Information processing device, program, method for proposing rejected fax numbers, and information processing system

Abstract

To provide an information processor, a program, a rejection facsimile number proposition method, and an information processing system, capable of proposing registration of a rejection facsimile number to a user.SOLUTION: An information processing system in which a plurality of image processing devices perform communication with a server, a printer, and a PC via a network includes an image processing device 1, which is an information processor, including: a state management unit that manages an unread state and an already read state of a document received using facsimile from an apparatus of a transmission source; and a display control unit that controls display of a screen for proposing, to a user, registration of a facsimile number of a transmission source satisfying a predetermined condition as a rejection facsimile number on which facsimile reception is to be rejected or a document received using facsimile is to be deleted.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, a program, a method for proposing a rejected fax number, and an information processing system. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a technology for preventing spam faxes, called a "spam fax prevention function," has been proposed that allows only reception from specific recipients registered in advance, or only reception from recipients other than the specific recipients registered in advance (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] For example, in a technology for preventing spam faxes that allows only reception from destinations other than those registered in advance, the user must manually specify and register the fax numbers of the destinations from which they wish to block reception, which is time-consuming. Note that Patent Document 1 does not solve the above problem.

[0004] An object of one embodiment of the present invention is to provide an information processing device that can suggest to a user to register a rejected fax number. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, one embodiment of the present invention has a status management means for managing the unread and read states of documents received by fax from a sending device, and a display control means for controlling the display of a screen that suggests to a user to register a sending device's fax number that meets a predetermined condition as a rejected fax number for refusing to receive faxes or deleting documents received by fax. The fax number of the sender that satisfies the predetermined condition is the fax number of the sender for which the number of unread documents addressed to the fax number of the group or the fax number of a user belonging to the group has reached a specified value or more. It is an information processing device do. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a user can be suggested to register a rejected fax number. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a configuration diagram of an example of an information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an example of an MFP according to the present embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a computer according to the present embodiment. [Figure 4] 1 is a functional configuration diagram of an example of an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 5] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of management of an unread state of a document received by fax by the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a fax data management table according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is an image diagram of an example of a received document list screen according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a junk fax registration dialog display process according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is an image diagram of an example of a junk fax registration dialog according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a junk fax registration process according to the embodiment. [Figure 11] 1 is a functional configuration diagram of an example of an image processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a fax data management table according to the embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is an image diagram of an example of a junk fax registration dialog according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0009] [First embodiment] <System configuration> 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an information processing system according to the present embodiment. The information processing system shown in FIG. 1 includes an image processing device 1, a server 5, a printing device 6, and a PC (Personal Computer) 7. The multiple image processing devices 1 send and receive faxes via a public line network 3. The image processing device 1 also communicates with the server 5, the printing device 6, and the PC 7 via a network 4. The network 4 may be the Internet, a LAN (Local Area Network), or the like.

[0010] The image processing device 1 is an example of a device that sends and receives faxes. The image processing device 1 may be a fax machine or an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral / Product / Printer). For example, an MFP is a multifunction device that realizes multiple functions such as a fax function, a printer function, a scanner function, and a copy function.

[0011] The image processing device 1 of the sender specifies a fax number and sends a fax to the image processing device 1 of the destination. The image processing device 1 of the destination receives the document by fax from the image processing device 1 of the sender. The image processing device 1 stores the faxed document in a storage unit described below. The image processing device 1 outputs the faxed document in various ways.

[0012] For example, the image processing device 1 prints a faxed document using the printer function of its own device or the printer 6 in accordance with user operation. The image processing device 1 also displays the faxed document on an operation panel, which will be described later, in accordance with user operation. The image processing device 1 also transfers the faxed document to the server 5 or the PC 7 in accordance with user operation. Note that printing, displaying, or transferring a faxed document by the image processing device 1 is an example of outputting a faxed document.

[0013] The image processing device 1 is an example of an information processing device that manages the unread and read states of documents received by fax from the image processing device 1 that is the sender. The image processing device 1 manages documents that have not been output as unread and manages documents that have been output as read. In this way, an unread document is a document that has been received by fax and that the user has not output (checked) in various ways.

