 308, such as a flash memory. The GPS receiver 311 receives GPS signals from GPS satellites.

[0026] The smartphone 20 also includes a long-distance communication circuit 312, a CMOS sensor 313, an image sensor I / F 314, a microphone 315, a speaker 316, an audio input / output I / F 317, a display 318, an external device connection I / F (Interface) 319, a short-distance communication circuit 320, an antenna 320a of the short-distance communication circuit 320, and a touch panel 321.

[0027] Of these, the long-distance communication circuit 312 is a circuit that communicates with other devices via the communication network 100. The CMOS sensor 313 is a type of built-in imaging means that captures an image of a subject and obtains image data under the control of the CPU 301. The imaging element I / F 314 is a circuit that controls the driving of the CMOS sensor 313. The microphone 315 is a built-in circuit that converts sound into an electrical signal. The speaker 316 is a built-in circuit that converts the electrical signal into physical vibrations to generate sounds such as music and voice. The audio input / output I / F 317 is a circuit that processes the input and output of audio signals between the microphone 315 and the speaker 316 under the control of the CPU 301. The display 318 is a type of display means such as an LCD or organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display that displays an image of a subject, various icons, etc. The external device connection I / F 319 is an interface for connecting various external devices. The short-distance communication circuit 320 is a communication circuit such as NFC (Near Field Communication) or Bluetooth (registered trademark). The touch panel 321 is a type of input means that allows the user to operate the smartphone 20 by pressing the display 318.

[0028] The smartphone 20 also includes a bus line 310. The bus line 310 is an address bus, a data bus, or the like for electrically connecting the components such as the CPU 301 shown in FIG.

[0029] Fig. 4 is a hardware configuration diagram of the fax sending and receiving server 30. As shown in Fig. 4, the fax sending and receiving server 30 is constructed by a computer, and includes a CPU 401, a ROM 402, a RAM 403, an HD 404, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) controller 405, a display 406, an external device connection I / F (Interface) 408, a network I / F 409, a data bus 410, a keyboard 411, a pointing device 412, a DVD-RW (Digital Versatile Disk Rewritable) drive 414, and a media I / F 416.

[0030] Of these, the CPU 401 controls the overall operation of the fax sending and receiving server 30. The ROM 402 stores programs used to drive the CPU 401, such as the IPL. The RAM 403 is used as a work area for the CPU 401. The HD 404 stores various data, such as programs. The HDD controller 405 controls the reading and writing of various data from and to the HD 404 under the control of the CPU 401. The display 406 displays various information, such as a cursor, menus, windows, characters, or images. The external device connection I / F 408 is an interface for connecting various external devices. In this case, external devices include, for example, USB (Universal Serial Bus) memories and printers. The network I / F 409 is an interface for data communication using the communication network 100. The data bus 410 is an address bus, data bus, or the like for electrically connecting the components, such as the CPU 401, shown in FIG. 4.

[0031] The keyboard 411 is a type of input means having multiple keys for inputting characters, numbers, various instructions, etc. The pointing device 412 is a type of input means for selecting and executing various instructions, selecting a processing target, moving a cursor, etc. The DVD-RW drive 414 controls reading and writing of various data from a DVD-RW 413, which is an example of a removable recording medium. Note that this is not limited to DVD-RW, and may be DVD-R, etc. The media I / F 416 controls reading and writing (storing) of data from a recording medium 415, such as a flash memory.

[0032] Fig. 5 is a functional block diagram of the fax sending and receiving server 30. Fig. 6 shows an example of data in the fax management table. Fig. 7 shows an example of data in the data management table (A) and the user management table (B).

[0033] The fax sending and receiving server 30 includes a fax receiving unit 31, a storage processing unit 32, a reception notification unit 33, a fax sending unit 34, a status update unit 35, a viewing status sending unit 36, and a memory 37. The fax receiving unit 31, the storage processing unit 32, the reception notification unit 33, the fax sending unit 34, the status update unit 35, and the viewing status sending unit 36 ​​are realized, for example, by the CPU 401 executing a fax sending and receiving program stored in the HD 404. The memory 37 is realized by the ROM 402, the RAM 403, the HD 404, or a combination of these.

