Facsimile communication network

Abstract: In a facsimile system having a server device (10) connected to a local-area network system (1), to which a plurality of client terminals (2,3) are connected and connected also to an ISDN (4) and a public switched telephone network (7), the server device performs communication with the PSTN (7) and the plurality of client terminals, performs communication with the ISDN and the plurality of client terminals, and changes over communication between the ISDN and the PSTN in accordance with a command from each of the plurality of client terminals.

Description: This invention relates to a server-type facsimile system. More particularly, the invention relates to a client-server facsimile system composed of a plurality of client terminals connected to a local-area network (hereinafter referred to as a "LAN") system, and a server device connected to the LAN system and also, through a WAN (e.g. an ISDN or public switched telephone network), to a facsimile machine such as a G4 or G3 facsimile machine. Owing to the development of ISDN's in wide-area networks (WAN's), the use of G4 facsimile machines utilizing ISDN's has become more widespread. By connecting an ISDN to an ordinary public switched telephone network (PSTN), the transmission and reception of image data between a G4 facsimile machine connected to the ISDN line and a G3 facsimile machine connected to the PSTN can be carried out. Owing to the development of LAN's in computer networks, not only work stations but also personal computers may be connected to the network, and there is much transmission and reception of data among personal computers connected to LAN's. Owing to these circumstances, there is growing demand for an arrangement in which a WAN and a LAN may be connected together so that the transmission and reception of data can be carried out between devices connected to the respective networks. According to the invention, there is provided a client-server facsimile communication system, comprising a local area network to which is connected a plurality of client terminals, a wide area network to which is connected a plurality of facsimile devices, and a server interconnecting the local area network and the wide area network for generating facsimile communications to the facsimile devices in response to instructions from a client terminal, and for controlling facsimile communication between the local area network and the wide area network, the server storing an address conversion table defining a conversion between a first address of each respective client terminal being an address used by the facsimile devices and a second address of each respective client terminal being an address on the local area network, wherein the server and at least one client terminal are arranged to allow the client terminal to send instructions to the server to change its second address defined in the conversion table at the server. The invention also provides a server for connection to a local area network to which is connected a plurality of client terminals and to a wide area network to which is connected a plurality of facsimile devices for interconnecting the local area network and the wide area network, for generating facsimile communications to the facsimile devices in response to instructions from a client terminal and for controlling facsimile communication between the local area network and the wide area network, the server storing an address conversion table defining a conversion between a first address of each respective client terminal being an address used by the facsimile devices and a second address of each respective client terminal being an address on the local area network; wherein the server is arranged to allow at least one client terminal to send instructions to the server to change its second address defined in the conversion table at the server. The invention further provides a client terminal for connection to a local area network to which is connected (i) a plurality of other client terminals and (ii) a wide area network having a plurality of facsimile devices connected thereto, the local area network and the wide area network being connected via a server for generating facsimile communications to the facsimile devices in response to instructions from a client terminal and for controlling facsimile communication between the local area network and the wide area network, the server storing an address conversion table defining a conversion between a first address of each respective client terminal being an address used by the facsimile devices and a second address of each respective client terminal being an address on the local area network; wherein the client terminal is operable to send instructions to the server to change its second address defined in the conversion table at the server. The invention yet further provides a method for use in a client-server facsimile communication system comprising (i) a local area network to which is connected a plurality of client terminals, (ii) a wide area network to which is connected a plurality of facsimile devices, and (iii) a server interconnecting the local area network and the wide area network for generating facsimile communications to the facsimile devices in response to instructions from a client terminal, and for controlling facsimile communication between the local area network and the wide area network, the server storing an address conversion table defining a conversion between a first address of each respective client terminal being an address used by the facsimile devices and a second address of each respective client terminal being an address on the local area network, said method being for operating a client terminal and comprising sending instructions to the server to change the second address for the client terminal defined in the conversion table at the server. In an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a facsimile system having server means for controlling communication between a LAN to which a plurality of client terminals are connected, and a WAN to which a plurality of facsimile terminals are connected, the server means having converting means for converting addresses between the LAN and WAN, and modifying means for modifying content of a conversion performed by the converting means, and each of the plurality of client terminals has first display means for displaying content of conversion, requesting means for requesting that the converting means perform a conversion of the content modified by the modifying means, and second display means for displaying content of conversion modified by the modifying means. In an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a facsimile system having server means for controlling communication between a LAN to which a plurality of client terminals are connected, and a WAN to which a plurality of facsimile terminals are connected, the server means comprising a table which represents content for converting addresses between the LAN and the WAN, and updating means for updating the table, and each of the plurality of client terminals has receiving means for receiving the table from the server means, display means for displaying the received table, modifying means for modifying the table, and transmitting means for transmitting the table, which has been modified by the modifying means, to the server means, the updating means performing updating based upon the table transmitted by the transmitting means. Other features and advantages of embodiments will be apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the figures thereof. