JP2001043173A - Information equipment, information processor, and method for generating layout map of information equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information equipment capable of grasping its install position in the office without needing any complicated work by storing previously imparted identification information, generating the position information of the information equipment and transmitting the generated position information and the identification information. SOLUTION: In a first information equipment 10 and a second information equipment 20, a first identification code and a second identification code are previously stored in respective memories as respective identification information. Then, a radio wave signal transmitted by a GPS satellite 40 is received and determined position information is transmitted to a server 30 together with identification information. In the server 30, a relative position calculating means calculates the relative positions of the respective information equipment 10 and 20 from the transmitted position information and identification information of the respective information equipment 10 and 20. When an information equipment layout map in the office is requested, the map is converted into the graphical data of the information equipment layout map with a personal computer(PC) 50 as a reference point and transmitted to the PC 50.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information device, an information processing apparatus, and a method for creating a layout map of information devices, in which an installation position of each information device in an office in which a plurality of information devices are installed can be ascertained.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, information devices such as personal computers, printers, copiers, and facsimile machines in offices have been increasing in number as well as in types.

[0003] In addition, even if only a printer is considered, a plurality of printers are often selectively used in accordance with a use or a purpose, and software for automatically selecting a printer according to the use or software in use by the printer is often used. In such a case, some printers have a function of transferring data to another printer. As for facsimile, it is required that a facsimile that can be used quickly be selected and transmitted while avoiding the one being received or being transmitted.

When a large number of image processing apparatuses having such automatic selection and automatic transfer functions are installed on the same network, a user can determine which information device is executing a print job or the like designated by the user. In some cases I couldn't do it.

On the other hand, there is software that can list the model names of information devices in an office connected to a network. However, in a situation where the number of installed information devices is increasing, even if only the model names are known, However, it cannot be effective means for the above-mentioned problem.

In order to solve such a problem, in a network of an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer and an image processing apparatus such as a printer, position information of the printer is transmitted from the printer which has issued a job instruction to the personal computer to indicate the relative position. A method of creating a map and displaying the map on a personal computer has been proposed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-200444.
This method is a useful means that does not cause the above-described problem because the arrangement of the image processing apparatuses in the office is displayed on a map. However, in the invention of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 7-200444, it is necessary to input the position coordinates of the printer to the printer every time the printer is moved, which is troublesome.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to provide an information device capable of grasping an installation position of an information device in an office without troublesome work, and a plurality of information devices. It is an object of the present invention to provide an information processing apparatus for creating a device location map and a method for creating a location map for information devices.

[0008]

The object of the present invention has been achieved by the following constitutions.

1. In an information device connectable to a network, identification information storage means for storing identification information given to the information device in advance, position information generation means for generating position information of the information device, and information generated by the position information generation means An information device having transmission means capable of transmitting the position information and the identification information of the information device.

[0010] 2. 2. The information device according to 1 above, wherein the information device is an image processing device.

3. 3. The information device according to the item 2, wherein the image processing device is a printer.

4. In an information device connectable to a network, an identification information storage unit for storing identification information previously assigned to the information device, and a position information generation device connectable to a position information generation device for generating position information of the information device An information device comprising: means for transmitting position information of the information device and the identification information generated by the position information generating device.

5. The information device according to the above item 4, wherein the information device is an image processing device.

6. 6. The information device according to the item 5, wherein the image processing device is a printer.

[0015] 7. In an information processing apparatus connectable to a network, a relative position of the plurality of information devices is determined from the identification information and the position information transmitted from each of the plurality of information devices according to any one of the above 1 to 3. An information processing apparatus comprising: a relative position calculating means for calculating; and a relative position storing means for storing relative position information calculated by the relative position calculating means.

8. 8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a map creation unit that creates a layout map of the information device from the relative position information.

9. Measuring the position of the first information device,
Acquiring the position information, transmitting the first identification information and the first position information given to the first information device to the information processing device, measuring the position of the second information device,
Obtaining the second position information, transmitting the second identification information given to the second information device and the second position information to the information processing apparatus, and receiving the second position information, Calculating a relative positional relationship between the first position information and the second position information as relative position information, and storing the relative position information, based on the stored relative position information, the first information device and the second information A method for creating an arrangement map of information devices connected to a network, comprising: a step of creating an arrangement map of devices; and a step of displaying the created arrangement map.

