Information processing device, communication system, information processing method, and program

Abstract

To provide an information processing device capable of transmitting data whose transmitter is identifiable, to a communication opposite party.SOLUTION: An information processing device capable of performing communication with a terminal device and a plurality of communication apparatuses via a network comprises: a screen providing part which transmits, to the terminal device, screen data for displaying a screen for selecting a communication apparatus to use for communication from among the communication apparatuses; a request reception part which receives from the terminal device a communication request including information indicating the communication apparatus selected on the screen; and a request transfer part which transmits the communication request to the communication apparatus indicated by the communication request.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, a communication system, an information processing method, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] A communication system that provides facsimile communication as a cloud service is in use. This type of communication system is also called "cloud fax". Users of cloud fax can use a facsimile apparatus installed at a remote location such as a data center via a public communication network such as the Internet.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 describes a communication management system including a data processing apparatus that receives and processes facsimile data transmitted by a facsimile apparatus, a communication management apparatus that manages the facsimile data received by the data processing apparatus, and a communication terminal that communicates with the data processing apparatus and the communication management apparatus.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] For example, in transactions between companies, there may be concerns about whether the received data was transmitted by a predetermined communication device. For such traders, it is necessary to be able to identify the sender based on identification information such as a telephone number associated with the communication device. However, in conventional cloud fax, since an arbitrary identification number is assigned when transmitting data, such concerns cannot be addressed.

[0005] An embodiment of the present invention aims to provide an information processing apparatus capable of transmitting data that can identify the sender to a communication partner in view of the above technical problems.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is an information processing apparatus capable of communicating with a terminal device and a plurality of communication devices via a network, and includes a screen providing unit that transmits screen data for displaying a screen for selecting a communication device to be used for communication from the plurality of communication devices to the terminal device, a request receiving unit that receives a communication request including information indicating the communication device selected on the screen from the terminal device, and a request transferring unit that transfers the communication request to the communication device indicated in the communication request.

Advantages of the Invention

[0007] According to an embodiment of the present invention, data that can identify the sender can be transmitted to the communication partner.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, components having the same function are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0010] [Embodiment] One embodiment of the present invention is a communication system that performs facsimile communication. Facsimile communication is a communication method that transmits and receives electronic data using a telephone line. The communication system in this embodiment has a function of providing a cloud service (i.e., cloud fax) that can be used via a communication network for a communication device capable of facsimile communication. In facsimile communication, for example, a communication device such as a dedicated facsimile machine (hereinafter also referred to as a FAX machine) or a multifunction peripheral having a facsimile function (hereinafter also referred to as an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral)) is used.

[0011] Cloud fax is an information communication service that enables a user to use a communication device capable of facsimile communication via a communication network such as the Internet without operating a predetermined communication device. In cloud fax, a user can use facsimile communication by using an information processing terminal such as a PC (personal computer), a smartphone, or a tablet terminal to a communication device such as a FAX machine or an MFP installed at a remote location such as a data center. Since a user can perform facsimile communication without owning a communication device such as a FAX machine or an MFP, the need for cloud fax has been increasing as telework and the like become more widespread.

[0012] In facsimile communication using a conventional communication device, since the telephone number assigned to the telephone line connected to the communication device is notified to the communication partner, the recipient could easily and surely identify the sender. However, in conventional cloud fax, there are few cases where an existing telephone number can be used as it is. Therefore, when using cloud fax, it is often necessary to newly obtain a telephone number. In addition, since cloud fax uses a large number of telephone lines laid in a data center or the like, the telephone number of the transmission source may change every time a transmission is made. If the telephone number of the transmission source is variable, it is difficult to identify the sender based on the telephone number at the receiving destination. Against this background, there is a demand for cloud fax that can transmit using an existing telephone number.

[0013] This embodiment aims to realize a cloud fax in which a communication device used for communication can be selected. To this end, the communication system in this embodiment displays a screen for selecting a communication device used for communication on a terminal device operated by a user. Then, the communication system transmits a communication request to the communication device selected on the screen.

[0014] On one side, according to this embodiment, since the telephone number assigned to the telephone line connected to the communication device selected on the screen is notified to the communication partner, data that can identify the sender can be transmitted. For example, if the user properly uses different communication devices according to the communication partner, the communication partner can easily identify the sender based on the telephone number of the transmission source.

[0015] <Overall configuration of the communication system> The overall configuration of the communication system in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a communication system in one embodiment.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, the communication system 1000 includes a communication control device 10, a plurality of communication devices 20 (20-1, 20-2), and one or more terminal devices 30.

[0017] The communication control device 10, the communication device 20, and the terminal device 30 are each connected to the communication network N1. The communication network N1 is configured such that each connected device can communicate with each other.

[0018] A plurality of communication devices 20 are each connected to the public telephone network N2. The communication device 20 can communicate with an external communication device 21 via the public telephone network N2. Here, "external" means not included in the communication system 1000. Also, although an example where the communication device 20 and the communication device 21 communicate using the public telephone network has been described here, it is also possible to communicate using a communication network such as the Internet.

