Mobile terminal, its control method, program, and image processing system

Abstract

This allows faxes to be sent to an image forming machine using fax cover pages and headers configured on a mobile device. [Solution] When the mobile terminal 102 and the MFP 101 are within range of each other, the communication system (image processing system) 100 transmits an address to the mobile terminal 102 via short-range wireless communication for communication with the MFP 101 using wireless LAN 104 and network 105, which is different from short-range wireless communication. The mobile terminal 102 uses the address to transmit the set destination to the MFP 101 via wireless LAN 104 and network 105, and the MFP 101 transmits the image data generated by scanning the document to the set destination.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, as one of mobile terminals, a device called a smartphone with excellent operability has become widespread. Smartphones have an address book built in, and it is possible to register a plurality of pieces of information such as a home phone number, a mobile phone number, and a company FAX number for one name. Also, the user's own information can be registered as profile information in the same way as a destination, with a plurality of pieces of information.

[0003] On the other hand, an image forming apparatus has a function of attaching source information as header information at the time of FAX transmission, and a function of substituting and transmitting with another pre-registered FAX when it cannot be used during FAX transmission when attempting to perform FAX transmission.

[0004] When performing substitute transmission, there are also those that transmit not only FAX manuscript data but also FAX numbers / names, etc. as source data to the substitute FAX, and the substitute FAX substitutes for the FAX of the requester and performs FAX transmission (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0005] There is also one that has a function of attaching a cover sheet by an operation from an operation unit of an image forming apparatus and performing FAX transmission (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] However, with the conventional technology described above, the information added as a header is information about the image forming apparatus that sent the data. This presents a problem in that while the information about the image forming apparatus is known, the user's information is not.

[0008] Furthermore, if user information needs to be added, it must be manually entered from the control panel of the image forming apparatus, which is time-consuming and increases the possibility of input errors.

[0009] The object of the present invention is to provide a portable terminal that can be configured on the portable terminal, a control method therefor, a program, and an image processing system that can send a fax to an image forming apparatus using a fax cover page and header set on the portable terminal. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] To achieve the above objective, the image processing system of claim 1 includes a mobile terminal and an image processing device, wherein the mobile terminal and the image processing device are capable of communicating with each other, and is characterized by comprising: setting means for setting a destination; reading means for reading a document; first transmitting 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 are close to each other within a range where they can communicate via short-range wireless communication, for performing a different wireless communication with the image processing device than the short-range wireless communication; and second transmitting 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 transmitting means, and for transmitting image data generated by reading the document with the reading means to the destination set by the setting means from the image processing device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, cover data representing the cover is created according to the settings for the fax cover, and header data representing the header is created according to the settings for the fax header. When the user gives an instruction to send a fax, the image forming apparatus is instructed to read the document and send the fax along with the destination information and the cover data or header data. This makes it possible to send a fax to the image forming apparatus using the fax cover and header set on the mobile terminal. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This figure shows a schematic configuration of a communication system (image processing system) according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This figure shows the schematic configuration of the MFP in Figure 1. [Figure 3] This figure shows the schematic configuration of the mobile device in Figure 1. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of a mobile device screen in Figure 1. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example screen from a mobile fax application. [Figure 6] This figure shows an example screen from a mobile fax application. [Figure 7] This figure shows an example screen from a mobile fax application. [Figure 8] This figure shows an example screen from a mobile fax application. [Figure 9] This flowchart shows the procedure for basic processing performed by the MFP and mobile terminal. [Figure 10] Figure 9 is a flowchart showing the procedure for the transmission / read setting process in step S1303. [Figure 11] Figure 9 is a flowchart showing the procedure for processing the request response in step S1318. [Figure 12] Figure 9 is a flowchart showing the procedure for the document detection flag check process in step S1309. [Figure 13] It is a flowchart showing the procedure of the transmission process in step S1322 in FIG. 9. [Figure 14] It is a flowchart showing the procedure of the transmission process in step S1322 in FIG. 9. [Figure 15] It is a flowchart showing the procedure of the auto redial process in step S1815 in FIG. 14. [Figure 16] It is a flowchart showing the procedure of the status check process in step S1313 in FIG. 9.

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments 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] In FIG. 1, the communication system 100 is composed of an MFP 101, a mobile terminal 102, and a PC 107, which are connected by a network 105. The mobile terminal 102 is connected to the network 105 via a wireless LAN 104 by an access point 103 provided in the network 105.

[0016] Also, the MFP 101 is provided with an NFC (Near Field Communication) tag 106 and can communicate with NFC-equipped devices. Furthermore, the MFP 101 also has an interface with the public switched telephone network 108 and can perform FAX transmission and reception with a FAX device 109 connected via the public switched telephone network 108.

