JP2006041759A - Image forming apparatus, electronic information terminal, and electronic data transfer system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic data transfer system transferring image data from an image forming apparatus to an electronic information terminal with a simple operation. <P>SOLUTION: The electronic data transfer system comprises: the image forming apparatus 2 for outputting received data onto a recording sheet such as paper; and an electronic paper terminal 1 for displaying the received data onto a liquid crystal display device 20 with memory performance. The electronic paper terminal 1 and the image forming apparatus 2 are respectively provided with wireless communication units 25, 45, and when a communication state is established between the wireless communication units 25, 45, the wireless communication unit 45 transfers the image data received by the image forming apparatus 2 to the wireless communication unit 25, wherein the liquid crystal display device 20 displays the image data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an electronic information terminal, and an electronic data transfer system.

  In recent years, with the diversification of electronic data processing, in image forming apparatuses such as electrophotographic copying machines and printers, not only image data input from a scanner but also electronic data in an image format or text format can be received from an external device. There are various types of receiving and outputting (printing) data as an image on a recording sheet whose display cannot be updated by paper or plastic alone.

  On the other hand, various electronic paper terminals that display data input to a display device using a liquid crystal having a memory property as a display device for image data are also provided. Thus, it is an important issue to easily exchange electronic data between this type of electronic paper terminal and the image forming apparatus.

Conventionally, regarding the exchange of electronic data, Patent Document 1 discloses a method of inputting and printing from a personal digital assistant (PDA) to an image forming apparatus via a LAN (Local Area Network). That is, when printing the image data of the PDA, the printer is specified from the IP of the printer connected to the LAN, and the printer driver setting is changed. However, this printing method only discloses that data from the PDA is output on a paper medium.
JP 2003-296068 A

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of transferring image data to an electronic information terminal with a simple operation.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide an electronic information terminal capable of receiving image data from an image forming apparatus with a simple operation.

  Still another object of the present invention is to provide an electronic data transfer system capable of transferring image data from an image forming apparatus to an electronic information terminal with a simple operation.

  To achieve the above object, according to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image forming apparatus that outputs input data as an image on a recording sheet. When a communication state is established between the second wireless interface that establishes a communication state with one wireless interface and between the first and second wireless interfaces, the input data is transmitted to the second wireless interface. And a control unit for transferring data from the wireless interface to the first wireless interface.

  The image forming apparatus according to the first invention can not only output the input data as an image on the recording sheet but also transfer the data from the second wireless interface to the first wireless interface. Can be output to an electronic information terminal. The user causes the electronic information terminal to output data held by the image forming apparatus by bringing the electronic information terminal close to the image forming apparatus and establishing a communication state between the first and second wireless interfaces. Can do. In other words, the image forming apparatus is in a state where one electronic information terminal is added as a data output destination, and the user can send data to the electronic information terminal in the same way as data output to a recording medium such as ordinary paper. Can be output.

  In the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect, the control unit further includes an operation panel including a display unit, and is included in the operation panel when a communication state is established between the first and second wireless interfaces. You may comprise so that an electronic information terminal may be displayed on the display part as a data output destination. In this case, when information indicating that one of the data output destinations is the electronic information terminal is displayed on the operation panel, an electronic device in which a communication state is established between the two interfaces as one of the output destinations. The information terminal may be selectable, or information indicating that one of the data output destinations is the electronic information terminal is displayed on the operation panel, and the data is transferred to the electronic information terminal. May be. If it is the former, there is room for selecting an output destination of data, and if it is the latter, the labor of selection is saved.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic information terminal that displays input data on a display device having a memory property, and a second wireless interface built in the image forming apparatus when the electronic information terminal is close to the image forming apparatus. And a control unit that displays data transferred from the second wireless interface to the first wireless interface on the display device.

  According to the electronic information terminal of the second invention, it is possible to receive data transferred from the second wireless interface by the first wireless interface and display the data on the display device.

  A third invention is an electronic data transfer system comprising an image forming apparatus that outputs input data as an image on a recording sheet, and an electronic information terminal that displays the input data on a display device having a memory property. The image forming apparatus includes: a second wireless interface that establishes a communication state with a first wireless interface built in the electronic information terminal when the electronic information terminal approaches; A control unit that transfers input data from the second wireless interface to the first wireless interface when a communication state is established between the two wireless interfaces, and the electronic information terminal includes: When close to the image forming apparatus, the communication state with the second wireless interface built in the image forming apparatus is changed. A first wireless interface to stand, characterized in that a control unit for displaying the data transferred to the first wireless interface from the second wireless interface on the display device.