[0034] The fax receiving unit 31 receives fax data, a sender ID, a transmission date and time, multiple recipient IDs, and a data ID from the MFP 10A via the network I / F 409. The fax data is data (e.g., document data, image data, etc.) to be transmitted to a recipient device. The sender ID is an identifier (fax number) that uniquely identifies the sender device. The transmission date and time is the date and time when the sender device transmits the first fax data. The recipient ID is an identifier (fax number) that uniquely identifies the recipient device that is to receive the fax data. The data ID is an identifier that uniquely identifies the combination of fax data and multiple recipient IDs (i.e., broadcast transmission).

[0035] More specifically, the source device repeatedly transmits common fax data, a source ID, a transmission date and time, and a data ID, together with a different one of a plurality of destination IDs, to the fax sending and receiving server 30. In other words, the fax receiving unit 31 repeatedly receives the common fax data, a source ID, a transmission date and time, and a data ID, together with a different one of a plurality of destination IDs, from the source device.

[0036] The data ID is, for example, an F code conforming to the G3 standard protocol defined by ITU-T. The F code is a combination of a sender ID that uniquely identifies the sending device and the transmission date and time of the fax data. As mentioned above, when fax data is repeatedly transmitted by switching the recipient ID, the F code is set to the transmission date and time of the first fax data.

[0037] The storage processing unit 32 associates the F-code, fax data, sender ID, transmission date and time, multiple recipient IDs, and multiple viewing states received by the fax receiving unit 31 with each other and stores them in the memory 37. More specifically, the storage processing unit 32 associates the F-code and fax data with each other and stores them in the data management table shown in Fig. 7(A). The storage processing unit 32 also associates the F-code, sender ID, transmission date and time, multiple recipient IDs, and multiple viewing states with each other and stores them in the fax management table shown in Fig. 6.

[0038] The view status is associated one-to-one with the recipient ID. The view status indicates whether the fax data has been viewed by the recipient device identified by the corresponding recipient ID. The view status is set to "unread state" or "read state." The unread state indicates that the fax data has not yet been viewed by the recipient device identified by the corresponding recipient ID. The read state indicates that the fax data has already been viewed by the recipient device identified by the corresponding recipient ID. The view status added to the fax management table by the storage processing unit 32 is set to "unread state."

[0039] The reception notification unit 33 notifies the receiving device identified by each of the multiple receiving device IDs received from the transmitting device that the fax data has been received from the transmitting device. More specifically, the reception notification unit 33 transmits a fax reception notification to the receiving device via the network I / F 409. The fax reception notification includes at least the F-code received by the fax receiving unit 31.

[0040] In response to receiving a transmission request including an F-code and a destination ID from a destination device, the fax transmission unit 34 transmits fax data associated with the F-code to the destination device identified by the destination ID via the network I / F 409. In response to receiving a transmission request including an F-code and a user ID from a user terminal, the fax transmission unit 34 transmits fax data associated with the F-code to the user terminal identified by the user ID via the network I / F 409.

[0041] In response to receiving a transmission request from a destination device via network I / F 409, status update unit 35 updates the viewing status corresponding to the destination ID included in the transmission request from "unread state" to "read state." In addition, in response to receiving a transmission request from a user terminal via network I / F 409, status update unit 35 reads out the fax number (=destination ID) associated with the user ID included in the transmission request from the user management table shown in FIG. 7(B). Then, status update unit 35 updates the viewing status corresponding to the read destination ID from "unread state" to "read state."

[0042] In response to receiving a viewing status confirmation request including a data ID, the viewing status transmission unit 36 ​​transmits multiple viewing statuses associated with the data ID to the device (recipient device, user terminal) that sent the viewing status confirmation request via the network I / F 409.

[0043] The memory 37 stores a fax sending and receiving program as well as a fax management table shown in FIG. 6, a data management table shown in FIG. 7(A), and a user management table shown in FIG. 7(B).

[0044] As shown in Fig. 6, the fax management table stores one F-code, one sender ID, one transmission date and time, and N (N is an integer equal to or greater than 2) recipient IDs and N viewing statuses in association with one another. The number of recipient IDs and viewing statuses is not particularly limited as long as it is equal to or greater than 2. In the example of Fig. 6, one record contains multiple recipient IDs and viewing statuses, but in reality, they are normalized and stored.