[0017] In this embodiment, the MFP 101 and the mobile terminal 102 can communicate with each other via the wireless LAN 104 and the network 105 and operate in cooperation. [[ID=3,6]]

[0018] In Figure 1, the MFP101 is shown connected to the network 105 via a wired connection, but it may also be connected wirelessly. In this case, it would connect to the network 105 via the access point 103.

[0019] Figure 2 shows the schematic configuration of the MFP101 as shown in Figure 1.

[0020] In Figure 2, the MFP101 consists of a controller board 300, a scanner 309, a printer engine 307, an operation panel 312, and an NFC antenna 314.

[0021] Of these components, the scanner 309 reads the original document, the printer engine 307 prints the print data onto the paper, and the control panel 312 performs various setting operations and displays alarms, etc.

[0022] The scanner is also connected to a document detection sensor 320 that detects the document. The document detection sensor 320 consists of a pressure plate section (document glass scanner section) and an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) section.

[0023] In the case of the pressure plate section, when a document is placed on the document glass, it detects that a document has been placed and notifies the scanner 309. In the case of the ADF section, when a document is placed in the feeder, it detects that a document has been placed and notifies the scanner 309.

[0024] The CPU 301 on the controller board 300 controls the entire MFP101. The ROM 303 is the boot ROM and stores the boot program for the MFP101.

[0025] RAM302 is the system work memory for the operation of CPU301, and stores calculation data and various programs for CPU301. RAM302 is also used as image memory to store image data that has undergone various image processing by the image processing unit 305 during printing, etc.

[0026] The memory device 304 is a non-volatile secondary memory device for storing large programs and data, and the large programs and data stored there are loaded into the RAM 302 for use.

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

[0028] The fax interface 318 is connected to the public telephone network 108 via a modular jack and performs fax transmission and reception with the fax machine 109.

[0029] The network interface 317 connects to the network 105 via a LAN interface connector and communicates with the PC 107 and the mobile terminal 102. As described above, when a wireless connection is made, network communication is performed with the PC 107, access point 103, and mobile terminal 102 via the wireless LAN interface 310.

[0030] The USB interface 315 communicates with other devices via a USB connector. In Figure 2, it is locally connected to PC316.

[0031] The NFC controller 313 communicates with an NFC-equipped mobile device via the NFC antenna 314.

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

[0033] Figure 3 shows the schematic configuration of the mobile terminal 102 in Figure 1.

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

[0035] The display unit 406 displays various information via the display controller 405, while the touch panel 408 and keys 409 are controlled by the operation unit controller 407. Users can provide instructions such as scrolling through menus or pressing buttons by sliding or touching the touch panel 408 with their fingers on the menus and buttons displayed on the display unit 406.

[0036] The CPU 401 in the controller board 400 controls the entire mobile terminal 102. The ROM 403 is the boot ROM, and it stores the boot program for the mobile terminal 102.

[0037] RAM 402 is the system work memory for the operation of CPU 401, and stores the CPU 401's calculation data and various programs. Storage device 404 is a non-volatile secondary storage device for storing large programs and data, and the large programs and data stored there are loaded into RAM 402 for use.

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

[0039] In this embodiment, a smartphone is used as an example of the mobile terminal 102, but this embodiment is not limited to smartphones; it can also be applied to portable terminals such as tablets, excluding the call unit 412, as described above.

[0040] Figure 4 shows an example of the screen of the mobile terminal 102 in Figure 1.

[0041] Figure 4(A) shows the contact list screen of the phonebook application. The phonebook application allows you to register information such as phone numbers, mobile phone numbers, fax numbers, and email addresses for each registered name.

[0042] In Figure 4(A), the contact list screen 501 consists of a search input section 502 and a registered name display section 503, allowing the user to search for registered names or select them from the list. When a registered name is selected, a list of contacts registered with that name is displayed.

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

[0044] The user can select a contact from the list. If fax number 604 is selected, the mobile fax application will launch, allowing the user to send faxes in conjunction with the MFP101.

[0045] Figure 4(C) shows the top screen of the MFP integration application.

[0046] The top screen shown in Figure 4(C) displays the mobile fax button 701 and the mobile scan button 702.

[0047] This embodiment describes a mobile fax application in which a mobile terminal 102 and an MFP 101 work together to send faxes.

[0048] Figures 5 to 8 show examples of screens from a mobile fax application.

[0049] When a user presses the mobile fax button 701 on the screen shown in Figure 4(C), the settings screen for the mobile fax application shown in Figure 5(A) is displayed.

[0050] This settings screen displays configurable items such as the destination, and each item can be configured using the touch panel.

