Patent Description:
There are facsimile transfer systems for improving the efficiency of digitizing and storing received facsimile documents in a file server. Such a system automatically digitizes and stores facsimile documents in the file server in accordance with an attribute of the facsimile document. Such a system creates a file having a name according to attribute information, such as the telephone number of the sender of a facsimile document, and stores the facsimile document in a file server.

For an information processing system including a multifunction peripheral (MFP) and a file server capable of storing files, there is a related art for processing facsimile document transfer setting, facsimile reception, and file transfer accompanying the facsimile reception (for example, <CIT>).

Facsimile machines may be grouped by a predetermined setting. For example, the facsimile machines installed in the same site or location are grouped, or the facsimile machines used by a certain organization, a certain department, or a certain business are grouped. Facsimile machines received by each of a plurality of groups of facsimile machines may be collectively stored in a file server, a cloud, or the like. In this case, for example, controlling facsimile documents received from a plurality of facsimile machines is complicated. The information processing system disclosed by <CIT> does not address such inconveniences.

<CIT> discloses a facsimile server system in which a computer terminal or facsimile server terminal which receives and stores facsimile data is interconnected via a network with another computer terminal or client terminal which accesses the facsimile data stored in the facsimile server through the network.

<CIT> discloses a technique that enables file names of files to be unique and to be set with enhanced visibility of the user.

<CIT> discloses a method and system for managing facsimile data in an integrated manner.

In view of the foregoing, there is provided a management apparatus according to claim <NUM>, a management system according to claim <NUM>, a method according to claim <NUM>, and a carrier means according to claim <NUM>.

However, the disclosure of this specification is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected and it is to be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents that have a similar function, operate in a similar manner, and achieve a similar result falling within the scope of the appended claims.

In the present embodiment, the term "group" refers to an assembly grouped by a predetermined condition. The predetermined condition is, for example, a place based on which an activity occurs or a location of an activity (e.g., a platform for the activity). Specifically, the predetermined condition is, for example, a site or a place where a facsimile machine is installed, or an organization, a department, or a business that uses the facsimile machine. However, the condition is not limited thereto. The description below concerns an example in which facsimile machines are grouped by a site.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an information processing system according to the present embodiment. <FIG> illustrates a management system <NUM> that is an information processing system to manage facsimile documents (facsimile data) received by an organization, such as a company having a plurality of sites A to N, from companies X and Y that are business partners (i.e., clients and suppliers). For example, in the management system <NUM> of <FIG>, facsimile machines 12A1 and 12A2 and a personal computer (PC) 14A are installed on the site A that is a Tokyo head office. Facsimile machines 12B1 and 12B2 and a PC 14B are installed on the site B that is an Osaka office. Facsimile machines 12C1 and 12C2 and a PC 14C are installed on the site C that is an Osaka factory. Further, a facsimile machine 12X is installed in the company X that is a business partner. Further, a facsimile machine 12Y is installed in the company Y that is another business partner.

Any one of the facsimile machines 12A1 and 12A2 on the site A, the facsimile machines 12B1 and 12B2 on the site B, and the facsimile machines 12C1 and 12C2 on the site C is also simply referred to as the facsimile machine <NUM> on the site when distinguishment is unnecessary. The facsimile machine <NUM> on the site, the facsimile machine 12X in the company X, and the facsimile machine 12Y in the company Y can transmit and receive a facsimile document via a network <NUM> such as a public network. Similarly, any one of the PC 14A on the site A, the PC 14B on the site B, and the PC 14C on the site C is simply referred to as the PC <NUM> on the site when distinguishment is unnecessary. The PC <NUM> on the site can communicate with a facsimile data management apparatus <NUM> via the network <NUM>. The network <NUM> is, for example, a telephone network, the Internet, or a local area network (LAN) capable of data communication.

A user in the company X transmits a facsimile document from the facsimile machine 12X via the network <NUM>, designating the number (i.e., receiver number) of the facsimile machine <NUM> on the site to which the facsimile document is transmitted. A user in the company Y transmits a facsimile document from the facsimile machine 12Y to the facsimile machine <NUM> on the site, designating the receiver number.

The facsimile machine <NUM> on the site designated by the receiver number receives the facsimile document from the facsimile machine 12X or 12Y. The facsimile machine <NUM> on the site that receives the facsimile document is referred to as the receiver facsimile machine <NUM>. In the management system <NUM> according to the present embodiment, the receiver facsimile machine <NUM> transfers received facsimile data, which will be described later, to the facsimile data management apparatus <NUM> via the network <NUM>. A description about management of the transferred facsimile data by the facsimile data management apparatus <NUM> is deferred. The received facsimile data stored by the facsimile data management apparatus <NUM> can be browsed from the facsimile machine <NUM> or the PC <NUM> on the site as described later.

The facsimile machine <NUM> is an example of an electronic device that transmits and receives a facsimile document. The electronic device that transmits and receives a facsimile document includes an image forming apparatus such as a multifunction peripheral (MFP), which is may be called a multifunction product or multifunction printer, in addition to the facsimile machine <NUM>. The facsimile machine <NUM> and the PC <NUM> are examples of electronic terminals that transmit a request to browse received facsimile data to the facsimile data management apparatus <NUM> and display the received facsimile data. In other words, an "electronic device" may refer to a device capable of facsimile transmission and reception, transmitting a request to browse received facsimile data, and displaying the received facsimile data. The PC <NUM> is one example. Examples of the electronic device include a head up display (HUD) device, an industrial machine, a network home appliance, a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a game console, and a personal digital assistant (PDA).

