JP2004056525A - Image reader - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image reader capable of coping very flexibly with problems such as fax transmission of a read original and charging for using a device for the fax transmission in the image reader having a charging function. <P>SOLUTION: When it is detected that a portable telephone set has been connected to a USB connector 180, a transmission control part 460 transmits to the portable telephone set original image data generated by an image reading part 120 as data for fax transmission as well as a fax application. A charge processing part 450 performs charging on the basis of processing of the image reading part 120 and contents, etc., of the transmitted fax application. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an image reading apparatus having a function of calculating a usage fee and charging.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, when a user walks in a city and recalls that a document must be faxed, the user goes to a station or a convenience store (hereinafter, referred to as a “convenience store”) and goes to those places. It was common to use an installed pay fax transmission device. In order to perform FAX transmission using this paid FAX transmission device, a document to be transmitted is set as a manuscript, coins are inserted, and the FAX number of the destination of the FAX transmission is input to perform FAX transmission.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the above-mentioned paid FAX transmission device cannot perform FAX transmission when a trouble (paper shortage, etc.) occurs in the output system of the destination device. After taking it, you have to go to a convenience store again, which is a waste of time. On the other hand, in a conventional pay fax transmission device, it is common that no charge is made unless fax transmission is possible. However, as a standpoint of installing a pay fax transmission device, a user contacts a destination or the like. As a result, if a fax is sent to another convenience store, a charging opportunity is lost. Further, there is a case where the transmitting party is often on a business trip and wants to transmit in a hurry to some extent, but does not immediately know the destination FAX number.
[0004]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and has been made in consideration of the facsimile transmission of a read original and the use of the facsimile transmission apparatus in an image reading apparatus having a function of charging a usage fee. An object of the present invention is to provide an image reading apparatus capable of extremely flexibly coping with a problem such as billing.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, an image reading apparatus according to the present invention is configured such that a document reading unit that reads a document image and generates document image data, a connection unit for connecting a mobile phone, and the connection unit. Mode setting means for setting a facsimile mode for performing a facsimile transmission via a mobile phone, and when the facsimile mode is set by the mode setting means, the content of the processing performed by the document reading means. And a fee calculating means for calculating a usage fee based on the usage fee.
[0006]
In this configuration, when the image data of the document read by the image reading device is transmitted by facsimile, the usage fee is calculated based on the content of the processing performed by the document reading unit. Thus, it is possible to flexibly calculate a fee according to the user and charge the user.
The image reading apparatus further includes a determination unit that determines whether the mobile phone connected by the connection unit has software necessary for fax transmission, and a determination that the mobile phone is not installed by the determination unit. In such a case, it is preferable to have a configuration having software transfer means for transmitting necessary software to the mobile phone. Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 10-304451 proposes a mobile phone equipped with such software, but it is preferable that a mobile phone without such software can also perform fax transmission.
[0007]
Here, it is preferable that the image reading apparatus further includes software determination means for determining the contents of software to be transmitted by the software transfer means based on information on a destination of facsimile transmission. This is because, for example, necessary software may differ depending on the function of the destination FAX (for example, G3 or G4). The information on the destination can be obtained by using the connected mobile phone, or can be obtained by communicating directly with the transmission destination from the image reading apparatus. Specifically, for example, it is conceivable to obtain the information in phase B (negotiation) of the FAX transmission control procedure.
[0008]
Further, the charge calculating means may calculate the usage charge by adding a charge calculated based on the content of the software transmitted by the software transfer means. More specifically, for example, it is conceivable to calculate the usage fee by adding the usage fee of the software calculated based on the functions and processing contents of the software to the usage fee of the image reading apparatus.
[0009]
Note that the FAX mode may include an immediate transmission mode in which FAX transmission is performed in a state where the mobile phone is connected, and a post-transmission mode in which FAX transmission is performed by the mobile phone alone after the mobile phone is disconnected. preferable. However, it is not always necessary to select the mode, and processing may always be performed in the post-transmission mode. Thereafter, in the transmission mode, FAX transmission data and necessary software are transferred to the mobile phone, and the FAX transmission is performed from the mobile phone even after the image reading apparatus is disconnected from the mobile phone. It is a mode that can be. In this case, it is also possible to specify the transmission destination again on the mobile phone side, and this is extremely useful when the transmission destination FAX number is not immediately known even though the transmission is desired to be performed in a hurry to some extent.