[0014] The server 5 and the PC 7 are examples of information processing devices to which a document received by fax by the destination image processing device 1 is transferred. The printing device 6 is an example of a device that prints a document received by fax by the destination image processing device 1.

[0015] The image processing device 1 may be a HUD (Head Up Display) device, industrial machinery, network home appliances, mobile phones, smartphones, tablet terminals, game consoles, PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants), or the like.

[0016] 1 is an example. For example, at least some of the functions of the image processing device 1 may be implemented by the server 5. Furthermore, at least some of the functions of the image processing device 1 may be implemented by a server other than the server 5, or may be implemented by the printing device 6 or the PC 7.

[0017] <Hardware configuration> <<MFP>> The image processing device 1 shown in Fig. 1 is realized by, for example, an MFP having a hardware configuration as shown in Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of an example of an MFP according to this embodiment. The image processing device 1 in Fig. 2 includes a controller 110, a short-range communication circuit 120, an engine control unit 130, an operation panel 140, a network I / F 150, and a public line I / F 160.

[0018] The controller 110 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, which is the main part of the computer, a system memory (MEM-P) 102, a north bridge (NB) 103, a south bridge (SB) 104, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 106, a local memory (MEM-C) 107, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) controller 108, and an HD (Hard Disk) 109. The controller 110 is configured such that the NB 103 and the ASIC 106 are connected by an AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) bus 121.

[0019] The CPU 101 is a control unit that performs overall control of the image processing device 1. The NB 103 is a bridge that connects the CPU 101 with the MEM-P 102, the SB 104, and the AGP bus 121. The CPU 101 has a memory controller that controls reading and writing to the MEM-P 102, a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) master, and an AGP target.

[0020] The MEM-P102 has a ROM 102a, which is memory for storing programs and data that realize the functions of the controller 110, and a RAM 102b, which is used for expanding the programs and data and as a drawing memory during memory printing. The programs stored in the RAM 102b may be provided by being recorded in an installable or executable file format on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, CD-R, or DVD.

[0021] The SB 104 is a bridge for connecting the NB 103 with PCI devices and peripheral devices. The ASIC 106 is an integrated circuit (IC) for image processing purposes that has hardware elements for image processing, and serves as a bridge for connecting the AGP bus 121, PCI bus 122, HD controller 108, and MEM-C 107.

[0022] The ASIC 106 has a PCI target and an AGP master, an arbiter (ARB) that forms the core of the ASIC 106, a memory controller that controls the MEM-C 107, a plurality of DMACs (Direct Memory Access Controllers) that rotate image data using hardware logic or the like, and a PCI unit that transfers data between the scanner unit 131 and the printer unit 132 via the PCI bus 122. Note that a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface or an IEEE1394 (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers 1394) interface may be connected to the ASIC 106.

[0023] The MEM-C 107 is a local memory used as an image buffer for copying and a code buffer. The HD 109 is a storage for storing image data, font data used during printing, and forms. The HD 109 controls the reading and writing of data from and to the HD 109 under the control of the CPU 101. The AGP bus 121 is a bus interface for a graphics accelerator card proposed to speed up graphic processing. The AGP bus 121 can speed up the graphics accelerator card by directly accessing the MEM-P 102 at high throughput.

[0024] The short-distance communication circuit 120 also includes a short-distance communication circuit 120a. The short-distance communication circuit 120 is a communication circuit such as NFC or Bluetooth.

[0025] Furthermore, the engine control unit 130 is configured to have a scanner unit 131 and a printer unit 132. The operation panel 140 is equipped with a panel display unit 140a and an operation panel 140b. The panel display unit 140a is a touch panel or the like that displays current setting values, selection screens, etc., and accepts inputs from an operator. The operation panel 140b is composed of a numeric keypad that accepts setting values for image formation conditions such as density setting conditions, and a start key that accepts a copy start command. The controller 110 controls the entire image processing device 1, and controls, for example, drawing, communication, input from the operation panel 140, etc. The scanner unit 131 or the printer unit 132 includes image processing units such as error diffusion and gamma conversion. The panel display unit 140a is an example of a display device.

