JPH1188591A - Facsimile equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress the processing scale from being increased by eliminating the need for a dedicated software and update-processing setting information by the remote control from a terminal such as a computer through a communication channel. SOLUTION: A PC 10 of a terminal 1 mounts a WWW browser and is provided with a MODEM 11 that makes data communication through a public telephone line L. The facsimile equipment 2 is provided with a MODEM 20, a tone signal detection section 21, a communication I/F section 22, a TCP/IP protocol control section 23, an HTTPD control section 24, a home page management section 25 and an equipment information management section 26. With respect to a request from the PC 10 of the terminal 1 conducting remote control, the facsimile equipment 2 conducts the HTTP control by PPP processing connection. Furthermore, a home page is managed by the HTTP control and setting information is expanded into an HTML form. The home page by this expansion is served in response to a request from the terminal by the remote control and the setting information for transfer, registration, modification and deletion is update-processed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a remote control from a terminal such as a computer through a public telephone line.
Transfer of setting information, which is information related to stored operations,
The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus that performs registration, change, and deletion processing (hereinafter, referred to as setting information update processing).

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, processing for changing setting information by such a remote operation, for example, a telephone line format (10 PPS /
20PPS / PB), designation of the number of readings, presence / absence of automatic printing of communication reports, setting of the receiving mode (telephone, TEL / FAX, FAX), etc. And the like, and updates the setting information corresponding to this information. Further, such a facsimile machine transfers setting information to a terminal such as a computer through a public telephone line, and updates the setting information.

Further, setting information stored in the memory of the facsimile machine is displayed on a screen of a terminal such as a computer connected through a public telephone line, and the setting information is updated by data input. I have. The process of updating the setting information is executed by software installed in a terminal such as a computer (for example, JP-A-3-001653).

[0004]

The above conventional example has the following three problems (1), (2) and (3). (1) It is necessary to install dedicated software (program) for updating setting information for a facsimile machine to be remotely operated in a terminal such as a computer for performing a remote operation. That is, a communication control program (software) for matching the communication protocol between a terminal such as a computer that performs remote operation and the facsimile machine is required. This is because software for executing a dedicated communication protocol is not installed in a general-purpose computer serving as a terminal.

(2) In a facsimile machine to be remotely operated, for example, it is necessary to add a processing function so as to support a new remote operation. Further, it is necessary to add a control program for changing the processing function or to modify the program.

(3) When a plurality of facsimile machines to be remotely operated are of a plurality of different data processing systems, that is, when their data structures are different, each of the plurality of facsimile machines is sent to a terminal such as a computer. A plurality of types of software (programs) corresponding to different data configurations of facsimile machines are required.

As described above, in the conventional example, software for remote control is required. In particular, when a plurality of facsimile machines use different data processing systems, a plurality of types of software corresponding to each are required. However, there is a disadvantage that the processing scale is increased.

The present invention solves such problems in the prior art, and makes it possible to update setting information by remote control from a terminal such as a computer through a communication line without using dedicated software. It is an object of the present invention to provide a facsimile apparatus capable of suppressing an increase in the processing scale.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a process for updating stored information relating to device operation is performed by remote operation from a terminal through a communication line. In a facsimile machine, a remote control processing means for performing at least an update process of transferring, registering, changing, and deleting stored setting information by remote operation through a communication line from a WWW browser of a terminal. is there.

In the facsimile apparatus of the present invention, the remote control processing means performs HTTP control by a connection by a PPP process in response to a request from a terminal performing a remote operation, and manages a home page by the HTTP control. Further, the setting information is expanded into an HTML format,
This developed homepage is provided in response to a request from a terminal performing remote control, at least transferred, registered,
The configuration is such that the setting information to be changed and deleted is updated.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the facsimile apparatus, as the remote control processing means, a tone signal detecting section for detecting a tone signal for activating a remote operation from a terminal;
A communication interface unit for establishing a connection with the terminal through PPP processing via a communication line, a protocol control unit for performing TCP / IP control, and a process for the HTTPD function using the data stream transfer function of the protocol control unit are executed. An HTTPD control unit that performs control for processing a request for updating setting information from a WWW browser; a homepage management unit that holds a homepage in advance and outputs a homepage file in response to a homepage request from the HTTPD control unit; In response to a request from the HTTPD control unit, the setting information is exchanged into an HTML format file and output to the HTTPD control unit.
The apparatus includes a device information management unit that analyzes information input from the TPD control unit and updates setting information.

A facsimile apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the invention is configured such that a general-purpose personal computer equipped with a WWW browser is used as the terminal.

