Facsimile device, method for controlling this device and computer program

Abstract

Facsimile device capable of performing a facsimile transmission to both an extension line network, which is an intranet, and an external line network, which is a public network, with: a first receiving device for accepting a first destination of a facsimile transmission and a first communication mode for the facsimile transmission, wherein the accepted communication mode is used to determine whether the facsimile transmission is performed to the extension line network or the facsimile transmission to the external line network; a second receiving device for accepting a second destination for the facsimile transmission and a second communication mode; a first determining device to determine whether the first target accepted by the first accepting device matches the second target accepted by the second accepting device; a second determining device for determining whether the first communication mode accepted by the first accepting device matches the second communication mode accepted by the second accepting device; and an execution device for performing the facsimile transmission according to a determination by the first determining device that the first target matches the second target, and a determination by the second determining device that the first communication mode matches the second communication mode.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONField of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus, a method of controlling the same, and a computer program that prevents erroneous transmission due to re-entering of a destination when performing facsimile transmission. Description of the state of the art

[0002] When performing a facsimile transmission (hereinafter also referred to as a fax transmission), a user enters the fax number of a desired transmission destination directly from an operating unit using a numeric keypad and the like, if the destination is not registered in an address book or as a speed dial key, etc. of a facsimile device, and performs the facsimile transmission. At this time, if the user accidentally enters an unwanted number and performs a fax transmission without being aware of the error, a document for fax transmission will be transmitted to the wrong destination (hereinafter also referred to as an erroneous transmission).This not only causes a situation where an intended recipient cannot receive the necessary information, but also a situation where a significant information leak occurs if the transmitted document is a confidential document that cannot be viewed by a third party. To address these problems, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. JP H02-200058 A proposed a facsimile device that, when transmitting a document, requires a user to enter the fax machine number of a transmission destination twice, and transmits the document only when the first entered number and the second entered number match.

[0003] Furthermore, in recent years, IP fax, which complies with ITU-T Recommendation T.38, has been put into practical use, in addition to G3 fax, which is defined by ITU-T Recommendation T.30 and uses an analog telephone network. IP fax is a function for performing fax transmission using an IP network instead of the traditional analog telephone line. It can perform transmission to various communication networks by specifying a transmission mode from among intranet, NGN, VoIP-GW, and the like, even when a LAN cable is physically connected.

[0004] In this context, "intranet" refers to an extension line network using IP-PBX, and "NGN" refers to a public IP network provided by NTT and a communication network that has the same telephone numbering system as an analog public telephone network. Furthermore, "VoIP-GW" connects the intranet to the public telephone network and connects to a G3 fax device connected to the public telephone network via the intranet. When transmitting using these communication networks, a connection to a communication partner is made using a procedure called SIP, and the transmission partner is designated by a telephone number. A user can perform a fax transmission to the desired transmission partner by designating the fax number of the transmission destination and a communication mode.

[0005] However, the above-described conventional technique has the following problems. The above-described conventional technique requires the user to enter the fax number of a transmission destination twice, thereby preventing transmission of a document to an unwanted destination due to a typo. Erroneous transmission can be prevented if the transmission destination can be specified by a fax number. However, if it is possible to select a communication network to connect to, as in the case of IP fax, confirmation of the fax number itself is not sufficient to prevent erroneous transmission.

[0006] For example, consider an IP fax device connected to both the intranet serving as an extension line network and the NGN or VoIP GW serving as an external line network. If a user attempts to transmit an internal document to another IP fax device connected to the intranet using this device and mistakenly specifies the NGN or VoIP GW as a communication mode, the IP fax device will call the external network. Here, if there is a device on the public telephone network to which the device is connected via the NGN or VoIP GW that has the same number as the IP fax device on the intranet to which the user attempted to transmit the internal document, the internal document will be transmitted to the external IP fax device, resulting in information leakage.

[0007] Furthermore, since IP fax is not yet widely used, an IP fax device may have an external line connected to an analog public telephone line for connection to a traditional G3 fax, and an extension line connected to a corporate intranet. In this case, similar to the case described above, if there are fax devices on the public telephone line and the intranet that have the same number, transmission to an undesired destination is likely to occur if a user designates the wrong communication network to connect to.

[0008] JP 2009-224999 A discloses a network facsimile system that can prevent erroneous transmission of facsimile data by automatically determining a destination address form input by a user before transmission of the facsimile data and having the user confirm whether the determined destination address form is the destination address form intended by the user. A transmission confirmation control part controls the processing of confirming whether a destination address form, such as an IP address, input by the user through an operation part is intended by the user. A destination address form determination part determines the input destination address form. A confirmation screen display control part displays the determined destination address form and displays a confirmation screen for confirming that it is the destination address form intended by the user on a touch panel of the operation part. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present invention enables realization of a mechanism of a facsimile apparatus connected to a plurality of communication networks for preventing erroneous transmission due to a user's operation.

[0010] One aspect of the present invention provides a facsimile apparatus according to claims 1 to 5.

[0011] Another aspect of the present invention provides a method for controlling a facsimile apparatus according to claim 6.

[0012] A further aspect of the present invention provides a computer program according to claim 7 which, when executed, causes a computer to perform the method.

