Control method and image forming apparatus

Abstract

To provide a terminal device and the like for posting a message including an image when the image cannot be transmitted using facsimile communication.SOLUTION: A first terminal device includes a communication unit capable of communicating with a server device that provides a service allowing messages to be exchanged between multiple terminal devices, a control unit, and a display unit. The control unit displays a message on the display unit indicating that the first communication device has received a first image from a second communication device, accepts an instruction to send a second image to the second communication device, and if the second image cannot be sent to the second communication device, sends to the server device an instruction to send to the second terminal a reply message in response to receiving the first image.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a control method and the like. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Facsimiles, which are one type of image communication device, have been widely used, and techniques for notifying reception of a facsimile have been proposed.

[0003] For example, in an image forming device that creates a notification message notifying the reception of a facsimile and sends it to the notification destination, a technology has been proposed in which the notification message includes a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) that specifies a preview of the received image, or a URL for displaying a screen for selecting the processing to be performed on the received data (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2008-160531 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In recent years, the use of apps such as chat apps that allow users to send and receive messages has become widespread. Therefore, it is desirable to be able to check images received via facsimile communication and send reply images to the received images via the chat app. However, when a user issues a reply instruction to a facsimile via the chat app while away from home, there may be situations where the status of the facsimile to which the reply instruction was issued cannot be easily confirmed. If the reply image has already been sent, the user may be unable to check the status of the facsimile, which could result in a delay in the reply and potentially lead to problems. However, this issue is not addressed in Patent Document 1.

[0006] In view of the above-described problems, the present disclosure aims to provide a terminal device or the like that posts a message including an image when the image cannot be sent using facsimile communication. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a first embodiment of the present disclosure is a first terminal device having a communication unit capable of communicating with a server device that provides a service that allows messages to be exchanged between multiple terminal devices, a control unit, and a display unit, wherein the control unit displays a message on the display unit indicating that the first communication device has received a first image from a second communication device, accepts an instruction to send a second image to the second communication device, and, if the second image cannot be sent to the second communication device, sends an instruction to the server device to send a reply message to the second terminal device in response to the receipt of the first image.

[0008] A second embodiment of the present disclosure is a system including a first communication device, a second communication device, a first terminal device, a second terminal device, and a server device, wherein the first terminal device receives via the server device that the first communication device has received a first image from the second communication device, the first terminal device accepts an instruction from the server device to send a second image from the first communication device to the second communication device, the first terminal device receives from the server device that the first communication device cannot send the second image to the second communication device, and the first terminal device accepts an instruction from the server device to send a message to the second terminal device.

[0009] A third embodiment of the present disclosure is a control method for a first terminal device that is capable of communicating with a server device that provides a service that allows messages to be exchanged between multiple terminal devices and that has a display unit, the control method including the steps of: the first communication device displaying a message on the display unit indicating that it has received a first image from a second communication device; accepting an instruction to send a second image to the second communication device; and, if it is not possible to send the second image to the second communication device, sending an instruction to the server device to send a reply message to the second terminal device in response to receiving the first image.

[0010] A fourth embodiment of the present disclosure is a control method for a system including a first communication device, a second communication device, a first terminal device, a second terminal device, and a server device, characterized in that the control method includes the steps of: the first terminal device receiving via the server device a notification that the first communication device has received a first image from the second communication device; the first terminal device accepting an instruction from the server device to send a second image from the first communication device to the second communication device; the first terminal device receiving from the server device a notification that the first communication device cannot send the second image to the second communication device; and the first terminal device accepting an instruction from the server device to send a message to the second terminal device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present disclosure, when an image cannot be sent using facsimile communication, it is possible to post a message including the image. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the overall configuration of a system in a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of a server device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3]FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of message information in the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an example of a data configuration of address information in the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the functional configuration of a terminal device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the functional configuration of an image communication apparatus according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a processing flow of the image communication apparatus in the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a processing flow of the server device in the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a processing flow of a terminal device in the first embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an example of operation in the first embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the functional configuration of a server device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the functional configuration of an image communication apparatus according to a second embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a processing flow of an image communication apparatus according to a second embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of operation in the third embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of operation in the fourth embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of operation in the fifth embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of operation in the sixth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Hereinafter, an embodiment for carrying out the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the following embodiment is an example for explaining the present disclosure, and the technical scope of the invention described in the claims is not limited to the following description.

[0014] [1. First embodiment] [1.1 Overall structure] Referring to Fig. 1, this is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a system 1 of the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 1, the system 1 is configured to include a server device 10, a terminal device 20, and an image communication device 30. The system 1 includes a plurality of terminal devices 20 (terminal device 20a, terminal device 20b) and a plurality of image communication devices 30 (image communication device 30a, image communication device 30b).

[0015] The server device 10, the terminal device 20, and the image communication device 30 are connected via a network NW1. The network NW1 is a network that connects the devices. For example, the network NW1 is realized by a LAN (Local Area Network) or a WAN (Wide Area Network). Alternatively, the network NW1 may be configured by combining these networks.

[0016] The image communication device 30 is a device that has at least a facsimile (FAX / facsimile) function. The image communication device 30 may be installed in an image forming device such as a digital multifunction peripheral (MFP; Multi-Function Peripheral / Printer), or may be a standalone device. The image communication device 30 can also be connected to a telephone line network NW2, such as an analog line or a digital line (ISDN).

[0017] The server device 10 is an information processing device that provides a predetermined service (for example, an IoT platform), and is installed on a cloud, for example. In this embodiment, the server device 10 provides a chat service and a linked service.

[0018] In this embodiment, the chat service refers to a service that realizes a function of exchanging messages between users who use the chat service. More specifically, the chat service is a service that realizes the exchange (sending and receiving) of messages between the terminal devices (multiple terminal devices) used by the respective users who use the chat service.

[0019] In this embodiment, the linkage service refers to a service that links with the image communication apparatus 30 and realizes a predetermined function using the image communication apparatus 30 .

[0020] The terminal device 20 is a device used by a user, and is, for example, an information processing device configured by a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet, or a PC (Personal Computer).

[0021] In this specification, "receiving a fax," "receiving a fax," and "fax reception" refer to receiving an image based on a standard using facsimile communication. "sending a fax," "sending a fax," and "sending a fax" refer to sending an image based on a standard using facsimile communication. Facsimile communication is an electrical communication method for sending and receiving images that include text and graphics, and the transmission path used for facsimile communication is called a facsimile communication network.

[0022] [1.2 Functional Configuration] [1.2.1 Server device] The functional configuration of the server device 10 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 2. As shown in Fig. 2, the server device 10 includes a control unit 100, a storage unit 170, and a NW communication unit 180.

[0023] The control unit 100 is a functional unit for controlling the entire server device 10. The control unit 100 realizes various functions by reading and executing various programs stored in the storage unit 170, and is configured by one or more arithmetic units (for example, CPUs (Central Processing Units)).

[0024] The control unit 100 executes a program to function as a message processing unit 102 and a cooperation processing unit 104 .

[0025] The message processor 102 realizes a chat service. In this embodiment, the message processor 102 executes the following processes.

[0026] (1) Receiving and storing posted messages The message processing unit 102 receives information (message information) including a message input by a user via the NW communication unit 180. In this embodiment, the process of transmitting message information to the server device 10 is referred to as "posting." In this embodiment, posting message information including the chat application ID of user A as source information, the chat application ID of user B as destination information, and a predetermined message is referred to as "posting a predetermined message from user A to user B."

[0027] Message information is information that includes a message and message attributes. A message is content (e.g., text data) entered by a user. Message attributes are information about the message, such as sender information, destination information, and the date and time of transmission.

[0028] The message information stores information that can uniquely identify a user using the chat service as sender information and destination information. In this embodiment, information that can uniquely identify a user using the chat service is called identification information.

[0029] The identification information may be information that is automatically assigned to the user in the chat service, or may be information that is set or changed by the user (for example, a service ID, a user ID, an account name, etc.).

[0030] In this embodiment, a chat application ID will be described as being used as identification information. The chat application ID is a unique ID assigned to a user by the chat service (control unit 100 of server device 10) when the user who uses the chat service logs in to the chat service for the first time. The chat application ID may be, for example, a serial number such as "0X00000001," a random character string, or a character string or number calculated by a predetermined calculation method. The chat application ID is not changed by user operation, and is not changed even if other information (for example, a service ID, etc.) is set or changed by the user.

