JP3516850B2 - FAX management device - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a LAN (Loc).
The present invention relates to a FAX management device that efficiently uses a plurality of facsimile devices connected to an Al Area Network).

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a conventional FAX management apparatus disclosed in, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 6-233041. In FIG. 7, reference numerals 1, 2, and 3 are facsimile machines connected to a telephone line ( Hereinafter, "FAX", 4 is a network (hereinafter "LAN"), 5 and 6 are LAN
When there is a request to send facsimile data from the personal computers 5 and 6, the personal computer 7 that is a terminal device connected to 4 selects the fax with the highest communication speed among the faxes that currently have no transmission jobs, and While the facsimile data is transferred from the facsimile device, when any one of the FAXes 1, 2, and 3 receives the facsimile data, the facsimile data is temporarily stored, and the fact that the facsimile data is received is the distribution target device. A facsimile server device that notifies a personal computer and transfers facsimile data in response to a request from the personal computer.

Next, the operation will be described. First, FA
A case will be described in which one of the faxes X1 to X3 receives the facsimile data addressed to the personal computer 5 or the personal computer 6 from the partner device (however, for convenience of explanation, the fax
1 is assumed to have received facsimile data).

First, when the FAX 1 detects an incoming call, it notifies the facsimile server device 7 of that fact, receives facsimile data from the partner device, and transfers the facsimile data to the facsimile server device 7. Then, when the facsimile data is transferred from the FAX 1, the facsimile server device 7 temporarily stores the facsimile data and identifies the distribution target device from the network address included in the facsimile data (for convenience of explanation, the personal computer 6 Is a distribution target device), and notifies the personal computer 6, which is a distribution target device, of information indicating that the facsimile data has been received.

When the personal computer 6 which has received the information on reception receives a facsimile data transmission request, the facsimile server device 7 delivers the facsimile data to the personal computer 6.

Next, a case will be described in which the personal computers 5 and 6 send facsimile data to a partner device by using one of the faxes 1 to 3 (however, for convenience of explanation, it is assumed that the personal computer 5 transfers facsimile data). explain).

First, when the facsimile server device 7 receives a transmission request for facsimile data from the personal computer 5 via the LAN 4, it selects a FAX (transmittable FAX) which does not currently have a transmission job among the FAXes 1, 2, and 3. After that, the FAX having the highest communication speed is selected from the FAXs (here, FAX2 is selected for convenience of description). In this way, when the FAX to be transmitted by facsimile is selected, the facsimile server device 7 receives the facsimile data from the personal computer 5, transfers the facsimile data to the FAX 2, and transmits the facsimile data from the FAX 2 to the partner device via the telephone line. To send a fax.

[0008]

Since the conventional fax management apparatus is configured as described above, the personal computer which is the distribution target device is identified from the network address included in the facsimile data and the facsimile data is distributed. Normally, the client that uses a personal computer connected to LAN4 is not limited to a specific personal computer, but various personal computers are used. Therefore, even if the facsimile data is transferred to the specific personal computer, the client receives the facsimile data addressed to itself. There was a problem in which the facts given could not be recognized.

When the facsimile transmission is performed from the personal computers 5 and 6 using any of the FAX 1 to 3, the FAX used by the facsimile server device 7 is selected, but when there is no FAX which can be transmitted at present, The facsimile server device 7 must temporarily store facsimile data until a fax that can be transmitted appears.
As the transmission requests from the personal computers 5 and 6 increase, the overhead of the facsimile server device 7 increases and L
There is also a problem that it may not be possible to efficiently use the plurality of fax machines 1 to 3 connected to the AN 4.

Further, since the FAXs 1 to 3 are individually connected to the facsimile server device 7 and are collectively managed by the facsimile server device 7, the facsimile server device 7 as a special control device is required, and the processing and There is also a problem that data concentration occurs and it is necessary to connect by individual connection lines, which restricts wiring and installation.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and any one of the Fs connected to the LAN can be used.
It is an object of the present invention to obtain a FAX management apparatus that allows a client to reliably recognize the fact that facsimile data addressed to itself is received when the FAX receives facsimile data.

