Program, portable terminal and control method thereof

Abstract

To enable causing an image formation apparatus to send facsimile using a frontpage or a header of the facsimile set by a portable terminal.SOLUTION: A communication system (image processing system) 100 transmits an address for performing communication based on wireless LAN 104 and a network 105 being different from short-range wireless communication together with an MFP 101, from the MFP 101 to a portable terminal 102 using short-range wireless communication when the portable terminal 102 and MFP 101 come close to each other in a range to be able to communicate by the short-range wireless communication. And, the portable terminal 102 transmits a destination set by communication based on the wireless LAN 104 and the network 105 using the address to the MFP 101, and transmits image data generated by reading a manuscript to the destination set from the MFP 101.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a mobile terminal, a control method thereof, a program, and an image processing system. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, a highly user-friendly device called a smartphone has become widespread as a type of mobile terminal. A smartphone has a built-in telephone directory, and multiple pieces of information such as a home telephone number, a mobile telephone number, and a company fax number can be registered for one name. In addition, multiple pieces of information about the user can be registered as profile information, just like with addresses.

[0003] On the other hand, image forming devices have a function for attaching sender information as header information when sending a fax, and a function for sending a fax using a different fax number that has been registered in advance if the fax cannot be used while another fax is being sent or received when an attempt is made to send a fax.

[0004] When performing proxy transmission, in addition to the fax original data, some proxy fax machines also transmit the fax number / name and other sender data to the proxy fax machine, which then transmits the fax on behalf of the requesting fax machine (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0005] Some image forming apparatuses also have a function for attaching a cover sheet via an operation on an operation unit of the image forming apparatus and sending the document by facsimile (for example, see Patent Document 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] JP 2004-186959 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2003-264650 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, in the above conventional technology, the information added as a header is information about the image forming device that is the sender, so that although the information about the image forming device is known, the information about the user is not known. This poses a problem.

[0008] Furthermore, when user information is to be added, it is necessary to manually input the information from the operation unit of the image forming apparatus, which is time-consuming and may lead to input errors.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide a mobile terminal that can be configured to cause an image forming apparatus to send a fax with a fax cover or header configured on the mobile terminal, as well as a control method, program, and image processing system for the same. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the image processing system of claim 1 includes a mobile terminal and an image processing device, and is an image processing system in which the mobile terminal and the image processing device can communicate with each other, and is characterized in that it comprises a setting means for setting a destination, a reading means for reading an original document, a first transmission means for transmitting connection information from the image processing device to the mobile terminal via short-range wireless communication when the mobile terminal and the image processing device come close to each other within a range in which they can communicate via short-range wireless communication, for performing another wireless communication with the image processing device that is different from the short-range wireless communication, and a second transmission means for the mobile terminal to transmit the destination set by the setting means to the image processing device via the other wireless communication using the connection information transmitted by the first transmission means, and for transmitting image data generated by reading the original document by the reading means from the image processing device to the destination set by the setting means. Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention, cover data indicating a cover is created in accordance with settings related to the fax cover, and header data indicating a header is created in accordance with settings related to the fax header, and when an instruction to send a fax is received from a user, the document is read along with the destination information and the cover data or header data, and an instruction to send the fax is sent to the image forming device, so that it is possible to have the image forming device send a fax with the fax cover or header set on the mobile terminal. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a communication system (image processing system) according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the MFP in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the mobile terminal appearing in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a screen of the mobile terminal appearing in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed by a mobile FAX application. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed by a mobile FAX application. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed by a mobile FAX application. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed by a mobile FAX application. [Figure 9] 11 is a flowchart showing the procedure of basic processing executed by the MFP and the mobile terminal. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure for a sending and reading setting process in step S1303 in FIG. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure for a request response process in step S1318 in FIG. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure of an original detection flag check process in step S1309 in FIG. [Figure 13] 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the transmission process in step S1322 in FIG. [Figure 14] 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the transmission process in step S1322 in FIG. [Figure 15] 15 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the auto redial process in step S1815 in FIG. 14. [Figure 16] 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the status check process in step S1313 in FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0014] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a communication system (image processing system) 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] 1, a communication system 100 includes an MFP 101, a mobile terminal 102, and a PC 107, which are connected to each other via a network 105. The mobile terminal 102 is connected to the network 105 via a wireless LAN 104 via an access point 103 provided in the network 105.

[0016] The MFP 101 is also provided with an NFC (Near Field Communication) tag 106, enabling communication with NFC-equipped devices. The MFP 101 also has an interface with a public line network 108, enabling FAX transmission and reception with a FAX machine 109 connected via the public line network 108.

[0017] In this embodiment, the MFP 101 and the mobile terminal 102 are capable of communicating with each other via the wireless LAN 104 and the network 105, and are adapted to operate in cooperation with each other.

[0018] 1, the MFP 101 is connected to the network 105 by wire, but may be connected wirelessly. In this case, the MFP 101 is connected to the network 105 by an access point 103.

[0019] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the MFP 101 appearing in FIG.

[0020] 2, the MFP 101 includes a controller board 300, a scanner 309, a printer engine 307, an operation panel 312, and an NFC antenna 314.

[0021] Of these, the scanner 309 reads an original, the printer engine 307 prints print data on paper, and the operation panel 312 performs various setting operations and displays alarms and the like.

