Image processing device, method for controlling the image processing device, and program

Abstract

The objective is to provide an image processing device, a control method for the image processing device, and a program that can reduce the number of operational steps required to set the destination for the transmission function. [Solution] The multifunction printer 1 has a CPU 101 that, when a home screen is displayed on the LCD panel 131 in which the user can select one or more functions including at least a SEND function or a FAX transmission function, transitions the display on the LCD panel 131 from the home screen to a SEND screen or FAX screen for the user to operate the SEND function or the FAX transmission function, and sets the contact information in the QR code string information as the destination for the SEND function or the FAX transmission function.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus, a control method for an image processing apparatus, and a program.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, the use of barcodes has advanced, and with the spread of devices capable of reading barcodes, barcodes are printed on various objects and utilized. As an example of the use of QR codes (registered trademark), which are representative of barcodes, there are business cards with QR codes. By having a barcode reader or the like read the QR code printed on a business card, a user can input the contact information represented by the QR code into the device. Therefore, if a user prints a QR code representing a contact such as an email address on a business card, the user can easily set the email address or the like as the destination of an email sent from the other party's device and easily register it in the address book of the other party's device. Regarding image processing apparatuses such as multifunction printers, for example, there are some that can utilize barcodes printed on paper media or the like by connecting a barcode reader or the like. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique of using a barcode when setting an email address as the destination of document transmission.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 involves using barcode scanning to input the destination for document transmission, instead of manual key input. In contrast, many image processing devices require several steps to display the screen for setting the destination for document transmission. Therefore, even if the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1 is applied to many image processing devices, the problem of inefficiency due to the large number of steps required to set the destination for document transmission cannot be solved. Furthermore, in general image processing devices, when the user selects the function they want to use on the home screen displayed in the initial state, the user is redirected from the home screen to an operation screen for operating the selected function. While the home screen has the advantage of being intuitive for users familiar with smartphones, it also has the disadvantage of increasing the number of steps required to select the function the user wants to use on the home screen.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems. The present invention aims to provide an image processing apparatus, a control method for the image processing apparatus, and a program that can reduce the number of operational steps required to set the destination of the transmission function. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To achieve the above objective, the image processing apparatus of the present invention is characterized by comprising: transition means for transitioning the display on the display unit from the first function selection screen to a first operation screen for the user to operate the first transmission function when the acquisition of string information of a first barcode is performed while a first function selection screen, in which the user can select one or more functions including at least a first transmission function, is displayed on the display unit; and setting means for setting the contact information in the string information of the first barcode as the destination of the first transmission function. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present invention, the number of operational steps required to set the destination for the transmission function can be reduced. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram of a multifunction printer. [Figure 2] This is a diagram showing an example of the screen display of a multifunction printer. [Figure 3] This flowchart shows the operation of the multifunction printer when the home screen is displayed. [Figure 4] This flowchart shows the actions taken when a multifunction printer receives string information from a barcode reader while the home screen is displayed. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of data in vCard format. [Figure 6] This is a diagram showing an example of the screen display of a multifunction printer. [Figure 7] This flowchart shows the actions taken when a multifunction printer receives data in vCard format from a barcode reader while the home screen is displayed. [Figure 8] This flowchart shows the operation of the multifunction printer when the SEND screen is displayed. [Figure 9] This flowchart shows the operation of the multifunction printer when the destination input screen is displayed. [Figure 10] This flowchart shows the operation of a multifunction printer when it receives string information from a barcode reader while the SEND screen is displayed. [Figure 11] This flowchart shows the operation of the multifunction printer when the fax screen is displayed. [Figure 12] This flowchart shows the operation of a multifunction printer when it receives string information from a barcode reader while displaying a fax screen. [Figure 13] This flowchart shows the actions taken when a multifunction printer receives data in vCard format from a barcode reader while the home screen is displayed. [Figure 14] This figure shows an example of a function selection screen. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the configurations described in the following embodiments are merely illustrative, and the scope of the present invention is not limited by the configurations described in each embodiment. For example, each part constituting the present invention can be replaced with any configuration that can perform a similar function. In addition, any additional components may be added. Furthermore, any two or more configurations (features) from each embodiment can be combined. In the drawings, identical components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their description is omitted.

[0010] <First Embodiment> The first embodiment will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 12. In the first embodiment, the case in which the present invention is applied to a multifunction device will be described in detail. Figure 1 is a block diagram of the multifunction device 1 (image processing device). As shown in Figure 1, the multifunction device 1 has a controller 100, a barcode reader 120, an operation unit 130, a large-capacity SSD (Solid State Drive) 140, a scanner device 141, and a printer device 142. The barcode reader 120 is a device for reading and analyzing barcodes. The operation unit 130 is a device for the user to operate the multifunction device 1. The large-capacity SSD 140 is a device for storing image data and the address book of the multifunction device 1. The address book of the multifunction device 1 manages names, email addresses, telephone numbers, etc. The scanner device 141 is a device for optically reading documents and converting them into image data. The printer device 117 is a device for outputting image data to a printing medium.

[0011] The controller 100 is connected to each of the above-mentioned devices and can execute jobs on the multifunction printer 1 by issuing instructions to each module. An external computer can perform image data input / output, job issuance, and instructions to each module on the multifunction printer 1 via LAN 143. The controller 100 is a so-called general-purpose CPU system and has a CPU 101, a boot ROM 102, and RAM 103. The CPU 101 controls the entire multifunction printer 1. The boot ROM 102 contains an initial program called BIOS. RAM 103 is used by the CPU 101 as main memory. In the controller 100, the CPU 101, boot ROM 102, and RAM 103 are connected via an internal bus 104.

[0012] In addition to the CPU 101, boot ROM 102, and RAM 103 mentioned above, the internal bus 104 is connected to a storage interface 105. The storage interface 105 controls the storage devices SSD 106 and high-capacity SSD 140. SSD 106 and high-capacity SSD 140 comply with the industry standard SATA specification. SSD 106 stores firmware, which is the program executed by CPU 101 to operate the multifunction printer 1. The firmware stored in SSD 106 is loaded into RAM 103 by the BIOS when the multifunction printer 1 starts up and executed by CPU 101. The high-capacity SSD 140 is used as a storage location for image data acquired by the scanner device 141 when the multifunction printer 1 is executing a job.

[0013] The scanner device 141 is connected to the internal bus 104 of the controller 100 via the scanner interface 107, and the printer device 142 is connected via the printer interface 108. Also, the barcode reader 120 is connected to the internal bus 104 of the controller 100 via the USB interface 109. Furthermore, the LAN 143 is connected to the internal bus 104 of the controller 100 via the LAN interface 110, the telephone line 144 is connected via the FAX device 111, and the operation unit 130 is connected via the operation unit interface 112. The operation unit 130 has an LCD panel 131 (display unit) for displaying various information to the user, and various operations can be accepted by the touch panel provided on the LCD panel 131.

[0014] The barcode reader 120 has a barcode analysis unit 121 and an image sensor 122. The image sensor 122 is a sensor for reading barcodes printed on paper media such as business cards as image data, and a CCD sensor or the like is used. The barcode analysis unit 121 is an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) having a function for analyzing barcodes in the QR code standard (that is, QR codes) read by the image sensor 122. A QR code is an image representation of string information.

[0015] The barcode analysis unit 121 extracts the string information represented by the QR code and transmits the extracted string information to the controller 100 using the industry-standard USB-HID protocol. In a business card or the like on which a QR code (first barcode) (second barcode) is printed, the string information represented by the QR code indicates a mail address or a telephone number as a contact. Thus, the CPU 101 can obtain the contact indicated by the received string information by receiving the string information extracted from the QR code printed on a business card or the like from the barcode reader 120 via the USB interface 109.

[0016] It should be noted that this configuration is merely an example. For instance, the barcode analysis unit 121 may have the functionality to analyze barcodes of standards other than the QR code standard (e.g., one-dimensional barcodes or two-dimensional barcodes other than QR codes). Alternatively, the barcode analysis unit 121 may be implemented using a general-purpose CPU instead of an ASIC, and a program executed by that general-purpose CPU.

[0017] The multifunction device 1 can perform a variety of jobs through functions such as copying, sending, boxing, image printing, fax transmission, and fax reception. The copying function stores image data acquired by the scanner device 141 in the large-capacity SSD device 140 and simultaneously prints it using the printer device 142. The sending function (first transmission function) transmits image data acquired by the scanner device 141 to an external computer via the LAN interface 110 and LAN 143. The box function stores image data acquired by the scanner device 141 in the large-capacity SSD device 140 and performs image transmission or image printing as needed.

