CN111383401A

CN111383401A - Image forming method, image forming system and mobile terminal

Info

Publication number: CN111383401A
Application number: CN201811618790.4A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 胡安双
Original assignee: Oki Data Corp
Current assignee: Oki Electric Industry Co Ltd
Priority date: 2018-12-28
Filing date: 2018-12-28
Publication date: 2020-07-07

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention provides an image forming method, an image forming system and a mobile terminal, wherein the method comprises the following steps: the method comprises the steps that the mobile terminal reads an identification code corresponding to the image forming device to obtain 1 st information and 2 nd information, wherein the 1 st information is information for the mobile terminal to establish connection with a first server, and the 2 nd information is information for the first server to establish connection with the image forming device; the mobile terminal establishes connection with the first server according to the 1 st information and sends the 2 nd information and the printing data to the first server; the first server receives the 2 nd information and the printing data, establishes connection with the image forming device according to the 2 nd information and sends the printing data to the image forming device; the image forming apparatus receives print data and prints the print data.

Description

Image forming method, image forming system and mobile terminal

Technical Field

The present invention relates to the field of image forming, and in particular, to an image forming method, an image forming system, and a mobile terminal.

Background

There is a technique of printing print data with an image forming apparatus. With the popularization of mobile terminals, the need to print data in the mobile terminals using image forming apparatuses is becoming more common. In the prior art, when printing print data in a mobile terminal, a user needs to move the print data in the mobile terminal to a computer and print the print data after connecting the print data to an image forming apparatus through the computer, or the user needs to install a print driver on the mobile terminal and print the print data after connecting the mobile terminal to the image forming apparatus. Therefore, the existing technology for printing the printing data in the mobile terminal has a lot of inconvenience, and the printing efficiency is influenced.

It should be noted that the above background description is only for the sake of clarity and complete description of the technical solutions of the present invention and for the understanding of those skilled in the art. Such solutions are not considered to be known to the person skilled in the art merely because they have been set forth in the background section of the invention.

Disclosure of Invention

Embodiments of the present invention provide an image forming method, an image forming system, and a mobile terminal, which can improve convenience in printing print data in the mobile terminal.

According to a first aspect of embodiments of the present invention, there is provided an image forming method, wherein the method includes: the method comprises the steps that a mobile terminal reads an identification code corresponding to an image forming device to obtain 1 st information and 2 nd information, wherein the 1 st information is information for the mobile terminal to establish connection with a first server, and the 2 nd information is information for the first server to establish connection with the image forming device; the mobile terminal establishes connection with the first server according to the 1 st information and sends the 2 nd information and the printing data to the first server; the first server receives the 2 nd information and the printing data, establishes connection with the image forming device according to the 2 nd information, and sends the printing data to the image forming device; the image forming apparatus receives the print data and prints the print data.

According to a second aspect of embodiments of the present invention, there is provided an image forming system, wherein the system includes a mobile terminal, a first server, and an image forming apparatus; the mobile terminal is used for reading an identification code corresponding to the image forming device to obtain 1 st information and 2 nd information, establishing connection with the first server according to the 1 st information, and sending the 2 nd information and printing data to the first server, wherein the 1 st information is information for establishing connection between the mobile terminal and the first server, and the 2 nd information is information for establishing connection between the first server and the image forming device; the first server is used for receiving the 2 nd information and the printing data, establishing connection with the image forming device according to the 2 nd information and sending the printing data to the image forming device; the image forming apparatus is configured to receive the print data and print the print data.

According to a third aspect of the embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a mobile terminal, wherein the mobile terminal includes: a reading section configured to read an identification code corresponding to an image forming apparatus to obtain 1 st information and 2 nd information, the 1 st information being information for establishing a connection between the mobile terminal and a first server, the 2 nd information being information for establishing a connection between the first server and the image forming apparatus; a first communication unit that establishes a connection with the first server according to the 1 st information and transmits the 2 nd information and print data to the first server.

The embodiment of the invention has the advantages that when the image forming device is used for printing the printing data in the mobile terminal, the mobile terminal reads the identification code corresponding to the image forming device to obtain the 1 st information for connecting the mobile terminal and the first server and the 2 nd information for connecting the first server and the image forming device. Thus, the mobile terminal can be connected to the first server using the 1 st information, and the first server can be connected to the image forming apparatus using the 2 nd information. Therefore, the mobile terminal, the first server and the image forming apparatus can be connected only by reading the identification code through the mobile terminal, and convenience of printing the printing data in the mobile terminal can be improved.

Specific embodiments of the present invention are disclosed in detail with reference to the following description and drawings, indicating the manner in which the principles of the invention may be employed. It should be understood that the embodiments of the invention are not so limited in scope. The embodiments of the invention include many variations, modifications and equivalents within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Features that are described and/or illustrated with respect to one embodiment may be used in the same way or in a similar way in one or more other embodiments, in combination with or instead of the features of the other embodiments.

It should be emphasized that the term "comprises/comprising" when used herein, is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps or components.

Drawings

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the embodiments of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. It is obvious that the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the invention, and that for a person skilled in the art, other drawings can be derived from them without inventive effort. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an image forming method of embodiment 1 of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is another schematic view of an image forming method of embodiment 1 of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is another schematic view of an image forming method of embodiment 1 of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is another schematic view of an image forming method of embodiment 1 of the present invention;

fig. 5 is a schematic view of an interface displayed by the mobile terminal according to embodiment 1 for a user to input setting information;

fig. 6 is a schematic diagram of a method for determining print data by a mobile terminal according to embodiment 1 of the present invention;

fig. 7 is a schematic diagram of a method for generating setting information by a mobile terminal according to embodiment 1 of the present invention;

fig. 8 is a schematic diagram of a method for acquiring printer information by a first server according to embodiment 1 of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a schematic view of an image forming system of embodiment 2 of the present invention;

fig. 10 is a schematic view of a workflow of an image forming system of embodiment 2 of the present invention;

fig. 11 is another schematic view of the workflow of the image forming system of embodiment 2 of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a schematic view of a charging process flow of an image forming system according to embodiment 2 of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is another schematic view of a charging process flow of the image forming system according to embodiment 2 of the present invention;

fig. 14 is another schematic view of the workflow of the image forming system of embodiment 2 of the present invention;

fig. 15 is a schematic diagram of a process of loading the application program by the mobile terminal according to embodiment 2 of the present invention;

fig. 16 is another schematic view of the workflow of the image forming system of embodiment 2 of the present invention;

fig. 17 is a schematic diagram of a mobile terminal according to embodiment 3 of the present invention;

fig. 18 is another schematic diagram of a mobile terminal of embodiment 3 of the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a schematic view of a print server according to embodiment 4 of the present invention;

fig. 20 is another schematic diagram of a printer server according to embodiment 4 of the present invention;

FIG. 21 is a schematic view of an image forming apparatus according to embodiment 5 of the present invention;

fig. 22 is a schematic view of an image forming apparatus of embodiment 5 of the present invention.