Further, according to the present invention, even if the transmission request from the terminal equipment increases, a plurality of FAs connected to the LAN are connected.
It is an object of the present invention to obtain a FAX management device that can efficiently use X.

Furthermore, the present invention does not require a special control device, and prevents processing and data concentration by the centralized centralized management of only one device, and is free as long as a LAN is installed. It is an object of the present invention to obtain a FAX management device capable of installing a FAX in the.

[0014]

A FAX management apparatus according to the present invention identifies a client to which facsimile data is distributed from distribution destination information included in the facsimile data received by a receiving unit, and identifies a group to which the client belongs. When the searching unit searches the storage unit and the group to which the client belongs is searched by the searching unit, the facsimile data is transferred to the storage medium in the group, and the storage medium has the receiving unit. If the storage medium does not belong to the same group, notification means for notifying the facsimile device in the same group as the storage medium of the information about the reception of the facsimile data is provided. Also,
Each facsimile machine is directly connected to a LAN so as to have a cooperation function for transmission and reception.

The FAX management apparatus according to the present invention is provided in the general facsimile apparatus, identifies the client to which the facsimile data is distributed from the distribution destination information included in the facsimile data transferred by the transfer means, and belongs to the group to which the client belongs. And a search means for searching the information storage means in the centralized facsimile apparatus. When the search means searches for a group to which the client belongs, the facsimile data is transferred to a storage medium in the group, and If the storage medium does not belong to the same group as the general fax machine,
The storage medium is provided with a notifying means for notifying the facsimile machines in the same group of information regarding the reception of the facsimile data.

The FAX management apparatus according to the present invention is such that only one information storage unit is connected to the LAN.

The FAX management apparatus according to the present invention is a LAN
A plurality of information storage means are mirrored above.

In the fax management apparatus according to the present invention, when the determination means determines that the remaining transmission job is not less than or equal to the set value, it detects the remaining transmission job of the facsimile apparatus in another group and transmits the transmission job. If there is a facsimile device whose remainder is less than or equal to the set value, a facsimile data transmission request is made to that facsimile device.

The FAX management apparatus according to the present invention is a LAN
When there is a request to send facsimile data from a terminal device connected to the, the rest of the transmission job detects a facsimile device with a set value or less based on the detection result of the detection means, and the rest of the transmission job has a set value or less. If there is, a request for transmitting facsimile data is made to the facsimile device.

In the FAX management apparatus according to the present invention, when the rest of the transmission job cannot detect a facsimile apparatus whose value is less than or equal to a set value, a facsimile data transmission request is made to a facsimile apparatus having a high priority. Is.

The fax management apparatus according to the present invention is such that the setting values in the judging means and the transmission requesting means are set to zero values.

[0022]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention will be described below. Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 shows an F according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
It is a block diagram showing an AX management device, in the figure, 11,
12 is a LAN (Local Area Network)
k) and 13 are FAX (facsimile devices) in the group 1, and 14 is a group 1 that stores facsimile data.
Internal storage devices (storage media), 15, 16 and 17 are LANs
A personal computer (terminal device) in group 1 connected to 11, a fax (facsimile device) in group 2 and a group 2 for accumulating facsimile data in group 2.
A storage device (storage medium) in the inside, 20 and 21 personal computers (terminal devices) in a group 2 connected to the LAN 11, 22
Is a FAX (facsimile device) in the group 3, 23 is a storage device (storage medium) in the group 3 for storing facsimile data, 24, 25 and 26 are personal computers (terminal devices) in the group 3 connected to the LAN 12. Is.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the details of the FAX 13, 18, 22. In the figure, 31 is the LAN 11
Alternatively, information storage means for storing information on a group to which each client using a personal computer connected to the LAN 12 belongs, and 32 receives an incoming call from a partner device (not shown) via a telephone line and receives facsimile data from the partner device. The receiving unit 33 identifies the client that distributes the facsimile data from the ID code (delivery destination information) of the client included in the facsimile data received by the receiving unit 32, and searches the information storage unit 31 for the group to which the client belongs. When a group to which the client belongs is searched by the searching unit 33, the searching unit 34 transfers the facsimile data to the storage device in the group, and the storage device is the same as the FAX having the receiving unit 32. If not in a group, Notifying means for notifying the FAX presenting means 35 in the same group as the storage device of the information regarding the reception of the facsimile data, 35 stores the information regarding the reception, and the facsimile data is received from the client using the personal computer in the same group. It is a presentation unit that presents the reception status of the facsimile data when a status browsing request is made.

