Storage medium storing address-information display program and communication controlling device

A storage medium stores an address-information display program including a set of program instructions executable on an information processing device configured to communicate with a communication counterpart through a communication device having at least one communication function. The information processing device stores address information of the communication counterpart. The set of program instructions includes: an address-information determining process of determining, out of the address information, usable address information that is usable with the at least one communication function of the communication device; and a displaying process of displaying the usable address information on a display of the information processing device in a distinguishable manner.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2012-213079 filed Sep. 26, 2012. The entire content of the priority application is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to technology for displaying address information.

BACKGROUND

Technology for transmitting data to communication devices by using telephone directory data stored in terminal devices has been conventionally known. For example, a communication device is known that determines the type of data received from a terminal device, and, when the received data includes both telephone directory data and data other than the telephone directory data, transmits the data other than the telephone directory data, out of the received data, to a destination of the telephone directory data.

SUMMARY

Incidentally, there are some cases where address information cannot be used even though the address information such as the telephone directory data is selected, because users that can use the communication device are limited, errors are caused in the communication device, and the like. In this case, the selection of the address information by the user with the terminal device ends up in vain.

This specification discloses technology of reducing the possibility of vainly selecting the address information that cannot be used in the communication device, when performing communication via the communication device.

The invention provides a storage medium storing an address-information display program including a set of program instructions executable on an information processing device configured to communicate with a communication counterpart through a communication device having at least one communication function. The information processing device stores address information of the communication counterpart. The set of program instructions includes: an address-information determining process of determining, out of the address information, usable address information that is usable with the at least one communication function of the communication device; and a displaying process of displaying the usable address information on a display of the information processing device in a distinguishable manner.

According to another aspect, the invention provides a communication controlling device configured to communicate with a communication counterpart through a communication device having at least one communication function. The communication controlling device includes a processor, a display, and a storage device storing address information of the communication counterpart. The processor is configured to: determine, out of the address information, usable address information that is usable with the at least one communication function of the communication device; and display the usable address information on the display in a distinguishable manner.

Note that the technology disclosed herein can be realized in various aspects such as a communication controlling device, an address-information display method, a storage medium storing an address-information display program, and the like.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(1) Mobile Phone

First, a mobile phone1as an information processing device and a communication controlling device according to the first embodiment will be described with reference toFIG. 1. The mobile phone1is a so-called smart phone. The mobile phone1has not only a telephone function but also a wireless communication function, and is connected wirelessly to a communication network5such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet via a wireless LAN access point3and the like.

As will be described later in detail, the mobile phone1can communicate with a communication counterpart by a communication function of a multi-function peripheral (MFP)2that is connected to the communication network5, by executing a later-described communication control program22(refer toFIG. 2). The multi-function peripheral2is an example of a communication device.

(2) Electrical Configuration of Information Processing Device

An electrical configuration of the mobile phone1will be described with reference toFIG. 2. The mobile phone1includes a processor10, a transmitting/receiving section11, an audio inputting/outputting section12, a wireless communicating section13, a display14, an operating section15, and a storage section16.

The processor10includes a CPU10a, ROM10b, RAM10c, and the like. The CPU10acontrols the respective units of the mobile phone1by executing programs stored in the ROM10band in the storage section16. The ROM10bstores the programs to be executed by the CPU10a, data, and the like. The RAM10cis used as main memory for the CPU10ato execute various processes.

The transmitting/receiving section11includes an antenna, an RF (Radio Frequency) circuit, a baseband processor, and the like, and transmits/receives an audio signal to/from a base station6via the antenna. The transmitting/receiving section11is also able to perform packet transmission between itself and the base station6.

The audio inputting/outputting section12includes a microphone, a speaker, a voice processing circuit, and the like. The audio signal that is inputted by the microphone is transmitted to the base station6by the transmitting/receiving section11. Sound of the audio signal that is received by the transmitting/receiving section11from the base station6is produced by the speaker.

The wireless communicating section13is configured in conformity with Wi-Fi (registered trademark), and is wirelessly connected to the communication network5via the wireless LAN access point3. Incidentally, the wireless communicating section13may perform the wireless communication according to a wireless communication standard other than Wi-Fi.

The display14includes a display device such as a liquid crystal display, a display driving circuit that drives the display device, and the like.

The operating section15includes a nearly transparent touch panel that covers a display screen of the display device provided in the display14, a control circuit that controls the touch panel, various operating buttons, and the like. By operating the operating section15, a user can input telephone numbers, operate application programs, and the like.