[0022] Further, the scanner is connected to an original detection sensor 320 for detecting an original. The original detection sensor 320 includes a pressure plate section (original plate scanner section) and an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) section.

[0023] In the case of the platen unit, when an original is placed on the platen glass, the presence of the original is detected and notified to the scanner 309. In the case of the ADF unit, when an original is placed on the feeder, the presence of the original is detected and notified to the scanner 309.

[0024] A CPU 301 in the controller board 300 controls the entire MFP 101. A ROM 303 is a boot ROM in which a boot program for the MFP 101 is stored.

[0025] The RAM 302 is a system work memory for the operation of the CPU 301, and stores calculation data and various programs of the CPU 301. The RAM 302 is also used as an image memory for storing image data that has been subjected to various image processes by the image processing unit 305 during printing, etc.

[0026] The storage device 304 is a non-volatile secondary storage device for storing large-sized programs and data. The stored large-sized programs and data are expanded in the RAM 302 for use.

[0027] The scanner interface 308 is an interface for performing data communication with a scanner 309. The engine interface 306 is an interface for performing data communication with a printer engine 307.

[0028] The FAX interface 318 is connected to the public line network 108 via a modular jack, and transmits and receives FAX data to and from the FAX machine 109 .

[0029] The network interface 317 is connected to the network 105 via a LAN interface connector, and performs network communication with the PC 107 and the mobile terminal 102. In the case of wireless connection as described above, the network communication with the PC 107, the access point 103, and the mobile terminal 102 is performed via the wireless LAN interface 310.

[0030] The USB interface 315 communicates with other devices via a USB connector. In FIG. 2, the USB interface 315 is locally connected to a PC 316.

[0031] The NFC controller 313 performs NFC communication with a mobile terminal equipped with NFC via an NFC antenna 314 .

[0032] The above-described components of the controller board 300 and the operation panel 312 are connected via a bus 319 .

[0033] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the mobile terminal 102 appearing in FIG.

[0034] In FIG. 3, the mobile terminal 102 is composed of a controller board 400, a display unit 406, a touch panel 408, keys 409, and an NFC antenna 414.

[0035] Various displays are performed on the display unit 406 by a display controller 405, and various controls are performed on the touch panel 408 and keys 409 by an operation unit controller 407. A user can give instructions such as scrolling through menus or pressing buttons by sliding or touching the touch panel 408 with a finger or the like with respect to the menus and buttons displayed on the display unit 406.

[0036] A CPU 401 in the controller board 400 controls the entire mobile terminal 102. A ROM 403 is a boot ROM, in which a boot program for the mobile terminal 102 is stored.

[0037] The RAM 402 is a system work memory for the operation of the CPU 401, and stores calculation data and various programs of the CPU 401. The storage device 404 is a non-volatile secondary storage device for storing large-sized programs and data, and the stored large-sized programs and data are expanded in the RAM 402 for use.

[0038] The wireless LAN interface 410 connects to the access point 103 by wireless LAN via the wireless LAN antenna 411, and performs wireless LAN communication with the outside. The call unit 412 is connected to a microphone and speaker (not shown), connects to a public line, and provides a telephone function. The NFC controller 413 performs NFC communication with an NFC-equipped device via the NFC antenna 414.

[0039] In this embodiment, a smartphone will be used as an example of mobile terminal 102, but this embodiment can be applied to a portable terminal such as a tablet that does not include the above-mentioned configuration and does not include communication unit 412.

[0040] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a screen of the mobile terminal 102 appearing in FIG.

[0041] 4A is a diagram showing a contact list screen of a telephone directory application. In the telephone directory application, information such as a telephone number, a mobile phone number, a FAX number, and an email address can be registered for each registration name.

[0042] 4A, contact list screen 501 is composed of search input section 502 and registered name display section 503, and allows the user to search for registered names or select them from the list. When a registered name is selected, contacts registered with that registered name are displayed in a list.

[0043] Fig. 4B is an example of a list display. In Fig. 4B, a registered name 601 is Taro Takahashi, and a telephone number 602, a mobile phone number 603, a fax number 604, an email address mobile 605, and an email address company 606 are registered for this registered name.

[0044] The user can select a contact from the list. When the user selects a fax number 604, a mobile fax application is started and the user can send a fax in cooperation with the MFP 101.

[0045] FIG. 4C is a diagram showing the top screen of the MFP cooperative application.

[0046] On the top screen shown in FIG. 4(C), a mobile FAX button 701 and a mobile Scan button 702 are displayed.

[0047] In this embodiment, a mobile FAX application in which mobile terminal 102 and MFP 101 cooperate to transmit a FAX will be described.

[0048] 5 to 8 are diagrams showing examples of screens displayed by a mobile FAX application.

[0049] When the user presses the mobile FAX button 701 on the screen shown in FIG. 4(C), the setting screen for the mobile FAX application shown in FIG. 5(A) is displayed.

[0050] This setting screen displays configurable items such as the destination, and each item can be set by operating the touch panel.

[0051] Specifically, a destination selection button 801, a resolution setting button 802, a density setting button 803, a double-sided setting button 804, a sharpness setting button 805, and an other details button 808 are displayed.