[0045] As shown in Fig. 7(A), the data management table stores F-codes and fax data in one-to-one correspondence. That is, the sender ID, transmission date and time, recipient ID, and viewing status shown in Fig. 6 correspond to the fax data shown in Fig. 7(A) by the F-code. As shown in Fig. 7(B), the user management table stores user IDs and fax numbers in one-to-one correspondence.

[0046] 8 is a flowchart of the upload process. The upload process is a process of storing fax data uploaded from a sending device in memory 37 and notifying a receiving device that the fax data has been uploaded. An example will be described below in which MFP 10A, which is a sending device, broadcasts fax data to MFPs 10B, 10C, and 10D, which are receiving devices.

[0047] First, the MFP 10A transmits the fax data, sender ID [0311112222], transmission date and time [2020 / 01 / 02 12:00], F-Code [03111122222001021200], and recipient ID [0333334444] to the fax sending and receiving server 30 via the network I / F 250 (S801). Next, the MFP 10A determines whether there are other recipient IDs to which the fax should be sent by broadcast transmission (S802).

[0048] Then, if the MFP 10A determines that there is another recipient ID [0655556666] to which the fax should be sent (S802: Yes), it transmits the fax data, sender ID [0311112222], sending date and time [2020 / 01 / 02 12:00], F-code [03111122222001021200], and recipient ID [0655556666] to the fax sending and receiving server 30 via the network I / F 250 (S801).

[0049] Furthermore, if the MFP 10A determines that there is another recipient ID [0457778888] to which the fax should be sent (S802: Yes), it transmits the fax data, sender ID [0311112222], sending date and time [2020 / 01 / 02 12:00], F-code [03111122222001021200], and recipient ID [0457778888] to the fax sending / receiving server 30 via the network I / F 250 (S801).

[0050] That is, in the first, second, and third times of step S801, the fax data, sender ID, transmission date and time, and F-code are common, but the recipient IDs are different. That is, MFP 10A repeats the process of transmitting the common fax data, sender ID, transmission date and time, and F-code and one different recipient ID from multiple recipient IDs (S801) the number of times equals the number of recipient IDs. Then, if MFP 10A determines that there are no other recipient IDs to which broadcast transmission should be performed (S802: No), it ends the upload process.

[0051] Meanwhile, the fax receiving unit 31 of the fax sending and receiving server 30 receives the fax data, sender ID, transmission date and time, F-code, and recipient ID from the MFP 10A via the network I / F 409 (S801), and notifies the storage processing unit 32 of the same.

[0052] Next, every time the fax receiving unit 31 receives fax data, the storage processing unit 32 determines whether the F-code [03111122222001021200] received by the fax receiving unit 31 is registered in the fax management table (S803). At the time of the first broadcast transmission, the F-code is not registered in the fax management table. If the storage processing unit 32 determines that the F-code is not registered in the fax management table (S803: No), it executes the processes of steps S804 to S805.

[0053] The storage processing unit 32 stores the F-code [03111122222001021200] and fax data received by the fax receiving unit 31 in the data management table in association with each other (S804). The storage processing unit 32 also registers the F-code [03111122222001021200], sender ID [0311112222], sending date and time [2020 / 01 / 02 12:00], and recipient ID [0333334444] received by the fax receiving unit 31, and the viewing status set to [unread status] as a new record in association with each other in the fax management table (S805).

[0054] Next, reception notification unit 33 transmits a fax reception notification to MFP 10B identified by the destination ID [0333334444] received by fax receiving unit 31 via network I / F 409 (S806). The fax reception notification includes, for example, the F-code [03111122222001021200], sender ID [0311112222], and transmission date and time [2020 / 01 / 02 12:00] received by fax receiving unit 31. The same applies to the fax reception notification transmitted in step S808.

[0055] The MFP 10B receives a fax reception notification from the fax sending and receiving server 30 via the network I / F 250. Then, the MFP 10B stores in the HD 209 the F-code [03111122222001021200], sender ID [0311112222], and transmission date and time [2020 / 01 / 02 12:00] included in the received fax reception notification, in association with each other.

[0056] Next, if the storage processing unit 32 determines in the second broadcast transmission that the F-code [03111122222001021200] received by the fax receiving unit 31 is registered in the fax management table (S803: Yes), it adds the recipient ID [0655556666] and a viewing status set to [unread state] to the record including the found F-code [03111122222001021200] (S807). Next, the reception notification unit 33 transmits a fax reception notification via the network I / F 409 to the MFP 10C identified by the recipient ID [0655556666] received by the fax receiving unit 31 (S808).

