Information processing device, method for controlling an information processing device, program, server, method for controlling a server, and information processing system

Abstract

To improve the usability of the fax transmission service. [Solution] The information processing device includes an instruction means for instructing a server that provides a fax transmission service on the cloud using one of several fax transmission numbers to send a fax, and a receiving means for receiving the fax transmission number used when the server sends a fax in accordance with the instruction.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a facsimile transmission service having a plurality of facsimile transmission numbers.

Background Art

[0002] An information processing apparatus such as a facsimile transmission machine that transmits image data (facsimile data) using a facsimile such as G3 facsimile or Internet facsimile is known. In recent years, there has been an increasing case where the user himself / herself does not own a facsimile transmission machine and uses a cloud-type facsimile transmission service to transmit a facsimile. In such a facsimile transmission service, in response to a facsimile transmission request from a user, facsimile transmission is performed using any available facsimile transmission number. The facsimile transmission number used in facsimile transmission will be notified to the receiving side as the transmission source number or the transmission source number in the number display service.

[0003] In the facsimile transmission service as described above, even if the user making the transmission request is the same, the transmission source number is randomly assigned by the facsimile transmission service, so the transmission source numbers used at the time of facsimile transmission may be different. When there is an inquiry from the recipient based on the transmission source number, there is a possibility that the sender cannot respond promptly to the inquiry from the recipient. In order to avoid such a situation, a technique for performing facsimile transmission from a server using a device designated by the sender from among a plurality of devices is disclosed in Patent Document 1.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in the technology described in Patent Document 1, the sender is only able to identify the device (device name) specified for fax transmission. This disclosure has been made in view of this point and aims to improve the usability of fax transmission services. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The information processing device relating to this disclosure is characterized by comprising: an instruction means for instructing a server that provides a fax transmission service on the cloud using one of several fax transmission numbers to send a fax; and a receiving means for receiving the fax transmission number used when the server sent the fax in accordance with the instruction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The technology disclosed herein improves the usability of fax transmission services. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] A diagram showing an example of the configuration of an information processing system. [Figure 2] A diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the MFP101. [Figure 3] A diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a fax transmission server and client PC. [Figure 4] A diagram showing an example of the software configuration of an information processing system. [Figure 5] This diagram shows an example of the home screen displayed on the control panel 220 of the MFP101. [Figure 6] A diagram showing an example sequence illustrating the processing flow between each device. [Figure 7] A diagram showing an example of a flowchart illustrating the processing flow of a fax transmission server. [Figure 8] A diagram showing an example of the screen transitions during the fax transmission request process. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The embodiments of this disclosure will be described below with reference to the attached drawings. The embodiments described below are not limiting to this disclosure, and not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solutions of this disclosure. The same components will be denoted by the same reference numerals. Furthermore, each step in the flowchart will be indicated by a reference numeral beginning with "S".

[0010] [First Embodiment] A first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. Figure 1 is an overall diagram of the information processing system 100. In Figure 1, the network 105 is, for example, a network that supports the TCP / IP protocol. On the network 105, an MFP (MultiFunction Peripheral) 101, a PC (Personal Computer) 103, and a fax transmission server 104 are connected to each other in a manner that allows them to communicate with one another. The MFP 101 is an example of an image processing device or information processing device, and the PC 103 is an example of an information processing terminal (user terminal). In addition to the network 105, the fax transmission server 104 is also connected to a PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Networks) 110, and can transmit image data as a fax to a fax device such as a fax receiver 111.

[0011] The fax transmission server 104 is a server that provides fax transmission services on the cloud and receives fax transmission request data from the MFP 101 or PC 103 via the network 105. It has the function of sending faxes according to the request data and sending data such as fax transmission history information to the requester. For example, if it receives fax transmission request data that includes a fax transmission image, it can send the image data to a fax device such as a fax receiver 111 via fax communication according to the fax transmission request data.

[0012] The configuration shown in Figure 1 is a general example for the sake of clarity. In addition to these configurations, the MFP101 may also be connected to the PSTN110, and image data may be transmitted via fax between it and a fax device such as a fax receiver 111.