[0018] The image printing function analyzes the page description language received via LAN interfaces 110 and 143, and prints the analyzed content using the printer device 142. The fax transmission function (first transmission function) (second transmission function) transmits image data acquired by the scanner device 141 to an external fax device via fax device 111 and telephone line 144. The fax reception function prints image data received from an external fax device via telephone line 144 and fax device 111 using the printer device 142. The present invention can be realized if the multifunction device 1 has at least one of the SEND function and the fax transmission function. In other words, the present invention is not limited to image processing devices with multiple functions like the multifunction device 1, but can be realized with any device that has at least one transmission function.

[0019] Next, we will describe the operation of the multifunction device 1 when it is displaying the home screen. Figure 2(a) is a diagram showing an example of the home screen (first function selection screen) displayed on the LCD panel 131 of the operation unit 130. In the initial state after the multifunction device 1 is started up, the home screen shown in Figure 2(a) is displayed on the LCD panel 131. On the home screen in Figure 2(a), the numeric keypad 201 is a set of keys that the user mainly uses to input numbers and other characters, and the user can input numbers and other characters corresponding to the keys they press into the multifunction device 1. The start button 202 is a button used by the user to instruct the multifunction device 1 to start executing a job. The stop button 203 is a button used by the user to instruct the multifunction device 1 to stop a job that is currently running. The numeric keypad 201, start button 202, and stop button 203 are always displayed regardless of which screen the LCD panel 131 is displaying.

[0020] In the home screen shown in Figure 2(a), buttons 204 to 208 are used by the user to select the function of the multifunction printer 1 they wish to use. The copy button 204 corresponds to the copy function, the send button 205 corresponds to the send function, the box button 206 corresponds to the box function, and the fax transmission button 207 corresponds to the fax transmission function. The settings button 208 is used to display a settings screen on the LCD panel 131 for the user to configure various operations of the multifunction printer 1. These buttons 204 to 208 are displayed on the LCD panel 131 and are detected by the CPU 101 when pressed by the user via the touch panel provided on the LCD panel 131.

[0021] Figure 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the multifunction device 1 when the home screen shown in Figure 2(a) is displayed. The flowchart in Figure 3 (control method for the image processing device) is realized when the CPU 101 (computer) loads the program stored in the SSD 106 into the RAM 103 and executes it. This is also true for the flowcharts described later. When the CPU 101 displays the home screen shown in Figure 2(a) on the LCD panel 131, it starts executing the flowchart in Figure 3. In step S301, the CPU 101 determines whether it has received string information from the barcode reader 120. If the CPU 101 determines that it has not received string information from the barcode reader 120, the process proceeds to step S303, which will be described later. On the other hand, if the CPU 101 determines that it has received string information from the barcode reader 120, the process proceeds to step S302.

[0022] In step S302, the CPU 101 performs barcode processing. Barcode processing involves processing the string information received from the barcode reader 120, that is, the string information extracted by the barcode reader 120 from the QR code. A detailed explanation of this will be given later. After that, the process proceeds to step S313, which will be described later. In step S303, the CPU 101 determines whether the SEND button 205 has been pressed. If the CPU 101 determines that the SEND button 205 has not been pressed, the process proceeds to step S305, which will be described later. On the other hand, if the CPU 101 determines that the SEND button 205 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S304. In step S304, the CPU 101 transitions the display on the LCD panel 131 from the home screen in Figure 2(a) to the SEND screen. After that, the process proceeds to step S313, which will be described later.

[0023] In step S305, the CPU 101 determines whether the FAX send button 207 has been pressed. If the CPU 101 determines that the FAX send button 207 has not been pressed, the process proceeds to step S307, which will be described later. On the other hand, if the CPU 101 determines that the FAX send button 207 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S306. In step S306, the CPU 101 changes the display on the LCD panel 131 from the home screen shown in Figure 2(a) to the FAX screen. After that, the process proceeds to step S313, which will be described later. In step S307, the CPU 101 determines whether the copy button 204 has been pressed. If the CPU 101 determines that the copy button 204 has not been pressed, the process proceeds to step S309, which will be described later. On the other hand, if the CPU 101 determines that the copy button 204 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S308. In step S308, the CPU 101 transitions the display on the LCD panel 131 from the home screen shown in Figure 2(a) to the copy screen. The process then proceeds to step S313, which will be described later.

[0024] In step S309, the CPU 101 determines whether the BOX button 206 has been pressed. If the CPU 101 determines that the BOX button 206 has not been pressed, the process proceeds to step S311, which will be described later. If the CPU 101 determines that the BOX button 206 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S310. In step S310, the CPU 101 transitions the display on the LCD panel 131 from the home screen in Figure 2(a) to the BOX screen. After that, the process proceeds to step S313, which will be described later. In step S311, the CPU 101 determines whether the setting button 208 has been pressed. If the CPU 101 determines that the setting button 208 has not been pressed, the process proceeds to step S313, which will be described later. If the CPU 101 determines that the setting button 208 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S312. In step S312, the CPU 101 transitions the display on the LCD panel 131 from the home screen shown in Figure 2(a) to the settings screen. The process then proceeds to step S313.

[0025] In step S313, the CPU 101 determines whether the display on the LCD panel 131 has transitioned from the home screen in Figure 2(a) to another screen. If the CPU 101 determines that the display on the LCD panel 131 has not transitioned from the home screen in Figure 2(a) to another screen, that is, if the LCD panel 131 is still displaying the home screen in Figure 2(a), the process returns to step S301. This repeats each of the processes up to this point. On the other hand, if the CPU 101 determines that the display on the LCD panel 131 has transitioned from the home screen in Figure 2(a) to another screen, the flowchart in Figure 3 ends.

[0026] Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the multifunction device 1 when it receives string information from the barcode reader 120 while displaying the home screen shown in Figure 2(a). Therefore, the CPU 101 starts executing the flowchart in Figure 4 during the barcode processing in step S302 of the flowchart in Figure 3 described above.

[0027] In step S401, the CPU 101 determines whether the string information received from the barcode reader 120 is a telephone number. Specifically, the CPU 101 determines that the string information received from the barcode reader 120 is a telephone number if it consists only of numbers, and not a telephone number if it does not consist only of numbers. Note that the method for determining whether the string information received from the barcode reader 120 is a telephone number is not limited to this method. If the CPU 101 determines that the string information received from the barcode reader 120 is not a telephone number, the process proceeds to step S404, which will be described later. On the other hand, if the CPU 101 determines that the string information received from the barcode reader 120 is a telephone number, the process proceeds to step S402.

[0028] In step S402, the CPU 101 (transition means) transitions the display on the LCD panel 131 to a FAX screen (first operation screen) (second operation screen) as shown in Figure 2(e) below (transition step). In step S403, the CPU 101 (setting means) sets the telephone number (contact information) from the string information received from the barcode reader 120 as the destination for the FAX transmission function (setting step). After that, the process returns to the flowchart in Figure 3 described above and proceeds to step S313.

[0029] In step S404, the CPU 101 determines whether the string information received from the barcode reader 120 is an email address. Specifically, the CPU 101 determines that if the string information received from the barcode reader 120 contains "@", it is an email address; if it does not contain "@", it is determined that the string information is not an email address. Note that the method for determining whether the string information received from the barcode reader 120 is an email address is not limited to this method. If the CPU 101 determines that the string information received from the barcode reader 120 is not an email address, the process proceeds to step S407, which will be described later. On the other hand, if the CPU 101 determines that the string information received from the barcode reader 120 is an email address, the process proceeds to step S405.

[0030] In step S405, the CPU 101 (transition means) transitions the display on the LCD panel 131 to the SEND screen (first operation screen) as shown in Figure 2(c) below (transition step). In step S406, the CPU 101 (setting means) sets the email address (contact) of the string information received from the barcode reader 120 as the destination for the SEND function (setting step). After that, the process returns to the flowchart in Figure 3 described above and proceeds to step S313.

[0031] In step S407, the CPU 101 determines whether the string information received from the barcode reader 120 is in vCard format. vCard format is a de facto standard data format used for exchanging contact information on smartphones and other devices. Business cards with QR codes may also have a QR code printed on them that represents data in vCard format.

[0032] Figure 5 shows an example of data in vCard format. In Figure 5, the vCard format data includes, as an example, two email addresses as contacts, but is not limited to this. In addition to containing only multiple email addresses as contacts, vCard format data may also contain both email addresses and phone numbers, or only multiple phone numbers. Furthermore, vCard format data may contain only one email address or only one phone number as contacts.

[0033] Returning to the explanation of Figure 4, the determination method for step S407 is as follows: For example, the CPU 101 determines that the string information received from the barcode reader 120 is vCard format data if it starts with "BEGIN:VCARD". The CPU 101 also determines that the string information received from the barcode reader 120 is not vCard format data if it does not start with "BEGIN:VCARD". Note that the method for determining whether the string information received from the barcode reader 120 is vCard format data is not limited to these methods. If the CPU 101 determines that the string information received from the barcode reader 120 is not vCard format data, the process proceeds to step S409 described below. In other words, if the string information received from the barcode reader 120 is neither a telephone number, an email address, nor vCard format data, the process proceeds to step S409 described below. If the CPU 101 determines that the string information received from the barcode reader 120 is data in vCard format, the process proceeds to step S408.