[0013] Further features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of an image processing apparatus according to a first embodiment. Fig. 2 is a block diagram illustrating software configurations for controlling the image processing apparatus according to the first embodiment. Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating a system to which the present embodiment is applied according to the first embodiment. Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an operation unit and a home screen according to the first embodiment. Fig. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a fax operation screen according to the first embodiment. Fig. 6 illustrates examples of the fax operation screen when a fax destination is directly input and when a fax destination is repeatedly input according to the first embodiment. Fig. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of an error pop-up screen according to the first embodiment. Fig. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a series of processes for confirming a directly input fax destination according to the first embodiment. Fig. 9 illustrates examples of an application function setting screen according to a second embodiment. Fig. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a fax destination re-input screen according to the second embodiment. Fig. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a series of processes for confirming a directly input fax destination according to the second embodiment. Fig. 12 illustrates examples of a destination re-input screen that does not require repeated designation of a connection destination according to a third embodiment. Fig. 13 is a flowchart showing a series of processes for confirming a directly input fax destination according to the third embodiment. Fig. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a series of processes for confirming a directly input fax destination according to a fourth embodiment. DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0014] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the relative arrangement of the components, the numerical expressions, and the numerical values ​​presented in these embodiments do not limit the scope of the present invention unless expressly stated. First Embodiment Configuration of an Image Processing Device

[0015] A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Fig. 1 to 8. First, an example of a configuration of a multi-function peripheral device (MFP) serving as an image processing device to which a facsimile device of the present invention is applied will be described with reference to Fig. 1 described.

[0016] A multifunction peripheral device 100 includes an image forming unit 101 for forming an image on recording paper using a method such as an electrophotography method, and a control unit 102 for performing overall control of the multifunction peripheral device 100. Furthermore, the multifunction peripheral device 100 includes a finisher 103 for performing post-processing such as stapling, a scanner unit 104 for reading a document image, and an operation unit 105 for an operator to input various types of data and instructions. The multifunction peripheral device 100 further includes a network interface 106 for transmitting and receiving image data over a network, a facsimile interface 107 for transmitting and receiving facsimile data, and a card reader 110 for performing authentication of a user using the device.Each of the components is connected to the control unit 102 via a dedicated interface.

[0017] The control unit 102 comprises as main components a central processing unit (CPU) 108 and a storage device (memory) 109. The memory 109 stores control programs corresponding to the corresponding flowcharts of Fig. 8, Fig. 11, Fig. 13 and Fig. 14, wherein the flow charts are executed by the multifunction peripheral device 100. The memory 109 also stores control programs of the setting dialog boxes that are Fig. 4, Fig. 5, Fig. 6, Fig. 7, Fig. 9, Fig. 10 and Fig. 12, and contents or the like in which the operation screen information is described. Software configurations of the image processing device

[0018] Hereinafter, software configurations for controlling the multifunction peripheral device of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 2. The multifunction peripheral device 100 includes, as software configurations, a UI control unit 201, a scan control unit 202, a transmission control unit 203, a fax control unit 204, a job control unit 205, an image management unit 206, an authentication control unit 207, and a print control unit 208. It should be noted that these software configurations can also be implemented as hardware configurations or as configurations of a combination of hardware and software.

[0019] The UI control unit 201 displays an operation screen on the operation unit 105 and controls a user interface (UI) that accepts operations from a user (operator). The operation unit 105 is, for example, a touch-sensitive liquid crystal display and can display an operation screen and accept input from the user. The scan control unit 202 controls the scanner unit 104 and processing for reading a document image. The transmission control unit 203 controls processing for transmitting image data read by the scan control unit 202 to a destination designated by the user via the network interface 106. Specifically, the transmission control unit 203 controls email transmission and transmission to a file server or the like.

[0020] The fax control unit 204 controls G3 fax transmission and reception via the facsimile interface 107. Furthermore, the fax control unit 204 controls IP fax transmission and reception via the network interface 106. The job control unit 205 manages a transmission request from a user accepted by the UI control unit 201 and manages the execution status and history of the transmission request. The image management unit 206 manages management information related to an image read by the scanner unit 104. The authentication control unit 207 specifies a user using the multifunction peripheral device 100 based on information read by the card reader 110 and manages the user information.The print control unit 208 controls printing of image data read by the scanner unit, a received fax document, a transmission result report, and the like onto paper using the image generation unit 101. These pieces of control software are stored in the memory 109 and executed by the CPU 108. System configuration

[0021] Hereinafter, a configuration of a system applied to the present embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 3. As described in Fig. 3, reference numeral 301 denotes a multifunction peripheral device to which the present invention is applied. Note that the multifunction peripheral device 301 is the same device as the multifunction peripheral device 100. Reference numeral 302 denotes an IP fax device connected to the NGN. Reference numeral 303 denotes an IP fax device connected to the intranet. Furthermore, reference numeral 304 denotes a G3 fax device connected to the public telephone network. Reference numeral 305 denotes a VoIP GW that connects the intranet and the public telephone network.