10. In the step of creating the arrangement map, the arrangement map is created using an information device having map display means as a reference point, and in the step of displaying the arrangement map, the created arrangement map is displayed on the map of the information device. 10. The method for creating an information device arrangement map according to the item 9, wherein the information device is displayed by means.

(Description of the Present Invention) The present invention will be described in detail below.

In the present invention, an information device is a device capable of exchanging information via a network in an office, such as a printer, a copying machine, a facsimile, a personal computer, a server, and the like. Among these information devices, devices such as printers, copiers, and facsimile devices that are commonly used in an office and capable of inputting and outputting image information are referred to as image processing devices. Also, among the information devices, the information processing device refers to information processing and processing (creating a map based on position information and identification information transmitted from an information device having a position information generation unit or a position information generation device described later). Server, personal computer etc.

The information device of the present invention needs to be provided with identification information for specifying each information device in advance and stored in the identification information storage means. The identification information storage means is a non-volatile memory such as a ROM, and the identification information is stored in a MAC assigned to each information device at the time of shipment.
When the address or the information device is connected via a network line, a network address or the like can be used as identification information.

The network of the present invention may be wired or wireless, or may be connected in any form, but it is necessary that the information equipment can exchange information differently.

In the present invention, the position information generating means or the position information generating device capable of generating the position information of the information device is a GPS (Global Positioning).
System: Global Positioning System) Any position information generating device such as a receiver, a laser ranging device, an ultrasonic ranging device, and a directional radar can be used. The position information generating means or the position information generating device may be built in the information device of the present invention (position information generating means) or may be of a type externally connected by the connecting means (position information generating apparatus).

When the position information generating device is externally attached to the information device, the position information generating device connecting means provided on the information device side is not particularly limited as long as the position information generating device is connected and the measured position information can be received. However, a connector such as PCMCIA compliant, IEEE1394, RS232C or the like can be used. The information device connecting means on the side of the position information generating device is a terminal corresponding to the connector.

As the position information generating means or the position information generating device, a GPS receiver is preferable. The GPS determines the position coordinates of the GPS receiver by measuring the distance between a plurality of GPS satellites and the GPS receiver. The distance from one GPS satellite is measured by measuring the arrival time of a radio signal (the same pseudo random code generated at the same time by both the GPS receiver and the GPS satellite) from the GPS satellite to the GPS receiver. GPS receiver is GP
It examines the radio signal sent from the S satellite and measures how long ago the same pseudo-random code was generated. The time difference is the speed of light (300,000 km / s)
To obtain a distance (pseudo distance measurement by pseudo distance measurement means). And, in the manner of triangulation, multiple (minimum 3)
By measuring the distance to the GPS satellite, the coordinates (position information) with the GPS satellite as a reference point can be obtained. In a consumer GPS receiver, the position error reaches a maximum of 100 meters. However, the accuracy of GPS data can be greatly improved by performing differential correction. Differential correction is performed at a known location, GP
Using the GPS receiver of the S base station, the GPS base station calculates the error of each GPS satellite that has received the data and broadcasts it as a correction signal. The GPS receiver receives the correction signal from the GPS reference station and corrects the GPS data (correction by the correction unit). Currently, GPS reference stations are installed and operated everywhere in Japan. Then, the respective orbital positions of the plurality of GPS satellites are calculated from the radio signals transmitted from the plurality of GPS satellites (calculation by satellite position calculating means), and the corrected pseudo distance and the plurality of GPSs are calculated. The position of the receiving point is measured based on the position of the satellite in orbit.

When the GPS receiver is used as the position information generating means or the position information generating device of the present invention, it is preferable that the differential correction can be made and the error can be made within 1 m. In order to perform more accurate position measurement, one information device may have a plurality of GPS receivers.

The position information generating means or the connected position information generating device incorporated in the information device transmits the measured coordinate data (position information) of the information device to the information device.
At this time, a command for transmitting the coordinate data and the identification code (identification information) of the information device to an information processing device that performs an operation of mapping the positional relationship between a plurality of information devices in the office as a coordinate map is also transmitted. May be sent. In this case, the information device stores a program for transmitting position information and identification information to the information processing apparatus in response to the command, and is set to transmit the command when the command is received.