[0019] The communication network N1 is constructed by a network using wired communication such as, for example, the Internet, a LAN (Local Area Network), or a WAN (Wide Area Network). The communication network N1 may include not only wired communication but also wireless communication such as, for example, a wireless LAN or short-range wireless communication, or a network using mobile communication such as WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access), LTE (Long Term Evolution), or 5G (5th Generation).

[0020] The communication control device 10 is an example of an information processing device that provides cloud fax to the terminal device 30 via the communication network N1. As an example, the communication control device 10 may be a computer such as a personal computer, a workstation, or a server.

[0021] In this embodiment, the cloud fax provided by the communication control device 10 is a multi-tenant system. In a multi-tenant system, a plurality of tenants (for example, companies or customers, etc.) share resources, and users can be created for each tenant. The communication control device 10 in the multi-tenant system manages the communication device 20 for each tenant.

[0022] The communication device 20 and the communication device 21 are electronic devices having a facsimile communication function. The communication device 20 and the communication device 21 may be, for example, communication devices such as a FAX machine or an MFP, or information processing devices equipped with communication devices such as a FAX modem.

[0023] Hereinafter, when there are a plurality of communication devices 20, when distinguishing each of them, they are denoted using branch numbers such as "communication device 20-1" and "communication device 20-2".

[0024] The terminal device 30 is an information processing terminal operated by the user U of the communication system 1000. The terminal device 30 may be, for example, a computer such as a personal computer, a smartphone, or a tablet terminal. The user U can use the cloud fax provided by the communication control device 10 by operating the terminal device 30.

[0025] Note that the terminal device 30 is not limited to an information processing device as long as it is a device equipped with a communication function. The terminal device 30 may be, for example, an image forming device (printer, FAX device, MFP (Multifunction Peripheral / Product / Printer: digital multifunction machine), scanner device), PJ (Projector), IWB (Interactive White Board: whiteboard having an electronic blackboard function capable of mutual communication), output devices such as digital signage, HUD (Head Up Display) device, industrial machine, imaging device, sound collection device, medical device, network home appliance, automobile (Connected Car), notebook PC (Personal Computer), mobile phone, smartphone, tablet terminal, game machine, PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), digital camera, wearable PC or desktop PC, etc.

[0026] Note that the overall configuration of the communication system 1000 shown in FIG. 1 is an example, and there can be various system configuration examples depending on the application and purpose. For example, one or more of the communication control device 10, the communication device 20, and the terminal device 30 may be included in multiple units in the communication system 1000. For example, the communication control device 10 may be realized by a plurality of computers or may be realized as a cloud computing service. The classification of devices such as the communication control device 10, the communication device 20, and the terminal device 30 shown in FIG. 1 is an example.

[0027] <Hardware Configuration of Communication System> The hardware configuration of each device included in the communication system 1000 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

[0028] ≪Computer≫ The communication control device 10 and the terminal device 30 can be realized by a computer. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a computer in an embodiment.

[0029] As shown in FIG. 2, the computer includes a CPU 501, a ROM 502, a RAM 503, an HD 504, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) controller 505, a display 506, an external device connection I / F (Interface) 508, a network I / F 509, a bus line 510, a keyboard 511, a pointing device 512, a DVD-RW (Digital Versatile Disk Rewritable) drive 514, and a media I / F 516.

[0030] Among these, the CPU 501 controls the overall operation of the computer. The ROM 502 stores programs used for driving the CPU 501 such as the IPL. The RAM 503 is used as a work area for the CPU 501. The HD 504 stores various data such as programs. The HDD controller 505 controls the reading or writing of various data to and from the HD 504 according to the control of the CPU 501.

[0031] The display 506 displays various types of information such as a cursor, menu, window, characters, or images. The external device connection I / F 508 is an interface for connecting various external devices. The external devices in this case are, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory, a printer, and the like. The network I / F 509 is an interface for performing data communication using a communication network. The bus line 510 is an address bus, a data bus, etc. for electrically connecting each component such as the CPU 501 shown in FIG. 2.

[0032] Also, the keyboard 511 is a type of input means having a plurality of keys for input such as characters, numerical values, and various instructions. The pointing device 512 is a type of input means for selecting and executing various instructions, selecting a processing target, moving a cursor, and the like. The DVD-RW drive 514 controls reading or writing of various data with respect to the DVD-RW 513 as an example of a removable recording medium. Note that it is not limited to DVD-RW, and it may be DVD-R or the like. The media I / F 516 controls reading or writing (storage) of data with respect to the recording medium 515 such as a flash memory.

[0033] ≪MFP≫ The communication device 20 can be realized by an MFP. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of an MFP in an embodiment.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 3, the MFP includes a controller 910, a short-range communication circuit 920, an engine control unit 930, an operation panel 940, and a network I / F 950.

[0035] Among these, the controller 910 includes a CPU 901 which is the main part of the computer, a system memory (MEM-P) 902, a north bridge (NB) 903, a south bridge (SB) 904, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 906, a local memory (MEM-C) 907 which is a storage unit, an HDD controller 908, and an HD 909 which is a storage unit, and is configured such that the NB 903 and the ASIC 906 are connected by an AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) bus 921.

