JP2015231155A - Communication system, information processing device and control method thereof, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technique for performing a job without restoring a functional block unnecessary to perform the job from a power saving state when performing the job received from an external communication device in an information processing device such as an image forming device.SOLUTION: An image forming device has written handover information in an NFC tag. A mobile terminal reads the handover information from the NFC tag, establishes NFC communication with the image forming device, and performs handover from the NFC communication to wireless LAN communication. When the image forming device receives job type information from the mobile terminal while it is in a power saving state (S1004), it identifies a device necessary to perform the job among a plurality of devices comprised in the image forming device (S1006). Furthermore, the image forming device shifts the identified device from the power saving state to a non-power saving state, and performs the job (S1008).

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication system, an information processing apparatus, a control method thereof, and a program.

  In recent years, NFC (Near Field Communication), which is a short-range wireless communication technology, has been rapidly spread by being mounted on mobile terminals such as smartphones and tablet PCs. The NFC specification defines three functions: a reader / writer function, a card emulation function, and a peer-to-peer (P2P) function. The reader / writer function is a function for executing reading and writing of information with respect to conventionally used RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) tags and NFC tags. The card emulation function is a function for executing an operation equivalent to that of an NFC tag whose information can be read by a reader / writer. The P2P function is a function for transmitting and receiving data between NFC-compatible devices. A portable terminal equipped with an NFC function is equipped with a reader / writer. The portable terminal can read and write information with respect to the NFC tag by using a reader / writer.

  In addition, electronic devices such as portable terminals support not only NFC but also various communication methods such as a wireless LAN method and Bluetooth (registered trademark). For this reason, there is a technique called handover in which pairing and authentication between electronic devices are performed using NFC, and actual communication is taken over by communication using Wi-Fi, Bluetooth (registered trademark), or the like. By using such a handover, it is possible to automatically execute initial settings required for establishing communication such as a wireless LAN system, Bluetooth (registered trademark), or the like. Specifically, information (handover information) necessary for initial setting is written in advance in the NFC tag of the device to be connected, and the portable terminal is held by the reader / writer function by holding the portable terminal over the NFC tag. Necessary information can be acquired from the NFC tag. For example, in the case of the wireless LAN system, information such as the SSID (Service Set Identifier) and security key of the access point and the IP address of the connection target device are written in the NFC tag as handover information. Thereby, the handover using the handover information can be easily realized.

  The following example is assumed as an example of the cooperative operation between the portable terminal and the image forming apparatus using the handover. For example, an example of transmitting image data from a portable terminal to an image forming apparatus by communication established by a handover from NFC communication, or an example of transmitting image data obtained by scanning a document with the image forming apparatus to the portable terminal Is assumed.

  Here, a case where a print job is transmitted from the portable terminal to the image forming apparatus operating in the power saving mode by communication established by handover from NFC communication is considered. In this case, the image forming apparatus needs to execute the received print job after returning from the power saving mode to the normal operation mode. As an example of such NFC communication, in Patent Document 1, when a communication request by NFC occurs while a device is operating in the power saving mode, NFC is used after the device is returned from the power saving mode to the normal operation mode. Techniques for communication have been proposed.

JP 2011-44092 A

  However, in an information processing apparatus such as an image forming apparatus operating in the power saving mode, a plurality of functional blocks (devices) are in a power saving state (for example, the operation is stopped. The information processing apparatus is in a power saving mode. Therefore, when returning from the normal operation mode to the normal operation mode, the functional blocks (devices) required for job execution differ depending on the type of job to be executed by the information processing apparatus from a communication device such as a portable terminal. When the device returns from the power saving mode to the normal operation mode, if function blocks that are not required for job execution are returned from the power saving state to the non power saving state, power may be consumed unnecessarily. is there.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems. According to the present invention, in an information processing apparatus such as an image forming apparatus, when a job received from an external communication apparatus is executed, the job is executed without returning a functional block unnecessary for job execution from the power saving state. The purpose is to provide the technology.