Detailed Description

The foregoing and other features of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the description and drawings, particular embodiments of the invention have been disclosed in detail as being indicative of some of the embodiments in which the principles of the invention may be employed, it being understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover all modifications, variations, and equivalents falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Example 1

Embodiment 1 of the present invention provides an image forming method. Fig. 1 is a schematic view of an image forming method of embodiment 1 of the present invention. As shown in fig. 1, the image forming method has the steps of:

step 101: the method comprises the steps that the mobile terminal reads an identification code corresponding to the image forming device to obtain 1 st information and 2 nd information, wherein the 1 st information is information for the mobile terminal to establish connection with a first server, and the 2 nd information is information for the first server to establish connection with the image forming device;

step 102: the mobile terminal establishes connection with a first server according to the 1 st information and sends the 2 nd information and printing data to the first server;

step 103: the first server receives the 2 nd information and the printing data, establishes connection with the image forming device according to the 2 nd information and sends the printing data to the image forming device;

step 104: the image forming apparatus receives print data and prints the print data.

With the above-described embodiment, when printing the print data in the mobile terminal using the image forming apparatus, the 1 st information for the connection of the mobile terminal with the first server and the 2 nd information for the connection of the first server with the image forming apparatus are obtained by the mobile terminal reading the identification code corresponding to the image forming apparatus, whereby the mobile terminal can be connected with the first server using the 1 st information, and the first server can be connected with the image forming apparatus using the 2 nd information. Therefore, the mobile terminal, the first server and the image forming apparatus can be connected only by reading the identification code through the mobile terminal, and convenience of printing the printing data in the mobile terminal can be improved.

In this embodiment, the mobile terminal may include, but is not limited to, the following devices: smart phones, Cellular phones, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), wireless modems, wireless communication devices, handheld devices, machine type communication devices, laptop computers, cordless phones, smart watches, Digital cameras, and the like.

In the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus may be any apparatus capable of executing a print job. For example, the image forming apparatus may be a color/black-and-white Printer (Single Function Printer, SFP) having only a printing Function; or a color/monochrome all-in-one Machine (MFP) having a plurality of functions such as printing, copying, scanning, and facsimile.

In the present embodiment, the first server may be any printer server that is connected to the image forming apparatus and is connected to the mobile terminal through a network.

In this embodiment, in step 101, the identification code corresponding to the image forming apparatus may be any code capable of carrying information. For example, the identification code may be a one-dimensional code, a two-dimensional code, and/or a three-dimensional code, etc. In this way, the mobile terminal can scan the identification code and obtain the 1 st information and the 2 nd information carried in the identification code according to a code identification technology, and in this way, the identification degree is high and the error rate is small. When the identification code is in a two-dimensional code form, the identification code may be a QR (quick response) code, and the QR code can store rich information and encrypt a text, a URL (uniform resource Locator) address, and other types of data, thereby improving the security of the data. In addition, the identification code corresponding to the image forming apparatus may be read by the mobile terminal in any manner. For example, the image forming apparatus may display the identification code on the display portion, or the image forming apparatus may attach the identification code to the outer surface thereof, or attach the identification code to the vicinity of the image forming apparatus 2000.

In this embodiment, in step 101, the 1 st information may be any information that enables the mobile terminal to establish a connection with the first server, for example, the 1 st information may be address information, identification information, and the like of the first server. Specifically, the 1 st information may be, for example, a URL address of the first server, or the 1 st information may be, for example, identification information capable of uniquely identifying the first server. The 2 nd information may be any information that enables the first server to establish a connection with the image forming apparatus, and for example, the 2 nd information may be address information, identification information, or the like of the image forming apparatus. Specifically, the 2 nd information may be a URL of the image forming apparatus, or the 2 nd information is a number of the image forming apparatus in the server.

In this embodiment, in step 102, the mobile terminal may establish a connection with a first server through a wireless communication network. The WIreless communication network may refer to a network conforming to any communication standard, such as GPRS (general packet Radio Service), WIFI (WIreless Fidelity), bluetooth, and the like.

In this embodiment, in step 102, the print data sent by the mobile terminal to the first server may be any type of data. For example, the print data may be a picture, a document, a web page, or the like.

In this embodiment, in step 103, the first server may transmit the received print data to the image processing apparatus after receiving the print data, or the first server may process the received print data to generate print data (print job) that can be recognized by the image forming apparatus and transmit the processed print data to the image forming apparatus. For example, when the print data received by the first server is a WORD document, a web page, or the like, the first server may perform data processing on the WORD document to generate data that can be recognized by the image forming apparatus; when the print data received by the first server is a PDF document, a picture, or the like, the first server directly transmits the print data to the image forming apparatus without performing data processing on the print data.

In this embodiment, in step 103, the first server may establish a connection with the image forming apparatus through a local area network, the internet, near field communication, or the like, and transmit the relevant data. For example, the first server may store a correspondence table of identification information of one or more image forming apparatuses and network addresses thereof, and in the case where the 2 nd information is identification information of an image forming apparatus, the first server acquires a network address corresponding to the image forming apparatus based on the identification information and establishes network connection with the image forming apparatus.

In the present embodiment, in step 104, the image forming apparatus can directly print the print data after receiving the print data sent by the first server, so that the efficiency of the printing operation can be improved; alternatively, the image forming apparatus may print the print data after receiving the print data and receiving first instruction information that instructs the image forming apparatus to print the print data, which is transmitted by the first server, so that the security and reliability of the printing operation can be improved.

Fig. 2 is another schematic view of the image forming method of embodiment 1 of the present invention. As shown in fig. 2, the image forming method includes the steps of:

step 101: the mobile terminal reads an identification code corresponding to the image forming device to obtain the 1 st information and the 2 nd information;

step 105: the first server transmits first instruction information instructing printing of the print data to the image forming apparatus;

step 106: the image forming apparatus receives first instruction information instructing printing of print data from a first server;

step 104: the image forming apparatus prints the print data according to the first instruction information.

In this embodiment, steps 101 to 103 in fig. 2 are the same as steps 101 to 103 in fig. 1, and the contents thereof are incorporated herein, which are not described again.

In this embodiment, the first indication may be sent at any time prior to step 104. For example, the first server may transmit the first instruction information at the same time as transmitting the print data to the image forming apparatus (step 102). Alternatively, the first server may transmit the first instruction information to the image forming apparatus after transmitting the print data to the image forming apparatus (step 103). Alternatively, the first server may transmit the first instruction information after receiving a message that the print data transmitted by the image forming apparatus is successfully received. Alternatively, the first server may send the first indication information after the user pays the printing fee.

In this embodiment, after the image forming apparatus receives the print data transmitted by the first server, the print data may be stored, and in step 104, the image forming apparatus may print the stored print data after receiving the first instruction information transmitted by the first server.