[0031] The identification information may be any information other than the chat application ID as long as it can uniquely identify a user who uses the chat service. For example, the identification information may be an ID (such as a service ID or a user ID) that can be set by the user and is different for each user, or may be information specific to the user (such as a telephone number or email address).

[0032] A file can also be attached to a message. Examples of files include a PDF (Portable Document Format) file, an image file, an audio file, and a video file. The file may be included as part of the message, or may be included in the message information separately from the message. Instead of including the file itself in the message or message information, information identifying the file (e.g., a file name or a URL (Uniform Resource Locator)) may be included in the message, and a device receiving the message may acquire the file based on the information identifying the file.

[0033] When message processing unit 102 receives message information, it stores the received message information in message information storage area 172. At this time, message processing unit 102 may store the attached file in file storage area 174, or may add predetermined information (for example, the date and time of reception) to the message information.

[0034] (2) Sending messages The message processor 102 transmits the message information based on the destination information, thereby transmitting the message to the user who is the destination of the message. The transmission method may be so-called pull distribution or push distribution.

[0035] When performing PULL distribution, for example, message processing unit 102 receives a request to acquire a message including a chat application ID, which is identification information, from another device via NW communication unit 180. At this time, message processing unit 102 acquires message information including the received chat application ID as a destination from message information storage area 172, and transmits the acquired message information to the device that sent the request to acquire the message.

[0036] When performing PUSH distribution, information about the device corresponding to the chat application ID (for example, the device's serial number or IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identifier)) is stored in advance in storage unit 170. Then, message processing unit 102 acquires the information about the device corresponding to the chat application ID included as a destination of the received message information, and transmits the received message information to the device corresponding to the information about that device.

[0037] In this way, the message processing unit 102 can receive, store, and send messages, thereby transmitting messages sent by users using the chat service to devices used by users to whom the messages are to be sent.

[0038] The cooperation processing unit 104 realizes the cooperation service. In this embodiment, the cooperation processing unit 104 executes the following processes. (1) Processing for receiving information about an image received from the image communication device 30 (2) A process of posting a message about a received image from the image communication device 30 to a user. (3) Receiving instructions from the user to reply by facsimile (4) Processing for instructing the image communication device 30 to send a fax based on an instruction from the user in a reply by facsimile (5) Processing for obtaining the execution result of FAX transmission from the image communication device 30 (6) A process of posting a message including the execution result from the image communication device 30 to the user.

[0039] In this embodiment, an image received by the image communication device 30 using facsimile communication is referred to as a received image (first image). In addition, in this embodiment, a reply refers to sending an image (second image) to the sender of the received image, indicating that the received image has been received. In this embodiment, an image sent when replying is referred to as a reply image.

[0040] The cooperation processing unit 104 executes the above-described process to realize exchanges between the server device 10 and the user using messages, thereby causing the server device 10 to function as a so-called chatbot (Bot). Therefore, the server device 10 can be a source or destination of a message in the chat service, and is assigned a chat application ID corresponding to the server device 10. In this embodiment, the chat application ID corresponding to the server device 10 is described as "CHATBOT".

[0041] The storage unit 170 stores various programs and various data required for the operation of the server device 10. The storage unit 170 is configured by a storage device such as a semiconductor memory such as an SSD (Solid State Drive) or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive).

[0042] The storage unit 170 has a message information storage area 172, a file storage area 174 for storing files, and an address information storage area 176 secured as storage areas.

[0043] The message information storage area 172 is an area for storing message information. The message information includes, for example, as shown in Fig. 3, a sender chat application ID (e.g., "CHATBOT") that is identification information of a user who sent a message, a destination chat application ID (e.g., "0X00000001") that is identification information of a user who is the destination (addressee) of the message, the sending date and time of the message (e.g., "July 16, 2019, 12:20:39"), a message (e.g., "A fax has been received..."), and information about a file attached to the message.

[0044] The information about the file attached to the message may be the file itself, or information indicating the location of the file stored in file storage area 174 (for example, file path, file name, URL, etc.).

[0045] The address information storage area 176 stores contact information of a chat application user and information (address information) about the image communication device 30 used by the user. The address information includes, for example, as shown in Fig. 4, the user's name (e.g., "A"), the user's chat application ID (e.g., "0X00000001"), and the telephone number (e.g., "00011112222"), FAX number (e.g., "0012345678"), and address (e.g., "198.51.100.1") of the image communication device 30 used by the user.

[0046] The address is information used by the cooperative processing unit 104 to communicate with the image communication device 30, and is information indicating the location of the image communication device 30 on the network NW1. In this embodiment, an IP (Internet Protocol) address is stored as the address. Note that the address may be a MAC (Media Access Control) address, a port number, a server name, a domain name, or a combination of these.

[0047] The NW communication unit 180 communicates with other devices such as the terminal device 20 and the image communication device 30 via a LAN or WAN. The NW communication unit 180 is configured by, for example, a communication device or a communication module such as a NIC (Network Interface Card) used in a wired / wireless LAN.

[0048] 1.2.2 Terminal Devices The functional configuration of the terminal device 20 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 5. As shown in Fig. 5, the terminal device 20 is configured to include a control unit 200, a display unit 240, an operation unit 250, a storage unit 270, and a NW communication unit 280.

[0049] The control unit 200 is a functional unit for controlling the entire terminal device 20. The control unit 200 realizes various functions by reading and executing various programs stored in the storage unit 270, and is configured by one or more arithmetic units (e.g., CPUs).

[0050] The control unit 200 executes a chat application 272 stored in the storage unit 270 to function as a message acquisition unit 202 , a message posting unit 204 , and a timeline display control unit 206 .

[0051] The message acquisition unit 202 acquires a message from the server device 10. For example, the message acquisition unit 202 transmits a request to acquire a message to the server device 10 via the NW communication unit 280. The request to acquire a message includes, as identification information, the chat application ID of the user who uses the terminal device 20. Furthermore, the message acquisition unit 202 receives message information from the server device 10 in response to the request to acquire a message, and stores the received message information in the message information storage area 274.

[0052] Furthermore, if a file is attached to the acquired message, the message acquisition unit 202 acquires the file and stores it in the file storage area 276 .

[0053] The message posting unit 204 generates message information including a message input by the user and posts the message information to the server device 10 via the NW communication unit 280. The message posting unit 204 includes, in the message information, the chat application ID of the user who uses the terminal device 20 as sender information. The message posting unit 204 also includes, in the message information, the chat application ID of a party with whom the message is being exchanged as destination information. The party with whom the message is being exchanged is, for example, a user other than the user who operates the terminal device 20, and is displayed on the timeline displayed by the timeline display control unit 206. Furthermore, the message posting unit 204 stores the posted message information in the message information storage area 274, and stores a file attached to the posted message in the file storage area 276.

[0054] The timeline display control unit 206 displays a timeline on the display unit 240. A timeline refers to a display mode in which messages are arranged in chronological order based on date information such as the date and time of transmission. For example, the timeline display control unit 206 reads out message information in which the chat application ID of another user selected by the user is stored as the destination or sender from the message information storage area 274. Then, the timeline display control unit 206 arranges the messages included in the read message information in chronological order based on the date and time of transmission, and displays them on the display unit 240. Note that the timeline display control unit 206 may also display, together with the messages, information indicating the sender (for example, the name of the sender), the date and time of transmission, files attached to the messages, and the like.

[0055] The display unit 240 displays various types of information. The display unit 240 is configured by a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) panel, or a micro LED (Light Emitting Diode) display.

[0056] The operation unit 250 is a functional unit for accepting operations by a user of the terminal device 20, and is configured with an input device such as a touch sensor. The touch sensor may detect input using any common detection method, such as a resistive film method, an infrared method, an electromagnetic induction method, or a capacitance method. The terminal device 20 may be equipped with a touch panel in which the display unit 240 and the operation unit 250 are integrally formed. The operation unit 250 may also be configured with various operation devices such as a mouse and a keyboard, as long as the user can input information.

[0057] The storage unit 270 stores various programs and various data necessary for the operation of the terminal device 20. The storage unit 270 is configured by a storage device such as an SSD, which is a semiconductor memory, or an HDD, for example.

[0058] The storage unit 270 stores a chat application 272, and further reserves, as storage areas, a message information storage area 274 and a file storage area 276 that is an area for storing files.