[0013] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the MFP 101 and fax receiver 111. While this description focuses on the MFP 101, the fax receiver 111 has a similar configuration. The control unit 210, including the CPU 211, controls the overall operation of the MFP 101. The CPU 211 reads the control program stored in the ROM 212 and performs various controls such as reading, printing, and communication. The RAM 213 is used as the main memory for the CPU 211 and as a temporary storage area for the work area, etc. Note that the MFP 101 uses one CPU 211 and one memory (RAM 213 or HDD 214) to execute the processes shown in the sequence described later, but other configurations are also possible. For example, multiple CPUs, or multiple RAMs or HDDs, may work together to perform various controls.

[0014] The HDD214 stores image data and various programs. The operation unit I / F215 connects the operation unit 220 and the control unit 210. The operation unit 220 is equipped with a liquid crystal display with touch panel functionality or a keyboard, and acts as a reception unit that receives user operations, inputs, or instructions. The HDD214 may be an SSD (Solid State Drive), flash memory, or cloud storage.

[0015] The printer I / F 216 connects the printer 221 and the control unit 210. The image data to be printed by the printer 221 is transferred from the control unit 210 to the printer 221 via the printer I / F 216 and printed on a recording medium by the printer 221. The scanner I / F 217 connects the scanner 222 and the control unit 210. The scanner 222 reads an image on a document to generate image data and inputs it to the control unit 210 via the scanner I / F 217. The MFP 101 can send the image data generated by the scanner 222 by file transmission or email transmission.

[0016] The modem I / F 218 connects the modem 223 and the control unit 210. The modem 223 executes fax communication of image data with a fax device. The network I / F 219 connects the control unit 210 to the network 105. The MFP 101 sends image data or information to an external device on the network 105 or a fax transmission server 104 etc. via the network I / F 219 and receives various information. Also, the MFP 101 can send the image data generated by the scanner 222 to an external device on the network 105 via the network I / F 219. Note that the modem I / F 218 and the modem 223 may not be included in the MFP 101. And in the fax receiver 111, the scanner I / F 217 and the scanner 222 may not be included.

[0017] Figure 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of the fax transmission server 104 and the PC 103. Here, the fax transmission server 104 will be described, but the PC 103 has a similar configuration. However, the modem I / F and the modem described later may not be included in the PC 103.

[0018] The control unit 310 including the CPU 311 controls the operation of the entire fax transmission server 104. The CPU 311 reads out the control program stored in the ROM 312 and executes various control processes. The RAM 313 is used as the main memory of the CPU 311 or a temporary storage area such as a work area. The HDD 314 stores image data and various programs. The HDD 314 may be an SSD, a flash memory, or cloud storage. Note that although the fax transmission server 104 is assumed to execute each process shown in the sequence and flowchart described later using one CPU 311 and one memory (RAM 313 or HDD 314), other modes may be possible. For example, various controls may be executed by collaborating a plurality of CPUs, or a plurality of RAMs or HDDs.

[0019] The network I / F 315 is an interface that connects the control unit 310 to the network 105. The fax transmission server 104 transmits and receives various information to and from other devices on the network 105 via the network I / F 315. For example, it receives request data related to fax transmission from the MFP 101 or the like, and transmits data such as fax transmission history information to the request source.

[0020] The modem I / F 320 is an interface that connects the modems 321 to 324 and the control unit 310. The modems 321 to 324 execute facsimile communication of image data between the facsimile device (for example, the fax receiver 111). Here, a configuration having four modems has been described, but it is not limited thereto. The fax transmission server 104 may have two or more modems, and two or more telephone numbers may be used for fax transmission. The number of modems may be less than four or more than four.

[0021] Figure 4 is a software configuration diagram of the information processing system according to this embodiment. First, the software configuration of MFP101 will be described. MFP101 is broadly divided into two parts: the native function unit 410 and the additional function unit 420. Each part included in the native function unit 410 is standard equipment in MFP101, while the additional function unit 420 is an application that is installed in addition to MFP101. The additional function unit 420 is a Java®-based application, which makes it easy to add functions to MFP101. Note that other additional applications not shown may be installed on MFP101.

[0022] The native function unit 410 includes a scan execution unit 411 and an image data storage unit 412. The additional function unit 420 includes a display control unit 421, a scan instruction unit 422, and a fax transmission request unit 423. The fax transmission request unit 423 also includes a fax transmission instruction unit 424 and a first data communication unit 425. The first data communication unit 425 includes a first data transmission unit 426 and a first data reception unit 427.

