Mobile terminal, control method thereof, and program

Abstract

To improve operativity with regard to facsimile transmission in a mobile terminal.SOLUTION: A mobile terminal 102 is configured to: set destination information indicating a destination for facsimile transmission; set reading transmission information with regard to the facsimile transmission and reading of a document to be transmitted via the facsimile; transmit a request for the facsimile transmission to an image forming apparatus; when the image forming apparatus responds that the facsimile transmission is possible, display, on a display unit, a content for instructing a user to set the document; detects that the document is set; when an instruction for the facsimile transmission from the user is received, read the document together with the destination information and the reading transmission information; transmit the instruction for the facsimile transmission to the image forming apparatus; and display a result of the facsimile transmission performed by the image forming apparatus to which the facsimile transmission is instructed, on the display unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a mobile terminal sequel and its control method and program To Regarding. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, mobile devices with excellent portability and operability, such as smartphones, tablet PCs, and PDAs, equipped with large-screen displays and touch panels, have become widespread. These mobile devices have built-in telephone directories and can store multiple pieces of information for one name, such as a home telephone number, a mobile telephone number, and a company fax number.

[0003] A technique has been disclosed for utilizing information stored in such a mobile terminal when sending a FAX from an MFP while reducing the burden on the user (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0004] Patent Document 1 shows the configuration of a communication system that transmits contact information from an address book stored in a mobile terminal to an MFP, analyzes the contact information received from the mobile terminal in the MFP, and transmits a fax or email according to the received contact information. Here, the contact information is a telephone number, a fax number, or an email address. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2003-319093 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, in the above conventional technology, the MFP that receives the contact information from the mobile terminal selects the type of transmission depending on the type of contact information, but there is a problem that the MFP cannot receive detailed settings related to the transmission from the mobile terminal. In other words, the user is not given an opportunity to set more detailed transmission settings. do not have This means that.

[0007] Furthermore, when inputting transmission settings in advance on the operation panel of an MFP, there is a problem that the operability of the settings is poor in an MFP in which the display unit of the operation panel is small and the amount of information displayed is small.

[0008] The object of the present invention is to provide a mobile terminal that has improved operability in terms of sending faxes. sequel and its control method and program M The purpose is to provide. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to achieve the above object, the mobile terminal of claim 1 is a mobile terminal capable of communicating with an image forming apparatus, When the mobile terminal is brought close to the image forming apparatus,a receiving means for receiving connection information from the image forming apparatus via short-range wireless communication; a destination setting means for setting destination information by accepting a selection of a destination to which a fax is to be sent from an address registered in an address book stored in the mobile terminal; a display means for displaying information indicating that the mobile terminal needs to be brought closer to the image forming apparatus when an operation for confirming the setting of the destination information is performed; a read transmission setting means for setting read transmission information related to sending a fax and reading an original to be sent by fax; a request sending means for sending a request to send a fax to the image forming apparatus via wireless communication using the connection information, which is different from the short-range wireless communication; The apparatus is characterized in that it comprises an original setting instruction display means for displaying on a display unit instructions to a user to set the original on the image forming device when the transmitted image forming device responds that it is capable of sending a fax; an instruction sending means for detecting that the original has been set on the image forming device and, when it receives an instruction from the user to send a fax, reading the original and sending an instruction to send a fax to the image forming device via the wireless communication together with the destination information set by the destination setting means and the read and send information set by the read and send setting means; and a transmission result display means for displaying on the display unit the fax transmission result of the image forming device instructed to send a fax by the instruction sending means. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to set read / transmit information related to fax transmission and reading of a document to be transmitted by fax on a mobile terminal, thereby improving the operability of fax transmission on a mobile terminal. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2]FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the MFP in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the mobile terminal appearing in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a screen of the mobile terminal appearing in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed by a mobile FAX application. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed by a mobile FAX application. [Figure 7] 11 is a flowchart showing the procedure of basic processing executed by the MFP and the mobile terminal. [Figure 8] 8 is a flowchart showing the procedure for a request response process in step S1318 in FIG. 7. [Figure 9] 8 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the document detection flag check process in step S1309 in FIG. 7. [Figure 10] 8 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the transmission process in step S1322 in FIG. 7. [Figure 11] 11 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the auto redial process in step S1815 in FIG. [Figure 12] 8 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the status check process in step S1313 in FIG. 7. [Figure 13] 11 is a flowchart showing the procedure of basic processing executed by the MFP and the mobile terminal without using the NFC function. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0013] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a communication system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0014] 1, communication system 100 is composed of MFP 101, which is an image forming apparatus, mobile terminal 102, and PC 107, which are connected to each other via network 105. Mobile terminal 102 is connected to network 105 via wireless LAN 104 via access point 103 provided in network 105.