[0051] Specifically, the destination selection button 801, resolution setting button 802, density setting button 803, duplex setting button 804, sharpness setting button 805, and other details button 808 are displayed.

[0052] When the destination selection button 801 is pressed, the destination setting method selection screen shown in Figure 5(B) is displayed, which is a screen for the user to select the destination setting method. On this screen, if the phonebook reference button 807 is selected, the destination can be selected from the phonebook application screen shown in Figure 4(A). In addition, it is possible to set the number by manually entering it or to select a destination by referring to the history.

[0053] Returning to Figure 5(A), the resolution setting button 802 displays a list of resolution options. If the user wishes to change the resolution, pressing the button switches to a screen that includes other options, from which the user can select a resolution.

[0054] If you do not change the resolution, it will be set to the value of 200 x 100 dpi displayed on the resolution setting button 802. If you change the resolution, the changed value will be displayed on the resolution setting button 802, and that value will be used.

[0055] The density setting button 803, the double-sided setting button 804, and the sharpness setting button 805 can also be used to change their settings in the same way. The functions of pressing the other details button 808 will be described later.

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

[0057] Figure 5(C) shows the MFP selection screen. This screen displays a message 901 to proceed to the next process and a cancel button 902 to stop the process.

[0058] To proceed to the next step, the user touches the NFC tag 106 of the MFP101 with their mobile device 102, and the screen shown in Figure 5(D) is displayed.

[0059] Figure 5(D) shows the alarm display screen. This screen indicates that preparations are being made for the MFP101 and the mobile terminal 102 to communicate with each other.

[0060] Next, when the MFP101 and the mobile terminal 102 are ready to connect, the screen shown in Figure 6(A) will be displayed.

[0061] Figure 6(A) shows the document setting instruction screen. This screen instructs the user to set the document. This screen displays a message 1001 to proceed to the next process and a cancel button 1002 to stop the process.

[0062] When a document is placed in the MFP101, the screen shown in Figure 6(B) is displayed.

[0063] Figure 6(B) shows the scan start instruction screen, which accepts the instruction to start a scan. This screen displays a message 1101 to proceed to the next process, a scan start button 1102 to instruct the system to start the scan, and a cancel button 1103 to cancel the process.

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

[0065] Figure 6(C) shows the status screen of the MFP101. This screen displays a message 1201 indicating the status of the MFP101, and a "cancel transmission" button 1202 to instruct the user to cancel the transmission.

[0066] Returning to Figure 5(A) and pressing the "Other Details" button 808, the screen shown in Figure 7(A) will appear. Figure 7(A) is a screen showing the items that can be set as "Other Details". Here, an example is shown where you can set up cover page creation, header creation, and ECM transmission.

[0067] Selecting the cover creation button 809 displays the screen shown in Figure 7(B). Figure 7(B) shows the screen for cover creation mode. This screen allows you to configure the cover creation settings.

[0068] On the other hand, if you select the header creation button 810 on the screen shown in Figure 7(A), the screen shown in Figure 8(D) will be displayed. Figure 8(D) is the header creation mode screen. This screen allows you to configure header creation. Details of the header creation mode screen shown in Figure 8(D) will be described later.

[0069] Furthermore, in the screen shown in Figure 7(A), selecting the ECM transmission button allows you to choose whether or not to transmit ECM.

[0070] The screen shown in Figure 7(B) above will now be explained. As mentioned above, the screen shown in Figure 7(B) is the cover creation mode screen, and in this example, the initial settings can be viewed in a list.

[0071] Pressing button 1401 displays the screen shown in Figure 7(C). Figure 7(C) is the screen for initial setup. On this screen, you can set the recipient, date, subject, number of pages, and sender as part of the initial setup.

[0072] When selecting a recipient, the user can use button 1410 to choose which information from the mobile device 102's phonebook to use as the recipient's information. Specifically, they can choose to use only the last name, the full name, or even a combination including the recipient's affiliation.

[0073] For honorifics, you can select the appropriate one from options such as "Mr. / Ms." or "Mr. / Ms." using button 1411. For mass broadcasting, since there are multiple recipients, you can choose using button 1412 whether to send each recipient individually or list multiple recipients together.

[0074] For the date, you can select the display format using button 1413. For the subject, you can either enter it manually or select from pre-defined phrases using button 1414; here, "FAX document" is used as an example of a pre-defined phrase.

[0075] For the number of pages, you can select from a set of predefined phrases using button 1415. Here, as an example of a predefined phrase, it is set to "pages excluding the cover page." For the sender setting, you can select which information from the phonebook of the mobile terminal 102 to use as the sender using button 1416.