[0023] The display control unit 421 displays a UI screen for accepting user operations on the touch panel-enabled liquid crystal display unit of the MFP101's operation unit 220. The display control unit 421 controls the UI screen, for example, inputting authentication information to access the fax transmission server 104, setting scan settings, inputting the fax recipient's telephone number, starting the scan, and displaying the fax transmission history screen. Through the fax transmission history screen, the user can check the fax transmission number used for sending the fax. The fax transmission number is also called the Transmitting Subscriber Identification (TSI). The scan instruction unit 422 requests the scan execution unit 411 to perform the scan process along with the scan settings corresponding to the user instructions entered via the UI screen.

[0024] The scan execution unit 411 receives a scan request, including scan settings, from the scan instruction unit 422. The scan execution unit 411 generates scanned image data by reading the document placed on the document glass using the scanner 222 via the scanner I / F 217, in accordance with the scan request. The generated scanned image data is sent to the image data storage unit 412. The scan execution unit 411 transmits a scan image identifier, which uniquely identifies the stored scanned image data, to the scan instruction unit 422. The scan image identifier is a number, symbol, or alphabet (not shown) used to uniquely identify the scanned image in the MFP 101. The image data storage unit 412 stores the scanned image data received from the scan execution unit 411 in the HDD 214.

[0025] The scan instruction unit 422 retrieves scan image data corresponding to the scan image identifier received from the scan execution unit 411 from the image data storage unit 412. The scan instruction unit 422 requests the fax transmission request unit 423 to send a processing request to the fax transmission server 104 along with the retrieved scan image data and the fax number that was received as input.

[0026] The fax transmission request unit 423 transmits various data, such as fax transmission data, to the fax transmission server 104 via the fax transmission instruction unit 424 and the first data transmission unit 426. The fax transmission request unit 423 also receives various data from the fax transmission server 104 via the first data reception unit 427. Specifically, the fax transmission request unit 423 requests various processes from the fax transmission server 104. For example, the fax transmission request unit 423 requests the acquisition of address book information including login or fax destination numbers, the transmission of a fax transmission request including scanned images and the destination fax number, and the acquisition of information such as fax transmission history. Protocols such as REST or SOAP are used for communication between the fax transmission request unit 423 and the fax transmission server 104, but other communication methods may also be used. The fax transmission history, including the fax transmission number received by the first data reception unit 427, is sent to the display control unit 421, and the user can check the fax transmission number of the fax they sent.

[0027] Next, the software configuration of the fax transmission server 104 will be described. The fax transmission server 104 includes a request control unit 431, an image processing unit 432, a data management unit 434, a display control unit 435, and a fax transmission control unit 440. The request control unit 431 also includes a reception unit 436 and a second communication unit 437. The second communication unit 437 includes a second data transmission unit 438 and a second data reception unit 439.

[0028] The request control unit 431 transmits various data to the MFP 101 and other devices via the second data transmission unit 438. The request control unit 431 also receives various data, such as fax transmission data, from the MFP 101 and other devices via the second data reception unit 439 and the reception unit 436. Specifically, the request control unit 431 is in standby mode, ready to receive requests from external devices. When the request control unit 431 receives a processing request from the MFP 101 and other devices, it instructs the image processing unit 432, data management unit 434, display control unit 435, and fax transmission control unit 440 to process the data as appropriate according to the request. The image processing unit 432 can perform image recognition processing such as OCR (Optical Character Recognition) on images, as well as image transformation processing such as image rotation and tilt correction. The image processing unit 432 also has a function to composite a specified sender name for printing (TTI (Transmit Terminal Identifier)) onto the top (header portion) of the image data to be faxed.

[0029] The data management unit 434 holds user information, various setting data, and fax transmission history information managed by the fax transmission server 104. In addition, the data management unit 434 holds line number information associated with modems 321 to 324. In this embodiment, it holds line number information as shown in Table 1.

[0030] [Table 1]

[0031] The display control unit 435 receives requests from a web browser running on a user terminal such as a PC 103 or smartphone connected via the Internet and returns screen configuration information (HTML, CSS, etc.) necessary for displaying the screen. Here, HTML is an abbreviation for HyperText Markup Language, and CSS is an abbreviation for Cascading Style Sheet. The user can request fax transmission from the fax transmission server 104, change settings, or check fax transmission history information via the screen displayed in the web browser.