  The present invention can be realized as, for example, a communication system and an information processing apparatus. The communication system which concerns on 1 aspect of this invention is a communication system provided with information processing apparatus and the communication apparatus which can communicate with the said information processing apparatus, Comprising: The said communication apparatus is 1st communication for near field communication. Acquisition means for acquiring connection information for connecting to the information processing apparatus by the second communication method for wireless communication at a higher speed than the method from the information processing apparatus by communication of the first communication method; and the acquisition means Establishing communication of the second communication method with the information processing device based on the connection information acquired by the information processing device, and transmitting job information for causing the information processing device to execute a job by communication of the second communication method. Transmitting means for transmitting to the information processing apparatus, wherein the information processing apparatus transmits a first communication means for transmitting the connection information to the communication apparatus by communication of the first communication method; While the second communication means that receives the job information from the communication device by communication of the second communication method established based on connection information and a plurality of functional blocks provided in the information processing device are in a power saving state When the job information is received by the second communication means, a specifying means for specifying a functional block necessary for executing a job corresponding to the job information among the plurality of functional blocks; and the specifying means And a control means for executing the job by shifting the functional block identified by the power saving state from the power saving state to the non power saving state.

  An information processing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention is an information processing apparatus capable of communicating with an external communication apparatus, and the first communication system uses the first communication system for short-range wireless communication. First communication means for transmitting connection information for connecting to the information processing apparatus to the communication apparatus in a second communication method for high-speed wireless communication, and the second communication established based on the connection information Second communication means for receiving job information for executing a job from the communication apparatus by communication of a method, and the second communication means while a plurality of functional blocks included in the information processing apparatus are in a power saving state. When the job information is received, a specifying unit for specifying a functional block necessary for execution of a job corresponding to the job information among the plurality of functional blocks, and the specifying unit. The identified function block is shifted from the power saving state to the non-power saving state, characterized in that it comprises a control means for executing the job.

  According to the present invention, in an information processing apparatus such as an image forming apparatus, when executing a job received from an external communication apparatus, the job is executed without returning functional blocks unnecessary for job execution from the power saving state. Is possible.

The figure which shows the structural example of a communication system. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of an image forming apparatus, and FIG. 2B is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of an NFC tag. The block diagram which shows the hardware structural example of a portable terminal. 2A and 2B are diagrams illustrating examples of a state where an image forming apparatus and a mobile terminal are separated and a state where they are close to each other. The sequence diagram which shows an example of the procedure of the hand-over from NFC communication to wireless LAN communication. 6 is a diagram showing an example of an operation screen of an MFP cooperation application displayed on a mobile terminal. FIG. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the process performed in the portable terminal based on 1st Embodiment. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the process performed by the NFC tag based on 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the information stored in the storage area of an NFC tag. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing executed in the image forming apparatus according to the first embodiment. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the process performed in the portable terminal based on 2nd Embodiment. 9 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing executed in the image forming apparatus according to the second embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The following embodiments do not limit the invention according to the claims, and all combinations of features described in the embodiments are not necessarily essential to the solution means of the invention.

[First Embodiment]
First, the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

<Configuration of communication system>
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a communication system according to the first embodiment. The communication system includes an image forming apparatus (MFP) 100, a personal computer (PC) 200, a portable terminal 300, a wireless LAN (WLAN) access point 500, and a local area network (LAN) 600. However, the communication system can include any number of PCs, portable terminals, image forming apparatuses, and the like. The image forming apparatus 100, the PC 200, and the access point 500 are connected to the LAN 600 and can communicate via the LAN 600. The image forming apparatus 100 is an example of an information processing apparatus, and the mobile terminal 300 is an example of a communication apparatus that can communicate with the information processing apparatus.

  The image forming apparatus 100 and the portable terminal 300 support NFC as a communication method (first communication method) for short-range wireless communication. In addition, the image forming apparatus 100 and the mobile terminal 300 use a wireless LAN method of IEEE 802.11 standard or a communication method using a wireless LAN method as a communication method (second communication method) for wireless communication faster than NFC. It corresponds to one of Wi-Fi Direct (registered trademark) and Bluetooth (registered trademark).