Fig. 3 is another schematic view of the image forming method of embodiment 1 of the present invention. As shown in fig. 3, the image forming method has the steps of:

step 107: the first server judges whether to carry out charging processing or not, and sends second indication information for carrying out charging processing to the mobile terminal under the condition that the charging processing is required;

step 108: the mobile terminal receives second indication information and displays a charging processing picture according to the second indication information, wherein the charging processing picture comprises bill information and/or an interface for a user to input a charging amount;

step 109: the first server, after receiving the information that the charging is successful, transmitting third instruction information instructing to print the print data to the image forming apparatus;

step 106: the image forming apparatus receives third instruction information;

step 104: the image forming apparatus prints the print data according to the third instruction information.

With the above-described embodiment, the charging process can be performed for the printing operation, whereby the security of the printing operation can be further improved.

In this embodiment, steps 101 to 103 in fig. 3 are the same as steps 101 to 103 in fig. 1, and step 104 and step 106 in fig. 3 are the same as step 104 and step 106 in fig. 2, and the contents thereof are incorporated herein, and will not be described again here. Wherein the first indication information and the third indication information may be the same information.

In this embodiment, in step 107, the first server may determine whether to perform the charging process according to the pre-stored setting information. For example, the setting information may be charging information corresponding to the mobile terminal, for example, the setting information may indicate which mobile terminals can perform free printing and which mobile terminals need to perform charging printing; or, charging information corresponding to the printing manner, for example, the setting information may indicate that charging is required for color printing and charging is not required for black-and-white printing; alternatively, the charging information corresponding to the image forming apparatus, for example, the setting information may indicate which image forming apparatuses can perform printing for free and which image forming apparatuses need to be charged for a charge.

In the present embodiment, the second indication information is information for instructing the mobile terminal to display a charging processing screen in step 107. The second indication information may include billing information generated by the first server, for example, the first server may calculate a charging amount corresponding to the print data according to printing manners such as number of pages to be printed, number of copies, simplex/duplex printing, color/monochrome printing, and the like. However, the present application is not limited thereto, and the second indication information may not include the account information.

In this embodiment, in step 108, the mobile terminal may display a charging processing screen according to the second indication information, and when the second indication information includes the bill information, the mobile terminal displays the bill information in the charging processing screen, the user may select to pay the bill in the form of an internet bank or a third-party payment platform, and after the payment is completed, the bank server or the third-party payment platform may send information that the charging is successful to the first server and/or the mobile terminal; in the case where the bill information is not included in the second indication information, the mobile terminal displays an interface for the user to input the charge amount in the charge processing screen, and the bill can be paid in a similar manner. However, the present application is not limited thereto, and the user may pay through the swipe machine.

In this embodiment, in step 109, the first server may receive the information that the charging is successful from the mobile terminal, or receive the information that the charging is successful from the bank server or the third party payment platform, or receive the information that the charging is successful from the mobile terminal and the bank server or the third party payment platform.

Fig. 4 is another schematic view of the image forming method of embodiment 1 of the present invention. As shown in fig. 4, the image forming method has the steps of:

step 104: the image forming apparatus receives print data;

step 110: after the mobile terminal establishes connection with a first server, the mobile terminal sends setting information which is input by a user or is stored in advance and related to a printing mode of an image forming device to the first server;

step 111: the first server receives the setting information and sends the setting information to the image forming device;

step 112: the image forming apparatus receives the setting information and prints the print data based on the setting information.

With the above-described embodiment, the print mode of the image forming apparatus can be set by the mobile terminal, and thus, the convenience of the printing operation can be further improved.

In this embodiment, steps 101 to 103 in fig. 4 are the same as steps 101 to 103 in fig. 1, and the contents thereof are incorporated herein, which are not described again.

In this embodiment, the setting information may be input by the user, or may be pre-stored in the mobile terminal. The setting information may be any information for setting the printing mode of the image forming apparatus. Fig. 5 is a schematic view of an interface displayed by the mobile terminal for a user to input setting information. As shown in fig. 5, for example, the setting information may include: any one or more of a print range, simplex/duplex printing, landscape/portrait, paper size, custom margins, scaling, etc.

In this embodiment, the mobile terminal may transmit the setting information at any time after establishing the connection with the first server, for example, while the mobile terminal transmits the print data to the first server, or after the first server transmits the print data to the image forming apparatus, or after the image forming apparatus receives the print data.

In this embodiment, the mobile terminal may read the identification code corresponding to the image forming apparatus through the application program, or the mobile terminal may establish a connection with the first server through the application program, or the mobile terminal may read the identification code corresponding to the image forming apparatus through the application program and establish a connection with the first server. This can further improve the convenience and security of printing the print data in the mobile terminal.

In this embodiment, the Application (APP) may be software installed on the mobile terminal, or may be an applet developed based on another software platform, for example, an applet developed based on software having a file transfer function such as WeChat and QQ, or may be a web page.

In this embodiment, when the mobile terminal reads the identification code by the application program, for example, the application program calls an image capturing unit of the mobile terminal, and the image capturing unit scans the identification code corresponding to the image forming apparatus. However, the present application is not limited thereto, and the identification code may be read by other means.

In this embodiment, when the mobile terminal establishes a connection with the first server through the application program, for example, the first server may be accessed through the application program according to the 1 st information. In addition, in this embodiment, the mobile terminal may also perform communication with the first server through the application program, for example, the mobile terminal may transmit the 2 nd information and the print data, transmit the setting information related to the printing method, receive the 2 nd instruction information, and the like through the application program; alternatively, setting information relating to the printing method may be input by the application program.

In this embodiment, the mobile terminal may further include 3 rd information by reading the identification code corresponding to the image forming apparatus, the 3 rd information being information for the mobile terminal to establish a connection with the second server. The second server can store the application program, and the mobile terminal can establish connection with the second server according to the 3 rd information and download the application program from the second server. Accordingly, the application program corresponding to the image forming apparatus can be automatically downloaded from the second server only by scanning the identification code, and therefore, the convenience of the printing operation is further improved.

In this embodiment, after step 101, the image forming method may further include: the mobile terminal determines print data selected by a user. Fig. 6 is a schematic diagram of the method for determining print data by the mobile terminal according to embodiment 1 of the present invention. As shown in fig. 6, the method includes:

step 601: the mobile terminal displays a print data selection interface, such as a list of print data;

step 602: the mobile terminal judges whether the user selects the print data; executing step 603 if it is determined that the user has selected print data, and executing step 601 if it is determined that the user has not selected print data;

step 603: in a case where it is determined that the user selects the print data, the mobile terminal determines the selected print data, whereby the print data can be transmitted to the first server in the subsequent step.

According to the embodiment, the user can select the data which the user wants to print through the mobile terminal to print, and the convenience of the printing operation is further improved.

In this embodiment, before the mobile terminal sends the setting information related to the printing method of the image forming apparatus to the first server in step 110, the image forming method may further include: the mobile terminal generates setting information related to a printing method of the image forming apparatus. Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram of a method for generating setting information by a mobile terminal according to embodiment 1 of the present invention. As shown in fig. 7, the method includes:

step 701: the mobile terminal sends a request for obtaining printer information to a first server;

step 702: the mobile terminal judges whether printer information is received or not; executing step 703 if it is determined that the printer information has been received, and executing step 701 if it is determined that the printer information has not been received; alternatively, the mobile terminal may display a prompt message indicating that the printer information acquisition has failed when the printer information has not been received after the printer information request is transmitted a predetermined number of times;

step 703: the mobile terminal displays a setting picture of a printing mode;

step 704: the mobile terminal generates setting information according to the input of the user in the setting screen.

Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram of a method for acquiring printer information by a first server according to embodiment 1 of the present invention. As shown in fig. 8, the method includes:

step 801: the first server receives a request for obtaining printer information sent by the mobile terminal;

step 802: the first server sends a request for obtaining printer information to the image forming apparatus;

step 803: the first server judges whether the printer information sent by the image forming device is received; executing step 804 when determining that the printer information is received, and executing step 802 when determining that the printer information is not received; alternatively, the first server may send the information indicating that the printer information acquisition has failed to the mobile terminal when the printer information has not been received after the printer information request is sent a predetermined number of times;

step 804: the first server returns printer information to the mobile terminal.

Through the embodiment, the user can set the printing mode through the mobile terminal, and the convenience of printing operation is further improved.

Example 2

Embodiment 2 of the present invention provides an image forming system. Fig. 9 is a schematic view of an image forming system 900 according to embodiment 2 of the present invention. In the present embodiment, as shown in fig. 9, the image forming system 900 may include a mobile terminal 901, a first server 902, and an image forming apparatus 903. The mobile terminal 901 may be the mobile terminal described in embodiment 1, the first server 902 may be the first server described in embodiment 1, and the image forming apparatus 903 may be the image forming apparatus described in embodiment 1, and the contents are the same and will not be described again.

In this embodiment, the image forming system 900 may include one or more mobile terminals 901, one or more first servers 902, and one or more image forming apparatuses 903.

In this embodiment, the mobile terminal 901 is configured to read an identification code corresponding to the image forming apparatus 903 to obtain 1 st information and 2 nd information, establish a connection with the first server 902 according to the 1 st information, and send the 2 nd information and the print data to the first server 902, where the 1 st information is information for the mobile terminal 901 to establish a connection with the first server 902, and the 2 nd information is information for the first server 902 to establish a connection with the image forming apparatus 903; the first server 902 is used for receiving the 2 nd information and the print data, establishing connection with the image forming device 903 according to the 2 nd information, and sending the print data to the image forming device 903; the image forming apparatus 903 is for receiving print data and printing the print data. The contents of embodiment 1 are specifically incorporated herein, and will not be described herein again.

In the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 903 receives first instruction information instructing printing of print data from the first server 902, and prints the print data according to the first instruction information. The contents of embodiment 1 are specifically incorporated herein, and will not be described herein again.

In this embodiment, the first server 902 determines whether or not to perform the charging process after transmitting the print data to the image forming apparatus 903, and when the charging process is necessary, the first server 902 transmits second instruction information for performing the charging process to the mobile terminal 901; the mobile terminal 901 receives the second indication information and displays a charging processing picture according to the second indication information, wherein the charging processing picture comprises bill information or an interface for a user to input a charging amount; the first server 902, after receiving the information that the charging is successful, transmits third instruction information instructing to print the print data to the image forming apparatus 903; the image forming apparatus 903 receives the third instruction information and prints the print data according to the third instruction information. The contents of embodiment 1 are specifically incorporated herein, and will not be described herein again.

In the present embodiment, the mobile terminal 901 transmits setting information related to a printing method of the image forming apparatus 903, which is input by a user or stored in advance, to the first server 902; the first server 902 receives the setting information and transmits the setting information to the image forming apparatus 903; the image forming apparatus 903 receives the setting information and prints the print data according to the setting information. The contents of embodiment 1 are specifically incorporated herein, and will not be described herein again.

In the present embodiment, the mobile terminal 901 reads the identification code corresponding to the image forming apparatus 903 through the application corresponding to the image forming apparatus 903, and/or the mobile terminal 901 establishes a connection with the first server 902 through the application corresponding to the image forming apparatus 903. The contents of embodiment 1 are specifically incorporated herein, and will not be described herein again.

Next, the image forming system of the present embodiment is exemplarily described from the perspective of the image forming apparatus 903, the first server 902, and the mobile terminal 901. Fig. 10 is a schematic view of the workflow of the image forming system of embodiment 2 of the present invention, as shown in fig. 10:

on the mobile terminal 901 side, the mobile terminal 901 reads an identification code corresponding to the image forming apparatus 903 (step 1001), and obtains the 1 st information and the 2 nd information carried in the identification code (step 1002); a connection is established with the first server 902 according to the 1 st information, and the 2 nd information and the print data are transmitted to the first server 902 (step 1003). Steps 1001 to 1003 of the mobile terminal 901 are the same as

steps

101 and 102 in fig. 1, and the contents thereof are incorporated herein, which are not described again.

In one embodiment, as shown in fig. 10, optionally, the mobile terminal may further select the print data before sending the print data to the first server (step 1006). Therefore, the user can print the printing data in a targeted manner, and the convenience of printing operation is further improved. Step 1006 of the mobile terminal 901 may refer to the method shown in fig. 6, and the contents thereof are incorporated herein, which is not described herein again.

On the first server 902 side, the first server 902 receives the 2 nd information and the print data, establishes a connection with the image forming apparatus 903 according to the 2 nd information, and transmits the print data to the image forming apparatus 903 (step 1004). Step 1004 at the side of the first server 902 is the same as step 103 in fig. 1, and the contents thereof are incorporated herein, which is not described herein again.

In one embodiment, as shown in fig. 10, optionally, the first server 902 may process the received print data (step 1007), generating print data that can be recognized by the image forming apparatus 903.

On the image forming apparatus 903 side, the image forming apparatus 903 receives the print data and prints the print data (step 1005). Step 1005 of the image forming apparatus 903 side is the same as step 104 of fig. 1, and the contents thereof are incorporated herein, and will not be described again.

In one embodiment, as shown in fig. 10, alternatively, the image forming apparatus 903 may display its identification code on its display portion (step 1008), thereby enabling the user to read the identification code conveniently using the mobile terminal 901.

Fig. 11 is another schematic view of the workflow of the image forming system of embodiment 2 of the present invention, as shown in fig. 11:

on the first server 902 side, the first server 902 may also transmit first instruction information for instructing printing of the print data to the image forming apparatus 903 (step 1101); the first indication information is the same as the first indication information described in step 105 of fig. 2, and the contents thereof are incorporated herein, which is not described herein again.

On the image forming apparatus 903 side, the image forming apparatus 903 receives the first instruction information and performs printing according to the first instruction information (step 1105). The steps on the image forming apparatus 903 side are the same as

steps

104 and 106 in fig. 2, and the contents thereof are incorporated herein, and are not described again here.

In one embodiment, as shown in fig. 11, optionally, after receiving the print data, the image forming apparatus 903 may further store the received print data (step 1102), and after receiving the first indication information sent by the first server 902, print the stored print data.

In one embodiment, as shown in fig. 11, optionally, after the first server 902 and the mobile terminal 901 perform the charging process (step 1103), the first server 902 sends first indication information to the image forming apparatus 903 (step 1104).