[0026] The image processing device 1 can sequentially switch between the document box function, copy function, printer function, and fax function using the application switching key on the operation panel 140. The image processing device 1 enters document box mode when the document box function is selected, copy mode when the copy function is selected, printer mode when the printer function is selected, and facsimile mode when the fax function is selected.

[0027] The network I / F 150 is an interface for data communication using the network 4. The public line I / F 160 is an interface for sending and receiving documents by fax via the public line network 3. The ASIC 106 is electrically connected to the short-range communication circuit 120, the network I / F 150, and the public line I / F 160 via the PCI bus 122.

[0028] "computer" The server 5 and PC 7 shown in Fig. 1 are realized by, for example, a computer 500 having a hardware configuration as shown in Fig. 3. The image processing device 1 shown in Fig. 1 may also be realized by, for example, a computer 500 having a hardware configuration as shown in Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of an example of a computer according to this embodiment.

[0029] The computer 500 includes a CPU 501, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 502, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 503, a HD 504, a HDD controller 505, a display 506, an external device connection I / F 508, a network I / F 509, a data bus 510, a keyboard 511, a pointing device 512, a DVD-RW (Digital Versatile Disk Rewritable) drive 514, and a media I / F 516.

[0030] Of these, the CPU 501 controls the overall operation of the computer 500 in accordance with a program. The ROM 502 stores programs used to drive 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 and writing of various data from and to the HD 504 in accordance with the control of the CPU 501.

[0031] The display 506 displays various types of information such as a cursor, menus, windows, characters, or images. The external device connection I / F 508 is an interface for connecting various types of external devices. An external device is, for example, a USB memory. The network I / F 509 is an interface for data communication using the network 4. The data bus 510 is an address bus, data bus, or the like for electrically connecting each component such as the CPU 501.

[0032] The keyboard 511 is a type of input means having multiple keys for inputting characters, numbers, various instructions, etc. The pointing device 512 is a type of input means for selecting and executing various instructions, selecting a processing target, moving a cursor, etc. The DVD-RW drive 514 controls reading and writing of various data from a DVD-RW 513, which is an example of a removable recording medium. Note that this is not limited to a DVD-RW, and may be a DVD-R, etc. The media I / F 516 controls reading and writing (storing) of data from a recording medium 515, such as a flash memory.

[0033] <Functional configuration> The image processing device 1 according to this embodiment is realized by, for example, the functional configuration shown in Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a functional configuration diagram of an example of the image processing device according to this embodiment. In the functional configuration of Fig. 4, configurations that are not necessary for explaining this embodiment are omitted as appropriate.

[0034] The image processing device 1 shown in Fig. 4 has a controller unit 10, a storage unit 40, and an FCU unit 50. The controller unit 10 controls the operation of the image processing device 1. The storage unit 40 stores documents received by fax, a fax data management table (described later), and the like. The FCU 50 accommodates the public line network 3 and controls operations related to fax transmission and reception.

[0035] The controller unit 10 and FCU 50 execute programs to realize the functional configuration shown in FIG. 4, for example. The controller unit 10 has a fax service control unit 20 and a storage control unit 30. The fax service control unit 20 has a document management unit 22, a status management unit 24, a rejected fax number proposal determination unit 26, and a display control unit 28, and performs control related to the fax service. The storage control unit 30 controls writing of data to the storage unit 40 and reading of data from the storage unit 40.

[0036] The document management unit 22 stores documents received by fax from the image processing device 1 as the sender via the public line network 3 in the storage unit 40. The document management unit 22 also controls the output of the documents stored in the storage unit 40. By accepting user operations from the operation panel 140, the document management unit 22 outputs the documents received by fax, such as printing, displaying, or transferring.

[0037] The status management unit 24 manages documents that have not yet been output as documents in an unread state, and manages documents that have been output as documents in a read state, among the documents stored in the storage unit 40. The status management unit 24 manages the unread and read states of documents stored in the storage unit 40 using a fax data management table described later.