[0010]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of an image reading apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
(1) Configuration of image reading device and billing device
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a state in which a charging apparatus 200 is connected to a composite image forming apparatus (hereinafter, referred to as “MFP”) 100 including an image reading apparatus according to the present invention.
[0011]
MFP 100 includes an image reading unit and an image forming unit, and transmits the document image data obtained by reading the document by the image reading unit to a mobile phone connected to USB connector 180 using a predetermined connection cable or the like by fax transmission data. It is configured to be able to transmit as. Further, a charging device 200 is connected to the connector 170, and a fee can be charged according to a usage mode of the MFP 100 by a user.
[0012]
The billing device 200 has a coin slot 201, a return button 202, a return slot 203, and an inserted balance display unit 204. When the user inserts a coin through the coin slot 201, the inserted amount is displayed on the inserted balance display unit 204. When the user uses MFP 100, the user is charged according to the usage mode, and the amount of the input balance displayed on input balance display section 204 decreases. However, by pressing the return button 202 at an arbitrary timing, the user can receive a return of the amount displayed on the input balance display unit 204 from the return port 203.
[0013]
FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view showing the configuration of MFP 100. In the example of FIG. 1, the MFP 100 includes an automatic document feeder (ADF) 110, an image reading unit 120, and an image forming unit 130. In the ADF 110, the originals placed on the original placing tray 111 are sequentially conveyed onto an original glass 121 above the image reading unit 120, and the original is read by the image reading unit 120. Since the most detailed operation and the like are publicly known, detailed description will be omitted.
[0014]
The image reading unit 120 is a known unit that reads the original conveyed on the original glass 121 by moving the scanner 122, and converts the reflected light from the original into an electric signal by the CCD sensor 123 and controls the control unit 400. Send to Various image processing and the like are performed by the control unit 400, and document image data is generated. An image reading apparatus according to the present invention is mainly configured by the image reading section 120 and the control section 400 according to the present embodiment, and is connected to a charging apparatus via a connector 170 and to a mobile phone via a USB connector 180. Is as described above.
[0015]
If the original read by the image reading unit 120 is to be copied, the original image data is sent from the control unit 400 to the print control unit 131, and the print control unit 131 irradiates the surface of the photosensitive drum 132 with a laser beam. Then, the image is formed by the image forming unit 130. Since the operation of the image forming unit 130 is publicly known, a detailed description is omitted.
[0016]
(2) Configuration of control unit 400
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of the control unit 400 according to the present embodiment. The control unit 400 mainly includes a CPU and the like, acquires document image data from the image reading unit 120, and sends the document image data to the print control unit 131 and a mobile phone. The user can select the FAX mode or the copy mode from the operation panel 190. When the FAX mode is selected, the document image data is transmitted as FAX transmission data to the mobile phone connected to the USB connector 180. Further, the usage fee is calculated for the usage of the image reading unit 120 and the like, and is notified to the charging device 200 via the connector 170.
[0017]
The control unit 400 according to the present embodiment functionally includes a reading control unit 121, an image processing unit 410, an encoding unit 420, a FAX transmission data storage unit 430, a FAX application selection unit 440, a billing processing unit 450, and a transmission control unit. 460. Note that the figure does not necessarily correspond to the actual hardware configuration. For example, the read control unit 121 is configured to control the CPU that controls the image reading unit 120, the CPU that controls the operation panel 190, and controls the entire MFP. It is a general practice to provide a series of operations while separately providing CPUs and the like, and to perform a series of operations while performing communication between a plurality of CPUs, but the details are not shown in FIG. Further, although not specifically illustrated, hardware (for example, a USB controller or the like) which should normally be provided functionally will be described as having such hardware.
[0018]
The reading control unit 121 controls the image reading unit 120. That is, according to the notification from the ADF 110, the scanner 122 is operated in synchronization with the conveyance of the document, and the like, so that the image reading unit 120 reads the document image. The image processing unit 410 performs various known image processing on the electric signal from the CCD sensor 123 to generate document image data.