The storage section16is a device to store various programs and data using nonvolatile memory such as flash memory. The storage section16stores an operating system (referred to as an OS)21, a communication control program22, image data23, address book data24, user IDs25, and the like. The communication control program22is an example of an address-information display program. Further, the user IDs25are an example of user identification information.

The multi-function peripheral2shown inFIG. 1has a printer function, a scanner function, a copy function, a telephone function, a facsimile (referred to as a FAX) function, a scan-to-Email function, and a scan-to-URL function.

Among the above-described functions, the telephone function, the FAX function, the scan-to-Email function, and the scan-to-URL function are examples of the communication functions. As described above, the mobile phone1can communicate with the communication counterpart by these communication functions. The communication functions are functions for performing communications in communication modes such as telephone, FAX, scan-to-Email, and scan-to-URL. This will be described in detail as follows.

(3-1) Telephone Function

The telephone function is a function of making a telephone call from the mobile phone1to the communication counterpart via the multi-function peripheral2. When using the telephone function, the user transmits a telephone number of the communication counterpart from the mobile phone1via the communication network5to the multi-function peripheral2. The telephone number is an example of the address information.

Upon receiving the telephone number, the multi-function peripheral2originates a telephone call to the telephone number. Once a telephone line is connected, the multi-function peripheral2transmits the audio signal that is received from the communication counterpart via the telephone line to the mobile phone1via the communication network5. In addition, the multi-function peripheral2transmits the audio signal that is received from the mobile phone1via the communication network5to the communication counterpart via the telephone line.

(3-2) FAX Function

The FAX function is a function of performing FAX transmission of the image data23that is stored in the storage section16to an external FAX device via the multi-function peripheral2.

When using the FAX function, the user transmits a FAX number of the communication counterpart and the image data23to be transmitted, from the mobile phone1via the communication network5to the multi-function peripheral2. The FAX number is an example of the address information.

Upon receiving the FAX number and the image data23, the multi-function peripheral2performs the FAX transmission of the image data23to the communication counterpart who is identified by the received FAX number. Note that such a configuration may be employed that the multi-function peripheral2generates image data by scanning an original document, and performs the FAX transmission of the generated image data.

The scan-to-Email function is a function that the multi-function peripheral2generates image data by scanning an original document, and transmits the generated image data by attaching the image data to an email.

When using the scan-to-Email function, the user first sets the original document to be transmitted to the multi-function peripheral2. Then, the user transmits an email address of the communication counterpart from the mobile phone1via the communication network5to the multi-function peripheral2. The email address is an example of the address information.

Upon receiving the email address, the multi-function peripheral2scans the set original document and generates the image data. Next, the multi-function peripheral2sets the email address that is received from the mobile phone1as a destination of the email, and transmits the email with the generated image data attached thereto.

The scan-to-URL function is a function that the multi-function peripheral2generates the image data by scanning the original document, and transmits the generated image data to an external server that is identified by a URL (Uniform Resource Locator).

When using the scan-to-URL function, the user first sets the original document to be transmitted to the multi-function peripheral2. Then, the user transmits the URL of the communication counterpart from the mobile phone1via the communication network5to the multi-function peripheral2. The URL is an example of the address information.

Upon receiving the URL, the multi-function peripheral2scans the set original document and generates the image data. Then, the multi-function peripheral2transmits the generated image data to the external server identified by the URL that is received from the mobile phone1. The transmission is performed using HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol). The transmission may also be performed using FTP (File Transfer Protocol).

(4) Address Book Data

Next, the address book data24stored in the storage section16will be described with reference toFIG. 3. In the address book data24, as shown inFIG. 3, the address information for each communication mode is registered for each communication counterpart.

InFIG. 3, character strings such as “AAAAA” and “BBBBB” show names of the communication counterparts.FIG. 3also shows the telephone, the FAX, the scan to Email, and the scan to URL as the communication modes. The address information for each communication mode is used as the address information when communication is performed by the communication functions of the multi-function peripheral2. Note that the address information is not only for communication by the communication functions of the multi-function peripheral2. For example, the telephone number is used when making a telephone call from the mobile phone1.

(5) Usable Address Information

When performing communication by using the communication functions of the multi-function peripheral2, the user of the mobile phone1cannot always use the address information registered in the address book data24at all times. The address information cannot be used due to various reasons, which will be described specifically as follows.