[0052] Of these, when the destination selection button 801 is pressed, the destination setting method selection screen of Fig. 5(B) is displayed, which is a screen for the user to select the destination setting method. When the phone book reference button 807 is selected on this screen, the destination can be selected from the phone book application screen shown in Fig. 4(A). It is also possible to set the number manually, or to select the destination by referring to the history.

[0053] Returning to FIG. 5(A), the resolution setting button 802 displays resolution options, and if the user wants to change the option, pressing the button will switch to a screen that includes other options, from which the user can select a resolution.

[0054] If the resolution is not changed, it is set to the setting value of 200×100 dpi displayed on the resolution setting button 802. If the resolution is changed, the changed setting value is displayed on the resolution setting button 802, and the resolution is set to that setting value.

[0055] The settings of the density setting button 803, the double-sided setting button 804, and the sharpness setting button 805 can also be changed in a similar manner. The case where the other details button 808 is pressed will be described later.

[0056] By pressing the Next button 806, each item is set and the screen shown in FIG. 5(C) is displayed.

[0057] 5C is a diagram showing the MFP selection screen, which displays a message 901 to proceed to the next process, and a cancel button 902 to cancel the process.

[0058] When the user touches the NFC tag 106 of the MFP 101 with the mobile terminal 102 in order to proceed to the next process, the screen shown in FIG. 5(D) is displayed.

[0059] 5D is a diagram showing an alarm display screen, which indicates that the MFP 101 and the mobile terminal 102 are preparing to cooperate with each other.

[0060] Next, when the MFP 101 and the mobile terminal 102 are ready to cooperate with each other, the screen shown in FIG. 6(A) is displayed.

[0061] 6A is a diagram showing the document setting instruction screen. This screen is a screen for instructing the user to set the document. This screen displays a message 1001 to proceed to the next process, and a cancel button 1002 to cancel the process.

[0062] When a document is set on the MFP 101, the screen shown in FIG. 6(B) is displayed.

[0063] 6B is a diagram showing a scan start instruction screen for receiving an instruction to start scanning. This screen displays a message 1101 to proceed to the next process, a scan start button 1102 for instructing the user to start scanning, and a cancel button 1103 for canceling the process.

[0064] When the scan start button 1102 is pressed on this screen, the screen shown in FIG. 6(C) is displayed.

[0065] 6C is a screen showing the status of the MFP 101. This screen displays a message 1201 showing the status of the MFP 101, and a transmission stop button 1202 for instructing the cancellation of transmission.

[0066] Returning to Fig. 5(A), when the Other Details button 808 is pressed, the screen shown in Fig. 7(A) is displayed. Fig. 7(A) is a screen showing items that can be set as other details settings. Here, an example is shown in which cover page creation, header creation, and ECM transmission can be set.

[0067] When the cover creation button 809 is selected, the screen shown in Fig. 7(B) is displayed. Fig. 7(B) is a screen showing the cover creation mode. This screen allows the user to make settings for creating a cover.

[0068] On the other hand, when the header creation button 810 is selected on the screen shown in Fig. 7(A), the screen shown in Fig. 8(D) is displayed. Fig. 8(D) is a header creation mode screen. This screen allows the header creation to be set. The details of the header creation mode screen of Fig. 8(D) will be described later.

[0069] Furthermore, when the ECM transmission button is selected on the screen shown in FIG. 7(A), it becomes possible to select whether or not to transmit ECM.

[0070] The screen shown in Fig. 7(B) will be described below. As described above, the screen shown in Fig. 7(B) is a screen for the cover creation mode, and in this example, the initial settings can be viewed.

[0071] When button 1401 is pressed, the screen shown in Fig. 7(C) is displayed. Fig. 7(C) is a screen for performing initial settings. On this screen, the initial settings can be set for each item, such as destination, date, subject, number of pages, and sender.

[0072] For the destination, the user can select which information to use as the destination from among the information registered in the telephone directory of the mobile terminal 102 by pressing a button 1410. Specifically, the user can select from among the surname only, the surname and given name, or even a combination of the affiliation.

[0073] In the title section, the user can select the title to be used from candidates such as "sama" (sama), "dono" (dono), etc., with button 1411. In the case of broadcast transmission, since there are multiple destinations, the user can select with button 1412 whether to address each individual only to that person, or to list multiple destinations with their joint names, etc.

[0074] For the date, the display format can be selected with a button 1413. For the subject, manual input or selection from fixed phrases with a button 1414 can be performed, and here, a FAX document is used as an example of the fixed phrase.

[0075] The number of pages can be selected from standard wording with button 1415, and here, as an example of the standard, a page not including a cover sheet is used. In the sender setting, the user can select with button 1416 which information to use as the sender from among the information registered in the telephone directory of mobile terminal 102.

[0076] The telephone directory of the mobile terminal 102 is designed so that information about the person using the mobile terminal 102 can be registered as My Profile, and in this example, the information registered in My Profile is referenced and used as sender information.

[0077] The sender's information can be registered as name and contact information. For the name, you can choose to use only the last name, or the first name and last name plus the affiliation. For the contact information, you can also choose which fax number to use.

[0078] In addition, you may use not only a fax number but also a telephone number and an email address as the contact information. In addition, although the explanation was given using one template, it is possible to apply this to various types of templates, such as using English as the language.