[0019]
Upon receiving an instruction from the transmission control unit 460, the encoding unit 420 encodes the document image data into an appropriate format by referring to, for example, information on the function of the device of the facsimile transmission destination. Data encoded for FAX transmission is temporarily stored in FAX transmission data storage section 430. The FAX application selection unit 440 is a software to be transmitted to the mobile phone when the mobile phone connected to the USB connector 180 does not have software required for FAX transmission (hereinafter, referred to as “FAX application”). Select Details of the FAX application will be described later.
[0020]
The charging processing unit 450 calculates the usage fee to be charged to the user based on the processing content of the reading control unit 121, the function of the FAX application selected by the FAX application selection unit 440, and the like. To the billing device 200 via the Internet. The transmission control unit 460 controls communication with the mobile phone via the USB connector 180 and performs other processing.
[0021]
(3) Processing contents of control unit 400
Next, specific processing contents of the control unit 400 will be described in detail.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the contents of the main routine of control unit 400. When the power of the MFP 100 is turned on, an initial setting process of the CPU and the like constituting the control unit 400 is performed, such as clearing the contents of the RAM and setting of various registers (S101). Then, the internal timer is started (S102), and it is first determined whether or not the user has selected the FAX mode (S103). When the FAX mode is not selected (when the copy mode or the like is selected) (S103: No), the process proceeds to another process (S107). In the present embodiment, processes such as copy control that are not related to FAX transmission are included in “other processes”.
[0022]
If the FAX mode has been selected (S103: Yes), a transmission mode selection process is performed (S104). The transmission mode selection process is a process of selecting a transmission mode for FAX transmission via a mobile phone. The “transmission mode” in the present embodiment includes an “immediate transmission mode” in which facsimile transmission of original image data is immediately performed in a state where a mobile phone is connected to the USB connector 180, and a mobile phone connected to the USB connector 180. After the original image data is transmitted to the telephone, and after the mobile telephone is detached from the USB connector 180, there are two types, a "post-transmission mode" in which the mobile telephone can perform FAX transmission by itself. The user selects one of the operation modes before reading a document for facsimile transmission.
[0023]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the details of the transmission mode selection process. In the transmission mode selection processing, first, it is determined whether or not a mobile phone is connected to the USB connector 180 (S201). When it is determined that the mobile phone is not connected (S201: No), a mobile phone connection request screen is displayed on the operation panel 190 (S202).
[0024]
FIG. 6 shows an example of the appearance of the operation panel 190. The operation panel 190 shown in the figure is provided with a numeric keypad 191, a stop key 192, a reset key 193, a start key 194, an adjustment key 195, a FAX mode selection key 196, a copy mode selection key 197, and a liquid crystal touch panel 198.
A stop key 192 is a key for stopping the operation of the MFP 100, and a reset key 193 is a key for returning the display of the liquid crystal touch panel 198 and the number of copies, etc., to their initial values. The start key 194 can be used when instructing the start of document reading or the like.
[0025]
The settlement key 195 is a key that transmits a predetermined signal to the charging device 200 and performs the same processing as when the return button 202 is pressed. The FAX mode selection key 196 is a key to be pressed when selecting the FAX mode. When the FAX mode is selected and the mobile phone is not connected, for example, a mobile phone as shown in FIG. A telephone connection request screen is displayed on liquid crystal touch panel 198.
[0026]
A copy mode selection key 197 is pressed to select a copy mode. When the copy mode is selected, a setting of the number of copies, a paper size, an image density, and the like are input to the liquid crystal touch panel 198. Is displayed.
When it is determined that the mobile phone is connected (S201: Yes), a transmission mode selection key is displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 198 (S203).
[0027]
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of the appearance of the transmission mode selection key displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 198. As shown in the figure, an immediate transmission mode selection key 1981 and a post-transmission mode selection key 1982 are displayed as transmission mode selection keys, and the user can select one of the transmission modes. If the post-transmission mode selection key 1982 is not selected (S204: No), the immediate transmission mode is set as the initial setting (S205), and if the post-transmission mode selection key 1982 is selected (S204: Yes). Is set to the post-transmission mode (S206). That is, in the present embodiment, when the FAX mode is simply selected, the immediate transmission mode is set as the initial setting, but the initial setting may be set to the post-transmission mode.