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a network system having a client-server facsimile system in a background example; Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a server device in the background example; Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a client terminal in the background example; Fig. 4 is a flowchart for describing the operation of a command analyzer and control unit in the background example; Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a client-server facsimile system according to a first embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 6 is a flowchart for describing the operation of the system between the client side and the server side according to the first embodiment; and Fig. 7 is a flowchart for describing the operation of the system between the client side and the server side according to a second embodiment. 〈Background Example〉 Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a network system having a client-server facsimile system As shown in Fig. 1, the network system includes a LAN system 1 having at least two channels, client terminals 2, 3 connected to the LAN system 1, an ISDN 4 to which are connected facsimile machines 5, 6 capable of communication in the G4 mode, a public switched telephone network 7 to which are connected facsimile machines 8, 9 capable of communication in the G3 mode, and a server device 10 for realizing communication control. The server device 10 performs allotted transmission of data from the LAN system 1 to the ISDN 4 and public switched telephone network 7, as well as allotted transmission of data from the ISDN 4 and public switched telephone network (PSTN) 7 to the LAN system 1. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the server device. As shown in Fig. 2, the server device includes a CPU 11 for performing overall control of the device in accordance with a control procedure shown, for example, in Fig. 4, and stored in a ROM 12. The latter stores programs such as one in accordance with the flowchart of Fig. 4. A RAM 13 is used as the work area of the CPU 11. Also included are a G4 facsimile-communication controller 14 for performing control in G4 facsimile communication, a G3 facsimile-communication controller 15 for performing control in G3 facsimile communication, and a buffer memory 16 for temporarily storing transmission/reception data at the time of G4/G3 facsimile data transmission/reception. The buffer memory 16 absorbs a difference is speed between the transmission speed of a disk file and network speed. A large-capacity disk memory 17 stores attribute information of each item of data. A controller 18 for communication within the LAN system performs communication protocol control within the LAN system. Data transmitted via the communication controller 18 is developed in a buffer memory 19 within the LAN system. A code-to-image converter 20 develops a code document into a bit-map memory image. An MMR converter 21 compresses/decompresses data, which has been stored in the disk memory 17 by MMR, into a bit-map memory image. An MH/MR converter 22 compresses/decompresses data, which has been stored in the disk memory 17 by MH/MR, into a bit-map memory image. A code document received from the LAN system 1 is developed into an image by the code-to-image converter 20 and the image is compressed by the MMR converter 21, after which the compressed image is stored in the disk memory 17. A command analyzer and control unit 23 analyzes a command sent from a client terminal. If the command is, say, a G4-facsimile transmission command, the unit 23 sends a transmission command to the G4-facsimile communication controller 14. A command buffer memory 24 is a location for temporarily storing the command sent to the unit 23 from the client terminal. A system bus 25 connects the CPU 11 to the components 12 through 24. Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the construction of a client terminal. Since the client terminals 2, 3 are identical in construction, only the construction of the client terminal 2 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. The client terminal includes a CPU 26 for controlling the overall apparatus in accordance with a control procedure stored in a ROM 27, which stores various programs, and a RAM 28 used as a work area of the CPU 26. A controller 29 for communication within the LAN system performs communication protocol control within the LAN system. Data transmitted via the communication controller 29 is developed in a buffer memory 30 within the LAN system. A transmission control panel 31 sends transmission commands and the like to the server device 10 when a transmission operation is performed at the client terminal. A system bus 32 connects the CPU 26 to the components 27 through 31. The main operation of the server device 10 will now be described. Fig. 4 is a flowchart for describing the operation of the command analyzer and control unit 23. In the flowchart of Fig. 4, the command analyzer and control unit 23 of the server device 10 waits for a request command from the client terminal 2 or 3 at step S1. If there is a command from a client terminal, the program proceeds to step S2, where the request command is analyzed. After the command is analyzed, it is determined at step S3 whether the command is indicative of facsimile transmission or not. If the answer is NO, then the program proceeds to step S7, at which other processing is executed, after which all processing is terminated. If it is found at step S3 that facsimile transmission has been requested, then the program proceeds to step S4, at which it is determined whether the transmission is for G4 facsimile or G3 facsimile. In case of G4 facsimile, a transmission command is sent to the G4 facsimile-communication controller 14 at step S5 and processing is terminated. In case of G3 facsimile, a transmission command is sent to the G3 facsimile-communication controller 15 at step S6 and processing is terminated. Thus, a transmission operation may be performed at each of the client terminals arranged in the LAN system 1. As a result, the G4 and G3 facsimile communication functions possessed by the server device 10 can be shared. In addition, by decentralizing the functions, the load upon the client terminals can be alleviated. 