JP2013095136A - Image forming apparatus and image processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image forming apparatus that transmits and receives print data and image data between an information terminal and the image forming apparatus by using a proximity wireless communication interface.SOLUTION: The image forming apparatus has: the first proximity wireless interface provided for an image forming apparatus body in order to carry out proximity wireless communication; a temporary placing part for temporary placement of the information terminal for carrying out proximity wireless communication with the first proximity wireless interface; antenna parts installed in the temporary placing part and connected to the first proximity wireless interface; and a control part configured such that when the first proximity wireless interface captures print data by the proximity wireless communication with the information terminal, the print data is stored in the storage part.

Description

  The embodiment described in this specification relates to a technique for communicating print data and image data between an information terminal and an image forming apparatus using a proximity wireless communication interface.

  Conventionally, in order to communicate print data in an information terminal to an image forming apparatus, a network that can be accessed by both the information terminal and the image forming apparatus is set, and the image information in which the print data in the information terminal is stored in this network There is a system. Also, both the information terminal and the image forming apparatus are provided with a wireless communication antenna and a wireless communication circuit (external connection interface function), and the external connection interface function is used to print the print data in the information terminal as an image. There is an image information system that communicates with a forming apparatus (Patent Document 1).

JP 2002-225390 A

  However, when storing print data in the network and communicating the print data, it is necessary to perform network settings such as an IP address on both the information terminal and the image forming apparatus in order to access the network. It required complicated work.

  An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment described in the present specification includes a first proximity wireless interface that performs proximity wireless communication provided in a main body of an image forming apparatus, and an information terminal that performs proximity wireless communication with the first proximity wireless interface. Is temporarily placed, the antenna section that is stretched around the temporary placement section and connected to the first proximity wireless interface, and the first proximity wireless interface is printed by proximity wireless communication with the information terminal A control unit that stores the print data in the storage unit when the data is acquired.

1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image processing system according to an embodiment. 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of an image processing system according to an embodiment. 6 is a control flowchart for transmitting image data read by the image reading unit in the embodiment to an information terminal. 6 is a control flowchart for transmitting print data in the information terminal according to the embodiment to the image forming apparatus.

  Hereinafter, an image processing system 1 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image processing system 1 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image processing system 1 of the present embodiment includes an image forming apparatus 10 and an information terminal 5.

  In FIG. 1, a multifunction peripheral (MFP) 10 that is an image forming apparatus includes a color image forming unit 12, a sheet feeding unit 13 having a plurality of sheet feeding cassettes 131, and a sheet feeding cassette 131 in an image forming apparatus main body 11. The image forming unit 12 includes a sheet conveying unit 14 that conveys the sheet toward the printing unit of the image forming unit 12, an image reading unit 15, an automatic document feeding unit 16, and a control panel 17.

  The image forming unit 12 performs print processing for printing print data on a sheet. The image forming unit 12 stores print data stored in the first storage unit 45 when the first control unit 4 stores the print data in the first storage unit 45 via the first proximity wireless communication unit 2 described later. Is automatically printed on the sheet. The image reading unit 15 performs a reading process of reading image data printed on a sheet. The control panel 17 includes a touch panel type first display unit 171 and a first operation unit (not shown) such as a numeric keypad, a stop key, and a start key. Accepts input of reading mode (reading process).

  As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus main body 11 includes a temporary placement unit 3, a first proximity wireless communication unit 2, a first storage unit 45, and a first control unit 4 (control unit).

  The temporary placement unit 3 has a box shape fixed to the side surface of the image forming apparatus main body 11, and temporarily places the information terminal 5 provided with a proximity wireless communication function on the inside. The temporary placement unit 3 is, for example, a manual pocket (a container shape having an upper portion opened on the side surface of the image forming apparatus 10) for storing a use manual or the like. In addition, the usage manual includes a usage manual attached to the image forming apparatus 10 as a standard, a recording medium such as a CD-ROM on which driver software is recorded, and is an optional configuration. It shows equipment-related materials including a use manual and a recording medium added later. In FIG. 1, the temporary placement unit 3 that is a manual pocket is disposed at a position shown in the drawing for convenience of explanation, but a position that does not hinder the discharge of a sheet on which print data is printed, For example, it may be arranged on the back side of the image forming apparatus main body 11 or the like.