[0036] Among these, the CPU 901 is a control unit that performs overall control of the MFP. The NB 903 is a bridge for connecting the CPU 901, the MEM-P 902, the SB 904, and the AGP bus 921, and has a memory controller that controls reading and writing to the MEM-P 902, a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) master, and an AGP target.

[0037] The MEM-P 902 consists of a ROM 902a which is a memory for storing programs and data for realizing each function of the controller 910, and a RAM 902b which is used as a memory for expanding programs and data, and for drawing during memory printing. Note that the programs stored in the RAM 902b may be provided by recording them in an installable or executable format in a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, CD-R, or DVD.

[0038] SB904 is a bridge for connecting NB903 with PCI devices and peripheral devices. ASIC906 is an IC (Integrated Circuit) for image processing applications that has hardware elements for image processing, and serves as a bridge for connecting the AGP bus 921, PCI bus 922, HDD908, and MEM-C907 respectively. This ASIC906 consists of a PCI target and an AGP master, an arbiter (ARB) that forms the core of the ASIC906, a memory controller that controls MEM-C907, multiple DMACs (Direct Memory Access Controllers) that perform operations such as rotation of image data by means of hardware logic, etc., and a PCI unit that performs data transfer via the PCI bus 922 between the scanner unit 931 and the printer unit 932. Note that interfaces for USB (Universal Serial Bus) and IEEE1394 (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers 1394) may be connected to the ASIC906.

[0039] MEM-C907 is a local memory used as a copy image buffer and a code buffer. HD909 is a storage for accumulating image data, font data used during printing, and forms. HD909 controls the reading or writing of data to HD909 according to the control of the CPU901. The AGP bus 921 is a bus interface for a graphics accelerator card proposed to speed up graphic processing. By directly accessing MEM-P902 with high throughput, the graphics accelerator card can be made faster.

[0040] Also, the short-range communication circuit 920 is equipped with a short-range communication circuit 920a. The short-range communication circuit 920 is a communication circuit such as NFC or Bluetooth.

[0041] Furthermore, the engine control unit 930 is composed of a scanner unit 931 and a printer unit 932. Also, the operation panel 940 includes a panel display unit 940a such as a touch panel that displays current setting values, selection screens, etc. and receives inputs from the operator, and an operation panel 940b consisting of a numeric keypad that receives setting values for conditions related to image formation such as density setting conditions and a start key that receives a copy start instruction. The controller 910 controls the entire MFP, for example, controls drawing, communication, inputs from the operation panel 940, etc. The scanner unit 931 or the printer unit 932 includes an image processing part such as error diffusion and gamma conversion.

[0042] Note that the MFP can sequentially switch and select the document box function, copy function, printer function, and facsimile function by the application switching key on the operation panel 940. When the document box function is selected, it becomes the document box mode, when the copy function is selected, it becomes the copy mode, when the printer function is selected, it becomes the printer mode, and when the facsimile mode is selected, it becomes the facsimile mode.

[0043] Also, the network I / F 950 is an interface for data communication using a communication network. The short-range communication circuit 920 and the network I / F 950 are electrically connected to the ASIC 906 via the PCI bus 922.

[0044] <Functional Configuration of Communication System> An example of the functional configuration of the communication system 1000 in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a communication system in an embodiment.

[0045] ≪Communication Control Device≫ As shown in FIG. 4, the communication control device 10 includes a device registration unit 101, a device storage unit 102, an authentication unit 103, a user storage unit 104, a screen providing unit 105, a request receiving unit 106, an event storage unit 107, a request transfer unit 108, a history management unit 109, and a history storage unit 110.

[0046] The device registration unit 101, the authentication unit 103, the screen providing unit 105, the request receiving unit 106, the request transfer unit 108, and the history management unit 109 are realized, for example, by processes executed by the CPU 501 on the RAM 503 by the program expanded from the HD 504 shown in FIG. 2.

[0047] The device storage unit 102, the user storage unit 104, the event storage unit 107, and the history storage unit 110 are realized, for example, using the HD 504 shown in FIG. 2. Reading or writing of data stored in the HD 504 is performed, for example, via the HDD controller 505.

[0048] The device registration unit 101 registers device information regarding the communication device 20 based on a registration request received from the communication device 20. Specifically, the device registration unit 101 stores the device information in the device storage unit 102. The device registration unit 101 registers the communication device 20 belonging to each tenant for each tenant.

[0049] Device information is stored in the device storage unit 102. Device information regarding the communication device 20 belonging to each tenant is stored in the device storage unit 102 for each tenant. The device information is stored in a device management table. The device management table may be prepared for each tenant. The device management table may store the device information in association with identification information (hereinafter also referred to as "tenant ID") for identifying the tenant.

[0050] The authentication unit 103 authenticates the user U who operates the terminal device 30. The authentication unit 103 authenticates the user U by using the user information stored in advance in the user storage unit 104. The authentication unit 103 receives the authentication information input by the user U from the terminal device 30 and collates it with the user information stored in the user storage unit 104 to authenticate the user. The authentication information may be, for example, identification information (hereinafter also referred to as "user ID") for identifying the user and a password.