Further, 36 is the LAN 11 or LAN 12
When there is a request for transmitting facsimile data from a personal computer connected to, a determination means for determining whether or not the remainder of the FAX transmission jobs in the same group is less than or equal to a set value, 37
When the determination means 36 determines that the rest of the transmission job is less than or equal to the set value, the transmission request for the facsimile data is accepted, the facsimile data is received from the personal computer, and the facsimile data is transmitted to the partner device. Communication means, 38 is determination means 3
When it is determined by 6 that the rest of the transmission job is not less than or equal to the set value, the rest of the transmission jobs of the facsimile devices in the other groups are detected, and if the rest of the transmission jobs is less than or equal to the set value, It is a transmission requesting means for making a transmission request of facsimile data to the facsimile device.

Next, the operation will be described. First, FA
A case will be described in which one of the faxes X13, 18, and 22 receives facsimile data addressed to the personal computer 15 or the like from the partner device via the telephone line (however, for convenience of explanation, it is assumed that the FAX 18 receives the facsimile data). explain).

First, when the receiving means 32 of the FAX 18 receives an incoming call from a partner device via a telephone line, it receives facsimile data from the partner device. When the receiving unit 32 receives the facsimile data, the searching unit 33 of the FAX 18 identifies the client that distributes the facsimile data from the ID code of the client included in the facsimile data, and the information storing unit 31 identifies the group to which the client belongs. Search from.

Specifically, the information storage means 31 stores in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, since the client corresponding to the ID code, the group to which the client belongs, and the IP address (including the FAX IP address) of the storage device to which the facsimile data is transferred are stored, for example, the ID code is “001. ", The client that distributes the facsimile data is recognized as the manager of the sales department A, and the group to which the client belongs is recognized as group 1.

Then, when the searching means 33 searches the group to which the client belongs (here, for convenience of explanation,
It is assumed that the ID code is "001" and the group to which the client belongs is recognized as group 1.), and the notification means 34 of the FAX 18 transfers the facsimile data to the storage device 14 in group 1. .

However, even if the facsimile data is simply transferred to the storage device 14 in the group 1, the F
The AX 13 cannot know the fact that the facsimile data is stored in the storage device 14, and even if the client using the personal computer 16 or the like in the group 1 requests the browsing of the reception state of the facsimile data, the AX 13 presents the accurate reception status. Therefore, the notification means 34 of the FAX 18 notifies the presentation means 35 of the FAX 13 in the group 1 of the information regarding the reception of the facsimile data.

When the presenting means 35 of the FAX 13 is notified of the information about the reception, the presenting means 35 is a facsimile in response to a request from the personal computers 15, 16 and 17 (personal computers used by the client) in the group 1. Present the data reception status. Then, the notification means 34 of the FAX 13 delivers the facsimile data to the personal computer 15 or the like when the personal computer 15 or the like that is presented with the reception status requests the facsimile data to be transmitted.

Next, a case where the personal computer 15 or the like sends the facsimile data to the partner device by using one of the faxes 13, 18, and 22 will be described (however, for convenience of explanation, the personal computer 20 of the group 2 transmits the facsimile data. Described as what is transferred).

First, when the judging means 36 of the FAX 18 in the group 2 receives a facsimile data transmission request from the personal computer 20 via the LAN 11 (the personal computer is not necessarily required to notify the FAX in the same group of the facsimile data transmission request). However, here, for convenience of explanation, it is assumed that the transmission request is notified to the FAX in the same group), and it is determined whether or not the remainder of the transmission job of the FAX 18 is less than or equal to the set value. For example, it is determined whether the number of remaining transmission jobs is 2 or less.