  The first proximity wireless communication unit 2 can perform proximity wireless communication with the information terminal 5. Specifically, it is a communication interface compliant with a communication standard called transfer jet (registered trademark), and the specifications of the transfer jet are a center frequency of 4.48 GHz and a transfer rate of 560 Mbps (MAX) / The execution rate is 375 Mbps, and the communication distance is within 3 cm.

  The first proximity wireless communication unit 2 includes a first proximity wireless interface (abbreviated as first I / F) 21 controlled by the CPU 20 that controls the entire image forming apparatus 10, and a first antenna serving as a transmission / reception antenna of the first I / F 21. Part 22. The first antenna unit 22 is stretched around the inner surface of the temporary placement unit 3, for example, and only by temporarily placing the information terminal 5 on the temporary placement unit 3, a second antenna unit 512 described later is placed on the first antenna unit 22. It can be located in a communicable range. Here, the first antenna portion 22 may be configured as a sheet that is stretched around the entire inner surface of the temporary placement portion 3. With this configuration, the communication range of the first antenna unit 22 is sufficient as long as the information terminal 5 is temporarily placed in the temporary placement unit 3 regardless of where the second antenna is provided on the information terminal 5. The first antenna portion 22 can be positioned in the position. In addition, by forming the second antenna portion 512 into a sheet shape, even if the first antenna portion 22 is stretched over the entire inner surface of the temporary placement portion 3, the size of the temporary placement portion 5 is reduced to an information terminal on the inside. 5 can be temporarily placed.

  The first storage unit 45 is a memory, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), or the like, and stores the image data acquired by the image reading unit 15 and the print data acquired via the first proximity wireless communication unit 2.

  The first control unit 4 is a CPU and controls the entire image forming apparatus 10. When the first I / F 21 acquires print data by proximity wireless communication with the information terminal 5, the first control unit 4 stores the print data in the first storage unit 45. The first control unit 4 transmits the image data stored in the first storage unit 45 to the information terminal 5 by operating the first I / F 21.

  The information terminal 5 includes a second proximity wireless communication unit (proximity wireless communication function) 51 that performs proximity wireless communication with the first proximity wireless communication unit 2, a second operation unit 52 that receives various operation inputs from the user, and a user. It has the 2nd display part 53 which performs various displays. Examples of the information terminal 5 include a notebook computer, a tablet computer, a mobile phone, a PHS, a smartphone, a smart book, and a slate device.

  The second proximity wireless communication unit 51 is a communication interface that conforms to a communication standard called a transfer jet (transfer jet (registered trademark)) and has the same configuration as the first proximity wireless communication unit 2, and thus the description thereof is omitted. To do.

  The second proximity wireless communication unit 51 includes a second proximity wireless interface (second I / F) 511 that performs wireless communication with the first I / F 21 and a second antenna unit 512 that is a transmission / reception antenna of the second I / F 511. When the second antenna unit 512 enters the communication range of the first antenna unit 22, the first I / F 21 automatically starts communication with the second I / F 511.

  Next, a hardware configuration in the image processing system 1 will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the image processing system 1 of the present embodiment.

  The image forming apparatus 10 includes a first control unit 4, a first NVRAM 41, a first FROM 42, a first SDRAM 43, a first LCDC 44, a first storage unit 45, an image memory 46, an image memory controller 47, a LAN I / F 48, and a first I / F 21. .

  The first NVRAM 41 stores various settings related to the image forming apparatus 10. The first FROM 42 stores a program for performing various operations of the image forming apparatus 10. The first SDRAM 43 serves as a work memory when the first control unit 4 executes a program stored in the FROM. The first LCDC 44 performs drawing on the first display unit 171.

  The image memory 46 stores image data read by the image reading unit 15 and print data output to the image forming unit 12. The image memory controller 47 transfers the image data read by the image reading unit 15 to the image memory 46 and transfers the print data output to the image forming unit 12 to the image memory 46. The LAN I / F 48 is an interface for a wired network. The first I / F 21 is a wireless interface for a wireless network, and connects the first antenna unit 22.

