JP4258666B2 - Network multi-function peripheral and address book data sharing method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a network multi-function peripheral having address book data, and more particularly to a network multi-function peripheral that inputs / outputs address book data using vCard format data and a method of sharing address book data between the network multi-function peripherals.

The address book data of the multifunction peripheral, for example in order to be exchanged with other MFP or the like in the LAN may send an e-mail or the like to temporarily convert the address book data to the vCard data format of vCard format The other device that has received the data converts it into address book data and saves it.

In the vCard format data , standard items and their values are described, and the standard items and their values are converted into an address book data format to input the data. When data is output from the address book data, the data corresponding to the standard items of the vCard format data is extracted from the address book data and converted. Therefore, conversion processing is not performed on data corresponding to non-standard items other than standard items, and the entire contents of the address book data cannot be output or captured. For example, data such as standard items such as names and phone numbers can be imported as is in the address book of other devices, but non-standard items such as reading names and honorifics are ignored during input / output processing. Even if data such as a reading kana is stored in the address book, it is left blank in the address book of the other device.

The basic problem of the present invention is that non-standard items other than the standard items of the address book data of the network multifunction peripheral are also subjected to conversion processing so that the values of all items stored in the address book data can be input / output. There is to do .
A further object of the present invention is to share an address book among a plurality of network multifunction devices .

The present invention stores address book data, inputs / outputs the address book data in vCard format data, and includes a scanner function, a printer function, a G3 facsimile function, and an Internet facsimile function, and the address book data is stored as data. In the network MFP used as destination information at the time of transmission, the address book data includes a title item that is a non-standard item of vCard format data, and each item of the address book data is a standard of vCard format data. An address book data item extracting means for determining whether or not the item corresponds to an item, and extracting the item corresponding to the standard item and the value thereof, and the item corresponding to the non-standard item and the value thereof from the address book data; The extracted standard item and its value are converted into vCard format data, and the extracted non-standard item and An address book data item converting means for converting the value into vCard format data, and a standard item value and a non-standard item value from the received vCard format data. VCard data item extraction means for extracting the value of the data, and vCard data item conversion means for converting the value of the extracted standard item and the value of the non-standard item into the value of the corresponding item of the address book data, To do.

Preferably, the address book data item extracting means includes a table that registers whether each item of the address book data corresponds to a standard item or a non-standard item of data in vCard format . Whether the item is a standard item or a non-standard item , the vCard data item extracting means extracts the value of the item having the corresponding item in the address book data as the value of the non-standard item in the received vCard format data. Address book applicable item detection means is provided.

The present invention also includes a scanner function, a printer function, a G3 facsimile function, and an Internet facsimile function, and stores the address book data stored in the vCard format between the network multifunction peripherals that use the address book data as destination information at the time of data transmission. In the method of sharing the address book data by converting the data into the input / output data, the address book data includes a title item that is a non-standard item of data in the vCard format, and each of the address book data It is determined whether the item corresponds to a standard item of data in vCard format, and an item corresponding to the standard item and its value from the address book data, and an item corresponding to a non-standard item and its value are determined. Extracting, converting the extracted standard item and its value into vCard format data, and extracting the non-standard item and The value is converted into vCard format data, sent to other network multifunction devices, and the received items in the address card data are standard item values and non-standard item values from the vCard format data. Is extracted, and the extracted standard item value and non-standard item value are converted into corresponding item values of the address book data and stored as address book data .

Preferably, all the address book data is converted to vCard format data and transmitted .

In the present invention, since all the items and their values on the output side of the address book data into a file output data vCard format, also file conversion for the values of items corresponding to the non-standard items of data in the vCard format To move the address book data directly to vCard format data .

Further, according to the present invention, if there is an item corresponding to the address book data for the non-standard item of the received data in the vCard format, even if the item is a non-standard item, the value can be converted into the address book data. For this reason, values of non-standard items in vCard format data can be incorporated into the address book .

Further in the present invention, among a plurality of network MFP, since output is enabled through the data of all the vCard format for the items of the address book data, it is possible to share the address book between the MFP .

  In the following, an optimum embodiment for carrying out the present invention will be shown.

1 to 7 show an embodiment of a network multifunction peripheral taking the Internet facsimile machine 2 as an example. In the embodiment , data in the vCard format may be referred to as vCard (Visiting Card) data. Then, address book data is exchanged with, for example, another network multifunction peripheral in the LAN via the vCard. Here, since the data in the vCard file is in a text format and the data in the address book file is in a binary format, it is necessary to perform conversion processing at the time of input / output.