(5-1) Restriction of Use of Address Information Based on Use Restriction of Function

The multi-function peripheral2restricts the usable functions for each user. This control is performed by using a usable-function-for-each-user table26shown inFIG. 4. The usable-function-for-each-user table26is stored within the multi-function peripheral2. The usable-function-for-each-user table26stores user IDs of the users who use the communication functions of the multi-function peripheral2. Availability of the respective functions is stored for each user ID. InFIG. 4, the function with a circle means that the function is usable, and the function without a circle means that the function is unusable. In the following description, information other than the user IDs in the usable-function-for-each-user table26is referred to as usable-function-for-each-user information.

Assuming that the user ID of the user of the mobile phone1is User1, for example, it is possible for the User1to use the telephone function, as shown inFIG. 4. In this case, the multi-function peripheral2permits the user of the mobile phone1(specifically, the User1) to use the telephone function. Meanwhile, assuming that the user ID of the user of the mobile phone1is User2, for example, it is not possible for the User2to use the telephone function, as shown inFIG. 4. In this case, the multi-function peripheral2rejects the use of the telephone function by the user of the mobile phone1(specifically, the User2).

When the scanner function is usable by the user of the mobile phone1, the multi-function peripheral2permits the user to use both of the scan-to-Email function and the scan-to-URL function. Meanwhile, when the scanner function is unusable, the multi-function peripheral2rejects the use of both of the scan-to-Email function and the scan-to-URL function.

When the user transmits to the multi-function peripheral2the address information corresponding to the unusable function, the use of the communication function is rejected by the multi-function peripheral2and, as a result of that, the user cannot use the address information corresponding to the unusable function.

(5-2) Restriction of Use of Address Information Based on Address Usability Information

The multi-function peripheral2stores address usability information in order to identify usable address information. Upon receiving the address information from the mobile phone1, the multi-function peripheral2determines whether to permit the use of the address information based on the address usability information.

For the telephone function, for example, an area code, a country code, a specific telephone number, and the like, to which a telephone call is permitted, are registered in the address usability information. When permitting a telephone call only to a specific country, for example, an administrator of the multi-function peripheral2registers the country code, to which a telephone call is permitted, in the address usability information. Upon receiving from the mobile phone1atelephone number that includes a country code other than the specific country code, the multi-function peripheral2rejects the use of the telephone number because a telephone call to the country is not permitted. This also applies to the FAX number.

Note that the area code, the country code, the specific telephone number, and the like, to which a telephone call is not permitted, may be registered in the address usability information.

For the scan-to-Email function and the scan-to-URL function, a domain name of a domain, to which the communication is permitted, is registered in the address usability information. When permitting the transmission of the image data only to a specific domain, for example, the administrator of the multi-function peripheral2registers the domain name in the address usability information. Upon receiving from the mobile phone1an email address or a URL in which the domain name is not included, the multi-function peripheral2rejects the use of the email address and the URL because transmission to the domain is not permitted.

Note that the domain, to which the transmission is not permitted, may be registered in the address usability information.

When the user transmits to the multi-function peripheral2the address information the use of which is not permitted, the use of the address information is rejected by the multi-function peripheral2. Consequently, the user cannot use the address information the use of which is not permitted.

(5-3) Restriction of Use of Address Information for User in Unchargeable State

The multi-function peripheral2charges the user for the use of the communication functions. Specifically, the user ID of the user to be charged and information for charging the user are associated with each other and stored in the multi-function peripheral2. The information for charging includes a credit card number and the like.

Upon receiving the address information from the mobile phone1, the multi-function peripheral2determines whether the user ID of the user of the mobile phone1is registered in the multi-function peripheral2as the user ID to be charged. When the user ID is registered, the multi-function peripheral2determines whether the user is in a chargeable state. The chargeable state means the state in which the user ID of the user is associated with the above-described information for charging.

When the user is in the chargeable state, the multi-function peripheral2gives permission to the use of the communication functions and charges the user for the communication. Meanwhile, when the user is in an unchargeable state, the multi-function peripheral2rejects the use of all the communication functions.

When the user is in the unchargeable state, the use of all the communication functions is rejected. Consequently, the user cannot use the entire pieces of the address information.

(5-4) Restriction of Use of Address Information Based on State of Multi-Function Peripheral

The multi-function peripheral2may be turned off, or may have a failure in the communication functions. When the multi-function peripheral2is turned off, the user cannot use the entire pieces of the address information. Further, when a failure occurs only in the specific communication function, the user cannot use the address information corresponding to the communication function.

(6) Communication Control Program

Next, the communication control program22that is executed in the mobile phone1will be described. The communication control program22has a function of displaying the address information registered in the address book data24on the display14, a function of receiving selection of the displayed address information, a function of instructing the multi-function peripheral2to communicate with the communication counterpart who is identified by the address information by using the communication function corresponding to the selected address information, and the like.