[0059] The chat application 272 is a program that causes the control unit 200 to function as the message acquisition unit 202, the message posting unit 204, and the timeline display control unit 206. The chat application 272 may also be a program that causes the control unit 200 to realize general functions that are executed when using a chat service. Examples of general functions include a function to display on the display unit 240 a screen that includes an area for displaying a timeline and an area for inputting content to be posted, an address book function for managing message destinations, and a function for grouping users.

[0060] The message information storage area 274 stores the message information acquired by the message acquisition unit 202 and the message information posted by the message posting unit 204. The message information stored in the message information storage area 274 includes, for example, the information shown in FIG.

[0061] The NW communication unit 280 communicates with other devices such as the server device 10 and the image communication device 30 via a LAN or a WAN. The NW communication unit 280 uses a LAN, which is Ethernet (registered trademark), or a communication method such as LTE (Long Term Evolution), 4G, or 5G. The NW communication unit 280 is configured, for example, with a NIC used in a wired or wireless LAN, or a communication module connectable to an LTE, LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), License-Assisted Access using LTE (LAA), or 5G line.

[0062] [1.2.3 Image communication equipment] The functional configuration of image communication device 30 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6. As shown in Fig. 6, image communication device 30 is configured to include a control unit 300, an image reading unit 320, an image forming unit 330, a display unit 340, an operation unit 350, a storage unit 370, a NW communication unit 380, and a line communication unit 390.

[0063] The control unit 300 is a functional unit for controlling the entire image communication device 30. The control unit 300 realizes various functions by reading and executing various programs stored in the storage unit 370, and is configured by one or more arithmetic units (e.g., CPUs).

[0064] The control unit 300 executes the programs stored in the storage unit 370 to function as a FAX transmission / reception unit 302 , a link processing unit 304 , and an image processing unit 306 .

[0065] The FAX transmission / reception unit 302 transmits and receives FAXes. For example, the FAX transmission / reception unit 302 transmits an image of an original document read by the image reading unit 320 to another device via a telephone line (network NW2) from the line communication unit 390. In addition, in the case of InternetFAX, the FAX transmission / reception unit 302 transmits the image to another device via a network (network NW1) such as the Internet from the NW communication unit 380.

[0066] That is, the FAX transmission / reception unit 302 transmits and receives images to and from other devices by performing facsimile communication using the normal G3 / G4 standard or facsimile communication using InternetFAX. The FAX transmission / reception unit 302 may perform facsimile communication using any known standard or protocol.

[0067] Furthermore, the FAX transmission / reception unit 302 receives an image transmitted by facsimile communication via the NW communication unit 380 or the line communication unit 390. The FAX transmission / reception unit 302 stores the received image (received image) as a file in the file storage area 372.

[0068] The files stored in file storage area 372 are, for example, PDF files. The files stored in file storage area 372 may be in TIFF (Tagged Image File Format) format, JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) format, or other formats. When FAX transmission / reception unit 302 receives multiple images at once, it may store in file storage area 372 a file in which each image is stored on a different page (a file consisting of multiple pages).

[0069] The cooperation processing unit 304 executes processes related to the cooperation service. For example, the cooperation processing unit 304 executes the following processes. (1) Processing for transmitting information on received images to the server device 10 (2) Processing for receiving a fax transmission instruction from the server device 10 and executing the fax transmission (3) Processing for transmitting the execution result of FAX transmission to the server device 10

[0070] The image processing unit 306 performs various image-related processes, such as sharpening and tone conversion on the image read by the image reading unit 320.

[0071] Image reading unit 320 reads an original document and stores the data of the read image as an image file. Image reading unit 320 is configured with a scanner device or the like equipped with a device that converts optical information, such as a CIS (Contact Image Sensor) or a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), into an electrical signal, and reads an original document placed on a table of image communication device 30. Image reading unit 320 also stores image data of the read image as an image file in file storage area 372. Note that image reading unit 320 may also be configured with an interface (terminal) for reading images stored in a USB memory.

[0072] The image forming unit 330 forms (prints) an image on a recording medium. The image forming unit 330 is configured by, for example, a laser printer that uses an electrophotographic method.

[0073] The display unit 340 displays various types of information. The display unit 340 is configured by a display device such as an LCD, an organic EL panel, or a micro LED display.

[0074] The operation unit 350 is a functional unit for receiving operations from a user of the image communication device 30, and is configured with an input device such as a touch sensor. The touch sensor may detect input using any common detection method, such as a resistive film method, an infrared method, an electromagnetic induction method, or a capacitance method. The image communication device 30 may be equipped with a touch panel in which the display unit 340 and the operation unit 350 are integrally formed.

[0075] The storage unit 370 stores various programs and various data necessary for the operation of the image communication device 30. The storage unit 370 is configured by a storage device such as an SSD, which is a semiconductor memory, or an HDD, for example.

[0076] The storage unit 370 secures a file storage area 372 as a storage area. The storage unit 370 also stores address information 374, which is information about the user who uses the image communication device 30.

[0077] In the file storage area 372, image files of images received by the FAX transmission / reception unit 302 and image files of documents read by the image reading unit 320 are stored.

[0078] The address information 374 is information relating to a user who uses the image communication device 30. In this embodiment, the storage unit 370 stores, as the address information 374, information such as a name 3742 of a user who uses the image communication device 30, a chat application ID 3744 corresponding to the user, a telephone number 3746 of the image communication device 30, and a fax number 3748 of the image communication device 30. The information stored as the address information 374 is set by, for example, a user who uses the image communication device 30.

[0079] The NW communication unit 380 communicates with other devices such as the server device 10 and the terminal device 20 via a LAN or WAN. The NW communication unit 380 is configured by, for example, a communication device or a communication module such as a NIC used in a wired / wireless LAN.

[0080] The line communication unit 390 is capable of communicating with a telephone line and communicates with other devices via the telephone line. The line communication unit 390 is configured, for example, by an interface (terminal) into which a cable for connecting to a telephone line can be inserted.

[0081] [1.3 Processing flow] Next, the processing executed in the devices constituting the system 1 will be described with reference to Fig. 7 to Fig. 9. In the description of the processing flow, it is assumed that address information of users who will receive images is stored in advance in the address information storage area 176.

[0082] [1.3.1 Image communication equipment] The flow of processing in the image communication device 30 will be described with reference to Fig. 7. First, when a user performs a FAX transmission operation, the control unit 300 (FAX transmission / reception unit 302) uses facsimile communication to transmit the chat application ID, which is identification information, and an image selected by the user to a destination designated by the user (step S102; Yes → step S104). That is, the FAX transmission / reception unit 302 executes the FAX transmission process.

[0083] Here, when the G3 protocol is used for facsimile communication, the chat application ID is transmitted by being included in, for example, a transmitting subscriber identification (TSI). For example, in order to transmit the chat application ID, the FAX transmission / reception unit 302 reads out the chat application ID 3744 from the storage unit 370 before transmitting the FAX. Then, in step S104, the FAX transmission / reception unit 302 transmits a signal including the chat application ID 3744 via the network NW2 to the image communication device 30 that is the destination of the image. Note that the FAX transmission / reception unit 302 may transmit the name 3742, telephone number 3746, and FAX number 3748 stored in the storage unit 370 in addition to the chat application ID 3744 to the image communication device 30 that is the destination of the image.

[0084] When the FAX transmission / reception unit 302 executes the FAX reception process, the control unit 300 acquires the chat application ID transmitted using facsimile communication (step S106; Yes → step S108). For example, the control unit 300 acquires the chat application ID from the information transmitted as the transmitting terminal identification number by decoding the signal received by the FAX transmission / reception unit 302. Note that the control unit 300 may also acquire information such as the name, telephone number, and FAX number of the user who transmitted the image.

[0085] Next, the control unit 300 (the cooperative processing unit 304) transmits reception information to the server device 10 (step S110). The reception information is information indicating that a FAX has been received, and includes the following information:

[0086] (1) Received image file The received image file is the file of the received image received in step S106 by the FAX transmitting / receiving unit 302. The received image file is stored in the file storage area 372 when the FAX is received by the FAX transmitting / receiving unit 302, and therefore the cooperative processing unit 304 can obtain the file by reading out the stored file. (2) Information about the image communication device 30 that sent the image The information of the image communication device 30 that transmitted the image is the information received using facsimile communication in step S106. For example, the cooperation processing unit 304 includes the chat application ID acquired in step S108 in the received information as the information of the image communication device 30 that transmitted the image. Note that the cooperation processing unit 304 may also include the name, telephone number, and fax number of the image communication device 30 that transmitted the image in the received information.