[0022] A user can perform a transmission to a desired fax device by designating a communication mode during a fax transmission on a fax operation screen of the multifunction peripheral device, which will be described below. That is, when performing a transmission to the IP fax device 302 connected to the NGN, the user selects "NGN" as the communication mode along with the fax number. When performing the transmission to the IP fax device 303 connected to the intranet, the user selects "intranet" as the communication mode. When performing the transmission to the G3 fax device 304 connected to the conventional public telephone network, the user selects "G3" as the communication mode.Alternatively, the user can also perform transmission to the G3 fax device 304 by selecting “VoIP-GW” as the communication mode and connecting to the public telephone network via the intranet and the VoIP-GW 305. Home screen

[0023] An example of a start-up screen to be displayed on the operation unit 105 will be described below with reference to Fig. 4. As described in Fig. 4, the element designated by reference numeral 401 includes application selection keys that, when pressed by the user, respectively call up operation screens for performing desired processing. Note that a "Copy" key 406, a "Scan" key 407, a "Fax" key 408, and a "Box" key 409 are shown here, which respectively call up operation screens for the copy function, the network scan function, the fax function, and the box function. Furthermore, a numeric keypad 402 and a start key 403 for instructing a start of a job are provided. Furthermore, a "Settings / Registration" screen call-up key 404 for calling up a settings / registration screen for the device and a "History / Status" key 405 for calling up a history / status screen for a job are provided. Fax operation screen

[0024] Below is a fax operation screen with reference to Fig. 5 to 7. First, Fig. 5 shows an example of the fax operation screen displayed on the operation unit 105 when the user presses the "Fax" key 408. As shown in Fig. As shown in Figure 5, a fax number display area 501, one-touch dial keys (one-touch or speed dial keys) 502, and an address book call key 503 are displayed. When a one-touch dial key 502 is pressed, a fax destination registered to that key is called. When the address book call key 503 is pressed, an address book in which fax destinations are registered is displayed.

[0025] When transmitting to a destination not registered as a speed dial or in the address book, the user can directly enter a fax transmission destination by operating the numeric keypad 402. The entered destination is displayed on the fax number display area 501. Furthermore, reference numeral 504 denotes transmission setting keys for configuring fax transmission settings, such as the reading resolution and the size of a document to be read. Reference numeral 505 denotes an application function key for calling various advanced settings at the time of reading and transmission.

[0026] Reference number 600 of Fig. 6 shows an example of the fax operation screen displayed when the user directly inputs a fax transmission destination by operating the numeric keypad 402. As indicated by reference numeral 601, the fax number 1234 directly input by the user is displayed in the fax number display area 601. Furthermore, instead of the one-touch dial keys 502, a new destination setting area 602 is displayed, in which a communication mode designation pull-down menu 603 for designating a communication network to which a connection is to be established at the time of transmission is also displayed.

[0027] This fax device here can perform G3 fax transmission and IP fax transmission, and the user can select any of "G3," "NGN," "VoIP-GW," and "Intranet" as the communication mode. Furthermore, "G3" is preset as the communication mode. This screen 600 shows that "NGN" has been selected by the user, and the corresponding pull-down menu option is highlighted. Accordingly, unless the user selects the correct communication mode in addition to the fax number, a transmission to a desired fax device will fail, and a transmission to another fax device other than the desired fax device is likely to occur if there is a fax device with the same number as that of the desired fax device on a different communication network.

[0028] Reference number 610 of Fig. 6 denotes an example of the fax destination re-entry screen displayed when the user has pressed the start key 403 and instructed a fax transmission. As displayed on the screen 610, reference numeral 604 denotes a destination re-entry pop-up screen, which has a fax number re-entry region 605 and a communication mode re-designation pull-down menu 606. On the destination re-entry pop-up screen, the fax number re-entry region 605 is displayed blank because the destination re-entry pop-up screen prompts the user to repeatedly enter a transmission destination, and the default setting of the communication mode re-designation pull-down menu 606 is also displayed. In this example, the default setting is "G3." If the fax number and communication mode entered in this screen are the same as those entered in the screen 600 of Fig. 6 have been entered, the fax transmission will start.

[0029] Fig. 7 shows an error pop-up screen that is displayed when re-entering on the screen 610 of Fig. 6 was incorrect. Reference numeral 701 denotes an example of the error pop-up screen indicating that the first entered information and the re-entered information do not match. The user is prompted to confirm the fax number and communication mode. Processing procedure

[0030] The following describes processing for confirming a directly entered fax destination with reference to Fig. 8. It should be noted that the control program according to the processing flow is stored in the memory 109 and executed by the CPU 108. Accepting a fax destination

[0031] First, in step S801, the UI control unit 201 accepts a fax number that the user has entered by operating the numeric keypad 402 provided on the operation unit 105. Here, the number the user has entered is 1234. Subsequently, in step S802, the UI control unit 201 accepts a communication mode that the user has designated using the communication mode designation pull-down menu 603 of the fax basic screen to instruct connection to a desired communication network. Here, the user has designated "NGN."