[0079] When button 1417 is pressed, the settings are changed according to the contents displayed on the screen, and the screen returns to the cover page creation mode. When button 1418 is pressed, the screen returns to the cover page creation mode without changing any of the settings. In this way, the settings related to the fax cover page are the address setting to be written on the cover page, the title setting, the broadcast transmission setting, the date setting, the subject setting, the number of pages setting, and the sender setting. These settings are merely examples, and at least one of the examples may be settable, or settings other than those shown may be settable.

[0080] Returning to the explanation of Fig. 7B, buttons 1402 to 1407 are buttons for changing each item of the cover setting, and allow the mode set in the initial settings to be confirmed. Pressing button 1409 also stops cover creation.

[0081] For example, when a button 1406 for setting the number of copies is pressed, the screen changes to a screen for manually inputting the number of copies, and the user can input and set the number of copies.

[0082] Other items can also be entered manually, and you can freely create a cover page from this screen.

[0083] When button 1408 is pressed, cover data is created in accordance with the cover mode setting, and the cover confirmation screen shown in FIGS. 8(A), (B), and (C) is displayed.

[0084] 8A, 8B, and 8C are examples of the cover confirmation screen, in which a cover is created according to the cover mode setting and is displayed as previews 2101, 2102, and 2103.

[0085] Preview 2101 shows a display example with the settings shown in Fig. 7(B). Preview 2102 shows a display example when the broadcast transmission setting is changed to multiple names. Preview 2103 shows a display example when even affiliation information registered in My Profile is combined as sender information.

[0086] 8(A), (B), or (C), pressing button 2104 creates a cover page. Pressing button 2105 in Fig. 8(A), (B), or (C) returns the screen to the cover page creation mode. In this way, a preview image of the cover page is displayed on the display unit.

[0087] FIG. 8(D) is a screen showing the header creation mode, where the header settings can be confirmed.

[0088] In FIG. 8(D), by pressing a button 2002, information to be used as header information can be selected from candidates obtained by referring to information registered in My Profile.

[0089] If My Profile is not used, manually entered information can be used as the header by pressing a button 2001. Also, by pressing a Header Setting button 2003, it is possible to select whether to use the MFP's fax number as the header as is, to use a header created by Mobile FAX, or to use a header with header information created by Mobile FAX added.

[0090] In this way, the settings related to the fax header include a setting as to whether or not to use pre-registered information about the person using the mobile terminal, a setting as to whether or not to use the fax number of the image forming device as the header, a setting as to whether or not to use a header created on the mobile terminal as the header, and a setting as to whether or not to add information created on the mobile terminal to the header.

[0091] When the button 2004 is pressed, a header is created, and when the button 2005 is pressed, the header creation is stopped.

[0092] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the procedure of basic processing executed by the MFP 101 and the mobile terminal 102.

[0093] 9 are executed by the CPU 401 based on a program stored in any one of the ROM 403, the storage device 404, and the RAM 402 of the controller board 400 shown in FIG.

[0094] 2. Furthermore, the processes S1315 to S1323 of the MFP 101 are executed by the CPU 301 based on a program stored in any one of the ROM 303, the storage device 304, and the RAM 302 of the controller board 300 shown in FIG.

[0095] First, when the main power supply of the MFP 101 is turned on, the CPU 301 starts up the MFP 101 based on the program stored in the ROM 303 of the controller board 300 (step S1315).

[0096] Next, the IP address is written as the network address of the device in the NFC tag 106 (step S1316). Specifically, the IP address of the device is stored in a non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM provided inside the NFC controller 313.

[0097] On the other hand, in the mobile terminal 102, a mobile FAX application is started to perform mobile FAX (step S1301).

[0098] The activated mobile FAX application displays the setting screen shown in Fig. 5(A). The destination is set by the user selecting the destination here (step S1302), and transmission and document reading settings are performed (step S1303). Details of this transmission and reading setting process will be described later. The above step S1302 corresponds to a destination setting means for setting destination information indicating the destination to which the fax is to be sent.

[0099] When the Next button 806 is pressed on the setting screen, the MFP selection screen shown in Fig. 5C is displayed (step S1304). Terminal B in the figure will be described later.

[0100] Next, the NFC controller 413 of the mobile terminal 102 is started up in the reader mode (step S1305).

[0101] In order to select the MFP 101 for scanning an original and transmitting a FAX, the user brings the mobile terminal 102 close to the NFC tag 106 of the MFP 101, so that the mobile terminal 102 comes within the communication range of NFC.

[0102] As a result, the MFP 101 provides an address for communication via the wireless LAN 104 and the network 105, which is different from short-distance wireless communication, by transferring the address (step S1317), and the mobile terminal 102 acquires information from the NFC tag 106 of the MFP 101 with an NFC reader (step S1306). The above-mentioned step S1317 corresponds to a providing means.

[0103] Then, the IP address of MFP 101 is extracted from the information acquired by NFC controller 413 of mobile terminal 102 (step S1307). The above steps S1306 and S1307 correspond to an acquisition unit that acquires an address for performing communication different from short-range wireless communication by short-range wireless communication from the image forming apparatus when the user brings the mobile terminal close to the image forming apparatus within a range where communication is possible by short-range wireless communication. Then, the acquired address is used to communicate with the image forming apparatus.

[0104] Mobile terminal 102 accesses the extracted IP address and transmits a mobile FAX request to MFP 101 (step S1308). At this time, if MFP 101 is connected by wire, the request is transmitted from mobile terminal 102 to MFP 101 via wireless LAN interface 410, access point 103, and network 105. The above step S1308 corresponds to a request transmission means that transmits a request to transmit a fax to the image forming apparatus.