[0032] The fax transmission control unit 440 executes fax transmission according to the fax transmission request (fax transmission request) received from the MFP 101 or PC 103, etc. The fax transmission result is stored in the data management unit 434 as transmission history information. The history information includes line number information associated with the modem used when transmitting the fax. For example, if modem 321 was used when transmitting a fax, the line number 03-1111-2221 is included in the history information and stored, as shown in Table 1.

[0033] Although Figure 4 illustrates an example of a configuration in which the additional function unit 420 is installed in the MFP101, this embodiment is not limited to this configuration. The functions of the additional function unit 420 may be included in the PC103. Alternatively, the various functions of the fax transmission server 104 may be included in the MFP101.

[0034] Figure 5 shows an example of the home screen displayed on the operation unit 220 of the MFP101. The operation unit 220 includes a touch panel 501 that displays the operation screen, as well as LEDs 510 and 511. The touch panel 501 is an instruction unit, also functions as a reception unit that receives instructions from the user, and also functions as a display unit that displays screens such as UI screens. The user directly touches the screen displayed on the touch panel 501 with their finger or an object such as a stylus to instruct the execution of various functions based on the displayed screen. In addition, it may have an ID card (contactless card) reading function for user authentication.

[0035] The touch panel 501 shown in Figure 5 displays the home screen 508. The home screen 508 is the initial screen used to instruct the execution of each function of the MFP101, and it is the screen where users select the display for various settings for each function that the MFP101 performs, such as copying, printing, scanning, and media printing.

[0036] The status confirmation button 505 is an object for displaying a screen (status confirmation screen) to check the status of the MFP 101. From the status confirmation screen (not shown), it is possible to display the transmission history or job execution history. The cloud fax transmission button 502 is an object for displaying a screen to request fax transmission processing from the fax transmission server 104. When the cloud fax transmission button 502 is pressed by the user, the fax transmission server login screen 801, which will be described in Figure 8, is displayed on the operation unit 220. The process of requesting fax transmission processing from the fax transmission server 104 will be explained using Figure 6.

[0037] The scan button 503 is an object used to display the scan selection screen (not shown) from the MFP101. The scan selection screen is for selecting transmission functions such as email, SMB, FTP, HTTP file transfer, and Internet fax (I-fax). Touching the object indicating the displayed transmission function will display the settings screen for each transmission function. Here, SMB stands for Server Message Block, and FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol.

[0038] The address book button 504 is an object that, when selected by the user, displays the address book screen of the MFP 101. LEDs 510 and 511 are LEDs that notify the user of the status of the MFP 101. LED 510 lights up when receiving or executing an email or print job. LED 511 lights up when any error occurs in the MFP 101. The stop button 506 is an object that cancels various operations and is always displayed on the operation unit 220. The home button 507 is an object that displays the home screen 508 and is always displayed on the operation unit 220. The menu button 512 is an object that displays a screen for configuring environment settings such as the display language and settings for each function. The above describes an example in which all buttons are located on the UI screen, but it is not limited to this. The button for sending a fax and the stop button 506 may be hard keys located outside the UI screen.

[0039] Figure 6 is a sequence chart showing an example of a sequence illustrating the processing flow between each device during fax transmission. Specifically, the following operations are performed: The MFP101 sends a fax transmission request to the fax transmission server 104, which includes scanned image data and the fax recipient number entered by the user. The fax transmission server 104 then transmits the fax to the fax receiver in response to the fax transmission request and saves the transmission result as transmission history information.

[0040] In its normal state, the MFP101 displays a main screen on the control panel 220 with buttons for executing each of the functions it provides. When an additional application for sending fax transmission requests to the fax transmission server 104 is installed on the MFP101, the following buttons are displayed. Specifically, as shown in Figure 5, a fax transmission button 502 that uses the application's functions is displayed on the main screen of the MFP101. When the fax transmission button 502 is pressed, a screen for sending a fax transmission request to the fax transmission server 104 is displayed on the control panel 220, and the sequence shown in Figure 6 is executed.

[0041] In S601, the CPU 211 of the MFP 101 displays a login screen (screen 801, described later in Figure 8(b)) for entering authentication information to access the fax transmission server 104. Upon receiving the login instruction, the CPU 211 then sends the authentication information to the fax transmission server 104 in S602.

