JP3744917B2 - Communication device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to information notification technology in a predetermined apparatus, and more particularly, to a communication apparatus that spontaneously notifies information and a communication system including the apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Information devices such as printers, scanners, facsimile machines, and MFPs (Multi Functional Peripheral) are widely used. These information devices are connected to a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) and are shared by a plurality of terminals. For this reason, information devices are often provided at positions away from the user. For example, in the case of a facsimile machine, the user has to go to the facsimile machine in order to check the transmission status and consumables. . In order to improve such a point, there is a facsimile apparatus (Patent Document 1) for notifying a user of a transmission result using an electronic mail, and an image reading apparatus for notifying an apparatus administrator or the like of the state of consumables ( Patent Document 2).
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-11-122450
[Patent Document 2]
JP 2001-229089 A
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
For example, when a paper jam or a piece of paper (hereinafter simply referred to as “abnormal condition”) occurs, the importance of the information for notifying the user of the abnormal condition and urging improvement is high. There is no sex. When such temporarily increasing information is notified based on e-mail, that is, SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol), even if an e-mail is sent immediately after an abnormal condition occurs, the user immediately There is no guarantee of checking the email. For this reason, when transmitting the information using e-mail, the possibility of notifying the user while the importance is high is low. For this reason, broadcast transmission to a plurality of users is also performed, which contributes to an increase in network traffic.
[0005]
In addition, since the e-mail is stored in the mail server and then read into the terminal using POP (Post Office Protocol) or the like, for example, as the number of e-mails for notifying the state of information equipment increases, the mail server The recording capacity is pressed and a load is generated.
[0006]
The present invention has been made in view of these points. The purpose of the present invention is to increase network traffic caused by notification from information devices, to reduce the pressure and load on the capacity of mail servers and terminals, and to provide immediate notification. It is to provide technology for performing notification and efficient notification.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  One embodiment of the present invention is a communication apparatus that handles facsimile data. This apparatus activates means for using the instant message service, means for receiving facsimile data, and active state information indicating whether or not the instant message service is available for each user of the apparatus. Means for holding in the status holding unit, and when the facsimile data is received, the active status holding unit is accessed, and the fact that the facsimile data has been received by referring to the active status information is used in the active status. Means to notify the person,Means for storing identification information for the user to use the instant message service in association with the user's e-mail address, and identification information for the user who cannot use the instant message service Means for transmitting information that should originally be transmitted as an instant message to the e-mail address associated withIs provided. Accordingly, it is possible to promptly notify the user who is logged in to the server that provides the instant message service that the facsimile data has been received. Also, by using instant messages for status notifications, it is possible to prevent an increase in network traffic and compression of storage capacity in mail servers and terminals. “I can use the instant message service” means that the user is logged in to a server that provides the instant message service. “Login” is a series of procedures for making available an instant message service provided by an instant message server and an instant message client, for example, an authentication procedure for accessing the instant message server. “Logging in” is a state in which the login is completed and the instant message service can be used.Further, even when there is no logged-in user, the user can be notified of information that should originally be transmitted as an instant message by using electronic mail. “Identification information” is, for example, a user ID or password used in authentication processing in an instant message server.
[0008]
  Another aspect of the present invention is a communication apparatus that handles facsimile data. This apparatus includes means for using an instant message service, means for detecting a predetermined state of the apparatus, and an active status indicating whether or not the instant message service is available for each user of the apparatus. Means for holding state information in an active state holding unit; and notification means for accessing the active state holding unit and referring to the active state information to notify a user in an active state of information relating to a predetermined state;, Means for storing the identification information for the user to use the instant message service and the user's e-mail address in association with each other, and identifying the user for a user who cannot use the instant message service Means for transmitting information to be originally transmitted as an instant message to an e-mail address associated with the information;Is provided. Thereby, the information regarding the predetermined state in the apparatus can be promptly notified to the logged-in user. The “predetermined state” includes, for example, a state related to consumables such as running out of paper and toner, a state related to occurrence of a device abnormality such as a paper jam, device failure, communication failure, and recovery. The “information regarding the predetermined state” may be a character string, an image, a voice message, or the like that briefly indicates the predetermined state.Further, even when there is no logged-in user, the user can be notified of information that should originally be transmitted as an instant message by using electronic mail. “Identification information” is, for example, a user ID or password used in authentication processing in an instant message server.