  In FIG. 1, reference numerals 2 and 3 denote Internet facsimile machines, which send and receive facsimiles such as G3 via the public telephone network (PSTN), send and receive Internet facsimiles via the LAN 4 and the mail server 6, and 8 is personal. Address book data may be directly exchanged between the Internet facsimile machines 2 and 3 with a communication terminal device such as a computer, or may be exchanged via the personal computer 8. Reference numeral 10 denotes a router connected to the LAN 4 and reference numeral 12 denotes an Internet network.

  The Internet facsimile machine 2 converts its address book data into a vCard file and downloads it to the personal computer 8 or the like, or attaches it to an e-mail and sends it. The vCard file received from the other device 3 via the personal computer 8 is converted into address book data and stored as an address book file.

  In the figure, 20 is a main control unit, 22 is a LAN interface, 24 is a G3 facsimile function processing unit, and performs transmission / reception of G3 facsimile and the like via a public telephone network (PSTN). Reference numeral 26 denotes an Internet facsimile function processing unit which processes transmission / reception of an Internet facsimile in an e-mail format, for example. 28 is a network scanner function processing unit, 30 is a copy function processing unit, and 32 is a network printer function processing unit. Reference numeral 34 denotes a display unit such as an LCD, and 36 denotes an operation unit such as a keyboard or a touch panel.

  The RAM 38 stores an address book file 39, data necessary for conversion processing, and other data. The ROM 40 stores a program necessary for the Internet facsimile machine 2, and stores a data conversion processing program 60 including a program for creating a vCard file and a program for creating an address book file.

  Reference numeral 42 denotes a transmission / reception unit such as an electronic mail, and 44 denotes a data conversion processing unit. The data conversion processing unit 44 is provided with a vCard file creation unit 46 and an address book file creation unit 52. The vCard file creation unit 46 includes an address book data item extraction unit 48 for extracting address book data items, and an address book data item conversion unit 50 for converting the extracted item values into vCard file data. Provide. The address book data item extraction unit 48 uses the reference table 49 in which each item of the address book data corresponds to a standard item or a non-standard item of the vCard file, and which item is to be extracted. To determine whether The address book file creation unit 52 also includes a vCard data item extraction unit 54 for extracting items of vCard file data, and a vCard data item conversion unit 56 for converting the value of the extracted items into address book data. , VCard file data is converted to address book file data.

  FIG. 2 shows the data conversion processing program 60. The data conversion processing program 60 includes a vCard file creation program 62 and an address book file creation program 70. The vCard file creation program 62 allows the user to extract data for conversion to the vCard file from the address book file, and from the address book file extraction acceptance command 64 for accepting the data, and from the extracted address book file data, the vCard file Address book data item extraction command 66 for extracting items corresponding to standard items and non-standard items in the format, and address book data item conversion command 68 for converting the value of the extracted items into the vCard file format It consists of and.

  The address book file creation program 70 also converts a vCard data item extraction command 72 for extracting standard items and non-standard items from the received vCard file data, and converts the values of the extracted items into address book data. And vCard data item conversion command 74.

  FIG. 3 schematically shows the address book file 39 stored in the RAM 38. In the figure, the address book data is registered for each number, name, etc., and the user searches the file 39 for the address book data to be converted into a vCard file by selecting, for example, “name: Taro Yamada”.

  FIG. 4 shows an address book data display screen 340 selected by the user. In FIG. 4, the operation of the Internet facsimile apparatus is performed from the personal computer 8, and the display screen 340 is shown as a display screen of the Web site of the personal computer 8, but may be displayed on the display unit 34. In the figure, data on the name “Taro Yamada” of address book data No. 502 is described. When this data is converted into the vCard file format and transmitted to another device, the conversion process is started by selecting the “Setting” button. Note that titles such as “personal, shared”, “reading pseudonym”, “sama”, “dono”, “middle” in items 80 to 85 in FIG. 4 are treated as non-standard items in the vCard file, and “number”, “ Other items such as “name” are treated as standard items. Whether the address book data item corresponds to a standard item or a non-standard item of the vCard file is stored in the reference table 49 or the like.