[0105] On the other hand, if MFP 101 is wirelessly connected, the request is transmitted from mobile terminal 102 to access point 103 via wireless LAN interface 410 , and the request is then transmitted from access point 103 to MFP 101 .

[0106] Upon receiving the request, MFP 101 performs a request response process to return a response to the request to mobile terminal 102 (step S1318). Details of this request response process will be described later. Then, when a document is set on the ADF unit or the pressure plate unit (YES in step S1319), MFP 101 sets a document detection flag (step S1320).

[0107] The mobile terminal 102, which has received the response to the request from the MFP 101, performs a document flag check process to check whether or not a document detection flag has been set in the MFP 101 (step S1309). The document flag check process will be described in detail later.

[0108] When an original is set on the MFP 101, the scan start instruction screen shown in Fig. 6(B) is displayed on the display unit 406 of the mobile terminal 102 (step S1310). When the scan start button 1102 is pressed on this screen (YES in step S1311), a scan instruction is sent to the MFP 101 (step S1312). This step S1312 corresponds to an instruction sending means that detects that an original has been set on the image forming apparatus, and when an instruction to send a fax (scan instruction) is received from the user, reads the original together with destination information and cover data or header data, and sends an instruction to send a fax to the image forming apparatus.

[0109] When the MFP 101 receives the scan instruction (YES in step S1321), it scans the document and performs a transmission process to send the document by fax (step S1322). The details of this transmission process will be described later. After that, the MFP 101 stores a transmission history according to the result of the transmission process (step S1323), and ends this process.

[0110] On the other hand, the mobile terminal 102 that transmitted the scan instruction to the MFP 101 performs a status check process to check whether the MFP 101 has completed transmission or terminated due to an error (step S1313). The status check process will be described in detail later.

[0111] Depending on the result of the status check process, the mobile terminal 102 stores the transmission history (step S1314), and ends this process.

[0112] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the sending / reading setting process in step S1303 in FIG.

[0113] 10, it is determined whether there are other detailed settings that can be set by the other details button 808 in Fig. 5(A) (step S2201). If it is determined in step S2201 that there are no other detailed settings (NO in step S2201), the process proceeds to step S2204.

[0114] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S2201 that there are other detailed settings (YES in step S2201), it is determined whether ECM transmission is set (step S2202).

[0115] If it is determined in step S2202 that ECM transmission is set (YES in step S2202), a setting for using ECM transmission is made (step S2203), and the process proceeds to step S2204.

[0116] If it is determined in step S2202 that ECM transmission is not set (NO in step S2202), it is determined whether or not the cover page creation mode has been selected (step S2205).

[0117] As a result of the determination in step S2205, if the cover page creation mode has been selected (YES in step S2205), the screen shown in FIG. 7B is displayed and the cover page creation mode is started (S2206).

[0118] When the items that can be set in the cover page creation mode are set and button 1408 is pressed (YES in step S2207), a cover page is created according to the settings, and a preview is displayed as shown in FIGS. 8(A), (B), and (C) (step S2208).

[0119] Next, it is determined whether or not button 2104 has been pressed on the screen of Figures 8 (A), (B), and (C) (step S2209), and if button 2105 for canceling has been pressed (NO in step S2209), the process returns to step S2006.

[0120] On the other hand, if button 2104 has been pressed (YES in step S2209), cover page data is created (step S2210), and the process proceeds to step S2204. This step S2210 corresponds to a cover page creating unit that creates cover page data indicating a cover page in accordance with settings related to the fax cover page.

[0121] Also, in the above step S2207, if the cancel button 1409 is pressed (NO in step S2207, YES in step S2211), the process proceeds to step S2204.

[0122] Returning to step S2205 above, if the result of the determination in step S2205 is that the header creation mode has been selected (NO in step S2205, YES in step S2212), the screen shown in FIG. 8(D) is displayed and the header creation mode is activated (step S2213).

[0123] When the items that can be set in the header creation mode are set and button 2004 is pressed (YES in step S2214), header data is created according to the settings (step S2215), and the process proceeds to step S2204. This step S2215 corresponds to a header creation means for creating header data indicating the fax header according to settings related to the header.

[0124] When the cancel button 2005 is pressed during the header creation mode (NO in step S2214, YES in step S2216), the header creation is cancelled and the process proceeds to step S2204.

[0125] If the header creation mode has not been selected in step S2212 (NO in step S2212), the process proceeds to step S2204.

[0126] Then, settings are made according to the settings of resolution, density, double-sided printing, and sharpness (step S2204), and this process ends.

[0127] "Resolution" here refers to the reading resolution, and can be selected from options such as 200 x 200 dpi (fine). "Density" allows the reading density to be adjusted in stages. "Double-sided" allows the user to turn off double-sided reading of the document, or set it to open left / right or top / bottom. "Sharpness" allows the user to adjust in stages whether to make the edges of the document image clearer or to weaken the contrast. Users can set these items according to the characteristics of the document and their preferences.

[0128] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the request response process in step S1318 in FIG.

[0129] 11, when the MFP 101 receives a request (YES in step S1701), it determines whether or not the MFP 101 has a FAX function (step S1702). The above step S1701 corresponds to a request receiving unit that receives a request to send a FAX from a mobile terminal.