[0087] In addition to the above information, the cooperation processing unit 304 includes the chat application ID of the user who uses the image communication device 30 that received the image, that is, the chat application ID 3744, in the received information.

[0088] Next, the control unit 300 (the cooperative processing unit 304) determines whether or not a FAX transmission instruction has been received from the server device 10 (step S112). In this embodiment, the FAX transmission instruction includes information about an image to be transmitted using facsimile communication and a destination of the image.

[0089] When an instruction to send a fax is received, the control unit 300 (the collaboration processing unit 304) sends the image included in the instruction to send a fax to the destination indicated by the destination information (e.g., a fax number) of the image included in the instruction to send a fax (step S112; Yes → step S114).

[0090] Next, the control unit 300 (the cooperative processing unit 304) acquires the result of the FAX transmission in step S114, and transmits the acquired result to the server device 10 (step S116).

[0091] For example, if the FAX transmission process in step S114 is completed normally, the cooperative processing unit 304 transmits information indicating normal completion as the result of the FAX transmission to the server device 10. On the other hand, if the FAX transmission process in step S114 is not completed normally, the cooperative processing unit 304 transmits information indicating abnormal completion as the result of the FAX transmission to the server device 10.

[0092] Note that a case where the fax transmission process does not end normally refers to a case where the fax transmission job does not end after a certain period of time has elapsed, or where fax transmission itself is impossible. A case where the fax transmission job does not end after a certain period of time has elapsed refers to, for example, a case where a large number of fax transmissions are reserved in the source image communication apparatus 30 or the destination image communication apparatus 30, or some kind of trouble has occurred, making it impossible to send or receive faxes. Furthermore, a case where fax transmission itself is impossible refers to a case where the telephone line to the destination is busy, or where information indicating an error / busy termination is received from the destination image communication apparatus 30.

[0093] That is, if a FAX transmission job is held up for a certain period of time, the cooperative processing unit 304 transmits information indicating abnormal termination as a result of the FAX transmission to the server device 10. Note that if the FAX transmission itself is impossible, the cooperative processing unit 304 may transmit information indicating abnormal termination to the server device 10 without waiting for the certain period of time to elapse.

[0094] [1.3.2 Server device] The flow of processing by the server device 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 8. First, the control unit 100 (the cooperation processing unit 104) determines whether or not reception information has been received from the image communication device 30 via the NW communication unit 180 (step S122).

[0095] When the received information is received, the control unit 100 (cooperation processing unit 104) stores the information of the image communication device 30 that transmitted the image, which is included in the received information, in the address information storage area 176 (step S122; Yes → step S124). Note that if information similar to the information of the image communication device 30 that transmitted the image is stored in the address information storage area 176, the cooperation processing unit 104 may skip the process in step S124 or may update the information to the information included in the received information.

[0096] Next, the control unit 100 (the cooperation processing unit 104) notifies the user of the image communication device 30 that has received the FAX of the reception of the image (step S126). For example, the cooperation processing unit 104 executes the following process.

[0097] (1) File storage The cooperative processing unit 104 stores the file (file of the received image) included in the received information in the file storage area 174. (2) Obtaining the destination of the message The cooperation processing unit 104 acquires, from the received information, the chat application ID of the user who uses the image communication device 30 that received the image. This enables the cooperation processing unit 104 to post a message addressed to the user who uses the image communication device 30 that received the image. (3) Creating and posting message information The collaboration processor 104 generates message information in which the sender is "CHATBOT", the destination is the chat application ID of the user using the image communication device 30 that received the image, and the message has the file stored in (1) attached. Note that the collaboration processor 104 may include in the message text indicating that the image has been received, or text indicating information about the received image (e.g., the name and fax number of the sender of the received image, the file name, the file size, the number of pages of the received image, etc.). The message may also include information for displaying a button that allows the user to select whether or not to reply.

[0098] Furthermore, the collaboration processor 104 posts the generated message information. In this embodiment, since the message information storage area 172 is secured in the storage unit 170, the collaboration processor 104 does not transmit the generated message information to another device, but simply stores the generated message information in the message information storage area 172.

[0099] The message information stored in this manner is acquired by the terminal device 20 corresponding to the user of the image communication device 30 that received the image. This allows the user of the image communication device 30 that received the image to confirm that the image has been received by looking at the terminal device 20.

[0100] Next, the control unit 100 (the cooperation processing unit 104) determines whether or not an instruction to reply by facsimile has been received from the terminal device 20 via the NW communication unit 180 (step S128). The instruction to reply by facsimile includes information that can identify the received image that is the target of the reply. The information that can identify the received image is, for example, information that identifies the message posted in step S126 (for example, information that can identify the message, such as a message ID), or information that identifies the file attached to the message posted in step S126 (for example, a file name). The instruction to reply by facsimile may be transmitted by a message, or may be transmitted by a predetermined command or an API (Application Programming Interface).

[0101] When an instruction to send a reply by facsimile is received from the terminal device 20, the control unit 100 (the cooperation processing unit 104) transmits an instruction to send a FAX to the image communication device 30 (step S128; Yes→step S130). Specifically, the cooperation processing unit 104 executes the following process. (1) Generate a reply image Based on information that can identify the received image to be returned, the collaboration processor 104 reads a file storing the received image to be returned from the file storage area 174. Then, the collaboration processor 104 generates a reply image based on the read file. The reply image is, for example, an image of the first page of the received image to which text indicating that the received image has been received has been added. (2) Acquire the destination of the reply image The collaboration processor 104 acquires the destination of the reply image, i.e., information (e.g., a fax number) of the image communication device 30 used by the user to send the received image, based on the reception information received in step S122 and including the file of the received image to be returned. If a fax number is included in the reception information received in step S122, the collaboration processor 104 acquires the fax number. If the reception information received in step S122 includes the chat application ID of the user who sent the received image, the collaboration processor 104 reads out address information in which the chat application ID is stored from the address information storage area 176. Then, the collaboration processor 104 acquires the fax number stored in the read address information.

[0102] The collaboration processor 104 may read, from the message information storage area 172, message information of a message to which a received image identified from information capable of identifying the received image to be returned is attached, and acquire a reply destination for the reply image based on the read message. In this case, if a fax number is included in the message stored in the read message information, the collaboration processor 104 acquires the fax number as the destination for the reply image. If the message includes the name of a sender, the collaboration processor 104 may read address information including the sender's name from the address information storage area 176, and acquire the fax number stored in the read address information as the destination for the reply image. (3) Acquisition of destination of fax sending instructions The cooperation processing unit 104 reads out the address information in which the chat application ID acquired in step S126 is stored from the address information storage area 176, and acquires the address of the image communication device 30 stored in the read address information. This identifies the image communication device 30 that is the destination of the FAX transmission. (4) Sending instructions for sending faxes The collaboration processing unit 104 transmits a fax transmission instruction, including the reply image generated in (1) and the destination information of the reply image obtained in (2), to the image communication device 30 identified by the address obtained in (3) via the NW communication unit 180.

[0103] The reply image included in the instruction to send a fax is transmitted by the fax transmission unit 302 of the image communication device 30 to the image communication device 30 that is the destination of the reply image, through the processing of step S114 shown in FIG.

[0104] Next, the control unit 100 (the cooperation processing unit 104) receives, via the NW communication unit 180, from the image communication apparatus 30, the result of the FAX transmission based on the instruction to return by facsimile transmitted in step S130 (step S132).

[0105] Next, the control unit 100 (the cooperative processing unit 104) determines whether the result of the FAX transmission received in step S132 is information indicating normal completion (step S134).

[0106] If the result of the FAX transmission is not normal completion, the control unit 100 (the cooperation processing unit 104) posts a message to the user of the image communication device 30 that received the image from the server device 10, inquiring whether or not to reply with a message (step S134; No → step S136). The message posted in step S136 may include information for displaying a button that allows the user to select whether or not to reply with a message. Note that in step S136, similar to step S126, the cooperation processing unit 104 generates message information including a message inquiring whether or not to reply with a message, and stores the generated message information in the message information storage area 172.