(6-1) User Interface of Communication Control Program

A user interface and a flow of the communication control program22(communication control process) will be described with reference toFIGS. 5 and 6. Note thatFIG. 5shows only the user interface at the time of receiving the selection of the address information, out of the user interfaces of the communication control program22.

In accordance with the communication control program22, the CPU10acontrols the display14to display a communication-counterpart selecting screen31and an address-information selecting screen32.

The communication-counterpart selecting screen31is the screen that displays a list of the names of the communication counterparts who are registered in the address book data24, and receives the selection of the communication counterpart from the user. When the user selects the communication counterpart on the communication-counterpart selecting screen31, the CPU10acontrols the display14to display the address-information selecting screen32in accordance with the communication control program22.

The address-information selecting screen32is the screen that displays the address information for each communication mode of the communication counterpart who is selected on the communication-counterpart selecting screen31(S10inFIG. 6), and receives the selection of the address information from the user (S20inFIG. 6).

The processes of displaying the communication-counterpart selecting screen31and the address-information selecting screen32are examples of a displaying process. Further, the process of receiving the selection of the address information on the address-information selecting screen32is an example of a receiving process.

Incidentally, when communicating with the communication counterpart via the multi-function peripheral2, it is not necessarily possible for the user of the mobile phone1to use the address information registered in the address book data24at all times, as described above. In the case where the address information cannot be used, the multi-function peripheral2rejects the communication when the user of the mobile phone1selects the unusable address information on the address-information selecting screen32, as a result of which the selection of the address information ends up in vain.

For this reason, the communication control program22causes the address-information selecting screen32to display the address information in such a manner that the address information usable by the user of the mobile phone1can be distinguished. Specifically, the communication control program22according to the first embodiment causes the address-information selecting screen32to display only the usable address information.

When the user of the mobile phone1cannot use the telephone function, for example, the communication control program22causes a message of “unable to use” to be displayed as shown in the address-information selecting screen32, without causing the telephone number to be displayed. This allows the user to recognize that the selection of the telephone number is not possible.

(6-2) Displaying Process

The displaying process of displaying the above-described address-information selecting screen32will be described with reference toFIG. 7. This process is started when the communication counterpart is selected on the communication-counterpart selecting screen31.

In S101, the CPU10athat executes the communication control program22(hereinafter referred to as the communication control program22) requests the multi-function peripheral2to transmit status information showing operability of the respective functions.

Upon receiving the request to transmit the status information from the mobile phone1, the multi-function peripheral2determines the operability of the respective functions, and transmits the status information showing the operability of the respective functions to the mobile phone1.

For the telephone function, for example, the multi-function peripheral2determines whether it is impossible to make a telephone call, including the case where the telephone line is not connected. When a telephone call cannot be made, it is determined as an inoperable state, otherwise it is determined as an operable state. This also applies to the FAX function.

For the scanner function, the multi-function peripheral2determines whether it is impossible to scan the original document, including the case where jamming of the original document is caused. When the scanning is impossible, it is determined as the inoperable state, otherwise it is determined as the operable state.

For the printer function, the multi-function peripheral2determines whether it is impossible to perform the printing, including the cases where jamming of recording paper is caused, shortage of remaining quantity of consumables such as ink is caused, and the like. When the printing is impossible, it is determined as the inoperable state, otherwise it is determined as the operable state.

Note that the mobile phone1and the multi-function peripheral2cannot communicate with each other in some cases, such as when the multi-function peripheral2is turned off, when a failure occurs in the communication network5that connects the mobile phone1and the multi-function peripheral2, and the like. In this case, the mobile phone1does not receive the status information after an elapse of a certain period of time after sending the request to transmit the status information to the multi-function peripheral2.

In S102, the communication control program22determines whether the status information is received from the multi-function peripheral2within the above-described certain period of time, and causes the process to move to S103when the status information is received, and to S112when the status information is not received.

In S103, the communication control program22inquires of the multi-function peripheral2whether the user of the mobile phone1is the user to be charged. At this time, the communication control program22transmits the user ID25of the user of the mobile phone1to the multi-function peripheral2.

Upon receiving the inquiry from the mobile phone1whether the user is the user to be charged, the multi-function peripheral2determines whether the received user ID25is registered as the user ID to be charged. When the received user ID25is registered, the multi-function peripheral2transmits to the mobile phone1charge information showing that the user is the user to be charged. When the received user ID25is not registered, on the other hand, the multi-function peripheral2transmits to the mobile phone1the charge information showing that the user is not the user to be charged.