[0028]
As described above, when the transmission mode selection processing ends, the process returns to FIG. 4 and shifts to the FAX transmission processing (S104). 8 and 9 are flowcharts showing the details of the FAX transmission process. In the FAX transmission process, first, a transmission destination setting process is performed (S301).
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the details of the transmission destination setting process. In the transmission destination setting process, first, a transmission destination input input from the user via the operation panel 190 is received (S401). FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a transmission destination input screen displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 198. A FAX number display section 1983 and a keyboard display button 1984 are displayed on the transmission destination input screen, and the FAX number display section 1983 displays, for example, a FAX number or the like input using the ten keys 191. When the start key 194 is pressed in a state where the FAX number has been input, the operation of reading the original and transmitting the FAX via the mobile phone starts.
[0029]
On the other hand, when the keyboard display button 1984 is pressed, although not shown, a software keyboard is displayed on the liquid crystal touch panel 198, and the user can use it to input a mail address for IFAX transmission. . The input e-mail address is displayed on the FAX number display section 1983 as in FIG. 11, and when the start key 194 is pressed with the e-mail address input, reading of the original and transmission of the IFAX via the mobile phone are performed. Operation starts.
[0030]
In the present embodiment, control unit 400 determines whether fax transmission is normal FAX or IFAX based on whether or not the transmission destination input from operation panel 190 includes an alphabet. That is, it is determined whether or not the transmission destination received by pressing the start button 194 includes an alphabet (S402). If the transmission destination includes an alphabet (S402: Yes), the transmission destination is set to IFAX transmission (S403). In this case (S402: No), normal fax transmission is set (S404). These settings are referred to at any time in the facsimile transmission process or the like.
[0031]
When the transmission destination setting process ends, the process returns to the flowchart of FIG. 8 and the fax transmission process is continued. That is, first, it is determined whether or not the transmission is the IFAX transmission by referring to the above setting (S302). Hereinafter, the case of normal fax (S302: No) will be described in detail.
In the case of normal FAX, first, it is determined whether or not the transmission mode is set to the post-transmission mode (S303). If the transmission mode is not the post-transmission mode (S303: No), the image reading process is performed by the image reading unit 120 (S304) because the transmission mode is the immediate transmission mode. A connection process is performed (S305). This is a process corresponding to the phase A of the facsimile transmission control procedure, and is performed by giving an instruction from the transmission control unit 460 to the mobile phone. In the present embodiment, FAX transmission from MFP 100 is not performed, and FAX transmission is always performed via a mobile phone. That is, the present invention can be applied to an image reading apparatus having no FAX function.
[0032]
When the line is connected, negotiation is performed with the other party's fax machine (S306). This is a process corresponding to the phase B of the FAX transmission control procedure. With this process, the control unit 400 can obtain information on the resolution, compression ratio, recording paper width, image quality, and the like of the destination FAX device. By referring to these pieces of information, the encoding unit 420 performs appropriate encoding processing of the original image data, thereby generating image data corresponding to the destination FAX apparatus as FAX transmission data (S307), and The process proceeds to the selective transfer process (S308).
[0033]
The “FAX application” is software for causing the mobile phone to execute processing from phase C to phase E of the FAX transmission control procedure in the case of normal FAX (immediate transmission mode). Recently, a mobile phone equipped with such software has also been proposed, but there are still many types of mobile phones not equipped with the software. In the present embodiment, a mobile phone without a FAX application is used. By transmitting a FAX application when a telephone is connected, FAX transmission can be performed even when any mobile telephone is connected.
[0034]
In the case of the normal FAX (post-transmission mode), since it is necessary to perform line connection and negotiation with the other party using only the mobile phone, the FAX application including a function for executing the phases A and B of the FAX transmission control procedure is required. It is necessary to use the FAX application, and the FAX application to be used changes depending on the function of the destination FAX (G3, G4, super G3, etc.). It was made.