Fig. 12 is a schematic diagram of a charging process flow of the image forming system according to embodiment 2 of the present invention, as shown in fig. 12:

on the first server 902 side, the first server 902 may determine whether or not to perform the charging process (step 1204), and if yes, transmit second instruction information instructing to perform the charging process to the mobile terminal 901 (step 1201), and the first server 902 may receive information that the charging is successful (step 1203). Step 1201 and step 1204 on the first server 902 side are the same as step 107 in fig. 3, and step 1203 is the same as step 109 in fig. 3, and the contents thereof are incorporated herein, which are not described herein again.

On the mobile terminal 901 side, the mobile terminal 901 displays a charging processing screen based on the received second instruction information (step 1202). Step 1202 on the mobile terminal 901 side is the same as step 108 in fig. 3, and the contents thereof are incorporated herein, which is not described herein again.

In this embodiment, as shown in fig. 12, when the determination result of step 1204 of the first server 902 is no, the charging process is not performed.

Fig. 13 is another schematic diagram of the charging process flow of the image forming system according to embodiment 2 of the present invention, and as shown in fig. 13, the image forming system may further include a third server 904. The charging process may be performed by a third server 904, where the third server 904 may be a bank server, or a server of a third party payment platform, and the like, and the present application is not limited in this respect. As shown in fig. 13:

on the mobile terminal 901 side, the mobile terminal 901 receives payment information input by a user (step 1301), and transmits the payment information to a third server (step 1302);

on the third server 904 side, the third server 904 receives the payment information and performs charging processing according to the payment information (step 1303); when the charging process is successful, the third server 904 transmits information that the charging is successful to the first server 902 (step 1304), or the third server 904 transmits information that the charging is successful to the mobile terminal 901 (step 1305), and the mobile terminal 901 transmits information that the charging is successful to the first server 902 (step 1306), or the third server 904 transmits information that the charging is successful to both the mobile terminal 901 and the first server 902. In this manner, the first server 902 may receive the information that the charging is successful from the third server 904, or may receive the information that the charging is successful from the mobile terminal 901.

Fig. 14 is another schematic view of the workflow of the image forming system of embodiment 2 of the present invention. As shown in fig. 14:

on the mobile terminal 901 side, the mobile terminal 901 may transmit setting information related to the printing method of the image forming apparatus 903 to the first server 902 (step 1401). Step 1401 at the mobile terminal 901 side is the same as step 110 in fig. 4, and the contents thereof are incorporated herein, and will not be described again.

On the first server 902 side, the first server 902 receives the setting information and transmits the setting information to the image forming apparatus 903. Step 1402 on the first server 902 side is the same as step 111 in fig. 4, and the contents thereof are incorporated herein, which is not described herein again.

In the present embodiment, the setting information may be stored in the mobile terminal 901 in advance, or may be input by the user on the mobile terminal 901 side. Alternatively, as shown in fig. 14, in the case that the setting information is input by the user on the mobile terminal 901 side, the flow may further include the following steps:

the mobile terminal 901 transmits a request for obtaining printer information to the first server 902 (step 1403), displays a setting screen of a printing method based on the printer information transmitted from the first server 902 (step 1407), receives setting information input by the user (step 1408), and transmits the setting information to the first server 902 (step 1401).

On the first server 902 side, the request for obtaining printer information transmitted from the mobile terminal 901 is received, the printer information is requested to the image forming apparatus 903 (step 1404), and the printer information transmitted from the image forming apparatus 903 is received, and the printer information is transmitted to the mobile terminal 901 (step 1406).

On the image forming apparatus 903 side, a request for acquiring printer information transmitted from the first server 902 is received, and printer information is transmitted to the first server 902 (step 1405). In this way, the print mode of image forming apparatus 903 can be set conveniently in mobile terminal 901, and thus the convenience of the print operation is further improved.

In this embodiment, the mobile terminal 901 may read an identification code corresponding to the image forming apparatus 903 through an application program and/or establish a connection with the first server 902. Fig. 15 is a schematic diagram of a process of loading the application program by the mobile terminal according to embodiment 2 of the present invention. As shown in fig. 15, the image forming system may further include a second server 905, the second server 905 having the application program stored thereon.

On the mobile terminal 901 side, the mobile terminal 901 reads an identification code corresponding to the image forming apparatus 903 (step 1501), and analyzes the 3 rd information carried in the identification code (step 1502), wherein the 3 rd information is information for establishing connection between the mobile terminal 901 and the second server 905; the mobile terminal 901 establishes a connection with the second server 905 according to the 3 rd information and sends an application program downloading request to the second server 905 (step 1503); mobile terminal 901 receives the application transmitted from second server 902, and installs and starts the application (step 1505).

On the second server 905 side, the second server 905 receives the request for downloading the application transmitted from the mobile terminal 901, and transmits the application to the mobile terminal 901 (step 1504).

Thus, the application program can be loaded only by scanning the identification code through the mobile terminal 901, and the convenience of the printing operation is further improved.

Next, the image forming method according to the present embodiment will be described by way of example, taking an example in which the image forming apparatus is a printer, the first server is a printer server, the mobile terminal is a mobile phone, the second server is a wechat server, and the identification code is a QR code. Fig. 16 is another schematic view of the workflow of the image forming system of embodiment 2 of the present invention. As shown in fig. 16, the image forming method includes:

step 1601: the printer displays the QR code on its display portion;

step 1602: the mobile phone calls a camera to scan the identification code through a 'scanning' function of the WeChat;

step 1603: analyzing the identification code to obtain the 1 st, 2 nd and 3 rd information;

step 1604: the mobile phone loads an application program from the WeChat server, and the specific process can refer to the method shown in FIG. 15;

step 1605: the mobile phone accesses the printer server according to the 1 st information by using the application program and sends a request for obtaining the printer information and the 2 nd information to the printer server;

step 1606: the printer server establishes connection with the printer according to the 2 nd information; wherein, under the condition that the connection between the printer server and the printer is failed, the printer sends a 'printer connection failure' message to the printer server, the printer server sends a 'printer connection failure' message to the mobile phone, and the mobile phone displays the 'printer connection failure' message on a display part of the mobile phone;

step 1607: when the connection between the printer server and the printer is successfully established, the printer server sends a request for obtaining printer information to the printer; when the request for acquiring the printer information fails to be received, the printer transmits a message of "printer information acquisition failure" to the printer server, the printer server transmits a message of "printer information acquisition failure" to the mobile phone, and the mobile phone displays the message of "printer information acquisition failure" on the display unit thereof;

step 1608: when the request for obtaining the printer information is successfully received, the printer sends the printer information to the printer server;

step 1609: the printer server sends printer information to the mobile phone;

step 1610: the mobile phone displays a setting picture of a printing mode on a display part by using an application program;

step 1611: the mobile phone receives the setting information input by the user by using the application program;

step 1612: the mobile phone receives the selection of the user on the printing data by utilizing the application program and determines the printing data selected by the user;

