JP5583709B2 - FAX server - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a FAX server, and more particularly to a server that determines whether transmission is possible based on a TSI code.

In communication via the FAX communication network, transmission / reception of a TSI code for identifying a FAX apparatus is performed prior to transmission / reception of a FAX document. For example, the destination FAX apparatus transmits its own TSI code, which is received by the transmission FAX apparatus.
Some FAX apparatuses have an erroneous transmission prevention function using the TSI code. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a FAX management server that obtains a device number (TSI code) from a destination FAX device and collates it with a registered TSI code to determine whether transmission is possible.

JP 2008-54094 A

However, the conventional configuration has a low degree of freedom in determining whether transmission is possible, and there is room for improvement in convenience.
For example, in the configuration of Patent Document 1, only the verification of whether or not the registered TSI code and the acquired TSI code completely match is performed. Therefore, for example, when the TSI code is partially changed due to replacement of the FAX machine at the destination organization, the TSI code does not match even if the correct destination (correct FAX number) is specified, and it is determined that transmission is erroneous. End up.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve such problems, and provides a FAX server that improves the convenience while increasing the degree of freedom in determining whether transmission is possible and keeping the risk of erroneous transmission low. With the goal.

In order to solve the above-described problems, a FAX server according to the present invention includes a storage unit that stores an identification code master and a related word dictionary, a FAX transmission unit that transmits FAX document data via a FAX communication network, and a FAX document. TSI verification means for performing verification related to the TSI code in response to a transmission request, and the identification code master determines whether each of the plurality of identification codes is verified by complete match or partial match The related word dictionary associates at least one replacement target character string and a related character string related to each of the replacement target character strings, and the TSI matching unit transmits the destination FAX via the FAX communication network. from the device, a function of receiving the TSI code before sending the FAX document, based on the designation from the sender identification contained in the identification code master And specific to that function one as the matching target code of the code based on matching criteria and thesaurus, and TSI code, a function for matching with the comparison target code, the matching result, if a match is Includes a function for instructing transmission means to transmit FAX document data and a function for not instructing transmission means to transmit FAX document data when there is no match as a result of collation.

When any of the replacement target character strings is included in the verification target code, the TSI verification unit compares the replacement target character string with the corresponding related character string in the verification target code and the verification of the TSI code. If the TSI code includes any of the replacement target character strings, the TSI code replaces the replacement target character string with the corresponding related character string, and the verification target code It may have a function of collating with.
The identification code master associates each of the identification codes with at least one of a FAX number and a code number, and the designation from the sender may include a FAX number or a code number.
The TSI collation means has a function of obtaining a collation necessity instruction indicating whether or not collation is performed in response to a FAX document transmission request, and whether the identification code master performs collation for each of the identification codes. The TSI collating means performs collation when at least one of the collation necessity instruction or the collation necessity attribute indicates that collation is performed, and the collation necessity instruction and the collation necessity If both attributes indicate that collation is not performed, transmission of FAX document data may be instructed without performing collation.

  According to the FAX server of the present invention, in the TSI code collation process, collation by partial matching or collation using a related word dictionary is possible, so that the degree of freedom in determining whether transmission is possible increases and the risk of erroneous transmission is increased. Convenience can be improved while maintaining low.

It is a figure which shows the structure containing the FAX server which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of a structure of the header file of FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of a structure of the identification code master of FIG. It is a figure which shows the example of a structure of the related word dictionary of FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining a processing flow of the FAX server in FIG. 1.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Embodiment 1 FIG.
FIG. 1 shows a configuration including a FAX server 10 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The FAX server 10 is installed in a FAX order receiving center, for example. The FAX server 10 has a function of transmitting / receiving FAX document data representing a FAX document in response to an instruction from the outside.