[0034] In step S408, the CPU 101 performs vCard data processing. vCard data processing involves processing data in vCard format, a detailed explanation of which will be given later. After that, the process returns to the flowchart in Figure 3 described above and proceeds to step S313. In step S409, the CPU 101 (the seventh display means) informs the user that the QR code read by the barcode reader 120 is an unsupported barcode format. Specifically, the CPU 101 informs the user by displaying, for example, the error screen shown in Figure 6(a) on the LCD panel 131 for a certain period of time. Note that the method of informing the user that the QR code read by the barcode reader 120 is an unsupported barcode format is not limited to this method; for example, a buzzer sound may also be used. After that, the process returns to the flowchart in Figure 3 described above and proceeds to step S313.

[0035] Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the multifunction device 1 when it receives data in vCard format from the barcode reader 120 while displaying the home screen shown in Figure 2(a). Therefore, the CPU 101 starts executing the flowchart in Figure 7 during the vCard data processing in step S408 of the flowchart in Figure 4 described above.

[0036] In step S701, the CPU 101 determines whether the vCard data received from the barcode reader 120 contains contact information. Here, contact information refers to an email address or a phone number. Therefore, if the vCard data received from the barcode reader 120 contains an email address or a phone number, the CPU 101 determines that the vCard data received from the barcode reader 120 contains contact information. In this case, the process proceeds to step S703, which is described below. On the other hand, if the vCard data received from the barcode reader 120 does not contain an email address or a phone number, the CPU 101 determines that the vCard data received from the barcode reader 120 does not contain contact information. In this case, the process proceeds to step S702.

[0037] In step S702, the CPU 101 (the seventh display means) informs the user that the QR code read by the barcode reader 120 is an unsupported barcode format. Specifically, the CPU 101 informs the user by, for example, displaying the error screen shown in Figure 6(a) on the LCD panel 131 for a certain period of time. After that, the process returns to the flowchart in Figure 4 described above, and then returns to the flowchart in Figure 3 described above, and proceeds to step S313.

[0038] In step S703, the CPU 101 determines whether the vCard data received from the barcode reader 120 contains multiple contacts. In this case, the CPU 101 determines that the vCard data received from the barcode reader 120 contains multiple contacts even if the vCard data contains only one email address and one phone number. If the CPU 101 determines that the vCard data received from the barcode reader 120 contains multiple contacts, the process proceeds to step S705, which will be described later. On the other hand, if the CPU 101 determines that the vCard data received from the barcode reader 120 does not contain multiple contacts, that is, if the vCard data contains only one contact, the process proceeds to step S704.

[0039] In step S704, the CPU 101 selects a contact from the vCard format data received from the barcode reader 120 as a destination candidate. The process then proceeds to step S707, which is described below. In step S705, the CPU 101 (first display means) (fourth display means) displays a destination selection screen on the LCD panel 131 as shown in Figure 2(b). Figure 2(b) is a diagram showing an example of a destination selection screen. With this, the CPU 101 asks the user to select only one contact from among multiple contacts in the vCard format data received from the barcode reader 120.

[0040] In the recipient selection screen of Figure 2(b), 211 and 212 are boxes displaying multiple contacts from data in vCard format. 213 is the OK button. The user can select one of the multiple contacts displayed in boxes 211 and 212 by pressing it via the touch panel on the LCD panel 131. At this time, the CPU 101 highlights the contact selected by the user. In the recipient selection screen of Figure 2(b), box 211 is highlighted, so the contact selected by the user is the email address displayed in box 211.

[0041] Box 211 displays one email address. Box 212 displays one phone number. Therefore, in this case, the vCard format data will have multiple contacts, one email address and one phone number, but it is not limited to this. For example, the vCard format data may have multiple email addresses, multiple phone numbers, or three or more email addresses and phone numbers combined. If the vCard format data has three or more contacts, the boxes displaying the third and subsequent contacts will scroll after boxes 211 and 212, for example. The user can confirm the selection of contacts by pressing the OK button 213 via the touch panel provided on the LCD panel 131.

[0042] Returning to the explanation of Figure 7, when the user presses the OK button 213, the CPU 101 performs the process in step S706. In step S706, the CPU 101 selects the one contact selected by the user in step S705 as a destination candidate. The reason for allowing the user to select only one contact in this way is that multiple contacts (specifically, email addresses and phone numbers) in vCard format data are usually considered to belong to a single person. In other words, it is unlikely that a QR code printed on a single business card represents the contact information of different people. In addition, in use cases where image data is to be sent using the SEND function or FAX transmission function, it is rare to send image data to multiple contacts of the same person. For this reason, only the one contact selected by the user is controlled to be set as the destination for the SEND function or FAX transmission function, as will be described later.

[0043] In step S707, the CPU 101 determines whether the recipient candidate selected in step S704 or step S706 is an email address. If the CPU 101 determines that the recipient candidate selected in step S704 or step S706 is not an email address, the process proceeds to step S710, which will be described later. On the other hand, if the CPU 101 determines that the recipient candidate selected in step S704 or step S706 is an email address, the process proceeds to step S708.

[0044] In step S708, the CPU 101 transitions the display on the LCD panel 131 to the SEND screen as shown in Figure 2(c) below. In step S709, the CPU 101 (setting means) sets the destination candidate selected in step S704 or step S706 as the destination for the SEND function. After that, the process returns to the flowchart in Figure 4 above, and then returns to the flowchart in Figure 3 above, and proceeds to step S313.

[0045] In step S710, the CPU 101 transitions the display on the LCD panel 131 to a FAX screen as shown in Figure 2(e) below. In step S711, the CPU 101 (setting means) sets the destination candidate selected in step S704 or step S706 as the destination for the FAX transmission function. After that, the process returns to the flowchart in Figure 4 above, and then returns to the flowchart in Figure 3 above, and proceeds to step S313.

[0046] The above describes the operation of the multifunction printer 1 while it is displaying the home screen. The operation of the multifunction printer 1 after transitioning from the home screen to the SEND screen or FAX screen will be described later. However, the operation of the multifunction printer 1 after transitioning from the home screen to the copy screen, BOX screen, or settings screen will be omitted.

[0047] Next, we will explain the operation of the multifunction device 1 while it is displaying the SEND screen. Figure 2(c) shows an example of the SEND screen displayed on the LCD panel 131 of the operation unit 130. In the SEND screen of Figure 2(c), 221 and 222 are boxes that display the destination set for the SEND function. 223 is the delete button. 224 is the input button. 225 is the home button.

[0048] The user can select a recipient displayed in boxes 221 and 222 by pressing them via the touch panel on the LCD panel 131. The recipient selected by the user is highlighted. In the SEND screen shown in Figure 2(c), box 222 is highlighted, indicating that the recipient selected by the user is the email address displayed in box 222. While boxes 221 and 222 in Figure 2(c) are set as recipients for the SEND function, this is not limited to this; for example, one email address or three or more email addresses may be set. If three or more email addresses are set as recipients for the SEND function, boxes displaying the third and subsequent email addresses will scroll after boxes 221 and 222, for example. Furthermore, if no recipients are set for the SEND function, they will not be displayed in boxes 221 and 222 on the SEND screen.

[0049] The user can delete the selected destination by pressing the delete button 223 via the touch panel on the LCD panel 131. This allows the user to remove the selected destination from the list of destinations for the SEND function. The input button 224 is used by the user to begin directly entering a new email address when setting a new email address as a destination for the SEND function. The home button 225 is used by the user to transition the display on the LCD panel 131 from the SEND screen in Figure 2(c) to the home screen in Figure 2(a). On the SEND screen in Figure 2(c), the user can instruct the multifunction device 1 to start executing a SEND job by pressing the start button 202 via the touch panel on the LCD panel 131 after setting a destination for the SEND function.

[0050] Figure 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the multifunction device 1 when the SEND screen shown in Figure 2(c) is displayed. When the CPU 101 displays the SEND screen shown in Figure 2(c) on the LCD panel 131, it starts executing the flowchart in Figure 8. In step S801, the CPU 101 determines whether the input button 224 has been pressed. If the CPU 101 determines that the input button 224 has not been pressed, the process proceeds to step S805, which will be described later. On the other hand, if the CPU 101 determines that the input button 224 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S802.

[0051] In step S802, the CPU 101 displays a destination input screen on the LCD panel 131 as shown in Figure 2(d). Figure 2(d) is a diagram showing an example of a destination input screen. The destination input screen in Figure 2(d) is a screen for the user to directly input the email address that will be the destination for the SEND function, and a detailed explanation of this will be given later. In step S803, the CPU 101 performs destination input processing. The destination input processing is the process of adding the email address and other information directly entered by the user on the destination input screen in Figure 2(d) to the destination settings for the SEND function, and a detailed explanation of this will be given later. Once the destination input processing is complete, the CPU 101 performs the process in step S804. In step S804, the CPU 101 returns the display on the LCD panel 131 from the destination input screen in Figure 2(d) to the SEND screen in Figure 2(c). After that, the process returns to step S801. This repeats the flowchart in Figure 8.