In S104, the communication control program22determines whether the user of the mobile phone1is the user to be charged based on the charge information received from the multi-function peripheral2, and causes the process to move to S105when the user is the user to be charged, and to S107when the user is not the user to be charged. S104is an example of a user determining process.

In S105, the communication control program22inquires of the multi-function peripheral2whether the user is in the chargeable state. At this time, the communication control program22transmits the user ID25of the user of the mobile phone1to the multi-function peripheral2.

The multi-function peripheral2determines whether the received user ID25is associated with, for example, a valid credit card number, and determines that the user is in the chargeable state when it is in association. When the user is in the chargeable state, the multi-function peripheral2transmits to the mobile phone1response information showing that the user is in the chargeable state. When the user is in the unchargeable state, on the other hand, the multi-function peripheral2transmits to the mobile phone1the response information showing that the user is in the unchargeable state.

In S106, the communication control program22determines whether the user of the mobile phone1is in the chargeable state, based on the response information received from the multi-function peripheral2, and causes the process to move to S107when the user is in the chargeable state, and to S112when the user is in the unchargeable state. S106is an example of a chargeability determining process.

In S107, the communication control program22requests the multi-function peripheral2to transmit the usable-function-for-each-user information showing the functions usable by the user of the mobile phone1. At this time, the communication control program22transmits the user ID25of the user of the mobile phone1to the multi-function peripheral2.

Upon receiving the request to transmit the usable-function-for-each-user information from the mobile phone1, the multi-function peripheral2refers to the usable-function-for-each-user table26and transmits to the mobile phone1the usable-function-for-each-user information corresponding to the user ID25received from the mobile phone1.

Note that the multi-function peripheral2may transmit the usable-function-for-each-user information showing the unusable functions to the mobile phone1. Then, the mobile phone1may determine the functions other than the unusable functions as the usable functions.

In S108, the communication control program22requests the multi-function peripheral2to transmit the address usability information.

Upon receiving the request to transmit the address usability information from the mobile phone1, the multi-function peripheral2transmits the address usability information to the mobile phone1.

In S109, the communication control program22reads out from the address book data24the address information for each communication mode of the communication counterpart who is selected on the communication-counterpart selecting screen31.

In S110, the communication control program22executes an address-information acquiring process. The address-information acquiring process is the process to acquire a piece of the address information that is usable by the user of the mobile phone1, out of pieces of the address information read out in S109. In the address-information acquiring process, as will be described later in detail, only the usable piece of address information is acquired, and the unusable piece of address information is not acquired.

In S111, the communication control program22causes the display14to display the address-information selecting screen32. With regard to the communication mode of which address information can be acquired in S110, the communication control program22causes the address-information selecting screen32to display the acquired address information. With regard to the communication mode of which address information cannot be acquired in S110, the communication control program22causes the address-information selecting screen32to display a message of “unusable” in a space where the address information of the communication mode is displayed. Thus, the address information that is determined to be unusable can be distinguished on the display.

In S112, the communication control program22causes the display14to display a message to the effect that the address book data24is unusable, and informs the user that the address book data24is unusable. Note that this information may be given with sound.

Next, the address-information acquiring process executed in S110will be described with reference toFIGS. 8A and 8B.

In S201, the communication control program22determines whether the user of the mobile phone1can use the telephone function based on the usable-function-for-each-user information acquired in S107, and causes the process to move to S202when the user can use the telephone function, and to S205when the user cannot use the telephone function.

In S202, the communication control program22determines whether the telephone function is operable based on the status information acquired in S101, and causes the process to move to S203when the telephone function is operable, and to S205when the telephone function is not operable.

In S203, the communication control program22determines whether the telephone number that is read out in S109is the telephone number of which use is permitted based on the address usability information acquired in S108, and causes the process to move to S204when the use is permitted, and to S205when the use is not permitted.

In S204, the communication control program22acquires the telephone number that is read out in S109as the usable telephone number.

In S205, the communication control program22determines whether the user of the mobile phone1can use the FAX function based on the usable-function-for-each-user information, and causes the process to move to S206when the FAX function is usable, and to S209when the FAX function is unusable.

In S206, the communication control program22determines whether the FAX function is operable based on the status information, and causes the process to move to S207when the FAX function is operable, and to S209when the FAX function is not operable.

In S207, the communication control program22determines whether the FAX number read out in S109is the FAX number of which use is permitted based on the address usability information, and causes the process to move to S208when the use is permitted, and to S209when the use is not permitted.

In S208, the communication control program22acquires the FAX number that is read out in S109as the usable FAX number.