The FAX server 10 has a configuration as a known computer, and includes a calculation unit 20 that performs calculation and a storage unit 30 that stores information. The computing means 20 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and the storage means 30 includes a storage medium such as a semiconductor memory and an HDD (Hard Disk Drive).
Further, the FAX server 10 includes input means, output means, and a network interface. The input means is means used by the user to input information, and is, for example, a mouse or a keyboard. The output means is means for outputting information to the user, and is a display device such as a liquid crystal display, but may be a printing device such as a printer. The network interface is a means for inputting / outputting information to / from a communication network or another computer.

  The computing unit 20 of the FAX server 10 can execute each function described in this specification by executing a program (not shown) stored in the storage unit 30. For example, the computing unit 20 functions as the TSI collating unit 21 or the FAX transmitting unit 22 depending on the program to be executed.

  The TSI collation unit 21 has a function of acquiring a TSI code in response to a fax document data transmission request, performing a collation related to the TSI code, and a function of instructing the FAX transmission unit 22 to transmit the FAX document data. The TSI code has a configuration well known to those skilled in the art, and is, for example, a code composed of 20-digit alphanumeric characters or symbols. The TSI code is information for identifying a transmission / reception terminal, and is synonymous with TSI (Transmitting Subscriber Identification) and CSI (Called Subscriber Identification) of a communication procedure.

The FAX transmission unit 22 has a function of transmitting FAX document data via the FAX communication network 72 in response to an instruction from the TSI verification unit 21.
The storage unit 30 of the FAX server 10 stores a header file 31, a data file 32, an identification code master 33, and a related word dictionary 34.

  The FAX server 10 is configured to be able to communicate with another computer (for example, the transmission source computer 60) via the communication network 71. The communication network 71 is a LAN, for example, but may be a public communication network such as the Internet. The transmission source computer 60 is a computer having a well-known configuration that is operated or managed by a transmission end user (sender). For example, the transmission source computer 60 is a basic server, but may be a personal use PC.

  The storage means of the transmission source computer 60 stores the header file 31 and the data file 32. These files are prepared appropriately by the sender. Further, the header file 31 and the data file 32 are transmitted to the FAX server 10 in response to an instruction from the sender or automatically.

  Further, the FAX server 10 is configured to be able to transmit / receive FAX document data to / from one or more FAX apparatuses (for example, the destination FAX apparatus 50) via the FAX communication network 72. FAX communication between the FAX server 10 and the destination FAX apparatus 50 is performed according to, for example, the G3 facsimile standard, but this may be based on another FAX standard. The destination FAX apparatus 50 can be configured by a FAX apparatus having a known configuration.

  The data file 32 is a file that is created for each FAX document data to be transmitted and includes data representing the page contents of the FAX document. For example, when the FAX document has a total of two pages and the entire page is composed of a single image (image file), the data file 32 includes only two image files. When the FAX document is a combination of text and image, the data file 32 includes a text file and an image file.

  FIG. 2 shows an example of the configuration of the header file 31. The header file 31 is created for each FAX document data to be transmitted, and data items related to transmission are associated with the FAX document data. The header file 31 includes a plurality of sets of, for example, an integer representing an item number and text data representing the contents of the item. As will be described below, the sender can specify each item other than item number 11 (identification code).

  In the example of FIG. 2, the item number 01 represents a verification necessity instruction, for example, information indicating “necessary” or “no”. This corresponds to the necessity of an erroneous transmission check. “Necessary” means that the TSI code acquired from the destination FAX apparatus 50 and the identification code specified by the sender should be collated, and “No” means that it is not necessary to collate. . As will be described later, whether or not to actually perform collation is determined not only based on whether or not the erroneous transmission check is necessary, but also based on the collation necessity attribute in FIG.

  Item number 02 represents a destination FAX number, for example, a numerical value of a plurality of digits. Item number 03 represents a management code. In the present embodiment, this management code does not directly affect the operation of the FAX server 10 and can be arbitrarily designated by the sender according to the management purpose or the like.