[0130] If the result of the determination in step S1702 is that the FAX function is available (YES in step S1702), a response to the received request is returned (step S1703). After returning the response, the document detection sensor 320 starts monitoring whether or not a document has been set (step S1704), and this process ends.

[0131] On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step S1702 is that the device does not have a FAX function (NO in step S1702), information indicating that the device does not have a mobile FAX function is returned as a response to the mobile terminal 102 (step S1705), and the basic processing shown in Figure 9 is terminated.

[0132] In step S1703 of the request response process described above, instead of simply responding that the mobile FAX request can be handled, the FAX transmission capabilities of the device itself may be returned together with the response to the request.

[0133] Specifically, the fax sending functions that can be set in the fax sending device, such as whether ECM sending is enabled, resolution options, whether ADF double-sided scanning is enabled, and the like, are returned to the mobile terminal 102 .

[0134] Furthermore, the mobile terminal 102 that has received information on the FAX transmission function of the MFP 101 compares the setting contents previously selected by the user with the settable setting contents received from the MFP 101 .

[0135] If an item that cannot be set on the MFP 101 is set on the mobile terminal 102, a message is displayed to prompt the user to change the setting, or the setting may be automatically changed to the setting that is closest to the content set by the user.

[0136] This makes it possible to cover the case where the setting contents previously set by the user on the mobile terminal 102 cannot be set on the MFP 101 that actually sends the FAX.

[0137] FIG. 12 is a flow chart showing the procedure of the document detection flag check process in step S1309 in FIG.

[0138] 12, it is determined whether or not there is a response to the request from MFP 101 (step S1501). If there is a response to the request as a result of the determination in step S1501 (YES in step S1501), it is determined whether or not MFP 101 has a FAX function (step S1502).

[0139] If it is determined in step S1502 that the MFP does not have a FAX function (NO in step S1502), a message indicating that the selected MFP does not have a FAX function is displayed on display unit 406 of mobile terminal 102 (step S1509), and the process proceeds to terminal B in FIG.

[0140] On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step S1502 is that the mobile terminal 102 has a FAX function (YES in step S1502), the message shown in Fig. 6A instructing the user to set an original in MFP 101 is displayed on display unit 406 of mobile terminal 102 (step S1503). This step S1503 corresponds to an original setting instruction display means that displays on display unit 406 content instructing the user to set an original in the image forming apparatus when the image forming apparatus to which the request was sent responds that it is capable of sending a fax.

[0141] Next, in order to check the document detection flag for the MFP 101, the document detection flag is polled to periodically make an inquiry about the document detection flag (step S1504), and it is determined whether or not there is a response to the polling (step S1505).

[0142] If it is determined in step S1505 that there is a response (YES in step S1505), it is determined whether or not the document detection flag has been set (step S1506).

[0143] As a result of the determination in step S1506, if the document detection flag is not set (NO in step S1506), the process returns to step S1504.

[0144] On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step S1506 is that the document detection flag is set (YES in step S1506), the message shown in FIG. 6B indicating that a document has been set is displayed on display unit 406 of mobile terminal 102 (step S1507), and this process ends.

[0145] Returning to step S1505, if there is no response (NO in step S1505), it is determined whether a timeout has occurred (step S1510). If it is not a timeout (NO in step S1510), the process returns to step S1505.

[0146] On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step S1510 is that a timeout has occurred (YES in step S1510), a message indicating that there has been no response from MFP 101 is displayed (step S1511), and the basic processing shown in FIG. 9 ends.

[0147] Returning to step S1501, if there is no response as a result of the determination in step S1501 (NO in step S1501), it is determined whether a timeout has occurred (step S1508). If it is determined in step S1508 that a timeout has not occurred (NO in step S1508), the process returns to step S1501.

[0148] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1508 that a timeout has occurred (YES in step S1508), the process proceeds to step S1511.

[0149] 13 and 14 are a flowchart showing the procedure of the transmission process in step S1322 in FIG.

[0150] In FIG. 13, the MFP 101 receives transmission settings such as a destination, transmission settings, and scan settings (step S1801), and stores them (step S1802).

[0151] Next, it is determined whether or not cover data is present (step S1822). If it is determined in step S1822 that cover data is present (YES in step S1822), the cover data is stored (step S1823) and the process proceeds to step S1803.

[0152] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1822 that there is no cover data (NO in step S1822), it is determined whether or not there is header data (step S1824). If it is determined in step S1824 that there is header data (YES in step S1824), the header data is stored (step S1825) and the process proceeds to step S1803.

[0153] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1824 that there is no header data (NO in step S1824), the process proceeds directly to step S1803. The above steps S1801, 1822, and 1824 correspond to an instruction receiving means for receiving, from the portable terminal, an instruction to read an original and send a fax, together with destination information indicating the destination to which the fax is to be sent, fax cover data, or fax header data.

[0154] Next, it is determined whether or not the document is placed on the ADF (step S1803). If it is determined in step S1803 that the document is placed on the ADF (YES in step S1803), ADF scanning is started according to the transmission settings (step S1804).

[0155] Then, the MFP 101 executes a scan process (step S1805) and stores one page of scanned image data (step S1806). The status of the MFP 101 in the process of step S1805 is "scanning."