  In the communication system shown in FIG. 1, the mobile terminal 300 can communicate with the image forming apparatus 100 via the access point 500 by connecting to the access point 500 by wireless LAN communication (wireless LAN communication 800). The mobile terminal 300 can communicate with the image forming apparatus 100 by directly connecting to the image forming apparatus 100 through wireless LAN communication (wireless LAN communication 900). Furthermore, the portable terminal 300 can communicate with the image forming apparatus 100 by directly connecting to the image forming apparatus 100 by NFC communication.

  In this embodiment, the wireless LAN communication 900 is assumed to be communication using Wi-Fi Direct (registered trademark) using a wireless LAN method. However, wireless LAN method ad-hoc mode communication or Bluetooth (registered trademark) is used. It may be replaced by communication or the like. Hereinafter, an example in which the image forming apparatus 100 and the mobile terminal 300 perform the NFC communication 700 as the short-range wireless communication and the wireless LAN communication 800 via the access point 500 as the high-speed wireless communication will be described.

  The image forming apparatus 100 has a copy function, a print function, a scan function, an NFC communication function, a wireless LAN communication function, and the like. The PC 200 can transmit a print job to the image forming apparatus 100 and can refer to data digitized by the image forming apparatus 100. The portable terminal 300 is a portable information processing terminal having an NFC communication function, a wireless LAN communication function, and the like, and is, for example, a smartphone or a tablet PC.

  The mobile terminal 300 has various information such as the SSID and security key of the access point 500, error information and log information of the image forming apparatus 100, startup information for starting an application operable on the mobile terminal 300, and job type information. Can be transmitted to and received from the image forming apparatus 100 by NFC communication 700. In addition, the mobile terminal 300 can transmit the image data held in the mobile terminal 300 to the image forming apparatus 100 through the wireless LAN communication 800 and cause the image forming apparatus 100 to execute printing based on the image data. .

  The access point 500 for wireless LAN is communicable with a device having a wireless LAN I / F such as the mobile terminal 300 and is connected to the LAN 600. The mobile terminal 300 can communicate with a device connected to the LAN 600 via the access point 500. The LAN 600 is a network corresponding to a communication standard such as Ethernet (registered trademark).

<Configuration of image forming apparatus>
FIG. 2A is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the image forming apparatus 100. The image forming apparatus 100 includes a CPU 101, a RAM 102, a ROM 103, an HDD 104, an operation unit I / F 105, a network I / F 106, an NFC tag 107, an image bus I / F 109, and a wireless LAN I / F 118. These functional blocks (devices) are connected to each other via a system bus 114. The image forming apparatus 100 includes an operation unit 120 connected to the operation unit I / F 105 and an antenna 108 connected to the NFC tag 107. The image forming apparatus 100 further includes a RIP 110, a device I / F 111, a printer image processing unit 112, and a scanner image processing unit 113 as functional blocks (devices) responsible for image processing, which are connected via an image bus 115. Has been.

  The CPU 101 controls the entire image forming apparatus 100. The RAM 102 is a volatile memory used as a work memory for temporarily storing data used by the CPU 101 for calculation. The ROM 103 stores a program used for starting the image forming apparatus 100 and is mainly used when the image forming apparatus 100 is started. A hard disk drive (HDD) 104 is a non-volatile storage device that stores various data such as software related to control of the image forming apparatus 100, various setting data, and stored document data.

  The operation unit 120 includes a liquid crystal display (LCD) and a touch panel, and provides an input I / F for inputting information to the image forming apparatus 100 by a user operation, and outputting information to the user of the image forming apparatus 100. Provides an output I / F. The operation unit I / F 105 is an I / F for the operation unit 120, and relays data transmitted and received between the operation unit 120 and the system bus 114.

  The network I / F 106 is an I / F for transmitting / receiving data to / from an external device via the LAN 600. The NFC tag 107 performs control for performing the NFC communication 700 via the antenna 108. In this embodiment, the NFC tag 107 is an NFC tag that can be controlled by the CPU 101, but may be an NFC reader / writer that operates in a card emulation mode. The antenna 108 is an antenna for performing the NFC communication 700, and transmits / receives radio waves for the NFC communication 700 to / from an external device. The wireless LAN I / F 118 is an I / F for transmitting / receiving data to / from an external device through the wireless LAN communication 800 or 900.