Item numbers 04, 05, 06 and 10 define the association between the page contents to be transmitted and the data file 32.
Since 07 to 09 are not used in the description of the first embodiment, illustration is omitted.
Item number 04 represents the base image number and defines the format of the page. For example, if the base image number is “001”, the FAX document represented by the FAX document data is composed of the entire page as a single image, and one of the image files included in the data file 32 corresponds to one page. In this case, the direct transmission image file name of item number 05 is designated, and the file name of the image file included in the data file 32 is designated.

  For example, if the base image number is “002”, the FAX document represented by the FAX document data includes a text display area provided in a predetermined range of the page and an image display area provided in another predetermined range. . In this case, a set of a text file and an image file included in the data file 32 corresponds to one page. In this way, when the entire page of the FAX document is not composed of a single image, the transmission text file name of item number 06 and the template image file name of item number 10 are designated and stored in the data file 32 respectively. Specify the file name of the included text file and image file.

Item number 11 represents an identification code, but this item is not designated by the sender, but is automatically designated by the TSI matching means 21 according to the situation. This identification code is a code used for the TSI code verification process, and corresponds to the identification code of FIG.
Item number 12 represents the code number (group number) of the identification code. This code number is a code number (group number) used for specifying an identification code used for the TSI code matching process, and corresponds to the code number of FIG.

  FIG. 3 shows an example of the configuration of the identification code master 33. In the example of FIG. 3, an identification code related to the destination FAX apparatus 50 installed in the material section of ABCD is defined. The identification code master 33 includes at least one identification code to be checked against the TSI code. Further, the identification code master 33 associates information used in collation with the TSI code with each identification code. The identification code itself does not need to be unique in the identification code master 33, and a plurality of rows including the same identification code may be defined (for example, the same identification code is associated with a plurality of FAX numbers). Also good).

  The identification code specifying information is information (for example, an alphanumeric string) used when the sender specifies the identification code. The identification code specifying information includes a code number and a FAX number, and at least one of the code number and the FAX number is designated. That is, the sender can specify one of the plurality of identification codes included in the identification code master 33 as a verification target code by designating any one of the identification code specifying information.

  The FAX number is a FAX number associated with the destination FAX apparatus 50, that is, a FAX number of a destination to which the FAX transmission unit 22 should transmit FAX document data. Therefore, for example, when the sender inputs a FAX number as identification code specifying information, the identification code corresponding to the FAX number is specified as a verification target code, and this is verified with the TSI code of the destination FAX apparatus 50.

  The code number is a number defined to specify the identification code by information other than the FAX number. For example, when the same TSI code is defined for a group of a plurality of destination FAX apparatuses 50 having different FAX numbers, if one code number is designated as a group number corresponding to these groups, The work of the sender becomes efficient, and the identification code master 33 can be simplified to reduce the maintenance man-hours. Note that a single destination FAX apparatus 50 can also be specified by a code number instead of a FAX number.

  The collation criterion represents a criterion for collating the identification code specified by the sender with the TSI code of the destination FAX apparatus 50. In the example of FIG. 3, whether collation by complete match or collation by partial match is performed is shown.

  The verification necessity attribute indicates whether or not verification is performed using the identification code, and is information indicating, for example, “necessary” or “not required”. “Necessary” means that the TSI code and the identification code should be collated, and “No” means that it is not necessary to collate. Whether or not to actually perform collation is determined not only based on whether or not the erroneous transmission check is necessary, but also based on the collation necessity instruction in FIG.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of the configuration of the related word dictionary 34. The related word dictionary 34 includes at least one replacement target character string as a headword. The related word dictionary 34 associates at least one related word (related character string) with each replacement target character string. In the example of FIG. 4, two related words are associated with the replacement target character string “SIZAI”, and one related word is associated with the replacement target character string “KENKYU”.

The operation of the FAX server 10 configured as described above will be described below.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of processing of the FAX server 10. The processing in FIG. 5 is started in response to the FAX server 10 receiving a FAX document data transmission request from a sender.