[0051] The user storage unit 104 stores in advance user information regarding the user U who operates the terminal device 30. The user information may include, for example, a tenant ID, a user ID, a password, and contact information. The contact information is a contact destination corresponding to the contact means for notifying the communication result. The contact information may be, for example, an email address or an account of a social networking service. The user information is stored in a user management table.

[0052] The screen providing unit 105 transmits screen data for displaying a transmission screen to the terminal device 30. The transmission screen is a screen for performing a transmission operation for transmitting electronic data by facsimile communication. The transmission operation includes an operation of selecting the communication device 20 used for communication from the communication devices 20 registered in the tenant to which the user U belongs. The transmission operation may further include an operation of inputting the telephone number of the transmission destination and the electronic data to be transmitted (hereinafter also referred to as "transmission data").

[0053] The request receiving unit 106 receives a communication request received from the terminal device 30. The communication request includes information (hereinafter also referred to as "transmission information") for transmitting electronic data by facsimile communication. The transmission information includes information indicating the communication device 20 selected on the transmission screen. The transmission information may include the telephone number of the transmission destination, the transmission data, and the like. The request receiving unit 106 stores the event information including the received communication request in the event storage unit 107.

[0054] Event information is stored in the event memory unit 107. The event information includes a communication request received by the request reception unit 106. The event memory unit 107 temporarily stores the event information in the order in which the request reception unit 106 receives the communication requests. The event information is stored in an event management table. The event management table may be prepared for each tenant. The event management table may store the event information in association with the tenant ID.

[0055] In response to a request from the communication device 20, the request transfer unit 108 transmits the communication request included in the event information read from the event memory unit 107 to the communication device 20. The request transfer unit 108 reads out the event information including the communication request that uses the communication device 20 for communication from among the event information stored in the event memory unit 107.

[0056] The history management unit 109 manages history information indicating a communication result. The communication result is the result of the facsimile communication executed by the communication device 20 according to the communication request. The communication result includes information indicating whether the facsimile communication was successful or failed. When the facsimile communication fails, the communication result may include error information indicating the reason for the communication failure. The error information may be an error code, an error message, or both. The history management unit 109 receives the communication result from the communication device 20 and stores the history information indicating the communication result in the history memory unit 110.

[0057] History information is stored in the history memory unit 110. The history information is stored in a history management table. The history management table may be prepared for each tenant. The history management table may store the history information in association with the tenant ID.

[0058] ≪Communication Device≫ As shown in FIG. 4, the communication device 20 includes a registration request unit 201, a request acquisition unit 202, and a communication execution unit 203.

[0059] The registration request unit 201, the request acquisition unit 202, and the communication execution unit 203 are realized, for example, by the processing executed by the CPU 901 on the RAM 902a from the program expanded from the HD909 shown in FIG. 3.

[0060] The registration request unit 201 transmits a registration request for device information regarding the communication device 20 to the communication control device 10. The registration request may include identification information for identifying the communication device 20 (hereinafter also referred to as "device number") and information indicating the communication device 20 (hereinafter also referred to as "device identification information").

[0061] The device number is assigned by the manufacturer of the communication device 20 at the time of manufacture and written in the storage unit of the communication device 20. The device identification information may be an arbitrary string set by the administrator who manages the communication device 20 so that the user can identify the communication device 20. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that a character string indicating the installation location of the communication device 20 is set as the device identification information.

[0062] The request acquisition unit 202 acquires a communication request from the communication control device 10. The request acquisition unit 202 may transmit a request for acquiring event information to the communication control device 10 and acquire the communication request included in the event information transmitted from the communication control device 10 in response to the acquisition request. In this case, the request acquisition unit 202 may transmit a request for acquiring event information at a predetermined time interval while the communication device 20 is in a communicable state. The request acquisition unit 202 may read the event information from the event storage unit 107 of the communication control device 10 and acquire the communication request included in the event information.

[0063] The communication execution unit 203 executes facsimile communication based on the communication request acquired by the request acquisition unit 202. The communication execution unit 203 may acquire the destination telephone number and transmission data from the communication request and transmit the transmission data to the telephone number by facsimile communication. After executing the facsimile communication, the communication execution unit 203 transmits the communication result to the communication control device 10.

[0064] <<Terminal device>> As shown in FIG. 4, the terminal device 30 includes an authentication request unit 301, a screen display unit 302, a communication request unit 303, and a history acquisition unit 304.

[0065] The authentication request unit 301, the screen display unit 302, the communication request unit 303, and the history acquisition unit 304 are realized, for example, by processes in which programs expanded from the HD504 shown in FIG. 2 onto the RAM503 are executed by the CPU501.

[0066] The authentication request unit 301 transmits the authentication information input by the user U to the communication control device 10. The authentication information may include, for example, a user ID and a password input by the user U. The password included in the authentication information may be encrypted.

[0067] The screen display unit 302 displays a transmission screen on the display 506 based on the screen data received from the communication control device 10. The transmission screen has a list of communication devices 20 registered in the tenant to which the user U belongs embedded therein. The transmission screen may have a list of telephone numbers pre-registered by the user U embedded therein.