After the judgment of the judging means 36, if it is judged that the rest of the transmission job is less than or equal to the set value, the communication means 37 of the FAX 18 indicates that the FAX 18 is in a state capable of facsimile transmission. The determination is made and the transmission request of the personal computer 20 is accepted. And FAX18
When receiving the transmission request, the communication means 37 receives the facsimile data from the personal computer 20, and when the rest of the transmission job becomes zero, the facsimile data is transmitted to the partner device via the telephone line.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the rest of the transmission job is not less than the set value, the transmission request means 3 of the FAX 18
8 detects the rest of the transmission jobs of the faxes 13 and 22 in the other group (group 1 or group 3), and if the remainder of the transmission jobs is less than or equal to the set value, the fax is set.
To a facsimile data transmission request.

For example, when the rest of the transmission job of the FAX 22 is less than or equal to the set value, a command is output to the FAX 22. When the communication means 37 of the FAX 22 receives the command, the facsimile data is received from the personal computer 20 via the LANs 11 and 12, and when the remaining number of the transmission jobs becomes zero, the facsimile data is transmitted to the partner device via the telephone line. Send by fax.

It should be noted that the remainder of the transmission job is F below the set value.
If there is no AX, the FAX 18 in the same group as the personal computer 20 accepts the transmission request, waits for the transmission job to become zero, and then transmits the facsimile data to the partner device by facsimile.

As is clear from the above, the first embodiment
According to this, when the group to which the client belongs is searched by the search means 33, the facsimile data is transferred to the storage device in the group, and the storage device becomes the same group as the FAX having the receiving means 32. If the storage device does not belong to the storage device, the FAX in the same group is notified of the information regarding the reception of the facsimile data, so that the client surely recognizes the fact that the facsimile data addressed to itself is received. There is an effect that can be.

Further, according to the first embodiment, when the determination means 36 determines that the remainder of the transmission job is not less than or equal to the set value, the remainder of the FAX transmission job in another group is detected, The rest of the send job is less than the set value F
If there is an AX, the facsimile data transmission request is made to the FAX, so even if the transmission requests from the personal computer increase, it is possible to efficiently use the plurality of FAXes connected to the LANs 11 and 12. Has the effect that can be used.

Embodiment 2. FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram showing a FAX management apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. In the figure, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 41 is a FAX within the group 1
(Facsimile device), 42 is a general FAX (general facsimile device) in the group 2 that supervises the FAX 41, 43 connected to the LAN 11, 12, and 43 is a FAX (facsimile device) in the group 3.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the details of the FAXs 41 and 43. In the figure, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. Reference numeral 51 is a transfer unit that receives an incoming call from the partner device, receives the facsimile data from the partner device, and transfers the facsimile data to the general FAX 42.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the details of the general FAX 42. In the figure, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 2 indicate the same or corresponding parts, and the explanation thereof will be omitted. 52 is F
A search for identifying the client to which the facsimile data is distributed from the client ID code (distribution destination information) included in the facsimile data received by the transfer means 51 of the AX 41 or 43, and searching the information storage means 31 for the group to which the client belongs Means, 53 is FA
Detecting means for detecting the rest of the transmission jobs of the X41, 43 and the general FAX 42, 54 is a transmission job based on the detection result of the detecting means 53 when there is a facsimile data transmission request from the personal computer 15 or the like connected to the LAN 11, 12. The rest of the FAX is less than the set value (including the central FAX 42)
Is detected, and if the rest of the transmission job includes a FAX having a value less than or equal to the set value, the transmission request means requests the FAX to transmit the facsimile data.

Next, the operation will be described. In the above-described first embodiment, when each FAX 13, 18, 22 receives the facsimile data from the partner device via the telephone line, each FAX 13, 18, 22 identifies the client that distributes the facsimile data. However, when the FAX 41, 43 other than the general FAX 42 receives the facsimile data, the transfer unit 51 of the FAX 41, 43 transfers the facsimile data to the general FAX 42, and the general FAX 42 identifies the client to which the facsimile data is distributed. You may do it.