In S209, the communication control program22determines whether the user of the mobile phone1can use the scanner function based on the usable-function-for-each-user information. The communication control program22causes the process to move to S210when the scanner function is usable, and, when the scanner function is unusable, terminates the process and returns to the displaying process.

In S210, the communication control program22determines whether the scanner function is operable based on the status information. The communication control program22causes the process to move to S211when the scanner function is operable, and, when the scanner function is not operable, terminates the process and returns to the displaying process.

In S211, the communication control program22determines whether the email address and the URL that are read out in S109are the email address and the URL of which use is permitted based on the address usability information. The communication control program22causes the process to move to S212when the use is permitted, and, when the use is not permitted, terminates the process and returns to the displaying process.

In S212, the communication control program22acquires the email address and the URL that are read out in S109as the usable email address and URL.

The above-described address-information acquiring process is an example of an address-information determining process.

Next, an address information transmitting process executed by the communication control program22will be described. This process is started when the address information is selected on the address-information selecting screen32.

When the address information is selected on the address-information selecting screen32, the communication control program22transmits the selected address information to the multi-function peripheral2, so as to instruct the multi-function peripheral2to communicate with the communication counterpart who is identified by the address information by using the communication function corresponding to the address information (S30inFIG. 6).

When the selected address information is the telephone number, for example, the communication control program22transmits the selected telephone number to the multi-function peripheral2, so as to instruct the multi-function peripheral2to make a telephone call to the communication counterpart who is identified by the telephone number. The address information transmitting process is an example of an instructing process.

(7) Effects of the Embodiment

According to the above-described communication control program22, the address information is displayed on the address-information selecting screen32in such a manner that the address information usable in the multi-function peripheral2can be distinguished by the user of the mobile phone1. This makes it possible to reduce the possibility of vainly selecting the address information that cannot be used in the multi-function peripheral2, when performing the communication via the multi-function peripheral2.

Further, the communication control program22receives the selection of the address information that is displayed on the address-information selecting screen32, and instructs the multi-function peripheral2to communicate with the communication counterpart who is identified by the address information by using the communication function corresponding to the selected address information. This makes it possible for the user to communicate with the communication counterpart who is identified by the address information by the communication function corresponding to the address information selected by the mobile phone1.

Further, the communication control program22causes the address-information selecting screen32to display only the address information that is usable in the multi-function peripheral2. This makes it possible to reduce the possibility of vainly selecting the unusable address information.

Further, the communication control program22determines the address information corresponding to the communication functions usable in the multi-function peripheral2as the usable address information. This makes it possible to reduce the possibility of vainly selecting the address information corresponding to the unusable communication functions.

Further, the communication control program22acquires from the multi-function peripheral2the usable-function-for-each-user information that is associated with the user ID25of the user of the mobile phone1, and determines the communication functions of the multi-function peripheral2that are permitted to the user of the mobile phone1. This makes it possible to reduce the possibility of vainly selecting the address information of the communication functions that cannot be used in the multi-function peripheral2.

Further, the communication control program22acquires the status information showing the operability of the communication functions from the multi-function peripheral2, and determines the communication functions that are operable in the multi-function peripheral2. This makes it possible to reduce the possibility of vainly selecting the address information of the communication functions that cannot be operated in the multi-function peripheral2.

Further, the communication control program22acquires the address usability information from the multi-function peripheral2, and determines the address information of which use is permitted in the multi-function peripheral2. This makes it possible to reduce the possibility of vainly selecting the address information of which use is not permitted in the multi-function peripheral2.

Further, when performing the communication via the multi-function peripheral2, the communication control program22can reduce the possibility of vainly selecting the address information of the communication functions requiring charging, in the case where the user of the mobile phone1is in the unchargeable state.

Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference toFIGS. 9 and 10.

In the multi-function peripheral2according to the second embodiment, maximum sizes of transmission data for the scan-to-Email function and the scan-to-URL function are set in advance. The multi-function peripheral2determines the size of the transmission data to be transmitted to the communication counterpart. When the size of the transmission data is equal to or greater than the above-described maximum sizes, the multi-function peripheral2rejects the use of the scan-to-Email function and the scan-to-URL function, and, when the size of the transmission data is smaller than the maximum sizes, permits the use of the functions.

Here, the multi-function peripheral2does not perform the charging, restriction of use of the address information using the address usability information, and the determination of the operability of the functions using the status information, in order to facilitate understanding of the embodiment. Note that the above processes may also be performed in the second embodiment.

(1) Displaying Process

The displaying process according to the second embodiment will be described with reference toFIG. 9. Here, the user first selects the communication function to be used on a communication function selecting screen (not shown), and thereafter selects the communication counterpart on the communication-counterpart selecting screen31.