[0032] Then, in step S803, the UI control unit 201 detects that the user has pressed the start button 403 and accepts a transmission instruction, and in step S804, the UI control unit 201 displays, on the operation unit 105, the destination re-input screen 604, which prompts the user to re-input the transmission destination. Reconfirmation of the fax destination

[0033] The UI control unit 201 accepts a re-entered fax number that the user has entered into the fax number re-enter area 605 in step S805, and accepts a re-designated communication mode that the user has re-designated using the communication mode re-designation pull-down menu 606 in step S806. Subsequently, in step S807, the UI control unit 201 compares the first input information accepted in steps S801 and S802 with the re-entered information accepted in steps S805 and S806. Furthermore, the UI control unit 201 determines whether the fax number accepted in step S801 matches the re-entered fax number accepted in step S805, and whether the communication mode accepted in step S802 matches the re-designated communication mode accepted in step S806.That is, if the re-entered fax number is 1234 and the re-designated communication mode is “NGN”, it is determined that they match, and otherwise it is determined that they do not match.

[0034] If the result of the determination in step S807 is Yes, the procedure proceeds to step S808, where the UI control unit 201 inputs a transmission job to the job control unit 205. The job control unit 205 cooperates with the scan control unit 202, the image management unit 206, and the fax control unit 204, and transmits a document read by the scanner unit 104 to a designated destination via the network interface 106, and the procedure ends. Note that if the communication mode designated by the user in step S802 is "G3," the fax control unit 204 transmits the document to the designated destination via the facsimile interface 107. If the result of the determination in step S807 is No, the procedure proceeds to step S809, in which the UI control unit 201 displays an error pop-up screen 701, and then returns to step S804.

[0035] As described above, the facsimile device (multifunctional peripheral device 100) according to the present embodiment, when the user has directly set a destination and a communication mode for a facsimile transmission, prompts the user to re-enter both setting items. Then, the facsimile device performs the facsimile transmission only when the two items match, in other words, only when the destinations match and the communication modes match, and otherwise, the facsimile device notifies the user of the error. This makes it possible to prevent erroneous transmission even if the user has entered an incorrect destination number or an incorrect communication mode.Even if, for example, the user has entered an incorrect communication mode, it is possible to avoid erroneous transmission to the same destination number in a communication network that is different from the communication network to which the user intends to perform a transmission. Second embodiment

[0036] A second embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Fig. 9 to 11. In the first embodiment described above, both G3 fax transmission and IP fax transmission are possible, and a communication network to be connected to is designated by a communication mode. However, a configuration is also possible in which there is only G3 as the communication mode, but there are a plurality of telephone lines, including a telephone line for an extension line and other telephone lines for external lines. In this case, similar to the above-described case, transmission to an undesired destination may occur if an incorrect line is selected. Therefore, the present embodiment will describe control for preventing erroneous transmission in the above-described line configuration.

[0037] First, an example of an application function setting screen displayed when the application function key 505 of the fax basic screen is pressed will be described with reference to reference numeral 900 of Fig. 9. Application functions are displayed over multiple pages, and in this example, facsimile-related function keys are displayed on page 3. Reference numeral 901 denotes a line selection key for calling up a screen for selecting a communication line for use in transmission.

[0038] Reference number 1000 of Fig. 9 is an example of a line selection screen for designating a communication line for use in transmission. On a line selection screen 1001, "Line 1," "Line 2," and "Line 3" buttons 1002 are displayed, which respectively instruct the use of communication lines 1, 2, and 3.

[0039] Fig. 10 illustrates an example of a fax destination re-entry screen according to the second embodiment. Although the destination re-entry pop-up screen has a fax number re-entry area similar to that of Fig. 6, a transmission line redesignation pull-down menu 1101 is provided instead of the communication mode redesignation pull-down menu. Processing procedure

[0040] Next, processing for confirming the directly input fax destination according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 11. The control program according to the processing flow is stored in the memory 109 and executed by the CPU 108. It should be noted that many processes in the flowchart of Fig. 11 similar to those in the flowchart of Fig. 8, and therefore only differences between them are described here. Accepting a fax destination

[0041] The procedure in step S1201 is the same as the procedure in step S801. Subsequently, in step S1202, the UI control unit 201 accepts a transmission line (communication line) that the user has selected by pressing a line selection button on the line selection screen 1001. The procedures in steps S1203 and S1204 are the same as the corresponding procedures in steps S803 and S804. Reconfirmation of the fax destination

[0042] The procedure in step S1205 is the same as the procedure in step S1205. Subsequently, in step S1206, the UI control unit 201 accepts a redesignated transmission line that the user has redesignated using the transmission line redesignation pull-down menu 1101. In step S1207, the first input information accepted in steps S1201 and S1202 is compared with the re-input information accepted in steps S1205 and S1206. Further, the UI control unit 201 determines whether the fax number accepted in step S1201 and the re-inputted fax number accepted in step S1205 match each other, and whether the transmission line accepted in step S1202 and the re-designated transmission line accepted in step S1206 match each other.

[0043] If the result of the determination in step S1207 is Yes, the procedure proceeds to step S1208 and then ends. If the result of the determination in step S1207 is No, the procedure proceeds to step S1209 and then returns to step S1204. Note that the procedures in steps S1208 and S1209 are the same as the corresponding procedures in steps S808 and S809.