〈 First Embodiment 〉 Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a client-server facsimile system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Shown in Fig. 5 are a facsimile server device 501, which has a main controller 502 a main memory 503, a LAN interface 504 for controlling communication with a LAN 507, a WAN interface 505 for controlling communication with a WAN 508, and a conversion table 506 for conversion between a line number on the WAN side and an IP (internet protocol) address on the LAN side. The contents of the conversion table 506 is as indicated in the following table: SUBADDRESS IP ADDRESS 0001 30.0.0.1, 30.0.0.7. 0002 30.0.0.2, 30.0.1.2. 0003 30.0.0.3 0004 30.0.0.4 The IP addresses, which are numerical values expressed by binary numbers of 32 bits, are assigned to the terminals, which are connected to the LAN, in order that these terminals may be uniquely distinguished from one another. The IP addresses are used in a LAN employing the internet protocol. In Fig. 5, numerals 509-1 through 509-4 denote client work stations connected to the facsimile server 501 by the LAN, and 510-1 through 510-5 denote facsimile machines connected to a public switch telephone network (PSTN). Fig.6 is a flowchart for describing the operation of the system between the client side and the server side in the first embodiment. In the initial state, the side of the facsimile server waits for receipt of a table-display request from a facsimile client at step S502, and the client side waits for a table-display selection input from the user at step S501. When the user selects a display table of a client, the client sends a table-display request at step S501 and waits for receipt of the table from the server at step S505. The server accepts the request from the client at step S502, refers to the address table at step S503, sends the result to the client at step S504 and waits for receipt of modified content in the table at step S508. Types of table modification are as shown in the following table: TYPE OF MODIFICATION ADD RECORD DELETE RECORD CHANGE RECORD The client receives the table from the server at step S505, displays the table on the display screen at step S506 and waits for a modification input from the user at step S507. The user observes the displayed table and inputs a change in table content. The client transmits the inputted modification to the server at step S507 and then waits for receipt of the table from the server at step S511. The server receives the modification from the client at step S508 and actually performs processing for modifying the table at step S509. When modification of the table ends, the modified table content is transmitted to the client at step S510 and the program returns to step S502, where the server side waits for receipt of the table-display request. The client receives the result of table modification at step S511 and displays the address table at step S512, at which the program returns to step S501 for input of the table-display selection. Thus, in accordance with the first embodiment, as described above, it is possible for a table in the server device to be modified from the side of the client terminal. As a result, a user employing a client work station need no longer go to the location of the server device because of a modification in the address conversion table provided at the server work station. This saves time and makes it unnecessary to suspend work being performed at the client terminal. In addition, since the server device need not be operated directly, the operation for modifying the table can be performed by anyone, without the server device being adversely affected, when the manager of the server system is absent. The server table modification can be performed quickly, and the operation for carrying out the modification is left to the user. As a result, the management burden upon the manager of the server system is alleviated. A second embodiment will now be described. Fig. 7 is a flowchart for describing the operation of the system between the client side and the server side in the second embodiment. Steps in Fig. 7 whose processing is identical with the processing of steps in the flowchart of Fig. 6 are designated by like step numbers. In the initial state, the side of the facsimile server waits for receipt of a table-display request from a facsimile client at step S502'', and the client side waits for a table-display selection input from the user at step S501''. When the user selects a display table of a client, the client sends a table-display request at step S501'' and waits for receipt of the table from the server at step S505''. The server accepts the request from the client at step S502'', refers to the address table at step S503'', sends the result to the client at step S504'' and waits for results of modification in the table at step S519. The client receives the table from the server at step S505'', displays the table on the display screen at step S506'', after which the address table is modified at step S517 in accordance with the input from the user. The client sends the modified results to the server at step S518, at which the program returns to step S501'' for input of the table-display selection. The server receives the results of modification from the client at step S519 and updates the table at step S520, after which the program returns to step S502'', where the server side waits for receipt of the table-display request. By virtue of the foregoing operation, the address conversion table located at the server work station can be modified from the side of the client work station. Embodiments of the invention can be applied to a system constituted by a plurality of devices or to an apparatus comprising a single device. Furthermore, it goes without saying that embodiments can be attained by supplying a program to a system or apparatus. As many apparently widely different embodiments of the present invention can be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments thereof except as defined in the appended claims.