[0015] The MFP 101 is also provided with an NFC (Near Field Communication) tag 106, enabling communication with NFC-equipped devices. The MFP 101 also has an interface with a public line network 108, enabling FAX transmission and reception with a FAX machine 109 connected via the public line network 108.

[0016] In this embodiment, the MFP 101 and the mobile terminal 102 are capable of communicating with each other via the wireless LAN 104 and the network 105, and are adapted to operate in cooperation with each other.

[0017] 1, the MFP 101 is connected to the network 105 by wire, but may be connected wirelessly. In this case, the MFP 101 is connected to the network 105 by an access point 103.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the MFP 101 appearing in FIG.

[0019] 2, the MFP 101 includes a controller board 300, a scanner 309, a printer engine 307, an operation panel 312, and an NFC antenna 314.

[0020] Of these, the scanner 309 reads an original, the printer engine 307 prints print data on paper, and the operation panel 312 performs various setting operations and displays alarms and the like.

[0021] Further, the scanner is connected to an original detection sensor 320 for detecting an original. The original detection sensor 320 includes a pressure plate section (original plate scanner section) and an ADF (Auto Document Feeder) section.

[0022] In the case of the platen unit, when an original is placed on the platen glass, the presence of the original is detected and notified to the scanner 309. In the case of the ADF unit, when an original is placed on the feeder, the presence of the original is detected and notified to the scanner 309.

[0023] A CPU 301 in the controller board 300 controls the entire MFP 101. A ROM 303 is a boot ROM in which a boot program for the MFP 101 is stored.

[0024] The RAM 302 is a system work memory for the operation of the CPU 301, and stores calculation data and various programs of the CPU 301. The RAM 302 is also used as an image memory for storing image data that has been subjected to various image processes by the image processing unit 305 during printing, etc.

[0025] The storage device 304 is a non-volatile secondary storage device for storing large-sized programs and data. The stored large-sized programs and data are expanded in the RAM 302 for use.

[0026] The scanner interface 308 is an interface for performing data communication with a scanner 309. The engine interface 306 is an interface for performing data communication with a printer engine 307.

[0027] The FAX interface 318 is connected to the public line network 108 via a modular jack, and transmits and receives FAX data to and from the FAX machine 109 .

[0028] The network interface 317 is connected to the network 105 via a LAN interface connector, and performs network communication with the PC 107 and the mobile terminal 102. In the case of wireless connection as described above, the network communication with the PC 107, the access point 103, and the mobile terminal 102 is performed via the wireless LAN interface 310.

[0029] The USB interface 315 communicates with other devices via a USB connector. In FIG. 2, the USB interface 315 is locally connected to a PC 316.

[0030] The NFC controller 313 performs NFC communication with a mobile terminal equipped with NFC via an NFC antenna 314 .

[0031] The above-described components of the controller board 300 and the operation panel 312 are connected via a bus 319 .

[0032] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the mobile terminal 102 appearing in FIG.

[0033] In FIG. 3, the mobile terminal 102 is composed of a controller board 400, a display unit 406, a touch panel 408, keys 409, and an NFC antenna 414.

[0034] Various displays are performed on the display unit 406 by a display controller 405, and various controls are performed on the touch panel 408 and keys 409 by an operation unit controller 407. A user can give instructions such as scrolling through menus or pressing buttons by sliding or touching the touch panel 408 with a finger or the like with respect to the menus and buttons displayed on the display unit 406.

[0035] A CPU 401 in the controller board 400 controls the entire mobile terminal 102. A ROM 403 is a boot ROM, in which a boot program for the mobile terminal 102 is stored.

[0036] The RAM 402 is a system work memory for the operation of the CPU 401, and stores calculation data and various programs of the CPU 401. The storage device 404 is a non-volatile secondary storage device for storing large-sized programs and data, and the stored large-sized programs and data are expanded in the RAM 402 for use.

[0037] The wireless LAN interface 410 connects to the access point 103 by wireless LAN via the wireless LAN antenna 411, and performs wireless LAN communication with the outside. The call unit 412 is connected to a microphone and speaker (not shown), connects to a public line, and provides a telephone function. The NFC controller 413 performs NFC communication with an NFC-equipped device via the NFC antenna 414.

[0038] In this embodiment, a smartphone will be used as an example of mobile terminal 102, but this embodiment can also be applied to a portable terminal such as a tablet that has the above-mentioned configuration but does not include the smartphone.

[0039] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a screen of the mobile terminal 102 appearing in FIG.

[0040] 4A is a diagram showing a contact list screen of a telephone directory application. In the telephone directory application, information such as a telephone number, a mobile phone number, a FAX number, and an email address can be registered for each registration name.

[0041] 4A, contact list screen 501 is composed of search input section 502 and registered name display section 503, and allows the user to search for registered names or select them from the list. When a registered name is selected, contacts registered with that registered name are displayed in a list.