[0044] As described above, the facsimile device (multifunction peripheral device 100) according to the present embodiment, when the user has directly set a destination and a communication line for facsimile transmission, prompts the user to re-enter both setting items. Then, the facsimile device performs the facsimile transmission only when both items match each other—in other words, only when the destinations match each other and the transmission lines match each other—and otherwise, the facsimile device notifies the user of the error. This makes it possible to prevent erroneous transmission even if the user has entered an incorrect destination number or an incorrect communication line.For example, if the user has entered an incorrect communication line, it is possible to prevent erroneous transmission to the same destination number in a communication line (external line) different from the communication line (extension line) to which the user intended to perform a transmission. Third embodiment

[0045] A third embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Fig. 12 and Fig. 13. In the case where the multifunction peripheral device 100 to which the present invention is applied is connectable to a plurality of communication networks, and all the connectable communication networks are external line networks or extension line networks, transmission to an unwanted fax device is impossible as long as the fax number is correct, even if the user has designated an incorrect communication network as a communication destination. Under such circumstances, if a user is prompted to redesignate the connection destination at the time of confirming the fax destination, operability of fax transmission is reduced. Therefore, the present embodiment describes control to reduce such operational problems for the user as much as possible.

[0046] Reference number 1300 of Fig. 12 denotes an example of a destination re-entry screen that does not prompt the user to re-enter a connection destination. Although a destination re-entry pop-up screen 1301 similar to Fig. 6 and Fig. 10 includes a fax number re-entry area, neither a communication mode re-designation pull-down menu 606 nor the function for prompting the user to re-enter a connection destination, such as the transmission line re-designation pull-down menu 1101, are provided.

[0047] Reference number 1400 of Fig. 12 shows an example of a management screen for managing IP-Fax communication modes available in the facsimile device. On an IP-Fax communication mode management screen 1401 of the display screen 1400, selection buttons 1402 relating to the uses of the respective IP-Fax communication modes are displayed, allowing setting of whether to allow or disallow the use of NGN, VoIP-GW, and Intranet. That is, here, it is possible to set whether to permit the use of the respective communication networks (communication modes). The display screen 1400 shows that all of NGN, VoIP-GW, and Intranet are set to be used, and the corresponding buttons are highlighted.According to the present embodiment, the multifunction peripheral device 100 is connected to a public telephone line and an IP network, and also has an IP fax transmission property with respect to NGN, VoIP-GW, and Intranet, but which communication mode is actually designated to be used depends on the settings configured on the IP fax communication mode management screen 1401. Processing procedure

[0048] Hereinafter, processing for confirming a directly inputted fax destination according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 13. The control program according to the processing flow is stored in the memory 109 and executed by the CPU 108. Accepting a fax destination

[0049] In step S1501, the UI control unit 201 accepts a fax number that the user has entered by operating the numeric keypad 402 provided on the operation unit 105. Subsequently, in step S1502, the UI control unit 201 accepts a communication mode that the user has selected using the communication mode designation pull-down menu 603 of the fax basic screen to instruct connection to a desired communication network. In the present embodiment, the user can designate the communication mode as "G3," "NGN," "VoIP-GW," or "Intranet." Then, in step S1503, the UI control unit 201 detects that the user has pressed the start button 403 and accepts a transmission instruction. Determination of a property for connecting to extension and external lines

[0050] Subsequently, in step S1504, the UI control unit 201 determines whether the multifunction peripheral device 100 can perform fax transmission to the extension and external line networks, based on the settings configured on the IP fax communication mode management screen 1401. In the configuration of the present embodiment, only the intranet refers to transmission to the extension line network. Accordingly, if the settings are such that the intranet or another communication mode is used, it is determined that the multifunction peripheral device 100 can perform fax transmission to both the extension and external line networks.If the settings are such that the intranet is not used, but another communication mode is used, it is determined that the multifunction peripheral device 100 can perform fax transmission only to the external line. Furthermore, if the settings are such that only the intranet is used, it is determined that the multifunction peripheral device 100 can perform fax transmission only to the extension line network. Reconfirmation of the fax destination by entering a connection destination

[0051] If the result of the determination in step S1504 is Yes, the procedure proceeds to step S1505, in which the UI control unit 201 reconfirms the fax destination along with the instruction of the communication network serving as a connection destination. Specifically, the UI control unit 201 displays the destination re-entry screen 604 on the operation unit 105, prompting the user to re-enter the fax number and re-designate the connection destination (communication mode). Since, in the present embodiment, a connection destination is designated with a communication mode, re-designating the communication destination is re-designating a communication mode.

[0052] Next, in step S1506, the UI control unit 201 accepts a re-entered fax number that the user has entered into the fax number re-enter area 605, and in step S1507, accepts a re-designated communication mode that the user has re-designated using the communication mode re-designation pull-down menu 606. In step S1508, the UI control unit 201 compares the first input information accepted in steps S1501 and S1502 with the re-entered information accepted in steps S1506 and S1507.Further, the UI control unit 201 determines whether the fax number accepted in step S1501 and the re-input fax number accepted in step S1506 agree with each other, and whether the communication mode accepted in step S1502 and the re-designated communication mode accepted in step S1507 agree with each other.