[0038] The reject fax number proposal determination unit 26 counts the number of unread documents for each sender fax number. Depending on the number of unread documents, the reject fax number proposal determination unit 26 determines whether to cause the operation panel 140 to display a message suggesting the sender fax number as a reject fax number to the user. The reject fax number proposal determination unit 26 determines a sender fax number for which the number of unread documents has reached a predetermined value (prescribed value) or more as a reject fax number to be proposed to the user. The reject fax number proposal determination unit 26 causes the display control unit 28 to display a junk fax registration dialog box, described later, for the reject fax number to be proposed to the user.

[0039] Furthermore, the rejection fax number suggestion determination unit 26 may count the number of documents received within a predetermined period for each sender fax number. The rejection fax number suggestion determination unit 26 may determine whether to cause the operation panel 140 to display a message suggesting the sender fax number as a rejection fax number to the user, depending on the number of documents received within the predetermined period. The rejection fax number suggestion determination unit 26 may determine that a sender fax number from which documents have been received within a predetermined period equals or exceeds a predetermined number of times is a rejection fax number. The predetermined period and the predetermined number of times may be set by the administrator on a screen (not shown).

[0040] Alternatively, the reject fax number suggestion determination unit 26 may determine, as a reject fax number, the fax number of the sender of a document that remains unread even after a predetermined period has elapsed since the fax was received. The predetermined period may be set by the administrator on a screen (not shown).

[0041] The display control unit 28 controls the display of a received document list on the operation panel 140 and the display of a junk fax registration dialog, which will be described later. For example, when a user successfully logs in, the display control unit 28 displays the junk fax registration dialog on the operation panel 140. The display control unit 28 also displays the junk fax registration dialog at the same time that a received document list is displayed on the operation panel 140 by user operation. The junk fax registration dialog may be, for example, an operation screen that accepts registration of a rejected fax number from the user. The image processing device 1 according to this embodiment rejects faxes from fax numbers registered as rejected fax numbers, for example, under the control of the fax service control unit 20. Alternatively, the image processing device 1 according to this embodiment deletes fax documents received from fax numbers registered as rejected fax numbers.

[0042] The FCU unit 50 has a fax receiving unit 52 and a fax job control unit 54. The fax receiving unit 52 detects an incoming call from the image processing device 1 that is the sender, and controls fax reception based on the recommendation. The fax receiving unit 52 transmits the faxed document to the fax service control unit 20. The fax job control unit 54 controls the fax transmission and reception of the document.

[0043] The programs executed by the controller unit 10 and the FCU 50 are stored in advance in the ROM 102a. The CPU 101 loads the programs from the ROM 102a into the RAM 102b and executes the programs loaded into the RAM 102b, thereby realizing the functions of FIG.

[0044] The image processing device 1 includes a processor such as a CPU 101 and memories such as a ROM 102a, a RAM 102b, a MEM-C 107, or a HD 109. This configuration can be considered a typical computer configuration. Note that the storage device in which the program is pre-stored is not limited to the ROM 102a. The program may be pre-stored in a non-volatile storage device such as the HD 109.

[0045] The program may also be provided as an installable or executable file recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk).

[0046] Furthermore, the program may be configured to be stored on a computer connected to a network 4 such as the Internet and provided by being downloaded via the network 4. The program may also be configured to be provided or distributed via a network 4 such as the Internet.

[0047] <Processing> 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of management of the unread status of a document received by fax by an image processing device according to this embodiment. In step S10, the document management unit 22 of the destination image processing device 1 determines whether a fax has been received. If a fax has not been received, the document management unit 22 skips the processing of step S12. If a fax has been received, the status management unit 24 of the destination image processing device 1 sets the status of the document that has been received by fax to unread in step S12. The unread and read statuses of documents stored in the storage unit 40 are managed using the fax data management table of FIG. 6.

[0048] 6 is a diagram showing an example of a fax data management table according to the present embodiment. The fax data management table stores, as fax data, the document ID, the date and time of receipt, the sender number, and the unread status for each document stored in the storage unit 40 by the document management unit 22.