A facsimile apparatus according to a fifth aspect is configured such that a public telephone line or a dedicated communication line is used as the communication line.

A facsimile apparatus according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is configured such that the terminal and the facsimile apparatus include a modem for performing data communication through a public telephone line.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the facsimile apparatus, the terminal transmits a homepage acquisition request.

In a facsimile apparatus according to the present invention, the terminal transmits a request for transferring setting information to the facsimile apparatus.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the facsimile apparatus, the terminal transmits a request for updating the setting information to the facsimile apparatus.

In the facsimile apparatus having such a configuration, the stored setting information is updated by remote operation of the terminal via a communication line.
In this case, at least transfer (registration, change, and deletion) update processing (setting information update processing) of information relating to the operation of the facsimile apparatus stored by remote control through a communication line from a WWW (World Wide Web) browser of the terminal is performed. Done. The setting information updating process includes, for example, selection of a telephone line format (10 PPS / 20 PPS / PB), selection of the number of readings (6/12/24 times), presence / absence of output of a communication report automatic print, and reception mode. (Phone, T
EL / FAX, FAX).

That is, in response to a request from a terminal that performs a remote operation, a connection by a PPP (Point-to-Point Protocol) process is used to connect a HTTP (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol).
l) Control and manage the homepage by HTTP control, and furthermore, set information to HTML (Hyper Text Ma
(rkup Languge) format, and provide this homepage in response to a request from a terminal that performs remote control to update the setting information to be transferred, registered, changed, or deleted.

Therefore, it is not necessary to use dedicated software for updating the setting information by remote control from a terminal such as a computer through a communication line. That is, it is possible to remotely update the setting information of the facsimile apparatus using a general-purpose personal computer equipped with a recent standard WWW browser.
As a result, it is no longer necessary to install dedicated software in a terminal such as a computer that performs remote control as in the conventional example. Further, it is not necessary to add software (control program) in the facsimile machine to be remotely controlled. Further, software for respectively coping with a plurality of different types of data configurations of different types of facsimile machines becomes unnecessary. In other words, it is possible to suppress an increase in the processing scale for the update processing of the setting information by remote operation.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a general-purpose personal computer equipped with a WWW browser is used as a terminal for performing a remote operation. Update processing of setting information by operation becomes possible.

The facsimile apparatus according to the fifth and sixth aspects is
They use public telephone lines or dedicated communication lines. Also,
A modem for performing data communication through the public telephone line is provided. Therefore, the present invention can be applied to a closed network (intra network) or the like, and the setting information can be updated by remote control for facsimile apparatuses in various systems.

In the facsimile apparatus according to the seventh to ninth aspects, the terminal transmits a homepage acquisition request as a remote operation, and transfers, registers, changes, and deletes the processing in response to the setting information transfer request and the update processing request. Is being updated. Therefore, it is possible to update various setting information for the facsimile apparatus from the terminal side without using dedicated software.

[0024]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, an embodiment of a facsimile apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this example, the terminal 1 that performs a remote operation and the transfer operation, registration, change, and deletion update processing (setting information update processing) of the setting information that is the stored device information are performed by the remote operation of the terminal 1 through communication. And a facsimile machine (facsimile machine) 2 to be performed.

The terminal 1 controls a remote operation and has a personal computer (PC) 10 equipped with a WWW browser.
And a modem 11 for processing data modulation or demodulation corresponding to the transmission form of the public telephone line L when performing data communication with the facsimile machine 2 through the public telephone line L.

The facsimile machine 2 performs data communication with the terminal 11 through the public telephone line L when the public telephone line L
, A modem 20 for processing data modulation or demodulation corresponding to the transmission mode, a tone signal detecting section 21 for detecting a tone signal for activating a remote operation from the terminal 1, and the terminal 1 and the PPP through the public telephone line L. (Point to Point Prot
ocol) Communication interface (I /
F) unit 22 and TCP (Transmission Control Protocol)
l) TCP / I that controls / IP (Internet Protocol)
And a P protocol control unit 23.

Further, the facsimile machine 2 uses TCP / IP
By using a data stream transfer function of the protocol control unit 23, an HTTPD (Hyper Text Transfer Protocol
amon) function, and executes WWW (Wor
ld Wide Web) HTTPD that processes requests from browsers
The control unit 24 and the homepage are stored in advance and the HTTPD
A homepage management unit 25 that outputs a homepage file to the HTTPD control unit 24 in response to a homepage request from the control unit 24.