[0042] In S603, the request control unit 431 of the fax transmission server 104 verifies whether the username and password included in the login request are correct. If the username and password are correct, the request control unit 431 returns an access token to the CPU 211 of the MFP 101. Subsequent requests made from the MFP 101 to the fax transmission server 104 are made along with this access token, and the fax transmission server 104 can identify the user to be processed based on this information. User authentication methods generally use publicly known methods (such as Basic authentication, Digest authentication, or authorization using OAuth).

[0043] In S604, after the login process is complete, the CPU 211 of the MFP 101 displays the scan settings screen (screen 811, which will be described later in Figure 8(c)). The CPU 211 accepts settings such as the fax destination number and settings related to scanning. In S605, when the document to be scanned, such as a paper form, is placed on the document glass or ADF and the scan start button is pressed by the user, the scan is performed and image data of the paper form or other document is generated. In S606, the CPU 211 of the MFP 101 sends the image generated by the scanning process and fax transmission request information, including the fax destination number, to the fax transmission server 104. This completes the processing flow between the MFP 101 and the fax transmission server 104.

[0044] Next, the processing flow between the fax transmission server 104 and the fax receiver 111 is shown. In S606, the fax transmission server 104 executes the processing from S611 to S614 according to the various information received by the request control unit 431 from the MFP 101.

[0045] In S611, the request control unit 431 of the fax transmission server 104 generates an image for fax transmission using the functions of the image processing unit 432. For example, it composites a pre-specified sender name for printing onto the top (header portion) of the image data included in the fax transmission request information. If no sender name for printing is specified, the process in S611 is not performed. In the subsequent process in S612, only the image data included in the fax transmission request information may be used.

[0046] In S612, the request control unit 431 requests the fax transmission control unit 440 to perform fax transmission by sending various information received from the MFP 101 in S606, and image data generated in the processing of S611. In S613, the fax transmission control unit 440 performs fax transmission processing to the fax receiver 111 based on the various information received from the request control unit 431 in S612. In S614, the fax transmission control unit 440 saves the transmission result to the data management unit 434, and the processing of the sequence chart shown in Figure 6 is completed. Details of the processing in S613 and S614 will be explained using the flowchart in Figure 7.

[0047] The above example describes a fax transmission server 104 receiving a fax transmission request from MFP 101 and performing fax transmission processing, but it is not limited to this. It is also possible to receive a fax transmission request from PC 103 and perform fax transmission processing. In that case, the fax transmission server 104 receives the fax transmission request from PC 103 and performs processing S611 to S614 based on that information.

[0048] Figure 7 is a flowchart detailing the fax transmission process and the process of saving the transmission result, which the fax transmission control unit 440 of the fax transmission server 104 performs after receiving a fax transmission instruction from the request control unit 431. In S701, the fax transmission control unit 440 determines whether it has received a fax transmission instruction from the request control unit 431. If it has not received the instruction, the process returns to S701. If it has received the fax transmission instruction, the process proceeds to S702.

[0049] In S702, the fax transmission control unit 440 obtains the modem usage status. In S703, the fax transmission control unit 440 determines whether there are any available modems. If there are no available modems, the process returns to S702. If there are available modems, the process proceeds to S704. In this embodiment, the fax transmission server 104 has four modems 321 to 324, but these modems may be in use for other fax transmission processes. If all modems are in use, the above Waiting process is executed until the other fax transmission processes are completed and one of the modems becomes available.

[0050] In S704, the fax transmission control unit 440 determines the modem to be used for fax transmission. In this example, it is assumed that the fax will be transmitted using modem 322. In S705, the fax transmission control unit 440 executes the fax transmission process to the fax receiver 111 based on the various information received from the request control unit 431 in S701. This fax transmission process uses modem 322, which was determined in S704. In other words, the fax receiver 111 is notified of the telephone number of modem 322 as the fax transmission number.