[0010]
  This device holds information about other devices that have equivalent functionality to the device
And a notification means is provided when a predetermined state is detected.ActiveInformation about other devices may be notified to the user. Accordingly, even when the device cannot be used, the user can be prompted to use the alternative device, and for example, the user's business can be prevented from being delayed due to a device failure or the like.
[0011]
  Yet another embodiment of the present invention is also a communication device. This apparatus is a communication apparatus having a function of voluntarily notifying a user of predetermined information, and uses means for generating predetermined information due to a predetermined state in the apparatus and an instant message service. Means for holding active state information indicating whether or not the instant message service is in an active state available for each user of the device, and accessing the active state holding unit for active Means for referring to the state information and transmitting predetermined information to the terminal of the active user;, Means for storing the identification information for the user to use the instant message service and the user's e-mail address in association with each other, and identifying the user for a user who cannot use the instant message service Means for transmitting information to be originally transmitted as an instant message to an e-mail address associated with the information;Is provided. Thereby, the user who is logging in to the server that provides the instant message service can be quickly notified of the predetermined information. The “predetermined information” is information that can be output by the apparatus, such as information indicating the apparatus state and information obtained by performing a predetermined process.Further, even when there is no logged-in user, the user can be notified of information that should originally be transmitted as an instant message by using electronic mail. “Identification information” is, for example, a user ID or password used in authentication processing in an instant message server.
[0012]
It should be noted that any combination of the above-described constituent elements and a conversion of the expression of the present invention between a method, an apparatus, a system, a recording medium, a computer program, etc. are also effective as an aspect of the present invention.
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a communication system 10 according to the embodiment. The instant message server 18 (hereinafter simply referred to as “IM server 18”) is a server for providing an instant message service (hereinafter simply referred to as “IM service”). The IM service is, for example, a service (hereinafter simply referred to as “presence service”) that provides information as to whether or not a user of the IM service (hereinafter simply referred to as “IM user”) can send and receive messages. And a service for transmitting messages between IM users (hereinafter simply referred to as “message service”). “Instant message” may be a generic term for presence service and message service, or may indicate either presence service or message service. In short, the instant message is information transmitted and received in the IM service. The instant message is hereinafter simply referred to as “message”. An IM user can use an IM service by using an instant message client (hereinafter simply referred to as “IM client”). Hereinafter, a state in which the IM user is logged in to the IM server 18, that is, a state in which messages can be transmitted and received is referred to as an “active state”.
[0014]
In the IM service, since messages are transmitted and received when the IM user is in an active state, the IM server 18 does not have a mechanism for explicitly storing messages explicitly like a mail server used in SMTP or POP. . Therefore, the message is immediately notified to the IM client of the IM user who is the transmission destination, and push type notification is possible. The IM server 18 may be a server that provides an existing IM service, and may be a server that provides a service such as Yahoo! Messenger (trademark) or MSN Messenger (trademark). Of course, the IM server 18 may be newly provided in order to realize the communication system 10, or may be provided in the first facsimile machine 100a described later. By using the existing IM service, for example, it is not necessary to newly install an IM client in the terminal. As a result, it is possible to reduce the burden caused by the introduction of the communication system 10 to the user who should receive the notification from the first facsimile apparatus 100a (hereinafter simply referred to as “apparatus user”).
[0015]
The first facsimile machine 100a includes an IM client 102 for using the IM service, and a fax function unit 104 for realizing a facsimile function. For example, the IM client 102 may support only one IM service or a plurality of IM services. Since the IM client 102 supports a plurality of IM services, the apparatus user does not need to change the IM client with the introduction of the communication system 10.
[0016]
The first facsimile machine 100a is connected to the IM server 18 via the network 12, and is connected to the second facsimile machine 100b via the public network 14. The fax function unit 104 receives facsimile data from the second facsimile machine 100b via the public network 14 or the network 12, for example. “Facsimile data” is a series of data transmitted / received based on a facsimile protocol, and may be image data transmitted / received via the public network 14 or image data transmitted / received using e-mail. Also good.