In response to a request from the HTTPD control unit 24, the facsimile machine 2 transmits setting information, which is device information stored in the facsimile machine 2, to an HTML (Hypto
er Text Markup Languge)
The information output to the TTPD control unit 24 and the information input from the HTTPD control unit 24 are analyzed to update the setting information of the facsimile machine 2 (transfer, registration, change, deletion).
And a device information management unit 26 for performing The facsimile communication unit has a conventional configuration and is not shown. Such a facsimile communication unit is connected to the communication interface unit 22, and the communication interface unit 22 operates as a communication control device for facsimile transmission and reception.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. First, the overall operation will be described. The data for the personal computer 10 of the terminal 1 to update the setting information of the facsimile machine 2 by remote control is transmitted to the modem 11,
The data is sent to the facsimile machine 2 through the public telephone line L.
Further, communication data from the facsimile machine 2 via the public telephone line L is demodulated by the modem 11 of the terminal 1 and taken in by the personal computer 10.

In the facsimile machine 2, the modem 20 demodulates communication data from the terminal 1. Further, the communication data is input to the tone signal detecting unit 21, and the terminal 1 detects a predetermined tone signal when the terminal 1 performs the updating process of the setting information of the facsimile machine 2, and sends the detected signal to the modem 20. Here, the modem 20 processes data communication other than facsimile communication. The communication interface unit 22
The connection by the PPP process is executed through the personal computer 10 of the terminal 1, the public telephone line L, and the modem 11.

The TCP / IP is connected by this PPP processing connection.
The protocol control unit 23 executes TCP / IP control.
Based on the execution of the TCP / IP control, the HTTPD control unit 24 executes the HTTPD control using the data stream transfer function in the TCP / IP control by the TCP / IP protocol control unit 23. Where HTTPD
Is a server that transmits an HTML file to a WWW browser in response to a request from the WWW browser by HTTP that transfers a file described in HTML. HTML
Is stored in the homepage management unit 25, and a homepage file corresponding to the request of the terminal 1 from the HTTPD control unit 24 is output. This H
The device information management unit 2 is instructed by the TTPD control unit 24.
6 is a process of updating the stored setting information (transfer, registration,
Change, delete).

Hereinafter, the updating process of the setting information will be described in detail. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a procedure of the HTTPD control. In FIG. 1, first, the WWW browser of the personal computer 10 of the terminal 1 is started by an operation from an input device (not shown) in order to perform a remote operation, and a call is made to the line number through the modem 11, and the model 1111 of the terminal 1 The line connection with the modem 20 of the facsimile machine 2 is performed. The terminal 1 inputs a PB tone (DTMF) indicating the start of a remote operation of a predetermined setting information update process, and sends it to the facsimile machine 2 through the modem 11 and the public telephone line L.

After the line is connected, the tone signal detector 21 detects an initial identification signal (CNC) for training in facsimile communication and the like. In facsimile communication thereafter, a facsimile communication unit (not shown) connected to the communication interface unit 22 performs facsimile reception through facsimile transmission control such as the G3 system. Also, in the case of facsimile transmission, the transmission is performed by facsimile communication control of the communication interface unit 22. Here, a predetermined PB tone (DTMF) is simultaneously detected in order to recognize the start of the remote operation of the setting information update process. The tone signal detector 21 of the facsimile machine 2 receives a predetermined PB tone (DTM
When F) is detected, a signal indicating the remote operation is sent to the communication interface unit 22, and communication is started by the PPP processing connection. Further, the personal computer 10 of the terminal 1 sends a request for acquiring a home page to the modem 11,
The data is sent to the facsimile machine 2 through the public telephone line L.

The communication interface unit 22 having received the homepage acquisition request from the terminal 1 notifies the TCP / IP protocol control unit 23 of the acquisition request. TCP
The / IP protocol control unit 23 notifies the HTTPD control unit 24 of a homepage acquisition request by TCP / IP. Here, the HTTPD control unit 24 sends an HTML (Hyper Text Markup Langu
Take out the home page described in ge). Then, the page is transferred to the TCP / IP protocol control unit 23,
The data is transmitted from the public telephone line L to the terminal 1 under the control of the communication interface unit 22 and the modem 20.