  First, the TSI verification unit 21 receives a FAX document data transmission request (step S1). This transmission request can be realized by a known method. For example, when the header file 31 included in the FAX document data is created or copied in the storage unit 30 of the FAX server 10, the TSI verification unit 21 may accept the header file 31 itself as data representing a transmission request. Alternatively, a specific signal or message indicating a transmission request may be transmitted from the transmission source computer 60 to the FAX server 10.

Next, the TSI collating unit 21 uses, as a collation target code, an identification code to be collated with respect to the transmission request being processed (that is, an identification code to be collated with the TSI code received from the destination FAX apparatus 50). Specify (step S2). Here, the TSI verification means 21 refers to the header file 31 and, if the item number 12 (code number) is specified, acquires the specified code number as identification code specifying information. If the item number 12 (code number) is not designated, the destination FAX number of the item number 02 is acquired as identification code specifying information. And the identification code master 33 is searched using the acquired identification code specific information, and a corresponding identification code is acquired as a collation object code.
At this time, for example, when “1” is specified in the item number 12 (code number), the identification code master 33 is referred to, and the identification code “ABCD SIZAI” is acquired as the identification code to be collated. For example, when “2” is specified in the item number 12 (code number), the identification code master 33 is referred to, and the identification codes “EFG EIGYO1” and “EFG EIGYO2” are the identification codes to be collated. To be acquired.

  Next, the TSI verification unit 21 calls the destination FAX apparatus 50 via the FAX communication network 72 (Step S3). That is, a call is made to the destination FAX apparatus 50. Here, the TSI collating means 21 can obtain the destination FAX number of the destination FAX apparatus 50 with reference to, for example, the item number 02 of the header file 31. By this step S3, FAX communication is started between the FAX server 10 and the destination FAX apparatus 50.

  In response to the call in step S <b> 3, the destination FAX apparatus 50 transmits its own TSI code to the FAX server 10. The TSI verification unit 21 receives this TSI code via the FAX communication network 72 (step S4). At this point, since the content of the FAX document data has not been transmitted yet, the transmission of the FAX document data itself can be canceled.

  Next, the TSI verification unit 21 determines whether or not a TSI code verification process is necessary for the FAX communication being processed (step S5). This determination may be performed in any manner as long as it is performed according to the instruction from the sender or the designation by the identification code master 33. For example, the determination can be performed as follows.

In step S <b> 5, the TSI verification unit 21 refers to the item number 01 of the header file 31 and acquires a verification necessity instruction from the sender. That is, in the present embodiment, the verification necessity instruction is acquired in response to the FAX document transmission request (step S1 above). Further, the TSI verification unit 21 searches the identification code master 33 based on the identification code specifying information acquired in step S2, and acquires the verification necessity attribute associated with the identification code specifying information. If at least one of the verification necessity instruction or the verification necessity attribute indicates that the verification is performed, it is determined that the verification is necessary, and both the verification necessity instruction and the verification necessity attribute do not perform the verification. Is determined to be unnecessary.
Alternatively, the TSI verification unit 21 refers to the item number 01 of the header file 31 and determines that the verification is unnecessary without referring to the identification code master 33 when the verification necessity instruction is “No”. The TSI verification unit 21 refers to the item number 01 of the header file 31 and, when the verification necessity instruction is “necessary”, refers to the identification code master 33 and based on the verification necessity attribute, You may comprise so that the necessity of collation may be determined.

  If it is determined in step S5 that collation is necessary, the TSI collation means 21 searches the identification code master 33 based on the identification code specifying information obtained in step S2, and obtains a corresponding collation standard (step S6). .

  Next, the TSI collation means 21 collates the collation target code obtained in step S2 and the TSI code received in step S4 based on the collation reference obtained in step S6 and the related word dictionary 34 (step S7). ). The specific process of step S7 is as follows, for example.