[0156] Next, it is determined whether or not there is a next page (step S1807). If it is determined in step S1807 that there is a next page (YES in step S1807), the process returns to step S1805.

[0157] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1807 that there is no next page (NO in step S1807), cover data according to the cover setting is generated (step S1826), the process proceeds to FIG. 14, and the public line is checked (step S1808).

[0158] Then, it is determined whether or not a call can be made (step S1809). If it is determined in step S1809 that a call cannot be made (NO in step S1809), the process returns to step S1808.

[0159] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1809 that a call can be made (YES in step S1809), a call is made to the destination specified in the transmission settings (step S1810) and FAX transmission is performed (step S1811). The status of MFP 101 in the process of step S1811 is "transmitting."

[0160] Next, it is determined whether the FAX transmission has been normally completed (step S1812). If it is determined in step S1812 that the FAX transmission has been normally completed (YES in step S1812), the transmission is deemed to be completed (step S1813), and this process is terminated. The status of MFP 101 in the process of step S1813 is set to "transmission completed."

[0161] On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step S1812 is that the call did not end normally (NO in step S1812), it is determined whether the call destination is busy (step S1814). If the result of the determination in step S1814 is that the call destination is busy (YES in step S1814), an auto redial process is performed to make a call again (step S1815), and this process ends.

[0162] On the other hand, if the call destination is not busy (NO in step S1814), the process ends with an error (step S1816). The status of MFP 101 in the process of step S1816 is set to "error end." Steps S1813 and S1816 correspond to a status setting means for setting a status indicating the fax transmission result.

[0163] Returning to step S1803, if the result of the determination in step S1803 is that the original is not placed in the ADF (NO in step S1803), BOOK scanning is started in accordance with the transmission settings (step S1817). Scanning is executed (step S1818), and one page of scanned image data is stored (step S1819). The above steps S1805, 1818, and 1811 correspond to a fax transmission means that reads the original in accordance with an instruction to transmit a fax, and transmits a fax indicating the original to a destination indicated by the destination information, together with data generated from the cover data or header data.

[0164] When storage of one page is completed, a display instructing to read the next document is displayed (step S1820), and it is determined whether or not there is a next page (step S1821).

[0165] As a result of the determination in step S1821, if there is a next page (YES in step S1821), the process returns to step S1818.

[0166] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1821 that there is no next page (NO in step S1821), header data is generated according to the header settings (step S1826), and the process proceeds to step S1808.

[0167] FIG. 15 is a flow chart showing the procedure of the auto redial process in step S1815 in FIG.

[0168] In FIG. 15, a preset auto redial setting is read (step S1901), the status is set to redial waiting (step S1902), and a redial waiting time is set (step S1903).

[0169] When the waiting time has elapsed (YES in step S1904), the number of redials is incremented by 1 (step S1905), and the public line is checked (step S1906).

[0170] Then, it is determined whether or not a call can be made (step S1907). If it is determined in step S1907 that a call cannot be made (NO in step S1907), the process returns to step S1906.

[0171] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1907 that a call can be made (YES in step S1907), a call is made to the destination specified in the transmission settings (step S1908), and FAX transmission is performed (step S1909). The status of the MFP 101 in the process of step S1909 is "transmitting."

[0172] Next, it is determined whether the FAX transmission has been normally completed (step S1910). If the result of the determination in step S1910 is that the FAX transmission has been normally completed (YES in step S1910), the transmission is deemed to be completed (step S1911), and this process is terminated. The status of MFP 101 in the process of step S1911 above is transmission completed.

[0173] On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step S1910 is that the call did not end normally (NO in step S1910), it is determined whether the call destination is busy (step S1912).

[0174] If it is determined in step S1912 that the call destination is not busy (NO in step S1912), the process ends with an error (step S1913). The status of the MFP 101 in the process of step S1913 is an error end.

[0175] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1912 that the call destination is busy (YES in step S1912), it is determined whether the number of redial attempts is less than the upper limit (step S1914).

[0176] If it is determined in step S1914 that the number of redials is less than the upper limit (YES in step S1914), the process returns to step S1902.

[0177] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1914 that the number of redials is equal to or greater than the upper limit (NO in step S1914), the process proceeds to step S1913.

[0178] FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the status check process in step S1313 in FIG.

[0179] In FIG. 16, the status of the MFP 101 is checked (step S1601), and it is determined whether or not a response has been received (step S1602).

[0180] If it is determined in step S1602 that there is no response (NO in step S1602), it is determined whether or not a timeout has occurred (step S1607). If it is determined in step S1607 that a timeout has not occurred (NO in step S1607), the process returns to step S1602.

[0181] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1607 that a timeout has occurred (YES in step S1607), the process proceeds to step S1511 in FIG.

[0182] Returning to step S1602, if a response has been received (YES in step S1602), a status is obtained from the response (step S1603).

[0183] Next, the acquired status of the MFP 101 is displayed on the display unit 406 of the mobile terminal 102 (step S1604). Specifically, the status such as dialing / FAX sending is displayed.

[0184] It is determined whether or not the FAX transmission is complete (step S1605). If it is determined in step S1605 that the FAX transmission is complete (YES in step S1605), the completion of the FAX transmission is displayed on display unit 406 of mobile terminal 102 (step S1606), and the process ends.