[0068] The communication request unit 303 receives a transmission operation of the user U on the transmission screen. The communication request unit 303 generates a communication request in response to the transmission operation by the user U and transmits it to the communication control device 10. The communication request includes information indicating the communication device 20 selected on the transmission screen. The communication request may include the telephone number of the transmission destination and the transmission data input on the transmission screen.

[0069] The history acquisition unit 304 acquires history information from the communication control device 10 in response to an operation of the user U on the transmission screen. The history acquisition unit 304 displays the history information acquired from the communication control device 10 on the transmission screen.

[0070] <Processing Procedure of Communication Method> The communication method executed by the communication system 1000 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a communication method in one embodiment.

[0071] In step S1, the registration request unit 201 of the communication device 20 receives a device registration operation. The device registration operation may be performed by an operator instructed by an administrator or the like of the communication system 1000. The device registration operation includes an operation of designating a tenant and an operation of inputting device identification information. The operation of designating a tenant may be an operation of logging in as a user belonging to that tenant. The operation of inputting device identification information may be performed using a keyboard or the like displayed on the operation panel 940 of the communication device 20.

[0072] In step S2, the registration request unit 201 of the communication device 20 reads out a device number from the storage unit. Next, the registration request unit 201 generates device information including the read-out device number and the device identification information input in step S1. Subsequently, the registration request unit 201 generates a registration request including the generated device information and the tenant ID of the tenant designated in step S1. Then, the registration request unit 201 transmits a registration request for device information regarding the communication device 20 to the communication control device 10.

[0073] In step S3, the device registration unit 101 of the communication control device 10 receives a registration request from the communication device 20. Next, the device registration unit 101 acquires device information from the received registration request. Then, the device registration unit 101 stores the acquired device information in a device management table constructed in the device storage unit 102.

[0074] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a device management table in an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, the device management table has, as data items, a device number, an installation location, and the like. The installation location is an example of device identification information. The device management table shown in FIG. 6 stores device information in a plurality of tables constructed for each tenant, but the device information may be stored in one table having a tenant ID as a data item.

[0075] Returning to FIG. 5 for description. In step S4, the authentication request unit 301 of the terminal device 30 receives a login operation by the user U. In the login operation, the user U inputs authentication information (for example, user ID and password) into the terminal device 30.

[0076] In step S5, the authentication request unit 301 of the communication control device 10 transmits the authentication information input in the login operation to the communication control device 10. In the communication control device 10, the authentication unit 103 receives the authentication information.

[0077] In step S6, the authentication unit 103 of the communication control device 10 reads user information from the user management table constructed in the user storage unit 104. Next, the authentication unit 103 compares the received authentication information with the read user information. As an example, the authentication unit 103 determines whether there is valid user information including authentication information that matches the received authentication information.

[0078] If the authentication information and the user information can be matched, the authentication of the user U is successful. When the authentication of the user U is successful, the authentication unit 103 sends the user information regarding the user U to the screen providing unit 105. On the other hand, if the authentication information and the user information cannot be matched, the authentication of the user U fails. Here, the description will continue assuming that the authentication of the user U is successful.

[0079] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a user management table in an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, the user management table has, as data items, a tenant ID, a user ID, a password, an email address, and the like. The email address is an example of the contact information of the user U.

[0080] Returning to FIG. 5 for description. In step S7, the screen providing unit 105 of the communication control device 10 receives the user information from the authentication unit 103. Next, the screen providing unit 105 reads device information from the device management table corresponding to the tenant ID included in the received user information. Thereby, the screen providing unit 105 acquires the device information regarding the communication device 20 registered in the tenant to which the user U belongs.

[0081] In step S8, the screen providing unit 105 of the communication control device 10 generates screen data for displaying a transmission screen. Next, the screen providing unit 105 embeds the device information acquired in step S7 into the screen data. Then, the screen providing unit 105 transmits the generated screen data to the terminal device 30.

[0082] In step S9, the screen display unit 302 of the terminal device 30 receives the screen data from the communication control device 10. Next, the screen display unit 302 displays the transmission screen on the display 506 based on the received screen data.

[0083] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a transmission screen in an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8, the transmission screen 600 has a menu area 610, a phone book area 620, a destination input area 630, a transmission data input area 640, a source selection column 650, and a transmission button 660.

[0084] In the menu area 610, links 611, 612 to various menus are displayed. The link 611 is a link to a screen for displaying a list of communication results. The user U can check the communication results of facsimile communication on the screen. The link 612 is a link to a manual describing the operation method of Cloud Fax and the like. The user U can check the operation method of Cloud Fax in the manual.

[0085] In the phone book area 620, a list of phone books is displayed. In the phone book, phone numbers that may be used as the destination phone number are registered in advance. When the user U selects a phone book, the phone number registered in the phone book is displayed in the destination input area 630.

[0086] The destination input area 630 accepts the input of the destination phone number. The destination input area 630 has a phone number input field 631, an add button 632, and one or more phone number display columns 633. Each phone number display column 633 has a selection box 634.