[0017]
An image read by the scanner of the second facsimile machine 100b is referred to as “read image” or “read image data”. For example, the second facsimile machine 100b generates a page image in which a read image and sender information are added to a sheet, and encodes the page image by, for example, a JBIG encoding method or an MMR encoding method. The page image data encoded in this way is hereinafter referred to as “facsimile image” and “facsimile image data”.
[0018]
The first IM client 16 a and the second IM client 16 b (hereinafter simply referred to as “IM client 16”) are IM clients for IM users to use the IM service, and are connected to the IM server 18 via the network 12. The IM client 16 is formed on a predetermined terminal by causing a computer to execute a predetermined program, for example. When the IM client 102 and the IM client 16 log in to the IM server 18, the IM service can be used, that is, an active state.
[0019]
For example, when various events such as reception of facsimile data or occurrence of an abnormal state occur, the first facsimile machine 100a notifies the IM user in the active state to that effect. For example, when the first facsimile apparatus 100a receives facsimile data from the second facsimile apparatus 100b, the first facsimile apparatus 100a sends a message (hereinafter simply referred to as “facsimile data reception notification”) to the IM client of the active IM user. "Receiving notification"). When receiving the reception notification from the first facsimile apparatus 100a, the IM client 16 displays a display screen 22 for displaying a message on the display screen 20 of the terminal. As a result, the logged-in IM user can quickly grasp that the facsimile data has been newly received.
[0020]
Conventionally, such notification has been performed using electronic mail, and since it is not known who will read it, when it is necessary to notify only one person, it has been broadcast to a plurality of users. For this reason, useless e-mail is generated, which is a cause of increasing network traffic. On the other hand, by receiving notifications using instant messages, notifications are sent only to logged-in users, so it is possible to suppress unnecessary data transmission and reduce network traffic compared to using email. Can be made. Further, since notification is made to the logged-in user, notification with high immediacy becomes possible. Similarly, even when an abnormal state occurs or recovers, the first facsimile machine 100a notifies the IM user in the active state accordingly. By transmitting a message using the IM service in this way, notification suitable for information attributes can be performed.
[0021]
The “information attribute” means that the first facsimile apparatus 100a is voluntarily based on the value of information that changes with the passage of time from the occurrence of information to be notified or the state transition from the state at the time of information generation. This classifies information that occurs in For example, the information for notifying the apparatus user of the abnormal state is attribute information to be notified promptly. Further, since the usage history of the first facsimile apparatus 100a is stored as a log, it is attribute information whose certainty is more important than prompt notification.
[0022]
FIG. 2 is an internal configuration diagram of the first facsimile machine 100a of FIG. Each component of the first facsimile machine 100a includes an arbitrary computer CPU, memory, a program for realizing the components shown in the figure loaded in the memory, a storage unit such as a hard disk for storing the program, a network connection interface, The present invention is realized mainly by a modem for facsimile communication, but it will be understood by those skilled in the art that there are various modifications in the implementation method and apparatus. Each figure to be described below shows functional unit blocks, not hardware unit configurations. In this figure, the login unit 110, the detection unit 111, and the notification unit 124 mainly correspond to the IM client 102 in FIG. 1, and the other configuration mainly corresponds to the fax function unit 104 in FIG.
[0023]
The login unit 110 is connected to the IM server 18 to perform login processing of the IM service, and activates the first facsimile apparatus 100a. For this login process, the login unit 110 holds, for example, identification information (hereinafter simply referred to as “login ID”) and a password for using the IM service. Such information necessary for login is hereinafter referred to as “login information”. The login unit 110 may hold login information in advance, or may accept settings from an administrator of the first facsimile machine 100a. In the case of supporting a plurality of IM services, the login unit 110 holds login information for each IM service.
[0024]
The user database 112 holds information about a device user and information indicating whether the device user is logged in to the IM server 18, that is, whether the device user is in an active state. After the login is completed by the login unit 110, the detection unit 111 inquires of the IM server 18 whether or not the device user stored in the user database 112 is in an active state.
[0025]
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure in the user database 112 of FIG. The login ID column 150 holds information (hereinafter simply referred to as “IM identification information”) that can identify an IM user in an IM service such as a login ID of the device user. The detection unit 111 in FIG. 2 uses the presence service to detect whether the IM user specified in the IM identification information is in a login state, that is, an active state. The status column 152 holds the login status detected by the detection unit 111 for each IM user.