The following three requests (1), (2), and (3) are sent from the personal computer 10 of the terminal 1 to the facsimile machine 2 when updating the setting information. (1) Acquisition of homepage (2) Request for transfer of setting information of facsimile machine 2 (3) Request for update processing of setting information of facsimile machine 2

The HTTPD control unit 24 of the facsimile machine 2 executes the processing shown in FIG. 2 for each of these requests. In FIG. 2, first, the HTTPD control unit 24 receives any of the requests (1), (2), and (3) (step S1). It is determined whether this request is (1) acquisition of a homepage (step S2), and in the case of this homepage acquisition (S2: Yes), the homepage management unit 25 acquires the source code of the homepage (step S2).
3). The source code of the acquired homepage is transferred to the terminal 1 through the TCP / IP protocol control unit 23, the communication interface unit 22, the modem 20, and the public telephone line L, and the process returns to step S1 (step S1).
4).

If the homepage is not acquired in step S2 (No), the HTTPD controller 24 determines whether or not the request is for the (2) transfer request of the setting information of the facsimile machine 2 (step S5). Here, in the case of a transfer request for the setting information of the facsimile machine 2 (S5: Yes), the HTTPD control unit 24 extracts the setting information of the facsimile machine 2 converted into HTML from the device information management unit 26 (step S5).
6). Control is performed to transfer the setting information to the terminal 1 through the TCP / IP protocol control unit 23, the communication interface unit 22, the modem 20, and the public telephone line L, and the process returns to step S1 (step S7).

If it is not a request to transfer the setting information of the facsimile machine 2 in step S5 (No), it is determined whether or not the request is for the above-mentioned (3) request for updating the setting information of the facsimile machine 2 (step S8). Here, in the case of a request to update the setting information of the facsimile machine 2, control is performed to update the setting information of the device information management unit 26, and the process returns to step S1 (step S9). In the personal computer 10 of the terminal 1, the data and the setting information of the home page from the facsimile machine 2 are displayed on the WWW browser.

Next, the main part of the setting information updating process will be described in more detail. FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram showing a transmission process between the terminal 1 and the facsimile machine 2. In this sequence, the personal computer 10 of the terminal 1 that performs the setting information updating process calls the public telephone line L via the modem 11 and connects to the facsimile machine 2 (1).
I do. Further, the terminal 1 operates the key for the PB tone for performing the updating process of the setting information by remote control to the facsimile machine 2, and for example, the PB tone of “7” + “*” is transmitted to the modem 11 and the public telephone. A call is sent to the facsimile machine 2 via the line L (2).

In the facsimile machine 2, the tone signal detector 2
1 is DTMF of PB tone “7” + “*” from terminal 1
The signal is detected and sent to the communication interface unit 22.
As a result, the terminal 1 and the facsimile machine 2 communicate with each other via the modem 11 and the communication interface unit 22 through the PPP processing connection in the TCP / IP protocol control unit 23 (3).
To start. Next, the personal computer 1 of the terminal 1
0 indicates that the homepage acquisition request (4) is transmitted to the modem 11
And to the facsimile machine 2 through the public telephone line L.

In the facsimile machine 2, a home page acquisition request from the personal computer 10 of the terminal 1 is transmitted via the modem 20 and the communication interface unit 22 through the TCP.
/ IP protocol control unit 23 takes in. In addition, HTT
The PD control unit 24 fetches the home page from the home page management unit 25, and the TCP / IP protocol control unit 23
Transfer (5) to the terminal 1 through the communication interface unit 22, the modem 20, and the public telephone line L. The personal computer 10 of the terminal 1 displays the home page transferred to the WWW browser (6).

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining an example of a home page. As shown in FIG. 4, the home page transferred to the WWW browser of the personal computer 10 includes, as a setting information menu, setting information initialization, telephone directory, communication management information, device setting, soft switch, and termination. For this setting information menu, for example, a request for acquiring device information is made by a cursor instruction by a mouse operation (7).

If "apparatus setting" is designated here, the facsimile machine 2 receives a request for acquiring apparatus information, the HTTPD control section 24 fetches the designated data from the apparatus information management section 26, and further outputs the data in HTML format. Expand to TC
The data is transferred (8) to the terminal 1 through the P / IP protocol control unit 23, the communication interface unit 22, the modem 20, and the public telephone line L. Personal computer 10 of terminal 1
In the WWW browser, the transferred home page is displayed (9).

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a homepage based on the device settings. On the homepage shown in FIG. 5 transferred based on the device settings, arbitrary settings are changed. As shown in FIG. 5, this optional setting change can be performed by selecting a telephone line format (10 PPS / 20 PPS / PB),
Selection of the number of times of reading (6/12/24 times), presence / absence of automatic printing of a communication report, and setting of an incoming call mode (telephone, TEL / FAX, FAX) and the like are updated.
Further, the registration and termination of these are designated on this page. For example, when "registration" is designated on the personal computer 10 of the terminal 1, a request (10) for updating the setting information is sent to the facsimile machine 2.
In the facsimile machine 2, in response to a request for updating the setting information from the personal computer 10 of the terminal 1, the device information management unit 26 performs an updating process on the stored setting information.