The configuration of the management system <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> is one example. For example, at least a part of the functions of the facsimile machine <NUM> on the site may be implemented by the facsimile data management apparatus <NUM>. At least a part of the functions of the facsimile data management apparatus <NUM> may be included in the facsimile machine <NUM> on the site. The facsimile data management apparatus <NUM> may be implemented by a plurality of information processing apparatuses. The facsimile data management apparatus <NUM> may be implemented using a cloud.

Each of the facsimile data management apparatus <NUM> and the PC <NUM> on the site illustrated in <FIG> is implemented by, for example, a computer <NUM> having a hardware configuration as illustrated in <FIG> is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a computer according to the present embodiment.

The computer <NUM> includes a central processing unit (CPU) <NUM>, a read only memory (ROM) <NUM>, a random access memory (RAM) <NUM>, a hard disk (HD) <NUM>, a hard disk drive (HDD) controller <NUM>, a display <NUM>, an external device interface (I/F) <NUM>, a network I/F <NUM>, a data bus <NUM>, a keyboard <NUM>, a pointing device <NUM>, a digital versatile disk rewritable (DVD-RW) drive <NUM>, and a media I/F <NUM>.

The CPU <NUM> controls entire operation of the computer <NUM> according to a program. The ROM <NUM> stores a program such as an initial program loader (IPL) used for driving the CPU <NUM>. The RAM <NUM> is used as a work area for the CPU <NUM>. The HD <NUM> stores various data such as a program. The HDD controller <NUM> reads or writes various data from or to the HD <NUM> under control of the CPU <NUM>.

The display <NUM> displays various information such as a cursor, a menu, a window, a character, and an image. The external device I/F <NUM> is an interface for connecting various external devices. The external device in this case is, for example, a universal serial bus (USB) memory. The network I/F <NUM> is an interface for data communication using the network <NUM>. Examples of the data bus <NUM> include, but not limited to, an address bus and a data bus that electrically connect the components, such as the CPU <NUM>, with one another.

The keyboard <NUM> is one example of an input device provided with a plurality of keys for allowing a user to input characters, numerals, or various instructions. The pointing device <NUM> is an example of an input device that allows a user to select or execute a specific instruction, select a target for processing, or move a cursor being displayed. The DVD-RW drive <NUM> reads and writes various data from and to a DVD-RW <NUM>, which is an example of a removable recording medium. The removable storage medium is not limited to the DVD-RW and may be a DVD-recordable (DVD-R) or the like. The media I/F <NUM> controls reading and writing (storing) of data from and to a recording medium <NUM> such as a flash memory.

The facsimile machine <NUM> on the site illustrated in <FIG> can be an MFP <NUM> having a hardware configuration, for example, as illustrated in <FIG> is a block diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of the MFP <NUM> according to the present embodiment.

The MFP <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> includes a controller <NUM>, a short-range communication circuit <NUM>, an engine controller <NUM>, a control panel <NUM>, and a network I/F <NUM>. The controller <NUM> includes a CPU <NUM> as a main processor of a computer, a system memory (MEM-P) <NUM>, a north bridge (NB) <NUM>, a south bridge (SB) <NUM>, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) <NUM>, a local memory (MEM-C) <NUM> as a storage area, a hard disk drive (HDD) controller <NUM>, and a hard disk (HD) <NUM> as a storage area. The NB <NUM> and the ASIC <NUM> are connected via an accelerated graphics port (AGP) bus <NUM>.

The CPU <NUM> controls the entire operation of the MFP <NUM>. The NB <NUM> is a bridge that connects the CPU <NUM> to the system memory (MEM-P) <NUM>, the SB <NUM>, and the AGP bus <NUM>. The NB <NUM> includes a memory controller that controls reading and writing from and to the system memory (MEM-P) <NUM>, a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) master, and an AGP target.

The system memory (MEM-P) <NUM> includes a ROM 902a and a RAM 902b. The ROM 902a stores data and program for implementing various functions of the controller <NUM>. The RAM 902b is used to load the program and the data. The RAM 902b is also used as a drawing memory to store drawing data for printing. The program stored in the RAM 902b may be stored in any computer-readable storage (recording) medium, such as a compact discread only memory (CD-ROM), compact disc-recordable (CD-R), or digital versatile disc (DVD), in a file format installable or executable by the computer, for distribution.

The SB <NUM> is a bridge that connects the NB <NUM> with a PCI device or a peripheral device. The ASIC <NUM> is an integrated circuit (IC) dedicated to an image processing use and includes a hardware element for image processing. The ASIC <NUM> is a bridge that connects the AGP bus <NUM>, a PCI bus <NUM>, the HDD controller <NUM>, and the local memory (MEM-C) <NUM> with each other.

The ASIC <NUM> includes a PCI target, an AGP master, an arbiter (ARB) as a central processor of the ASIC <NUM>, a memory controller to control the local memory (MEM-C) <NUM>, a plurality of direct memory access controllers (DMACs) to rotate image data, and a PCI unit. By converting coordinates of the image data with a hardware logic, image data are rotated. The PCI unit transfers data between a scanner unit <NUM> and a printer unit <NUM> via the PCI bus <NUM>. The ASIC <NUM> may be connected to a USB interface, or the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers <NUM> (IEEE1394) interface.

The local memory (MEM-C) <NUM> is used as a buffer for image data to be copied or coding. The HD <NUM> is a storage area that stores various image data, font data for printing, and form data. The HD <NUM> controls the reading or writing of data from or into the HD <NUM> under the control of the CPU <NUM>. The AGP bus <NUM> is a bus interface for a graphics accelerator card, which is proposed to accelerate graphics processing. Through directly accessing the system memory (MEM-P) <NUM> by high-throughput, speed of the graphics accelerator card is improved.