[0052] In step S805, the CPU 101 determines whether the delete button 223 has been pressed. If the CPU 101 determines that the delete button 223 has not been pressed, the process proceeds to step S807, which will be described later. On the other hand, if the CPU 101 determines that the delete button 223 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S806. In step S806, the CPU 101 removes the email addresses highlighted on the SEND screen in Figure 2(c), that is, the email addresses selected by the user, from the recipients of the SEND function. The process then returns to step S801. This repeats the flowchart in Figure 8.

[0053] In step S807, the CPU 101 determines whether the start button 202 has been pressed. If the CPU 101 determines that the start button 202 has not been pressed, the process proceeds to step S809, which will be described later. On the other hand, if the CPU 101 determines that the start button 202 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S808. In step S808, the CPU 101 executes a SEND job. At this time, the CPU 101 reads the document with the scanner device 141 and converts it into image data, and sends the converted image data to the email address set as the destination for the SEND function via the LAN interface 110 and LAN 143. After that, the process returns to step S801. This repeats the flowchart in Figure 8. Note that if multiple email addresses are set as destinations for the SEND function, the CPU 101 sends the image data to each of those multiple email addresses.

[0054] In step S809, the CPU 101 determines whether the home button 225 has been pressed. If the CPU 101 determines that the home button 225 has not been pressed, the process proceeds to step S811, which will be described later. On the other hand, if the CPU 101 determines that the home button 225 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S810. In step S810, the CPU 101 changes the display on the LCD panel 131 to the home screen shown in Figure 2(a). After that, the process proceeds to step S813, which will be described later.

[0055] In step S811, the CPU 101 determines whether it has received string information from the barcode reader 120. If the CPU 101 determines that it has not received string information from the barcode reader 120, the process returns to step S801. This repeats the flowchart in Figure 8. On the other hand, if the CPU 101 determines that it has received string information from the barcode reader 120, the process proceeds to step S812. In step S812, the CPU 101 performs destination addition processing. Destination addition processing is the process of adding a destination for the SEND function from the QR code read by the barcode reader 120, but a detailed explanation of this will be given later. Once the destination addition processing is complete, the CPU 101 performs the process in step S813.

[0056] In step S813, the CPU 101 determines whether the display on the LCD panel 131 has transitioned from the SEND screen in Figure 2(c) to another screen. If the CPU 101 determines that the display on the LCD panel 131 has not transitioned from the SEND screen in Figure 2(c) to another screen, the process returns to step S801. This repeats the flowchart in Figure 8. On the other hand, if the CPU 101 determines that the display on the LCD panel 131 has transitioned from the SEND screen in Figure 2(c) to another screen, the flowchart in Figure 8 ends.

[0057] Figure 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the multifunction device 1 when the destination input screen shown in Figure 2(d) is displayed. Therefore, the CPU 101 starts executing the flowchart in Figure 9 during the destination input process in step S803 of the flowchart in Figure 8 described above. Here, we will first explain the destination input screen shown in Figure 2(d). Text box 231 is a display area where the string being entered is displayed. Initially, text box 231 is blank. When the user performs a character input operation, the string entered by that operation is displayed in text box 231.

[0058] The keyboard section 232 is a set of keys used by the user when performing character input operations. By pressing the keys on the keyboard section 232 via the touch panel provided on the LCD panel 131, the user can display the corresponding alphabet or other character in the text box 231. When performing character input operations, the user can use the keys on the numeric keypad section 201 in addition to the keys on the keyboard section 232. The cancel button 233 is a button used by the user when canceling the destination input process. The OK button 234 is a button used by the user when adding the entered string to the destination setting of the SEND function.

[0059] Next, the flowchart in Figure 9 will be explained. As described above, the CPU 101 starts executing the flowchart in Figure 9 during the destination input process in step S803 of the flowchart in Figure 8 described above. In step S901, the CPU 101 determines whether it has received string information from the barcode reader 120. If the CPU 101 determines that it has not received string information from the barcode reader 120, the process proceeds to step S903, which will be described later. On the other hand, if the CPU 101 determines that it has received string information from the barcode reader 120, the process proceeds to step S902. In step S902, the CPU 101 adds and displays the characters corresponding to the string information received from the barcode reader 120 in the text box 231. After that, the process returns to step S901. As a result, the flowchart in Figure 9 is repeated.

[0060] In step S903, the CPU 101 determines whether a key on the keyboard unit 232 has been pressed. If the CPU 101 determines that a key on the keyboard unit 232 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S905, which will be described later. If the CPU 101 determines that no key on the keyboard unit 232 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S904. In step S904, the CPU 101 determines whether a key on the numeric keypad unit 201 has been pressed. If the CPU 101 determines that no key on the numeric keypad unit 201 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S906, which will be described later. If the CPU 101 determines that a key on the numeric keypad unit 201 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S905.

[0061] In step S905, the CPU 101 adds and displays the character corresponding to the pressed key on the keyboard section 232 or the number corresponding to the key on the numeric keypad section 201 in the text box 231. Alternatively, the CPU 101 may, for example, display the address book of the multifunction printer 1 as a pop-up and add and display the email address selected by the user from that address book in the text box 231. After that, the process returns to step S901. This repeats the flowchart in Figure 9.

[0062] In step S906, the CPU 101 determines whether the cancel button 233 was pressed. If the CPU 101 determines that the cancel button 233 was pressed, the process returns to the flowchart in Figure 8 described above and proceeds to step S804. At this point, the CPU 101 clears the contents of the text box 231. If the CPU 101 determines that the cancel button 233 was not pressed, the process proceeds to step S907. In step S907, the CPU 101 determines whether the OK button 234 was pressed. If the CPU 101 determines that the OK button 234 was not pressed, the process returns to step S901. This repeats the flowchart in Figure 9. If the CPU 101 determines that the OK button 234 was pressed, the process proceeds to step S908.

[0063] In step S908, the CPU 101 checks the contents of text box 231. Specifically, the CPU 101 checks whether the string displayed in text box 231 is in the correct format for an email address. In step S909, the CPU 101 determines whether there were any errors in the contents of text box 231 as a result of the check in step S908. If the CPU 101 determines that there were no errors in the contents of text box 231 as a result of the check in step S908, the process proceeds to step S911, which is described below. On the other hand, if the CPU 101 determines that there were errors in the contents of text box 231 as a result of the check in step S908, the process proceeds to step S910.

[0064] In step S910, the CPU 101 notifies the user that there is an error in the destination input format. Specifically, the CPU 101 notifies the user by displaying, for example, the error screen shown in Figure 6(b) on the LCD panel 131 for a certain period of time. Note that the method of notifying the user that there is an error in the destination input format is not limited to this method; for example, a buzzer sound may be emitted. After that, the process returns to step S901. This repeats the flowchart in Figure 9.

[0065] In step S911, the CPU 101 (first additional setting means) adds the contents of text box 231, that is, the string displayed in text box 231 (new destination), to the destination of the SEND function. This allows the CPU 101 to set the destination of the SEND function in step S911, in addition to setting the destination of the SEND function in step S406 or step S709 as described above. After that, the process returns to the flowchart in Figure 8 described above and proceeds to step S804.

[0066] Figure 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the multifunction device 1 when it receives string information from the barcode reader 120 while displaying the SEND screen shown in Figure 2(c). Therefore, the CPU 101 starts executing the flowchart in Figure 10 during the destination addition process in step S812 of the flowchart in Figure 8 described above. In step S1001, the CPU 101 determines whether the string information received from the barcode reader 120 is an email address. If the CPU 101 determines that the string information received from the barcode reader 120 is an email address, the process proceeds to step S1010, which will be described later. On the other hand, if the CPU 101 determines that the string information received from the barcode reader 120 is not an email address, the process proceeds to step S1002.

[0067] In step S1002, the CPU 101 determines whether the string information received from the barcode reader 120 is in vCard format. If the CPU 101 determines that the string information received from the barcode reader 120 is not in vCard format, the process proceeds to step S1014, which will be described later. On the other hand, if the CPU 101 determines that the string information received from the barcode reader 120 is in vCard format, the process proceeds to step S1003. In step S1003, the CPU 101 determines whether the vCard format data received from the barcode reader 120 contains an email address. If the CPU 101 determines that the vCard format data received from the barcode reader 120 does not contain an email address, the process proceeds to step S1015, which will be described later. On the other hand, if the CPU 101 determines that the vCard format data received from the barcode reader 120 contains an email address, the process proceeds to step S1004.