The position information generating means or the position information generating device may measure the installation position of the information device and transmit the position information each time the power of the connected information device is turned on, or may transmit the position information. It may be performed by an on-demand method that responds to a request from the above information processing apparatus.

The information processing apparatus according to the present invention associates the position information and the identification information transmitted from the information device with each other, and calculates the position information and the identification information of each of the plurality of information devices.
It has a relative position calculating means for calculating a positional relationship between the information devices as relative position information. Further, it has a relative position information storage means for storing the relative position information. Further, the information processing apparatus of the present invention can have a map creating means for creating an arrangement map indicating the installation position of the information equipment in the office from the relative position information, and a map display means for displaying the arrangement map. Further, the information processing apparatus may transmit the relative position information to another information device having the map display means, and may perform the arrangement map creation and the map display on the other information device having the map display means. In this case, it is preferable that the arrangement map is created using an information device having a map display means as a reference point.
When displaying the arrangement map on the map display means, it is preferable that an icon corresponding to the identification information of the information device can be displayed.

As described above, the position information and the identification information are received,
The calculating means for calculating the relative position information, the relative position information storing means, and the map creating means may be provided in the personal computer (information processing device) of each client, or may be provided in the shared server (information processing device). May be. Further, the personal computer and the server may have each means separately. The information device having the map display means is preferably a client personal computer, and is not particularly limited.
A general-purpose liquid crystal display, a CRT, and the like can be given.

[0031]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining an embodiment of a method for creating a layout drawing of information devices in an office according to the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 10 denotes a first information device (a personal computer with a built-in GPS receiver as position information generating means), 20 denotes a second information device (printer), and 20a denotes a position information generation device connected to the second information device. A device (GPS receiver), 30 is a server as an information processing device, 40 is a GPS satellite, 50 is a personal computer as map display means, and 60 is a network as an interface of each information device.

In the first information device 10 and the second information device 20, a first identification code and a second identification code are stored in advance in respective memories (identification information storage means) as respective identification information. Have been. The radio wave signal transmitted from the GPS satellite 40 is received by the GPS receiver of the first information device 10, and the position of the first information device is measured. next,
The above-described differential correction is performed, and determined as first position information of the first information device. The server 3 which is an information processing apparatus transmits two pieces of information of the determined first position information and the first identification code called from the memory of the first information device.
Send to 0 (arrow). Similarly, the second information device 2
GPS receiver 20a connected to GPS satellite 40
And transmits the determined position information to the server 30 together with the identification information (as indicated by an arrow). The transmission of the position information and the identification information to the server 30 is automatically performed when the power of each information device is turned on. In the server 30, the relative position of each information device is calculated by the relative position calculation means from the transmitted position information and identification information of each information device. The calculated data is stored in relative position storage means as relative position information.
An information device arrangement map (relative map) in the office is created from the relative position information and stored in a storage unit such as a memory as graphical data. Next, the server 30
When the client requests the information device arrangement map in the office from the personal computer 50, the graphical data stored in the server 30 is converted to the graphical information of the information device arrangement map (absolute map) using the personal computer 50 as a reference point. The data is converted into data and transmitted to the personal computer 50 (as indicated by an arrow). The graphical data received by the personal computer 50 is
It is displayed by map display means such as a liquid crystal display.

FIG. 2 is an example of a display screen of the information device arrangement map displayed on the map display means of the personal computer 50 as the client in FIG. Each information device is displayed with an icon corresponding to each piece of identification information. The personal computer 50 itself is indicated by a hatched icon at the lower center of the screen (reference point). The display screen is sectioned by squares so that the distance and direction from the personal computer 50 itself can be known. For example, one square is 1
If m × 1 m, the color printer 1 is
It can be seen from FIG. However, this color printer 1 (information device 20)
It is displayed as Y (in use), and it can be understood that it cannot be used immediately. Another personal computer 1 (information device 10)
Is located at a position slightly 6 m from the personal computer 50 to the left front, is turned on (operating), and it can be understood that information can be exchanged immediately by e-mail or the like.