  The information terminal 5 includes a second control unit 6, a second NVRAM 61, a second FROM 62, a second SDRAM 63, a second LCDC 64, a second storage unit 65, and a second I / F 511.

  The second control unit 6 is a CPU and controls the entire information terminal 5. When the first I / F 21 and the second I / F 511 are in a communication state, the second control unit 6 operates the second I / F 511 to transfer image data in the first storage unit 45 of the image forming apparatus 10 to a shared folder 651 described later. Or the print data of the shared folder 651 is transmitted to the first storage unit 45 of the image forming apparatus 10.

  The second NVRAM 61 stores various settings related to the information terminal 5. The second FROM 62 stores programs for performing various operations of the information terminal 5. The second SDRAM 63 serves as a work memory when the second control unit 6 executes a program stored in the FROM. The second LCDC 64 performs drawing on the second display unit 53. The second storage unit 65 is an HDD, and stores various data such as a part of the program, a temporary file used by the second control unit 6 for calculation, and an image file. The second storage unit 65 has a shared folder 651 for close proximity wireless communication shared with the image forming apparatus 10, and stores print data to be transmitted to the image forming apparatus 10 in the shared folder 651. The second I / F 511 is a wireless interface for a wireless network, and connects the second antenna unit 512.

  Next, an image processing method using the image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a control flowchart for transmitting the image data read by the image reading unit 15 in the present embodiment to the information terminal 5, and FIG. 4 shows the print data in the information terminal 5 in the present embodiment to the image forming apparatus 10. It is a control flowchart to transmit. As an initial condition, it is assumed that a shared folder 651 capable of communicating with the image forming apparatus 10 is provided in the second storage unit 65 of the information terminal 5.

  First, control for transmitting image data read by the image reading unit 15 to the information terminal 5 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The user places the sheet on which the image is printed on the automatic document feeder 16. The user inputs an image reading mode to the control panel 17 (accepts reading processing by the control panel 17), and temporarily places the information terminal 5 in the temporary placement unit 3 (step S100). The first I / F 21 detects that the second antenna unit 512 has entered the communication distance range of the first antenna unit 22, and starts communication with the second I / F 511 (step S101). When receiving the communication start signal from the first I / F 21, the first control unit 4 searches for the shared folder 651 in the information terminal 5. When the first control unit 4 detects the shared folder 651, the first control unit 4 acquires information regarding the path of the shared folder 651 (step S102). Then, the first control unit 4 sets the path of the acquired shared folder 651 as the storage destination of the image read by the image reading unit 15 (step S103).

  The first control unit 4 operates the automatic document feeding unit 16 to convey the sheet placed on the automatic document feeding unit 16 to the image reading unit 15 and starts the reading process of the sheet on which the image is printed. (Step S104). The first control unit 4 stores the sheet image data read by the image reading unit 15 in the first storage unit 45 in the image forming apparatus 10 (step S105). Then, the first control unit 4 copies the image data stored in the first storage unit 45, operates the first I / F 21 based on the path of the shared folder 651, and stores the copied image data in the second storage unit 65. Are stored in the shared folder 651 (step S106). When the first control unit 4 determines that the transmission of the copied image data by the first I / F 21 has been completed, it displays that the image data read by the first display unit 171 has been stored in the information terminal 5. Then, the user takes out the information terminal 5 from the temporary placement unit 3 and ends the communication between the image forming apparatus 10 and the information terminal 5 (steps S107 and S108).

  With this configuration, the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present exemplary embodiment simply selects the image reading mode, temporarily places the information terminal 5 in the temporary placement unit 3, and reads the image data read in the image forming apparatus 10. Can be automatically transmitted into the information terminal 5. That is, when the image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment transmits image data from the image forming apparatus 10 to the information terminal 5, network settings such as an IP address necessary for communication between the image forming apparatus 10 and the information terminal 5 are set. You don't have to do it.