  According to the electronic data transfer system according to the third aspect of the invention, the image forming apparatus can output not only the input data as an image on the recording sheet but also an electronic information terminal. is there. The user causes the electronic information terminal to be input to the electronic information terminal by bringing the electronic information terminal close to the image forming apparatus and establishing a communication state between the first and second wireless interfaces. Can do. In other words, the image forming apparatus is in a state where one electronic information terminal is added as a data output destination, and the user can send data to the electronic information terminal in the same way as data output to a recording medium such as ordinary paper. Can be output.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of an image forming apparatus, an electronic information terminal, and an electronic data transfer system according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(Overall configuration of electronic data transfer system, see FIG. 1)
An embodiment of an electronic data transfer system according to the present invention is shown in FIG. This system includes a portable electronic paper terminal 1 and an image forming apparatus 2.

  The electronic paper terminal 1 uses an operation unit 10 including operation switches and a liquid crystal having a so-called memory property (for example, a chiral nematic liquid crystal) that can maintain a display semi-permanently without application of a voltage. A liquid crystal display device 20, a wireless communication unit 25, and a control unit 30 shown in FIG. 2 are provided. The liquid crystal display device 20 has been conventionally known and can display image data and text data (see FIG. 6).

  The image forming apparatus 2 includes a scanner 40, a print unit 41 that outputs data to a paper medium by an electrophotographic method, a paper feed / sheet passing unit 42, a wireless communication unit 45, and a control unit 60 shown in FIG. ing. The scanner unit 40, the print unit 41, and the paper feeding / passing unit 42 are conventionally known.

  The wireless communication units 25 and 45 can communicate with each other, and a communication state is established between the wireless communication units 25 and 45 when the wireless communication unit 25 comes close to the wireless communication unit 45 to a predetermined distance. Further, the wireless communication unit 45 can transfer data in an image format and text format to the wireless communication unit 25 that is in close proximity and has established a communication state.

(Control unit of electronic paper terminal, see FIG. 2)
As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 30 of the electronic paper terminal 1 includes a CPU 31, an LCD driver 32, an SDRAM 33, and a flash ROM 34. The CPU 31 controls each unit based on an instruction from the operation unit 10 and is also connected to the wireless communication unit 25. The LCD driver 32 performs control for causing the liquid crystal display device 20 to display an image. The SDRAM 33 stores display data. The flash ROM 34 stores an operation program for the CPU 31.

  Further, an interface 35 is connected to the control unit 30. The interface 35 is a network such as a LAN, an expansion card such as a PC card of the PCMCIA standard, an external device, an SD card, a compact flash (registered trademark), or the like. It is for establishing connection with media.

(See the control unit of the image forming apparatus, FIG. 3)
As shown in FIG. 3, the controller 60 of the image forming apparatus 2 includes a CPU 61, an LCD driver 62, an SDRAM 63, and a flash ROM 64. The CPU 61 controls each unit based on instructions from the operation unit 51 and the touch panel 52 (see FIG. 7) of the image forming apparatus, and is also connected to the wireless communication unit 45. The LCD driver 62 performs control for displaying a predetermined image (see FIG. 7) on the liquid crystal display device 55 that is installed so as to overlap the touch panel 52. The SDRAM 63 stores display data for the liquid crystal display device 55 and the like. The flash ROM 64 stores an operation program for the CPU 61.

  An interface 65 is connected to the control unit 60. The interface 65 is a network such as a LAN, an expansion card such as a PC card of the PCMCIA standard, an external device, an SD card, a compact flash (registered trademark), or the like. It is for establishing connection with media.

  The image data to be printed on the paper medium by the print unit 41 includes image format data displayed on a normal document read by the scanner unit 40, image format data and text format data input through the interface 65. It is. These data are output to a paper medium by driving the print unit 41, the paper feeding / passing unit 42, and the like. Moreover, as shown in FIGS. 4-6, it is also possible to output with respect to the electronic paper terminal 1. FIG.

(Output to electronic paper terminal, see FIGS. 4-6)
FIG. 4 shows a first example of data output to the electronic paper terminal. In this first example, the document information 3A read by the scanner unit 40 is transferred to the electronic paper terminal 1. FIG. 4 shows a state in which the document information 3 </ b> A transferred to the electronic paper terminal 1 is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 20.

  When the wireless communication unit 25 of the electronic paper terminal 1 is brought close to the wireless communication unit 45 of the image forming apparatus 2, the image forming apparatus 2 detects the electronic paper terminal and establishes a communication state with the wireless communication units 25 and 45. This state is detected by the CPU 61. At this time, the document information 3 </ b> A read by the scanner unit 40 is transferred from the wireless communication unit 45 to the wireless communication unit 25 and displayed on the liquid crystal display device 20. The transferred data may be data input to the control unit 60 via the interface 65.