FIG. 3 shows another example of a display screen of the map display means in the present invention. In this case, the client's personal computer is located at the lower left diagonal line icon, which is used as a reference point. The display range may be variable, and when the information equipment within the display range cannot be used, the display range may be further expanded.

Here, the detailed mechanism of the printer and the outline of the image forming process will be described with reference to FIG. 5 which is a schematic sectional view of the image forming apparatus. In FIG. 5, the network I / F 74 and the memory 72 are not shown.

The paper feeding means 720 includes paper feeding cassettes 721A and 721B for storing the recording papers P1 and P2, respectively, and the recording papers P1 and P2 in the paper feeding cassettes 721A and 721B.
Rollers 722A, 722 for separating and sending out one by one
A registration roller 7 that conveys the recording paper onto the photosensitive drum 731 in synchronization with the recording paper sent from
23. The paper feed cassette 721A stores the recording paper P1 in the vertical direction (the paper feed direction is the longitudinal direction of the recording paper), and each of the paper feed cassettes 721A and 721B has the same size but different recording paper orientation. ,
P2 is stored.

The image forming section 73 as an image forming means includes:
Photoconductor drum 731, charging means 732, exposure means 73
3, developing means 734, transfer means 735, separating means 73
6, a fixing unit 737 and a cleaning unit 738. The photoconductor drum 731 is driven to rotate in a direction indicated by an arrow by a control unit (not shown). Around the photosensitive drum 731, charging means 732,
An exposure unit 733, a development unit 734, a transfer unit 735, a separation unit 736, and a cleaning unit 738 are provided. As a result, image exposure (latent image formation) by the charging unit 732 and development by the developing unit 734, that is, visualization with toner are performed on the photosensitive drum 731 to form a toner image. Then, by the transfer unit 735,
The toner image is transferred onto the recording paper conveyed from the registration rollers 723, and the recording paper is separated from the photosensitive drum 731 by the separating unit 736. On the separated recording paper, heating by a pair of rollers of the fixing unit 737,
The toner image is fixed by the pressing action. On the other hand, the photosensitive drum 731 is cleaned by the cleaning unit 738 and is prepared for the next image formation. Each of the units 731 to 738 constituting the image forming unit 73 is controlled by a control unit.

The GPS receiver 71 is installed so that the radio signal receiving antenna 711 is exposed from the upper surface of the printer. Printers are often installed in rooms where radio signals are difficult to reach.
11 is installed over the entire width direction of the upper surface of the housing of the printer, so that the reception sensitivity of the radio signal is increased and the position measurement accuracy is improved. Also, while the image forming unit 73 is operating, various motors operate, and noise electromagnetic waves are generated due to the high potential for image formation. Therefore, the GPS receiver 71 is protected from the noise electromagnetic waves generated from the image forming unit 73. An electromagnetic wave shield 712 is provided. More preferably, the image forming unit 7
The position measurement by the GPS receiver 71 is performed when the operation of the image forming unit 73 is stopped when the printer 3 is not operating, that is, immediately after the power of the printer is turned on or after the power is turned off.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram conceptually showing one embodiment of the information equipment of the present invention. 4A shows a printer having a built-in position information generating means, FIG. 4B shows a printer having a position information generating apparatus connecting means, and FIG. 4C shows a position information generating apparatus having an information device connecting means. .

The printer shown in FIG.
1 is built in, and the position information of the printer can be determined. The memory 72 stores identification information of the printer.

The position information determined by the GPS receiver and the identification information in the memory are transmitted to an information processing device (not shown) via a network I / F 74 connected to a network (transmission means). The control, operation, message display, and the like of the above steps are performed by the control unit 75, the operation unit 77, the display unit 76.
Done in The image forming unit 73 is a unit that functions as an original printer, and a control unit, an operation unit, a display unit, and a network I / F include a control unit, an operation unit, It is shared with the display unit.

The printer shown in FIG. 4B is of a type external to the position information generating device. A GPS connector 78 (position information generating device connecting means) is provided instead of the GPS receiver of the printer in FIG. Otherwise, the printer is the same as the printer of FIG.