Further, the short-range communication circuit <NUM> includes an antenna for short-range communication circuit 920a. The short-range communication circuit <NUM> is a communication circuit in compliance with the near field communication (NFC), the Bluetooth (registered trademark), and the like.

The engine controller <NUM> includes the scanner unit <NUM> and the printer unit <NUM>. The control panel <NUM> includes a panel display 940a and an operation device 940b. The panel display 940a is, e.g., a touch panel that displays current settings or a selection screen and receives a user input. The operation device 940b includes, e.g., a numeric keypad and a start key. The numeric keypad receives assigned values of image forming parameters such as an image density parameter. The start key receives an instruction to start copying.

The controller <NUM> controls entire operation of the MFP <NUM>. For example, the controller <NUM> controls drawing, communication, or user inputs to the control panel <NUM>. The scanner unit <NUM> or the printer unit <NUM> includes an image processing unit for, for example, error diffusion and gamma conversion.

Note that, in response to an instruction to select a specific application through the control panel <NUM> by an application switch key, the MFP <NUM> sequentially selects document server, coping, printing, and facsimile transmission functions. The MFP <NUM> enters a document server mode to store document data with selection of the document server function and enters a copy mode with selection of the copy function. Further, the MFP <NUM> enters a printer mode with selection of the printing function and enters a facsimile mode with selection of the facsimile function.

The network I/F <NUM> is an interface for data communication using the network <NUM>. The short-range communication circuit <NUM> and the network I/F <NUM> are electrically connected to the ASIC <NUM> through the PCI bus <NUM>.

To enable authentication, by an IC card, of a user to use the MFP <NUM>, the MFP <NUM> includes a built-in IC card reader. Alternatively, the IC card reader is attached to the MFP <NUM>. The MFP <NUM> reads identification information unique to the IC card from a radio frequency (RF) tag embedded in the IC card by wireless communication. In another example, the IC card is included in a smart device such as a smartphone. In still another example, the MFP <NUM> uses any suitable device other than the IC card reader, such as a biometric authentication device (that recognizes fingerprint, palm print, iris, face, etc.) or a barcode reading device.

The management system <NUM> according to the present embodiment has a functional configuration, for example, as illustrated in <FIG> is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of the management system according to the present embodiment. <FIG> illustrates one of the facsimile machines <NUM> and one of the PCs <NUM> on the site and does not illustrate the facsimile machines 12X and 12Y of the business partners for simplicity. In the functional configuration of <FIG>, some of the components unnecessary for the description of the present embodiment are omitted for simplicity.

The facsimile machine <NUM> on the site of <FIG> includes a facsimile communication control unit <NUM>, a received data transfer unit <NUM>, a received data browse request unit <NUM>, and a screen control unit <NUM>. The facsimile machine <NUM> on the site executes a program to implement, for example, the functional units illustrated in <FIG>.

The facsimile communication control unit <NUM> transmits and receives a facsimile document using a facsimile communication protocol. The received data transfer unit <NUM> transfers the received facsimile document (received facsimile data) to the facsimile data management apparatus <NUM>. The received facsimile data includes information such as received image data, a sender number, a receiver number, and a reception date and time. The sender number is an example of information of a sender (transmission source) of the received facsimile data. Another example of the information of the sender is the information on the group (e.g., company name) to which the sender facsimile machine belongs. The receiver number is an example of receiver information (destination information) of the received facsimile data.

The received data browse request unit <NUM> transmits, to the facsimile data management apparatus <NUM>, a request of browsing of received facsimile data stored by the facsimile data management apparatus <NUM> based on an operation by a user on the site, and receives a list of received facsimile data and the received facsimile data described later. The screen control unit <NUM> displays, on the control panel <NUM>, the list of received facsimile data and the received facsimile data.

The PC <NUM> on the site in <FIG> includes a received data browse request unit <NUM> and a screen control unit <NUM>. The PC <NUM> on the site executes a program to implement, for example, the functional units illustrated in <FIG>.

The received data browse request unit <NUM> transmits, to the facsimile data management apparatus <NUM>, a request of browsing of received facsimile data stored by the facsimile data management apparatus <NUM> based on an operation by a user on the base, and receives a list of received facsimile data and the received facsimile data. The screen control unit <NUM> displays, on the display <NUM>, the list of received facsimile data and the received facsimile data.

As described above, <FIG> illustrates an example of the management system <NUM> in which the received facsimile data stored by the facsimile data management apparatus <NUM> can be browsed from the facsimile machine <NUM> and the PC <NUM>. Alternatively, the management system <NUM> may enable browsing of the received facsimile data stored by the facsimile data management apparatus <NUM> from either one of the facsimile machine <NUM> and the PC <NUM>.

The facsimile data management apparatus <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> includes a received data management unit <NUM>, a list response unit <NUM>, a management information storage area <NUM>, and a received data storage area <NUM>. The facsimile data management apparatus <NUM> executes a program to implement, for example, the functional units illustrated in <FIG>.

The received data management unit <NUM> manages the received facsimile data transferred from the facsimile machines <NUM> on the sites. The list response unit <NUM> generates the list of received facsimile data as described below in response to a received facsimile data browse request from the facsimile machine <NUM> or the PC <NUM> on the site, and transmits the list of received facsimile data to the browse request source.

The management information storage area <NUM> stores various information necessary for processing performed by the facsimile data management apparatus <NUM>. The received data storage area <NUM> stores the received facsimile data transferred from the facsimile machine <NUM> on the site.

A description is given of an example of display of a list of received facsimile data on the facsimile machine <NUM> and the PC <NUM> on the site. <FIG> illustrate display examples of a list of received facsimile data on the facsimile machine and the PC on the site.