[0042] Fig. 4B is an example of a list display. In Fig. 4B, a registered name 601 is Taro Takahashi, and a telephone number 602, a mobile phone number 603, a fax number 604, an email address mobile 605, and an email address company 606 are registered for this registered name.

[0043] The user can select a contact from the list. When the user selects a fax number 604, a mobile fax application is started and the user can send a fax in cooperation with the MFP 101.

[0044] FIG. 4C is a diagram showing the top screen of the MFP cooperative application.

[0045] On the top screen shown in FIG. 4(C), a mobile FAX button 701 and a mobile Scan button 702 are displayed.

[0046] In this embodiment, a mobile FAX application in which mobile terminal 102 and MFP 101 cooperate to transmit a FAX will be described.

[0047] 5 and 6 are diagrams showing examples of screens displayed by a mobile FAX application.

[0048] When the user presses the mobile FAX button 701 on the screen shown in FIG. 4(C), the setting screen for the mobile FAX application shown in FIG. 5(A) is displayed.

[0049] This setting screen displays configurable items such as the destination, and each item can be set by operating the touch panel.

[0050] Specifically, a destination selection button 801, a resolution setting button 802, a density setting button 803, a double-sided setting button 804, and a sharpness setting button 805 are displayed.

[0051] Of these, when the destination selection button 801 is pressed, the destination setting method selection screen of Fig. 5(B) is displayed, which is a screen for the user to select the destination setting method. When the phone book reference button 807 is selected on this screen, the destination can be selected from the phone book application screen shown in Fig. 4(A). It is also possible to set the number manually, or to select the destination by referring to the history.

[0052] Returning to FIG. 5(A), the resolution setting button 802 displays resolution options, and if the user wants to change the option, pressing the button will switch to a screen that includes other options, from which the user can select a resolution.

[0053] If the resolution is not changed, it is set to the setting value of 200×100 dpi displayed on the resolution setting button 802. If the resolution is changed, the changed setting value is displayed on the resolution setting button 802, and the resolution is set to that setting value.

[0054] The settings of the density setting button 803, the double-sided setting button 804, and the sharpness setting button 805 can also be changed in a similar manner.

[0055] By pressing the Next button 806, each item is set and the screen shown in FIG. 5(C) is displayed.

[0056] 5C is a diagram showing the MFP selection screen, which displays a message 901 to proceed to the next process, and a cancel button 902 to cancel the process.

[0057] When the user touches the NFC tag 106 of the MFP 101 with the mobile terminal 102 in order to proceed to the next process, the screen shown in FIG. 5(D) is displayed.

[0058] 5D is a diagram showing an alarm display screen, which indicates that the MFP 101 and the mobile terminal 102 are preparing to cooperate with each other.

[0059] Next, when the MFP 101 and the mobile terminal 102 are ready to cooperate with each other, the screen shown in FIG. 6(A) is displayed.

[0060] 6A is a diagram showing the document setting instruction screen. This screen is a screen for instructing the user to set the document. This screen displays a message 1001 to proceed to the next process, and a cancel button 1002 to cancel the process.

[0061] When a document is set on the MFP 101, the screen shown in FIG. 6(B) is displayed.

[0062] 6B is a diagram showing a scan start instruction screen for receiving an instruction to start scanning. This screen displays a message 1101 to proceed to the next process, a scan start button 1102 for instructing the user to start scanning, and a cancel button 1103 for canceling the process.

[0063] When the scan start button 1102 is pressed on this screen, the screen shown in FIG. 6(C) is displayed.

[0064] 6C is a screen showing the status of the MFP 101. This screen displays a message 1201 showing the status of the MFP 101, and a transmission stop button 1202 for instructing the cancellation of transmission.

[0065] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the procedure of basic processing executed by the MFP 101 and the mobile terminal 102.

[0066] 7 are executed by the CPU 401 based on a program stored in any one of the ROM 403, the storage device 404, and the RAM 402 of the controller board 400 shown in FIG.

[0067] 2. Furthermore, the processes S1315 to S1323 of the MFP 101 are executed by the CPU 301 based on a program stored in any one of the ROM 303, the storage device 304, and the RAM 302 of the controller board 300 shown in FIG.

[0068] First, when the main power supply of the MFP 101 is turned on, the CPU 301 starts up the MFP 101 based on the program stored in the ROM 303 of the controller board 300 (step S1315).

[0069] Next, the IP address is written as the network address of the device in the NFC tag 106 (step S1316). Specifically, the IP address of the device is stored in a non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM provided inside the NFC controller 313.

[0070] On the other hand, in the mobile terminal 102, a mobile FAX application is started to perform mobile FAX (step S1301).