[0087] The telephone number input field 631 accepts the input of a telephone number. When the user U presses the add button 632, a telephone number display field 633 indicating the telephone number entered in the telephone number input field 631 is added. Also, when the user U selects a telephone directory in the telephone directory area 620, a telephone number display field 633 indicating each telephone number registered in that telephone directory is added.

[0088] By setting the selection box 634 of the telephone number display field 633 to the selected state by the user U, the telephone number shown in that telephone number display field 633 is selected as the destination telephone number. The user U may set the selection box 634 to the selected state in a plurality of telephone number display fields 633. That is, on the transmission screen 600, a plurality of destination telephone numbers can be selected.

[0089] The transmission data input area 640 accepts the input of transmission data. The transmission data input area 640 has a file reception field 641 and a file selection button 642. When the user U performs an operation (such as drag and drop) of inputting an electronic file into the file reception field 641, that electronic file is accepted as transmission data. When the user U presses the file selection button 642, a screen for selecting an electronic file is displayed. When the user U selects an electronic file on that screen, that electronic file is accepted as transmission data.

[0090] The transmission source selection field 650 accepts the selection of the communication device 20 to be used for communication. In the transmission source selection field 650, options indicating the communication devices 20 registered in the tenant to which the user U belongs are displayed. When the user U selects one option in the transmission source selection field 650, the selection of the communication device 20 to be used for communication is accepted.

[0091] The options in the transmission source selection field 650 include the device specific information contained in the device information. The options in the transmission source selection field 650 may include the device number together with the device specific information. The transmission source selection field 650 shown in FIG. 8 displays the options in the format of "{device number}:{device specific information}". Since the device specific information is an arbitrarily settable character string in the communication device 20, the user U can easily understand which communication device 20 the option indicates based on the device specific information. In the present embodiment, a character string indicating the installation location of the communication device 20 is set as the device specific information. When the installation location of the communication device 20 is displayed as an option in the transmission source selection field 650, it is highly convenient, for example, for the user U to easily check the state of the communication device 20.

[0092] When the user U presses the transmission button 660, a transmission operation is accepted. When the transmission operation is accepted, a communication request is transmitted to the communication control device 10 based on the transmission information input on the transmission screen 600.

[0093] Returning to FIG. 5 for explanation. In step S10, the communication request unit 303 of the terminal device 30 accepts the transmission operation of the user U on the transmission screen 600. In the transmission operation, the user U selects the communication device 20 to be used for communication and inputs the destination phone number and transmission data.

[0094] In step S11, the communication request unit 303 of the terminal device 30 generates a communication request in response to the transmission operation accepted in step S10. The communication request includes the transmission information input on the transmission screen 600. The transmission information includes information indicating the communication device 20, the destination phone number, and the transmission data. Next, the communication request unit 303 transmits the generated communication request to the communication control device 10.

[0095] In step S12, the request reception unit 106 of the communication control device 10 receives a communication request from the terminal device 30. Next, the request reception unit 106 generates event information including the received communication request. Then, the request reception unit 106 stores the generated event information in the event management table constructed in the event storage unit 107.

[0096] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of an event management table in one embodiment. As shown in FIG. 9, the event management table has, as data items, registration date and time, destination, source, transmission file, and the like. The registration date and time is the date and time when the communication request was received. The destination is the telephone number of the destination included in the communication request. The source is information (e.g., device number, etc.) indicating the communication device 20 (i.e., the communication device 20 used for communication) included in the communication request. The transmission file is information (e.g., file name or file path, etc.) indicating the transmission data included in the communication request.

[0097] Returning to FIG. 5 for explanation. In step S13, the request acquisition unit 202 of the communication device 20 transmits a request to acquire event information to the communication control device 10. Note that the request acquisition unit 202 transmits a request to acquire event information at a predetermined time interval while the communication device 20 is communicable. The request to acquire event information includes the device number of the communication device 20.

[0098] In the communication control device 10, the request transfer unit 108 receives a request to acquire event information from the communication device 20. Next, the request transfer unit 108 acquires the device number included in the received acquisition request. Subsequently, the request transfer unit 108 reads out, from the event management table, the event information in which the acquired device number is set as the source. Then, the request transfer unit 108 transmits the communication request included in the read event information to the communication device 20. Note that if the event information in which the device number included in the acquisition request is set as the source is not stored in the event management table, the request transfer unit 108 transmits a signal indicating that no event information is stored to the communication device 20.

[0099] In the communication device 20, the request acquisition unit 202 receives a communication request from the communication control device 10. Note that the request acquisition unit 202 waits until a predetermined time interval elapses when it receives a signal indicating that no event information is stored. When the request acquisition unit 202 receives a communication request, it sends the communication request to the communication execution unit 203.

[0100] In step S14, the communication execution unit 203 of the communication device 20 receives a communication request from the request acquisition unit 202. Next, the communication execution unit 203 acquires the destination phone number and transmission data from the received communication request. Subsequently, the communication execution unit 203 transmits the transmission data to the destination phone number via facsimile communication.

[0101] In step S15, the communication execution unit 203 of the communication device 20 determines whether the facsimile communication performed in step S14 was successful or failed. If the facsimile communication fails (for example, if an error occurs during the facsimile communication), the communication execution unit 203 acquires the reason for the communication failure.