In S301, the communication control program22requests the multi-function peripheral2to transmit the usable-function-for-each-user information showing the functions that are usable by the user of the mobile phone1, and acquires the usable-function-for-each-user information from the multi-function peripheral2.

In S302, the communication control program22determines whether the user of the mobile phone1can use the scanner function based on the usable-function-for-each-user information, and causes the process to move to S303when the scanner function is usable, and to S307when the scanner function is unusable.

In S303, the communication control program22determines whether the communication function selected by the user is either one of the scan-to-Email function and the scan-to-URL function, and causes the process to move to S304when either one of these is selected, and to S307when neither one is selected.

In S304, the communication control program22instructs the multi-function peripheral2to scan an original document. This instruction includes scanning conditions of the original document (resolution, color/monochrome, a file format of scanned data, and the like).

Upon receiving the instruction to scan the original document, the multi-function peripheral2scans the original document that is set in the multi-function peripheral2and generates the image data.

In S305, the communication control program22acquires the size of the image data. The size of the image data may be calculated in and acquired from the multi-function peripheral2. Further, the number of sheets of the scanned original document may be acquired from the multi-function peripheral2, and the calculation may be made by the communication control program22by using the number of sheets of the original document and the above-described scanning conditions.

In S306, the communication control program22acquires, from the multi-function peripheral2, the respective maximum sizes of the scan-to-Email function and the scan-to-URL function.

In S307, the communication control program22reads out, from the address book data24, the address information for each communication mode of the communication counterpart who is selected on the communication-counterpart selecting screen31.

In S308, the communication control program22executes the address-information acquiring process according to the second embodiment. The address-information acquiring process according to the second embodiment will be described later.

In S309, the communication control program22causes the display14to display the address-information selecting screen32. Then, the communication control program22causes the address-information selecting screen32to display the address information acquired in S308.

Next, the address-information acquiring process according to the second embodiment, which is executed in S308, will be described with reference toFIG. 10.

In S401, the communication control program22determines whether the user of the mobile phone1can use the telephone function based on the usable-function-for-each-user information acquired in S301, and causes the process to move to S402when the telephone function is usable, and to S403when the telephone function is unusable.

In S402, the communication control program22acquires the telephone number that is read out in S307as the usable telephone number.

In S403, the communication control program22determines whether the user of the mobile phone1can use the FAX function based on the usable-function-for-each-user information, and causes the process to move to S404when the FAX function is usable, and to S405when the FAX function is unusable.

In S404, the communication control program22acquires the FAX number that is read out in S307as the usable FAX number.

In S405, the communication control program22determines whether the user of the mobile phone1can use the scanner function based on the usable-function-for-each-user information, and causes the step to move to S406when the scanner function is usable, and, when the scanner function is unusable, terminates the process and returns to the displaying process.

In S406, the communication control program22determines whether the size acquired in S305is smaller than the maximum size of the communication function selected by the user. When the scan-to-Email function is selected by the user, for example, the communication control program22compares the maximum size of the data that can be transmitted by the scan-to-Email function with the size of the image data acquired in S305. The communication control program22causes the process to move to S407when it is determined that the size of the image data acquired in S305is smaller than the maximum size in S406, and, when it is determined that the size of the image data acquired in S305is equal to or greater than the maximum size, terminates the process and returns to the displaying process.

In S407, the communication control program22acquires the address information corresponding to the communication function selected by the user, out of the email address and the URL that are read out in S307, as the address information usable by the communication function.

When it is determined that the size of the image data acquired in S305is equal to or greater than the maximum size in S406, as described above, step S407is not executed, and hence the user cannot select the email address or the URL.

(3) Effects of the Embodiment

With the communication control program22according to the second embodiment as described thus far, the usable email address or URL is displayed in a distinguishable manner, when the size of the image data scanned by the multi-function peripheral2is within the maximum size of the transmission data set in the multi-function peripheral2. This makes it possible to reduce the possibility of vainly selecting the address information of which maximum size of the transmission data is smaller than the size of the image data to be transmitted.

Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference toFIG. 11.

The address-information selecting screen32according to the third embodiment will be described with reference toFIG. 11. The address-information selecting screen32according to the third embodiment displays only the address information of the usable communication functions, and does not display the address information of the unusable communication functions.

With the communication control program22according to the above-described third embodiment, it is possible to reduce the possibility of vainly selecting the unusable address information.

Next, a fourth embodiment will be described with reference toFIG. 12.