[0185] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1605 that the FAX transmission has not been completed (NO in step S1605), it is determined whether or not the transmission ended in an error (step S1608). If it is determined in step S1608 that the transmission did not end in an error (NO in step S1608), the process returns to step S1601.

[0186] On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step S1608 is that the FAX transmission ended in an error (YES in step S1608), a message indicating that the FAX transmission ended in an error is displayed on display unit 406 of mobile terminal 102 (step S1609), and this process ends. These steps S1606 and S1609 correspond to a transmission result display means for displaying the result of the FAX transmission by the image forming apparatus on display unit 406.

[0187] In this way, in the status check process, the transmission result is displayed according to the status indicating the transmission result obtained from the image forming device. Also, if the result is NO in step S1607 and the status cannot be obtained, a message indicating that no response was obtained from the image forming device is displayed by terminal A in step S1511 in FIG.

[0188] According to this embodiment, header information can also be created using profile information from a phone book registered in the mobile terminal, so that a fax can be sent by adding not only device information about the sending MFP but also user information.

[0189] In addition, when creating and attaching a cover page, the profile information in the telephone directory registered in the mobile terminal is used, so user information can be entered easily and without error.

[0190] As described above, according to this embodiment, cover data indicating a cover is created in accordance with the settings related to the fax cover (step S2210), and header data indicating a header is created in accordance with the settings related to the fax header (step S2215). When an instruction to send a fax is received from a user, an instruction to read the original and send the fax together with the destination information and the cover data or header data is sent to the image forming device (step S1312), making it possible to have the image forming device send a fax with the fax cover or header set on the mobile terminal.

[0191] (Other embodiments) The object of the present invention can also be achieved by having a computer, CPU, or MPU of a system or device read and execute program code that realizes the procedures of the flowcharts shown in the above-mentioned embodiments from a storage medium storing the program code.

[0192] In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment, and therefore the program code and the storage medium storing the program code also constitute the present invention.

[0193] Examples of storage media for supplying program code include floppy disks, hard disks, optical disks, magneto-optical disks, CD-ROMs, CD-Rs, magnetic tapes, non-volatile memory cards, and ROMs.

[0194] In addition, an OS (operating system) running on the computer may perform some or all of the actual processing based on instructions from the program code read by the computer, and the functions of the above-described embodiments may be realized by that processing.

[0195] Furthermore, the program code read from the storage medium may be written to a memory provided on a function expansion board inserted into a computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer. Even in this case, a CPU provided on the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing based on the instructions of the program code, and the functions of the above-mentioned embodiments are realized by the processing. [Explanation of symbols]

[0196] 100 Communication systems (image processing systems) 101 MFP 102 Mobile Devices 103 Access Points 104 Wireless LAN 105 Network 106 NFC Tags 107 PC 108 Public Line Network 109 Fax machine

Claims

1. An image processing system including a mobile terminal and an image processing device, the mobile terminal and the image processing device being capable of communicating with each other, A setting means for setting a destination; A reading means for reading a document; a first transmission means for transmitting, when the portable terminal and the image processing device approach each other within a range where the portable terminal and the image processing device can communicate with each other by short-range wireless communication, connection information for performing wireless communication with the image processing device other than the short-range wireless communication from the image processing device to the portable terminal by the short-range wireless communication; a second transmission means for transmitting the destination set by the setting means to the image processing device by the other wireless communication using the connection information transmitted by the first transmission means, and transmitting image data generated by reading the document by the reading means from the image processing device to the destination set by the setting means; An image processing system comprising:

2. 2. The image processing system according to claim 1, wherein the portable terminal transmits to the image processing device a data transmission request for transmitting image data generated by reading the image of the document.

3. 3. The image processing system according to claim 2, wherein the data transmission request is a request for transmitting image data generated by reading an image of the document to the destination by facsimile communication.

4. A mobile terminal capable of communicating with an image processing device, A setting means for setting a destination; A reading means for reading a document; an acquisition means for acquiring connection information from the image processing device by short-range wireless communication when the portable terminal and the image processing device approach each other within a range where the portable terminal and the image processing device can communicate with each other by the short-range wireless communication; a transmission means for transmitting an instruction for reading by the reading means to the image processing device by the other wireless communication using the connection information acquired by the acquisition means, in order to cause the image processing device to transmit image data generated by the reading means reading the document from the image processing device to the set destination by facsimile communication; A mobile terminal comprising:

5. 5. The portable terminal according to claim 4, wherein the portable terminal transmits to the image processing device a data transmission request for transmitting image data generated by reading the image of the document to the destination.

6. 6. The portable terminal according to claim 5, wherein the data transmission request is a request for transmitting image data generated by reading an image of the document to the destination by facsimile communication.

7. A method for controlling a mobile terminal capable of communicating with an image processing device, comprising: A setting step for setting a destination; a reading step of reading a manuscript; an acquisition step of acquiring connection information from the image processing device by short-range wireless communication when the portable terminal and the image processing device approach each other within a range where the portable terminal and the image processing device can communicate with each other by the short-range wireless communication; a transmission step of transmitting an instruction to read the document to the image processing device by the other wireless communication using the acquired connection information in order to transmit image data generated by reading the document in the reading step from the image processing device to the set destination by facsimile communication; A method for controlling a mobile terminal comprising:

8. A program for causing a computer to execute the control method according to claim 7.

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