[0071] The activated mobile FAX application displays the setting screen shown in Fig. 5(A). Here, the destination is selected by the user to set destination information (step S1302), and transmission and document reading settings are performed (step S1303). The above step S1302 corresponds to a destination setting means for setting destination information indicating the destination to which the fax is to be sent. Moreover, the above step S1303 corresponds to a read / send setting means for setting read / send information related to fax transmission and reading of the document to be sent by fax.

[0072] 5A, the settings related to reading the document include resolution setting, density setting, double-sided setting, and sharpness setting. These settings are listed by way of example, and at least one of the settings shown may be set, or settings other than the settings shown may be set.

[0073] When the Next button 806 is pressed on the setting screen, the MFP selection screen shown in Fig. 5C is displayed (step S1304). Terminal B in the figure will be described later.

[0074] Next, the NFC controller 413 of the mobile terminal 102 is started up in the reader mode (step S1305).

[0075] In order to select the MFP 101 for scanning an original and transmitting a FAX, the user brings the mobile terminal 102 close to the NFC tag 106 of the MFP 101, so that the mobile terminal 102 comes within the communication range of NFC.

[0076] As a result, the MFP 101 provides an address for communication via the wireless LAN 104 and the network 105, which is different from short-distance wireless communication, by transferring the address (step S1317), and the mobile terminal 102 acquires information from the NFC tag 106 of the MFP 101 with an NFC reader (step S1306). The above-mentioned step S1317 corresponds to a providing means.

[0077] Then, the IP address of MFP 101 is extracted from the information acquired by NFC controller 413 of mobile terminal 102 (step S1307). The above steps S1306 and S1307 correspond to an acquisition unit that acquires an address for performing communication different from short-range wireless communication by short-range wireless communication from the image forming apparatus when the user brings the mobile terminal close to the image forming apparatus within a range where communication is possible by short-range wireless communication. Then, the acquired address is used to communicate with the image forming apparatus.

[0078] Mobile terminal 102 accesses the extracted IP address and transmits a mobile FAX request to MFP 101 (step S1308). At this time, if MFP 101 is connected by wire, the request is transmitted from mobile terminal 102 to MFP 101 via wireless LAN interface 410, access point 103, and network 105. The above step S1308 corresponds to a request transmission means that transmits a request to transmit a fax to the image forming apparatus.

[0079] On the other hand, if MFP 101 is wirelessly connected, the request is transmitted from mobile terminal 102 to access point 103 via wireless LAN interface 410 , and the request is then transmitted from access point 103 to MFP 101 .

[0080] Upon receiving the request, MFP 101 performs a request response process to return a response to the request to mobile terminal 102 (step S1318). Details of this request response process will be described later. Then, when a document is set on the ADF unit or the pressure plate unit (YES in step S1319), MFP 101 sets a document detection flag (step S1320).

[0081] The mobile terminal 102, which has received the response to the request from the MFP 101, performs a document flag check process to check whether or not a document detection flag has been set in the MFP 101 (step S1309). The document flag check process will be described in detail later.

[0082] When an original is set on the MFP 101, the scan start instruction screen shown in Fig. 6(B) is displayed on the display unit 406 of the mobile terminal 102 (step S1310). When the scan start button 1102 is pressed on this scan start instruction screen (YES in step S1311), a scan instruction is sent to the MFP 101 (step S1312). This step S1312 corresponds to an instruction sending means that detects that an original has been set on the image forming apparatus, and when an instruction to send a fax (scan instruction) is received from the user, reads the original and sends an instruction to send a fax to the image forming apparatus together with destination information and read and send information.

[0083] When the MFP 101 receives the scan instruction (YES in step S1321), it scans the document and performs a transmission process to send the document by fax (step S1322). The details of this transmission process will be described later. After that, the MFP 101 stores a transmission history according to the result of the transmission process (step S1323), and ends this process.

[0084] On the other hand, the mobile terminal 102 that transmitted the scan instruction to the MFP 101 performs a status check process to check whether the MFP 101 has completed transmission or terminated due to an error (step S1313). The status check process will be described in detail later.

[0085] Depending on the result of the status check process, the mobile terminal 102 stores the transmission history (step S1314), and ends this process.

[0086] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the request response process in step S1318 in FIG.

[0087] 8, when the MFP 101 receives a request (YES in step S1701), it determines whether or not the MFP 101 has a FAX function (step S1702). The above step S1701 corresponds to a request receiving unit that receives a request to send a FAX from a mobile terminal.

[0088] If it is determined in step S1702 that the mobile terminal has a FAX function (YES in step S1702), a response to the received request is returned (step S1703). This step S1703 corresponds to a request response means that responds to the mobile terminal that it is capable of sending a FAX.

[0089] After returning the response, the document detection sensor 320 starts monitoring whether or not a document has been set (step S1704), and this process ends.

[0090] On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step S1702 is that the device does not have a FAX function (NO in step S1702), information indicating that the device does not have a mobile FAX function is returned as a response to the mobile terminal 102 (step S1705), and the basic processing shown in FIG. 7 is terminated.