The communication-counterpart selecting screen31according to the fourth embodiment will be described with reference toFIG. 12. The communication control program22according to the fourth embodiment causes the communication-counterpart selecting screen31to display the names of the communication counterparts in such a manner that the communication function corresponding to the address information that is determined to be usable can be distinguished. Note that the communication control program22according to the fourth embodiment causes the address-information selecting screen32to display the address information for all the communication modes of the communication counterpart who is selected on the communication-counterpart selecting screen31.

Specifically, the communication control program22according to the fourth embodiment executes the processes S101to S110of the displaying process according to the first embodiment when displaying the communication-counterpart selecting screen31, not when displaying the address-information selecting screen32. Then, the communication control program22displays the function corresponding to the address information acquired by the processes S101to S110at a position next to the name of the communication counterpart, as the usable function.

As the communication counterpart is not yet selected when the communication-counterpart selecting screen31is displayed, the processes S101to S110are executed for all the communication counterparts registered in the address book data24.

When the telephone number is acquired, for example, the communication control program22determines that the telephone function is usable, and displays a character string of “telephone usable” at the position next to the name of the communication counterpart.

When the email address or the URL is acquired, for example, the communication control program22determines that the scanner function is usable, and displays a character string of “scan usable” at the position next to the name of the communication counterpart.

Note that, when the scanner function is usable, the communication control program22may display “scan-to-Email usable” and “scan-to-URL usable”.

Further, the communication control program22may display such a character string as “telephone unusable”, “scan unusable”, or the like, at the position next to the name of the communication counterpart, with regard to the communication function corresponding to the address information that is determined as unusable.

Further, it is also possible for the communication control program22according to the fourth embodiment not to display the unusable address information on the address-information selecting screen32.

The above-described communication control program22according to the fourth embodiment causes the communication-counterpart selecting screen31to display the name of the communication counterpart in such a manner that the communication function corresponding to the usable address information can be distinguished. This makes it possible for the user to learn the unusable communication function. It is possible for the user to identify the usable communication function, and, as a result, to identify the usable address information. Therefore, the communication control program22can reduce the possibility of vainly selecting the address information that cannot be used in the multi-function peripheral2, when performing the communication via the multi-function peripheral2.

(1) According to the above-described first embodiment, the description is given to the example of displaying only the usable address information on the address-information selecting screen32. Meanwhile, the usable address information and the unusable address information may be displayed on the address-information selecting screen32in a distinguishable manner.

For example, the address information of all the communication modes of the communication counterpart who is selected on the communication-counterpart selecting screen31may be displayed on the address-information selecting screen32, and a character string of “usable” may be displayed at the position next to the usable address information. Alternatively, a character string of “unusable” may be displayed at the position next to the unusable address information. Alternatively, the character string of “usable” may be displayed at the position next to the usable address information, and the character string of “unusable” may be displayed at the position next to the unusable address information.

(2) According to the above-described first embodiment, the description is given to the example of executing S101to S112in the displaying process. Meanwhile, S101to S108and S112, out of the displaying process, may be executed when the instruction to display the communication-counterpart selecting screen31is given, and S109to S111may be executed in the displaying process. It is sufficient for S101to S108and S112to be executed once when the instruction to display the communication-counterpart selecting screen31is given, as these are the processes independent of the communication counterpart. This also applies to the second to fourth embodiments.

(3) According to the above-described embodiments, the description is given to the multi-function peripheral2as an example of the communication device. However, the communication device is not limited to the multi-function peripheral2. The communication device may be, for example, an image scanner, a FAX apparatus, or a telephone apparatus.

(4) According to the above-described embodiments, the description is given to the communication control program22that executes the process of instructing the multi-function peripheral2to perform the communication, as an example of the address-information display program. Meanwhile, the address-information display program may be so configured that the program does not execute the process of instructing the multi-function peripheral2to perform the communication. For example, when called up from an external program, such as an application program stored in the storage section16of the mobile phone1or the like, the communication-counterpart selecting screen31and the address-information selecting screen32may be displayed to receive selection of the address information, and the selected address information may be returned back to the external program. In other words, the address-information display program may provide only the interface for receiving the selection of the address information, and the selected address information may be used by the external program.

(5) According to the above-described embodiments, the description is given to the mobile phone1as an example of the information processing device. Meanwhile, the information processing device may be a personal computer, a personal digital assistant such as a tablet terminal, or the like.

(6) In the above-described embodiments, the processor10includes a single CPU. Alternatively, the processor10may be constituted by a plurality of CPUs, may be constituted by an ASIC, or may be constituted by a combination of one or more CPU and ASIC. Also, the above-described functions of the processor10may be executed by software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware.