JP3277610B2 - Facsimile machine - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus, and more particularly, to a facsimile apparatus having a confidential communication function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There is known a facsimile apparatus having a function called confidential communication for transmitting a document by designating a confidential box established in advance on a memory of a receiver. The confidential box is divided into a box number storage area, a password number storage area used when extracting data from the box, and a storage area for received image information.

A conventional confidential communication procedure will be described with reference to flowcharts shown in FIGS. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the procedure on the transmitting side. In the figure, when a confidential transmission instruction is input, the determination in step S1 becomes affirmative, and the process proceeds to step S2. In step S2, it is determined whether or not a box number has been input, and if so, the box number is stored in the memory (step S2).
3). Similarly, when a password is input, the password is stored (steps S4 and S5). Step S6
When a communication start instruction is detected in step S7, communication is started in step S7, and the capability declaration of the receiver is confirmed from information on the communication protocol. This capability declaration is defined in the G3
It is confirmed based on the facsimile information (FIF) of the frame. If a bit indicating the presence of confidentiality is confirmed in the facsimile information, the determination in step S8 is affirmative, and the process proceeds to step S9. In step S9, the box number and the password are read from the memory,
It is developed into an NSS frame and transmitted to the receiver. If it is determined that the receiver does not have confidentiality, the process proceeds from step S8 to step S10, ends with a communication error, and displays the error on the panel. Although not shown, after transmitting the box number and the password, it goes without saying that the processing shifts to a process of transmitting image information.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a procedure on the receiver side. In step S11, the received NS
When a confidential instruction is detected from the information of the S frame, the same N
The box number and the password are read from the SS frame and stored in the memory (steps S12 and S13). In steps S14 and S15, if it is determined that the box corresponding to the designated box number has been opened and the passwords match, the process proceeds to phase B, and the image information is received and determined in step S16. Store the received image information in the confidential box. If the box corresponding to the instructed box number has not been opened or the password does not match, the process proceeds to step S17, ends with a communication error, and displays an error on the panel.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a procedure for outputting image information stored in the confidential box. In the figure, if it is detected in step S18 that there is image information in the confidential box, the process advances to step S19 to display on the panel, that is, the display unit, that the image information is received.
In step S20, it is determined whether or not there is an instruction to extract image information from the confidential box. This removal instruction includes the box number and the password. If it is confirmed that there is image information in the box of the designated box number and that the passwords match (steps S21 and S21).
2) Image information in a predetermined box is output to a printer and printed (step S23). If there is no image information in the box of the designated box number or the password does not match, an error is displayed on the panel (step S24),
Do not print image information.

By the way, in the conventional confidential communication, a non-standard command, that is, an NSS frame is used for notification of a password, but a device for notifying the password by a dial tone signal has also been proposed (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. Hei 2 (1994)). -58956). In this device, after communication starts, a dial tone is emitted from the transmitting side as a personal identification number, and the receiving side determines coincidence / mismatch of the personal identification numbers based on the signal sound.

[0007]

In the above-mentioned conventional confidential communication, a non-standard command is used to notify a box number and a password. Therefore, a device capable of decoding the non-standard command, that is, the same model or the same device Confidential communication could only be performed between devices manufactured by the manufacturer (hereinafter referred to as in-house devices). Further, a device for notifying the personal identification number by a dial tone requires hardware and software for analyzing the dial tone, and there is a problem that an increase in cost cannot be avoided.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above problems,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a facsimile machine that enables confidential communication regardless of whether each machine is its own machine.

[0009]

Means for Solving the Problems The above problems are solved,
Means for setting the box number in the information field of the sub-address command as a standard command, means for setting a password in the information field of the password command as a standard command,
Transmitting means for transmitting a box number and a password by the sub-address command and the password command in response to the confidential communication instruction; means for setting the box number and the password in the information field of the non-standard function setting signal;
Analyzing means for determining whether or not the receiver is the own device based on the company code of the received non-standard function signal , wherein the transmitting means determines that the receiver is not the own device by the analyzing means In response to the confidential communication instruction, the sub-address command and the password command send the box number and password in the sub-address command and the password, and when it is determined that the receiver is the in-house device, the box number and password are transmitted in the non-standard function setting signal. Is characterized in that it is configured to transmit

[0010]

[0011]

According to the present invention having the above characteristics, a box number and a password as confidential instruction information can be transmitted by a sub-address command and a password command during transmission. Upon reception, a box number and a password are extracted from the received sub-address command and password command, and if a confidential box corresponding to this box number has been opened, the received document is stored in the confidential box.

When the receiver is an in-house receiver, the box number and the password can be notified by a non-standard function setting signal without using the sub-address command and the password command.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the facsimile apparatus according to the present invention. In FIG.
Controls the entire facsimile apparatus according to a program stored in the system control unit 8 and executes a facsimile transmission control procedure. The RAM 2 is a work area used for executing a control program. The operation display device 3 includes an operation unit including a keyboard including numeric keys and a liquid crystal panel (CR).
And a display unit (which may be a T screen) for instructing the operation of the facsimile apparatus and displaying the instruction and the operation state. The reading device 4 reads a manuscript or a copy manuscript for transmission and converts it into an electric signal, that is, image information. The image information read by the reading device 4 and the received image information are stored in the image storage device 7.

The communication control unit 9 has a function of controlling communication in communication modes such as G3 and G4, and the modem 10 has a low-speed mode (V21 interface for transmission procedure signal) and a high-speed mode (V27ter, V29, V29ter for image information transmission / reception). V33, V17
Interface) and functions. The network control device 11 is for connecting a facsimile device to a network, that is, an analog line or a digital line, and has an automatic transmission / reception function. The transmission image information stored in the image storage device 7 is sent out to a line via the communication control unit 9, the modem 10, and the network control device 11. on the other hand,
The received image information stored in the image storage device 7 is output to the printing device 5 and printed. The image processing device 6 includes an encoding unit and a decoding unit, and performs encoding and decoding of image information, respectively. The system bus 12 is a bus for transmitting and receiving data to and from each other, and data is transmitted and received between the units 1 to 9 via the system bus 12.

Next, an example of a confidential box will be described. FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing a configuration of a confidential box opened in the image storage device 7. As shown in this figure, the confidential box is provided with a storage area for a box number (No.), a storage area for a password for reading data from this box, and a storage area (area) for image information. This box can be added or deleted according to an instruction from the operation unit. It should be noted that a management table is provided in the RAM 2 so that a change in state due to an instruction to open or delete a box in the image storage device 7 can be grasped.

An example of the operation of the facsimile apparatus having the above configuration will be described. FIG. 5 shows a protocol command used in the facsimile apparatus. FIG. 5A shows a frame structure of a sub-address command (SUB).
(B) shows the frame configuration of the password command (PWD). Both commands are CCITT T. 30. In the present embodiment, as shown, a box number is set in the facsimile information field (FIF) of the sub-address command (SUB), and a password is set in the facsimile information field (FIF) of the password command (PWD). did. Hereinafter, the sub-address command (SUB) is called a SUB command, and the password command (PWD) is called a PWD command.

First, the operation of the facsimile apparatus having the above configuration as a transmitter will be described. In FIG. 6, in step S30, a guidance prompting for information input of a SUB command is output to the display unit. In a step S31, it is determined whether or not there is an input. If there is an input, the process proceeds to step S32, where the information of the SUB command input from the operation unit (here, the box number for specifying the confidential box of the transmission destination) is
Facsimile information field of SUB command (FI
Set to F). In step S33, a guidance prompting for information input of the PWD command is displayed. In step S34, the presence or absence of an input is determined. If there is an input, step S3
Then, the process proceeds to step S5, where the information of the PWD command input from the operation unit (here, the password) is set in the facsimile information field (FIF).

If a communication start instruction is detected in step S36, destination identification information, that is, a dialed number or an abbreviated number, which is input together with the communication instruction, is stored. In step S37, it is determined whether or not data has been set in the facsimile information of the SUB command, that is, whether or not a box number has been set in the present embodiment. If this determination is negative, the process proceeds to step S38, where normal communication other than confidential communication is performed.

If it is determined that the box number has been set, the process proceeds to step S39, and a call is made according to the destination identification information. In step S40, the digital identification signal (DIS) transmitted from the receiver is analyzed to confirm the capability declaration. In step S41, based on the capability declaration,
It is determined whether the receiver has the ability to determine the SUB command. If it is determined that it does not have the ability to determine the SUB command, the process proceeds to step S42 and ends with a communication error. The occurrence of the communication error may be displayed on the display unit.

If it is determined that the receiver has the SUB command discriminating ability, the process proceeds to step S43, and the SUB command in which the box number is set is transmitted. When a password is set, a PWD command is also transmitted.

The above-described method for setting each command is an example in which the input information is directly expanded in the facsimile information field of each command. The input box number and password are temporarily stored in the RAM 2 and each command is transmitted. In this case, the data may be expanded in the facsimile information field. Further, an input key for confidential communication instruction is provided on the operation unit, and when an instruction by this key is input, the input box number or password is fetched and stored as information for a SUB command or a PWD command. It may be.