[0076] The phonebook on mobile device 102 allows users to register information about themselves as their "My Profile," and here, the information registered in My Profile is referenced and used as the sender information.

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

[0078] Furthermore, in addition to a fax number, you may also provide a phone number or email address as contact information. While this explanation followed a single template, it can be adapted to various other templates, such as using English as the language.

[0079] When button 1417 is pressed, the settings are changed according to the content displayed on the screen and the screen returns to the cover creation mode. When button 1418 is pressed, the screen returns to the cover creation mode without changing any of the settings. Thus, the settings related to the fax cover include the recipient setting, honorific setting, broadcast transmission setting, date setting, subject setting, number of pages setting, and sender setting. These settings are listed as examples, and at least one of the examples may be configurable, or other settings may be configurable.

[0080] Returning to the explanation in Figure 7(B), buttons 1402 through 1407 are used to change each item in the cover settings, and the mode set in the initial settings can be checked. Also, when button 1409 is pressed, cover creation is canceled.

[0081] For example, pressing button 1406 to set the number of sheets will switch to a screen where the user can manually enter the number of sheets and set it.

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

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

[0084] Figures 8(A), (B), and (C) show examples of the cover confirmation screen, where a cover is created according to the cover mode settings and displayed as previews 2101, 2102, and 2103.

[0085] Preview 2101 shows an example of the display with the settings shown in Figure 7(B). Preview 2102 shows an example of the display when the broadcast transmission setting is changed to joint names. Furthermore, Preview 2103 shows an example of the display when the affiliation information registered in My Profile is also included as the sender information.

[0086] In Figures 8(A), (B), and (C), pressing button 2104 creates a cover page. In Figures 8(A), (B), and (C), pressing button 2105 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] Figure 8(D) shows the screen in header creation mode, where the header settings can be checked.

[0088] In Figure 8(D), pressing button 2002 allows you to select information to be used as header information from the candidates obtained by referring to the information registered in My Profile.

[0089] If you don't use My Profile, you can use manually entered information as a header by pressing button 2001. Additionally, pressing Header Settings button 2003 allows you to choose whether to use the MFP's fax number as the header, a header created with Mobile Fax, or a header with added header information created with Mobile Fax.

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

[0091] When button 2004 is pressed, a header is created; when button 2005 is pressed, header creation is canceled.

[0092] Figure 9 is a flowchart showing the basic processing steps performed by the MFP101 and the mobile terminal 102.

[0093] The processes S1301 to S1314 of the mobile terminal 102 in Figure 9 are executed by the CPU 401 based on a program stored in one of the ROM 403, storage device 404, or RAM 402 of the controller board 400 shown in Figure 3.

[0094] Furthermore, the MFP101 processes S1315 to S1323 are executed by the CPU301 based on a program stored in one of the ROM303, storage device304, or RAM302 of the controller board300 shown in Figure 2.

[0095] First, when the main power to the MFP101 is turned ON, the CPU 301 starts up the MFP101 based on the program stored in the ROM 303 of the controller board 300 (step S1315).

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

[0097] Meanwhile, the mobile terminal 102 launches the mobile fax application to perform a mobile fax (step S1301).

[0098] The launched mobile fax application displays the settings screen shown in Figure 5(A). Here, the destination is set by the user selecting the destination (step S1302), and the transmission and document scanning settings are performed (step S1303). Details of this transmission and document scanning setting process will be described later. Step S1302 corresponds to the destination setting means for setting destination information that indicates the destination to which the fax will be sent.

[0099] When the Next button 806 is pressed on the settings screen, the MFP selection screen shown in Figure 5(C) 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 activated in reader mode (step S1305).

[0101] To select the MFP101 for scanning documents and sending them by fax, the user brings the mobile terminal 102 close to the NFC tag 106 of the MFP101, thereby bringing the mobile terminal 102 within the NFC communication range.

[0102] As a result, the MFP 101 provides an address for communication between the wireless LAN 104 and the network 105, which is different from short-range wireless communication, by transferring the address (step S1317), and the mobile terminal 102 obtains information from the NFC tag 106 of the MFP 101 using an NFC reader (step S1306). Step S1317 above corresponds to the provisioning means.

[0103] Then, the IP address of the MFP 101 is extracted from the information acquired by the NFC controller 413 of the mobile terminal 102 (step S1307). Steps S1306 and S1307 correspond to acquisition means for obtaining an address from the image forming apparatus for communication different from short-range wireless communication, when the mobile terminal is brought within range of the image forming apparatus by the user to communicate with the image forming apparatus by short-range wireless communication. Then, communication is performed with the image forming apparatus using the acquired address.

[0104] The mobile terminal 102 accesses the extracted IP address and sends a mobile fax request to the MFP 101 (step S1308). At this time, if the MFP 101 is connected via a wired connection, the request is sent from the mobile terminal 102 to the MFP 101 via the wireless LAN interface 410, access point 103, and network 105. Step S1308 corresponds to a request transmission means that sends a request to send a fax to the image forming apparatus.

[0105] On the other hand, if the MFP101 is wirelessly connected, a request is sent from the mobile terminal 102 to the access point 103 via the wireless LAN interface 410, and the access point 103 receives the request and sends it back to the MFP101.

[0106] Upon receiving a request, the MFP101 performs a request response process, sending a response to the request back to the mobile terminal 102 (step S1318). Details of this request response process will be described later. Then, when a document is placed in the ADF section or the pressure plate section (YES in step S1319), the MFP101 sets a document detection flag (step S1320).

[0107] Upon receiving a response to a request from the MFP101, the mobile terminal 102 performs a document flag check to determine whether the document detection flag has been set in the MFP101 (step S1309). Details of this document flag check will be described later.

[0108] When a document is placed in the MFP101, the display unit 406 of the mobile terminal 102 displays the scan start instruction screen shown in Figure 6(B) (step S1310). When the scan start button 1102 is pressed on this screen (YES in step S1311), a scan instruction is sent to the MFP101 (step S1312). Step S1312 corresponds to an instruction transmission means that detects that a document has been placed in the image forming apparatus and receives an instruction from the user to send a fax (scan instruction), and then sends an instruction to the image forming apparatus to read the document and send a fax, along with the destination information and cover data or header data.

[0109] When the MFP101 receives a scan command (YES in step S1321), it scans the document and performs a transmission process to send it by fax (step S1322). Details of this transmission process will be described later. After that, the MFP101 stores the transmission history according to the result of the transmission process (step S1323) and terminates this process.

[0110] Meanwhile, the mobile terminal 102 that sent the scan command to the MFP 101 performs a status check to check whether the MFP 101 has completed the transmission or terminated with an error (step S1313). Details of this status check process will be described later.

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

[0112] Figure 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure for the transmission read setting process in step S1303 in Figure 9.

[0113] In Figure 10, it is determined whether there are any other detailed settings that can be configured using the "Other Details" button 808 in Figure 5(A) (step S2201). If the determination in step S2201 is that there are no other detailed settings (NO in step S2201), the process proceeds to step S2204.

[0114] On the other hand, if the determination in step S2201 indicates that there are other detailed settings (YES in step S2201), it is determined whether or not ECM transmission is configured (step S2202).

[0115] If the determination in step S2202 indicates that ECM transmission is configured (YES in step S2202), the settings for using ECM transmission are configured (step S2203), and the process proceeds to step S2204.

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

[0117] If the determination in step S2205 results in the selection of the cover creation mode (YES in step S2205), the screen shown in Figure 7(B) is displayed and the cover creation mode is activated (S2206).

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

[0119] Next, in the screens shown in Figures 8(A), (B), and (C), it is determined whether or not button 2104 was pressed (step S2209). If button 2105 for canceling was pressed (NO in step S2209), the process returns to step S2006.

[0120] On the other hand, if button 2104 is pressed (YES in step S2209), cover data is created (step S2210), and the process proceeds to step S2204. Step S2210 corresponds to a cover creation means that creates cover data indicating the cover according to the settings for the fax cover.

[0121] Furthermore, if the button 1409 for cancellation is pressed in step S2207 (NO in step S2207, YES in step S2211), the process proceeds to step S2204.

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

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

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

[0125] Furthermore, if the header creation mode is not selected in step S2212 (NO in step S2212), proceed to step S2204.

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

[0127] The resolution here refers to the scanning resolution, which can be selected from options such as 200 x 200 dpi (fine). Density allows for gradual adjustment of the scanning density. Double-sided scanning allows you to turn off double-sided scanning of the document, and set the opening direction to left / right or top / bottom. Sharpness allows you to adjust in stages whether to make the edges of the image in the document sharper or reduce the contrast. Users can set these items according to the characteristics of the document and their preferences.

[0128] Figure 11 is a flowchart showing the procedure for processing the request response in step S1318 in Figure 9.

[0129] In Figure 11, when the MFP101 receives a request (YES in step S1701), it determines whether or not the machine has a fax function (step S1702). Step S1701 corresponds to a request receiving means that receives a request to send a fax from a mobile terminal.

[0130] If the determination in step S1702 indicates that the fax function is available (YES in step S1702), a response to the received request is sent back (step S1703). After sending the response, the document detection sensor 320 starts monitoring whether a document has been placed (step S1704), and this process ends.