That is, the FAX 41 other than the general FAX 42,
When 43 receives the facsimile data from the partner device, the facsimile data is transferred to the general FAX 42. Then, when the facsimile data is transferred from the FAX 41 or 43, as in the first embodiment,
The retrieval unit 52 of the general FAX 42 identifies the client to which the facsimile data is distributed from the ID code of the client included in the facsimile data, and retrieves the group to which the client belongs from the information storage unit 31.

Then, when the searching means 52 searches the group to which the client belongs (here, for convenience of explanation,
It is assumed that the ID code is "001" and the group to which the client belongs is recognized as group 1.), and the transmitting means 34 of the general FAX 42 transfers the facsimile data to the storage device 14 in group 1. At the same time, the presenting means 35 of the FAX 41 is notified of the information regarding the reception of the facsimile data.

When the presentation means 35 of the FAX 41 is notified of the information about the reception, the presentation means 3 of the FAX 41 is shown.
5 presents the reception status of the facsimile data in response to a request from the personal computers 15, 16 and 17 (personal computer used by the client) in the group 1. And FA
The notification means 34 of X41 receives a facsimile data transmission request from the personal computer 15 or the like, which is presented with the reception status,
The facsimile data is delivered to the personal computer 15 or the like.

Next, when a request to send facsimile data is sent from the personal computer 15 or the like to the partner device, in the first embodiment, each of the fax machines 13, 18 and 22 detects the rest of the send job and responds to the rest of the send job. And other FAX
However, the general FAX 42 manages the rest of the transmission jobs of the FAXs 41 and 43 and the general FAX 42, and the general FAX 42 manages the remaining FAX jobs.
The X 42 may determine the FAX to which the facsimile data is to be distributed, according to the rest of the transmission job.

That is, when the general FAX 42 receives a request for transmitting facsimile data from the personal computer 15 or the like via the LAN 11 (in the second embodiment, the general FAX 42 is notified of the transmission request from the personal computer 15 or the like), the general FAX The detecting means 53 of the FAX 42 detects the rest of the transmission jobs of the FAX 41, 43 and the general FAX 42.

Then, when the detection by the detecting means 53 is completed, the transmission requesting means 54 of the general FAX 42 causes the LAN 11,
When a request for transmitting facsimile data is issued from the personal computer 15 or the like connected to the FAX 12, the FAX (overall FA) in which the remainder of the transmission job is equal to or less than the set value based on the detection result of the detecting means 53.
(Including X42) is detected, and if the rest of the transmission job includes a FAX having a value equal to or less than the set value, a request for transmitting facsimile data is made to the FAX. For example, FAX4
If only the remaining 3 of the transmission jobs are less than or equal to the set value, FA
By making a facsimile data transmission request to the X43, the communication means 37 of the FAX 43 receives the facsimile data from the personal computer 15 or the like and transmits the facsimile data to the partner device.

It should be noted that the remainder of the transmission job is F below the set value.
If there is no AX, the communication means 37 of the general FAX 42 accepts the transmission request, waits for the transmission job to become zero, and transmits the facsimile data to the partner device by facsimile.

As is clear from the above, the second embodiment
According to this, when the group to which the client belongs is searched by the search means 52 of the general FAX 42, the facsimile data is transferred to the storage device in the group, and the storage device belongs to the same group as the general FAX 42. If it does not exist, it is configured to notify the FAX within the same group as the storage device of the information regarding the reception of the facsimile data, so that the client can surely recognize the fact that the facsimile data addressed to itself is received. There is an effect that can.

Further, according to the second embodiment, when there is a request for transmitting facsimile data from the personal computer 15 or the like,
Based on the detection result of the detection unit 53 of the general FAX 42, the FAX of which the remainder of the transmission job is equal to or less than the set value (the general FAX 42
, And the rest of the send job is less than or equal to the set value.
If there is an AX, the facsimile data transmission request is made to the FAX, so even if the transmission requests from the personal computer 15 and the like increase, a plurality of FAXes connected to the LANs 11 and 12 can be efficiently transmitted. The effect that can be used as a result.