[0035]
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the details of the selective transfer process of the FAX application. In the process of FIG. 5, communication is first performed with a mobile phone connected via the USB connector 180, and information such as whether or not a FAX application is installed in the mobile phone is acquired (S501). . If the FAX application is installed in the mobile phone (S502: Yes), the FAX application need not be transmitted, so the FAX transmission data is transmitted to the mobile phone (S506), and the FAX application is selectively transferred. To end. On the other hand, if the mobile phone does not have the FAX application (S502: No), the transmission control unit 460 needs to transmit the FAX application to the mobile phone. From among the various FAX applications stored in the storage means, a FAX application suitable for the function (G3, G4, super G3, etc.) of the destination FAX device is selected (S503), and the selected FAX application is transferred to the mobile phone. (S504). It should be noted that, in the present embodiment, billing is also performed for the transmission of the FAX application, and thus the type, function, and the like of the transmitted FAX application are notified to the billing processing unit 450 (S505). The details of the process in which the billing processing section 450 performs billing in response to this notification will be described later. Finally, FAX transmission data is transmitted to the mobile phone (S506), and the FAX application selective transfer process ends.
[0036]
When the FAX application selective transfer process ends, the process returns to the flowchart of FIG. 8 and instructs the mobile phone to transmit FAX data (S309). This process is a process of sending a fax data transmission instruction from the transmission control unit 460 to the mobile phone via the USB connector 180. Upon receiving the instruction, the mobile phone activates the FAX application and performs the processing after the phase C of the normal FAX transmission.
[0037]
Here, an example of specific processing contents of the FAX application in the case of the normal FAX (immediate transmission mode) will be described. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the processing content of the FAX application. When the FAX application is activated, if the transmission mode is the immediate transmission mode, the line is already connected to the transmission destination in step S305 and the negotiation has been completed, so the FAX transmission data is transmitted to the transmission destination. Is started (S901). This corresponds to phase C of the FAX transmission control procedure.
[0038]
Then, the transmission of the FAX data is continued by the processing corresponding to the phase D of the FAX transmission control procedure (S902), and when the transmission is completed (S902: Yes), the line disconnection processing is performed (S903). This is the process of the phase E of the FAX transmission control procedure.
Returning to FIG. 8, the MFP 100 notifies the charging processing unit 450 of the image reading (S310). This is a process in which information such as the number of read documents is notified from the reading control unit 121 to the accounting unit 450. The accounting unit 450 calculates a fee according to the notified content, and notifies the accounting device 200 of the fee. I do.
[0039]
Next, in the flowchart of FIG. 8, a description will be given of the processing contents when the transmission mode after the normal FAX is selected. That is, if it is determined in step S303 of FIG. 3 that the transmission mode is the post-transmission mode (S303: Yes), a line connection process (S311) and a negotiation (S312) are first performed in order to acquire information on the destination fax machine. Do. These processes are the same as those in the case of the immediate transmission mode.
[0040]
In the case of the post-transmission mode, it is not necessary to perform the processing of the phase C and the phase D at this timing, so that when the negotiation is completed, the line disconnection processing is performed (S313). This is a process that was executed by the FAX application in the immediate transmission mode, but can be performed directly from the transmission control unit 460, and disconnecting the line early leads to a reduction in call charges. To disconnect the line. After that, image reading processing (S314), generation of FAX transmission data according to the destination FAX (S315), and FAX application selective transfer processing (S316) are performed. All of these processes can be considered as in the case of the immediate transmission mode. However, in the case of the post-transmission mode, the FAX transmission is often performed only by the mobile phone after being disconnected from the USB connector 180. Thus, in the process of selecting a FAX application (S503), a FAX application that can execute all the processes from phase A to phase E of the FAX transmission control procedure is selected.
[0041]
In the case of the post-transmission mode, the facsimile transmission data is transmitted to the mobile phone in step S506, and the process returns to FIG. 8 to notify the image reading (S310), and the facsimile transmission process ends. In the case of the post-transmission mode, the fax number of the destination is included in the data transmitted from the MFP 100, and the FAX application is activated on the mobile phone side when, for example, a button of a predetermined number is pressed. FAX transmission may be performed to the FAX number automatically set as described above, or a new FAX number may be input on the mobile phone side.
[0042]
Next, in the flowchart of FIG. 8, the processing content when IFAX is set (S302: Yes) will be described. In the case of IFAX, the flow shifts to the flowchart of FIG. 9, and first, an image reading process is executed by the image reading unit 120 (S317). Then, FAX transmission data for IFAX (simple mode) is generated (S318), and the FAX application is selectively transferred (S319).