[0049] The document ID is an example of identification information for a document stored in the storage unit 40. The reception date and time is an example of information about the date and time when a document stored in the storage unit 40 was received by fax. The sender number is an example of information about the fax number of the sender of a document stored in the storage unit 40. The unread status is an example of information indicating whether a document stored in the storage unit 40 is in an unread or read state. Of the documents stored in the storage unit 40, the status management unit 24 sets the "unread status" item for unoutputted documents to "unread" and sets the "unread status" item for outputted documents to "read." The status management unit 24 can manage the unread and read status of documents received by fax using the fax data management table shown in Figure 6.

[0050] In step S14, the document management unit 22 determines whether a selection operation of a document to be outputted has been received from the user. The document management unit 22 displays, for example, a received document list screen 1000 shown in Fig. 7 on the operation panel 140, and receives a selection operation of a document to be outputted from the user.

[0051] Fig. 7 is an image diagram of an example of a received document list screen according to this embodiment. The display control unit 28 generates the received document list screen 1000 of Fig. 7 using, for example, the fax data management table of Fig. 6, and displays it on the operation panel 140. The received document list screen 1000 of Fig. 7 displays, for each document stored in the storage unit 40, the received date and time, sender number, and unread status, which are items in the fax data management table shown in Fig. 6.

[0052] For example, if the document management unit 22 does not receive a user operation to select a document to be output (such as an operation to select a document from the received document list and press the display button) on the received document list screen 1000 in Fig. 7, the document management unit 22 skips the processes of steps S16 to S18. When a user operation to select a document to be output is received, the document management unit 22 outputs (prints, displays, transfers, etc.) the document selected as the document to be output in step S16. Then, the document management unit 22 sets the item "unread status" of the output document to "read."

[0053] According to the flowchart in Fig. 5, it is possible to manage the unread and read status of documents received by fax from the sender image processing device 1. The fax data management table in Fig. 6 and the received document list screen 1000 in Fig. 7 are examples in which the number of unread documents from the sender number "012-345-6789" is "3".

[0054] 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the process for displaying the junk fax registration dialog box according to the present embodiment. In step S30, the rejected fax number suggestion determination unit 26 counts (checks) the number of unread documents for each sender fax number (the number of unread documents for each sender fax number) based on the fax data shown in FIG.

[0055] In step S32, the reject fax number suggestion determination unit 26 determines whether there is a sender fax number for which the number of unread documents has reached a predetermined value (prescribed value) or more. If there is no sender fax number for which the number of unread documents has reached the prescribed value or more, the reject fax number suggestion determination unit 26 skips the process of step S34.

[0056] If there is a sender fax number for which the number of unread documents has reached or exceeded a specified value, the reject fax number suggestion determination unit 26 determines in step S34 that the sender fax number for which the number of unread documents has reached or exceeded the specified value is a reject fax number to be suggested to the user. For example, if the specified value is "3," the reject fax number suggestion determination unit 26 determines that the sender number "012-345-6789" in the fax data management table shown in FIG. 6 is a reject fax number to be suggested to the user.

[0057] The reject fax number suggestion determination unit 26 causes the display control unit 28 to display, for example, the junk fax registration dialog 1100 shown in Fig. 9 for the determined reject fax number. Fig. 9 is an image diagram of an example of the junk fax registration dialog according to this embodiment.

[0058] The junk fax registration dialog 1100 is an operation screen that displays the sender's fax number "012-345-6789" proposed to the user as a reject fax number, and an operation button (Yes or No) for accepting registration of the proposed reject fax number from the user. By displaying the junk fax registration dialog 1100 in FIG. 9 on the operation panel 140, the user can easily register a reject fax number in the image processing device 1.

[0059] The processes of steps S30 to S36 are executed for all faxed documents stored in the storage unit 40. According to the flowchart of Fig. 8, among the fax numbers of senders of faxed documents, fax numbers of senders for which the number of unread documents exceeds a specified value can be suggested to the user as rejected fax numbers.