[0107] Next, the control unit 100 (the cooperation processing unit 104) determines whether or not an instruction to reply by message has been received from the terminal device 20 via the NW communication unit 180 (step S138). Note that the instruction to reply by message may be transmitted by message, similar to the instruction to reply by facsimile in step S128, or may be transmitted by a predetermined command or API.

[0108] When an instruction to reply by message is received, the control unit 100 (the cooperation processing unit 104) posts a message (a reply message) including a reply image to the user who sent the received image from the server device 10 (step S138; Yes→step S140). For example, the cooperation processing unit 104 executes the following process. (1) Generate a reply image Similar to the process in step S130, the collaboration processor 104 reads out a file storing the received image to be returned from the file storage area 174. The collaboration processor 104 then reduces the image of the first page of the read file to generate a reply image. Note that the collaboration processor 104 may also use an image in which an image such as a character string or stamp indicating receipt has been superimposed on the received image to be returned as the reply image. (2) Obtaining the destination of the message The cooperation processing unit 104 acquires the chat application ID of the user who sent the received image from the reception information received in step S122. (3) Creating and posting a reply message The collaboration processing unit 104 generates message information for a message (reply message) with the chat application ID acquired in (2) as the destination and with the reply image generated in (1) attached, and stores (posts) it in the message information storage area 172.

[0109] The message information stored in the message information storage area 172 by the above-described process is acquired by the terminal device 20 of the user who sent the received image. This allows the user who sent the received image to know, via the message, the received image and that the received image has been received (accepted) by the destination user.

[0110] In addition, if the FAX transmission is completed successfully in step S134, the collaboration processing unit 104 may post a message indicating that the facsimile reply has been completed to the user who sent the instruction to reply by facsimile from the server device 10 (step S134; Yes).

[0111] 1.3.3 Terminal Devices The flow of processing in the terminal device 20 will be described with reference to Fig. 9. First, the control unit 200 (message acquisition unit 202) acquires a message (step S182). Then, the control unit 200 (timeline display control unit 206) displays the acquired message on the timeline (step S184). As a result, the message posted by the execution of the processing of the server device 10 shown in Fig. 8 is displayed on the display unit 240.

[0112] The message displayed on the display unit 240 is the following message. (1) Message notifying you of the receipt of the image This message is posted by executing the process of step S126 in FIG. (2) A message asking whether you want to reply by message This message is posted by executing the process of step S136 in FIG. (3) Messages containing reply images This is a reply message posted by executing the process of step S140 in FIG.

[0113] Of these, the messages shown in (1) and (2) are displayed on the terminal device 20 used by the user (first user) who received the received image. On the other hand, the reply message shown in (3) is displayed on the terminal device 20 used by the user (second user) who sent the received image. The reply image attached to the reply message is displayed on the timeline by the timeline display control unit 206.

[0114] Next, the control unit 200 determines whether or not the user has instructed to reply by facsimile (step S186). For example, in step S184, the timeline display control unit 206 displays a button indicating that a reply by facsimile will be sent, along with a message notifying the user of the reception of the image. At this time, if the button indicating that a reply by facsimile will be sent is selected, the control unit 200 determines that the user has instructed to reply by facsimile.

[0115] If an instruction to reply by facsimile is given, the control unit 200 transmits an instruction to reply by facsimile to the server device 10 via the NW communication unit 280 (step S186; Yes -> step S188). At this time, the control unit 200 transmits to the server device 10, together with the instruction to reply by facsimile, information capable of identifying the received image to be replied to (for example, a message ID or the file name of the file attached to the message). If a reply by facsimile cannot be sent, the server device 10 executes step S136 of the main processing shown in FIG. 8 to post a message inquiring whether or not to reply by message. In this case, in step S184, the timeline display control unit 206 displays a button indicating that a reply by message will be sent together with the message inquiring whether or not to reply by message.

[0116] Next, the control unit 200 determines whether or not the user has instructed to reply with a message (step S190). For example, when a button indicating that a reply with a message is to be made displayed on the timeline is selected, the control unit 200 determines that the user has instructed to reply with a message.

[0117] If an operation to reply with a message is performed, the control unit 200 transmits an instruction to reply with a message to the server device 10 via the NW communication unit 280 (step S190; Yes→step S192).

[0118] [1.4 Example of operation] An operation example of this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 10. In the description of the operation example, the user who first transmits an image will be referred to as the second user, and the user who receives the image will be referred to as the first user. Hereinafter, the operation example will be described in the order of the numbers shown in Fig. 10.

[0119] (1) Sending an image and chat app ID First, the second user transmits an image to the first user using the image communication device 30b (recipient device), which is the second communication device used by the second user. At this time, the image communication device 30b used by the second user transmits image data of the scanned image and the chat application ID to the image communication device 30a, which is the first communication device used by the first user, by facsimile communication.

[0120] (2) Transmission of received information The image communication device 30a (own device) transmits the received image file, the chat application ID of the second user, and the chat application ID of the first user to the server device 10 as reception information.

[0121] (3) Memory of address information The server device 10 stores in the address information storage area 176 the address information including the chat application ID of the second user contained in the received reception information.

[0122] (4) Posting a message The server device 10 posts a message to the first user notifying the first user of the reception of the image from the server device 10. The terminal device 20a (first terminal device) used by the first user receives the message and displays it on the timeline.

[0123] A display screen W100 will be described when a message indicating reception of an image is displayed on the timeline. As shown in display screen W100 in FIG. 10, a message M100 notifying reception of an image and a message M102 including the received image are displayed on the timeline. The user can check the received image by looking at message M102. Also, a button for selecting whether or not to reply by facsimile is displayed below message M102. The user can instruct a reply by facsimile to the received image by selecting button B100 for replying by facsimile.

[0124] (5) Sending instructions for replying by facsimile; (6) Sending instructions for sending a facsimile. When the button B100 is selected, the terminal device 20a transmits an instruction to send a reply by facsimile to the server device 10. The server device 10 transmits an instruction to send a FAX to the image communication device 30a used by the first user. The instruction to send a FAX includes a reply image.

[0125] (7) Fax transmission, (8) Abnormality detection, (9) Transmission result transmission The image communication device 30a transmits the reply image by fax based on the instruction to transmit the fax. If the image communication device 30a detects that the fax transmission has not ended normally, the image communication device 30a transmits information indicating the abnormal end of the fax transmission to the server device 10 as a result of the fax transmission.

[0126] (10) Posting a message inquiring whether or not to reply by message The server device 10 posts a message to the first user inquiring whether or not to reply with a message from the server device 10. The terminal device 20a used by the first user receives the message and displays it on the timeline.

[0127] A display screen W110 will be described when a message inquiring whether to reply by message is displayed on the timeline. As shown on the display screen W110 in FIG. 10, a message M110 is displayed on the timeline, notifying the user that the reply by facsimile has not yet been completed and including an inquiry as to whether to reply using a chat application (message). By viewing the message M110, the user can confirm that the reply by facsimile has not yet been completed. In addition, a button for selecting whether to reply by message is displayed on the message M110. The user can instruct to reply by message by selecting the button B110 for replying by message.

[0128] (11) Sending reply instructions by message When the button B110 is selected, the terminal device 20a transmits to the server device 10 an instruction to reply with a message.

[0129] (12) Posting a message Based on the instruction to reply by message, the server device 10 posts a message (reply message) including a reply image to the second user from the server device 10. The terminal device 20b (second terminal device) used by the second user acquires the reply message and displays it on the timeline.

[0130] When a reply by a message is instructed, a display screen W120 that is displayed on the display unit 240 of the terminal device 20b used by the second user will be described. As shown on the display screen W120 in Fig. 10, a message M120 including a reply image E120 is displayed on the timeline. By viewing the message M120, the second user can confirm that the image has been received by the first user.

[0131] In the present embodiment, the reply image is described as being generated by the server device 10, but it may be generated by the terminal device 20 or the image communication device 30. The device that generates the reply image may be determined depending on, for example, the capabilities of each device, the content of the service provided by the server device 10, and the capabilities of the chat application.

[0132] For example, when terminal device 20 generates a reply image, in step S188 of Fig. 9, when transmitting an instruction to reply by facsimile to server device 10, control unit 200 generates the reply image based on a file attached to a message notifying reception of the image. Then, control unit 200 may include the generated reply image in the instruction to reply by facsimile and transmit it to server device 10. In this case, when control unit 200 executes the process of step S192 of Fig. 9, control unit 200 may transmit the reply image generated in step S188 to server device 10 together with the instruction to reply by message.