  FIG. 5 shows a second example of data output to the electronic paper terminal. In this second example, the electronic paper terminals 1A and 1B are overlapped and brought close to the wireless communication unit 45, whereby the document information 3B read by the scanner unit 40 is simultaneously transferred to the electronic paper terminals 1A and 1B. FIG. 5 shows a state in which the document information 3B transferred to the electronic paper terminals 1A and 1B is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 20, respectively.

  Similarly to the first example, when the wireless communication unit 25 of the electronic paper terminals 1A and 1B is brought close to the wireless communication unit 45 of the image forming apparatus 2, a communication state is established between the wireless communication units 25 and 45, This state is detected by the CPU 61. At this time, the document information 3B read by the scanner unit 40 is transferred from the wireless communication unit 45 to each wireless communication unit 25 and displayed on each liquid crystal display device 20. Of course, the transferred data may be data input to the control unit 60 via the interface 65.

  FIG. 6 shows a third example of data output to the electronic paper terminal. In this third example, the electronic paper terminals 1A and 1B are respectively brought close to the wireless communication unit 45, whereby the document information 3A read by the scanner unit 40 is transferred to the electronic paper terminal 1A, and the document information 3B is transferred to the electronic paper terminal. 1B is transferred to each. FIG. 6 shows a state in which the document information 3A transferred to the electronic paper terminal 1A and the document information 3B transferred to the electronic paper terminal 1B are displayed on the respective liquid crystal display devices 20.

(See the operation panel of the image forming apparatus, FIG. 7)
Here, the configuration of the operation panel of the image forming apparatus 2 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The operation panel includes an operation unit 51, a translucent touch panel 52, and a liquid crystal display device 55 provided on the touch panel 52. The operation unit 51 includes a numeric keypad 53 for inputting the number of prints, a print switch 54, and the like.

  Various selection information regarding image formation is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 55, and the touch panel 52 functions as an input unit for each display unit. In FIG. 7, “Copying is possible” is displayed and the number of copies is one. Further, the size of the paper medium and the electronic paper terminal are displayed as information output destinations.

  In FIG. 7, the display of “electronic paper 1” is inverted on the liquid crystal display device 55 because the electronic paper terminal 1 </ b> A is close and the communication state is established with the wireless communication unit 25. Is displayed. Further, if the display of “electronic paper 2” is reversed, it is displayed that the electronic paper terminal 1B is approaching and a communication state is established with the wireless communication unit 25. Therefore, when image information is read by the scanner unit 40 in the display state shown in FIG. 7, the information is transferred to the electronic paper terminal 1A.

  Further, when the proximity of the electronic paper terminals 1A and 1B is detected and the communication state is established, each item of “electronic paper 1” and “electronic paper 2” is simply displayed and is selected as an output destination. In other words, the user may select the output destination (ie, reverse display) by pressing the display with a finger.

  In any case, when the electronic paper terminal is separated from the image forming apparatus, the item “electronic paper” may be deleted from the display device of the operation panel. In this way, the user can be informed that the electronic paper terminal is not included in the output destination options.

(Control example, see FIG. 8)
Next, an example of control by the CPU 61 of the image forming apparatus 2 will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG.

  First, it is determined whether or not an electronic paper terminal is detected in step S1. If detected, communication is established between the image forming apparatus 2 and the wireless communication units 45 and 25 of the electronic paper terminal 1 in step S2. Next, in step S3, the electronic paper terminal is recognized as an image data output destination recording medium. Here, for example, “electronic paper 1” is displayed on the liquid crystal display device 55 of the operation panel.

  Next, it is determined whether or not an electronic paper terminal is selected as an output destination in step S5. That is, it is determined whether or not the display unit of “electronic paper 1” is pressed on the touch panel 52. If the electronic paper terminal is selected, the image data is output to the electronic paper terminal in step S6.

  On the other hand, if an electronic paper terminal is not detected (NO in step S1), a paper medium is selected as an output destination in step S4, and image data is output (printed) on the paper medium in step S7. Even if the electronic paper terminal is detected, if the electronic paper terminal is not selected as the output destination (NO in step S5), the image data is output (printed) on the paper medium in step S7.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining the procedure for recognizing each other by bringing the electronic paper terminal close to the image forming apparatus, taking as an example Blue Bluetooth that transmits and receives data wirelessly. As shown in FIG. 9, from the standby state (step S11), the image forming apparatus becomes a master and inquires whether there is an electronic paper terminal nearby (broadcast, step S12). The electronic paper terminal that has received the inquiry becomes a slave, and transmits a unique address to the master image forming apparatus (step S13). Image forming apparatuses that have received an address from an electronic paper terminal as a slave (the electronic paper terminal is detected thereby) establishes communication with each other by transmitting their own address to the slave again (step S14). Thereafter, the master and the slave can transmit / receive data to / from each other (step S15). In this way, when using Blue Tooth, it is possible to realize an ad-hoc connection that easily establishes communication with each other only by bringing the electronic paper terminal close to the image forming apparatus.