  FIG. 5 shows the description content of the vCard file 90. The vCard file is in text format and is described in a line-based format that begins with "BEGIN" and ends with "END" as shown in the figure. In the figure, address information of three persons is shown as D1 to D3, and a vCard file corresponding to the address book data of FIG. 4 is shown as D2. In FIG. 5, the standard items and their values in FIG. 4 are described first, and then the items and values of the non-standard items 80 to 85 are described as items beginning with “X-”. Using the vCard file standard, describe the non-standard items and their values under "X-", and convert the non-standard items to the vCard file format. When the address book data is input, non-standard items can be stored in the address book data by reconverting the vCard file in FIG. 5 into the address book file. That is, since the non-standard items are also converted into files, the address book items are not lost and become blank.

  In the embodiment, standard items such as name, company name, and telephone number, as well as non-standard items such as index number, title, and reading name are converted into vCard file data. The data of the vCard file can be downloaded to the personal computer 8 or attached to an e-mail and transmitted to another Internet facsimile machine or the like added in the LAN 8. By sending the entire address book data stored in the Internet facsimile machine 2 to other terminal devices in the LAN, a plurality of terminal devices can have the same address book data. Further, by transmitting a part of the address book data to another device, it is possible to add or modify the address book data of the other device.

  Further, at the time of maintenance of the address book data of the Internet facsimile machine 2, the address book data can be transmitted to the Internet facsimile machine 2 in the vCard file format from the personal computer 8 in the LAN 8. The Internet facsimile machine 2 converts the received vCard file data into address book data and stores it. For example, when the vCard file 90 of FIG. 5 is received, the standard items and the non-standard items starting with “X-” are read out, the acquired data is converted into address book data, and stored in the address book file 39. Since non-standard items such as titles and reading pseudonyms are converted and saved in the address book file, when sending e-mail, G3 facsimile, etc., a title is added after selecting a destination from the address book file. There is no need to use the address book data as it is.

  In the embodiment, the address book items to be provided to a plurality of Internet facsimile machines are the same. However, for non-standard items, the address book data items may differ depending on the model. Therefore, the vCard data item extraction unit 54 is provided with address book corresponding item detection means, and extracts only the value of the item having the corresponding item in the address book data item from the non-standard items included in the received vCard file. Is converted into address book data. For example, in the non-standard item of D2 in FIG. 5, if the reading name of the company name “Yamakikai 1102” does not exist in the received address book data of the Internet facsimile machine, this part is converted and incorporated. There is no.

  FIG. 6 shows a process of creating and outputting a vCard file from the address book data (export process), and FIG. 7 shows a process of creating address book data from the received vCard file data (import process). In FIG. 6, if the user selects the export process from the Internet facsimile machine or the personal computer and further selects the address book file data to be output (steps S1 and S2), the address book data items are respectively checked. . Whether each item is a standard item or a non-standard item in the vCard file is determined using a reference table or the like, and the item and its value are extracted and written in a predetermined storage area (steps S3 and S4). , S5). This process is repeated until the last data of the selected address book data (step S6).

  When the writing of all the non-standard items and the standard items is completed, the written items and values are converted into vCard file data (step S7). Here, non-standard items are described on a line beginning with “X-”. The created vCard file is attached to the e-mail and transmitted to a personal computer or the like (step S8). According to the embodiment, all the data in the address book file can be transmitted to, for example, the added Internet facsimile machine, and the entire address book file or a part of the data can be transferred to a personal computer folder or a server shared folder. Can also be sent to.

  In FIG. 7, when the Internet facsimile machine receives import data in the vCard file format (step S20), the description of the vCard file is checked from “BEGIN”, and the standard item and the non-standard item with “X-” added. Are extracted and the values are written in a predetermined storage area (steps S21 and S22 and steps S21 and S23). All data up to the “end” line is checked (step S24), and items and values other than the non-standard items and the standard items are discarded. When the writing process is completed, only the value of the item having the corresponding item in the address book is written for the non-standard item (step S25). Then, the value of each item is converted into address book data, an address book file is created (step S26), and saved as an address book file (step S27). By importing vCard file data sent from a personal computer, non-standard items can be stored in the address book data.

  In the embodiment, when the address book file to be saved is converted to a vCard file and output, non-standard items can be converted in addition to the standard items, so the same address book can be stored on other devices via the vCard file. Can be created. Since all data in the address book can be sent out using the vCard file, the same address book data can be easily provided when, for example, an Internet facsimile machine is added.