[0133] Furthermore, when the terminal device 20 generates a reply image, if the user instructs the terminal device 20 to reply with a message, the terminal device 20 may post a message addressed to the user who sent the received image. Specifically, in step S126, the server device 10 also transmits the chat application ID included in the received information received in step S122 to the terminal device 20. The chat application ID may be transmitted from the server device 10 to the terminal device 20 either as part of the message or separately from the message. When the user instructs the terminal device 20 to reply with a message, the terminal device 20 posts a reply message. Specifically, the chat application ID received from the server device 10 is set as the destination, the chat application ID of the user using the terminal device 20 is set as the source, and message information of a message to which a reply image is attached is transmitted to the server device 10. Even in this case, the message to which the reply image is attached is received by the terminal device 20 used by the user who sent the received image, and the reply image is displayed by the terminal device 20.

[0134] 8, the cooperation processing unit 104 of the server device 10 includes information capable of identifying the received image to be returned in the instruction for FAX transmission and transmits the FAX in step S114. The cooperation processing unit 304 of the image communication device 30 reads out a file corresponding to the information capable of identifying the received image from the file storage area 372. The cooperation processing unit 304 then generates the reply image based on the read image.

[0135] In addition, in the present embodiment, the server device 10 has been described as providing the chat service and the linked service, but the chat service and the linked service may be executed on different servers, or may be executed as separate services. For example, the provider of the system 1 may provide only the linked service and use an existing service for the chat service. Even in this case, the link processing unit 104 behaves as a chatbot in the chat service. Therefore, instructions from the user can be received via messages between the terminal device 20 and the server device 10 via the chat service.

[0136] In the present embodiment, the image communication device, which is the second communication device, transmits the chat application ID along with the image, and the image communication device, which is the first communication device that receives the image, acquires the chat application ID of the user who sent the image. However, other methods may be used to acquire the chat application ID of the user who sent the image. For example, the terminal device 20 may store an address book in which chat application IDs, names, telephone numbers, and fax numbers of other users are registered, and the address information stored in the server device 10 may be linked to the address book stored in the terminal device 20. In this case, the server device 10 may identify the corresponding chat application ID from the name and fax number of the user who sent the image. Alternatively, registration information of the chat application (e.g., chat application ID, name, fax number, etc.) may be stored in advance as address information, and the server device 10 may identify the corresponding chat application ID from the name and fax number of the user who sent the image.

[0137] In addition, in this embodiment, if a reply by fax cannot be sent, the user is asked whether or not to reply by message, but a process may be executed automatically without asking the user whether or not to reply by message.

[0138] In addition, in this embodiment, the image communication device 30 is described as being equipped with a collaboration processing unit 304, but the image communication device 30 may not be equipped with a collaboration processing unit 304, and a separate device (collaboration device) capable of executing the processing performed by the collaboration processing unit 304 may be provided.

[0139] In this case, the image communication device 30 communicates with the linked device and performs the same processing as that described in the present embodiment. For example, when the image communication device 30 receives an image, it transmits information about the received image to the linked device. The linked device then transmits reception information based on the received image to the server device 10. Furthermore, when the linked device receives an instruction to send a reply by facsimile from the server device 10, it controls the image communication device 30 to send a fax based on the instruction to send a reply by facsimile, and obtains the results of the fax transmission from the image communication device 30.

[0140] According to this embodiment, when a user issues a fax reply instruction via a chat application, the user can send a reply message even if a problem occurs on the image communication device side, such as the job being held up for a certain period of time. Therefore, when a fax reply instruction is issued from a chat application, if the fax transmission job does not end for some reason for a certain period of time, a reply indicating that the image has been received can be sent to the other party's chat application.

[0141] [2. Second Embodiment] Next, a second embodiment will be described. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the image communication device has a function of acquiring and posting messages. In this embodiment, FIG. 2 of the first embodiment is replaced with FIG. 11, FIG. 6 of the first embodiment with FIG. 12, and FIG. 7 of the first embodiment with FIG. 13. Note that the same functional units and processes are assigned the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0142] In the system of this embodiment, in the system 1 shown in FIG. 1, the server device 10 is replaced with the server device 12 shown in FIG. 11, and the image communication device 30 is replaced with the image communication device 32 shown in FIG.

[0143] The functional configuration of server device 12 in this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 11. Unlike server device 10, server device 12 does not include a link processing unit 104 in its control unit 100. In addition, storage unit 170 has a registration information storage area 178 for storing registration information such as a chat application ID of a user of the chat service and information about the user (for example, user attribute information such as a user name, and authentication information such as an account name and password). That is, server device 12 in this embodiment provides only a chat service.

[0144] The functional configuration of the image communication device 32 in this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 12. Unlike the image communication device 30, the image communication device 32 further includes a message acquisition unit 308 and a message posting unit 310 in the control unit 300. In addition, an address information storage area 376 is allocated in the storage unit 370, and a host chat application ID 378 is stored therein.

[0145] In this embodiment, the image communication device 32 behaves as a chatbot (Bot). Therefore, a chat application ID for exchanging messages with the image communication device 32 is set in advance in the image communication device 32 and is stored as the own device chat application ID 378.

[0146] The message acquisition unit 308 acquires a message addressed to the image communication apparatus 32 from the server apparatus 12 via the NW communication unit 380. The message acquisition unit 308 executes the same processing as the message acquisition unit 202.

[0147] The message posting unit 310 generates message information including a message for a user of the image communication device 32 , and posts the generated message information via the NW communication unit 380 .

[0148] The processing flow in this embodiment will be described. Note that in this embodiment, the processing flow of the terminal device 20 is the same as that in the first embodiment shown in Fig. 9. Also, the server device 12 executes the processing executed by the message processing unit 102 described in the first embodiment.

[0149] Next, the processing flow of the image communication device 32 in this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 13. In this embodiment, when the FAX transmission / reception unit 302 executes the FAX reception process in step S106, the control unit 300 stores the address information (step S106; Yes → step S202). For example, the control unit 300 stores the address information, including information such as the name, chat application ID, FAX number, and telephone number transmitted by facsimile communication, in the address information storage area 376.

[0150] Next, the control unit 300 notifies the user of the image communication device 30 that has received the FAX of the reception of the image (step S204). For example, the message posting unit 310 posts a message from the image communication device 30 to the user of the image communication device 30, with the file of the received image received in step S106 attached.

[0151] Furthermore, when the control unit 300 receives an instruction to send a reply by facsimile from the terminal device 20, it sends a facsimile based on the received instruction to send a reply by facsimile (step S206; Yes -> step S208). For example, the control unit 300 reads out the received image to be sent as a reply, which is included in the instruction to send a reply by facsimile, from the file storage area 372, based on information that can identify the received image to be sent as a reply, which is included in the instruction to send a reply by facsimile. Then, the control unit 300 generates a reply image based on the read image data. Furthermore, based on the information of the image communication device 30 that sent the received image, which was obtained in step S106, it obtains information on the destination of the reply image. The facsimile sending / receiving unit 302 sends the reply image by facsimile based on the information on the destination of the reply image.

[0152] Next, the control unit 300 determines whether the FAX transmission has been completed successfully (step S210). If the FAX transmission has not been completed successfully, the control unit 300 (message posting unit 310) posts a message from the image communication device 30 to the user of the image communication device 30, asking the user to reply by message (step S210; No -> step S212).

[0153] Next, the control unit 300 determines whether or not an instruction to reply with a message has been received from the terminal device 20 (step S214). If an instruction to reply with a message has been received, the control unit 300 (message posting unit 310) posts a message including a reply image (step S214; Yes → step S216). For example, the message posting unit 310 generates a reply image based on the received image read out in step S208. Furthermore, the message posting unit 310 acquires the chat application ID received in step S106, i.e., the chat application ID of the user who sent the received image. The message posting unit 310 posts a message including the reply image from the image communication device 30 to the user who sent the received image.

[0154] Through the above-described processing, a user who receives an image can send a message including a reply image based on the received image to the user who sent the image, even if the user is unable to send a reply image via facsimile communication.

[0155] According to this embodiment, when a user receives an image by facsimile communication, the user can reply with a message using an existing chat service.