<FIG> illustrates an example of the list of received facsimile data displayed on the facsimile machine <NUM> on the site. In response to selecting the business partner of the received facsimile data to be browsed on a screen <NUM> and selecting the reception date and time on a screen <NUM>, the list of the received facsimile data narrowed down by the business partner and the reception date and time is displayed on a screen <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an example of display of the list of received facsimile data list on the PC <NUM> on the site. <FIG> illustrates a screen <NUM> that displays the list of received facsimile data classified in a tree structure by the business partner and the reception date and times.

The management system <NUM> according to the present embodiment displays, in addition to the display example illustrated in <FIG>, a list of received facsimile data narrowed down by the site or a list of received facsimile data classified in the tree structure by the sites as illustrated in <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrates an example of the list of received facsimile data displayed on the facsimile machine <NUM> on the site. For example, a screen <NUM> is an example of a screen for selecting the business partner (i.e., sender) of the received facsimile data to be browsed, out of the facsimile data received by the facsimile machine 12A1 or 12A2 on the site A.

A screen <NUM> is an example of a screen for selecting the reception date and time of the received facsimile data to be browsed, out of the received facsimile data selected on the screen <NUM>. A screen <NUM> displays a list of received facsimile data narrowed down by the site, the business partner (sender), and the reception date and time.

<FIG> illustrates an example of the list of received facsimile data displayed on the PC <NUM> on the site. For example, <FIG> illustrates a screen <NUM> that displays a list of received facsimile data classified in a tree structure by the sites, the business partners, and the reception date and times. For example, when the PC <NUM> on the site A displays the list of the received facsimile data, as illustrated in <FIG>, the facsimile data received by the facsimile machine 12A1 or the facsimile machine 12A2 on the site A may be preferentially displayed. Alternatively, the facsimile data received by facsimile machines installed on other locations than the site A, surrounded by a dotted line <NUM> in <FIG>, may be hidden.

<FIG> is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of operation executed by the management system <NUM> according to the present embodiment. In step S <NUM>, the facsimile machine <NUM> on the site receives a facsimile document from a business partner, for example, the company X or the company Y. In S <NUM>, the received data transfer unit <NUM> of the facsimile machine <NUM> on the site that has received the facsimile document transfers the received facsimile data to the facsimile data management apparatus <NUM>. The received facsimile data transferred to the facsimile data management apparatus <NUM> includes information such as image data, a sender number, a receiver number, and a reception date and time. The received facsimile data transferred to the facsimile data management apparatus <NUM> may further include information such as the number of pages and the communication line type.

The facsimile data management apparatus <NUM> that has received the facsimile data from the facsimile machine <NUM> on the site proceeds to step S14. For example, the facsimile data management apparatus <NUM> registers the received facsimile data according to the procedure illustrated in <FIG>, to create a folder in a structure illustrated in <FIG>. The facsimile data management apparatus <NUM> stores the image data in the folder, to manage the facsimile reception data.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating an example of facsimile data registration process executed by the management system according to the present embodiment. <FIG> illustrates an example of a folder structure created by the management system according to the present embodiment. The folder structure illustrated in <FIG> is a hierarchical structure that includes a receiver site name folder, a business partner name folder, and a reception date and time name folder. The receiver site name folder includes business partner name folders. The business partner name folder includes reception date and time name folders. Received facsimile data is stored in the reception date and time name folder.

In step S50 in <FIG>, the received data management unit <NUM> of the facsimile data management apparatus <NUM> acquires the receiver site information corresponding to the receiver number of the received facsimile data by using, for example, a table illustrated in <FIG> stored in the management information storage area <NUM>.

<FIG> are tables (association information) as examples of information stored in the management information storage area <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates an example of a table that associates a receiver number (terminal identification information) with receiver site information. <FIG> is an example of a table that associates a sender number with the information of the business partner. In step S50, the received data management unit <NUM> acquires information on the receiver site corresponding to the receiver number of the received facsimile data using the table illustrated in <FIG>.

In step S52, the received data management unit <NUM> acquires information on the business partner corresponding to the sender number of the received facsimile data by using, for example, the table illustrated in <FIG>. In step S54, the received data management unit <NUM> acquires information on the reception date and time of the received facsimile data.

In step S56, the received data management unit <NUM> refers to, for example, the folder structure illustrated in <FIG>. The received data management unit <NUM> identifies the business partner name folder corresponding to the receiver site information acquired in the step S50 and the business partner information acquired in the step S52, and determines whether the identified business partner name folder includes a reception date and time name folder corresponding to the reception date and time information acquired in step S54.

Determining that there is no reception date and time name folder corresponding to the reception date and time information acquired in step S54, the received data management unit <NUM> proceeds to step S58 and creates a reception date and time name folder corresponding to the reception date and time information acquired in step S54. The process proceeds to step S60. Determining that there is a reception date and time name folder corresponding to the reception date and time information acquired in step S54, the received data management unit <NUM> skips step S58 and proceeds to step S60.

In step S60, the received data management unit <NUM> stores the image data in the reception date and time name folder corresponding to the receiver site information acquired in step S50, the business partner (sender) information acquired in step S52, and the reception date and time information acquired in step S54, thereby storing the received facsimile data. As described above, the received data management unit <NUM> stores the received facsimile data in association with the group to which the facsimile machine <NUM> that has received the received facsimile data belongs.

In the flowchart illustrated in <FIG>, when the folder structure does not include the corresponding reception date and time name folder, the received data management unit <NUM> creates the corresponding reception date and time name folder. The facsimile data registration process may further include creating the corresponding site name folder and the corresponding business partner (sender) name folder when the folder structure does not include the corresponding site name folder and the corresponding sender name folder.