[0043]
Note that the configuration of the present embodiment supports only the simple mode (RFC2305) IFAX, and does not support the full mode (RFC2532) IFAX. This is because IFAX performs FAX transmission using a mail function, and in the case of a normal FAX, it is not possible to obtain information on a function of a transmission destination, which can be obtained by negotiation. In the simple mode, the resolution, paper, and the like are determined by the standard, and are not affected by the function of the transmission destination. Therefore, in the present embodiment, only the simple mode is supported. However, if information about functions and the like is obtained by exchanging e-mails prepared in advance prior to IFAX transmission, it is possible to cope with the full mode.
[0044]
As an IFAX FAX application, an application that transfers an e-mail to an e-mail address set on the MFP 100 side is conceivable. Since transmission of IFAX may not be possible depending on the function of the mobile phone, in that case, a signal to that effect may be transmitted from the mobile phone to the MFP 100 and displayed on the operation panel 190.
[0045]
Thereafter, FAX transmission data (in the case of IFAX, generally, TIFF image data is in a format attached to a mail) is transmitted to the mobile phone (S506), and the selective transfer processing of the FAX application ends. Thereafter, returning to FIG. 9, if the post-transmission mode is selected (S320: Yes), the flow returns to the flowchart of FIG. 8 directly. (S321). Referring back to FIG.
[0046]
Finally, notification of image reading is performed (S310), and the FAX transmission process ends. In the present embodiment, notification of image reading to the billing processing unit 450 is performed at the end of the fax transmission processing. However, this processing may be performed when the image reading processing is completed.
When the facsimile transmission process is completed, the process returns to the flowchart of FIG. 4 to perform the charging process (S106). This billing process is a process of calculating a usage fee from the content notified to the billing processing unit 450 in the FAX transmission process and notifying the billing device 200 of the usage fee.
[0047]
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the details of the billing process.
In the charging process according to the present embodiment, the charging processing unit 450 determines whether or not an image reading notification has been received from the reading control unit 121 (S601). The charge is calculated (S602). For example, the reading fee can be calculated as 10 yen for each reading of the document by the image reading unit 120, and a discount can be provided for an increase in the number of documents. The method is not limited to the number of read sheets, and various methods such as charging based on the amount of transmitted data are possible.
[0048]
If the FAX mode has not been selected (S603: No), since the copy mode has been selected, a copy fee is calculated (S604). In this case, it is conceivable that after completion of the image forming process by the image forming unit 130, the cost is finally calculated to be 10 yen per one copy, but the present invention is not limited to this. is there.
[0049]
If the FAX mode is selected (S603: Yes), it is determined whether or not the FAX application transmission has been notified in the FAX application selective transfer process (S505) (S605). If there is (S605: Yes), the usage fee of the FAX application is determined (S606). In the present embodiment, a fee determined in advance based on the function of the selected FAX application and the like and stored in the storage unit (not shown) is acquired.
[0050]
Thereafter, a FAX fee is calculated from the image reading fee and the FAX application usage fee (S607). However, if the FAX application has not been transmitted, there is no need to consider the usage fee of the FAX application (S605: No).
Thereafter, the calculated fee is notified to the charging device 200 (S608), and the charging process ends. On the billing device 200 side, the notified fee is subtracted from the balance amount and displayed on the input balance display unit 204.
[0051]
Thereafter, returning to the flowchart of FIG. 4, other processes such as a copy process are performed (S107), and the end of the internal timer is waited (S108: Yes), and the process returns to step S102.
In the above embodiment, the detailed description of the mobile phone is omitted, but any mobile phone that can receive at least the FAX application and activate it can be connected to the image reading apparatus of the present invention. It is possible to use it.
[0052]
The programs used for implementing the present invention include, for example, magnetic disks such as magnetic tapes and flexible disks, optical recording media such as DVDs, CD-ROMs, CD-Rs, MOs, PDs, and the like, Smart Media (registered trademark), COMPACTFLASH ( (Registered trademark) or other various types of computer-readable recording media such as flash memory recording media, and may be produced or transferred in the form of the recording medium, or in the form of a program. It may be transmitted and supplied via various wired or wireless networks including the Internet, broadcasting, telecommunication lines, satellite communications, and the like.