Claims: A client-server facsimile communication system, comprising: a local area network (507) to which is connected a plurality of client terminals (509-1 - 509-4); a wide area network (508) to which is connected a plurality of facsimile devices (510-1 - 510-5); and a server (501) interconnecting the local area network and the wide area network for generating facsimile communications to the facsimile devices in response to instructions from a client terminal, and for controlling facsimile communication between the local area network and the wide area network, the server storing an address conversion table (506) defining a conversion between a first address of each respective client terminal being an address used by the facsimile devices and a second address of each respective client terminal being an address on the local area network; wherein: the server and at least one client terminal are arranged to allow the client terminal to send instructions to the server to change its second address defined in the conversion table at the server. A server (501) for connection to a local area network (507) to which is connected a plurality of client terminals (509-1 - 509-4) and to a wide area network (508) to which is connected a plurality of facsimile devices (510-1 - 510-5) for interconnecting the local area network and the wide area network, for generating facsimile communications to the facsimile devices in response to instructions from a client terminal and for controlling facsimile communication between the local area network and the wide area network, the server storing an address conversion table (506) defining a conversion between a first address of each respective client terminal being an address used by the facsimile devices and a second address of each respective client terminal being an address on the local area network; wherein the server is arranged to allow at least one client terminal to send instructions to the server to change its second address defined in the conversion table at the server. A client terminal (509-1 - 509-4) for connection to a local area network (507) to which is connected (i) a plurality of other client terminals (509-1 - 509-4) and (ii) a wide area network (508) having a plurality of facsimile devices (510-1 - 510-5) connected thereto, the local area network and the wide area network being connected via a server (501) for generating facsimile communications to the facsimile devices in response to instructions from a client terminal and for controlling facsimile communication between the local area network and the wide area network, the server storing an address conversion table (506) defining a conversion between a first address of each respective client terminal being an address used by the facsimile devices and a second address of each respective client terminal being an address on the local area network; wherein the client terminal is operable to send instructions to the server to change its second address defined in the conversion table at the server. A method for use in a client-server facsimile communication system comprising (i) a local area network (507) to which is connected a plurality of client terminals (509-1 - 509-4), (ii) a wide area network (508) to which is connected a plurality of facsimile devices (510-1 - 510-5), and (iii) a server (501) interconnecting the local area network and the wide area network for generating facsimile communications to the facsimile devices in response to instructions from a client terminal, and for controlling facsimile communication between the local area network and the wide area network, the server storing an address conversion table (506) defining a conversion between a first address of each respective client terminal being an address used by the facsimile devices and a second address of each respective client terminal being an address on the local area network, said method being for operating a client terminal and comprising sending instructions to the server to change the second address for the client terminal defined in the conversion table at the server. A method according to claim 4, wherein the instructions are sent from the client terminal in response to the receipt of the conversion table from the server, the instructions defining the changed version of the conversion table.

Inventors: IIMOTO KEIICHI, KITAGAWA EIICHIRO, KURODA KEN, IIMOTO, KEIICHI, KITAGAWA, EIICHIRO, KURODA, KEN, Iimoto, Keiichi, c/o Canon K.K., KITAGAWA, EIICHIRO, CANON K.K., Kuroda, Ken, c/o Canon K.K.
Applicants: CANON KK, CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Application year: 1992
Main classification: H04N1
IPC codes: H04L12, H04N1, H04Q11