[0091] In step S1703 of the request response process described above, instead of simply responding that the mobile FAX request can be handled, the FAX transmission capabilities of the device itself may be returned together with the response to the request.

[0092] Specifically, the fax sending functions that can be set in the fax sending device, such as whether ECM sending is enabled, resolution options, whether ADF double-sided scanning is enabled, and the like, are returned to the mobile terminal 102 .

[0093] Furthermore, the mobile terminal 102 that has received information on the FAX transmission function of the MFP 101 compares the setting contents previously selected by the user with the settable setting contents received from the MFP 101 .

[0094] If an item that cannot be set on the MFP 101 is set on the mobile terminal 102, a message is displayed to prompt the user to change the setting, or the setting may be automatically changed to the setting that is closest to the content set by the user.

[0095] This makes it possible to cover the case where the setting contents previously set by the user on the mobile terminal 102 cannot be set on the MFP 101 that actually sends the FAX.

[0096] FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing the procedure of the document detection flag check process in step S1309 in FIG.

[0097] 9, it is determined whether or not there is a response to the request from MFP 101 (step S1501). If there is a response to the request as a result of the determination in step S1501 (YES in step S1501), it is determined whether or not MFP 101 has a FAX function (step S1502).

[0098] If it is determined in step S1502 that the MFP does not have a FAX function (NO in step S1502), a message indicating that the selected MFP does not have a FAX function is displayed on display unit 406 of mobile terminal 102 (step S1509), and the process proceeds to terminal B in FIG.

[0099] On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step S1502 is that the mobile terminal 102 has a FAX function (YES in step S1502), the message shown in Fig. 6A instructing the user to set a document in the MFP 101 is displayed on the display unit 406 of the mobile terminal 102 (step S1503). This step S1503 corresponds to an original setting instruction display means that displays on the display unit 406 instructions to the user to set a document in the image forming apparatus when the image forming apparatus to which the request was sent responds that it is capable of sending a fax.

[0100] Next, in order to check the document detection flag for the MFP 101, the document detection flag is polled to periodically make an inquiry about the document detection flag (step S1504), and it is determined whether or not there is a response to the polling (step S1505).

[0101] If it is determined in step S1505 that there is a response (YES in step S1505), it is determined whether or not the document detection flag has been set (step S1506).

[0102] As a result of the determination in step S1506, if the document detection flag is not set (NO in step S1506), the process returns to step S1504.

[0103] On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step S1506 is that the document detection flag is set (YES in step S1506), the message shown in FIG. 6B indicating that a document has been set is displayed on display unit 406 of mobile terminal 102 (step S1507), and this process ends.

[0104] Returning to step S1505, if there is no response (NO in step S1505), it is determined whether a timeout has occurred (step S1510). If it is not a timeout (NO in step S1510), the process returns to step S1505.

[0105] On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step S1510 is that a timeout has occurred (YES in step S1510), a message is displayed indicating that there has been no response from MFP 101 (step S1511), and the basic processing shown in FIG. 7 ends.

[0106] Returning to step S1501, if there is no response as a result of the determination in step S1501 (NO in step S1501), it is determined whether a timeout has occurred (step S1508). If it is determined in step S1508 that a timeout has not occurred (NO in step S1508), the process returns to step S1501.

[0107] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1508 that a timeout has occurred (YES in step S1508), the process proceeds to step S1511.

[0108] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the transmission process in step S1322 in FIG.

[0109] 10, MFP 101 receives transmission settings such as destination information, transmission settings, and read setting information (step S1801) and stores them (step S1802). This step S1801 corresponds to an instruction receiving means that receives from a mobile terminal an instruction to read an original and send a fax, together with destination information indicating a destination to which a fax is to be sent, and read / send information regarding sending the fax and reading the original to be sent by fax.

[0110] Next, it is determined whether or not the document is placed on the ADF (step S1803). If it is determined in step S1803 that the document is placed on the ADF (YES in step S1803), ADF scanning is started according to the transmission settings (step S1804).

[0111] Then, the MFP 101 executes a scan process (step S1805) and stores one page of scanned image data (step S1806). The status of the MFP 101 in the process of step S1805 is "scanning."

[0112] Next, it is determined whether or not there is a next page (step S1807). If it is determined in step S1807 that there is a next page (YES in step S1807), the process returns to step S1805.

[0113] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1807 that the next page does not exist (NO in step S1807), the public line is checked (step S1808).

[0114] Then, it is determined whether or not a call can be made (step S1809). If it is determined in step S1809 that a call cannot be made (NO in step S1809), the process returns to step S1808.

[0115] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1809 that a call can be made (YES in step S1809), a call is made to the destination specified in the transmission settings (step S1810) and FAX transmission is performed (step S1811). The status of MFP 101 in the process of step S1811 is "transmitting."