[0051] In S706, the fax transmission control unit 440 saves the fax transmission processing result of S705 as history information in the data management unit 434. Once the fax transmission processing result is saved, the processing in the flowchart shown in Figure 7 is completed. The history information saved here includes the line number information associated with the modem used when the fax was transmitted. In this example, since modem 322 was used when the fax was transmitted, 03-1111-2222 will be included in the history information as the telephone number used when transmitting, as shown in Table 1. The history information may also include the following information: the fax transmission request reception date and time, which is the date and time when the fax transmission server 104 received the fax transmission request information; the user information that made the fax transmission request; and the fax recipient telephone number, which is the telephone number of the fax receiver. Furthermore, the history information may also include information such as the fax transmission start date and time, which is the date and time when the fax transmission started; the fax transmission end date and time, which is the date and time when the processing of S613 or S705 was completed; and the transmission result, which indicates whether the fax transmission was successful or not. Of course, other information may also be included.

[0052] Furthermore, it may be possible to enable a setting that does not notify the recipient of the sender's telephone number when sending a fax (private number setting). If such a private number setting is enabled, the sender's telephone number will not be notified to the fax receiver 111. In this case, the user of the fax transmission server will also have less need to know the fax transmission number, so the S706 processing does not need to include the line number information associated with the modem used when sending the fax in the history information.

[0053] Figure 8 shows an example of the screen transitions for fax transmission request processing displayed on the operation unit 220 of the MFP101. Figure 8(a) shows the home screen 508 of the MFP101. When the fax transmission button 502 is selected in the cloud displayed on the home screen 508 in Figure 8(a), the fax transmission server login screen 801 shown in Figure 8(b) is displayed on the operation unit 220. The fax transmission server login screen 801 is a screen for logging in to the fax transmission server 104. The username input field 802 and password input field 803 accept the input of authentication information (username and password) necessary to log in to the fax transmission server 104. When the login button 804 is pressed, the login process to the fax transmission server 104 is performed using the accepted authentication information. Note that while a username and password are used as authentication information here, this is not the only option. The system may also accept the reading of an ID card (contactless card) and use the ID card information to log in to the fax transmission server 104. If the back button 805 is pressed, the login process will not be performed, and the display screen will return to the home screen 508.

[0054] Upon successful login to the fax transmission server 104, the fax transmission request screen 811 shown in Figure 8(c) is displayed on the operation panel 220 of the MFP 101. The fax transmission request screen 811 is a screen for receiving settings such as the recipient's telephone number and scan reading settings. The recipient number input field 812 accepts input of the recipient number for the fax to be sent via the fax transmission server 104. When the Select from Address Book button 813 is pressed, an address book screen (not shown) is displayed, allowing the user to select a fax recipient from the address book stored in the MFP 101. The telephone number selected from this address book screen is entered into the recipient number input field 812. Note that the system may also be configured to allow the user to select a fax recipient based not only on the address book stored in the MFP 101, but also on address book information obtained from the fax transmission server 104.

[0055] When the logout button 814 is pressed, the running process is interrupted and the display screen returns to the fax transmission server login screen 801. When the execution history button 815 is pressed, fax transmission history information is obtained from the fax transmission server 104 and the screen transitions to the fax transmission history screen 851 shown in Figure 8(d).

[0056] The scan setting buttons 821 to 823 accept settings for scanning a document placed on the document glass or ADF (Auto Document Feeder) (not shown) and generating image data. When the start button 831 is pressed, the scan is performed and image data of the paper document is generated. The generated image and fax transmission request information, including the fax destination number entered in the destination number input field 812, are then sent to the fax transmission server 104.

[0057] The fax transmission history screen 851 shown in Figure 8(d) is a screen for displaying fax transmission history information received from the fax transmission server 104. When the back button 852 is pressed, the display screen returns to the fax transmission request screen 811. When the refresh button 853 is pressed, the fax transmission history information is retrieved again from the fax transmission server 104, and the fax transmission history screen 851 is redisplayed based on the retrieved information.

[0058] Transmission history items 854 to 857 display the fax transmission history received from the fax transmission server 104. The transmission history items display, but are not limited to, the start date and time (the date and time the fax transmission request information was received), the fax transmission number used when sending the fax, the destination number (indicating the fax recipient), and the status (indicating the processing status of the request). Other information may also be displayed. Furthermore, when each item field is pressed, the system may transition to a screen (not shown) that displays detailed information about the pressed item. Detailed information refers to information based on the history information saved by the fax transmission server 104 during processing in S706.