step 1613: the mobile phone sends setting information and printing data to the printer server by using the application program; when the setting information and the print data are failed to be sent, the printer server sends an information sending failure message to the mobile phone, and the mobile phone displays the information sending failure message on a display part of the mobile phone;

step 1614: when the setting information and the print data are successfully sent, the printer server processes the print data to generate print data (print tasks) which can be identified by the printer;

step 1615: the printer server sends print data (print job) to the printer; when the print data transmission fails, the printer sends a data transmission failure message to the printer server, the printer server sends a data transmission failure message to the mobile phone, and the mobile phone displays the data transmission failure message on a display part of the mobile phone;

step 1616: under the condition that the printing data is successfully sent, the printer sends a 'data sending success' message to the printer server;

step 1617: the printer server and the mobile phone perform charging processing, and the charging processing can refer to the methods shown in fig. 12-13; in the case of a failure of the charging process (for example, the user cancels the payment or the payment process is wrong, the mobile phone sends a "charging failure" message to the printer server, but the application is not limited thereto, and the bank server may send a "charging failure" message to the printer server), the printer server sends a "charging failure" message to the printer, and the printer deletes the stored print data;

step 1618: in the case where the charging process is successful, the printer server transmits first instruction information to the printer;

step 1619: the printer prints the print data according to the first instruction information.

With the image forming system of the present embodiment, when printing data in the mobile terminal by using the image forming apparatus, the identification code corresponding to the image forming apparatus is read by the mobile terminal, and the 1 st information for connection of the mobile terminal with the first server and the 2 nd information for connection of the first server with the image forming apparatus are obtained, whereby the mobile terminal can be connected with the first server by using the 1 st information, and the first server can be connected with the image forming apparatus by using the 2 nd information. Therefore, the mobile terminal, the first server and the image forming apparatus can be connected only by reading the identification code through the mobile terminal, and convenience of printing the printing data in the mobile terminal can be improved.

Example 3

Embodiment 3 of the present invention provides a mobile terminal. The mobile terminal may be the mobile terminal related to the image forming method of embodiment 1 or the mobile terminal 901 of the image forming apparatus of embodiment 2, and the description thereof will not be repeated where the contents are the same.

Fig. 17 is a schematic diagram of a mobile terminal according to embodiment 3 of the present invention. As shown in fig. 17, the mobile terminal 1800 includes:

a reading unit 1801 configured to read an identification code corresponding to the image forming apparatus to obtain 1 st information and 2 nd information, the 1 st information being information for establishing a connection between the mobile terminal 1800 and the first server, the 2 nd information being information for establishing a connection between the first server and the image forming apparatus;

a first communication section 1802 that establishes a connection with the first server according to the 1 st information and transmits the 2 nd information and the print data to the first server.

Through the mobile terminal of the embodiment, when the image forming device is used for printing the printing data in the mobile terminal, the identification code corresponding to the image forming device is read through the mobile terminal, the 1 st information used for connecting the mobile terminal and the first server and the 2 nd information used for connecting the first server and the image forming device are obtained, and the mobile terminal sends the 2 nd information to the first server.

In the present embodiment, the identification code corresponding to the image forming apparatus may be any code capable of carrying information. The contents of embodiment 1 are specifically incorporated herein, and will not be described herein again.

In this embodiment, the 1 st information may be any information that enables the mobile terminal 1800 to establish a connection with the first server, and the 2 nd information may be any information that enables the first server to establish a connection with the image forming apparatus. The contents of embodiment 1 are specifically incorporated herein, and will not be described herein again.

In this embodiment, the print data transmitted by the mobile terminal 1800 to the first server may be any type of data. The contents of embodiment 1 are specifically incorporated herein, and will not be described herein again.

In this embodiment, as shown in fig. 17, the mobile terminal 1800 may further include a first display portion 1803. The first communication unit 1802 receives second instruction information for instructing to perform charging processing from the first server, and the first display unit 1803 displays a charging processing screen based on the second instruction information, where the charging processing screen may include a charging amount or an interface for a user to input the charging amount. The contents of embodiment 1 are specifically incorporated herein, and will not be described herein again.

In this embodiment, the mobile terminal 1800 may display the charging processing screen according to the second indication information, and in the case where the second indication information includes the billing information, the mobile terminal 1800 may display the billing information in the charging processing screen, and in the case where the second indication information does not include the billing information, the mobile terminal 1800 may display an interface for the user to input the charging amount in the charging processing screen.

In this embodiment, the bill may be paid in any manner. The contents of embodiment 1 are specifically incorporated herein, and will not be described herein again.

In this embodiment, the first communication section 1802 may transmit setting information related to a printing method of the image forming apparatus, which is input by a user or stored in advance, to the first server.

In this embodiment, the setting information may be input by the user, or may be pre-stored in the mobile terminal 1800. The contents of embodiment 1 are specifically incorporated herein, and will not be described herein again.

In this embodiment, the mobile terminal 1800 may read the identification code corresponding to the image forming apparatus through the application corresponding to the image forming apparatus, or the mobile terminal 1800 may establish a connection with the first server through the application corresponding to the image forming apparatus, or the mobile terminal 1800 may read the identification code corresponding to the image forming apparatus through the application corresponding to the image forming apparatus and establish a connection with the first server. This can further improve the convenience of printing the print data in the mobile terminal 1800. The contents of embodiment 1 are specifically incorporated herein, and will not be described herein again.

In this embodiment, the application program may be a program in any form, which is specifically described in embodiment 1, and the contents of the application program are incorporated herein, and are not described herein again.

In this embodiment, the mobile terminal 1800 may also read the identification code corresponding to the image forming apparatus by 3 rd information, which 3 rd information is information for the mobile terminal 1800 to establish a connection with the second server. The contents of embodiment 1 are specifically incorporated herein, and will not be described herein again.

Fig. 18 is another schematic diagram of a mobile terminal according to embodiment 3 of the present invention. Among other things, the mobile terminal 1900 may be a device having the same functionality as the mobile terminal 1800. As shown in fig. 18, the mobile terminal 1900 includes: a first controller 1901, a first communicator 1902, a scanner 1903, and a first memory 1905.

In the present embodiment, the first controller 1901 (central processing unit) is configured to execute a program stored in the first memory 1905 to control operations of each component in the mobile terminal 1900.

In the present embodiment, the reading section 1801 in the mobile terminal 1800 may be a scanner 1903 in the mobile terminal 1900, the scanner 1903 being configured to read an identification code corresponding to the image forming apparatus to obtain the 1 st information and the 2 nd information. The first communicator 1802 may be a first communicator 1902, and the first communicator 1902 is configured to establish a connection with the first server according to the 1 st information and transmit the 2 nd information and the print data to the first server.

In this embodiment, the first communicator 1902 is further configured to receive second indication information for indicating to perform the charging process from the first server. As shown in fig. 18, the mobile terminal 1900 may further include: an operation panel 1904. The first display unit 1803 may be an operation panel 1904 for displaying a charging process screen in accordance with the second instruction information.

