JP2006229848A - Device control system, device, device controller and device control method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a device control system, a device, a device controller and a device control method for making a device controller display the UI of the device desired to be controlled by a user. <P>SOLUTION: This device is provided with a detection means for detecting a device controller and a radio communication means for connecting to the device controller, and the device controller is provided with a radio communication means for connecting to the device. Then, when the device controller is detected by the detecting means, the device retrieves the device controller from a database, and if determined that it is a connectable device controller, the device shifts control to the device control means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a device control system, a device, a device control apparatus, and a device control method, and in particular, a device control system, a device, a device control apparatus, and a device control method capable of wirelessly connecting a device and a device control apparatus. About.

There is a device in which a device control device such as a notebook PC (personal computer) and a device are connected wirelessly, a device UI (user interface) is displayed on the device control device, and the device control device performs control of the device (for example, Patent Document 1).
JP 2003-050773 A

  However, when a plurality of devices are provided close to each other, it is not clear which device is connected within a wireless connection communication range.

  For this reason, it is not clear which UI is displayed on the device control apparatus side, and a UI of a device different from the device desired to be controlled may be displayed on the device control apparatus.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a device control system, a device, a device control apparatus, and a device control method capable of causing a device control apparatus to display a UI of a device that a user desires to control.

  The device control system according to the present invention includes a device and a device control apparatus that controls the device, the device detecting means that detects the device control apparatus, and connection means that wirelessly connects to the device control apparatus. When the device control apparatus is detected by the detection means and wirelessly connected to the device control apparatus using the connection means, control is transferred to the device control apparatus.

  Further, when the detecting means detects the device control apparatus, the connecting means searches for and connects to the device control apparatus.

  The device control apparatus activates an application for controlling the device when connected by the connection means.

  When the control is transferred to the device control apparatus, the device turns off the operation unit provided in the device.

  Further, when the device is connected to the user terminal during job processing, the control is transferred to the device control apparatus after the job processing is completed.

  Further, when the device no longer detects the device control device by the detection means, the device disconnects the device control device and returns the control.

  Next, in the present invention, in a device that processes a job received from the device control apparatus, the device includes a detection unit that detects the device control apparatus, and a connection unit that wirelessly connects to the device control apparatus. When the device control apparatus is detected and connected to the device control apparatus using the connection means, control is transferred to the device control apparatus.

  Further, when the detecting means detects the device control apparatus, the connecting means searches for and connects to the device control apparatus.

  The device further includes a dedicated table on which the device control device is placed, and the detection means is installed on the dedicated table.

  An operation unit is further provided, and when the control shifts to the device control apparatus, the operation unit is powered off.

  If the user terminal is connected during job processing, the control is transferred to the device control apparatus after the job processing is completed.

  When the detection unit no longer detects the device control apparatus, the connection with the device control apparatus is disconnected and the control is restored.

  In the present invention, a device control apparatus that transmits a job to a device and causes the device to process the job, includes an application that controls the device, and is detected by the device detection unit. When wireless connection is established, the application is activated to shift control of the device.

  In addition, according to the present invention, in a device control method for receiving a job from a device control apparatus and processing the job by the device, the device detects the device control apparatus using a detection unit that detects the device control apparatus. Then, the device control device is searched from the device and wirelessly connected, and control of the device is transferred to the device control device.

  The device control apparatus activates an application for controlling the device when connected by the connection means.

  In addition, when the control shifts to the device control apparatus, the device turns off the operation unit provided in the device.

  Further, when the device is connected to the user terminal during job processing, the control is transferred to the device control apparatus after the job processing is completed.

  Further, when the device no longer detects the device control device by the detection means, the device disconnects the device control device and returns the control.

  In the present invention, it is possible to control the device desired by the user with the device control apparatus.

  DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a best mode for carrying out a device control system, a device, a device control apparatus, and a device control method according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the device control system according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in the figure, the device control system according to the present embodiment is provided with a multifunction device (device) 10 having functions such as copying and facsimile and a user terminal (device control device) 20. The multifunction device is provided with a dedicated base 11 on which the device control apparatus is installed. The user terminal is placed on the dedicated base and wirelessly connected to the multifunction device 20 via a communication I / F (interface). is doing.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the multifunction machine 10 includes a dedicated stand 11, a control unit 12, a communication unit 13, a storage unit 14, an operation unit 15, and a service providing unit 16. .

  The dedicated stand 11 is a stand for installing the user terminal, and can be stored as shown in FIG. 3, and is provided with an installation sensor 30 for detecting the user terminal.

  Although FIG. 3 shows an example of an installation table that is stowed and stored, the storage method is arbitrary, such as a method of pulling out and installing, and the height can be changed according to the user. And it can be universal.

  The installation sensor 30 can use an arbitrary sensor such as an optical sensor or a pressure sensor, and detects that the user terminal is placed on a dedicated stand.