As described above, in this embodiment, the facsimile machine 2 can perform HTTPD control by PPP processing connection, and if the terminal 1 (personal computer 10) has a WWW browser, the facsimile machine 2 Update processing of setting information by remote control (transfer, registration,
Change, delete). In this case, the public telephone line L
Dedicated software for updating the setting information by remote operation from the personal computer 10 of the terminal 1 through the PC becomes unnecessary, and an increase in the processing scale can be suppressed.

In this embodiment, the setting information is updated by remote control under TCP / IP control via the public telephone line L. However, this processing can be applied to a communication network (intra network) using a dedicated communication line. is there.

[0047]

As is apparent from the above description, the facsimile apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 performs HTTP control by PPP processing connection by remote operation from a WWW browser of a terminal through a communication line, and performs HTTP control. Manage homepage by control. Further, the setting information is set to H
The home page is developed in the TML format, and the developed home page is provided in response to a request from a terminal that performs remote control, and the setting information is updated.

Therefore, a remote control from a terminal such as a computer via a communication line eliminates the need for dedicated software for updating the setting information, and enables a general-purpose personal computer equipped with a WWW browser for a facsimile apparatus. In this case, the setting information can be updated by a remote operation using a remote control, and an increase in the processing scale of the setting information update processing by a remote operation can be suppressed.

In the facsimile apparatus according to the fourth aspect, a general-purpose personal computer equipped with a WWW browser is used as a terminal for remote control, and software is not required. The setting information can be updated by remote control.

The facsimile apparatus according to claims 5 and 6 is
We use public telephone lines or dedicated communication lines.
It has a modem for performing data communication through a public telephone line. As a result, the present invention can be applied to a closed network (intra network) and the like, and it becomes possible to remotely update setting information of facsimile apparatuses in various systems.

In the facsimile apparatus according to the seventh to ninth aspects, the terminal sends a homepage acquisition request as a remote control, and processes at least the transfer request of the setting information and the update processing request, at least transfer, registration, change, and update of deletion. Since the processing is performed, various setting information can be updated particularly from the terminal side without using dedicated software.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure of HTTPD control in the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram showing a transmission process between a terminal and a facsimile machine in the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a homepage in the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a homepage based on device settings in the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Terminal 2 Facsimile machine 10 Personal computer L Public telephone line 11, 20 Modem 21 Tone signal detection unit 22 Communication interface unit 23 TCP / IP protocol control unit 24 HTTPD control unit 25 Homepage management unit 26 Device information management unit

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A facsimile apparatus in which a process of updating information relating to a stored apparatus operation is performed by a remote operation from a terminal through a communication line, wherein the information is stored by a remote operation through a communication line from a WWW browser of the terminal. Transfer at least the setting information
A facsimile machine comprising remote control processing means for performing an update process for registering, changing, and deleting. 2. The remote control processing means performs HTTP control in response to a request from the terminal performing a remote operation by connection by a PPP process, manages a home page by the HTTP control, and further sets setting information. Is developed in HTML format, and the developed homepage is provided in response to a request from the terminal that performs remote control, and at least the setting information to be transferred, registered, changed, and deleted is updated. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein 3. A tone signal detecting section for detecting a tone signal for activating a remote operation from a terminal as the remote control processing means, and a communication interface section for performing connection by PPP processing to the terminal via a communication line. A protocol control unit for performing TCP / IP control, a process for the HTTPD function using the data stream transfer function of the protocol control unit, and processing of a request for updating setting information from a WWW browser of the terminal. An HTTPD control unit that performs control; a homepage management unit that holds a homepage in advance and outputs a homepage file in response to a homepage request from the HTTPD control unit; and a setting information in response to a request from the HTTPD control unit. Exchange to HTML format file and send to HTTPD control unit 2. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a device information management unit for inputting information from the HTTPD control unit and updating setting information by analyzing the information. 4. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a general-purpose personal computer equipped with a WWW browser is used as said terminal. 5. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a public telephone line or a dedicated communication line is used as said communication line. 6. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the terminal and the facsimile apparatus include a modem for performing data communication through a public telephone line. 7. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said terminal sends a home page acquisition request. 8. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the terminal transmits a request for transferring setting information to the facsimile apparatus. 9. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the terminal sends a request for a setting information update process to the facsimile apparatus.