[0068] In step S1004, the CPU 101 considers email addresses in the vCard format data as candidates for adding to the SEND function's destination list. Even if the vCard format data contains contact information other than email addresses, such as phone numbers, only email addresses can be used as destinations for the SEND function. Therefore, if the vCard format data contains contact information other than email addresses, the CPU 101 ignores those contact details.

[0069] In step S1005, the CPU 101 determines whether there are multiple email addresses that were selected as candidates for additional destinations for the SEND function in step S1004. This determination is the same as determining whether there are multiple email addresses in the vCard format data. Since multiple email addresses in the vCard format data are highly likely to belong to the same person, it is highly likely that one is sufficient to set as the destination for the SEND function. Therefore, the determination in step S1005 is performed. If the CPU 101 determines that there are multiple email addresses that were selected as candidates for additional destinations for the SEND function in step S1004, the process proceeds to step S1007, which will be described later. On the other hand, if the CPU 101 determines that there are no multiple email addresses that were selected as candidates for additional destinations for the SEND function in step S1004, the process proceeds to step S1006.

[0070] In step S1006, the CPU 101 selects the email addresses that were designated as candidates for adding destinations to the SEND function in step S1004, that is, the email addresses in the vCard format data, as candidates for adding destinations to the SEND function. The process then proceeds to step S1011, which will be described later.

[0071] In step S1007, the CPU 101 displays a destination selection screen on the LCD panel 131 as shown in Figure 2(b). However, in this case, in the destination selection screen of Figure 2(b), 211 and 212 are boxes displaying email addresses that were selected as candidates for additional destinations for the SEND function in step S1004. Thus, the CPU 101 prompts the user to select only one email address from among the multiple email addresses selected as candidates for additional destinations for the SEND function. Subsequently, on the destination selection screen of Figure 2(b), the user selects one email address by pressing it via the touch panel on the LCD panel 131, and then when the user presses the OK button 213, the CPU 101 performs the process in step S1008.

[0072] In step S1008, the CPU 101 selects one email address chosen by the user in step S1007 as a candidate for adding a destination to the SEND function. In step S1009, the CPU 101 returns the display on the LCD panel 131 from the destination selection screen in Figure 2(b) to the SEND screen in Figure 2(c).

[0073] In step S1010, the CPU 101 selects the email address from the string information received from the barcode reader 120 as a candidate for adding a destination to the SEND function. In step S1011, the CPU 101 determines whether the email address selected as a candidate for adding a destination to the SEND function is already set as a destination to the SEND function. If the CPU 101 determines that the email address selected as a candidate for adding a destination to the SEND function is already set as a destination to the SEND function, the process proceeds to step S1013, which is described below. On the other hand, if the CPU 101 determines that the email address selected as a candidate for adding a destination to the SEND function is not already set as a destination to the SEND function, the process proceeds to step S1012.

[0074] In step S1012, the CPU 101 (second additional setting means) adds the email address selected as a candidate for additional destinations of the SEND function to the destinations of the SEND function. This allows the CPU 101 to set destinations of the SEND function in step S1012, in addition to setting destinations of the SEND function in step S406 or step S709 as described above. After that, the process returns to the flowchart in Figure 8 described above and proceeds to step S813.

[0075] In step S1013, the CPU 101 informs the user that the contact information in the QR code read by the barcode reader 120 is already a set destination. Specifically, the CPU 101 informs the user by, for example, displaying the error screen shown in Figure 6(c) on the LCD panel 131 for a certain period of time. Note that the method of informing the user that the contact information in the QR code read by the barcode reader 120 is already a set destination is not limited to this method; for example, a buzzer sound may be emitted. After that, the process returns to the flowchart in Figure 8 described above and proceeds to step S813.

[0076] In step S1014, the CPU 101 determines whether the string information received from the barcode reader 120 is a telephone number. If the CPU 101 determines that the string information received from the barcode reader 120 is not a telephone number, the process proceeds to step S1019, described below. On the other hand, if the CPU 101 determines that the string information received from the barcode reader 120 is a telephone number, the process proceeds to step S1016, described below. In step S1015, the CPU 101 determines whether the vCard format data received from the barcode reader 120 contains a telephone number. If the CPU 101 determines that the vCard format data received from the barcode reader 120 does not contain a telephone number, the process proceeds to step S1019, described below. On the other hand, if the CPU 101 determines that the vCard format data received from the barcode reader 120 contains a telephone number, the process proceeds to step S1016.

[0077] In step S1016, the CPU 101 determines whether the destination for the SEND function is not set. If the contact information in the QR code read by the barcode reader 120 is a telephone number, the CPU 101 can use the FAX transmission function to send image data to that telephone number. In such a case, it is thought that the user's convenience can be improved by transitioning the display on the LCD panel 131 from the SEND screen in Figure 2(c) to the FAX screen. However, if one or more email addresses have already been set as destinations for the SEND function, using the FAX transmission function will prevent sending to those already set email addresses, so transitioning to the FAX screen is undesirable.

[0078] Therefore, in step S1016, it is determined whether the destination for the SEND function is not set. If the CPU 101 determines that the destination for the SEND function is not set, that is, if at least one email address is set as the destination for the SEND function, the process proceeds to step S1019, which will be described later. On the other hand, if the CPU 101 determines that the destination for the SEND function is not set, the process proceeds to step S1017.

[0079] In step S1017, the CPU 101 transitions the display on the LCD panel 131 to the FAX screen shown in Figure 2(e). A detailed explanation of the FAX screen in Figure 2(e) will be given later. In step S1018, the CPU 101 sets the contact telephone number in the QR code read by the barcode reader 120 as the destination for the FAX transmission function. However, in step S1018, the contact telephone number in the QR code read by the barcode reader 120 may also be set as the destination for the FAX transmission function by performing the processes in steps S1201 to S1213 of Figure 12, which will be described later. After that, the process returns to the flowchart in Figure 8 described above and proceeds to step S813.

[0080] In step S1019, the CPU 101 (third display means) informs the user that the QR code read by the barcode reader 120 is an unsupported barcode format. The process proceeds to step S1019 if the contact information in the QR code read by the barcode reader 120 is neither an email address nor a phone number, or if it is a phone number but an email address has already been set as the destination for the SEND function. In these cases, the CPU 101 informs the user by displaying, for example, the error screen shown in Figure 6(a) on the LCD panel 131 for a certain period of time. After that, the process returns to the flowchart in Figure 8 described above and proceeds to step S813. The above describes the operation of the multifunction device 1 when the SEND screen is displayed.

[0081] Next, we will explain the operation of the multifunction device 1 when it is displaying the fax screen. Figure 2(e) shows an example of the fax screen displayed on the LCD panel 131 of the control unit 130. In the fax screen of Figure 2(e), 241 and 242 are boxes that display the destinations set for the fax function. 243 is the delete button. 244 is the add button. 245 is the home button.

[0082] The user can select a destination displayed in boxes 241 and 242 by pressing the touch panel on the LCD panel 131. The destination selected by the user is highlighted. In the case of the FAX screen in Figure 2(e), box 241 is highlighted, so the destination selected by the user is the telephone number displayed in box 241. While boxes 241 and 242 in Figure 2(e) have two telephone numbers set as destinations for the FAX transmission function, this is not limited to this; for example, one telephone number or three or more telephone numbers may be set. If three or more telephone numbers are set as destinations for the FAX transmission function, the boxes displaying the third and subsequent telephone numbers will scroll after boxes 241 and 242, for example. Furthermore, if no destination is set for the FAX transmission function, it will not be displayed in boxes 241 and 242 on the FAX screen.

[0083] The user can delete the selected destination by pressing the delete button 243 via the touch panel on the LCD panel 131. This allows the user to remove the selected destination from the list of destinations for the fax transmission function. The add button 244 is used to start setting a new phone number that the user has entered directly as a destination for the fax transmission function. The home button 245 is used by the user to switch the display on the LCD panel 131 from the fax screen in Figure 2(e) to the home screen in Figure 2(a). In the fax screen in Figure 2(e), the user can instruct the multifunction device 1 to start executing a fax transmission job by pressing the start button 202 via the touch panel on the LCD panel 131 after setting the destination for the fax transmission function.

[0084] Figure 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of the multifunction device 1 when the fax screen shown in Figure 2(e) is displayed. When the CPU 101 displays the fax screen shown in Figure 2(e) on the LCD panel 131, it starts executing the flowchart in Figure 11. In step S1101, the CPU 101 determines whether a key on the numeric keypad 201 has been pressed. If the CPU 101 determines that no key on the numeric keypad 201 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S1103, which will be described later. On the other hand, if the CPU 101 determines that a key on the numeric keypad 201 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S1102.