  In the Internet facsimile machine of the embodiment, data of non-standard items described in a vCard file received from another machine can be taken into the address book. Therefore, if the items in the address book are the same, all data written in the vCard file can be saved in the address book and used. If the items in the address book are different, if the non-standard item of the received data corresponds to the item in the address book, the value may be converted and incorporated.

In the embodiment, since the employee ID, honorific, reading kana, etc. are also registered in the address book, they can be used as destination information as they are. Further, since the address book data from a personal computer or the like can be imported into the Internet facsimile machine as it is, maintenance of the address book of the Internet facsimile machine can be performed from the personal computer. In addition, address book data can be shared between terminal devices in the LAN. In this way, all items of address book data and their values can be input / output using vCard file, and data can be exchanged via vCard file even if any item is provided in address book Become.

The figure which shows the connection of the internet facsimile apparatus of an Example, a personal computer, etc., and the structure of an internet facsimile apparatus The block diagram which shows the data conversion processing program of the Internet facsimile machine of execution example The figure which shows typically the address book file of the internet facsimile apparatus of an Example The figure which displays the address book data of the Internet facsimile machine of the execution example The figure which shows the data of the vCard file of execution example typically A flowchart showing an address book data input process of the Internet facsimile machine of the embodiment A flowchart showing an address book data output process of the Internet facsimile machine of the embodiment

Explanation of symbols

2,3 Internet facsimile machine 4 LAN
6 Mail server 8 Personal computer 10 Router 12 Internet network 20 Main control unit 22 LAN interface 24 G3 facsimile processing unit 26 Internet facsimile processing unit 28 Scanner function processing unit 30 Copy function processing unit 32 Printer function processing unit 34 Display unit 36 Operation unit 38 RAM
39 Address book file 40 ROM
42 Transmission / Reception Unit 44 Data Conversion Processing Unit 46 vCard File Creation Unit 48 Address Book Data Item Extraction Unit 49 Standard / Nonstandard Reference Table 50 Address Book Data Item Conversion Unit 52 Address Book File Creation Unit 54 vCard File Data Item Extraction Unit 56 vCard File Data item conversion unit 60 Data conversion processing program

Claims (4)

Stores address book data, performs input / output of the address book data in vCard format data, and has a scanner function, a printer function, a G3 facsimile function, and an Internet facsimile function, and the address book data is a destination at the time of data transmission In network multifunction peripherals used as information,
The address book data includes a title item that is a non-standard item of data in vCard format,
It is determined whether each item of the address book data corresponds to a standard item of data in vCard format, and corresponds to the item corresponding to the standard item and its value from the address book data and a non-standard item. Address book data item extraction means for extracting items and their values;
The extracted standard item and its value are converted into vCard format data, and the extracted non-standard item and its value are converted into vCard format data, and an address book data item conversion means is provided.
VCard data item extraction means for extracting the value of a standard item value and the value of a non-standard item from the received vCard format data and the value of an item with the corresponding item in the address book data;
A network multifunction device comprising vCard data item conversion means for converting the value of the extracted standard item and the value of the non-standard item into the value of the corresponding item of the address book data. The address book data item extraction means includes a table in which each item of the address book data corresponds to a standard item or non-standard item of vCard format data, and the extracted item is a standard item. Determine whether it is an item or non-standard item ,
The vCard data item extracting means includes an address book corresponding item detecting means for extracting a value of an item having a corresponding item in the address book data as a non-standard item value in the received vCard format data. The network multifunction device according to claim 1. It is equipped with a scanner function, printer function, G3 facsimile function and Internet facsimile function, and the stored address book data is converted into vCard format data between the network multifunction devices that use the address book data as destination information for data transmission. In the method of sharing address book data by inputting and outputting,
The address book data includes a title item that is a non-standard item of data in vCard format,
It is determined whether each item of the address book data corresponds to a standard item of data in vCard format, and corresponds to the item corresponding to the standard item and its value from the address book data and a non-standard item. extracts the item and its value, the extracted and standard item converts the value to the data of the vCard format, to convert the non-standard items and their values the extracted data in the vCard format, other Send it to the network
Extract the value of the item with the corresponding item in the address book data as the value of the standard item and the value of the non-standard item from the received vCard format data, and address the value of the extracted standard item and the value of the non-standard item A method for sharing address book data of a network multifunction device, wherein the address book data is converted into a value of a corresponding item and stored as address book data. 4. The method of sharing address book data in a network multifunction peripheral according to claim 3 , wherein all data of the address book data is converted into vCard format data and transmitted .

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