[0116] Next, it is determined whether the FAX transmission has been normally completed (step S1812). If it is determined in step S1812 that the FAX transmission has been normally completed (YES in step S1812), the transmission is deemed to be completed (step S1813), and this process is terminated. The status of MFP 101 in the process of step S1813 is set to "transmission completed."

[0117] On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step S1812 is that the call did not end normally (NO in step S1812), it is determined whether the call destination is busy (step S1814). If the result of the determination in step S1814 is that the call destination is busy (YES in step S1814), an auto redial process is performed to make a call again (step S1815), and this process ends.

[0118] On the other hand, if the call destination is not busy (NO in step S1814), the process ends with an error (step S1816). The status of MFP 101 in the process of step S1816 is set to "error end." Steps S1813 and S1816 correspond to a status setting means for setting a status indicating the fax transmission result.

[0119] Returning to step S1803, if the result of the determination in step S1803 is that the original is not placed in the ADF (NO in step S1803), BOOK scanning is started in accordance with the transmission settings (step S1817). Scanning is executed (step S1818), and one page of scanned image data is stored (step S1819). The above steps S1805, 1818, and 1811 correspond to a fax transmission means that reads the original in accordance with the received read and send information, and transmits a fax indicating the original to a destination indicated by the destination information in accordance with the read and send information.

[0120] When storage of one page is completed, a display instructing to read the next document is displayed (step S1820), and it is determined whether or not there is a next page (step S1821).

[0121] As a result of the determination in step S1821, if there is a next page (YES in step S1821), the process returns to step S1818.

[0122] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1821 that there is no next page (NO in step S1821), the process proceeds to step S1808.

[0123] FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing the procedure of the auto redial process in step S1815 in FIG.

[0124] In FIG. 11, a preset auto redial setting is read (step S1901), the status is set to redial waiting (step S1902), and a redial waiting time is set (step S1903).

[0125] When the waiting time has elapsed (YES in step S1904), the number of redials is incremented by 1 (step S1905), and the public line is checked (step S1906).

[0126] Then, it is determined whether or not a call can be made (step S1907). If it is determined in step S1907 that a call cannot be made (NO in step S1907), the process returns to step S1906.

[0127] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1907 that a call can be made (YES in step S1907), a call is made to the destination specified in the transmission settings (step S1908), and FAX transmission is performed (step S1909). The status of the MFP 101 in the process of step S1909 is "transmitting."

[0128] Next, it is determined whether the FAX transmission has been normally completed (step S1910). If the result of the determination in step S1910 is that the FAX transmission has been normally completed (YES in step S1910), the transmission is deemed to be completed (step S1911), and this process is terminated. The status of MFP 101 in the process of step S1911 above is transmission completed.

[0129] On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step S1910 is that the call did not end normally (NO in step S1910), it is determined whether the call destination is busy (step S1912). If it is determined in step S1912 that the call destination is not busy (NO in step S1912), the process ends with an error (step S1913). The status of the MFP 101 in the process of step S1913 is an error end.

[0130] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1912 that the call destination is busy (YES in step S1912), it is determined whether the number of redial attempts is less than the upper limit (step S1914).

[0131] If it is determined in step S1914 that the number of redials is less than the upper limit (YES in step S1914), the process returns to step S1902.

[0132] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1914 that the number of redials is equal to or greater than the upper limit (NO in step S1914), the process proceeds to step S1913.

[0133] FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the status check process in step S1313 in FIG.

[0134] In FIG. 12, the status of the MFP 101 is checked (step S1601), and it is determined whether or not a response has been received (step S1602).

[0135] If it is determined in step S1602 that there is no response (NO in step S1602), it is determined whether or not a timeout has occurred (step S1607). If it is determined in step S1607 that a timeout has not occurred (NO in step S1607), the process returns to step S1602.

[0136] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1607 that a timeout has occurred (YES in step S1607), the process proceeds to step S1511 in FIG.

[0137] Returning to step S1602, if a response has been received (YES in step S1602), a status is obtained from the response (step S1603).

[0138] Next, the acquired status of the MFP 101 is displayed on the display unit 406 of the mobile terminal 102 (step S1604). Specifically, the status such as dialing / FAX sending is displayed.

[0139] It is determined whether or not the FAX transmission is complete (step S1605). If it is determined in step S1605 that the FAX transmission is complete (YES in step S1605), the completion of the FAX transmission is displayed on display unit 406 of mobile terminal 102 (step S1606), and the process ends.

[0140] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1605 that the FAX transmission has not been completed (NO in step S1605), it is determined whether or not the transmission ended in an error (step S1608). If it is determined in step S1608 that the transmission did not end in an error (NO in step S1608), the process returns to step S1601.