  The image bus I / F 109 is connected between the system bus 114 and the image bus 115, relays data between these buses, and converts the data structure of the relayed data. A raster image processor (RIP) 110 converts a page description language (PDL) code, a display list, and the like into a bitmap image. The device I / F 111 is an I / F that connects the scanner unit 130 and the printer unit 140 to the image bus 115.

  The device I / F 111 performs timing adjustment for transmitting image data received from the scanner unit 130 to the image bus 115 and timing adjustment for transmitting image data from the image bus 115 to the printer unit 140. The scanner unit 130 generates image data by a scanner sensor, and performs processing such as correction and resolution conversion according to the image forming apparatus 100 for the generated image data. The printer unit 140 forms an image on a sheet (recording medium) based on image data input via the device I / F 111. Further, the printer unit 140 performs processing such as correction and resolution conversion according to the print engine of the image forming apparatus 100 for the image data for print output.

(NFC tag 107)
FIG. 2B is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the NFC tag 107. The NFC tag 107 includes an NFC processing unit 151 and a nonvolatile storage area 152 and a wired I / F 153 connected to the NFC processing unit 151. The wired I / F 153 is connected to the system bus 114. Further, the NFC tag 107 can receive a power supply 160 from a power source or the like inside the image forming apparatus 100 via a wire.

  The NFC processing unit 151 is a communication processing unit related to NFC, which includes a CPU (not shown) and a RAM (not shown) that is a work memory of the CPU. The storage area 152 is a storage area in which information can be read and written from an external device (external NFC reader / writer) by NFC communication. The NFC processing unit 151 can store information that can be read from an external NFC reader / writer (that is, information that can be transmitted to the external NFC reader / writer) in the storage area 152. The NFC processing unit 151 can store information written from an external NFC reader / writer (that is, information received from the external NFC reader / writer via the antenna 108) in the storage area 152.

  When the CPU 101 sets an interrupt setting bit (not shown) in the system area of the storage area 152, the NFC processing unit 151 determines the CPU 101 timing for executing the NFC communication 700, writing information to the storage area 152, and the like. Send an interrupt signal to. When the CPU 101 receives an interrupt signal from the NFC processing unit 151 while the image forming apparatus 100 is operating in the power saving mode, the CPU 101 can return the image forming apparatus 100 to the normal operation mode (non-power saving mode).

  The wired I / F 153 is an I / F for transmitting and receiving data (information) between the NFC processing unit 151 and a device connected to the system bus 114. The CPU 101 can write information to the storage area 152 and read information from the storage area 152 by transmitting and receiving information to and from the NFC processing unit 151 via the wired I / F 153. Further, the NFC processing unit 151 can transmit the above-described interrupt signal to the CPU 101 via the wired I / F 153 and the system bus 114.

  The NFC tag 107 can operate by receiving power supplied by radio waves received by the antenna 108 when performing short-range wireless communication (NFC communication) with an external reader / writer. Note that data access from the external NFC reader / writer to the storage area 152 is performed not only by receiving power from the antenna 108 but also by receiving power supply 160 in a wired manner from a power source or the like inside the image forming apparatus 100. You can also.

<Configuration of mobile terminal>
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of the mobile terminal 300. The portable terminal 300 includes a CPU 301, a RAM 302, a flash ROM 303, an operation unit 304, a camera 305, a wireless LAN I / F 306, and an NFC reader / writer 307. These functional blocks (devices) are connected to each other via the system bus 309 and can transmit and receive data to and from each other via the system bus 309.

  The CPU 301 controls the mobile terminal 300 as a whole. The RAM 302 is a volatile memory that is used as a work memory for temporarily storing data used for calculation by the CPU 301. The flash ROM 303 is a rewritable nonvolatile memory that stores programs and various data used by the CPU 301. The operation unit 304 includes a liquid crystal display (LCD) and a touch panel, and provides an input I / F for inputting information to the image forming apparatus 100 by a user operation and an output for outputting information to the user of the mobile terminal 300. Provide I / F. The camera 305 is used to capture a still image or a moving image.

