JP2003224687A - Image forming device and control method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming device which enables a next user to smoothly uses the image forming device and can thus greatly improve user s operability when the next user uses the image forming device after the specified user sets operation conditions of the image forming device in environment wherein a plurality of users use the image forming device which reads image data out of an original and can send the read image data to other devices. <P>SOLUTION: When a presence detecting means detects a portable terminal device being present within an effective communication range of a radio communication means, operation conditions of the image forming device are set according to setting information stored in the portable terminal device and when the presence detecting means detect the portable terminal device being outside the effective communication range of the radio communication means, on the other hand, the operation conditions of the image forming device are put back into the state before communication with the portable terminal device. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus for setting operating conditions of an image forming apparatus according to setting information stored in a portable terminal device and a control method thereof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, an image forming apparatus such as a FAX, which transmits image data generated by scanning a document image to a destination device via a network, is used by an unspecified number of users such as offices and convenience stores. Is being installed in the place where it will be used.

In this apparatus, it is necessary to set the operating conditions of the apparatus such as image reading conditions such as document reading resolution and transmission conditions such as destination and telephone number before transmission.

For this reason, the user needs to set the operating condition each time transmission is performed, and if the setting is changed when the device used by a predetermined user is used as an interrupt, the setting is changed after the interrupt is completed. The disadvantage is that the changed settings must be restored to their original settings.

An image forming apparatus that solves this drawback is proposed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-31562. This conventional image forming apparatus stores various setting information of the apparatus in a card, connects the card to the apparatus, sets operating conditions of the apparatus according to the setting information stored in the card, and sets the card to the apparatus. It is a device that restores the operating conditions of the device to the state before the card connection by removing from the device.

That is, when a plurality of users use this conventional device, if a predetermined user uses a card and makes a setting, there is an advantage that the next user can smoothly use the device.

[0007]

However, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-3
According to the conventional technique described in Japanese Patent No. 12562,
If the card is properly attached to the device and the contact between the card and the device is not sufficient, you must take measures to avoid failure of the card or the device itself. There is a problem that is very complicated.

Further, in the prior art disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-31562, since the card is physically mounted, if the card is frequently inserted and removed,
There was a problem with the durability of both the card and the mounting area.

According to the present invention, in the image forming apparatus, when a plurality of users use the image forming apparatus, the next user uses the image forming apparatus after a predetermined user sets the operating condition of the image forming apparatus. At the same time, it is an object of the present invention to provide an image forming apparatus and a control method thereof, in which the following user can smoothly use the image forming apparatus and the operability of the user can be significantly improved. is there.

It is another object of the present invention to improve the durability of the interface between another device that stores the setting information of the image forming apparatus and the image forming apparatus.

[0011]

According to the present invention, when it is detected that a mobile terminal device exists within an effective communication range of wireless communication, the image formation is performed according to the setting information received from the mobile terminal device. Set the operating conditions of the device, while
When it is detected that the mobile terminal device is out of the effective communication range of wireless communication, the operating condition of the image forming apparatus is controlled to return to the state before the communication with the mobile terminal device.

[0012]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an image forming apparatus 1100 which is an embodiment of the present invention.

The image forming apparatus 1100 includes the image forming apparatus 1
As a mobile terminal device capable of storing various setting information of 100, a PDA (Personal Digital As
sistance) is used. Further, infrared communication by IrDA is used as the wireless communication means, and a plurality of transmission condition setting groups, which are a predetermined plurality of setting contents including a reading condition of a document image and a transmitting condition of read image data, are used as setting information of the image forming apparatus. To use.

In the image forming apparatus 1100, a controller unit 10
00 is a scanner 1070 which is an image input device,
It is connected to a printer 1095 which is an image output device, and on the other hand, LAN 1 such as Ethernet (registered trademark)
011, public line (WAN) 1051, PDA2000
It is a controller for inputting and outputting image information and device information by connecting with.

In the controller unit 1000,
The CPU 1001 controls the entire system, and the RAM 10
Reference numeral 02 denotes a system work memory for operating the CPU 1001 and also an image memory for temporarily storing image data, and also has a function of temporarily storing data transferred from the PDA 2000. ROM1003 is
It has a boot ROM and stores a system boot program.