First, the TSI collation means 21 develops a specific word in the collation target code using the related word dictionary 34 and generates an additional collation target code. For example, when the sender designates “1” as the code number in the item number 12 of the header file 31, the collation target code is “ABCD SIZAI” (corresponding to the top line in FIG. 3). Since “SIZAI”, which is a replacement target character string in the related word dictionary 34, is included, it is replaced with the corresponding “SHIZAI” and “KOUBAI”. As a result, a total of three verification target codes, that is, the original verification target code “ABCD SIZAI” and the additional verification target codes “ABCD SHIZAI” and “ABCD KOUBAI” are used.
In step S2, if item number 12 (code number) is designated as “2” and identification codes “EFG EIGYO1” and “EFG EIGYO2” are acquired as identification codes to be collated, the respective identification codes , An additional verification target code is generated using the related word dictionary 34.

  Then, each of the verification target codes is compared with the TSI code. That is, if any of the replacement target character strings is included in the verification target code identified in step S2, the replacement target character string is replaced with the corresponding related character string in the verification target code, and the TSI. Check against the code.

  Therefore, for example, it is possible to efficiently perform a work corresponding to a case where the TSI code of the destination FAX apparatus 50 is changed. Even if the organization name corresponding to a certain destination FAX machine 50 is changed from “Materials Section” to “Purchasing Section” and the character string “SIZAI” in the TSI code is changed to “KOUBAI” It is not necessary to correct all lines including “SIZAI” in the code master 33, and only one line needs to be added to the related word dictionary 34.

  Whether or not they match as a result of the collation is determined based on the collation criteria acquired in step S6. When the collation reference is “complete match”, it is determined that the identification code and the TSI code are the same, but it is determined that they are the same. Otherwise, it is determined that they are not the same. On the other hand, if the collation criterion is “partial match”, it is determined that the entire identification code is identical if it is the same as part or all of the TSI code. It is determined not to do it.

  As is clear from the above, if the received TSI code is empty, only when the verification reference is “complete match” or “partial match”, and the verification target code is also empty. It is determined that they match. That is, if the received TSI code is empty and any character string is designated as the verification target code, it is determined that they do not match.

  Therefore, it is possible to perform a flexible check against a change in the TSI code of the destination FAX apparatus 50. For example, if it is known in advance that the TSI code corresponding to a certain FAX number will change only the last digit when the FAX machine is renewed, etc., it is based on the part excluding the last digit. If it is set to perform partial matching, it is not necessary to modify the identification code master 33 according to the destination work.

If there is a match as a result of the collation in step S7 (that is, if any of the codes to be collated matches the TSI code), the FAX server 10 transmits the FAX document data (step S8). That is, image data is sent to the destination FAX apparatus 50. In step S8, the TSI collating unit 21 instructs the FAX transmitting unit 22 to transmit FAX document data, and the FAX transmitting unit 22 transmits data in response to this instruction.
Step S8 is also executed when it is determined in step S5 that collation is unnecessary.
On the other hand, if there is no coincidence in step S7 (that is, if none of the collation target codes coincides with the TSI code), the TSI collation unit 21 does not instruct the FAX transmission unit 22 to transmit the FAX document data. Then, transmission of FAX document data is stopped (step S9).

When the FAX transmission unit 22 receives the transmission instruction from the TSI collation unit 21, it processes the FAX document data according to a known method and transmits it to the destination FAX apparatus 50 via the FAX communication network 72. For example, the base image is determined in accordance with the specified contents of the header file 31, the necessary file is read from the identification code master 33, an image of the entire page of the FAX document is generated, and this is transmitted.
The FAX communication between the FAX server 10 and the destination FAX apparatus 50 ends at Step S8 or Step S9.

  After executing Step S8 or Step S9, the TSI verification unit 21 updates the transmission history (Step S10). For example, a transmission history related to the FAX communication is added to a transmission history DB (not shown) stored in the storage unit 30 of the FAX server 10. This transmission history may include information indicating whether or not the collation in step S7 has been executed, and may include information indicating whether or not there is a match in the collation.