In this embodiment, the first communicator 1902 is further configured to transmit setting information related to a printing method of the image forming apparatus, which is input by a user or stored in advance, to the first server. In one embodiment, the user may input the setting information through the operation panel 1904, and in another embodiment, the first memory 1905 may store the setting information in advance.

Example 4

Embodiment 4 of the present invention provides a printer server. The printer server may be the first server involved in the image forming method of embodiment 1 or the first server 902 of embodiment 2, and the description thereof will not be repeated where the contents are the same.

Fig. 19 is a schematic diagram of a print server according to embodiment 4 of the present invention. As shown in fig. 19, the printer server 2000 includes:

a second communication part 2001 for receiving the 2 nd information and the print data transmitted from the mobile terminal, establishing a connection with the image forming apparatus according to the 2 nd information, and transmitting the print data to the image forming apparatus.

With the printer server of the embodiment, when the image forming apparatus is used for printing the print data in the mobile terminal, the printer server receives the 2 nd information sent by the mobile terminal, so that the printer server can be connected with the image forming apparatus by using the 2 nd information, and the convenience of printing the print data in the mobile terminal can be improved.

In the present embodiment, the second communication portion 2001 is also used to transmit, to the image forming apparatus, first instruction information instructing the image forming apparatus to print the print data. The contents of embodiment 1 are specifically incorporated herein, and will not be described herein again.

In the present embodiment, as shown in fig. 19, the printer server 2000 may further include a first determination section 2002 for determining whether or not to perform the charging process after the second communication section 2001 transmits the print data to the image forming apparatus. When the charging process is required, the second communication unit 2001 transmits second instruction information for performing the charging process to the mobile terminal, and transmits first instruction information for instructing printing of the print data to the image forming apparatus after receiving information that the charging is successful. The contents of embodiment 1 are specifically incorporated herein, and will not be described herein again.

In the present embodiment, the second communication portion 2001 is also used to receive setting information related to a printing method of the image forming apparatus, which is input by a user or stored in advance, from the mobile terminal, and transmit the setting information to the image forming apparatus. The contents of embodiment 1 are specifically incorporated herein, and will not be described herein again.

In this embodiment, the printer server 2000 may transmit the received print data to the image processing apparatus after receiving the print data, or the printer server 2000 may process the received print data to generate print data that can be recognized by the image forming apparatus and transmit the processed print data to the image forming apparatus. The contents of embodiment 1 are specifically incorporated herein, and will not be described herein again.

In the present embodiment, the printer server 2000 may determine whether to perform the charging process based on the setting information stored in advance. The contents of embodiment 1 are specifically incorporated herein, and will not be described herein again.

Fig. 20 is another schematic diagram of the printer server according to embodiment 4 of the present invention. Among them, the printer server 2100 may be a device having the same function as the printer server 2000. As shown in fig. 20, the printer server 2100 includes: a second controller 2101, a second communicator 2102 and a second memory 2103.

In this embodiment, the second controller 2101 (central processing unit) is configured to execute a program stored in the second memory 2103 to control the operation of each component in the printer server.

In this embodiment, the first determination section 2002 in the printer server 2000 may be the second controller 2101 in the printer server 2100, and the second controller 2101 is configured to determine whether or not to perform the charging process after the second communicator 2102 transmits the print data to the image forming apparatus. However, when the charging process is necessary, the second communicator 2102 transmits second instruction information for performing the charging process to the mobile terminal, and after receiving information that the charging is successful, transmits first instruction information for instructing to print the print data to the image forming apparatus.

Example 5

Embodiment 5 of the present invention provides an image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus may be the image forming apparatus according to the image forming method of embodiment 1 or the image forming apparatus 903 in the image forming system of embodiment 2, and the description thereof will not be repeated where the contents are the same.

Fig. 21 is a schematic view of an image forming apparatus of embodiment 5 of the present invention. As shown in fig. 21, the image forming apparatus 2200 includes:

a third communication unit 2201 for receiving the print data transmitted from the first server;

an image forming section 2202 for printing the print data.

In this embodiment, the third communication portion 2201 is further configured to receive first instruction information instructing printing of the print data from the first server, and the image forming portion 2202 prints the print data based on the first instruction information. The contents of embodiment 1 are specifically incorporated herein, and will not be described herein again.

In the present embodiment, the third communication unit 2201 is further configured to receive setting information related to the printing method of the image forming apparatus from the first server, and the image forming unit 2202 prints the print data based on the setting information. The contents of embodiment 1 are specifically incorporated herein, and will not be described herein again.

In the present embodiment, as shown in fig. 21, the image forming apparatus 2200 further includes a storage unit 2203 for storing print data, and the image forming unit 2202 prints the stored print data after the third communication unit 2201 receives the first instruction information transmitted from the first server. The contents of embodiment 1 are specifically incorporated herein, and will not be described herein again.

In this embodiment, the storage portion 2203 may be used for storing an identification code corresponding to the image forming apparatus 2000, wherein the identification code includes the 1 st information and the 2 nd information, or the 1 st information, the 2 nd information and the 3 rd information. As shown in fig. 21, the image forming apparatus 2200 further includes a second display portion 2204 for displaying the identification code. However, the present application is not limited to this, and the identification code may be attached to the outer surface of image forming apparatus 2000 or may be attached near image forming apparatus 2000. The contents of embodiment 1 are specifically incorporated herein, and will not be described herein again.

Fig. 22 is a schematic view of an image forming apparatus of embodiment 5 of the present invention. Image forming apparatus 2300 may include image forming device 2200, among others. As shown in fig. 22, image forming apparatus 2300 includes: a third controller 2301, a third communicator 2302, a third memory 2303 and a printer 2305.

In the present embodiment, the third controller 2301 (central processing unit) is configured to execute a program stored in the third memory 2303 to control the operation of each component in the image forming apparatus.

In this embodiment, the third communication section 2201 in the image forming apparatus 2200 may be a third communicator 2302 in the image forming device 2300, the third communicator 2302 being configured to receive the print data transmitted by the first server. The image forming section 2202 may be a printer 2305 for printing the print data.

In this embodiment, the third communicator 2302 is further configured to receive first instruction information instructing to print the print data from the first server, and the printer 2305 prints the print data according to the first instruction information. The contents of embodiment 1 are specifically incorporated herein, and will not be described herein again.

In this embodiment, the third communicator 2302 is further configured to receive setting information related to a printing method of the image forming apparatus from the first server, and the printer 2305 prints the print data according to the setting information. The contents of embodiment 1 are specifically incorporated herein, and will not be described herein again.

In this embodiment, the third memory 2303 may be used to store print data, and after the third communicator 2302 receives the first instruction information transmitted by the first server, the printer 2305 prints the print data stored in the third memory 2303. The contents of embodiment 1 are specifically incorporated herein, and will not be described herein again.

In this embodiment, the third memory 2303 may be used to store an identification code corresponding to the image forming apparatus 2300, the identification code including the 1 st information and the 2 nd information, or the 1 st information, the 2 nd information, and the 3 rd information. As shown in fig. 22, image forming apparatus 2300 may further include an operation panel 2304 for displaying the identification code. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the identification code may be attached to image forming apparatus 2300, or may be attached to the vicinity of image forming apparatus 2000. The contents of embodiment 1 are specifically incorporated herein, and will not be described herein again.