  Next, control for transmitting print data in the information terminal 5 to the image forming apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The user inputs a printing mode to the control panel 17 (accepts printing processing by the control panel 17), and temporarily places the information terminal 5 in the temporary placement unit 3 (step S200). The first I / F detects that the second antenna unit 512 is located within the communication distance range of the first antenna unit 22, and starts communication with the second I / F 511 (step S201). When receiving the communication start signal from the first I / F 21, the first control unit 4 searches for the shared folder 651 in the information terminal 5. The first control unit 4 detects the shared folder 651 and acquires information regarding the path of the shared folder 651 (step S202). Then, the first control unit 4 sets the path of the acquired shared folder 651 as the acquisition destination of the print data received from the information terminal 5 (step S203). The first control unit 4 displays the data in the shared folder 651 on the first display unit 171 by operating the first I / F 21 according to the path of the shared folder 651. The user selects data to be printed (print data) from the data displayed on the first display unit 171 (step S204).

  The first control unit 4 saves the print data selected by the user in the first storage unit 45 by operating the first I / F 21 based on the path of the shared folder 651 (step S205). The first control unit 4 conveys the sheet in the sheet feeding cassette 131 to the image forming unit 12 by the sheet conveying unit 14, and automatically prints data stored in the first storage unit 45 on the sheet by the image forming unit 12. Printing is performed (step S206). When the first control unit 4 determines that all the print data selected by the user has been printed by the image forming unit 12, the first control unit 4 displays on the first display unit 171 that the print processing has been completed. Then, the user takes out the information terminal 5 from the temporary placement unit 3 and ends the communication between the image forming apparatus 10 and the information terminal 5 (step S208).

  With this configuration, the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present exemplary embodiment simply selects the print mode, temporarily places the information terminal 5 in the temporary placement unit 3, and prints the print data in the information terminal 5. And the printing process by the image forming apparatus 10 can be executed. That is, when the image forming apparatus 10 of the present embodiment transmits print data from the information terminal 5 to the image forming apparatus 10, setting of an IP address necessary for communication between the image forming apparatus 10 and the information terminal 5 is performed. There is no need to configure network settings.

  In addition, since the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment performs communication with the information terminal 5 using the first I / F 21 having the proximity wireless communication function, the information terminal 5 is positioned close to the image forming apparatus 10 (information terminal). Since the communication with the information terminal 5 can be performed only when 5 is placed in the temporary placement portion 3), it is clear which information terminal 5 and the image forming apparatus 10 are communicating with each other. Can grasp. That is, only the user who temporarily places the information terminal 5 in the temporary placement unit 3 can clearly grasp that communication with the image forming apparatus 10 is currently being performed.

  Further, when the information terminal 5 is not temporarily placed in the temporary placement unit 3, the second antenna unit 512 is not located within the communication range of the first antenna unit 22, and therefore, between the information terminal 5 and the image forming apparatus 10. Communication does not start. Therefore, even if another user has another information terminal 5 near the image forming apparatus 10 and tries to interrupt communication between the information terminal 5 temporarily placed in the temporary placement unit 3 and the image forming apparatus 10. Since the second antenna unit 512 of the information terminal 5 owned by another user is not located within the communication range of the first antenna unit 22, the communication between the information terminal 5 and the image forming apparatus 10 cannot be interrupted. As described above, since the image forming apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment communicates only with the information terminal 5 temporarily placed in the temporary placement unit 3, other users interrupt during communication with the image forming apparatus 10 and are communicating. It is possible to prevent the data from being stolen. That is, the image processing system 1 according to the present embodiment can perform communication between the information terminal 5 and the image forming apparatus 10 with a high security level.

  In the above embodiment, as a precondition for enabling communication between the image forming apparatus 10 and the information terminal 5, it has been described that the shared folder 651 is simply set in the second storage unit 65. In addition to setting the shared folder 651 in the second storage unit 65, a predetermined application may be installed. Specifically, in order for the information terminal 5 to communicate with the image forming apparatus 10, the shared folder 651 is set in the second storage unit 65 and a predetermined application is installed in the information terminal 5.