[0026]
The reception notification flag column 154 holds information for designating whether or not to perform reception notification when new facsimile data is received. In this figure, “1” indicates that reception notification is performed, and “0” indicates that reception notification is not performed. The error notification flag column 156 includes information for designating whether or not to notify the user of the abnormality (hereinafter simply referred to as “abnormality notification”) when an abnormality is detected in the first facsimile apparatus 100a. Hold. In this figure, “1” indicates that abnormality notification is performed, and “0” indicates that abnormality notification is not performed. For example, when receiving facsimile data, the first facsimile machine 100a sends a reception notification to the IM user whose status column 152 holds “1” and whose reception notification flag column 154 holds “1”. Do. In addition, when an abnormality is detected, the first facsimile machine 100a sends an abnormality notification to the IM user whose status column 152 holds “1” and the error notification flag column 156 holds “1”. .
[0027]
The IM address column 158 holds information for designating a message destination in the IM service (hereinafter simply referred to as “IM address”). For example, when the IM address matches the IM identification information, the IM address column 158 holds the IM identification information. The e-mail address column 160 holds an e-mail address. Although details will be described later, the first facsimile machine 100a notifies the e-mail address when the apparatus user who is to perform reception notification or abnormality notification is not in the active state.
[0028]
The sender column 162 holds information for specifying the sender of facsimile data. As will be described in detail later, when the first facsimile apparatus 100a receives facsimile data from the transmission source specified in the transmission source column 160, the first facsimile apparatus 100a notifies the associated apparatus user of reception. For example, when facsimile data is received from a source other than “03XXXXXX”, the first facsimile machine 100a does not notify the IM user with the login ID “BBB”, but “ When the facsimile data is received from “03XXX”, the first facsimile machine 100a notifies the IM user with the login ID “BBB” of reception. Thereby, when it is known in advance that facsimile data is sent from a predetermined transmission source, it is possible to promptly notify the user of the apparatus that needs the facsimile data.
[0029]
Although details will be described later, the first facsimile machine 100a has a function of prompting the use of an alternative device when an abnormal situation such as a failure occurs. The temporary database user information is also stored in the user database 112 in order to provide such a temporary user with a reception notification or abnormality notification using the IM service. The temporary use flag column 164 holds information for designating whether or not the user is a temporary device user. In this figure, “1” indicates that the user is a temporary device user, and “0” indicates that the user is not a temporary device user, that is, a normal device user.
[0030]
The IM service column 166 holds information (hereinafter simply referred to as “service specifying information”) that specifies an IM service used by the device user. For example, when supporting a plurality of IM services, the first facsimile machine 100a uses the IM service protocol stored in the IM service column 166 to detect the login state of the IM user, receive notification, Anomaly notification is performed.
[0031]
Returning to FIG. 2, for example, the registration unit 116 receives predetermined information from the administrator such as a login ID, IM address, e-mail address of the apparatus user, a transmission source used to determine a notification destination of reception notification, and service identification information. The received user database 112 is stored. In addition, the registration unit 116 receives information on an apparatus user to be temporarily registered from a facsimile apparatus having the same function as the first facsimile apparatus 100a, and adds information indicating that the user is a temporary user to the user. Register in the database 112.
[0032]
The document receiving unit 128 receives facsimile data via the network 12 or the public network 14. Then, the document receiving unit 128 stores the received facsimile data in the document storage unit 120. The document receiving unit 128 also notifies the notification unit 124 of a code indicating that the facsimile data has been newly received and information for specifying the transmission source of the facsimile data, that is, the transmission source (hereinafter simply referred to as “transmission source information”). Notice.
[0033]
The abnormality detection unit 126 detects an abnormal state in the first facsimile apparatus 100a such as, for example, out of paper, paper jam, or toner, and notifies the notification unit 124 of a code for specifying the abnormal state. Codes that specify various states in the first facsimile machine 100a, such as a code that specifies an abnormal state and a code that indicates reception of facsimile data output from the document receiving unit 128, are hereinafter referred to as "state codes". The notification unit 124 receives a notification from the document reception unit 128 or the abnormality detection unit 126 and requests the selection unit 122 for information on a destination to which the reception notification and the abnormality notification should be performed.