Hard disk drive (HDD) 100
Reference numeral 4 stores system software and image data.
The SRAM 1015 is a memory backed up by a battery in order to prevent the held data from being lost due to power cutoff.

The operation unit I / F 1006 is an operation unit (UI).
1012 is an interface unit with the operation unit 1012.
The image data to be displayed on is output to the operation unit 1012. In addition, the information input by the user is transmitted to the CPU 1001 via the operation unit 1012.

Network section (Network) 101
0 is connected to the LAN 1011 and inputs / outputs information. The modem (1050) is a public line 105.
It is connected to 1 and inputs and outputs information.

The IrDA communication unit I / F 1009 is an IrD
An interface unit with the A communication unit 1013, which is a PDA.
The data transmitted to the 2000 is output to the IrDA communication unit 1013, and the data received by the IrDA communication unit 1013 from the PDA 2000 by the infrared communication 1014 is
Notify the CPU 1001.

Each of the above devices is a system bus 1007.
It is placed on top.

Image bus interface (Image)
The Bus I / F) 1005 is the system bus 1007.
And a image bus 1008 that transfers image data at high speed, and is a bus bridge that converts the data structure. The image bus 1008 is a PCI bus or IEEE1.
It is composed of 394.

On the image bus 1008, a raster image processor (RIP) 1060, a device I / F unit 1020, a scanner image processing unit 1080, a printer image processing unit 1090, an image rotation unit 1030, and an image compression unit. 1040 and are arranged.

Raster image processor (RIP) 1
Reference numeral 060 expands the PDL code into a bitmap image. The device I / F unit 1020 is connected to the scanner 1070, the printer 1095, and the controller 1000, which are image input / output devices, and converts image data into a synchronous system or an asynchronous system.

The scanner image processing unit 1080 corrects, processes, and edits the image data input from the scanner 1070.

The printer image processing unit 1090 corrects the printer 1095 for the print output image data,
Performs resolution conversion, etc.

The image rotation unit 1030 rotates the image data. The image compression unit 1040 performs JPEG compression / expansion processing on multi-valued image data and JBIG, MMR, MH compression / expansion processing on binary image data.

The CPU 1001 is a ROM 1003.
System bus 1 based on a control program stored in a program ROM in the HDD or HDD 1004.
Access to various devices connected to 007 is generally controlled.

Then, the image input section interface 107
The input information is read from the scanner 1070 connected via 1 and the image signal as output information is output to the printer 1095 connected via the printing unit interface 1096.

The program ROM in the ROM 1003 stores a control program corresponding to the operation shown in the flowchart described later. The data ROM in the ROM 1003 is an electrically rewritable EPPR.
The OM data ROM is capable of storing various data described below. The RAM 1002 is a main memory of the CPU 1001 and functions as a work area or the like.

The mobile terminal device may be a notebook PC, a mobile phone, or an electronic notebook. The printer 1095 may be a laser beam system, an electrophotographic system other than the laser beam system (for example, an LED system), a liquid crystal shutter system, an inkjet system, a thermal transfer system, a sublimation system, or any other printing system. As communication performed between the IrDA communication unit 1013 and the PDA 2000, instead of the infrared communication 1014, a wireless radio wave such as Bluetooth communication other than infrared communication may be used.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the system configuration of the image forming apparatus 1100.

In the image forming apparatus 1100, the scanner 1070, which is an image input device, illuminates the original image on the original and scans the CCD line sensor to convert the original image into electrical signals as the raster image data 1071. . Insert the original paper into the original feeder 10.
The tray is set to the tray 1073 of 72, and the controller CPU 1001 instructs the scanner 1070 to perform a reading start instruction by the user via the operation unit 1012.
071 is supplied, and the feeder 1072 feeds document sheets one by one and reads a document image.

A printer 1095 which is an image output device
Is a portion for converting the raster image data 1096 into an image on paper. The print operation is started by an instruction 1096 from the controller CPU 1001. The printer 1095 has a plurality of paper feed stages so that different paper sizes or different paper orientations can be selected, and corresponding paper cassettes 1101, 1102,
1103 and 1104. In addition, the paper ejection tray 111
Reference numeral 1 is for receiving the printed paper.