[0156] 3. Third Embodiment Next, a third embodiment will be described. The third embodiment is an embodiment in which a user who replies with a receipt in a chat app can select whether or not to reply using the chat app. This embodiment can be applied to both the first and second embodiments, but a case in which it is applied to the first embodiment will be described. In the description of this embodiment, a user who receives a received image will be referred to as a first user, and a user who sends the received image will be referred to as a second user.

[0157] 8, when an instruction to reply by facsimile is received, the control unit 100 determines whether or not the chat application ID of the second user is stored in the address information storage area 176. In this embodiment, even when the control unit 100 receives an instruction to reply by facsimile, it does not send an instruction to send a fax to the image communication device 30, but sends an instruction to send a fax to the image communication device 30 when it receives an instruction to execute a reply by facsimile, which will be described later.

[0158] If the chat application ID of the second user is stored, the control unit 100 (the collaboration processing unit 104) posts a message from the server device 10 to the first user, prompting the first user to select either a reply method by facsimile or a reply by message.

[0159] The control unit 200 of the terminal device 20 transmits information indicating the reply method selected by the first user to the server device 10 via the NW communication unit 280. Specifically, if the user selects to reply by facsimile, the control unit 200 transmits an instruction to the server device 10 to execute the reply by facsimile. On the other hand, if the user selects to reply by message, the control unit 200 transmits an instruction to the server device 10 to execute the reply by message.

[0160] When the control unit 100 (the collaboration processing unit 104) receives an instruction to send a reply by facsimile from the terminal device 20, the control unit 100 (the collaboration processing unit 104) executes a process of sending an instruction to send a FAX to the image communication device 30 (step S130 in FIG. 8). On the other hand, when the control unit 100 (the collaboration processing unit 104) receives an instruction to reply by message from the terminal device 20, the control unit 100 (the collaboration processing unit 104) executes a process of posting a message including a reply image from the server device 10 to the second user (step S140 in FIG. 8).

[0161] By executing the above-described process, the first user can select whether to reply by facsimile or by message to the second user who is able to reply by message.

[0162] If the chat application ID of the second user is not stored, for example, the control unit 100 (the collaboration processing unit 104) may post a message from the server device 10 to the first user inquiring whether or not to send a reply by facsimile.

[0163] An example of operation in this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 14. Display screen W300 shown in Fig. 14 is a diagram showing a timeline displayed on terminal device 20a used by a first user. Display screen W300 in Fig. 14 is a diagram similar to display screen W100 shown in Fig. 10.

[0164] When the user selects the button B300 for replying by facsimile, the terminal device 20a transmits an instruction to reply by facsimile to the server device 10 ((5) in FIG. 14). The server device 10 determines whether the chat application ID of the second user is stored in the address information storage area 176 ((5a) in FIG. 14), and posts a message based on the determination ((5b) in FIG. 14).

[0165] If the chat application ID of the second user is stored in the server device 10, when the first user selects the button B300 for replying by facsimile, a display screen W310 is displayed showing a timeline including a message M310 for selecting a reply method.

[0166] The user can select either a button B310 for replying by message or a button B312 for instructing execution of a reply by facsimile.

[0167] When the user selects the button B310 for replying with a message, an instruction to reply with a message is transmitted from the terminal device 20a to the server device 10 ((11) in FIG. 14). As a result, a message including a reply image is transmitted from the server device 10 to the second user ((12) in FIG. 14).

[0168] When the user selects the button B312 to instruct the execution of a reply by facsimile, the terminal device 20a transmits an instruction to the server device 10 to execute a reply by facsimile ((5c) in FIG. 14). Based on the instruction to execute a reply by facsimile, the server device 10 transmits a request for FAX transmission to the image communication device 30a ((6) in FIG. 14). This allows the image communication device 30a to transmit a reply image to the image communication device 30b using facsimile communication.

[0169] 13, when an instruction to reply by facsimile is received from the user, the control unit 300 of the image communication device 30 determines whether or not the chat application ID of the second user is stored in the address information storage area 376. If the chat application ID of the second user is stored, the message posting unit 310 posts a message from the image communication device 30 to the first user, prompting the first user to select either a reply method, either by facsimile or by message.

[0170] If the first user selects to reply by facsimile, the control unit 300 executes the process of step S208 in Fig. 13. On the other hand, if the user selects to reply by message, the control unit 300 executes step S216 in Fig. 13.

[0171] According to this embodiment, when replying to a received image, if the user does not wish to reply by facsimile, the user can reply by message.

[0172] [4. Fourth Embodiment] Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. The fourth embodiment is an embodiment in which a user who replies with receipt in a chat application can select whether or not to reply using the chat application without instructing the image communication apparatus to send a FAX. This embodiment can be applied to both the first and second embodiments, but the case where it is applied to the first embodiment will be described. In the description of this embodiment, a user who receives a received image will be referred to as a first user, and a user who sends the received image will be referred to as a second user.

[0173] 8, the control unit 100 determines whether or not the chat application ID of the second user is stored in the address information storage area 176. If the chat application ID of the second user is stored in the address information storage area 176, the control unit 100 (the collaboration processing unit 104) further posts a message from the server device 10 to the first user, prompting the first user to select whether or not to reply by message.

[0174] If replying by message is selected, the control unit 100 of the server device 10 executes a process of posting a message including a reply image (step S140 in FIG. 8). If replying by message is not selected, the control unit 100 (the cooperation processing unit 104) may post a message from the server device 10 to the first user, prompting the user to select whether or not to reply by facsimile. Based on the selection made by the user, the control unit 100 may execute a process of transmitting a reply image by facsimile communication.

[0175] An example of operation in this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 15. After storing the address information, the server device 10 determines whether or not the chat application ID of the second user is stored in the address information storage area 176 ((3a) in Fig. 15). If the chat application ID is stored, the server device 10 posts a message ((4) in Fig. 15) from the server device 10 to the first user indicating that the FAX reception process has been executed, and a message ((4a) in Fig. 15) inquiring whether or not to reply by message.

[0176] Display screen W400 shown in Fig. 15 is a diagram showing a timeline displayed on terminal device 20a used by the first user. Display screen W400 in Fig. 15 displays messages M400 and M402 indicating that FAX reception processing has been executed, and message M404 inquiring whether to reply by message. Also displayed on the timeline are button B400 for instructing to reply by message and button B402 for instructing not to reply by message. When button B400 is selected by the user, server device 10 posts a message with a reply image attached, with the second user as the destination.

[0177] When this embodiment is applied to the second embodiment, the control unit 300 of the image communication device 32 stores the address information, and then determines whether the chat application ID of the second user is stored in the address information storage area 376. If the chat application ID of the second user is stored, the control unit 300 posts a message to the first user as the destination, inquiring whether to reply by message. The control unit 300 may send the reply by message or facsimile communication, based on the selection made by the user.

[0178] According to this embodiment, after the user confirms the message indicating that an image has been received, the user can directly instruct to send a reply message.

[0179] [5. Fifth Embodiment] Next, a fifth embodiment will be described. The fifth embodiment is an embodiment in which, when a reply to an acknowledgment is made using a chat app (message), the next time a reply to an acknowledgment is made, the reply to an acknowledgment can be made automatically using the chat app. In the description of this embodiment, a user who receives a received image will be referred to as a first user, and a user who sends the received image will be referred to as a second user.

[0180] This embodiment can be applied to both the first and second embodiments. In this embodiment, information indicating whether the user has instructed a reply by message is stored in one of the server device 10, the terminal device 20, and the image communication device 32, and the following process is executed.

[0181] (1) When the control unit 100 (collaboration processing unit 104) of the server device 10 receives reception information from the image communication device 32, it further determines whether information indicating that the user has instructed the user to reply with a message is stored. If information indicating that the user has instructed the user to reply with a message is stored, the control unit 100 (collaboration processing unit 104) posts a message including a reply image from the server device 10 to the second user. In addition, the control unit 100 (collaboration processing unit 104) posts a message from the server device 10 to the first user indicating that the user has replied with a message.

[0182] (2) When the control unit 100 of the terminal device 20 receives a message notifying the reception of an image, the control unit 100 further determines whether information indicating that the user has instructed the user to reply with a message is stored. If information indicating that the user has instructed the user to reply with a message is stored, the control unit 100 transmits an instruction to reply with a message to the server device 10. Furthermore, the control unit 100 (timeline display control unit 206) displays a message on the timeline indicating that the user has replied with a message.