[0053] If the result of the determination in step S1508 is Yes, the procedure proceeds to step S1509, where a transmission job is input to the job control unit 205, and then ends. Specifically, the job control unit 205 cooperates with the scan control unit 202, the image management unit 206, and the fax control unit 204, and transmits a document read by the scanner unit 104 to the designated destination via the network interface 106 or the facsimile interface 107. On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step S1508 is No, the procedure proceeds to step S1513, where the UI control unit 201 displays the error pop-up screen 701, and then returns to step S1504. Reconfirmation of the fax destination without re-specifying a connection destination

[0054] On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step S1504 is No, only the fax number is reconfirmed. In step S1510, the UI control unit 201 displays the target re-entry pop-up screen 1301 on the operation unit 105, prompting the user to re-enter only the fax number. Next, in step S1511, the UI control unit 201 accepts a re-entered fax number that the user has entered into the fax number re-entry area 1302. Next, in step S15012, the UI control unit 201 compares the first input information accepted in step S1501 with the re-entered information accepted in step S1511. Further, the UI control unit 201 determines whether the fax number accepted in step S1501 and the re-entered fax number accepted in step S1510 match each other.If the result of the determination in step S1512 is Yes, the procedure proceeds to step S1509, where a fax transmission is performed to the designated destination, and then ends. On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step S1512 is No, the procedure proceeds to step S1513, where the UI control unit 201 displays the error pop-up screen 701, and then returns to step S1504.

[0055] As described above, the present embodiment has described an example of the device that selects a communication network to be connected to with a communication mode. However, as in the second embodiment described above, the present invention can also be applied to a device that has a plurality of telephone lines connected to extension and external line networks within the same communication mode and can select one of the transmission lines. In this case, the determination in step S1504 is made with reference to a value and the like of a switch indicating that transmission to both the extension and external line networks is possible.Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to provide a user-friendly operating system by reducing unnecessary re-designation of a communication mode or a communication line in the first and second embodiments. Fourth embodiment

[0056] A fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to Fig. 14. In general, an information leak is more likely to occur if a document intended to be transmitted internally is mistakenly transmitted externally than if a document intended to be transmitted externally is mistakenly transmitted internally.

[0057] Although the multifunction peripheral device 100 to which the present invention is applicable can perform transmission to both extension and external line networks, the risk of information leakage is low if the user selects connection to the extension line network at the time of transmission. If a user who almost always performs transmission to the extension line network is required to re-designate a communication network to be connected to and a telephone number, operability of fax transmission is reduced. In the present embodiment, the multifunction peripheral device 100 is connected to a public telephone line and an IP network, and can perform G3 fax transmission with respect to the public telephone line and IP fax transmission with respect to NGN, VoIP-GW, and the intranet.Therefore, the present embodiment describes a control to reduce such an operation problem for the user as much as possible. Processing procedure

[0058] Processing for confirming a directly input fax destination according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 14. The control program according to the processing flow is stored in the memory 109 and executed by the CPU 108. It should be noted that many processes in the flowchart of Fig. 14 similar to those in the flowchart of Fig. 13, and only differences between them are described here. Accepting a fax destination

[0059] The procedures in steps S1601, S1602 and S1603 are the same as the corresponding procedures in steps S1501, S1502 and S1503. Confirmation of a communication network serving as a connection destination

[0060] Subsequently, in step S1604, the UI control unit 201 determines whether the communication network selected by the user is an external line or not, with reference to the communication mode assumed in step S1603. In the configuration of the present embodiment, it is determined that the communication network is an external line when the communication mode is G3, NGN, or VoIP-GW, whereas it is determined that the communication network is an extension line network when the communication mode is the intranet. Reconfirmation of the fax destination with renewed designation of a connection destination

[0061] If the result of the determination in step S1604 is Yes, for example, if the communication mode is NGN, the communication network selected by the user is an external line. Therefore, the procedure proceeds to step S1605, where the fax destination is reconfirmed along with the instruction of the communication network serving as a connection destination. The procedures in steps S1605, S1606, S1607, and S1608 are the same as the corresponding procedures in steps S1505, S1506, S1507, and S1508.

[0062] If the result of the determination in step S1608 is Yes, the procedure proceeds to step S1609, in which the UI control unit 201 inputs a transfer order to the order control unit 205. The procedure in step S1609 is the same as that in step S1509. On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step S1608 is No, the procedure proceeds to step S1613, in which the UI control unit 201 displays the error pop-up screen 701, and then returns to step S1604. Reconfirmation of the fax destination without re-specifying a connection destination

[0063] On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step S1604 is No, the communication network selected by the user is an extension line network. Therefore, the procedure proceeds to step S1610, where only the fax number is reconfirmed. The procedures in steps S1610, S1611, and S1612 are the same as the corresponding procedures in steps S1510, S1511, and S1512.

[0064] As described above, the present embodiment has described an example of the device that selects a communication network to be connected to with a communication mode. However, the present invention can also be applied to a device that can instruct transmission to an external line in response to pressing a dedicated key, and to a device that has a plurality of telephone lines connected to extension and external line networks and can select one among the transmission lines. In this case, the determination in step S1604 as to whether a connection destination is an external line or not is made by determining whether the dedicated key has been pressed or the external line has been selected.Further, in step S1607, a key is pressed again and a new designation of a transmission line is accepted, and in step S1608, it is determined whether or not the newly inputted information agrees with the first inputted information. Other embodiments

[0065] Embodiments of the present invention may also be implemented by a computer of a system or device that retrieves and executes computer-executable instructions recorded on a storage medium (e.g., non-transitory computer-readable storage medium) to perform the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiments of the present invention, and by a method performed by the computer of the system or device, for example, by retrieving and executing the computer-executable instructions from the storage medium to perform the functions of one or more of the above-described embodiments.The computer may include one or more of a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessing unit (MPU), or other circuitry, and may include a network of separate computers or separate computer processors. The computer-executable instructions may be provided to the computer, for example, from a network or the storage medium. The storage medium may include, for example, one or more of a hard disk, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), distributed computer system memory, an optical disk (such as a compact disk (CD), a digital versatile disc (DVD), or a Blu-ray Disc (BD)™), a flash memory device, a memory card, and the like.