Embodiment 3. In the first embodiment, L
The FAX 13, 18, 22 connected to the AN 11, 12 is provided with the information storage means 31, respectively,
Further, in the above-mentioned second embodiment, the information storage means 31 is provided in the general FAX 42, but the LAN 1
You may make it connect only one information storage means 31 on 1,12. As a result, even if the personal computer or the like used by the client is changed due to a personnel change of the client or the like, the user information can be easily updated.

Fourth Embodiment In the third embodiment, L
Although only one information storage means 31 is connected to the ANs 11 and 12 has been described, a plurality of information storage means 31 may be mirrored to the LANs 11 and 12.
Thereby, since the user information is distributed, the traffic between the LANs can be reduced, and at least one or more information storage means is a copy of the original information storage means 31 by mirroring, so the user information is When the original information storage means 31 is updated, all the information storage means 31 are updated, and the same effect as that of the third embodiment can be obtained.

Embodiment 5. In the above-described first to fourth embodiments, the FAX of which the remainder of the transmission job is equal to or less than the set value
In the case where the fax (including the central FAX 42) cannot be detected, the FAX which receives the transmission request from the personal computer 15 or the like delivers the facsimile data. However, the FAX data is transmitted to the FAX having a high priority set in advance. A transmission request may be made. As a result, even when the rest of the transmission job cannot detect a FAX having a value less than or equal to the set value, it is possible to reliably deliver the facsimile data.

Sixth Embodiment In the first embodiment, the remaining setting value of the transmission job is set to 2, but the setting value may be set to zero. When the set value is set to zero, the currently communicating FAX does not accept the transmission request, only the FAX which is currently in the non-communication state accepts the transmission request, and the FAX connected to the LAN is used. The effect that efficiency can be improved is produced.

[0056]

As described above, according to the present invention, when the group to which the client belongs is searched by the searching means, the facsimile data is transferred to the storage medium in the group, and the storage medium is changed. If the facsimile device having the receiving means does not belong to the same group as the storage medium, the facsimile device in the same group as the storage medium is configured to notify the information regarding the reception of the facsimile data. There is an effect that the fact that the facsimile data is received can be surely recognized.

According to the present invention, when the group to which the client belongs is searched by the search means of the general facsimile machine, the facsimile data is transferred to the storage medium in the group, and the storage medium becomes the general facsimile machine. If it does not belong to the same group as, the information about the reception of the facsimile data is notified to the facsimile device in the same group as the storage medium, so that the client receives the facsimile data addressed to itself. There is an effect that the fact can be surely recognized.

According to the present invention, the information storage means is a LAN.
Since only one connection is configured above, the user information can be easily updated even if the personal computer or the like used by the client is changed due to personnel changes of the client.

According to the present invention, since a plurality of information storage means are configured to be mirrored on the LAN, the LAN
It is possible to reduce the traffic between them and to easily update the user information.

According to the present invention, when the determination means determines that the rest of the transmission job is not less than the set value,
Since the remainder of the transmission job of the facsimile device in the other group is detected, and if the remainder of the transmission job is less than or equal to the set value, the facsimile device is requested to transmit the facsimile data. Even if the number of transmission requests from the terminal device increases, there is an effect that a plurality of fax machines connected to the LAN can be efficiently used.

According to the present invention, when there is a facsimile data transmission request from the terminal device connected to the LAN, a facsimile machine in which the rest of the transmission job is less than or equal to the set value is detected based on the detection result of the detection means, and is transmitted. If there is a facsimile machine with the rest of the job being less than or equal to the set value, the facsimile data transmission request is made to the facsimile machine. Therefore, even if the transmission request from the terminal equipment increases, the job is connected to the LAN. There is an effect that it is possible to efficiently use a plurality of FAX machines.

According to the present invention, in the case where the rest of the transmission job cannot detect the facsimile apparatus whose value is less than the set value,
Since the facsimile data transmission request is made to the high-priority facsimile device, the facsimile data can be reliably delivered even when the remaining facsimile jobs of the transmission job cannot detect the facsimile devices having the set value or less. There is.