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

[0132] In step S1703 of the request response processing described above, instead of simply responding that the mobile fax request can be handled, the machine's fax transmission capabilities may be included in the response to the request.

[0133] Specifically, the device sends back settings for fax transmission functions that can be configured on the device itself, such as whether or not to enable ECM transmission, the resolution selection, and whether or not to enable ADF double-sided scanning, to the mobile terminal 102.

[0134] Furthermore, the mobile terminal 102, upon receiving information about the MFP101's fax transmission function, compares the settings previously selected by the user with the configurable settings received from the MFP101.

[0135] If an item that cannot be set on MFP101 is set on the mobile device 102, a message will be displayed to the user requesting them to change the setting. Alternatively, the setting could be automatically changed to the setting closest to the user's setting.

[0136] This makes it possible to cover cases where the settings previously set by the user on the mobile terminal 102 cannot be set on the MFP 101 that actually sends the fax.

[0137] Figure 12 is a flowchart showing the procedure for the document detection flag check process in step S1309 in Figure 9.

[0138] In Figure 12, it is determined whether or not a response to the request was received from MFP101 (step S1501). If, as a result of the determination in step S1501, a response to the request was received (YES in step S1501), it is determined whether or not MFP101 has a fax function (step S1502).

[0139] If the determination in step S1502 indicates that the MFP does not have a fax function (NO in step S1502), the display unit 406 of the mobile terminal 102 displays a message indicating that the selected MFP does not have a fax function (step S1509), and the process proceeds to terminal B in Figure 9.

[0140] On the other hand, if the determination in step S1502 indicates that a fax function is available (YES in step S1502), the display unit 406 of the mobile terminal 102 displays the message shown in Figure 6(A) instructing the user to set the document in the MFP 101 (step S1503). Step S1503 corresponds to a document setting instruction display means that displays a message on the display unit 406 instructing the user to set the document in the image forming apparatus when the image forming apparatus from which the request was sent responds that it is possible to send a fax.

[0141] Next, in order to check the document detection flag on the MFP101, the system periodically polls the document detection flag to make this inquiry (step S1504). Then, it determines whether or not a response was received to the polling (step S1505).

[0142] If a response is received as a result of the determination in step S1505 (YES in step S1505), it is determined whether or not the document detection flag was set (step S1506).

[0143] If the determination in step S1506 indicates that the document detection flag is not set (NO in step S1506), the process returns to step S1504.

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

[0145] Return to step S1505. If the result of the determination in step S1505 is no response (NO in step S1505), determine whether a timeout has occurred (step S1510). If the result of the determination in step S1510 is no timeout (NO in step S1510), return to step S1505.

[0146] On the other hand, if the determination in step S1510 results in a timeout (YES in step S1510), a message indicating that there was no response from MFP101 is displayed (step S1511), and the basic processing shown in Figure 9 is terminated.

[0147] Return to step S1501. If the result of the determination in step S1501 is no response (NO in step S1501), determine whether a timeout has occurred (step S1508). If the result of the determination in step S1508 is no timeout (NO in step S1508), return to step S1501.

[0148] On the other hand, if the determination in step S1508 results in a timeout (YES in step S1508), proceed to step S1511.

[0149] Figures 13 and 14 are flowcharts showing the procedure for the transmission process in step S1322 in Figure 9.

[0150] In Figure 13, the MFP101 receives transmission settings such as destination, transmission settings, and scan settings (step S1801) and stores them (step S1802).

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

[0152] On the other hand, if the determination in step S1822 indicates that there is no cover data (NO in step S1822), then it is determined whether or not there is header data (step S1824). If the determination in step S1824 indicates 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 the determination in step S1824 indicates that there is no header data (NO in step S1824), the process proceeds directly to step S1803. Steps S1801, S1822, and S1824 above correspond to an instruction receiving means that receives instructions from a mobile terminal to read the document and send the fax, along with destination information indicating the recipient of the fax, fax cover data, or fax header data.

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

[0155] Then, the scanning process is performed (step S1805), and the scanned image data for one page is stored (step S1806). During the process in step S1805, the status of the MFP101 is "scanning".

[0156] Next, determine whether there is a next page (step S1807). If the result of step S1807 is that there is a next page (YES in step S1807), return to step S1805.

[0157] On the other hand, if the determination in step S1807 indicates that there is no next page (NO in step S1807), cover data corresponding to the cover settings is generated (step S1826), the process proceeds to Figure 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 the result of the determination in step S1809 is that a call cannot be made (NO in step S1809), the process returns to step S1808.