[0102] Next, the communication execution unit 203 generates a communication result indicating whether the facsimile communication was successful or failed. If the facsimile communication fails, the communication execution unit 203 includes error information indicating the reason for the communication failure in the communication result. Then, the communication execution unit 203 transmits the generated communication result to the communication control device 10.

[0103] In step S16, the history management unit 109 of the communication control device 10 receives the communication result from the communication device 20. Next, the history management unit 109 generates history information indicating the received communication result. Subsequently, the history management unit 109 stores the generated history information in the history management table constructed in the history storage unit 110.

[0104] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a history management table in an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 10, the history management table has, as data items, communication date and time, destination, source, transmission file, user ID, communication result, reason, etc. The communication date and time is the date and time when the facsimile communication was performed. The destination, source, and transmission file are the transmission information included in the communication request. The user ID is the user ID of the user U who performed the transmission operation. The communication result is information indicating whether the facsimile communication was successful or failed. The reason is the reason for the failure of the facsimile communication. If the facsimile communication is successful, the reason may not be set.

[0105] Returning to FIG. 5 for explanation. In step S17, when the communication result acquired in step S16 indicates that the facsimile communication has failed, the history management unit 109 of the communication control device 10 notifies the terminal device 30 to that effect. Specifically, the history management unit 109 transmits error information by the communication means indicated in the contact information of the user U. For example, when the contact information is an email address, the history management unit 109 transmits an email in which the transmission information and the error information are described to that email address.

[0106] <Effects of the Embodiment> The communication control device 10 in the present embodiment transmits screen data for displaying a transmission screen 600 for selecting a communication device 20 to be used for communication from a plurality of communication devices 20 to the terminal device 30, receives a communication request including information indicating the communication device 20 selected on the transmission screen 600 from the terminal device 30, and transmits the communication request to the communication device 20 indicated in the communication request. In one aspect, according to the present embodiment, since the identification information associated with the communication device selected on the screen is notified to the communication partner, data capable of identifying the sender can be transmitted to the communication partner. Since the recipient can easily and surely identify the sender of the data, the possibility of concern about whether the received data was transmitted from a predetermined communication device can be reduced.

[0107] The transmission screen 600 may display a character string set in the communication device 20 as an option for the communication device 20. The character string may be a character string indicating the installation location of the communication device 20. According to the present embodiment, the options for the communication device 20 can be displayed in a content that is easy for the user U to understand.

[0108] The communication control device 10 may store the communication request received from the terminal device 30 in the storage device and transmit the communication request to the communication device 20 in response to a request from the communication device 20. According to the present embodiment, the communication request can be transmitted at a timing when the communication device 20 is communicable.

[0109] The communication device 20 may be an electronic device that performs facsimile communication. The communication request may further include the telephone number of the destination and the transmission data. According to this embodiment, cloud fax that can select the communication device 20 used for communication can be realized.

[0110] [Supplementary Explanation] Each function of the embodiment described above can be realized by one or more processing circuits. Here, the "processing circuit" in this specification refers to a processor programmed to execute each function by software like a processor implemented by an electronic circuit, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) designed to execute each function described above, a DSP (digital signal processor), an FPGA (field programmable gate array), and devices such as conventional circuit modules.

[0111] The device group described in the examples only shows one of a plurality of computing environments for implementing the embodiments disclosed in this specification. In one embodiment, the communication control device 10 includes a plurality of computing devices such as a server cluster. The plurality of computing devices are configured to communicate with each other via any type of communication link including a network and a shared memory, and implement the processing disclosed in this specification.

[0112] As described above in detail, the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications or changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention described in the claims.