[0060] The junk fax registration dialog display process shown in Fig. 8 is an example. In step S30, the rejected fax number suggestion determination unit 26 may count the number of documents received by fax within a predetermined period (e.g., 30 minutes) for each sender fax number, based on the fax data shown in Fig. 6, for example.

[0061] In step S32, the reject fax number suggestion determination unit 26 determines whether there is a sender fax number for which the number of faxed documents received within a predetermined period of time has reached a predetermined value (predefined value) or more. If there is no sender fax number for which the number of faxed documents received within a predetermined period of time has reached a predetermined value or more, the reject fax number suggestion determination unit 26 skips the process of step S34.

[0062] If there is a fax number of a sender for which the number of faxed documents received within a specified period has reached or exceeded a specified value, the rejected fax number suggestion determination unit 26 determines in step S34 that the fax number of a sender for which the number of faxed documents received within a specified period has reached or exceeded a specified value as a rejected fax number to suggest to the user.

[0063] For example, if the specified period is "30 minutes" and the specified value is "10," the rejected fax number suggestion determination unit 26 determines that the fax number of a sender that has received 10 or more documents by fax within 30 minutes is a rejected fax number to suggest to the user.

[0064] The reject fax number suggestion determination unit 26 causes the display control unit 28 to display, for example, a junk fax registration dialog 1100 shown in Fig. 13 for the determined reject fax number. Fig. 13 is an image diagram of an example of the junk fax registration dialog according to this embodiment.

[0065] The junk fax registration dialog 1100 in Fig. 13 is an operation screen that displays the sender's fax number "012-345-6789" that is proposed to the user as a reject fax number, and an operation button (Yes or No) that accepts the user's registration of the proposed reject fax number. By displaying the junk fax registration dialog 1100 in Fig. 13 on the operation panel 140, the user can easily register a reject fax number in the image processing device 1. In this way, if a predetermined number or more documents are received by fax from the same sender within a predetermined period, the fax number of that sender can be proposed to the user as a reject fax number.

[0066] In addition, in the junk fax registration dialog display process shown in Figure 8, if there is a document that has been received by fax and remained unread for a predetermined period of time (e.g., one week), the fax number of the sender of that document may be suggested to the user as a rejected fax number.

[0067] In step S30, the rejection fax number proposal determination unit 26 counts the time that has elapsed since the fax was received for each unread document, based on the fax data shown in Fig. 6. In step S32, the rejection fax number proposal determination unit 26 determines whether there is an unread document that has remained unread for a predetermined period of time since it was received by fax.

[0068] If there is no unread document that has been left unread for a predetermined period of time since it was received by fax, the rejection fax number proposal determination unit 26 skips the process of step S34. If there is an unread document that has been unread for a predetermined period of time since it was received by fax, the rejection fax number proposal determination unit 26 determines in step S34 the fax number of the sender of the unread document that has been unread for a predetermined period of time since it was received by fax as a rejection fax number to propose to the user. For example, if there is a document that has been unread for a month since it was received by fax, the rejection fax number proposal determination unit 26 determines the fax number of the sender of that document as a rejection fax number to propose to the user.

[0069] The rejected fax number suggestion determination unit 26 causes the display control unit 28 to display a junk fax registration dialog 1100 containing a message such as, for example, "A document received from 012-345-6789 has remained unread for a predetermined period of time. Would you like to register it as a junk fax?" for the rejected fax number that has been determined. Displaying the junk fax registration dialog 1100 on the operation panel 140 makes it easy for the user to register a rejected fax number in the image processing device 1. In this way, if there is a document that has remained unread for a predetermined period of time since it was received by fax, the fax number of the sender of the document can be suggested to the user as a rejected fax number.

[0070] As described above, various methods for determining a reject fax number are available, and a sender fax number that satisfies predetermined conditions for determining a reject fax number can be determined to be a reject fax number.

[0071] 10 is a flowchart of an example of a junk fax registration process according to this embodiment. In step S40, the display control unit 28 receives an operation from the user in response to the junk fax registration dialog 1100 of FIG. 9 displayed on the operation panel 140. In step S42, the display control unit 28 determines whether the selection result of the operation button received from the user is "Yes."