[0057] Next, if the storage processing unit 32 determines in the third broadcast transmission that the F-code [03111122222001021200] received by the fax receiving unit 31 is registered in the fax management table (S803: Yes), it adds the recipient ID [0457778888] and a viewing status set to [unread status] to the record of the found F-code [03111122222001021200] (S807). Next, the reception notification unit 33 transmits a fax reception notification via the network I / F 409 to the MFP 10D identified by the recipient ID [0457778888] received by the fax receiving unit 31 (S808).

[0058] Then, the fax sending and receiving server 30 ends the upload process when all the data of the broadcast transmission has been received. That is, the storage processor 32 stores only the first fax data received in the broadcast transmission in the memory 37, and omits saving the fax data received after the second broadcast transmission in the memory 37.

[0059] FIG. 9 is a flowchart of the download process executed between the MFP 10B and the fax sending and receiving server 30. FIG. 10 shows examples of a data list screen (A), a data display screen (B), and a viewing status list screen (C) displayed on the panel display unit 240a of the MFP 10B. The download process is a process for downloading fax data stored in the fax sending and receiving server 30 and the viewing statuses of multiple receiving devices in response to a request from the receiving device. The process in response to a request from the MFP 10B, which is the receiving device, will be described below. Also, it is assumed that at the start of the process of FIG. 9, two F-codes, [03111122222001021200] and [07888899991912310456], are stored in the HD 209 of the MFP 10B.

[0060] First, MFP 10B displays a data list screen on panel display unit 240a (S901). As shown in Fig. 10(A), the data list screen includes records corresponding to F-codes [03111122222001021200] and [07888899991912310456] stored in HD 209, as well as a "Display Data" button, a "Print Data" button, and a "Delete Data" button. MFP 10B then accepts, via operation panel 240b, operations to select a record displayed on the data list screen and to press the "Display Data" button, the "Print Data" button, or the "Delete Data" button.

[0061] Next, in response to receiving, via the operation panel 240b, an operation to select a record corresponding to the F-code [03111122222001021200] and an operation to press the [Display Data] button (S902), the MFP 10B transmits a download request to the fax sending and receiving server 30 via the network I / F 250 (S903). The download request is information requesting transmission of fax data corresponding to the selected F-code [03111122222001021200]. The download request includes, for example, the F-code [03111122222001021200] and the fax number [0333334444] that identifies the MFP 10B.

[0062] In response to receiving the download request from the MFP 10B via the network I / F 409 (S903), the fax sending unit 34 of the fax sending and receiving server 30 reads, from the data management table, fax data corresponding to the F-code [03111122222001021200] included in the received download request. Then, the fax sending unit 34 transmits the read fax data via the network I / F 409 to the MFP 10B identified by the fax number [0333334444] included in the download request (S904).

[0063] The fax sending unit 34 also notifies the received download request to the status update unit 35. Then, the status update unit 35 updates the viewing status corresponding to the F-code [03111122222001021200] and fax number (= recipient ID) [0333334444] included in the download request from [unread status] shown in Fig. 6(A) to [read status] shown in Fig. 6(B) (S905).

[0064] Next, in response to receiving fax data from the fax sending and receiving server 30 via the network I / F 250 (S904), the MFP 10B displays a data display screen on the panel display unit 240a (S906). As shown in Fig. 10(B), the data display screen includes an image displayed by the fax data received from the fax sending and receiving server 30, as well as a "Previous Page" button, a "Next Page" button, a "Zoom In" button, a "Zoom Out" button, a "Check Recipient" button, and a "End Display" button. The MFP 10B then accepts, via the operation panel 240b, an operation to press a button included in the data display screen.

[0065] When the fax data includes multiple images (pages), if the [Previous Page] button is pressed, the MFP 10B displays the page previous to the currently displayed page on the data display screen. Also, if the [Next Page] button is pressed, the MFP 10B displays the page next to the currently displayed page on the data display screen. Also, if the [Enlarge] button is pressed, the MFP 10B enlarges the currently displayed page and displays it on the data display screen. Also, if the [Reduce] button is pressed, the MFP 10B reduces the currently displayed page and displays it on the data display screen. Furthermore, if the [End Display] button is pressed, the MFP 10B ends the download process without executing the processes from step S907 onwards.