[0159] On the other hand, if the determination in step S1809 indicates 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 the fax is transmitted (step S1811). The status of MFP101 during the process in step S1811 is "transmitting".

[0160] Next, it is determined whether the fax transmission was completed successfully (step S1812). If the determination in step S1812 is successful (YES in step S1812), the transmission is considered complete (step S1813), and this process is terminated. The status of MFP101 in the process of step S1813 is set to transmission complete.

[0161] On the other hand, if the determination in step S1812 does not result in a successful completion (NO in step S1812), it is determined whether the destination is busy or not (step S1814). If the determination in step S1814 results in the destination being busy (YES in step S1814), an auto-redial process is performed to make another call (step S1815), and this process is terminated.

[0162] On the other hand, if the determination in step S1814 indicates that the call destination is not busy (NO in step S1814), the process terminates with an error (step S1816). The status of the MFP101 in the process of step S1816 is set to "error termination". Steps S1813 and S1816 correspond to status setting means for setting a status indicating the fax transmission result.

[0163] Returning to step S1803, if the determination in step S1803 indicates that the document is not placed in the ADF (NO in step S1803), the BOOK scan is started according to the transmission settings (step S1817). The scanning process is executed (step S1818), and one page of scanned image data is stored (step S1819). Steps S1805, S1818, and S1811 above correspond to a fax transmission means that reads the document according to the instruction to send a fax, and sends a fax indicating the document to the destination indicated by the destination information, along with data generated from the cover data or header data.

[0164] Once one page has been stored, a message is displayed to instruct the system to scan the next document (step S1820), and it is determined whether or not there is a next page (step S1821).

[0165] If the determination in step S1821 indicates that there is a next page (YES in step S1821), return to step S1818.

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

[0167] Figure 15 is a flowchart showing the procedure for the auto-redial process in step S1815 in Figure 14.

[0168] In Figure 15, the pre-configured auto-redial setting is read (step S1901), the status is set to waiting for redial (step S1902), and the redial waiting time is set (step S1903).

[0169] After the waiting time has elapsed (YES in step S1904), the redial count 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 the determination in step S1907 is that a call cannot be made (NO in step S1907), the process returns to step S1906.

[0171] On the other hand, if the determination in step S1907 indicates 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 the fax is transmitted (step S1909). The status of MFP101 during the process in step S1909 is "transmitting".

[0172] Next, it is determined whether the fax transmission was completed successfully (step S1910). If the determination in step S1910 is successful (YES in step S1910), the transmission is considered complete (step S1911), and this process is terminated. The status of MFP101 in the process of step S1911 is transmission complete.

[0173] On the other hand, if the determination in step S1910 does not result in a successful completion (NO in step S1910), it is determined whether the call destination is busy or not (step S1912).

[0174] If the determination in step S1912 indicates that the call destination is not busy (NO in step S1912), the process terminates with an error (step S1913). The status of MFP101 during the process in step S1913 is "error termination".

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

[0176] If the result of the determination in step S1914 is 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 the determination in step S1914 shows that the number of redials is greater than or equal to the upper limit (NO in step S1914), the process proceeds to step S1913.

[0178] Figure 16 is a flowchart showing the procedure for the status check process in step S1313 in Figure 9.

[0179] In Figure 16, the status of MFP101 is checked (step S1601), and it is determined whether or not a response was received (step S1602).

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

[0181] On the other hand, if the determination in step S1607 results in a timeout (YES in step S1607), the process proceeds to step S1511 in Figure 12 via terminal A.

[0182] Return to step S1602, and if a response is received as a result of the determination in step S1602 (YES in step S1602), obtain the status from the response (step S1603).

[0183] Next, the acquired status of the MFP101 is displayed on the display unit 406 of the mobile terminal 102 (step S1604). Specifically, a status such as "Dialing" or "Sending a fax" is displayed.

[0184] The system determines whether the fax transmission is complete (step S1605). If the determination in step S1605 indicates that the fax transmission is complete (YES in step S1605), the display unit 406 of the mobile terminal 102 displays that the fax transmission is complete (step S1606), and the process ends.

[0185] On the other hand, if the determination in step S1605 indicates that the fax transmission was not completed (NO in step S1605), it is determined whether or not an error occurred (step S1608). If the determination in step S1608 indicates that an error did not occur (NO in step S1608), the process returns to step S1601.

[0186] On the other hand, if the determination in step S1608 results in an error (YES in step S1608), the display unit 406 of the mobile terminal 102 displays that the FAX transmission has terminated with an error (step S1609), and the process is terminated. Steps S1606 and S1609 correspond to the transmission result display means that displays the fax transmission result from the image forming apparatus on the display unit 406.