[0059] In the example described above, information including the fax transmission number used for sending a fax is stored as a fax transmission history in the fax transmission server 104, but this is not the only example. For example, after the fax transmission server 104 receives information about the fax transmission result, including the fax transmission number, it may send the received information to the MFP 101. Even in this configuration, the MFP 101 can obtain information including the fax transmission number. Furthermore, users other than the fax sender may also be able to access the fax transmission history to check the fax transmission number used for sending a fax.

[0060] According to this embodiment, the fax transmission server 104 can allow the sending user to refer to the fax transmission number used during fax transmission. This makes it possible for the user to obtain information about the fax transmission number used during fax transmission. Therefore, the usability of the fax transmission service is improved.

[0061] [Second Embodiment] In the first embodiment, a user who sent a fax via the fax transmission server 104, or any other user, could obtain information about the fax transmission number used at the time of fax transmission by referring to the fax transmission history screen 851. Other methods may be used to enable the user who sent the fax, or any other user, to obtain information about the fax transmission number.

[0062] For example, a user such as a fax sender accesses the fax transmission server 104 from a web browser running on a user terminal such as a PC 103 or smartphone connected via the internet. The user checks the fax transmission history information via the screen displayed in the web browser. By checking the fax transmission history information, the user can find out the fax transmission number used for the fax transmission. Alternatively, the fax transmission server 104 may be configured to send the fax transmission history information to a chat service (not shown). As a result, the fax transmission history information is posted from the fax transmission server 104 to the chat service's talk room. Users such as fax senders who have sent faxes using the fax transmission server 104 can access the fax transmission history information without referring to the fax transmission history screen 851 or accessing the fax transmission server 104 from a PC 103 or the like. The user can find out the fax transmission number used for the fax transmission from the fax transmission history information posted to the chat service's talk room. The fax transmission server 104 may also be configured to send fax transmission history information to a designated email address, such as the fax sender's email address, which is set on PC 103. Users of the designated email address can receive an email containing the fax transmission history information and, by checking its contents, can find out the fax transmission number for that fax. Users of the designated email address may include not only fax senders but also other users, such as the administrator of MFP 101.

[0063] [Other embodiments] This disclosure can also be implemented by supplying a program that implements one or more of the functions of the embodiments described above to a system or device via a network or storage medium, and by having one or more processors in the computer of that system or device read and execute the program. It can also be implemented by a circuit (e.g., an ASIC) that implements one or more functions.

[0064] The above-described embodiments include the following configurations.

[0065] (Configuration 1) An information processing device characterized by comprising: an instruction means for instructing a server that provides a fax transmission service on the cloud using one of several fax transmission numbers to send a fax; and a receiving means for receiving the fax transmission number used when the server sent a fax in accordance with the instruction.

[0066] (Configuration 2) The information processing apparatus according to Configuration 1, further comprising a display control means for displaying the fax transmission number received by the receiving means on a display means.

[0067] (Configuration 3) The information processing device according to Configuration 1 or 2, characterized in that the receiving means receives information including the fax transmission number and the fax transmission result.

[0068] (Configuration 4) The information processing device according to any one of Configurations 1 to 3, characterized in that the information processing device is a MultiFunction Peripheral (MFP).

[0069] (Configuration 5) A control method for an information processing device that can communicate with a server that provides a fax transmission service on the cloud, comprising the steps of: instructing a server that provides a fax transmission service on the cloud using one of a plurality of fax transmission numbers to send a fax; and receiving the fax transmission number used when the server sent a fax in accordance with the instruction.

[0070] (Configuration 6) A program for causing a computer to function as an information processing device as described in any one of Configurations 1 to 4.

[0071] (Configuration 7) A server that provides a fax transmission service on the cloud using one of several fax transmission numbers and is capable of communicating with an information processing device that is the source of the fax transmission, and is characterized by having a receiving means for receiving instructions to send a fax from the information processing device, and a transmitting means for sending the fax number used when the fax was sent in accordance with the instructions to the information processing device.

[0072] (Configuration 8) The server according to Configuration 7, characterized in that the transmission means transmits information including the fax transmission number and the fax transmission result.

[0073] (Configuration 9) The server according to Configuration 8, wherein the transmission means transmits the information to the user terminal in response to a request for transmission of the information from a user terminal different from the information processing device.