  The control unit 12 includes a central processing unit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and controls the entire multifunction peripheral.

  The communication unit 13 is wirelessly connected to the user terminal via a communication I / F (not shown).

  The storage unit 14 includes a storage device such as a memory or a hard disk, and stores a program for controlling the multifunction peripheral.

  The operation unit 15 is an operation terminal such as a touch panel, displays a UI (user interface) for operating the multifunction peripheral, and accepts an operation by a user.

  The service providing unit 16 includes an image forming unit 17 that prints out an image formation, a scan processing unit 18 that scans an original, and a FAX transmission unit 19 that transmits scanned information by facsimile. Process to do.

  Using the above configuration, in the multi-function device according to the present embodiment, when a user terminal is placed on a dedicated stand, the user terminal is searched and connected, and control is transferred to the user terminal. In addition, when the user terminal is lowered from the dedicated stand, control using the UI (operation unit) is enabled again.

  The search for user terminals should be performed using known techniques such as a method of searching by comparing with information registered in advance in the database, such as the MAC address (Media Access Control address) and IP address of the wireless LAN. Can do.

  In addition, when connected to a network (not shown) such as the Internet, the network and the user terminal can be connected via the multifunction peripheral.

  The user terminal 20 is a portable information terminal such as a notebook PC (personal computer), a tablet PC, or a PDA (Personal Digital Assistance), and includes a communication I / F for wireless connection with image forming transmission.

  When the user terminal is placed on a dedicated stand of the multi-function peripheral and connected to the multi-function peripheral, an application for controlling the multi-function peripheral is activated and a UI customized by the user is displayed.

  For this reason, the user terminal scans the document with the multifunction device to acquire and process the scan data, prints it out from the multifunction device, or transmits the acquired and processed scan data by facsimile, or connects to the multifunction device via a network. It is possible to perform control that cannot be performed only by an operation using a normal MFP control UI, such as registration in a database of a server that is running.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing when shifting control of the multifunction peripheral to the user terminal.

  First, when the user terminal is detected by the installation sensor of the multifunction device (step 100), the user terminal is searched from the multifunction device side using the database stored in the multifunction device (step 101), and the user terminal is stored in the database. If it is determined that it is not registered (NO in step 101), the migration process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 101 that the user terminal is registered in the database (YES in step 101), the MFP is connected to the user terminal (step 102), and the MFP control application for the user terminal is activated. (Step 103).

  Then, control of the multifunction device is transferred to the user terminal (step 104), and the control UI of the multifunction device is turned off (step 105).

  When a user terminal is detected / connected during processing of a job such as print output, the job processing status or job processing status is displayed on the display of the user terminal, and the multifunction device is displayed after the job being processed is completed. Control is transferred from the user terminal to the user terminal.

  Further, when the dedicated table is of a retractable type, the user terminal may be searched by assuming that the user terminal is detected by the installation sensor when the dedicated table is pulled out.

  Further, in this embodiment, the UI power supply is cut off after the transfer of control, but a display such as “in use” may be performed.

  In this embodiment, since the application of the user terminal is activated to shift the control of the multifunction peripheral to the user terminal, special control corresponding to the user can be performed.

  Therefore, for example, based on the information entered in the user terminal, insurance quotes can be printed with a multifunction device installed at the convenience store of the destination, or the usage fee (printing fee) of the multifunction device can be charged to the company in a lump. can do.

  Further, the application form can be scanned with the multifunction peripheral and transmitted to the management center through the network, and at the same time, the information written in the application form can be stored and managed at the user terminal.

  In addition, when special paper such as insurance policy is set in the paper tray of the MFP, it can be used only on a specific user terminal, so it can be issued to the user terminal, for example. The insurance policy is displayed, and the policy is printed out from the multi-function peripheral, and the printout of the insurance policy can be managed as a print history.

  In addition, in this embodiment, when a user terminal is placed on a dedicated stand by the installation sensor, search for the user terminal is performed, but when something other than the user terminal is placed, search for the user terminal is performed. Although it is performed, the method searches the user terminal by wireless connection and inquires of the database, and does not exclude the placed one. Therefore, a dedicated table can be used as a document table.

  Note that the search for the user terminal when the user terminal is detected by the detection sensor can be configured to finish in a certain time. In this configuration, the connection between the MFP and the user terminal that the user does not want is possible. Can be prevented, and the power consumption of the MFP can be suppressed.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing when control at the user terminal is interrupted from the multifunction device side.

  First, when the installation sensor stops detecting the user terminal (step 200), the connection with the user terminal is disconnected (step 201), the control UI for the multifunction device is started (step 202), and the control of the multifunction device is combined. (Step 203).

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing when control at the user terminal is interrupted from the user terminal side.