The IrDA communication unit 1013 uses infrared communication 1
Data is exchanged with the PDA 2000 according to 014. At this time, the IrDA communication unit 1013 uses the CPU.
The transmission data supplied from 1001 is encoded, transmitted, the reception data is decoded, and the IrDA communication unit I / F
Input to 1009.

Next, the PDA 2000 will be described.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the structure of the PDA 2000.

The PDA 2000 is an L that displays various information.
An IrDA communication unit 2003 that transmits and receives data to and from the image forming apparatus 1100 via the CD 2001 and infrared communication 1014, and various input buttons 2002 are included.

The PDA 2000 has a CPU 2004 for controlling the whole thereof, a ROM 2005 for storing a program for controlling the PDA 2000, various data necessary for executing the program, characters and images input to the PDA 2000, etc. Data and the image forming apparatus 110
It has a RAM 2006 for storing data received from 0. The CPU 2004 is an IrDA communication unit I / F 20.
Data is transmitted and received to and from the image forming apparatus 1100 via the 10 and the IrDA communication unit 2003.

In the LCD display section 2001, a touch panel sheet 2007 is stuck on the LCD. Also,
An operation screen and soft keys are displayed on the LCD display unit 2001, and when these keys are pressed, the position information of the coordinates is transmitted to the CPU 2004.

The input I / F 2008 is the touch panel 20.
The user input is received from the 07 or the button 2002, and the CPU 2004 acquires the operation content via the input I / F 2008.

The CPU 2004 generates display screen data based on the acquired operation content and control program, and outputs the display screen to the LCD display unit 2001 via the output I / F 2009 which controls the screen output device.

Next, the PD in the image forming apparatus 1100
The processing method for detecting A, reading the transmission condition setting group, and storing will be described.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the first control processing procedure in the image forming apparatus 1100.

Based on the program stored in the program ROM in the ROM 1003, the CPU 1001
However, it will be executed as needed.

First, in S5001, the input from the operation unit 1012 is monitored for the currently displayed screen.
If there is any input, the process proceeds to step S5002, and it is determined whether an instruction to read the transmission condition setting group from the PDA 2000 has been input. If the instruction to read is not input, the process returns to step S5001 and the monitoring of the input from the operation unit 1012 is repeated.

On the other hand, the transmission condition setting group is set to the PDA 20.
If it is determined that the instruction to read from 00 has been input (S5002), the CPU 1001 determines in S5003
The PDA detection signal is transmitted from the IrDA communication unit 1013 via the IrDA communication unit I / F 1009. On this occasion,
Within the time limit, the PDA 2000 sets the image forming apparatus 1100
CP to detect whether it is within the effective communication range
U1001 activates a timer (not shown).

In S5004, within the time limit of the timer,
If it is determined that the response signal is not received from the PDA 2000, and it is determined that the response signal is not received,
In step S5006, the PDA 2000 sets the image forming apparatus 110.
The user is notified via the operation unit 1012 that the user is not within the effective communication range of 0. After that, step S5001
Then, the process returns to the above process, and the input from the operation unit 1012 is monitored repeatedly.

On the other hand, when it is determined in S5004 that the response signal has been received from the PDA2000 within the time limit of the timer, in S5005, the CPU 1001 transfers the IrDA communication unit 1013 to the PDA2000 via the IrDA communication unit I / F 1009. A signal requesting data in the transmission condition setting group is transmitted. At this time, in order to detect whether or not the data of the transmission condition setting group can be correctly received from the PDA 2000 within the time limit, the CPU 1001
Activates the timer.

In S5007, within the time limit of the timer,
It is determined whether or not the data of the transmission condition setting group is correctly received from the PDA 2000, and if it is determined that the data is not correctly received, the process returns to S5003, the PDA detection signal is transmitted, and the effective communication range of the image forming apparatus 1100 is reached. Within P
It again detects whether or not DA2000 is present.

On the other hand, if it is determined in S5007 that the data of the transmission condition setting group has been correctly received from the PDA 2000 within the time limit of the timer, in S5008, the data of the current transmission condition setting group is changed to the SRAM 101.
Evacuate to 5.

Next, in step S5009, the data of the transmission condition setting group received from the PDA 2000 is stored in the RAM 100.
2 and set it as a transmission condition setting group.