[0074] (Configuration 10) The server according to Configuration 9, characterized in that the request to transmit the information is transmitted from a browser running on the user terminal.

[0075] (Configuration 11) The server according to Configuration 8, characterized in that the transmission means transmits the information to the user terminal via a chat service connected between the server and a user terminal different from the information processing device.

[0076] (Configuration 12) The server according to Configuration 8, characterized in that the transmission means sends the information by email to a predetermined email address set on a user terminal different from the information processing device connected to the server.

[0077] (Configuration 13) A method for controlling a server that provides a fax transmission service on the cloud using one of several fax transmission numbers and is capable of communicating with an information processing device that is the source of the fax transmission, the method comprising: receiving a fax transmission instruction from the information processing device; and transmitting the fax transmission number used when the fax transmission was performed in accordance with the instruction to the information processing device.

[0078] (Configuration 14) A program for causing a computer to function as a server as described in any one of Configurations 7 to 12.

[0079] (Configuration 15) An information processing system comprising: a server that provides a fax transmission service on the cloud using one transmission number from among a plurality of fax transmission numbers; and an information processing device that can communicate with the server, wherein the information processing device has an instruction means for instructing the server to send a fax; and a receiving means for receiving the fax transmission number used when the server sends a fax in accordance with the instruction; and the server has a receiving means for receiving an instruction to send a fax from the information processing device; and a transmitting means for transmitting the fax transmission number used when the server sends a fax in accordance with the instruction to the information processing device.

Claims

1. A means of instructing a server that provides a fax transmission service on the cloud using one of several fax transmission numbers to send a fax, A receiving means for receiving the fax transmission number used when the server transmitted a fax in accordance with the above instructions, An information processing device characterized by having the following features.

2. A display control means that causes the receiving means to display the fax transmission number received by the receiving means on a display means, The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising the features.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the receiving means receives information including the fax transmission number and the fax transmission result.

4. The information processing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the information processing device is a MultiFunction Peripheral (MFP).

5. A method for controlling an information processing device that can communicate with a server providing a fax transmission service on the cloud, The process involves instructing a server that provides a fax transmission service on the cloud using one of several fax transmission numbers to send a fax, and The process of receiving the fax transmission number used when the server transmitted the fax in accordance with the above instructions, A control method for an information processing device, characterized by having the following features.

6. A program for causing a computer to function as an information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

7. A server that provides a fax transmission service on the cloud using one of several fax transmission numbers, and that can communicate with the information processing device of the sender, A receiving means for receiving instructions to send a fax from the aforementioned information processing device, A transmission means that transmits the fax transmission number used when the fax transmission was performed in accordance with the above instructions to the information processing device, A server characterized by having the following features.

8. The server according to claim 7, wherein the transmission means transmits information including the fax transmission number and the fax transmission result.

9. The server according to claim 8, characterized in that the transmission means transmits the information to the user terminal in response to a request for transmission of the information from a user terminal different from the information processing device.

10. The server according to claim 9, characterized in that the request to transmit the aforementioned information is transmitted from a browser running on the user terminal.

11. The server according to claim 8, characterized in that the transmission means transmits the information to the user terminal via a chat service connected between the server and a user terminal different from the information processing device.

12. The server according to claim 8, characterized in that the transmission means sends the information by email to a predetermined email address set on a user terminal different from the information processing device connected to the server.

13. A method for controlling a server that provides a fax transmission service on the cloud using one of several fax transmission numbers, and that can communicate with the information processing device of the sender, The process of receiving a fax transmission instruction from the aforementioned information processing device, A step of transmitting the fax transmission number used when the fax transmission was performed in accordance with the above instructions to the information processing device, A server control method characterized by having the following features.

14. A program for causing a computer to function as a server according to any one of claims 7 to 12.

15. An information processing system comprising a server that provides a fax transmission service on the cloud using one of several fax transmission numbers, and an information processing device that can communicate with the server, The aforementioned information processing device is An instruction means for instructing the server to send a fax, A receiving means for receiving the fax transmission number used when the server transmitted a fax in accordance with the above instructions, It has, The aforementioned server, A receiving means for receiving instructions to send a fax from the aforementioned information processing device, A transmission means that transmits the fax transmission number used when the fax transmission was performed in accordance with the above instructions to the information processing device, An information processing system characterized by having the following features.

Images