Returning to step S20 in <FIG>, the facsimile machine <NUM> on the site receives, from the user on the site, an operation for requesting browsing of the received facsimile data stored by the facsimile data management apparatus <NUM>. In step S22, the received data browse request unit <NUM> of the facsimile machine <NUM> that has received the operation of the browse request from the user on the site transmits, to the facsimile data management apparatus <NUM>, a browse request of the received facsimile data managed by the facsimile data management apparatus <NUM>. The browse request transmitted in step S22 includes the receiver number (terminal identification information) of the facsimile machine <NUM> as the browse request source.

In step S24, the list response unit <NUM> of the facsimile data management apparatus <NUM> identifies a browsing target in the procedure illustrated in <FIG> based on the browse request received from the facsimile machine <NUM>, and creates a list of received facsimile data.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating an example of a process of creating a list of received facsimile data, performed by the management system according to the present embodiment. In step S70, the list response unit <NUM> of the facsimile data management apparatus <NUM> acquires the receiver number (terminal identification information) of the facsimile machine <NUM> as the browse request source included in the browse request in step S22.

In step S72, the list response unit <NUM> acquires the site information (i.e., group information such as site name) corresponding to the receiver number (terminal identification information) of the facsimile machine <NUM> that is the source of the browse request, using, for example, the table illustrated in <FIG>. In step S74, the list response unit <NUM> acquires a list of the folders and the files in <FIG> stored in the site name folder corresponding to the site information acquired in step S72. In step S76, the list response unit <NUM> generates a list of received facsimile data (list information) based on the list of folders and files acquired in step S74.

In the flowchart in <FIG>, the site information is acquired from the receiver number of the facsimile machine <NUM> as the browse request source. The site information may be acquired using a table illustrated in <FIG> illustrates an example of information stored in the management information storage area <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates an example of a table for associating the global internet protocol (IP) address of the facsimile machine <NUM> on the site with the receiver site information. Using the table of <FIG>, the list response unit <NUM> can acquire the site information corresponding to the global IP address of the facsimile machine <NUM> that is the browse request source. In step S72 of <FIG>, when the receiver number of the facsimile machine <NUM> as the browse request source is not registered and the site information corresponding to the receiver number is not available, the site information corresponding to the global IP address is acquired.

The table illustrated in <FIG> is an example. Alternatively, for example, the site information may be acquired using a table that associates receiver site information with combined information of a global ID address of the site and a local address (e.g., a department) of the site. With use of such a table associating receiver site information with combined information of a global ID address of the site and a local address (e.g., a department) of the site, a range of the receiver sites can be finely set.

Returning to step S26 of <FIG>, the list response unit <NUM> transmits, as a response, the list of received facsimile data created in step S24 to the facsimile machine <NUM> as the browse request source. In this manner, in response to the browse request of the received facsimile data, the list response unit <NUM> transmits the list of received facsimile data classified according to, at least, the group information. The group information is, for example, the group to which the receiver machine belongs, the group to which the source of the browse request belongs, or the group to which the sender belongs. In step S28, the screen control unit <NUM> of the facsimile machine <NUM> displays, on the control panel <NUM>, the screens <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> (illustrated in <FIG>) that present the list of the received facsimile data.

Thus, the management apparatus <NUM> according to the present embodiment facilitates management of facsimile data received by an electronic device grouped with another electronic device, or facilitates management of facsimile data received by an electronic device from a plurality of electronic devices.

In step S30, the user on the site performs an operation for shifting the screen <NUM> to the screens <NUM> and to <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>, and selects, on the screen <NUM>, the received facsimile data to be browsed. In step S32, receiving the operation of selecting the received facsimile data from the user on the site, the received data browse request unit <NUM> of the facsimile machine <NUM> transmits, to the facsimile data management apparatus <NUM>, a request to acquire the received facsimile data selected from the user on the site. The list response unit <NUM> of the facsimile data management apparatus <NUM> identifies the received facsimile data to be acquired, based on the acquisition request received from the facsimile machine <NUM>. In step S34, the list response unit <NUM> transmits, as a response, the identified facsimile data to the facsimile machine <NUM> that is the acquisition request source. In step S36, the screen control unit <NUM> of the facsimile machine <NUM> as the acquisition request source displays the received facsimile data on the control panel <NUM>.

The sequence diagram of <FIG> illustrates an example in which the facsimile machine <NUM> on the site transmits a browse request to the facsimile data management apparatus <NUM>. In the case where the PC <NUM> on the site transmits a browse request to the facsimile data management apparatus <NUM>, the process is the same as that illustrated in <FIG>. In the example illustrated in <FIG>, a folder having the structure illustrated in <FIG> is created, and image data is stored in the folder, to manage the received facsimile data (that is, store the facsimile data in association with, e.g., group information of the destination of the received facsimile data). For example, the facsimile data management apparatus <NUM> creates the management table illustrated in <FIG> by registering facsimile data according to the procedure illustrated in <FIG>, so as to manage the received facsimile data (that is, store the facsimile data in association with, e.g., sender information, receiver information, and storage location information). As illustrated in <FIG>, the received data management unit <NUM> may refer to the table of <FIG> and store the information of site corresponding to the value of the item "receiver number" of the management table of <FIG> as the value of the item "receiver site. " Alternatively, without storing the receiver site in the management table of <FIG>, the received data management unit <NUM> may refer to the table of <FIG> at each acquisition of the site information corresponding to the receiver number.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating an example of facsimile data registration process executed by the management system according to the present embodiment. <FIG> is a table illustrating an example of a management table created by the management system according to the present embodiment.