  First, when a user terminal is turned off or an application for controlling the multifunction device is shut down (step 300), the control UI is activated in the multifunction device (step 301), and control is transferred to the multifunction device (step 302).

  If the connection between the multifunction device and the user terminal is disconnected while a job such as print output is being executed, the control of the multifunction device is restored from the user terminal to the multifunction device, but the job being processed continues. Execute.

  In the present invention, since the user terminal is detected and searched from the multifunction peripheral (device) using the installation sensor and connected, the control of the multifunction peripheral can be automatically transferred to the user terminal.

  In addition, when control shifts from the multifunction device to the user terminal, the UI displayed on the user terminal side and the UI displayed on the multifunction device side are set to turn off the UI of the multifunction device (turn off the power of the UI). Is not confused by the user, and further power saving can be achieved.

  In addition, since the control is shifted to the user terminal by the double check of the detection of the user terminal by the installation sensor and the user terminal search, even when a plurality of multifunction peripherals are installed close to each other, the desired multifunction peripheral Can be controlled by the user terminal.

  Further, since the MFP and the user terminal are connected by double check, the MFP control can be returned to the MFP on the MFP side simply by dropping the user terminal from the dedicated stand.

  In addition, by making it possible to adjust the height of the dedicated stand, it can be made universal.

Functional block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a device control system Functional block diagram showing the configuration of the MFP Schematic conceptual diagram showing the configuration of the installation stand Flowchart showing the flow of processing when shifting control of the multifunction device to the user terminal Flowchart showing the flow of processing when control at the user terminal is interrupted from the multifunction device side The flowchart which shows the flow of the process at the time of interrupting control from the user terminal side

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... MFP 11 ... Dedicated stand 12 ... Control part 13 ... Communication part 14 ... Storage part 15 ... Operation part 16 ... Service provision part 17 ... Image formation part 18 ... Scan part 19 ... FAX transmission part 20 ... User terminal 30 ... Installation Sensor

Claims (18)

A device and a device control device for controlling the device;
The device is
Detecting means for detecting the device control device;
Connection means for wirelessly connecting to the device control apparatus;
A device control system comprising: detecting the device control apparatus with the detection means; and wirelessly connecting to the device control apparatus using the connection means; and transferring control to the device control apparatus. 2. The device control system according to claim 1, wherein when the detection unit detects the device control apparatus, the connection unit searches for and connects to the device control apparatus. The device control system according to claim 1, wherein the device control apparatus activates an application for controlling the device when connected by the connection unit. The device control system according to claim 3, wherein when the control is transferred to the device control apparatus, the device turns off an operation unit provided in the device. 4. The device control system according to claim 1, wherein when the device is connected to the user terminal during job processing, the control is transferred to the device control apparatus after the job processing is completed. 4. The device control system according to claim 1, wherein when the device no longer detects the device control apparatus by the detection unit, the device disconnects the connection with the device control apparatus and returns the control. 5. In the device that processes the job received from the device controller,
Detecting means for detecting the device control device;
Connection means for wirelessly connecting to the device control apparatus,
A device which detects the device control apparatus by the detection means and transfers control to the device control apparatus when connected to the device control apparatus using the connection means. 8. The device according to claim 7, wherein when the detecting unit detects the device control apparatus, the connection unit searches for the device control apparatus and connects to the device control apparatus. Further comprising a dedicated stand for mounting the device control device,
The device according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the detection means is installed on the dedicated stand. An operation unit for displaying a UI;
9. The device according to claim 7, wherein when the control shifts to the device control apparatus, the operation unit is turned off. The device according to claim 7 or 8, wherein when the user terminal is connected during job processing, the control is transferred to the device control apparatus after the job processing is completed. 9. The device according to claim 7, wherein when the detection unit no longer detects the device control apparatus, the connection with the device control apparatus is disconnected and the control is restored. In a device control apparatus that transmits a job to a device and causes the device to process the job.
Comprising an application for controlling the device;
A device control apparatus, wherein when detected by the device detection means and wirelessly connected from the device, the application is started to shift control of the device. In a device control method for receiving a job from a device control apparatus and processing the job on the device,
The device is
Detecting the device controller using detection means for detecting the device controller,
Search the device control device from the device and connect wirelessly,
A device control method, wherein control of the device is transferred to the device control apparatus. The device control method according to claim 14, wherein the device control apparatus starts an application for controlling the device when connected by the connection unit. The device control method according to claim 14 or 15, wherein when the control is transferred to the device control apparatus, the device turns off an operation unit provided in the device. 17. The device control method according to claim 14, wherein when the device is connected to the user terminal during job processing, the control is transferred to the device control apparatus after the job processing is completed. 17. The device control method according to claim 14, wherein when the device no longer detects the device control apparatus, the device disconnects the connection with the device control apparatus and returns the control.

Images