[0066] When the MFP 10B receives an operation to press the [Confirm Recipient] button via the operation panel 240b (S907), it sends a viewing status confirmation request to the fax sending and receiving server 30 via the network I / F 250 (S908). The viewing status confirmation request is information for confirming whether the fax data corresponding to the F-code [03111122222001021200] selected on the data list screen has been viewed by each of the multiple recipient devices to which the data has been broadcast. The viewing status confirmation request includes, for example, the selected F-code [03111122222001021200] and the fax number [0333334444] that identifies the MFP 10B.

[0067] In response to receiving the viewing status confirmation request from the MFP 10B via the network I / F 409 (S908), the viewing status transmission unit 36 ​​of the fax sending and receiving server 30 reads out from the data management table a record corresponding to the F-code [03111122222001021200] included in the received viewing status confirmation request. Then, the viewing status transmission unit 36 ​​transmits viewing status list data via the network I / F 409 to the MFP 10B identified by the fax number [0333334444] included in the viewing status confirmation request (S909). The viewing status list data includes information set in the read record (at least all viewing statuses corresponding to the F-code [03111122222001021200]).

[0068] Next, in response to receiving the viewing status list data from the fax sending and receiving server 30 via the network I / F 250 (S909), the MFP 10B displays a viewing status list screen on the panel display unit 240a (S910). As shown in FIG. 10C, the viewing status list screen includes the transmission date and time [2020 / 01 / 02 12:00], the sender ID [0311112222], the F-code [03111122222001021200], a plurality of sets of recipient IDs and viewing statuses (recipient ID [0333334444]-viewing status [read], recipient ID [0655556666]-viewing status [unread], recipient ID [0457778888]-viewing status [unread]), and an [End Display] button.

[0069] 10A is pressed, the processes of steps S903 to S905 are executed. Furthermore, in step S906, MFP 10B controls printer unit 232 to print an image indicated by the received fax data onto a sheet. Furthermore, although not shown, when the [Data Delete] button in FIG. 10A is pressed, MFP 10B deletes the selected F-code [03111122222001021200] from HD 209.

[0070] Fig. 11 is a flowchart of the download process executed between the smartphone 20 and the fax sending and receiving server 30. Note that the same step numbers are assigned to the processes common to Fig. 9, and detailed explanations are omitted, with differences being mainly described.

[0071] First, the smartphone 20 sends a download request including the user ID [satoh] and F-code [03111122222001021200] set in the smartphone 20 to the fax sending and receiving server 30 via the long-distance communication circuit 312 (S1101). The status update unit 35 of the fax sending and receiving server 30 reads the fax number [0333334444] corresponding to the user ID [satoh] included in the download request from the user management table (S1102). Then, the status update unit 35 updates the viewing status corresponding to the F-code [03111122222001021200] included in the download request and the read fax number [0333334444] (= recipient ID) from [unread state] to [read state] (S905).

[0072] According to the above embodiment, for example, the following advantageous effects are achieved.

[0073] According to the above embodiment, by centrally managing the viewing status of multiple receiving devices of a broadcast transmission by the fax sending and receiving server 30, one of the multiple receiving devices of a broadcast transmission (e.g., MFP 10B) can know the viewing status of the other receiving devices (e.g., MFP 10C, MFP 10D).

[0074] Furthermore, according to the above embodiment, by using an F code conforming to the G3 standard protocol as a data ID that uniquely identifies information related to broadcast transmission, the processes shown in Figures 8 and 9 can be realized without extending the protocol. However, the data ID is not limited to the F code as long as it can uniquely identify broadcast transmission.

[0075] In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the F code is transmitted from the MFP 10A to the fax sending and receiving server 30, but the transmission of the F code in step S801 may be omitted. The fax sending and receiving server 30 may then generate an F code (data ID) by combining the sender ID and transmission date and time received from the MFP 10A.

[0076] Furthermore, according to the above embodiment, fax data can be viewed not only on the receiving device but also on a user terminal linked to the receiving device. By managing the correspondence between user IDs and fax numbers (=recipient IDs) in the fax sending / receiving server 30, the viewing status of fax data by the user terminal can be reflected in the viewing status.