  The wireless LAN I / F 306 is an I / F for transmitting / receiving data to / from an external device through the wireless LAN communication 800 or 900. The NFC reader / writer 307 performs control for performing the NFC communication 700. The antenna 308 is an antenna for performing the NFC communication 700, and transmits and receives radio waves for the NFC communication 700 with an external device.

<Example of near field communication (NFC communication)>
4A and 4B are diagrams illustrating an example of a state in which the image forming apparatus 100 and the mobile terminal 300 are separated from each other and a state in which they are close to each other. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that NFC communication 700 is performed as short-range wireless communication.

  FIG. 4A shows a state where the image forming apparatus 100 and the mobile terminal 300 are separated. The state shown in FIG. 4A is a state where the NFC reader / writer 307 of the mobile terminal 300 is out of the range where the NFC tag 107 of the image forming apparatus 100 can perform NFC communication 700. In this state, the mobile terminal 300 cannot read the information stored in the storage area 152 of the NFC tag 107 by the NFC communication 700 or write information to the storage area 152 of the NFC tag 107 by the NFC communication 700. It is.

  FIG. 4B shows a state in which the image forming apparatus 100 and the mobile terminal 300 are close to each other. The state shown in FIG. 4B is a state where the NFC reader / writer 307 of the portable terminal 300 is within a range where the NFC tag 107 of the image forming apparatus 100 can perform NFC communication 700. In this state, the mobile terminal 300 can read information stored in the storage area 152 of the NFC tag 107 by the NFC communication 700 or write information to the storage area 152 of the NFC tag 107 by the NFC communication 700. is there. In this state, the NFC tag 107 can operate by receiving power supplied from the received radio wave by receiving the radio wave transmitted by the NFC reader / writer 307.

  The mobile terminal 300 can read various information from the storage area 152 of the NFC tag 107 by performing the NFC communication 700. Such information includes, for example, activation information for activating an application operable on the mobile terminal 300 or download information that is information for accessing a Web site where such an application can be downloaded. Further, during execution of the NFC communication 700, handover information (SSID, security key, IP address of the access point 500) for handover from the NFC communication 700 to higher-speed wireless communication (wireless LAN communication 800, 900, etc.). Etc.).

  An example of an application operable on the mobile terminal 300 is an MFP cooperation application described later. For example, the portable terminal 300 can transmit image data in the portable terminal 300 to the image forming apparatus 100 via the access point 500 by the wireless LAN communication 800 by using the MFP cooperation application. Thereby, the mobile terminal 300 can cause the image forming apparatus 100 to print the transmitted image data.

<Handover procedure from NFC communication to wireless LAN communication>
FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a procedure of a handover from the NFC communication 700 to the wireless LAN communication 800 that is executed by the image forming apparatus 100 and the mobile terminal 300. Here, after the NFC communication 700 is established between the NFC tag 107 and the NFC reader / writer 307, the hand switching the communication between the image forming apparatus 100 and the portable terminal 300 from the NFC communication 700 to the wireless LAN communication 800. An example in which over is performed will be described. Note that the handover shown in FIG. 5 corresponds to a method called “Static Handover” in which the mobile terminal 300 acquires handover information stored in advance in the storage area 152 of the NFC tag 107 and performs handover. Yes.

  First, when the user brings the mobile terminal 300 close to the NFC tag 107 of the image forming apparatus 100, wireless connection (NFC communication) is performed between the NFC tag 107 of the image forming apparatus 100 and the NFC reader / writer 307 of the mobile terminal 300. 700) is started. In step S <b> 501, the NFC reader / writer 307 transmits a polling command to the NFC tag 107. When the NFC tag 107 receives a radio wave from the mobile terminal 300 via the antenna 108, the NFC tag 107 is activated by receiving power from the received radio wave in S502.