[0066] While the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. The following statements describing embodiments of the invention form a part of this description. The claims follow these statements and are marked as such.

[0067] Statement 1. A facsimile device connectable to a plurality of communication networks, comprising: a first accepting means for accepting inputs of a destination of a facsimile transmission and a communication network to be used for the facsimile transmission; a second accepting device for accepting, after the first accepting device has accepted the inputs of the destination and the communication network, a new input of the destination and the communication network; a comparison device for comparing the destination and the communication network accepted by the first acceptance device with the destination and the communication network accepted by the second acceptance device; and executing means for executing the facsimile transmission when both the destination and the communication network assumed by the first accepting means agree with corresponding ones assumed by the second accepting means as a result of the comparison by the comparing means, and not executing the facsimile transmission when at least one of the destination and the communication network assumed by the first accepting means does not agree with the corresponding ones assumed by the second accepting means.

[0068] Statement 2. Facsimile device according to statement 1, furthermore with: a setting device for setting, for each communication network of the plurality of communication networks, whether use of the communication network is to be permitted or not; a determining means for determining whether the setting configured by the setting means is such that the facsimile device is capable of performing facsimile transmission through both an extension line network and an external line network, wherein, when the setting is such that the facsimile device is capable of performing facsimile transmission only to either the extension line network or the external line network, the second accepting means only accepts re-input of the destination, the comparing means compares the destination accepted by the first accepting means with the destination accepted by the second accepting means, and the executing means executes the facsimile transmission when the destinations accepted by the first and second accepting means agree with each other,as a result of the comparison by the comparison device, and does not carry out the facsimile transmission if the destinations accepted by the first and second acceptance devices do not agree with each other.

[0069] Statement 3. Facsimile device according to statement 1, furthermore with: a determining means for determining whether the destination accepted by the first accepting means is a destination in the extension line network, wherein, if the destination accepted by the first accepting means is a destination in the extension line network, the second acceptance device only accepts a new entry of the destination, the comparison device compares the target accepted by the first acceptance device with the target accepted by the second acceptance device, and the executing means executes the facsimile transmission when the destinations accepted by the first and second accepting means agree with each other as a result of the comparison by the comparing means, and does not execute the facsimile transmission when the destinations accepted by the first and second accepting means do not agree with each other.

[0070] Statement 4. The facsimile apparatus according to statement 1, wherein the plurality of communication networks comprises at least one of G3, NGN, VoIP-GW, and Intranet.

[0071] Statement 5. A facsimile device connectable to a plurality of communication lines, comprising: a first accepting means for accepting inputs of a destination of a facsimile transmission and a communication line to be used for the facsimile transmission; a second accepting means for accepting, after the first accepting means has accepted the inputs of the destination and the communication line, a new input of the destination and the communication line; a comparison device for comparing the destination and the communication line accepted by the first acceptance device with the destination and the communication line accepted by the second acceptance device; and executing means for executing the facsimile transmission when both the destination and the communication line accepted by the first accepting means agree with corresponding ones accepted by the second accepting means as a result of comparison by the comparing means, and not executing the facsimile transmission when at least one of the destination and the communication line accepted by the first accepting means does not agree with corresponding ones accepted by the second accepting means.

[0072] Statement 6. Facsimile device according to statement 5, furthermore with: setting means for setting whether to permit use of at least one of an extension line network and an external line network among the communication networks to which the facsimile apparatus is connectable; and determining means for determining whether the setting configured by the setting means is such that the facsimile apparatus is capable of performing facsimile transmission to both the extension line network and the external line network or not, wherein, when the setting is such that the facsimile device is capable of performing a facsimile transmission to either the extension line network or the external line network, the second acceptance device only accepts a new entry of the destination, the comparison device compares the target accepted by the first acceptance device with the target accepted by the second acceptance device, and the executing means executes the facsimile transmission when the destinations accepted by the first and second accepting means agree with each other as a result of the comparison by the comparing means, and does not execute the facsimile transmission when the destinations accepted by the first and second accepting means do not agree with each other.

[0073] Statement 7. Facsimile device according to statement 5, further with: a determining device for determining whether the destination accepted by the first accepting device is a destination in an extension line network or not, wherein, if the destination accepted by the first accepting means is a destination in the extension line network, the second acceptance device only accepts a new entry of the destination, the comparison device compares the target accepted by the first acceptance device with the target accepted by the second acceptance device, and the executing means executes the facsimile transmission when the destinations accepted by the first and second accepting means agree with each other as a result of the comparison by the comparing means, and does not execute the facsimile transmission when the destinations accepted by the first and second accepting means do not agree with each other.