[0141] On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step S1608 is that the FAX transmission ended in an error (YES in step S1608), a message indicating that the FAX transmission ended in an error is displayed on display unit 406 of mobile terminal 102 (step S1609), and this process ends. These steps S1606 and S1609 correspond to a transmission result display means for displaying the result of the FAX transmission by the image forming apparatus on display unit 406.

[0142] In this way, in the status check process, the transmission result is displayed according to the status indicating the transmission result obtained from the image forming device. Also, if the result is NO in step S1607 and the status cannot be obtained, a message indicating that no response was obtained from the image forming device is displayed through terminal A in step S1511 of FIG.

[0143] In the above process, the MFP 101 is provided with the NFC tag 106, but the MFP 101 may not be provided with the NFC tag 106, and the mobile terminal 102 may not be provided with the NFC controller 413 or the like.

[0144] FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the procedure of basic processing executed by the MFP 101 and the mobile terminal 102 without using the NFC function.

[0145] The following will mainly explain the differences from the basic processing explained in Fig. 7. First, steps S1401 to 1403 are the same as steps S1301 to 1303 in Fig. 7.

[0146] After step S1303, when the next button 806 is pressed on the setting screen, the process proceeds to the selection of an MFP (step S1404).

[0147] In the above-described configuration, since the mobile terminal 102 and the MFP 101 cannot perform short-distance wireless communication by NFC, the mobile terminal 102 instead searches for an MFP connected to the LAN (step S1405). This step S1405 corresponds to a searching unit that searches for an image forming apparatus with which the mobile terminal 102 can communicate.

[0148] Next, a list of MFPs found in the search is displayed on display unit 406 of mobile terminal 102 (step S1406). This step S1406 corresponds to a list display means that displays on display unit 406 a list of the searched image forming apparatuses.

[0149] Once the list has been displayed in this manner, a message is displayed prompting the user to select the MFP from which he or she wishes to perform FAX transmission (step S1407).

[0150] Next, a request is sent to the MFP selected by the user via network 105 (step S1408), similar to step S1308 in Fig. 7. The subsequent processing flow is the same as that from step S1309 onwards in Fig. 7. In this way, the image forming device selected by the user from the displayed list of image forming devices is set as the image forming device to be used for sending the fax.

[0151] In the basic process shown in Fig. 13, the user selects the MFP he or she wants to use from a list of MFPs connected to the LAN. Therefore, the user needs to select the MFP he or she wants to use by matching it with the MFPs listed in the list without fail. However, some users may not know the name of the MFP they want to use, and it may be difficult to select it without fail.

[0152] Therefore, if an MFP can be selected one-to-one using NFC as in the basic process of FIG. 7, the user can select the MFP he or she wants to use without fail even if the user does not know the name of the MFP.

[0153] In this case, there is a disadvantage that providing the NFC tag 106 to the MFP 101 increases the device cost of the MFP 101. Also, some mobile terminals 102 may not have an NFC function. To eliminate such disadvantages, the basic processing shown in FIG. 13 is proposed.

[0154] As described above, even when sending a fax to a contact address stored in a mobile terminal using an MFP with a small display, various transmission settings as well as contact settings can be made on the mobile terminal, eliminating poor operability.

[0155] In addition, since it becomes possible to set read / transmit information regarding fax transmission and reading of documents to be transmitted by fax on the mobile terminal (see FIG. 5(A)), it is possible to improve the operability regarding fax transmission on the mobile terminal.

[0156] (Other embodiments) The object of the present invention can also be achieved by having a computer, CPU, or MPU of a system or device read and execute program code that realizes the procedures of the flowcharts shown in the above-mentioned embodiments from a storage medium storing the program code.

[0157] In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiment, and therefore the program code and the storage medium storing the program code also constitute the present invention.

[0158] Examples of storage media for supplying program code include floppy disks, hard disks, optical disks, magneto-optical disks, CD-ROMs, CD-Rs, magnetic tapes, non-volatile memory cards, and ROMs.

[0159] In addition, an OS (operating system) running on the computer may perform some or all of the actual processing based on instructions from the program code read by the computer, and the functions of the above-described embodiments may be realized by that processing.