[0072] If the selection result of the operation button received from the user is "Yes," the fax service control unit 20 executes a junk fax registration process in step S44. The junk fax registration process is a process in which the fax service control unit 20 registers the sender fax number proposed to the user as a rejected fax number. The image processing device 1 according to this embodiment can reject faxes from fax numbers registered as rejected fax numbers.

[0073] According to the image processing apparatus 1 of this embodiment, if there is a fax number of a sender for which the number of unread documents has reached a specified value, it is possible to suggest to the user that the fax number be registered as a rejected fax number.

[0074] [Second embodiment] In the first embodiment, the destination image processing device 1 counts the number of unread documents for each sender fax number and suggests to the user that any sender fax numbers that reach a specified value be registered as rejected fax numbers. In the second embodiment, the server 5 collects information from the destination image processing device 1 in the fax data management table. The server 5 then counts the number of unread documents for each sender fax number and suggests to the user that any sender fax numbers that reach a specified value be registered as rejected fax numbers. Note that the second embodiment is the same as the first embodiment except for some parts, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted where appropriate.

[0075] Fig. 11 is a functional configuration diagram of an example of an image processing system according to this embodiment. The image processing device 1 shown in Fig. 11 has a controller unit 10, a storage unit 40, and an FCU unit 50. The controller unit 10 controls the operation of the image processing device 1. The storage unit 40 stores documents received by fax, a fax data management table (described later), and the like. The FCU 50 accommodates the public line network 3 and controls operations related to fax transmission and reception.

[0076] The controller unit 10 and FCU 50 execute programs to realize, for example, the functional configuration shown in FIG. 11. The controller unit 10 has a fax service control unit 20 and a storage control unit 30. The fax service control unit 20 has a document management unit 22, a status management unit 24, and a display control unit 28, and performs control related to the fax service. The image processing device 1 in FIG. 11 differs from the image processing device 1 in FIG. 4 in that it does not have a rejected fax number suggestion determination unit 64.

[0077] The server 5 has a junk fax registration control unit 60 and a storage unit 70. The junk fax registration control unit 60 controls processing related to junk fax registration. The storage unit 70 stores a fax data management table based on information received from the image processing device 1.

[0078] The junk fax registration control unit 60 executes a program to realize the functional configuration shown in FIG. 11, for example. The junk fax registration control unit 60 has a fax data information receiving unit 62 and a rejected fax number suggestion determination unit 64. The fax data information receiving unit 62 receives information of the fax data management table shown in FIG. 6 from the image processing device 1. The fax data information receiving unit 62 may also receive information of the fax data management table as shown in FIG. 12 from the image processing device 1.

[0079] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a fax data management table according to this embodiment. The fax data management table in FIG. 12 is configured by adding a group ID field to the fax data management table in FIG. 6. The group ID is an example of identification information for a group corresponding to a destination fax number. A group is a unit that can be grouped, such as a company, organization, organization, school, or department. By using the fax data management table in FIG. 12, the reject fax number suggestion determination unit 64 of the server 5 can count the number of documents addressed to the fax number of a group or the fax number of a user belonging to the group, for each sender fax number. The reject fax number suggestion determination unit 64 can determine, on a group-by-group basis, whether there is a sender fax number for which the number of unread documents has reached a specified value or more.

[0080] For example, the fax number of a sender of a document that many users belonging to the same group have left unread is expected to be a rejected fax number for many users belonging to that group. Therefore, in the second embodiment, a group ID field is provided in the fax data management table, and the fax number of a sender whose number of unread documents for each group has reached a specified value is determined to be a rejected fax number to be suggested to users.

[0081] The rejected fax number suggestion determination unit 64 causes the display control unit 28 of the image processing device 1 to display, for example, the junk fax registration dialog 1100 shown in Fig. 9 for the determined rejected fax number. The server 5 of the second embodiment is an example of an information processing device that manages the unread and read status of documents received by fax from the sender image processing device 1. Note that the server 5 of the second embodiment may have at least some of the functions of the image processing device 1 described in the first and second embodiments.