[0187] In this way, the status check process displays the transmission result according to the status indicating the transmission result obtained from the image forming apparatus. Also, if the result is NO in step S1607 and the status cannot be obtained, terminal A displays that no response was received from the image forming apparatus in step S1511 in Figure 12.

[0188] According to this embodiment, header information can be created using the phonebook profile information registered in the mobile terminal, so that not only the device information of the sending MFP but also the user's information can be added when sending a fax.

[0189] Furthermore, when creating and attaching a cover page, the profile information from the phonebook registered on the mobile device is used, making it easy and accurate to input user information.

[0190] As described above, according to this embodiment, cover data indicating the cover is created according to the settings for the fax cover (step S2210), header data indicating the header is created according to the settings for the fax header (step S2215), and when the user gives an instruction to send a fax, the image forming apparatus is instructed to read the document and send the fax along with the destination information and the cover data or header data (step S1312). Thus, it is possible to send a fax to the image forming apparatus with the fax cover and header set on the mobile terminal.

[0191] (Other embodiments) The object of the present invention can also be achieved by a computer, CPU, or MPU of a system or device reading and executing program code from a storage medium that stores program code that implements the steps of the flowchart shown in the above-described embodiment.

[0192] In this case, the program code read from the storage medium itself will realize the functions of the embodiment described above. Therefore, this program code and the storage medium storing the program code also constitute one of the present inventions.

[0193] For supplying program code, storage media such as floppy disks, hard disks, optical disks, magneto-optical disks, CD-ROMs, CD-Rs, magnetic tapes, non-volatile memory cards, and ROMs can be used.

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

[0195] Furthermore, program code read from a storage medium may be written to the memory of a function expansion board inserted into a computer or a function expansion unit connected to a computer. In this case as well, the CPU or other components of the function expansion board or function expansion unit perform some or all of the actual processing based on the instructions of the program code, and the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized through that processing. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0196] 100 Communication Systems (Image Processing Systems) 101 MFP 102 Mobile devices 103 Access Point 104 Wireless LAN 105 Network 106 NFC tags 107 PC 108 Public Telecommunications Network 109 Fax machine

Claims

1. An image processing system comprising a mobile terminal and an image processing device, wherein the mobile terminal and the image processing device are capable of communicating with each other, A setting method for setting the destination, A means of reading the manuscript, A first transmission means that, when the mobile terminal and the image processing device come close to each other within a range of communication possible by short-range wireless communication, transmits connection information for performing a different type of wireless communication with the image processing device from the image processing device to the mobile terminal via short-range wireless communication, A second transmission means transmits the destination set by the setting means to the image processing device via the other wireless communication by the mobile terminal using connection information transmitted by the first transmission means, and transmits the image data generated by reading the document by the reading means to the destination set by the setting means from the image processing device. An image processing system characterized by comprising the following features.

2. The image processing system according to claim 1, characterized in that the mobile terminal sends a data transmission request to the image processing device for transmitting image data generated by reading the image of the document.

3. The image processing system according to claim 2, characterized in that the data transmission request is a request to transmit image data generated by reading the image of the document to the destination via facsimile communication.

4. A portable terminal capable of communicating with an image processing device, A setting method for setting the destination, A means of reading the manuscript, When the mobile terminal and the image processing device come close to each other within the range of communication possible by short-range wireless communication, an acquisition means for acquiring connection information from the image processing device via short-range wireless communication for performing a wireless communication other than the short-range wireless communication with the image processing device, A transmission means transmits a reading instruction by the reading means to the image processing device via other wireless communication using connection information acquired by the acquisition means, in order to transmit the image data generated by the reading means reading the document to the set destination from the image processing device via facsimile communication. A mobile terminal characterized by having the following features.

5. The mobile terminal according to claim 4, characterized in that the mobile terminal sends a data transmission request to the image processing device for sending image data generated by reading the image of the document to the destination.

6. The mobile terminal according to claim 5, characterized in that the data transmission request is a request to transmit image data generated by reading the image of the document to the destination via facsimile communication.

7. A method for controlling a mobile terminal capable of communicating with an image processing device, The process of setting the destination, The process of reading the document, When the mobile terminal and the image processing device come close to each other within the range of communication possible by short-range wireless communication, the process includes an acquisition step of acquiring connection information from the image processing device via short-range wireless communication for performing a different type of wireless communication with the image processing device than the short-range wireless communication, A transmission step is to transmit an instruction to read the document to the image processing device via other wireless communication using the acquired connection information, in order to transmit the image data generated by reading the document in the reading step to the set destination from the image processing device via facsimile communication. A method for controlling a mobile terminal, characterized by comprising the following features.

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

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