[0160] Furthermore, the program code read from the storage medium may be written to a memory provided on a function expansion board inserted into a computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer. Even in this case, a CPU provided on the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing based on the instructions of the program code, and the functions of the above-mentioned embodiments are realized by the processing. [Explanation of symbols]

[0161] 100 Communication Systems 101 MFP 102 Mobile Devices 103 Access Point 104 Wireless LAN 105 Network 106 NFC Tags 107 PC 108 Public Line Network 109 Fax machine

Claims

1. A portable terminal capable of communicating with an image forming apparatus, a receiving unit that receives connection information from the image forming apparatus via short-range wireless communication when the portable terminal is brought close to the image forming apparatus; a destination setting means for setting destination information by accepting a selection of a destination to which a facsimile is to be transmitted from addresses registered in an address book stored in the mobile terminal; a display unit that displays information indicating that the portable terminal needs to be brought closer to the image forming apparatus when an operation for confirming the setting of the destination information is performed; a read / send setting unit for setting read / send information related to sending a fax and reading an original to be sent by fax; a request transmission unit that transmits a request for transmitting a fax to the image forming apparatus by wireless communication using the connection information, the wireless communication being different from the short-distance wireless communication; a document setting instruction display means for displaying on a display unit instructions for a user to set the document on the image forming apparatus when the image forming apparatus to which the request has been sent by the request sending means responds that the image forming apparatus is capable of sending a fax; an instruction transmission means for detecting that the document has been set on the image forming apparatus and receiving an instruction to transmit a fax from the user, the instruction transmission means for transmitting, via wireless communication to the image forming apparatus, an instruction to read the document and transmit a fax together with the destination information set by the destination setting means and the read and transmit information set by the read and transmit setting means; a transmission result display means for displaying, on the display unit, a fax transmission result of the image forming apparatus instructed to transmit a fax by the instruction transmission means; A mobile terminal comprising:

2. 2. The mobile terminal according to claim 1, wherein the address book of the mobile terminal is an address book that is stored in the mobile terminal before the short-distance wireless communication is performed with the image forming apparatus.

3. 3. The portable terminal according to claim 1, wherein the connection information is an IP address of the image forming apparatus.

4. 4. The mobile terminal according to claim 1, wherein the destination setting unit accepts a destination selection and sets destination information before the short-distance wireless communication with the image forming apparatus is performed.

5. A method for controlling a portable terminal capable of communicating with an image forming apparatus, comprising: a destination setting step of setting destination information by accepting a selection of a destination to which a facsimile is to be transmitted from addresses registered in an address book stored in the mobile terminal; a display step of displaying information indicating that the portable terminal needs to be brought closer to the image forming apparatus as a result of an operation for confirming the setting of the destination information; a receiving step of receiving connection information from the image forming apparatus via short-range wireless communication when the portable terminal is brought close to the image forming apparatus; a read / send setting step for setting read / send information related to sending a fax and reading a document to be sent by fax; a request transmission step of transmitting a request for transmitting a fax to the image forming apparatus via wireless communication using the connection information, the wireless communication being different from the short-distance wireless communication; a document setting instruction display step of displaying on a display unit content instructing a user to set the document on the image forming apparatus when a response is received from the image forming apparatus to which the request has been transmitted in the request transmitting step that the fax transmission is possible; When the image forming apparatus detects that the document has been set on the image forming apparatus and receives an instruction from the user to transmit a fax, the image forming apparatus reads the document together with the destination information set in the destination setting step and the read / send information set in the read / send setting step; an instruction transmission step of transmitting an instruction to transmit a fax to the image forming apparatus via the wireless communication; a transmission result display step of displaying, on a display unit, a fax transmission result of the image forming apparatus instructed to transmit a fax in the instruction transmission step; A control method comprising:

6. A destination setting process for setting destination information by accepting a selection of a destination to which a fax is to be sent from an address registered in a stored address book in a mobile terminal that receives connection information from an image forming apparatus via short-range wireless communication when the mobile terminal is brought close to the image forming apparatus; a display step of displaying information indicating that the portable terminal needs to be brought closer to the image forming apparatus as a result of an operation for confirming the setting of the destination information; a read / send setting step for setting read / send information related to sending a fax and reading a document to be sent by fax; a request transmission step of transmitting a request for transmitting a fax to the image forming apparatus via wireless communication using the connection information, the wireless communication being different from the short-distance wireless communication; a document setting instruction display step of displaying on a display unit content instructing a user to set the document on the image forming apparatus when a response is received from the image forming apparatus to which the request has been transmitted in the request transmitting step that the fax transmission is possible; an instruction transmission step of detecting that the document has been set on the image forming apparatus and receiving an instruction to transmit a fax from the user, reading the document together with the destination information set in the destination setting step and the read / send information set in the read / send setting step, and transmitting an instruction to transmit the fax to the image forming apparatus via the wireless communication; a transmission result display step of displaying, on a display unit, a fax transmission result of the image forming apparatus instructed to transmit a fax in the instruction transmission step; A program characterized by executing the above.

7. 7. The program according to claim 6, wherein the address book of the portable terminal is an address book that has been stored in the portable terminal before the short-range wireless communication is performed with the image forming apparatus.

8. 8. The program according to claim 6, wherein the connection information is an IP address of the image forming apparatus.

9. 9. The program according to claim 6, wherein in the destination setting step, a selection of a destination is accepted and destination information is set before the short-distance wireless communication with the image forming apparatus is performed.

Images