[0082] According to the information processing system of the second embodiment, fax numbers of senders whose number of unread documents has reached a specified value can be determined on a group basis, and a suggestion can be made to users belonging to the group that they register the fax number as a rejected fax number.

[0083] Each function of the above-described embodiments can be realized by one or more processing circuits. Here, the term "processing circuit" in this specification includes a processor programmed to perform each function by software, such as a processor implemented by an electronic circuit, as well as devices such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or a conventional circuit module designed to perform each function described above.

[0084] The device group described in the example merely illustrates one of multiple computing environments for implementing the embodiments disclosed herein. The state management unit 24 is an example of a state management means described in the claims. The display control unit 28 is an example of a display control means. The reject fax number suggestion determination unit 26 is an example of a reject fax number suggestion determination means. [Explanation of symbols]

[0085] 1. Image processing device 3 Public Line Network 4 Network 5 Server 6 Printing device 7 PC 10 Controller section 20 Fax service control section 22 Document Management Department 24 State Management Unit 26 Rejection fax number proposal decision section 28 Display control unit 30 Memory control unit 40 Storage section 50 FCU Department 60 Junk fax registration control section 62 Fax data information receiving section 64 Rejection fax number proposal decision section 70 Storage section 140 Operation Panel [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0086] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-22850

Claims

1. a status management means for managing the unread and read status of documents received by fax from a sending device; a display control means for controlling the display of a screen that suggests to a user that the fax number of a sender that satisfies a predetermined condition be registered as a rejected fax number for refusing fax reception or deleting documents received by fax; and The fax number of the sender that satisfies the predetermined condition is the fax number of the sender for which the number of unread documents addressed to the fax number of the group or the fax number of the user belonging to the group has reached a specified value or more. Information processing device.

2. a rejection fax number suggestion determination means for checking whether each of the sender fax numbers satisfies the predetermined condition, and causing the display control means to display the screen for the sender fax numbers that satisfy the predetermined condition; The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising:

3. The display control means displays the screen on a display device in response to login by the user.

3. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein:

4. The display control means displays the screen on a display device in response to a list display of the documents received by fax.

4. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein:

5. the screen is an operation screen for accepting an operation from a user to register the fax number of the sender as the rejected fax number, The fax number of the sender is registered as the rejected fax number in response to a user's operation on the screen.

5. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein:

6. An information processing device a status management means for managing the unread and read status of documents received by fax from a sending device; a display control means for controlling the display of a screen that suggests to a user that the fax number of a sender that satisfies a predetermined condition be registered as a rejected fax number for refusing fax reception or deleting documents received by fax; It functions as The fax number of the sender that satisfies the predetermined condition is the fax number of the sender for which the number of unread documents addressed to the fax number of the group or the fax number of the user belonging to the group has reached a specified value or more. program.

7. a status management step for managing the unread and read status of documents received by fax from a sending device; a display control step of controlling the display of a screen that suggests to a user to register the fax number of a sender that satisfies a predetermined condition as a rejected fax number for refusing fax reception or deleting a document received by fax; Run The fax number of the sender that satisfies the predetermined condition is the fax number of the sender for which the number of unread documents addressed to the fax number of the group or the fax number of the user belonging to the group has reached a specified value or more. A method for suggesting rejected fax numbers in an information processing device.

8. An information processing system having a plurality of devices that transmit and receive faxes and a server that communicates with the devices, The server a rejection fax number proposal determination means for checking the number of unread documents for each sender fax number and proposing to the destination device, a sender fax number that satisfies a predetermined condition, as a rejection fax number for refusing fax reception or deleting documents received by fax; and The destination device is a status management means for managing the unread and read status of documents received by fax from the sending device; a display control means for controlling the display of a screen that suggests to a user to register the sender fax number proposed by the server as a rejected fax number as a rejected fax number for refusing fax reception or deleting documents received by fax; and The fax number of the sender that satisfies the predetermined condition is the fax number of the sender for which the number of unread documents addressed to the fax number of the group or the fax number of the user belonging to the group has reached a specified value or more. Information processing system.

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