[0113] Aspects of the present invention are as follows, for example. <1> An information processing device capable of communicating with a terminal device and a plurality of communication devices via a network, A screen providing unit that transmits screen data for displaying a screen for selecting the communication device to be used for communication from the plurality of communication devices to the terminal device; A request receiving unit that receives a communication request including information indicating the communication device selected on the screen from the terminal device; A request transferring unit that transfers the communication request to the communication device indicated in the communication request; An information processing apparatus comprising: <2> The screen displays a character string set in the communication device as an option for the communication device. The information processing apparatus according to <1>. <3> The character string indicates the installation location of the communication device. The information processing apparatus according to <2>. <4> The apparatus further comprises a device registration unit that stores device information received from the communication device in a storage device, The device information includes a character string set in the communication device. The information processing apparatus according to <2> or <3>. <5> The apparatus further comprises an authentication unit that authenticates a user of the terminal device, The screen providing unit generates the screen data for displaying, on the screen, options indicating the communication devices available to the authenticated user. The information processing apparatus according to any one of <1> to <4>. <6> The request receiving unit stores the communication request received from the terminal device in a storage device, The request transferring unit transmits the communication request read from the storage device to the communication device in response to a request from the communication device. The information processing apparatus according to any one of <1> to <5>. <7> The apparatus further comprises a history management unit that stores communication results received from the communication device in a storage device. The information processing apparatus according to <1>. <8> When the history management unit indicates that the communication result has failed in communication, the error information indicating the reason for the communication failure is transmitted to the terminal device. The information processing apparatus according to <7>. <9> The communication device is an electronic device that performs facsimile communication. The information processing apparatus according to any one of <1> to <8>. <10> A communication system in which an information processing apparatus, a terminal device, and a plurality of communication devices can communicate via a network, The information processing apparatus includes: A screen providing unit that transmits screen data for displaying a screen for selecting the communication device to be used for communication from the plurality of communication devices to the terminal device; A request receiving unit that receives a communication request including information indicating the communication device selected on the screen from the terminal device; A request transfer unit that transfers the communication request to the communication device; and is provided with The terminal device includes: A screen display unit that displays the screen on a display device based on the screen data; A communication request unit that transmits the communication request to the information processing apparatus; and is provided with The communication device includes: A request acquisition unit that receives the communication request from the information processing apparatus; A communication execution unit that performs communication based on the communication request; A communication system provided with <11> A computer capable of communicating with a terminal device and a plurality of communication devices via a network performs: A procedure of transmitting screen data for displaying a screen for selecting the communication device to be used for communication from the plurality of communication devices to the terminal device; A procedure of receiving a communication request including information indicating the communication device selected on the screen from the terminal device; A procedure of transmitting the communication request to the communication device indicated by the communication request; An information processing method for executing <12> A computer capable of communicating with a terminal device and a plurality of communication devices via a network, transmitting screen data to the terminal device for displaying a screen for selecting a communication device to be used for communication from the plurality of communication devices; receiving, from the terminal device, a communication request including information indicating the communication device selected on the screen; transmitting the communication request to the communication device indicated in the communication request; A program for executing the above. [Explanation of symbols]

[0114] 10: Communication control device 20:Communication equipment 30: Terminal device 101: Device registration department 102: Equipment storage section 103: Authentication section 104: User storage unit 105: Screen provision department 106: Request reception unit 107: Event memory section 108: Request forwarding unit 109: History Management Department 110: History memory unit 201: Registration request section 202:Request acquisition part 203: Communication execution unit 301: Authentication Request Section 302: Screen display section 303: Communication request section 304: History acquisition section 1000:Communication Systems [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0115] [Patent Document 1] JP 2022-138179 A

Claims

1. An information processing apparatus capable of communicating with a terminal device and a plurality of communication devices via a network, a screen providing unit that transmits screen data for displaying a screen for selecting the communication device to be used for communication from the plurality of communication devices to the terminal device, a request receiving unit that receives a communication request including information indicating the communication device selected on the screen from the terminal device, a request transferring unit that transfers the communication request to the communication device indicated in the communication request, An information processing apparatus comprising:

2. The screen displays a character string set in the communication device as an option for the communication device, The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The character string indicates the installation location of the communication device, The information processing apparatus according to claim 2.

4. further comprising a device registration unit that stores device information received from the communication device in a storage device, The device information includes a character string set in the communication device, The information processing apparatus according to claim 2.

5. further comprising an authentication unit that authenticates a user of the terminal device, The screen providing unit generates the screen data for displaying options indicating the communication devices available to the authenticated user on the screen, The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

6. The request receiving unit stores the communication request received from the terminal device in a storage device, The request transferring unit transmits the communication request read from the storage device to the communication device in response to a request from the communication device, The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

7. further comprising a history management unit that stores communication results received from the communication device in a storage device, The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

8. When the history management unit indicates that the communication result has failed in communication, the history management unit transmits error information indicating the reason for the communication failure to the terminal device, The information processing apparatus according to claim 7.

9. The communication device is an electronic device that performs facsimile communication, The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. A communication system in which an information processing apparatus, a terminal device, and a plurality of communication devices can communicate via a network, The information processing apparatus is a screen providing unit that transmits screen data for displaying a screen for selecting the communication device to be used for communication from the plurality of communication devices to the terminal device, a request receiving unit that receives a communication request including information indicating the communication device selected on the screen from the terminal device, A request transfer unit that transfers the communication request to the communication device; comprising; The terminal device; A screen display unit that displays the screen on a display device based on the screen data; A communication request unit that transmits the communication request to the information processing device; comprising; The communication device; A request acquisition unit that receives the communication request from the information processing device; A communication execution unit that performs communication based on the communication request; A communication system comprising.

11. A computer capable of communicating with a terminal device, a plurality of communication devices, and a network, A procedure for transmitting screen data for displaying a screen for selecting the communication device to be used for communication from the plurality of communication devices to the terminal device; A procedure for receiving a communication request including information indicating the communication device selected on the screen from the terminal device; A procedure for transmitting the communication request to the communication device indicated in the communication request; An information processing method for executing.

12. A computer capable of communicating with a terminal device, a plurality of communication devices, and a network, causes to execute, A procedure for transmitting screen data for displaying a screen for selecting the communication device to be used for communication from the plurality of communication devices to the terminal device; A procedure for receiving a communication request including information indicating the communication device selected on the screen from the terminal device; A procedure for transmitting the communication request to the communication device indicated in the communication request; A program for causing to execute.

Images