In step S90 of <FIG>, the received data management unit <NUM> of the facsimile data management apparatus <NUM> registers the receiver number, the sender number, and the reception date and time of the received facsimile data in the management table of <FIG>. In addition, the received data management unit <NUM> performs operations similar to those in steps S50 and S52 in <FIG>, to acquire the receiver site information corresponding to the receiver number and the business partner information corresponding to the sender number, and register the acquired information in the management table in <FIG> as information of the receiver site and the sender.

In step S92, the received data management unit <NUM> stores the image data of the received facsimile data in, for example, the received data storage area <NUM>. Then, in step S94, the received data management unit <NUM> registers the storage location information (for example, a path) of the image data stored in step S92 as the received data storage location in the management table of <FIG>. As described above, the received data management unit <NUM> stores the received facsimile data in association with the group to which the facsimile machine <NUM> that has received the facsimile data belongs.

When the management table of <FIG> is used, the processing of step S24 of <FIG> is performed by the procedure illustrated in <FIG>, for example. <FIG> is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing for creating a received facsimile data list performed by the management system according to the present embodiment. In step S100, the list response unit <NUM> of the facsimile data management apparatus <NUM> acquires the receiver number (terminal identification information) of the facsimile machine <NUM> that has transmitted the browse request, from the browse request transmitted in step S22.

In step S <NUM>, the list response unit <NUM> acquires the site information corresponding to the receiver number (terminal identification information) of the facsimile machine <NUM> that has transmitted the browse request, using, for example, the table illustrated in <FIG>. In step S104, the list response unit <NUM> acquires a record having the item "receiver site" corresponding to the site information acquired in step S102 from the management table of <FIG>. In step S106, the list response unit <NUM> generates a list of received facsimile data (list information) based on the acquired record of the management table. The list response unit <NUM> transmits the list as a response to the facsimile machine <NUM> that is the source of the browse request. In this manner, based on the browse request of the received facsimile data, the list response unit <NUM> transmits a list of the received facsimile data classified according to, at least, the group information.

In step S90 in <FIG>, the received data management unit <NUM> may omit registering, in the management table of <FIG>, the receiver site information corresponding to the receiver number. In stead, in S102, the list response unit <NUM> acquires, from the table of <FIG>, the receiver number corresponding to the site information acquired in step S <NUM>, and acquires, from the management table of <FIG>, the record having the item "receiver number" corresponding to the acquired receiver number. That is, the received data management unit <NUM> manages, using the table of <FIG>, the received facsimile data in association with the information on the site (i.e., group information) to which the facsimile machine <NUM> that has received the facsimile data belongs.

As described above, the management system <NUM> according to the present embodiment classifies the facsimile data received by the facsimile machines <NUM> installed in the plurality of sites according to the site information, thereby facilitating management of the facsimile data received by the facsimile machines <NUM> installed in the plurality of sites.

The management system <NUM> according to a variation of the above-described embodiment creates, instead of the folder having the structure illustrated in <FIG>, a folder having the structure illustrated in <FIG>, and stores the image data in such a folder to manage the received facsimile data. <FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example of the folder structure created by the management system according to the variation.

In the folder structure illustrated in <FIG>, receiver site name folders, receiver machine name folders, business partner name folders, and reception date and time name folders are in a hierarchical structure. The receiver site name folder includes the receiver machine name folders. The receiver machine name folder includes the business partner name folders. The business partner name folder includes reception date and time name folders. Received facsimile data is stored in the reception date and time name folder.

In the case of the folder structure illustrated in <FIG>, the received data management unit <NUM> of the facsimile data management apparatus <NUM> can acquire the information of the facsimile machine <NUM> and the information of the receiver site corresponding to the receiver number of the received facsimile data using, for example, a table illustrated in <FIG> stored in the management information storage area <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates an example of information stored in the management information storage area <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates an example of a table for associating the receiver number, the information of the receiver machine (the facsimile machine <NUM>), and the information of the receiver site with each other. The table illustrates in <FIG> includes two records in which the value of the item "receiver machine" is "<NUM>. " The two records are records of different receiver numbers assigned to the same facsimile machine <NUM>. Using the table illustrated in <FIG>, the facsimile data management apparatus <NUM> identifies received facsimile data sent to different receiver numbers assigned to the same facsimile machine <NUM>.

In the case of the management system <NUM> capable of identifying received facsimile data addressed to different receiver numbers assigned to the same facsimile machine <NUM>, the management system <NUM> creates the folder structure, for example, illustrated in <FIG>. Then, the management system <NUM> displays the list of received facsimile data classified by the tree structure of the site, the facsimile machine <NUM>, the business partner, and the reception date and time as illustrated in <FIG>.

<FIG> illustrate examples of screens on the facsimile machine on the site. <FIG> illustrates an example of the screen displayed on the control panel <NUM> to allow a user to select a site. <FIG> is an example of the screen displayed on the control panel <NUM> to allow the user to select the received facsimile data to be browsed from "this machine only," "entire site," and "all sites.

In the case where "this machine only" in <FIG> is selected, the facsimile data addressed to the receiver number of the facsimile machine <NUM> that displays the screen of <FIG> is set as the browsing target. That is, the browsing target is each of received facsimile data that includes destination information indicating own electronic device. In addition, referring to the table of <FIG>, the management system <NUM> may identify the receiver machine having the receiver number of the facsimile machine <NUM> displaying the screen of <FIG>, and sets, as the browsing target, the facsimile data received by all the receiver numbers assigned to the identified receiver machine. When "entire site" is selected in <FIG>, the management system <NUM> sets, as the browsing target, the facsimile data received by all the receiver numbers corresponding to the site having the facsimile machine <NUM> displaying the screen of <FIG>. When "all sites" is selected in <FIG>, the management system <NUM> sets, as the browsing target, the facsimile data received by all the receiver numbers belonging to all the registered sites, not only the site having the facsimile machine <NUM> displaying the screen of <FIG>.