[0183] (3) When the image communication device 32 executes the FAX reception process, it determines whether or not it stores information indicating that the user of the image communication device 32 that received the image has instructed the image communication device 32 to reply with a message. If the information indicating that the user has instructed the image communication device 32 to reply with a message is stored, the control unit 300 (message posting unit 310) posts a message including a reply image from the image communication device 32 to the second user. The control unit 300 (message posting unit 310) also posts a message from the image communication device 32 to the first user indicating that a message reply has been sent.

[0184] By executing the above-described process, the message including the reply image is acquired and displayed by the terminal device 20b used by the second user, and a message indicating that the message including the reply image has been posted is acquired and displayed by the terminal device 20a used by the first user.

[0185] An example of operation in this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 16. The display screen W500 shown in Fig. 16 is a diagram showing a timeline displayed on the terminal device 20a used by the first user. It is assumed that the first user has previously sent a reply acknowledging receipt using a chat app.

[0186] 16 displays messages M500 and M502 indicating that the fax reception process has been executed, and message M504 indicating that a reply acknowledging receipt has been automatically sent using a chat app. By checking message M504, the user can confirm that a reply message has been sent.

[0187] Note that the user may be able to set whether or not to automatically send a reply of receipt using a chat application (message).

[0188] According to this embodiment, the user does not need to perform an operation to reply by a message, and can automatically reply by a message.

[0189] [6. Sixth Embodiment] Next, a sixth embodiment will be described. The sixth embodiment is an embodiment that makes it possible to notify a user who has sent an image of additional information such as service information. This embodiment can be applied to both the first and second embodiments, but the case where it is applied to the first embodiment will be described. In the description of this embodiment, a user who has received a received image will be referred to as a first user, and a user who has sent the received image will be referred to as a second user.

[0190] In this embodiment, the server device 10 stores in the memory unit 170, for each user who uses the linked service, a setting (service information notification) indicating whether or not to send a message including service information to the user who sent the image, and the content of the notification.

[0191] In addition, after sending a reply to the second user, the control unit 100 determines whether the first user has service information notification turned on and whether the chat application ID of the second user is stored in the address information storage area 176.

[0192] When the service information notification of the first user is ON and the chat application ID of the second user is stored in the address information storage area 176, the server device 10 prompts the first user to select whether or not to notify the second user of the service information. Specifically, the control unit 100 (the cooperation processing unit 104) posts a message from the server device 10 to the first user inquiring whether or not to notify the second user of the service information. When the first user selects to notify the service information, the control unit 100 (the cooperation processing unit 104) posts a message including the service information from the server device 10 to the second user. The message including the service information, including a reply image, is acquired and displayed by the terminal device 20b used by the second user.

[0193] By performing such processing, the chat application ID of the second user transmitted and received by facsimile communication can be used for sending service information in addition to sending a reply.

[0194] An example of operation in this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 17. Display screen W600 shown in Fig. 17 is a diagram showing a timeline displayed on terminal device 20a used by a first user. Display screen W600 in Fig. 17 displays button B600 for instructing a reply with a message, and when button B600 is selected by the user, a reply to the second user is sent ((5) to (7) in Fig. 17).

[0195] When the setting for service information notification is ON and the chat application ID of the second user is stored in the server device 10, a message M610 prompting the user to select whether or not to notify the service information is displayed on the timeline, as shown on display screen W610 in Fig. 17. When the first user selects button B610 indicating that the service information should be notified, an instruction to notify the service information is transmitted from terminal device 20a to server device 10 ((14) in Fig. 17).

[0196] When the server device 10 receives the instruction to notify the second user of the service information, the server device 10 posts a message including the service information to the second user. The message is acquired by the terminal device 20b used by the second user as a message including a reply image and displayed ((15) in FIG. 17).

[0197] For example, as shown on a display screen W620 in Fig. 17, a message M620 including service information is displayed on the timeline on the display unit 240 of the terminal device 20b used by the second user. The second user can learn the service information by checking the message M620.

[0198] It should be noted that the service information may be automatically notified to the second user when the service information notification is ON, without requiring the first user to select whether or not to transmit the service information.

[0199] The second user may be able to set in the chat app whether or not to receive service information and the like notified by the first user.

[0200] According to this embodiment, the first user can use the chat application ID of the second user to notify the second user of predetermined information in addition to a reply.

[0201] [7. Variations] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible. In other words, embodiments obtained by combining technical means that are appropriately modified within the scope of the gist of the present invention are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0202] Furthermore, although the above-described embodiments are described separately for the sake of convenience, they may of course be combined and executed within the scope of technical feasibility.

[0203] In addition, the programs that run on each device in the embodiments are programs that control the CPU, etc. (programs that make a computer function) so as to realize the functions of the above-described embodiments. Information handled by these devices is temporarily stored in a temporary storage device (e.g., RAM) during processing, and then stored in various storage devices such as ROMs (Read Only Memories) and HDDs, and is read, modified, and written by the CPU as needed.

[0204] Here, the recording medium for storing the program may be any of semiconductor media (e.g., ROM, non-volatile memory card, etc.), optical recording media / magneto-optical recording media (e.g., DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), MO (Magneto Optical Disc), MD (Mini Disc), CD (Compact Disc), BD (Blu-ray (registered trademark) Disc), etc.), magnetic recording media (e.g., magnetic tape, flexible disk, etc.), etc. Furthermore, not only are the functions of the above-described embodiments realized by executing the loaded program, but the functions of the present invention may also be realized by processing in cooperation with an operating system or other application programs, etc., based on instructions from the program.

[0205] Furthermore, when distributing the program on the market, the program can be stored in a portable recording medium and distributed, or transferred to a server computer connected via a network such as the Internet. In this case, the storage device of the server computer is of course included in the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0206] 1 System 10, 12 Server device 100 control section 102 Message processing unit 104 Collaboration processing unit 170 Storage section 172 Message information storage area 174 File Storage 176 Address information storage area 178 Registration information storage area 180 Network Communications Department 20 Terminal equipment 200 control section 202 Message Acquisition Unit 204 Message Submission Section 206 Timeline display control section 240 Display section 250 Operation section 270 Storage section 272 Chat Apps 274 Message information storage area 276 File Storage 280 Network Communications Department 30, 32 Image communication equipment 300 control section 302 Fax sending and receiving unit 304 Collaboration Processing Unit 306 Image Processing Unit 308 Message Acquisition Unit 310 Message Submission Section 320 Image reading unit 330 Image forming unit 340 Display section 350 Control unit 370 Storage section 372 File Storage 374 Address Information 3742 Name 3744 Chat App ID 3746 Phone Number 3748 Fax number 376 Address information storage area 378 Chat App ID 380 Network Communications Department 390 Line Communication Department

Claims

1. a server device; a first communication device; a second communication device; a first terminal device and a second terminal device A control method for a system in which when the first communication device receives a first image from the second communication device, the first communication device transmits predetermined information to the first terminal device via the server device; the first terminal device transmits a first instruction to the first communication device, the first instruction being an instruction to transmit a second image to the second communication device; the first communication device transmits the second image to the second communication device based on the first instruction; the first terminal device transmits to the first communication device a second instruction, the second instruction being an instruction to transmit a message input by a user to the second terminal device; the first communication device transmits the message to the second terminal device based on the second instruction; The first instruction and the second instruction are executed based on an operation of the user received via a user interface on a first application executed on the first terminal device. A control method comprising:

2. the first communication device receives the first image from the second communication device by a first communication method; the first communication device transmits the second image to the second communication device by the first communication method; 2. The control method according to claim 1, wherein the message is transmitted to the second terminal device by a second communication method different from the first communication method.

3. An image forming apparatus comprising a document reading device and a control unit, and capable of communicating with a communication device that transmits to another communication device via a first communication method and a terminal device, The control unit reading the document using the document reading device and storing the image as a file; when receiving a first image from the communication device by a first communication method, transmitting predetermined information to the terminal device by a second communication method; upon receiving an instruction to transmit a second image from the terminal device, transmitting the second image to the communication device by the first communication method; When an instruction to send a message input by a user is received from the terminal device, the message is sent to another terminal device different from the terminal device by the second communication method. An image forming apparatus characterized by:

4. The message includes text data.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3.

5. An image of a document read using the document reading device is transmitted as the second image to the communication device by the first communication method based on reception of an instruction from the terminal device.

4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3.

Images