It should be noted that whether the transmission partner, that is, the receiver is our own machine,
Depending on a model other than the above, that is, another machine, it may be possible to select whether to give a confidential transmission instruction by a non-standard command or to give a confidential transmission instruction by a SUB command and a PWD command. The operation of this selection will be described with reference to FIG. Here, it is assumed that the box number and the password are already input and stored in the RAM 2.
In step S50, a calling operation is performed according to the communication instruction. In the step S51, it is determined whether or not the NSF frame of the protocol information has been received. In step S52, the company code of the NSF frame is analyzed to determine whether or not the device is an in-house device. In the case of the own machine, step S53
To further analyze and confirm other capability declarations in the NSF frame. In step S54, the confidential instruction, the box number, and the password are developed in the facsimile information field of the NSS frame and transmitted.

If the determination in any of steps S51 and S52 is negative, the process proceeds to step S55, where the DI of the receiver is set.
The capability declaration of the S frame is analyzed, and it is confirmed whether or not it has the capability of determining the SUB command. In step S56, the box number is expanded in the facsimile information field of the SUB command, and the personal identification number is expanded in the facsimile information field of the PWD command and transmitted. If the receiver does not have the ability to determine the SUB command, the process may end with a communication error as in the process of FIG.

As described above, if the method of instructing the confidential communication is selected according to the distinction between the in-house machine and the other company's machine, in the case of communication between the in-house machines, more detailed instruction of the capability information is performed using the NSS frame. You can also.

Next, the operation of the receiver will be described with reference to FIGS. First, in step S60 of FIG. 8, a SUB command is received and stored in the RAM 2. In step S61, a box number is extracted from the facsimile information field of the SUB command. In step S62, it is determined whether a box corresponding to the designated box number has been opened based on the management table in the RAM 2. If the box has not been opened, the process proceeds to step S65 to display a communication error on the display unit.
If the box has been opened, the process proceeds to step S63, and it is determined whether or not a password is set in the box corresponding to the designated number based on the management table.
In this example, since the PWD command for setting the personal identification number has not been received, if the determination in step S63 is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S65 and ends with a communication error. On the other hand, if the password is not set, step S6
The process proceeds to step S4, and the image information is stored in the confidential box corresponding to the designated box number. If no password is set in the confidential box, it is not necessary to make the determination in step S63.

Next, the operation of the receiver when a SUB command and a PWD command are received will be described. In FIG. 9, in step S70, the SUB command and the PWD
The command is received and stored in the RAM 2. Step S7
In step 1, a box number is extracted from the facsimile information field of the SUB command. In step S72, the personal identification number is extracted from the facsimile information field of the PWD command. In step S73, it is determined whether a box corresponding to the designated box number has been opened based on the management table in the RAM 2. If the box has not been opened, the process proceeds to step S77 to display a communication error on the display unit. If the box has been opened, the process proceeds to step S74, and it is determined based on the management table whether or not a password has been set in the box corresponding to the designated number. If the password has been set, the process proceeds to step S75, and the password and the PWD are set.
It is determined whether the password set in the command matches. If the passwords are the same, step S76
And the image information is stored in the confidential box corresponding to the designated box number. If the passwords do not match, the flow advances to step S77 to display a communication error on the display unit.
If no password is set in the designated box, step S75 is skipped. If no password is set in the confidential box, it is not necessary to make the determination in step S75.

FIG. 10 shows an example of the above confidential communication negotiation. As shown in the figure, a SUB command and a PWD command are sent from a calling side (transmitting side) to a called side (receiving side) in response to a digital identification signal DIS together with a digital command DCS.

Next, with reference to the block diagram of FIG. 1, the function of a main part as a transmitter of the facsimile apparatus of this embodiment will be described. In the figure, the instruction information input from the confidential instruction input unit 13, that is, the box number and the password are stored in the confidential instruction storage unit 14. The PWD creation unit 15 creates a PWD command by expanding the input data into a predetermined frame. Similarly, the SUB creation unit 16 creates SUB commands by expanding the input data into predetermined frames. The NSS creating unit 17 expands the input data into a predetermined NSS frame.

When the destination identification information, that is, the dialed number is supplied together with the communication start instruction from the confidential communication start instruction section 18, the communication control section 9 performs a calling operation. Then, it outputs the received protocol command to the command detection unit 19.
When detecting the DIS frame from the protocol command, the command detector 19 supplies the data to the DIS analyzer 20. The DIS analysis unit 20 determines whether or not the receiver has the ability to determine the SUB command and the PWD command based on the capability information of the DIS frame, and outputs a read signal to the confidential instruction storage unit 14 when it determines that the receiver has the capability. In response to this read signal, confidential instruction storage unit 14 outputs a password number and a box number to PWD creating unit 15 and SUB creating unit 16, respectively. The PWD command and the SUB command including the personal identification number and the box number, respectively, are transmitted to the receiver via the communication control unit 9.