(Effect of Example)
In the present embodiment described above, the image forming apparatus 2 can output not only the input image data onto the paper medium but also the electronic paper terminal 1. The user sets the electronic paper terminal 1 close to the image forming apparatus 2 and establishes a communication state between the wireless communication units 25 and 45, thereby outputting the image data input to the image forming apparatus 2 to the electronic paper terminal 1. can do.

  That is, the image forming apparatus 2 is in a state where one electronic paper terminal 1 is added as a data output destination, and the user can connect the electronic paper terminal 1 to the electronic paper terminal 1 in the same manner as outputting image data to a normal paper medium. Image data can be output.

  In particular, as shown in the control example, if “electronic paper 1” and “electronic paper 2” are displayed on the operation panel as data output destinations and the user selects them, the image data The output destination can be selected for confirmation. Further, when a communication state is established between the wireless communication units 25 and 45, it may be controlled to automatically output image data to the electronic paper terminal 1. In this case, the output destination is selected one by one. This saves you time and effort.

(Other examples)
The image forming apparatus, electronic information terminal, and electronic data transfer system according to the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be variously modified within the scope of the gist.

  For example, the detailed configuration of the electronic information terminal and the image forming apparatus is arbitrary. In addition, the scanner unit of the image forming apparatus may not only obtain data in an image format but also a document converted by OCR.

It is the schematic which shows one Example of the data transfer system which concerns on this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the control part of the electronic paper terminal which comprises the said data transfer system. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a control unit of an image forming apparatus that constitutes the data transfer system. It is explanatory drawing which shows the 1st example of the data output in the said data transfer system. It is explanatory drawing which shows the 2nd example of the data output in the said data transfer system. It is explanatory drawing which shows the 3rd example of the data output in the said data transfer system. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an operation panel of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a control example of the image forming apparatus. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a communication state between an image forming apparatus and an electronic paper terminal.

Explanation of symbols

1, 1A, 1B ... Electronic paper terminal (electronic information terminal)
2 ... Image forming apparatus 20 ... Liquid crystal display device 25 ... Wireless communication unit (wireless interface)
30 ... Control unit 31 ... CPU
45 ... Wireless communication unit (wireless interface)
60 ... Control unit 61 ... CPU

Claims (6)

In an image forming apparatus that outputs input data as an image on a recording sheet,
A second wireless interface that establishes a communication state with the first wireless interface built in the electronic information terminal when the electronic information terminal approaches;
A controller that transfers input data from the second wireless interface to the first wireless interface when a communication state is established between the first and second wireless interfaces;
An image forming apparatus comprising:   The control unit further includes an operation panel including a display unit, and when a communication state is established between the first and second wireless interfaces, a data output destination is displayed on the display unit included in the operation panel. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an electronic information terminal is displayed.   When information indicating that one of the data output destinations is the electronic information terminal is displayed on the operation panel, an electronic information terminal having a communication state established between two interfaces as one of the output destinations. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the image forming apparatus is selectable.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, wherein information indicating that one of data output destinations is the electronic information terminal is displayed on the operation panel, and the data is transferred to the electronic information terminal. . In an electronic information terminal that displays input data on a display device having a memory property,
A first wireless interface that establishes a communication state with a second wireless interface built in the image forming apparatus when approaching the image forming apparatus;
A control unit that displays data transferred from the second wireless interface to the first wireless interface on the display device;
An electronic information terminal comprising: In an electronic data transfer system including an image forming apparatus that outputs input data as an image on a recording sheet, and an electronic information terminal that displays the input data on a display device having a memory property,
The image forming apparatus includes: a second wireless interface that establishes a communication state with a first wireless interface built in the electronic information terminal when the electronic information terminal approaches; A control unit that transfers input data from the second wireless interface to the first wireless interface when a communication state is established between the two wireless interfaces;
The electronic information terminal includes a first wireless interface that establishes a communication state with a second wireless interface built in the image forming apparatus when the electronic information terminal approaches the image forming apparatus, and the second wireless interface. A control unit that displays data transferred from the interface to the first wireless interface on the display device;
An electronic data transfer system.

Images