[0034]
The selection unit 122 refers to the user database 112 in response to the request, selects an active device user, and outputs the IM address of the device user to the notification unit 124. When performing reception notification, the selection unit 122 refers to the user database 112 and selects an apparatus user who is in an active state and set to perform reception notification. If there is no active device user, the selection unit 122 outputs to the notification unit 124 the e-mail address of the device user for which reception notification is set. When the same information as the sender information supplied from the document receiver 128 to the notifier 124 is held in the sender field 162 of FIG. 3, the selector 122 selects the device associated with the sender information. The IM address of the user is output to the notification unit 124.
[0035]
When performing abnormality notification, the selection unit 122 refers to the user database 112 and selects an apparatus user who is in an active state and set to perform abnormality notification. When there is no active device user, the selection unit 122 outputs the email address of the device user that is set to perform abnormality notification to the notification unit 124. Further, the selection unit 122 selects an alternative device from the alternative device database 114.
[0036]
The substitute device database 114 holds function information of the device in association with information (hereinafter simply referred to as “substitute device information”) that identifies a device that can be the substitute device. The device selection condition storage unit 136 stores information that specifies whether or not to select an alternative device in association with the status code. The selection unit 122 first refers to the device selection condition storage unit 136 and determines whether or not to select an alternative device. When it is necessary to make a selection, the selection unit 122 refers to the alternative device database 114 and selects an alternative device having the same function as that of the first facsimile device 100a. Then, the selection unit 122 supplies the alternative device information of the selected alternative device to the notification unit 124. Thus, the selection unit 122 can select an alternative device according to the type of abnormal state. That is, when an abnormal state such as a paper break or a paper jam is resolved relatively quickly, the selection unit 122 can be configured not to select an alternative device.
[0037]
The message storage unit 134 stores the status code and the message content in association with each other. The notification unit 124 transmits the message content selected based on the status code from the message storage unit 134 to the IM address supplied from the selection unit 122. When the e-mail address is supplied from the selection unit 122, the notification unit 124 transmits the message content selected based on the status code from the message storage unit 134 to the e-mail address.
[0038]
When the alternative device information is supplied from the selection unit 122, the notification unit 124 outputs the alternative device information to the alternative device usage setting unit 130. The substitute device use setting unit 130 instructs the device user of the first facsimile device 100a to temporarily give the use authority to the substitute device specified by the substitute device information supplied from the notification unit 124. . When the alternative device has the same configuration as that of the first facsimile device 100a, the alternative device use setting unit 130 requests the registration unit 116 of the alternative device to register as a temporary user. When temporarily registering in this way, the registration unit 116 of the alternative device adds “1” to the temporary use flag column 164 of FIG. The alternative device usage setting unit 130 stores a list of alternative devices in the alternative list database 132. Then, when the abnormal state of the first facsimile apparatus 100a is resolved, the alternative device use setting unit 130 is a device to which the use authority is temporarily given based on the alternative device list held in the alternative list database 132. Request the alternative device to delete the user.
[0039]
When the provision of the facsimile data is requested from the terminal forming the IM client 16, the provision unit 118 reads the facsimile data requested from the document storage unit 120 and provides the facsimile data to the terminal. The providing unit 118 may read facsimile data from the document storage unit 120 and print based on the data.
[0040]
FIG. 4 is an example of a flowchart of the reception notification process in the first facsimile machine 100a described with reference to FIG. When the document receiving unit 128 of FIG. 2 newly receives facsimile data (S10), the selection unit 122 determines whether there is an active device user (S12). When there is an active device user (Y in S12), the selection unit 122 selects a transmission destination of the reception notification from the active device users (S14). Then, the notification unit 124 transmits a reception notification to the IM address of the device user selected by the selection unit 122 (S16). Returning to S12, when there is no active apparatus user (N in S12), the selection unit 122 selects an apparatus user who performs reception notification using an electronic mail (S18). Then, the notification unit 124 transmits a reception notification to the e-mail address selected by the selection unit 122 (S20).