[0074] Statement 8. Facsimile device according to statement 5, wherein the plurality of communication lines comprise an extension communication line and an external communication line.

[0075] Statement 9. A method of controlling a facsimile device connectable to a plurality of communication networks, comprising: Accepting inputs of a destination of a facsimile transmission and a communication network to be used for the facsimile transmission; Accepting, after the inputs of the target and the communication network have been accepted in the first acceptance step, a new input of the target and the communication network; Comparing the target and communication network assumed in the first assumption step with the target and communication network assumed in the second assumption step; and Executing the facsimile transmission when both the destination and the communication network assumed in the first assumption step match with corresponding ones assumed in the second assumption step as a result of the comparing step, and not executing the facsimile transmission when at least one of the destination and the communication network assumed in the first assumption step does not match with the corresponding ones assumed in the second assumption step.

[0076] Statement 10. A method of controlling a facsimile apparatus connectable to a plurality of communication lines, comprising: Accepting inputs of a destination of a facsimile transmission and a communication line to be used for the facsimile transmission; Accepting, after the inputs of the destination and the communication line have been accepted in the first acceptance step, a new input of the destination and the communication line; Comparing the target and communication line assumed in the first acceptance step with the target and communication line assumed in the second acceptance step; and Executing the facsimile transmission when both the destination and the communication line assumed in the first accepting step match corresponding ones assumed in the second accepting step as a result of the comparing step, and not executing the facsimile transmission when at least one of the destination and the communication line assumed in the first accepting step does not match corresponding ones assumed in the second accepting step.

[0077] Statement 11. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program for causing a computer to operate as a facsimile device according to any one of statements 1 to 8.

[0078] The present facsimile device accepts inputs of a destination of facsimile transmission and a communication network to be used for the facsimile transmission, and further accepts re-input of the destination and the communication network. The facsimile device is controlled to execute the facsimile transmission when both the first input destination and the communication network match the re-input destination and communication network, and not to execute the facsimile transmission when at least one of the first input and accepted destination and communication network does not match the re-input and accepted destination and communication network.

Claims

[1] A facsimile device capable of performing facsimile transmission to both an extension line network which is an intranet and an external line network which is a public network, comprising: a first accepting means for accepting a first destination of a facsimile transmission and a first communication mode for the facsimile transmission, the accepted communication mode being used to determine whether the facsimile transmission to the extension line network or the facsimile transmission to the external line network is carried out; a second accepting device for accepting a second destination of the facsimile transmission and a second communication mode; a first determining means for determining whether the first target accepted by the first accepting means agrees with the second target accepted by the second accepting means; a second determining means for determining whether the first communication mode accepted by the first accepting means matches the second communication mode accepted by the second accepting means; and an executing means for executing the facsimile transmission according to a determination by the first determining means that the first destination agrees with the second destination, and a determination by the second determining means that the first communication mode agrees with the second communication mode. [2] A facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a setting device for setting, for each communication mode, whether use of the communication mode is to be permitted; and a third determining means for determining whether the setting configured by the setting means is such that the facsimile apparatus is capable of performing facsimile transmission to both the extension line network and the external line network or not, wherein, in a case where the third determining means determines that the setting is such that the facsimile apparatus is unable to perform facsimile transmission to both the extension line network and the external line network, the second accepting device is arranged to accept only the second destination without accepting the second communication mode, and the first determining device is arranged to determine that the first destination accepted by the first accepting device matches the second destination accepted by the second accepting device, and the executing means is arranged to execute the facsimile transmission in accordance with a determination by the first determining means that the first destination matches the second destination. [3] A facsimile apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising: a judging device for judging whether the first destination accepted by the first accepting device is a destination in the extension line network or not, wherein, in a case where the judging means judges that the first destination accepted by the first accepting means is a destination in the extension line network, the second acceptance device is configured to accept only the second destination without the communication mode, the first determining means is arranged to determine that the first target accepted by the first accepting means matches the second target accepted by the second accepting means, and the executing means is arranged to execute the facsimile transmission in accordance with a determination by the first determining means that the first destination matches the second destination. [4] A facsimile apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein a plurality of communication modes designates a corresponding plurality of communication networks to which the facsimile apparatus is connectable. [5] A facsimile apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the communication mode includes at least one of G3, NGN, VoIP-GW and Intranet. [6] A method of controlling a facsimile apparatus capable of performing facsimile transmission to both an extension line network which is an intranet and an external line network which is a public network, comprising: a first accepting step of accepting a first destination of facsimile transmission and a first communication mode for the facsimile transmission, the accepted communication mode being used to determine whether the facsimile transmission to the extension line network or the facsimile transmission to the external line network is carried out; a second accepting step of accepting a second destination of the facsimile transmission and a second communication mode; a first determination step of determining whether the first target accepted in the first acceptance step agrees with the second target accepted in the second acceptance step; a second determination step of determining whether the first communication mode assumed in the first acceptance step matches the second communication mode assumed in the second acceptance step; and Executing the facsimile transmission according to a determination in the first determination step that the first destination agrees with the second destination, and a determination in the second determination step that the first communication mode agrees with the second communication mode. [7] A computer program which, when executed, causes a computer to perform the method according to claim 6.

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