The GPS receiver (position information generating device) shown in FIG. 4C has a terminal 84 as information device connecting means. Further, it has an antenna 81 for receiving radio signals transmitted from a plurality of GPS satellites (not shown) and correction signals transmitted from a GPS reference station. These signals are calculated by the data calculation unit 82 to determine the position information of the connected information equipment. The data calculation unit 82 measures a pseudo distance between a receiving point and each of the plurality of GPS satellites based on information obtained from radio signals transmitted from the plurality of GPS satellites (pseudo distance measuring means). Correcting the pseudorange based on a correction signal transmitted from a GPS reference station (correction means), and calculating the plurality of GPS signals from radio signals transmitted from each of the plurality of GPS satellites.
Satellite position calculation (satellite position calculation means) for calculating the position of each PS satellite in orbit is performed, and position information is determined. The data being calculated by the data calculation unit 82 is stored in the memory 8.
5, it is possible to store the information once.
The control unit 83 performs control for determining the position information.

[0045]

According to the present invention, there is provided an information device capable of grasping an installation position of an information device in an office without troublesome work, an information processing apparatus for creating an in-office map of a plurality of information devices, and a method for creating an arrangement map of information devices. Could be provided.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining one embodiment of a method for creating an information device layout drawing in an office according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an example of a display screen of an information device arrangement map displayed on a map display unit of a personal computer 50 as a client in FIG.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a display screen of a map display means in the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view illustrating one embodiment of an information device of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view of the image forming apparatus of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 10 First information device (PC with built-in GPS receiver) 20 Second information device (printer) 20a Position information generating device (GPS receiver) 30 Information processing device (server) 40 GPS satellite 50 Map display means (PC) 60 Network 71 Position information generating device (GPS receiver) 73 Image forming unit

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G06F 3/12 G06F 3/12 D H04N 1/00 H04N 1/00 C 107 107A F term (reference) 2C061 AP01 AP03 AP04 AQ06 HH03 HP00 5B021 AA01 BB10 EE02 PP02 5B089 GA11 GA13 GA23 GB03 JA35 JB15 JB16 KA04 KA13 KB04 KC28 LB12 LB14 MC02 5C062 AA02 AA14 AA35 AB16 AC02 AC04 AC58 5J062 AA01 BB00 CC00

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. An information device connectable to a network, comprising: identification information storage means for storing identification information given to the information device in advance; position information generation means for generating position information of the information device; An information device having transmission means capable of transmitting the position information and the identification information of the information device generated by the information generation means. 2. The information device according to claim 1, wherein the information device is an image processing device. 3. The information device according to claim 2, wherein the image processing device is a printer. 4. An information device connectable to a network, wherein identification information storage means for storing identification information given to the information device in advance and a position information generating device for generating position information of the information device can be connected. An information device comprising: a position information generation device connection unit; and a transmission unit capable of transmitting the position information and the identification information of the information device generated by the position information generation device. 5. The information device according to claim 4, wherein the information device is an image processing device. 6. The information device according to claim 5, wherein the image processing device is a printer. 7. An information processing apparatus connectable to a network, wherein the plurality of information devices according to any one of claims 1 to 3 are used to determine the plurality of information devices based on the identification information and the position information transmitted from each of the plurality of information devices. An information processing apparatus comprising: a relative position calculating unit that calculates a relative position of an information device; and a relative position storing unit that stores the relative position information calculated by the relative position calculating unit. 8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a map creating unit that creates an arrangement map of the information device from the relative position information. 9. A step of measuring a position of the first information device and obtaining first position information, wherein the first identification information given to the first information device and the first position information are used as information. Transmitting to a processing device, measuring the position of the second information device, and acquiring second position information, second identification information given to the second information device and the second position information Transmitting the relative position relationship between the first position information and the second position information received by the information processing device as relative position information, and storing the relative position information, A step of creating an arrangement map of the first information device and the second information device from the stored relative position information; and a step of displaying the created arrangement map. Information device layout map Method. 10. In the step of creating the layout map, the layout map is created using an information device having a map display means as a reference point, and in the step of displaying the layout map, the created layout map is displayed as the information. 10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the map is displayed by the map display unit of the device.