According to the present invention, since the setting values in the judging means and the transmission requesting means are set to zero, the currently communicating facsimile machine does not accept the transmission request and is in the non-communication state at present. Only the device will accept the transmission request, and as a result, the LA
There is an effect that the use efficiency of the facsimile device connected to N can be improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a FAX management apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing details of FAX 13, 18, 22.

3 is a table showing the contents of information stored in the information storage means 31. FIG.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram showing a FAX management apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram showing details of FAX 41 and 43.

FIG. 6 is a configuration diagram showing details of a general FAX 42.

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram showing a conventional FAX management apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

11,12 LAN, 13,18,22,41,43
FAX (facsimile device), 14, 19, 23 Storage device (storage medium) 15, 16, 17, 20, 21, 21
4, 25, 26 Personal computer (terminal device), 31 information storage means, 32 reception means, 33, 52 retrieval means, 34
Notification means, 36 determination means, 37 communication means, 38, 5
4 transmission request means, 42 general FAX (general facsimile machine), 51 transfer means, 53 detection means.

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Claims (8)

(57) [Claims] 1. An information storage unit for storing information of a group to which each client using a terminal device connected to a LAN belongs, and a reception unit for receiving facsimile data from the partner device when receiving an incoming call from the partner device. A search unit that identifies a client that distributes the facsimile data from the distribution destination information included in the facsimile data received by the reception unit and searches the information storage unit for a group to which the client belongs; When the group to which the group belongs is searched, the facsimile data is transferred to the storage medium in the group, and if the storage medium does not belong to the same group as the facsimile apparatus having the receiving means, the storage medium is stored. For fax machines in the same group as A FAX management apparatus comprising: a notification unit that notifies information regarding reception of facsimile data. 2. Information storage means for storing information on a group to which each client using a terminal device connected to a LAN belongs, and, when receiving an incoming call from a partner device, receiving facsimile data from the partner device, and Transfer means for transferring the facsimile data to the general facsimile apparatus, and a client provided in the general facsimile apparatus for distributing the facsimile data from the distribution destination information included in the facsimile data transferred by the transfer means, and identifying the client. Search means for searching the information storage means for a group to which the client belongs, and when the search means searches the group to which the client belongs, the facsimile data is stored in the storage medium in the group. Transfer the If the storage medium of No. 1 does not belong to the same group as the general facsimile apparatus, the FAX management apparatus is provided with notifying means for notifying the facsimile apparatus in the same group as the storage medium of the information about the reception of the facsimile data. . 3. The F according to claim 1, wherein only one information storage means is connected to the LAN.
AX management device. 4. The FAX management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of information storage units are mirrored on the LAN. 5. When a facsimile data transmission request is issued from a terminal device connected to a LAN, it is determined whether or not the rest of the transmission jobs of the facsimile machines in the same group are below a set value. and means, when it is determined that the remaining transmission job is equal to or smaller than the set value by the determining means is configured to receive facsimile data from the end <br/> end device accepts a request for transmission of facsimile data, the If the communication means for transmitting the facsimile data by facsimile and the determination means determine that the remainder of the transmission job is not less than or equal to the set value, the remainder of the transmission jobs of the facsimile devices in other groups is detected, and the transmission job If there is a fax machine with the rest less than the set value, send a request to send fax data to that fax machine. FAX management and means. 6. An L-type printer provided in the integrated facsimile apparatus.
The detection means for detecting the rest of the transmission job of the facsimile machine in each group connected to the AN, and the detection means provided in the above general facsimile machine and connected to the LAN
When there is a request to send facsimile data from the terminal device ,
Based on the detection result of the detecting means, the rest of the transmission job detects a facsimile device with a set value or less, and if the rest of the transmission job has a set value or less, a facsimile data transmission request is made to the facsimile device. A FAX management apparatus comprising: 7. The transmission requesting means, when the rest of the transmission job cannot detect a facsimile device whose value is less than or equal to a set value,
7. The FAX management apparatus according to claim 5, wherein a FAX data transmission request is made to a facsimile apparatus having a high priority. 8. The fax management apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the set values in the judging means and the transmission requesting means are set to zero values.