[0053]
Further, the program used to implement the present invention does not need to include all modules for causing the image reading apparatus (or MFP) to execute the above-described processing. For example, a communication program or an operating system (OS) Each of the processes may be executed using various general-purpose programs that can be separately installed in the information processing device, such as the programs included in (1). Therefore, it is not necessary to record all modules in the above-described recording medium, and it is not necessary to transmit all modules. Further, in some cases, the predetermined processing can be executed using dedicated hardware.
[0054]
<Modification>
As described above, the present invention has been described based on the embodiments. However, it goes without saying that the content of the present invention is not limited to the specific examples shown in the above embodiments. You can think.
(1) That is, in the above embodiment, when transmitting a FAX application to a mobile phone, a FAX application to be transmitted is selected from a plurality of types of FAX applications prepared in advance. At this time, a FAX application may be generated.
[0055]
(2) In the above embodiment, FAX transmission is always performed via a mobile phone. However, when an MFP having a FAX function is used, the mobile phone need not be connected for immediate transmission. Can also perform fax transmission. For example, when the immediate transmission mode is selected, facsimile transmission may be performed directly from the MFP, and only when the post-transmission mode is selected, facsimile transmission data or the like may be transmitted to the mobile phone.
[0056]
(3) In the above description, the handling of the FAX application transmitted to the mobile phone after the completion of the FAX transmission is not particularly described, but this can be stored in the mobile phone and made reusable. It is also possible to delete automatically after the end of FAX transmission. When the fax can be reused, the MFP 100 checks the content of the FAX application possessed by the mobile phone when transmitting the fax again, and transmits the FAX application possessed by the mobile phone when transmitting the fax again. It may be determined that reusability is possible when the FAX application matches the FAX application to be transmitted, and transmission of the FAX application may be omitted.
[0057]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the image reading apparatus of the present invention, when a mobile phone is connected, original image data is transmitted to the mobile phone as facsimile transmission data, and the content of the original reading and / or the transmission is transmitted. And the like, so that it is possible to provide an image reading apparatus capable of extremely flexibly responding to problems such as facsimile transmission and charging for the facsimile.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a state in which a charging device 200 is connected to an MFP 100 including an image reading device according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view showing a configuration of MFP 100.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a control unit 400 according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the contents of a main routine of a control unit 400.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing details of a transmission mode selection process.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of an appearance of an operation panel 190.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of an appearance of a transmission mode selection key displayed on a liquid crystal touch panel 198.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the details of a FAX transmission process.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating details of a FAX transmission process.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the details of a transmission destination setting process.
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a transmission destination input screen.
FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating detailed contents of a selective transfer process of the FAX application.
FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing contents of a FAX application.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing detailed contents of a billing process.
[Explanation of symbols]
100 MFP
110 Automatic Document Feeder (ADF)
120 Image reading unit
121 reading control unit
130 Image forming unit
170 Connector
180 USB connector
190 Operation Panel
198 LCD touch panel
200 Billing device
400 control unit
410 Image processing unit
420 encoder
430 FAX transmission data storage unit
440 FAX application selector
450 Billing unit
460 Transmission control unit

Claims (5)

Document reading means for reading a document image and generating document image data;
Connection means for connecting a mobile phone,
Mode setting means for setting a facsimile mode for performing facsimile transmission via a mobile phone connected by the connection means;
An image reading apparatus, comprising: charge calculating means for calculating a usage charge based on the content of processing performed by the document reading means when the FAX mode is set by the mode setting means. The image reading device further comprises:
Determining means for determining whether or not the mobile phone connected by the connecting means has software necessary for fax transmission;
2. The image reading apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: software transfer means for transmitting necessary software to the mobile phone when it is determined by the determination means that it is not installed. The image reading device further comprises:
3. The image reading apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising software determination means for determining the content of software to be transmitted by the software transfer means based on information on a destination of facsimile transmission. The fee calculation means,
4. The image reading apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the usage fee is calculated by adding a fee calculated based on the content of the software transmitted by the software transfer unit. The FAX mode is
2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: an immediate transmission mode in which a facsimile transmission is performed in a state where the mobile phone is connected, and a post-transmission mode in which the facsimile transmission is performed by the mobile phone alone after the mobile phone is disconnected. 5. The image reading device according to any one of 4.

Images