[0085] In step S1102, the CPU 101 adds the numbers corresponding to the pressed keys on the numeric keypad 201 to the telephone number that will be the destination for the fax transmission function. In other words, in the multifunction printer 1 displaying the fax screen shown in Figure 2(e), the user can directly input the telephone number that will be the destination for the fax transmission function by pressing the keys on the numeric keypad 201. In this case, the user can directly input the telephone number by pressing the keys on the numeric keypad 201 corresponding to the numbers that make up the telephone number, one by one. Alternatively, the CPU 101 may, for example, display the address book of the multifunction printer 1 as a pop-up and add the telephone number selected by the user from that address book to the telephone number that will be the destination for the fax transmission function. After that, the process returns to step S1101. This repeats the flowchart in Figure 11.

[0086] In step S1103, the CPU 101 determines whether the additional button 244 has been pressed. If the CPU 101 determines that the additional button 244 has not been pressed, the process proceeds to step S1105, which will be described later. On the other hand, if the CPU 101 determines that the additional button 244 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S1104.

[0087] In step S1104, the CPU 101 (first additional setting means) starts setting the telephone number (new destination) added in step S1102 as a destination for the FAX transmission function. After that, the process returns to step S1101. This repeats the flowchart in Figure 11. Note that the multifunction printer 1, when displaying the FAX screen in Figure 2(e), can set multiple telephone numbers as destinations for the FAX transmission function and send a FAX to each of the set destinations at once. When the user sets multiple telephone numbers as destinations for the FAX transmission function, they directly input the telephone numbers using the keys on the numeric keypad 201, then press the add button 244, and then directly input another telephone number using the keys on the numeric keypad 201 and press the add button 244 again.

[0088] In step S1105, the CPU 101 determines whether the delete button 243 has been pressed. If the CPU 101 determines that the delete button 243 has not been pressed, the process proceeds to step S1107, which will be described later. On the other hand, if the CPU 101 determines that the delete button 243 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S1106. In step S1106, the CPU 101 removes the telephone numbers highlighted on the FAX screen in Figure 2(e), that is, the telephone numbers selected by the user, from the destinations of the FAX transmission function. The process then returns to step S1101. This repeats the flowchart in Figure 11.

[0089] In step S1107, the CPU 101 determines whether the start button 202 has been pressed. If the CPU 101 determines that the start button 202 has not been pressed, the process proceeds to step S1109, which will be described later. On the other hand, if the CPU 101 determines that the start button 202 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S1108. In step S1108, the CPU 101 executes a fax transmission job. At this time, the CPU 101 reads the document with the scanner device 141 and converts it into image data, and then sends the converted image data to the telephone number set as the destination for the fax transmission function via the fax device 111 and telephone line 144. After that, the process returns to step S1101. This repeats the flowchart in Figure 11. Note that if multiple telephone numbers are set as destinations for the fax transmission function, the CPU 101 sends the image data to each of those multiple telephone numbers.

[0090] In step S1109, the CPU 101 determines whether the home button 225 has been pressed. If the CPU 101 determines that the home button 225 has not been pressed, the process proceeds to step S1111, which is described below. On the other hand, if the CPU 101 determines that the home button 225 has been pressed, the process proceeds to step S1110. In step S1110, the CPU 101 transitions the display on the LCD panel 131 to the home screen shown in Figure 2(a). After that, the process proceeds to step S1113, which is described below.

[0091] In step S1111, the CPU 101 determines whether it has received string information from the barcode reader 120. If the CPU 101 determines that it has not received string information from the barcode reader 120, the process returns to step S1101. This repeats the flowchart in Figure 11. On the other hand, if the CPU 101 determines that it has received string information from the barcode reader 120, the process proceeds to step S1112. In step S1112, the CPU 101 performs the destination addition process. The destination addition process is the process of adding a destination for the FAX transmission function from the QR code read by the barcode reader 120, but a detailed explanation of this will be given later. Once the destination addition process is complete, the CPU 101 performs the process in step S1113.

[0092] In step S1113, the CPU 101 determines whether the display on the LCD panel 131 has transitioned from the FAX screen in Figure 2(e) to another screen. If the CPU 101 determines that the display on the LCD panel 131 has not transitioned from the FAX screen in Figure 2(e) to another screen, the process returns to step S1101. This repeats the flowchart in Figure 11. On the other hand, if the CPU 101 determines that the display on the LCD panel 131 has transitioned from the FAX screen in Figure 2(e) to another screen, the flowchart in Figure 11 ends.

[0093] Figure 12 is a flowchart showing the operation of the multifunction device 1 when it receives string information from the barcode reader 120 while displaying the FAX screen shown in Figure 2(e). Therefore, the CPU 101 starts executing the flowchart in Figure 12 during the destination addition process at step S1112 of the flowchart in Figure 11 described above. Steps S1201 to S1219 of the flowchart in Figure 12 are the same as steps S1001 to S1019 of the flowchart in Figure 10, except that the email address and telephone number, and the SEND screen and FAX screen are swapped. For this reason, a detailed explanation of the flowchart in Figure 12 is omitted.

[0094] The CPU 101 that performs the processing in step S1212 corresponds to a second additional setting means. In step S1218, the email address of the contact in the QR code read by the barcode reader 120 may be set as the destination for the SEND function by performing the processes in steps S1001 to S1013 of Figure 10 described above. The CPU 101 that performs the processing in step S1219 corresponds to a third display means. The above describes the operation of the multifunction device 1 when it is displaying the FAX screen.

[0095] As described above, in the multifunction printer 1 of the first embodiment, when the user scans a QR code while the home screen is displayed, the device transitions to the SEND screen or FAX screen, and the destination for the SEND function or FAX transmission function is set using the QR code. Therefore, the user does not need to take steps to select the SEND function or FAX transmission function on the home screen, nor to set the destination on the SEND screen or FAX screen. As a result, the multifunction printer 1 can reduce the number of steps required to set the destination for the SEND function or FAX transmission function. Thus, the user's work efficiency is increased.

[0096] Furthermore, the multifunction printer 1 can handle QR codes representing data in vCard format, and even when there are multiple contacts in the vCard format data, it can appropriately transition between screens and set recipients by displaying the recipient selection screen shown in Figure 2(b). In other words, on the recipient selection screen shown in Figure 2(b), the user only needs to select the contact to whom they want to send the image data, and the meaning of this operation is easy to understand, thus providing excellent usability.

[0097] <Second Embodiment> The second embodiment will be described below with reference to Figures 13 and 14. In the first embodiment, when the home screen shown in Figure 2(a) is displayed, if the string information from the barcode reader 120 is in vCard format, and there are multiple contacts in that vCard format data, the user selects one contact on the destination selection screen. However, in this case, instead of the user selecting the contact they want to set as the destination, the user may select the function they want to use.

[0098] Specifically, if the vCard data contains both an email address and a phone number, the system is configured to allow the user to select between the SEND function and the FAX transmission function. The second embodiment will describe this configuration. The second embodiment is identical to the first embodiment, except for the flowchart in Figure 7, which shows the operation of the multifunction device 1 when it receives vCard data from the barcode reader 120 while displaying the home screen in Figure 2(a). Therefore, the following description of the second embodiment will only cover the differences from the first embodiment.

[0099] Figure 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of the multifunction device 1 when it receives data in vCard format from the barcode reader 120 while displaying the home screen shown in Figure 2(a). In the second embodiment, in step S408 of Figure 4 described above, the CPU 101 executes the flowchart of Figure 13 instead of the flowchart of Figure 7 described above.

[0100] In step S1301, the CPU 101 determines whether the vCard data received from the barcode reader 120 contains contact information. Here, contact information refers to an email address or a phone number. Therefore, if the vCard data received from the barcode reader 120 contains an email address or a phone number, the CPU 101 determines that the vCard data received from the barcode reader 120 contains contact information. In this case, the process proceeds to step S1303, which is described below. On the other hand, if the vCard data received from the barcode reader 120 does not contain an email address or a phone number, the CPU 101 determines that the vCard data received from the barcode reader 120 does not contain contact information. In this case, the process proceeds to step S1302.

[0101] In step S1302, the CPU 101 informs the user that the QR code read by the barcode reader 120 is an unsupported barcode format. Specifically, the CPU 101 informs the user by, for example, displaying the error screen shown in Figure 6(a) on the LCD panel 131 for a certain period of time. After that, the process returns to the flowchart in Figure 4 described above, and then returns to the flowchart in Figure 3 described above, and proceeds to step S313.

[0102] In step S1303, the CPU 101 determines whether the vCard data contains email addresses and phone numbers, that is, whether the vCard data contains a mix of email addresses and phone numbers. If the CPU 101 determines that the vCard data contains a mix of email addresses and phone numbers, the process proceeds to step S1305, which is described below. On the other hand, if the CPU 101 determines that the vCard data does not contain a mix of email addresses and phone numbers, the process proceeds to step S1304. In step S1304, the CPU 101 selects all contacts in the vCard data received from the barcode reader 120 as destination candidates. At this time, one or more email addresses or one or more phone numbers are selected as destination candidates. The process then proceeds to step S1310, which is described below.