[0041]
FIG. 5 is an example of a flowchart of the abnormality notification process in the first facsimile apparatus 100a described with reference to FIG. When the abnormality detection unit 126 in FIG. 2 detects an abnormality, the abnormality detection unit 126 outputs that fact to the notification unit 124 (S30), and the selection unit 122 determines whether there is an active device user (S32). When there is an active user (Y in S32), the selection unit 122 selects an abnormality notification transmission destination from the active device users (S34). Then, the notification unit 124 transmits an abnormality notification to the IM address selected by the selection unit 122 (S36). Returning to S32, when there is no apparatus user in the active state (N in S32), the selection unit 122 selects an apparatus user who performs abnormality notification using an e-mail (S38). Then, the notification unit 124 transmits an abnormality notification to the e-mail address selected by the selection unit 122 (S40).
[0042]
The present invention has been described based on the embodiments. The embodiments are exemplifications, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to combinations of the respective constituent elements and processing processes, and such modifications are within the scope of the present invention. .
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, various types of information in an information device such as a facsimile apparatus can be quickly notified.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment.
FIG. 2 is an internal configuration diagram of the first facsimile apparatus of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure in the user database of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is an example of a flowchart of reception notification processing in the first facsimile apparatus described with reference to FIG. 2;
FIG. 5 is an example of a flowchart of abnormality notification processing in the first facsimile apparatus described with reference to FIG. 2;
[Explanation of symbols]
10 communication system, 12 network, 14 public network, 16 IM client, 18 IM server, 100a first facsimile machine, 100b second facsimile machine, 102 IM client, 104 Fax function unit, 110 login unit, 111 detection unit, 112 user Database, 114 Alternative device database, 116 Registration unit, 118 Providing unit, 120 Document storage unit, 122 Selection unit, 124 Notification unit, 126 Abnormality detection unit, 128 Document reception unit, 130 Alternative device use setting unit, 132 Alternative list database, 134 Message storage unit, 136 Device selection condition storage unit.

Claims (5)

A communication device that handles facsimile data,
A means of using an instant messaging service;
Means for receiving the facsimile data;
Means for holding in the active state holding unit active state information indicating whether or not the instant message service is in an active state available for each user of the device;
Means for notifying the user in the active state that the facsimile data has been received by accessing the active state holding unit when the facsimile data is received and referring to the active state information;
Means for associating and storing identification information for the user to use the instant message service and an email address of the user;
Means for transmitting, to the user who cannot use the instant message service, information to be originally transmitted as an instant message to an e-mail address associated with the identification information of the user;
A communication apparatus comprising: A communication device that handles facsimile data,
A means of using an instant messaging service;
Means for detecting a predetermined state in the device;
Means for holding in the active state holding unit active state information indicating whether or not the instant message service is in an active state available for each user of the device;
A notification means for accessing the active state holding unit, referring to the active state information, and notifying a user in the active state of information relating to the predetermined state;
Means for associating and storing identification information for the user to use the instant message service and an email address of the user;
Means for transmitting, to the user who cannot use the instant message service, information to be originally transmitted as an instant message to an e-mail address associated with the identification information of the user;
A communication apparatus comprising:   The information processing apparatus further includes means for holding information related to another apparatus having the same function as the apparatus, and the notification means notifies the user in the active state when the predetermined state is detected. The communication apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the information is notified.   A communication device having a function of voluntarily notifying a user of predetermined information,
  Means for generating the predetermined information due to a predetermined state in the apparatus;
  A means of using an instant messaging service;
  Means for holding in the active state holding unit active state information indicating whether or not the instant message service is in an active state for each user of the device;
  Means for accessing the active state holding unit, referring to the active state information, and transmitting the predetermined information to the terminal of the user in the active state;
  Means for associating and storing identification information for the user to use the instant message service and the user's email address;
  Means for transmitting, to the user who cannot use the instant message service, information to be originally transmitted as an instant message to an e-mail address associated with the identification information of the user;
  A communication apparatus comprising: A destination storage unit for storing the IM address of the instant message using the instant message service in association with identification information for using the instant message service of the user of the device;
  Access the active state holding unit, refer to the active state information, and And means for transmitting an instant message to the IM address of a user in an active state in which the instant message service is available from among the users at the same location. A communication device according to claim 1.

Images