Further, the management system <NUM> according to the present embodiment may use tables illustrated in <FIG> and, for example, stored in the management information storage area <NUM>, to identify the site to which the user operating the facsimile machine <NUM> or the PC <NUM> belongs and the business partner handled by the user. Then, the management system <NUM> selects the received facsimile data to be browsed based on the site to which the identified user belongs or the business partner handled by the identified user.

In <FIG>, a user assigned with the user ID "User01" belongs to the site A. In the management system <NUM> using the tables illustrated in <FIG>, for example, when the user assigned with the user ID "User01" visits the site B, the user can browse, on the facsimile machine <NUM> of the site B, the facsimile data received from the business partner handled by the user out of the facsimile data received by the facsimile machines <NUM> on the site A. In this case, the facsimile machine <NUM> of the site B displays, for example, a screen illustrated in <FIG> illustrates an example of the screen on the facsimile machine on the site. The management system <NUM> using the tables illustrated in <FIG> may change the received facsimile data to be browsed to those displayed the screens illustrated in <FIG> in accordance with the user operating the facsimile machine <NUM>. <FIG> are examples of lists of received facsimile data displayed on the facsimile machine and the PC on the site. The screen illustrated in <FIG> displays the list of the facsimile data received by the facsimile machines <NUM> belonging to a plurality of sites. Such display is convenient for the user who handles the facsimile data sent to the plurality of sites.

Further, in the management system <NUM> according to the present embodiment, when a new facsimile machine <NUM> is introduced to a site, information of the new facsimile machine <NUM> can be registered in the table stored in the management information storage area <NUM>, for example, in the procedure illustrated in <FIG>.

<FIG> is a flowchart of an example of the automatic registration of a facsimile machine, executed by the management system according to the present embodiment. In step S <NUM>, the received data management unit <NUM> of the facsimile data management apparatus <NUM> acquires information on the receiver site (group information) corresponding to the receiver number of the received facsimile data by using, for example, the table illustrated in <FIG> stored in the management information storage area <NUM>.

In step S <NUM>, the received data management unit <NUM> determines whether or not the information of the receiver site has been acquired in step S120. When the information of the receiver site is acquired (Yes in S122), the facsimile machine <NUM> is not a machine newly introduced to the site, and the received data management unit <NUM> ends the process of <FIG>. On the other hand, when the information of the receiver site is not acquired (No in S <NUM>), the facsimile machine <NUM> is a machine newly introduced to the site. The received data management unit <NUM> proceeds to step S <NUM> and acquires the global IP address of the facsimile machine <NUM> from a parameter of communication between the facsimile machine <NUM> and the facsimile data management apparatus <NUM>. The global IP address of the facsimile machine <NUM> is transmitted from the facsimile machine <NUM> to the facsimile data management apparatus <NUM> as a communication parameter included, for example, in the data transmitted in step S12 in the sequence diagram of <FIG>.

In step S <NUM>, the received data management unit <NUM> acquires the site information corresponding to the global IP address of the facsimile machine <NUM> from the table illustrated in <FIG>. In step S128, the received data management unit <NUM> registers the site information acquired in step S126 in association with the receiver number, for example, as illustrated in the table of <FIG> is an example of a table associating the receiver number with the receiver site information (e.g., site name). The receiver number of the facsimile machine newly introduced to the receiver site is registered in the table illustrated in <FIG>.

As described above, the procedure illustrated in the flowchart of <FIG> obviates the work of, for example, an administrator or the like (hereinafter simply "administrator") to register the correspondence between the receiver number of the facsimile machine <NUM> newly introduced to the site and the information of the receiver site. According to the procedure illustrated in <NUM>, the received data management unit <NUM> automatically registers the correspondence upon transmission of the received facsimile data from the facsimile machine <NUM> to the facsimile data management apparatus <NUM>.

The table illustrated in <FIG> that associates the receiver number (terminal identification information) with the information of the receiver site is created and updated using, for example, the following setting screen. <FIG> are diagrams illustrating examples of the setting screen. <FIG> is an example of the setting screen provided by the facsimile data management apparatus <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates an example of the setting screen displayed by the facsimile machine <NUM>.

The setting screen illustrated in <FIG> is provided by a web server included in the facsimile data management apparatus <NUM> and is displayed on a web browser on the PC <NUM> used by the administrator. The administrator selects the facsimile machine <NUM> to be set on a facsimile machine list screen. Receiving the selecting operation by the administrator, the facsimile data management apparatus <NUM> displays the setting screen of <FIG> on the web browser of the PC <NUM> used by the administrator.

The administrator selects the site of the facsimile machine <NUM> to be set from a pull-down list on the setting screen illustrated in <FIG>. The facsimile data management apparatus <NUM> displays the pull-down list using a site list table stored in the management information storage area <NUM>. The setting screen of <FIG> is an example. For example, a plurality of facsimile machines <NUM> to be set may be selected, and a collective selection of the site of the plurality of facsimile machines <NUM> to be set may be received.

By a selection operation such as clicking of an "OK" button, the administrator can select the site information of the facsimile machine <NUM> to be set on the setting screen of <FIG>. The site information of the facsimile machine <NUM> to be set, selected by the administrator on the setting screen of <FIG>, is provided to the received data management unit <NUM>. The received data management unit <NUM> creates and updates the table of <FIG> based on the provided site information of the facsimile machine <NUM> to be set.