[0103] In step S1305, the CPU 101 (fifth display means) displays a function selection screen (second function selection screen) on the LCD panel 131, as shown in Figure 14. Figure 14 is a diagram showing an example of the function selection screen. This prompts the CPU 101 to select only one function from among the multiple functions of the multifunction printer 1 that utilize barcodes. In the function selection screen of Figure 14, the SEND button 1401 is a button used by the user when selecting the SEND function. The FAX transmission button 1402 is a button used by the user when selecting the FAX transmission function. The user can select one function that utilizes vCard format data received from the barcode reader 120 by pressing the SEND button 1401 or the FAX transmission button 1402 via the touch panel provided on the LCD panel 131.

[0104] Returning to the explanation of Figure 13, in step S1306, the CPU 101 determines whether the SEND button 1401 was pressed. If the CPU 101 determines that the SEND button 1401 was pressed, the process proceeds to step S1308, which will be described later. If the CPU 101 determines that the SEND button 1401 was not pressed, the process proceeds to step S1307. In step S1307, the CPU 101 determines whether the FAX send button 1402 was pressed. If the CPU 101 determines that the FAX send button 1402 was not pressed, the process returns to step S1306. This repeats the determination in step S1306. If the CPU 101 determines that the FAX send button 1402 was pressed, the process proceeds to step S1309, which will be described later.

[0105] In step S1308, the CPU 101 selects all email addresses in the vCard format data received from the barcode reader 120 as destination candidates. At this time, one or more email addresses are selected as destination candidates. The process then proceeds to step S1310, which is described below. In step S1309, the CPU 101 selects all telephone numbers in the vCard format data received from the barcode reader 120 as destination candidates. At this time, one or more telephone numbers are selected as destination candidates.

[0106] In step S1310, the CPU 101 determines whether the recipient candidate selected in step S1304, step S1308, or step S1309 is an email address. If the CPU 101 determines that the recipient candidate selected in step S1304, step S1308, or step S1309 is not an email address, the process proceeds to step S1313, which is described below. On the other hand, if the CPU 101 determines that the recipient candidate selected in step S1304, step S1308, or step S1309 is an email address, the process proceeds to step S1311. Note that even if multiple contacts are selected as recipient candidates in step S1304, the recipient candidates will not include a mix of email addresses and phone numbers.

[0107] In step S1311, the CPU 101 (transition means) transitions the display on the LCD panel 131 to the SEND screen as shown in Figure 2(c). In step S1312, the CPU 101 (setting means) sets one or more email addresses (contacts) selected as destination candidates in step S1304 or step S1308 as destinations for the SEND function. After that, the process returns to the flowchart in Figure 4 described above, and then returns to the flowchart in Figure 3 described above, and proceeds to step S313.

[0108] In step S1313, the CPU 101 (transition means) transitions the display on the LCD panel 131 to the FAX screen shown in Figure 2(e). In step S1314, the CPU 101 (setting means) sets one or more telephone numbers (contacts) selected as destination candidates in step S1304 or step S1309 as destinations for the FAX transmission function. After that, the process returns to the flowchart in Figure 4 described above, and then returns to the flowchart in Figure 3 described above, and proceeds to step S313. The above is a description of the operation when the multifunction device 1 receives data in vCard format from the barcode reader 120 while displaying the home screen in Figure 2(a).

[0109] Based on the above, in the multifunction printer 1 of the second embodiment, when the home screen is displayed, data in vCard format extracted from the QR code is received from the barcode reader 120. When vCard format data containing only an email address as contact information is obtained, the device transitions to the SEND screen, and all email addresses in the vCard format data are set as destinations for the SEND function. On the other hand, when vCard format data containing only a telephone number as contact information is obtained, the device transitions to the FAX screen, and all telephone numbers in the vCard format data are set as destinations for the FAX transmission function. Therefore, the user does not need to take steps to select the SEND function or FAX transmission function on the home screen, or to set destinations on the SEND screen or FAX screen. As a result, the multifunction printer 1 can reduce the number of steps required to set destinations for the SEND function or FAX transmission function.

[0110] Furthermore, when the multifunction printer 1 acquires data in vCard format containing multiple contacts, including email addresses and phone numbers, it prompts the user to select either the SEND function or the FAX transmission function on the function selection screen shown in Figure 14. If the user selects the SEND function, the device transitions to the SEND screen, and all email addresses in the vCard data are set as recipients for the SEND function. On the other hand, if the user selects the FAX transmission function, the device transitions to the FAX screen, and all phone numbers in the vCard data are set as recipients for the FAX transmission function. In this way, even if the types of multiple contacts in the vCard data are different, the multifunction printer 1 can appropriately transition between screens and set recipients by displaying the function selection screen shown in Figure 14. In other words, on the function selection screen shown in Figure 14, the user only needs to select the function they want to use, and the meaning of this operation is easy to understand, thus providing excellent usability.

[0111] In the second embodiment, all contacts of the same type in the QR code are set as destinations for the SEND function or the FAX transmission function in step S1312 or step S1314. In this regard, as described above, the user can remove the selected destination from being set as a destination for the SEND function or the FAX transmission function by pressing the delete buttons 223 and 243 on the SEND screen in Figure 2(c) or the FAX screen in Figure 2(e). The CPU 101 (second display means) (sixth display means) displays the destinations for the SEND function set in step S1312 in boxes 221 and 222 on the SEND screen in Figure 2(c). Furthermore, if the delete button 223 is pressed while a destination is selected on the SEND screen in Figure 2(c), the CPU 101 (first deletion means) (second deletion means) deletes the selected destination from the destinations for the SEND function.

[0112] Similarly, the CPU 101 (second display means) (sixth display means) displays the destination of the FAX transmission function set in step S1314 in boxes 241, 242, etc. on the FAX screen in Figure 2(e). Furthermore, when the delete button 243 is pressed while a destination is selected on the FAX screen in Figure 2(e), the CPU 101 (first deletion means) (second deletion means) deletes the selected destination from the destinations of the FAX transmission function. Therefore, even if all contacts of the same type in the QR code are set as destinations for the SEND function or the FAX transmission function, the CPU 101 can send image data to only one of those contacts of the same type if the user operates the delete buttons 223, 243.

[0113] Furthermore, if there are multiple destination candidates, the CPU 101 (first display means) (fourth display means) may display a destination selection screen as shown in Figure 2(b) to allow the user to select from the multiple destination candidates to be set as the destination for the SEND function or FAX transmission function.

[0114] <Other> Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of its essence. For example, the barcode reader 120 is connected to the CPU 101 via the USB interface 109, but is not limited to this, and may be connected to the CPU 101 via other interfaces. Also, the device that reads string information from the QR code and transmits it to the multifunction device 1 is not limited to the barcode reader 120, but may be, for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a digital camera.

[0115] Furthermore, in each embodiment, the SEND function and FAX transmission function were described as functions that set an email address or telephone number represented by a QR code as the destination, that is, functions of the multifunction device 1 that realize the present invention, but the invention is not limited to these. Also, the function of the multifunction device 1 that realizes the present invention may be, for example, a function that sets a barcoded URL (Uniform Resource Locator) as the destination. Also, in each embodiment, the vCard format was used as a means of including multiple contacts in the QR code, but the invention is not limited to this, and other data formats may be used. Also, in each embodiment, the home screen was described as the first function selection screen of the present invention, but the invention is not limited to this, and for example, a menu screen separate from the home screen may be used.

[0116] The present invention can also be realized by supplying a program that implements one or more of the functions of each of the above embodiments 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. Furthermore, the present invention can also be realized by a circuit (e.g., an ASIC) that implements one or more functions.