[0077] Furthermore, according to the above embodiment, the fax data received in the first broadcast transmission is registered in the data management table, and the registration of fax data received in the second and subsequent broadcast transmissions is omitted, thereby saving storage capacity in the memory 37. However, the fax sending and receiving server 30 may store the fax data received in the second and subsequent broadcast transmissions in the memory 37. Also, in the above embodiment, an example (S801-S802) in which fax data is repeatedly transmitted for the number of recipient devices has been described, but the specific method by which the source device transmits fax data is not limited to the above example, and multiple recipient IDs may be added to the fax data before transmission.

[0078] Each function of the above-described embodiments can be realized by one or more processing circuits. Here, the term "processing circuit" in this specification includes a processor programmed to perform each function by software, such as a processor implemented by an electronic circuit, as well as devices such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or a conventional circuit module designed to perform each function described above.

[0079] Furthermore, the source device and destination device are not limited to the MFP 10, as long as they are devices equipped with a communication function. The source device and destination device may be, for example, a PJ (Projector), an IWB (Interactive White Board: a white board with an electronic blackboard function that allows mutual communication), an output device such as digital signage, a HUD (Head Up Display) device, industrial machinery, an imaging device, a sound collection device, medical equipment, a network home appliance, an automobile (Connected Car), a notebook PC (Personal Computer), a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a game console, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a digital camera, a wearable PC, a desktop PC, or the like.

[0080] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible without departing from the technical gist thereof. The present invention covers all technical matters included in the technical ideas described in the claims. The above-described embodiments are preferred examples, but a person skilled in the art can realize various modifications from the disclosed content. Such modifications are also included in the technical scope described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0081] 1. Fax sending and receiving system 10, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D: MFP 20: Smartphone 30: Fax sending / receiving server 31: Fax receiving section 32: Memory processing unit 33: Reception notification section 34: Fax sending section 35: Status update section 36: Viewing status sending unit 37: Memory 100: Communication Network 201,301,401:CPU 202a, 302, 402:ROM 202b, 303, 403: RAM 206: ASIC 208,405: HDD controller 210: Controller 220,320: Near field communication circuit 220a, 320a: Antenna 221: AGP Bus 222: PCI bus 230: Engine control unit 231: Scanner section 232: Printer section 233: Fax Department 240: Operation panel 240a: Panel display 240b: Operation panel 250: Network I / F 305,313: CMOS sensor 306,314: Image sensor I / F 307: Orientation sensor 308: Recording media 309,416: Media I / F 310: Bus Line 311: GPS receiver 312 :Telecommunications circuit 315: Mike 316: Speaker 317: Sound input / output I / F 318,406: Display 319,408: External device connection I / F 321: Touch panel 409: Network I / F 410: Data bus 411: Keyboard 412: Pointing device 414:RW drive 415: Recording media [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0082] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-115877

Claims

1. a fax receiving unit that receives fax data, a plurality of destination IDs that uniquely identify destination devices that are to receive the fax data, and a data ID that uniquely identifies a combination of the fax data and the plurality of destination IDs from a source device; a storage processing unit that stores the data ID, the fax data, the plurality of destination IDs, and a plurality of viewing states indicating whether the fax data has been viewed at a destination device identified by each of the plurality of destination IDs in a memory in association with one another; a reception notification unit that notifies a receiving device identified by each of the plurality of receiving device IDs received from the sending device that the fax data has been received from the sending device; a fax sending unit that, in response to receiving a transmission request including the destination ID from the destination device, sends the fax data to the destination device identified by the destination ID included in the transmission request; a status update unit that updates the viewing status corresponding to the destination ID included in the transmission request from an unread status indicating that the fax data has not been viewed to a read status indicating that the fax data has been viewed; a viewing status transmission unit that, in response to receiving a first viewing status confirmation request including the data ID from one of a plurality of receiving device identified by the plurality of receiving device IDs, transmits the plurality of viewing statuses associated with the data ID to the one receiving device that is a sender of the first viewing status confirmation request; The memory stores the destination ID and the user ID in association with each other, the fax sending unit, in response to receiving a transmission request including the user ID from a user terminal, sends the fax data to a user terminal identified by the user ID included in the transmission request; The state update unit reading from the memory the destination ID associated with the user ID included in the transmission request; The fax sending and receiving server updates the viewing status corresponding to the read destination ID from the unread status to the read status.