As indicated by the dotted line, a box number and a password are directly input from the confidential instruction input unit 13 to the PWD creating unit 15 and the SUB creating unit 16 to create a PWD command and a SUB command. The signal may be supplied to the PWD creating unit 15 and the SUB creating unit 16.

The processing in the DIS analysis unit 20 is as follows.
A distinction may be made depending on whether the partner machine is the company machine or not, and when the partner machine is the company machine, the confidentiality instruction may be performed using the NSS frame created by the NSS creating unit 17. In this case, when the NSF frame is detected by the command detection unit 19, the NSF frame is supplied to the NSF analysis unit 21 and the NSF
Based on the data of the F frame, it is determined whether or not the partner machine is the company machine. If the other machine is our own machine, NSS creation unit 1
7, an NSS frame including a confidential instruction is created and transmitted via the communication control unit 9. If the partner machine is another company's machine, an instruction signal is output to the DIS analysis unit 20 and the DIS
Is analyzed, and the PWD command and S
The transmission operation of the UB command is executed.

Next, the main functions of the facsimile apparatus of this embodiment as a receiver will be described. In FIG. 2, SUB
The detection unit 22 determines the SU based on the reception information received by the communication control unit 9.
The B command is detected and supplied to the determination unit 24. On the other hand, P
The WD detection unit 23 detects a PWD command from the reception information received by the communication control unit 9 and supplies the PWD command to the determination unit 24.

The storage area described in FIG. 4 is set in the confidential box 25. The memory management unit 26 is provided with a management table for grasping the status of the confidential box and managing data input / output. The discrimination unit 24 compares the SUB command and the PWD command with the contents of the management table, and determines whether or not there is a confidential box corresponding to the box number indicated in the SUB command, and the secret number and confidential number indicated in the SUB command. It is determined whether the password matches the password stored in the box. As a result of the determination, when it is determined that confidential reception is possible, a confidential document reception permission signal is output to the communication control unit 9 and the confidential box 25 corresponding to the detected box number is writable to capture image information.

As described above, in the present embodiment, on the transmitter side, standard commands, that is, SUB commands and PWD
A confidential communication instruction can be given by a command, and the receiver can receive the confidential document by judging the SUB command and the PWD command.

[0035]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, a box number and a password as confidential instruction information can be transmitted by a SUB command and a PWD command at the time of transmission. Upon reception, a box number and a password are extracted from the received SUB command and PWD command. If a confidential box corresponding to the box number is opened, the received document is stored in the confidential box. Further, when a password is assigned to the confidential box, the received document is stored when the password matches the extracted password. As a result, it is possible to perform confidential communication by designating a box number and transmitting a personal identification number without distinction between the in-house machine and another company's machine.

When the receiver is an in-house receiver, the S
Without using the UB command and the PWD command, the box number and the password can be transmitted by the non-standard function setting signal. Therefore, when the receiver is not the own device, confidential communication can be performed using the SUB command and the PWD command. When the receiver is the own device,
With the non-standard function setting signal, confidential communication can be performed by exhibiting the conventional communication function.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing main functions of a facsimile apparatus according to the present invention as a transmitter.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing main functions of a facsimile apparatus according to the present invention as a receiver.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the facsimile machine.

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram of a confidential box.

FIG. 5 is a frame configuration diagram of a PWD command and a SUB command.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a transmission operation according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of determining a receiver type.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a receiving operation showing one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing another example of the receiving operation.

FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing an example of negotiation according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a conventional confidential transmission operation.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a conventional confidential reception operation.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a conventional confidential reception document output operation.

[Description of Signs] 13: Confidential instruction input unit, 14: Confidential instruction storage unit, 1
5: PWD creation unit, 16: SUB creation unit, 17: N
SS creation unit, 18: confidential communication start instruction unit, 19: command detection unit, 20: DIS analysis unit, 21: NSF analysis unit, 22: SUB detection unit, 23: PWD detection unit,
24 ... discriminator, 25 ... confidential box

────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-2-298135 (JP, A) JP-A-1-246691 (JP, A) JP-A-4-262667 (JP, A) (58) Field (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04N 1/32-1/34 H04N 1/44 H04N 1/00-1/00 108

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A means for setting a box number in an information field of a sub-address command as a standard command, a means for setting a password in an information field of a password command as a standard command, and the sub-address in response to a confidential communication instruction Transmission means for sending the box number and password in the command and password command, means for setting the box number and password in the information field of the non-standard function setting signal, and reception based on the company code of the received non-standard function signal Analyzing means for determining whether the machine is its own machine, the transmitting means, the sub-address command in response to a confidential communication instruction when the analyzing means determines that the receiver is not its own machine, and Send the box number and password with the password command, A facsimile apparatus characterized in that a box number and a password are transmitted by a non-standard function setting signal when it is determined that the communication device is an in-house device.