[0117] Each embodiment of the disclosure includes the following configurations, methods, and programs. (Configuration 1) When a first function selection screen, in which the user can select one or more functions including at least a first transmission function, is displayed on the display unit, and the acquisition of string information of a first barcode is performed, a transition means is provided to transition the display on the display unit from the first function selection screen to a first operation screen for the user to operate the first transmission function, An image processing apparatus comprising: setting means for setting the contact information in the string information of the first barcode as the destination of the first transmission function. (Configuration 2) The image processing apparatus according to Configuration 1, characterized in that the first transmission function is a function that transmits image data via a LAN. (Configuration 3) The image processing apparatus according to Configuration 1, characterized in that the first transmission function is a function that transmits image data via a telephone line. (Configuration 4) An image processing apparatus according to any one of Configurations 1 to 3, characterized in that the string information of the first barcode has multiple contact details. (Configuration 5) The system includes a first display means that displays a destination selection screen on the display unit, in which the user can select one of several contacts in the string information of the first barcode, The image processing apparatus according to configuration 4, characterized in that the setting means sets the contact selected by the user on the destination selection screen as the destination for the first transmission function. (Configuration 6) The image processing apparatus according to Configuration 4, characterized in that, when the type of multiple contacts in the string information of the first barcode is the same, the setting means sets all of the multiple contacts in the string information of the first barcode as the destination of the first transmission function. (Configuration 7) A second display means that displays each destination of the first transmission function set by the setting means on the first operation screen so that the user can select it, An image processing apparatus according to any one of configurations 1 to 6, comprising: a first deletion means for deleting a destination selected by the user on the first operation screen from the destinations of the first transmission function. (Configuration 8) An image processing apparatus according to any one of Configurations 1 to 7, characterized in that, after the destination of the first transmission function has been set by the setting means, a first additional setting means is provided to add a new destination entered or selected by the user through an operation on the first operation screen to the destination of the first transmission function. (Configuration 9) An image processing apparatus according to any one of Configurations 1 to 8, characterized in that it comprises a second additional setting means for adding a contact in the string information of a second barcode acquired while the first operation screen is displayed on the display unit to the destination of the first transmission function. (Configuration 10) The image processing apparatus according to Configuration 9, further comprising a third display means that displays an error screen on the display unit when there is no contact information in the string information of the second barcode. (Configuration 11) On the first function selection screen, the user can select a second transmission function. The transition means transitions the display on the display unit from the first function selection screen to the first operation screen or a second operation screen for the user to operate the second transmission function, depending on the type of contact in the string information of the first barcode. The image processing apparatus according to Configuration 1, characterized in that the setting means sets the contact information in the string information of the first barcode to the destination of the first transmission function or the destination of the second transmission function, depending on the type of contact information in the string information of the first barcode. (Configuration 12) The first transmission function described above is a function that transmits image data via LAN, The image processing apparatus according to configuration 11, characterized in that the second transmission function is a function for transmitting image data via a telephone line. (Configuration 13) The image processing apparatus according to Configuration 11 or 12, characterized in that the string information of the first barcode has multiple contact details. (Configuration 14) A fourth display means is provided which displays on the display unit a destination selection screen in which the user can select one of a plurality of contacts in the string information of the first barcode, The image processing apparatus according to configuration 13, characterized in that the setting means sets the contact selected by the user on the destination selection screen as the destination for the first transmission function or the destination for the second transmission function, depending on the type of contact selected by the user on the destination selection screen. (Configuration 15) The image processing apparatus according to Configuration 13, characterized in that, when the types of multiple contacts in the string information of the first barcode are the same, the setting means sets all of the multiple contacts in the string information of the first barcode to the destination of the first transmission function or the destination of the second transmission function according to the types of multiple contacts in the string information of the first barcode. (Configuration 16) If the types of multiple contacts in the string information of the first barcode are different, the system is further provided with a fifth display means that displays a second function selection screen on the display unit, allowing the user to select either the first transmission function or the second transmission function. The image processing apparatus according to configuration 13 or 15, wherein the setting means sets all of the contacts of the type corresponding to the transmission function selected by the user on the second function selection screen from among the multiple contacts in the string information of the first barcode as the destination of the transmission function selected by the user on the second function selection screen. (Configuration 17) A sixth display means that displays on the first operation screen or the second operation screen the destination of the first transmission function or the destination of the second transmission function set by the setting means so that the user can select it, An image processing apparatus according to any one of configurations 11 to 16, further comprising: a second deletion means for deleting a destination selected by the user on the first operation screen or the second operation screen from the destination of the first transmission function or the destination of the second transmission function. (Configuration 18) The image processing apparatus according to Configuration 4 or 13, characterized in that the string information of the first barcode is data in vCard format. (Configuration 19) An image processing apparatus according to any one of Configurations 1 to 18, characterized in that it comprises a seventh display means for displaying an error screen on the display unit when there is no contact information in the string information of the first barcode. (Configuration 20) An image processing apparatus according to any one of Configurations 1 to 19, characterized in that the first function selection screen is a home screen. (Method 1) When the acquisition of string information of a first barcode is performed while a first function selection screen is displayed on the display unit, in which the user can select one or more functions including at least a first transmission function, a transition step is performed to transition the display on the display unit from the first function selection screen to a first operation screen for the user to operate the first transmission function, A control method for an image processing apparatus, characterized by comprising a setting step of setting the contact information in the string information of the first barcode as the destination of the first transmission function. (Program 1) A program for causing a computer to execute each of the means of the image processing apparatus described in any one of Configurations 1 to 20. [Explanation of symbols]

[0118] 1. Multifunction printer (image processing device) 101 CPU 131 LCD panel (display unit)

Claims

1. When a first function selection screen, in which the user can select one or more functions including at least a first transmission function, is displayed on the display unit, and the acquisition of string information of a first barcode is performed, a transition means is provided to transition the display on the display unit from the first function selection screen to a first operation screen for the user to operate the first transmission function. An image processing apparatus characterized by comprising: setting means for setting the contact information in the string information of the first barcode as the destination of the first transmission function.

2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the first transmission function is a function for transmitting image data via a LAN.

3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the first transmission function is a function for transmitting image data via a telephone line.

4. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the string information of the first barcode contains multiple contact details.

5. The system includes a first display means that displays a destination selection screen on the display unit, which allows the user to select one of several contacts in the string information of the first barcode, The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the setting means sets the contact selected by the user on the destination selection screen as the destination for the first transmission function.

6. The image processing apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that, if the multiple contacts in the string information of the first barcode are of the same type, the setting means sets all of the multiple contacts in the string information of the first barcode as the destination of the first transmission function.

7. A second display means that displays each destination of the first transmission function set by the setting means on the first operation screen so that the user can select it, The image processing apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising: a first deletion means for deleting a destination selected by the user on the first operation screen from the destinations of the first transmission function.

8. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a first additional setting means for adding a new destination to the destination of the first transmission function, after the destination of the first transmission function has been set by the setting means, by an operation on the first operation screen, to the destination of the first transmission function.

9. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a second additional setting means for adding a contact in the string information of a second barcode acquired while the first operation screen is displayed on the display unit to the destination of the first transmission function.

10. The image processing apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising a third display means for displaying an error screen on the display unit when there is no contact information in the string information of the second barcode.

11. On the first function selection screen, the user can select the second transmission function. The transition means transitions the display on the display unit from the first function selection screen to the first operation screen or a second operation screen for the user to operate the second transmission function, depending on the type of contact in the string information of the first barcode. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the setting means sets the contact information in the string information of the first barcode to the destination of the first transmission function or the destination of the second transmission function, according to the type of contact information in the string information of the first barcode.

12. The first transmission function described above is a function that transmits image data via LAN, The image processing apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that the second transmission function is a function for transmitting image data via a telephone line.

13. The image processing apparatus according to claim 11, characterized in that the string information of the first barcode contains multiple contact details.

14. The system includes a fourth display means that displays a destination selection screen on the display unit, which allows the user to select one of several contacts in the string information of the first barcode, The image processing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the setting means sets the contact selected by the user on the destination selection screen as the destination for the first transmission function or the destination for the second transmission function, depending on the type of contact selected by the user on the destination selection screen.

15. The image processing apparatus according to claim 13, characterized in that, if the types of multiple contacts in the string information of the first barcode are the same, the setting means sets all of the multiple contacts in the string information of the first barcode to the destination of the first transmission function or the destination of the second transmission function according to the types of multiple contacts in the string information of the first barcode.

16. If the string information of the first barcode contains multiple contact types, the system includes a fifth display means that displays a second function selection screen on the display unit, allowing the user to select either the first or second transmission function. The image processing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the setting means sets all of the contacts of the type corresponding to the transmission function selected by the user on the second function selection screen from among the plurality of contacts in the string information of the first barcode to the destination of the transmission function selected by the user on the second function selection screen.

17. A sixth display means that displays on the first operation screen or the second operation screen the destination of the first transmission function or the destination of the second transmission function set by the setting means so that the user can select it, The image processing apparatus according to claim 15 or 16, further comprising: a second deletion means for deleting a destination selected by the user on the first operation screen or the second operation screen from the destination of the first transmission function or the destination of the second transmission function.

18. The image processing apparatus according to claim 4 or 13, characterized in that the string information of the first barcode is data in vCard format.

19. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a seventh display means for displaying an error screen on the display unit when there is no contact information in the string information of the first barcode.

20. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that the first function selection screen is a home screen.

21. When the acquisition of string information of a first barcode occurs while a first function selection screen is displayed on the display unit, allowing the user to select one or more functions including at least a first transmission function, a transition step is performed to transition the display on the display unit from the first function selection screen to a first operation screen for the user to operate the first transmission function. A control method for an image processing apparatus, characterized by comprising a setting step of setting the contact information in the string information of the first barcode as the destination of the first transmission function.

22. A program for causing a computer to execute each of the means of the image processing apparatus described in claim 1.

Images