Next, in step S5010, in order to detect whether or not the owner of the PDA 2000 is using the image forming apparatus 1100, the CPU 1001 sets IrD
IrDA communication unit 10 via A communication unit I / F 1009.
A PDA detection signal is transmitted from 13. At this time, the PDA is set within the effective communication range of the image forming apparatus 1100 within the time limit.
In order to detect whether 2000 is present, CP
U1001 activates a timer.

Then, in S5011, it is determined whether or not a response signal is received from the PDA 2000 within the time limit of the timer. If it is determined that the response signal is received, the process returns to step S5010.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S5011 that the PDA2000 is no longer within the effective range of the image forming apparatus 1100 and the response signal is not received from the PDA2000 within the time limit of the timer, in step S5012, SRA is performed.
The data of the transmission condition setting group before the change is read from M1015, and the read data is set as the transmission condition setting group.

In step S5013, the data of the transmission condition setting group received from the PDA 2000 is stored in the RAM 1002.
Erase from. Then, the process returns to step S5001 and the monitoring of the input from the operation unit 1012 is repeated.

According to the above-mentioned embodiment, the setting information of the image forming apparatus is received from the portable terminal apparatus by the non-contact means of wireless communication, and the received setting information is set as the operating condition of the image forming apparatus, When a plurality of users use the image forming apparatus, the next user uses the image forming apparatus when the next user uses the image forming apparatus after the operating condition of the image forming apparatus is set by one user. Can be used smoothly, and the operability for the user can be greatly improved.

Further, according to the above embodiment, the setting conditions can be received wirelessly from the portable terminal device.
The durability of the interface between the mobile terminal device and the image forming apparatus can be improved.

[0058]

According to the present invention, when a plurality of users use the image forming apparatus, when the next user uses the image forming apparatus after one user sets the operating conditions of the image forming apparatus. In addition, the following user can smoothly use the image forming apparatus, and the operability of the user can be significantly improved.

Further, according to the present invention, the interface between the apparatus for storing the setting information of the image forming apparatus and the image forming apparatus is wirelessly communicated, so that the durability of the interface between the apparatuses can be improved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an image forming apparatus 1100 that is an embodiment of the present invention.
It is a block diagram showing.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a system configuration of an image forming apparatus 1100.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a PDA 2000.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a first control processing procedure in the image forming apparatus 1100.

[Explanation of symbols]

1000 ... Controller unit, 1012 ... operation unit, 1013 ... IrDA communication unit 1070 ... Scanner, 1095 ... Printer, 1100 ... Image forming apparatus, 2000 ... PDA, 2003 ... IrDA communication unit.

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An image forming apparatus comprising: a mobile terminal device capable of storing various setting information of the image forming device; and wireless communication means for performing wireless communication between the image forming device; and the mobile terminal device. Presence detection means for detecting whether or not the mobile terminal device is within the effective communication range of the wireless communication means; and the presence detection means for detecting that the portable terminal device is within the effective communication range of the wireless communication means. In this case, the operating condition of the image forming apparatus is set according to the setting information received from the portable terminal device, while the portable terminal device is out of the effective communication range of the wireless communication means. Control means for controlling the operating condition of the image forming apparatus to return to a state before the communication with the portable terminal device when the presence detecting means detects the presence condition. Forming apparatus. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the wireless communication unit is a unit that performs wireless communication using infrared rays. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the wireless communication unit is a unit that performs wireless communication by radio waves. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the operation condition is an operation condition when the read image is transmitted to another device. 5. A method of controlling an image forming apparatus capable of wirelessly communicating with a portable terminal apparatus capable of storing various setting information of the image forming apparatus, wherein the portable terminal apparatus is within an effective communication range of the wireless communication. A presence detection step of detecting whether or not; the setting information received from the mobile terminal device when the presence detection step detects that the mobile terminal device exists within the effective communication range of the wireless communication. According to the above, the operation condition of the image forming apparatus is set, while the operation of the image forming apparatus is detected when the presence detection step detects that the mobile terminal device is out of the effective communication range of the wireless communication. A control step of controlling the condition to return to a state before communication with the mobile terminal device; and a control method of the image forming apparatus.