  As described above, according to the FAX server 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the identification code stored in the identification code master 33 and the TSI code received from the destination FAX apparatus 50 are collated to determine whether transmission is possible. Thus, erroneous transmission of FAX document data can be prevented. For example, if there is a mistake in designation of the FAX number in the identification code master 33, the received TSI code is different (or the TSI code cannot be received), and the designation mistake can be found.

  In addition, in TSI code verification processing, partial matching and related word dictionary verification are possible, so the range of checks can be expanded, and convenience is improved while keeping the risk of erroneous transmission low. Can be made.

  Further, not only the FAX number but also the code number (group number) can be defined as the identification code specifying information, so that the maintenance man-hours of the identification code master 33 can be reduced.

In the first embodiment described above, the related word dictionary 34 is used in the collation in step S7. However, as a modification, the related word dictionary 34 may not be used. In this case, the verification target code is only the code specified in step S2.
In the first embodiment, the related words are expanded only for the collation target code specified in step S2, but the related words may be similarly expanded for the TSI code of the destination FAX apparatus 50. That is, when any of the replacement target character strings is included in the TSI code, the TSI verification unit 21 replaces the replacement target character string with the corresponding related character string in the TSI code, the verification target code, May be verified.

  The method for specifying the collation criteria may be different from that in the first embodiment. For example, instead of being specified in an independent field as in the example of FIG. 3, it may be specified in accordance with a predetermined description rule (for example, a partial match is indicated by a * symbol) in a part of the identification code. Further, it may be defined using a known regular expression and can realize a more flexible collation standard.

  The hardware configuration related to the FAX server 10 may be different from that shown in FIG. For example, the transmission source computer 60 and the FAX server 10 may be configured by the same computer.

  10 FAX server, 20 operation means (21 TSI collation means, 22 FAX transmission means), 30 storage means, 31 header file, 32 data file, 33 identification code master, 34 related word dictionary, 50 destination FAX apparatus, 60 transmission source computer 71 communication network, 72 FAX communication network.

Claims (4)

Storage means for storing an identification code master and a related word dictionary;
FAX transmission means for transmitting FAX document data via a FAX communication network;
TSI verification means for performing verification related to the TSI code in response to a FAX document transmission request,
The identification code master associates each of the plurality of identification codes with a collation criterion indicating whether collation by complete match or partial match is performed,
The related word dictionary associates at least one replacement target character string with a related character string related to each of the replacement target character strings,
The TSI verification means includes
A function of receiving a TSI code before transmission of the FAX document from a destination FAX apparatus via the FAX communication network;
Based on the designation from the sender, the a specific to that function one as the matching target code of the identification code included in the identification code master,
Based on the collation criteria and the related word dictionary, the function of collating the TSI code and the collation target code;
A function to instruct the transmission means to transmit the FAX document data when there is a match as a result of the collation;
A FAX server comprising a function of not instructing the transmission means to transmit the FAX document data when there is no match as a result of the collation. The TSI collating means, when any one of the replacement target character strings is included in the collation target code, replacing the replacement target character string with a corresponding related character string in the collation target code, and the TSI Have the ability to match against the code, or
When the TSI code includes any one of the replacement target character strings, a function of performing a verification between the replacement target character string in the TSI code and a corresponding related character string and the verification target code The FAX server according to claim 1, comprising: The identification code master associates at least one of a FAX number and a code number with each of the identification codes,
Wherein the above specified from the sender, including the FAX number or the code number, FAX server according to claim 1 or 2. The TSI collating unit has a function of acquiring a collation necessity instruction indicating whether or not to perform the collation in response to the FAX document transmission request,
The identification code master associates each of the identification codes with a verification necessity attribute indicating whether verification is performed,
The TSI verification means includes
If at least one of the verification necessity instruction or the verification necessity attribute indicates that verification is performed, the verification is performed.
The transmission of the FAX document data is instructed without performing the collation when both the collation necessity instruction and the collation necessity attribute indicate that the collation is not performed. The FAX server described in 1.

Images