The facsimile data management apparatus <NUM> also displays a new site information creation screen in response to a selecting operation by the administrator, such as clicking of a "create new" button on the setting screen illustrated in <FIG>, so as to create new site information on the create new screen. The received data management unit <NUM> creates and updates the table of <FIG> based on the created new site information. The setting screen of <FIG> is an example displayed on the facsimile machine <NUM>, and the site of the facsimile machine <NUM> to be set is selected from the pull-down list in the same manner as in <FIG>.

Further, the setting screens of <FIG> may be modified to receive selection of a grouping item (grouping condition) as illustrated in <FIG> is a diagram illustrating an examples of such a setting screen. In the example illustrated in <FIG>, the setting screen presents the grouping item options of "site," "department," and "business," and "department" is selected as the grouping item. On the setting screen illustrated in <FIG>, the administrator can select a group to which the facsimile machine <NUM> to be set belongs, from the groups "department A," "department B," and "department C" based on the grouping item "department.

On the setting screen of <FIG>, the group options are displayed using the site list table, the department list table, or the business list table corresponding to the selected grouping item. The site list table, the department list table, and the business list table are stored in the management information storage area <NUM>. In the configuration to enable selecting of the grouping item as illustrated in <FIG>, the table of <FIG> is changed to that as illustrated in <FIG> is a table illustrating an example of information stored in the management information storage area <NUM>. In <FIG>, the item "receiver site" in <FIG> is changed to the item "receiver group. " In the item "receiver group" includes the group to which the facsimile machine <NUM> to be set, selected on the setting screen of <FIG>, belongs.

In the configuration to enable selecting of the grouping item as illustrated in <FIG>, the screen of <FIG> are changed to those illustrated in <FIG> illustrate examples of the screen on the facsimile machine on the site. <FIG> illustrates an example of the screen for selecting a site, displayed on the control panel <NUM>. <FIG> is an example of a screen displayed on the control panel <NUM> to allow the user to select the range of the received facsimile data to be browsed from "this machine only," "all machines," "site of this machine," and "department of this machine.

In the examples illustrated in <FIG>, when the facsimile machine <NUM> having the receiver number "<NUM>-xxxx-<NUM>" receives an operation, by the administrator, of selecting the "site of this machine" button, the facsimile machine <NUM> displays a list of the facsimile data received by itself and the facsimile machine <NUM> having the receiver number "<NUM>-xxxx-<NUM>.

In the example illustrated in <FIG>, when the facsimile machine <NUM> having the receiver number "<NUM>-xxxx-<NUM>" receives an operation, by the administrator, of selecting the "department of this machine" button, the facsimile machine <NUM> displays a list of the facsimile data received by itself (i.e., own electronic device), the facsimile machine <NUM> having the receiver number "<NUM>-xxxx-<NUM>," and the facsimile machine <NUM> having the receiver number "<NUM>-xxxx-<NUM>," which belong to the "department B.

The description above concerns an example in which the facsimile data management apparatus <NUM> identifies the site of the facsimile machine <NUM>. Alternatively, the present embodiment may be modified such that the facsimile machine <NUM> identifies the site. In this case, the facsimile machine <NUM> tries acquiring the site information to which the facsimile machine <NUM> belongs from another machine capable of data communication, to determine whether the site information to which the facsimile machine <NUM> belongs has been registered. In the present embodiment, the description above concerns an example in which the facsimile machine <NUM> transfers the received facsimile data to the facsimile data management apparatus <NUM>. However, aspects of the present embodiment are also applicable to a system in which a facsimile reception server temporarily stores the received facsimile data and transmits the received facsimile data based on a request from the facsimile machine <NUM>. In such a system, the fax reception server may transfer the received facsimile data to the facsimile data management apparatus <NUM>, or the facsimile reception server may execute the function of the facsimile data management apparatus <NUM>.

Each of the functions of the described embodiments may be implemented by one or more processing circuits or circuitry. Here, the "processing circuit or circuitry" in the present specification includes a programmed processor to execute each function by software, such as a processor implemented by an electronic circuit, and devices, such as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a digital signal processors (DSP), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), and conventional circuit modules designed to perform the recited functions.

The apparatuses or devices described in the above embodiments and variations are just one example of plural computing environments that implement the embodiments disclosed herein. The received data management unit <NUM> is an example of a received facsimile data management unit. The list response unit <NUM> is an example of a list response unit. The facsimile communication control unit <NUM> is an example of a facsimile communication control unit. The received data transfer unit <NUM> is an example of a facsimile data transfer unit. The received data browse request unit <NUM> is an example of a received facsimile data browse request unit. The screen control unit <NUM> is an example of a display control unit.

Although, in the above-described embodiments, the management apparatus and management system manage facsimile data received by a plurality of electronics devices, the management apparatus and the management system may manage facsimile data received by a single electronics device from a plurality of electronics devices having facsimile capability.

Any one of the above-described operations may be performed in various other ways, for example, in an order different from the one described above, within the scope of the appended claims.

Claim 1:
A management apparatus (<NUM>) configured to store facsimile data received by an electronic device (<NUM>), the management apparatus (<NUM>) comprising:
a received facsimile data management unit (<NUM>) configured to store, in a memory the received facsimile data in association with information on a group to which an electronic device that has received the facsimile data belongs; and
a list response unit (<NUM>) configured to transmit a list of the received facsimile data based on a browse request of the received facsimile data, the list in which the received facsimile data is classified according to at least the information on the group to which the destination belongs,
wherein, when the information on the group to which the destination of the received facsimile data belongs is not identified, the received facsimile data management unit (<NUM>):
identifies site information corresponding to a global internet protocol address of the destination; and
stores, in the memory, the received facsimile data in association with the identified site information as the information on the group to which the destination belongs.