  As an operation of the image forming apparatus 10 in this case, the user inputs the image reading mode or the printing mode to the control panel 17, temporarily places the information terminal 5 on the temporary placement unit 3, and the first I / F 21 After detecting that the second I / F 511 has entered the communication distance range of the first antenna unit 22 (steps S100 and S200), the first control unit 4 searches the information terminal 5 for information on a predetermined application. . When the first control unit 4 acquires information on a predetermined application, the first control unit 4 operates the first I / F 21 and starts communication with the second I / F 511. Conversely, when the first control unit 4 cannot acquire information related to the predetermined application, the first control unit 4 displays on the first display unit 171 that it cannot communicate with the information terminal 5. The subsequent processing of the first control unit is the same as the above-described image reading processing (step S102 to step S108) and printing processing (step S202 to step S208), and thus description thereof is omitted.

  With this configuration, in order to perform communication between the image forming apparatus 10 and the information terminal 5, the information terminal 5 is temporarily placed in the temporary placement unit 3, and the shared folder 651 is set in the second storage unit 65 in the information terminal 5. In addition to this, by adding a condition for installing a predetermined application, it is possible to increase the security level related to communication between the image forming apparatus 10 and the information terminal 5 as compared with the above-described embodiment. For example, when an outsider temporarily places the information terminal 5 in the temporary placement unit 3, communication with the image forming apparatus 10 cannot be performed because a predetermined application is not installed in the information terminal 5. The image reading process and the printing process cannot be performed using the image forming apparatus 10.

  In the above-described embodiment, the temporary placement unit 3 in which the first antenna unit 22 is stretched is described as a box shape fixed to the image forming apparatus main body 11. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the image forming apparatus main body is not limited thereto. It is good also as a box-shaped thing installed so that removal from 11 is possible. With this configuration, since there is not enough space around the image forming apparatus 10, when it is difficult for the user to temporarily place the information terminal 5 in the temporary placement section 3, the temporary placement section 3 is removed from the image forming apparatus main body 11. It is possible to perform image reading processing and printing processing using the image forming apparatus 10 at a position away from the image forming apparatus main body 11 after being removed.

  The above-described embodiments are merely examples, and can be implemented in various other forms without departing from the spirit or main features thereof. Therefore, the above-mentioned embodiment is only a mere illustration in all points, and should not be interpreted limitedly. The interpretation of the technical matters indicated by the claims is not limited to the text of the specification. Further, all modifications, various improvements, alternatives and modifications belonging to the equivalent scope of the claims are all within the scope of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image processing system 10 Image forming apparatus 11 Image forming apparatus main body 12 Image forming part 13 Paper feed part 131 Paper feed cassette 14 Sheet conveyance part 15 Image reading part 16 Automatic document feeding part 17 Control panel 171 First display part 2 First Proximity wireless communication unit 21 First proximity wireless interface (first I / F) 22 First antenna unit (antenna unit)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 3 Temporary placing part 31 Out / in opening 4 1st control part 41 1st NVRAM 42 1st FROM 43 1st SDRAM 44 1st LCDC 45 1st memory | storage part (memory | storage part) 46 Image memory 47 Image memory controller 48 LAN I / F
5 Information terminal 51 2nd proximity wireless communication part 511 2nd proximity wireless interface (2nd I / F) 512 2nd antenna part 52 2nd operation part 53 2nd display part 6 2nd control part 61 2nd NVRAM 62 2nd FROM 63 1st 2 SDRAM 64 2nd LCDC 65 2nd memory | storage part 651 Shared folder

Claims (5)

A first proximity wireless interface for performing proximity wireless communication provided in the image forming apparatus body;
A temporary placement unit on which an information terminal for performing proximity wireless communication with the first proximity wireless interface is temporarily placed;
An antenna unit stretched around the temporary storage unit and connected to the first proximity wireless interface;
When the first proximity wireless interface acquires print data by proximity wireless communication with the information terminal, a control unit that stores the print data in a storage unit;
An image forming apparatus.   2. The image forming unit according to claim 1, further comprising an image forming unit that automatically prints the print data stored in the storage unit on a sheet when the control unit stores the print data in the storage unit. Image forming apparatus.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the temporary placement unit is formed in a box shape that is fixedly or detachably installed on the image forming apparatus main body.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the antenna unit is a sheet-like antenna. An image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
An information terminal having a shared folder for close proximity wireless communication shared with the image forming apparatus to receive image data temporarily placed in the temporary placement unit and stored in the storage unit;
An image processing system comprising:

Images