2. 2. The fax sending and receiving server according to claim 1, wherein the data ID is an F code that combines a sender ID that uniquely identifies a sender device and a transmission date and time of the fax data.

3. the fax receiving unit repeatedly receives the common fax data and data ID and different ones of the plurality of destination IDs from a transmission source device; The storage processing unit Each time the fax receiving unit receives the fax data, it determines whether the data ID is stored in the memory; When it is determined that the data ID is not stored in the memory, the data ID, the fax data, the recipient ID, and the viewing status are stored in the memory in association with each other; A fax sending / receiving server as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that when it is determined that the data ID is stored in the memory, the destination ID and the viewing status are stored in the memory in correspondence with the data ID.

4. The fax sending and receiving server of claim 1, wherein the viewing status transmission unit transmits the plurality of viewing statuses associated with the data ID to the user terminal identified by the user ID in response to receiving a second viewing status confirmation request including the user ID and the data ID from the user terminal.

5. a source device that transmits fax data; a plurality of receiving devices that receive the fax data transmitted from the transmitting device; a fax sending and receiving server that relays the fax data from the sending device to a plurality of receiving devices, The fax sending and receiving server a fax receiving unit that receives the fax data, a plurality of destination IDs that uniquely identify the destination devices, and a data ID that uniquely identifies a combination of the fax data and the plurality of destination IDs from the source device; a storage processing unit that stores the data ID, the fax data, the plurality of destination IDs, and a plurality of viewing states indicating whether the fax data has been viewed at the destination devices identified by each of the plurality of destination IDs in a memory in association with one another; a reception notification unit that notifies the receiving device identified by each of the plurality of receiving device IDs received from the sending device that the fax data has been received from the sending device; a fax sending unit that, in response to receiving a transmission request including the destination ID from the destination device, sends the fax data to the destination device identified by the destination ID included in the transmission request; a status update unit that updates the viewing status corresponding to the destination ID included in the transmission request from an unread status indicating that the fax data has not been viewed to a read status indicating that the fax data has been viewed; a viewing status transmission unit that, in response to receiving a first viewing status confirmation request including the data ID from one of a plurality of receiving device identified by the plurality of receiving device IDs, transmits the plurality of viewing statuses associated with the data ID to the one receiving device that is a sender of the first viewing status confirmation request; The memory stores the destination ID and the user ID in association with each other, the fax sending unit, in response to receiving a transmission request including the user ID from a user terminal, sends the fax data to a user terminal identified by the user ID included in the transmission request; The state update unit reading from the memory the destination ID associated with the user ID included in the transmission request; A fax sending and receiving system characterized in that the viewing status corresponding to the read recipient ID is updated from the unread status to the read status.

6. A fax transmission / reception method for relaying fax data broadcast from a sending device to a plurality of receiving devices, comprising: receiving, from a source device, the fax data, a plurality of destination IDs that uniquely identify destination devices, and a data ID that uniquely identifies a combination of the fax data and the plurality of destination IDs; the data ID, the fax data, the plurality of destination IDs, and a plurality of viewing states indicating whether the fax data has been viewed at the destination devices identified by the plurality of destination IDs are stored in a memory in association with one another; notifying the receiving device identified by each of the plurality of receiving IDs received from the sending device that the fax data has been received from the sending device; In response to receiving a transmission request including the destination ID from the destination device, transmitting the fax data to the destination device identified by the destination ID included in the transmission request; updating the viewing status corresponding to the destination ID included in the transmission request from an unread status indicating that the fax data has not been viewed to a read status indicating that the fax data has been viewed; In response to receiving a first viewing status confirmation request including the data ID from one of the plurality of receiving device identified by the plurality of receiving device IDs, transmitting the plurality of viewing statuses associated with the data ID to the one receiving device that is a sender of the first viewing status confirmation request; The memory stores the destination ID and the user ID in association with each other, In response to receiving a transmission request including the user ID from a user terminal, transmitting the fax data to the user terminal identified by the user ID included in the transmission request; reading from the memory the destination ID associated with the user ID included in the transmission request; a fax sending and receiving method for updating the viewing status corresponding to the read destination ID from the unread status to the read status;

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