With the image forming apparatus of the present embodiment, when printing the print data in the mobile terminal by using the image forming apparatus, the identification code corresponding to the image forming apparatus is read by the mobile terminal, and the 1 st information for the connection of the mobile terminal with the first server and the 2 nd information for the connection of the first server with the image forming apparatus are obtained, so that the mobile terminal can be connected with the first server by using the 1 st information, and the first server can be connected with the image forming apparatus by using the 2 nd information. Therefore, the mobile terminal, the first server and the image forming apparatus can be connected only by reading the identification code through the mobile terminal, and convenience of printing the printing data in the mobile terminal can be improved.

The above devices and methods of the present invention can be implemented by hardware, or can be implemented by hardware and software. The present invention relates to a computer-readable program which, when executed by a logic section, enables the logic section to realize the above-described apparatus or constituent section, or to realize the above-described various methods or steps. The present invention also relates to a storage medium such as a hard disk, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a DVD, a flash memory, or the like, for storing the above program.

The methods/apparatus described in connection with the embodiments of the invention may be embodied directly in hardware, in a software module executed by a processor, or in a combination of the two. For example, one or more of the functional block diagrams and/or one or more combinations of the functional block diagrams illustrated in fig. 17-22 may correspond to individual software modules of a computer program flow or individual hardware modules. These software modules may correspond to the various steps shown in fig. 1-8, 10-16, respectively. These hardware modules may be implemented, for example, by solidifying these software modules using a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA).

A software module may reside in RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. A storage medium may be coupled to the processor such that the processor can read information from, and write information to, the storage medium; or the storage medium may be integral to the processor. The processor and the storage medium may reside in an ASIC. The software module may be stored in the memory of the mobile terminal or in a memory card that is insertable into the mobile terminal. For example, if the information processing apparatus employs a MEGA-SIM card having a relatively large capacity or a flash memory device having a large capacity, the software module may be stored in the MEGA-SIM card or the flash memory device having a large capacity.

One or more of the functional blocks and/or one or more combinations of the functional blocks described in the figures can be implemented as a general purpose processor, a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any suitable combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. One or more of the functional blocks and/or one or more combinations of the functional blocks described in connection with the figures may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP communication, or any other such configuration.

While the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these descriptions are illustrative and not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Various modifications and adaptations of the present invention may occur to those skilled in the art, based on the principles of the present invention, and such modifications and adaptations are within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An image forming method, characterized in that the method comprises:

the method comprises the steps that a mobile terminal reads an identification code corresponding to an image forming device to obtain 1 st information and 2 nd information, wherein the 1 st information is information for the mobile terminal to establish connection with a first server, and the 2 nd information is information for the first server to establish connection with the image forming device;

the mobile terminal establishes connection with the first server according to the 1 st information and sends the 2 nd information and the printing data to the first server;

the first server receives the 2 nd information and the printing data, establishes connection with the image forming device according to the 2 nd information, and sends the printing data to the image forming device;

the image forming apparatus receives the print data and prints the print data.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus receives first instruction information instructing printing of the print data from the first server before printing of the print data, the image forming apparatus printing the print data according to the first instruction information.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

the first server determines whether to perform charging processing after transmitting the print data to the image forming apparatus, and transmits second instruction information for performing charging processing to the mobile terminal when the charging processing is required;

the mobile terminal receives the second indication information and displays a charging processing picture according to the second indication information, wherein the charging processing picture comprises bill information and/or an interface for a user to input a charging amount;

the first server, after receiving the information that the charging is successful, transmitting third instruction information instructing to print the print data to the image forming apparatus;

the image forming apparatus receives the third instruction information and prints the print data according to the third instruction information.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

after the mobile terminal establishes connection with the first server, the mobile terminal sends setting information which is input by a user or is stored in advance and related to a printing mode of the image forming device to the first server;

the first server receives the setting information and transmits the setting information to the image forming apparatus;

the image forming apparatus receives the setting information and prints the print data according to the setting information.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the mobile terminal reads an identification code corresponding to the image forming apparatus through an application program, and/or wherein the mobile terminal establishes a connection with the first server through an application program.

6. An image forming system, characterized in that the system comprises a mobile terminal, a first server and an image forming apparatus;

the mobile terminal is used for reading an identification code corresponding to the image forming device to obtain 1 st information and 2 nd information, establishing connection with the first server according to the 1 st information, and sending the 2 nd information and printing data to the first server, wherein the 1 st information is information for establishing connection between the mobile terminal and the first server, and the 2 nd information is information for establishing connection between the first server and the image forming device;

the first server is used for receiving the 2 nd information and the printing data, establishing connection with the image forming device according to the 2 nd information and sending the printing data to the image forming device;

the image forming apparatus is configured to receive the print data and print the print data.

7. The system according to claim 6, wherein the mobile terminal comprises:

a reading section for reading an identification code corresponding to the image forming apparatus to obtain the 1 st information and the 2 nd information;

a first communication unit that establishes a connection with the first server according to the 1 st information and transmits the 2 nd information and the print data to the first server.

8. The system according to claim 7, wherein said first communication section of said mobile terminal receives second instruction information for instructing charging processing from said first server,

the mobile terminal further includes:

and a first display part for displaying a charging processing picture according to the second indication information, wherein the charging processing picture comprises bill information and/or an interface for a user to input a charging amount.

9. The system according to claim 7, wherein the first communication unit of the mobile terminal transmits setting information related to a printing method of the image forming apparatus, which is input by a user or stored in advance, to the first server.

10. The system of claim 6, wherein the first server comprises:

a second communication section for receiving the 2 nd information and the print data, establishing a connection with the image forming apparatus according to the 2 nd information, and transmitting the print data to the image forming apparatus.

11. The system according to claim 10, wherein the second communication portion is further configured to transmit first instruction information instructing the image forming apparatus to print the print data to the image forming apparatus.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the first server further comprises:

a first determination unit configured to determine whether or not to perform charging processing after the second communication unit transmits the print data to the image forming apparatus;

when the charging process is required, the second communication unit transmits second instruction information for performing the charging process to the mobile terminal, and transmits third instruction information for instructing to print the print data to the image forming apparatus after receiving the information that the charging is successful.

13. The system according to claim 10, wherein the second communication unit is further configured to receive setting information related to a printing method of the image forming apparatus, which is input by a user or stored in advance, from the mobile terminal, and to transmit the setting information to the image forming apparatus.

14. A mobile terminal, characterized in that the mobile terminal comprises:

a reading section configured to read an identification code corresponding to an image forming apparatus to obtain 1 st information and 2 nd information, the 1 st information being information for establishing a connection between the mobile terminal and a first server, the 2 nd information being information for establishing a connection between the first server and the image forming apparatus;

a first communication unit that establishes a connection with the first server according to the 1 st information and transmits the 2 nd information and print data to the first server.