  In step S503, the NFC tag 107 transmits response data as a response to the polling command. Note that the response data includes handover information (IP address, SSID, security key, etc.) stored in the storage area 152 of the NFC tag 107 and necessary for the handover process. The mobile terminal 300 stores the received handover information in a storage device such as the RAM 302. Through the above processing, the mobile terminal 300 acquires handover information corresponding to connection information for connecting to the image forming apparatus 100 by the wireless LAN method from the image forming apparatus 100 through the NFC communication 700.

  Next, the mobile terminal 300 establishes wireless LAN communication (wireless LAN communication 800) with the image forming apparatus 100 based on the received handover information, thereby changing the NFC communication 700 to the wireless LAN communication. Perform a handover. In the present embodiment, the mobile terminal 300 establishes communication with the image forming apparatus 100 via the access point 500 by connecting to the access point 500 by the wireless LAN method.

  First, in S504, the mobile terminal 300 connects to the access point 500 using the SSID and the security key included in the handover information stored in the RAM 102 via the wireless LAN I / F 306, so that the wireless LAN communication 800 is performed. Establish. Furthermore, the mobile terminal 300 makes a connection request to the image forming apparatus 100 using the IP address included in the handover information. In step S <b> 505, the image forming apparatus 100 authenticates the mobile terminal 300 based on the connection request received via the network I / F 106, and then transmits a connection response to the mobile terminal 300. Through the above processing, the wireless LAN communication 800 (including communication between the access point 500 and the image forming apparatus 100 via the LAN 600) between the portable terminal 300 and the image forming apparatus 100 is assumed. Is established and the handover is completed.

  If the user of the mobile terminal 300 knows the handover information, the user can send information necessary for establishing the wireless LAN communication 800 to the mobile terminal 300 without using the NFC communication 700. It is also possible to set manually. FIG. 5 shows an example in which handover is performed from the NFC communication 700 to the wireless LAN communication 800, but handover from the NFC communication 700 to the wireless LAN communication 900 can also be realized by the same procedure.

<Operation example of MFP cooperation application>
FIG. 6 illustrates an operation example of the MFP cooperation application operating on the mobile terminal 300 and an example of an operation screen of the application. The MFP cooperation application (MFP cooperation application) is an application operable on the mobile terminal 300. The application is used to link the mobile terminal 300 and the image forming apparatus 100 and cause the image forming apparatus 100 to execute a job such as scanning, printing, and FAX transmission from the mobile terminal 300.

  When the user of the portable terminal 300 operates the operation unit 304 to start up the MFP cooperation application, a job selection screen (operation screen 601) is displayed on the operation unit 304 (the LCD thereof). The operation screen 601 is used for selecting a job to be executed by the image forming apparatus 100. The operation screen 601 includes buttons 601a, 601b, and 601c for selecting a print job, a scan job, and a FAX transmission job, respectively. When one of the buttons 601a, 601b, and 601c is pressed, the display of the operation unit 304 is switched to a job setting screen for setting a job corresponding to the pressed button and instructing execution start.

  FIG. 6 shows an example in which the user presses the button 601a on the operation screen 601, and the job setting screen (operation screen 602) corresponding to the print job is displayed. The user can set items such as image data for printing, the number of copies, paper size, and duplex / single side by operating various setting buttons 602a. Thereafter, when the execution button 602 b is pressed by the user, the operation enters a state of waiting for the start of communication with the NFC tag 107, and an operation for displaying a message prompting the user to hold the mobile terminal 300 over the NFC tag 107 is displayed on the operation unit 304. The screen is switched to the screen 603.

  When the portable terminal 300 is held over the NFC tag 107, NFC communication is started between the NFC tag 107 and the NFC reader / writer 307, and the display on the operation unit 304 displays a message indicating that NFC communication is being executed. The operation screen 604 to be displayed is switched. In this embodiment, the NFC reader / writer 307 writes job type information indicating a job type (information indicating a print job in this example) to the NFC tag 107 while the operation screen 604 is displayed. Further, the NFC reader / writer 307 reads handover information (SSID, security key, IP address, etc.) from the NFC tag 107.

  After that, when the handover is completed according to the procedure shown in FIG. 5, print job execution data (image data, print settings, etc.) is transmitted from the portable terminal 300 to the image forming apparatus 100, so that printing is performed by the image forming apparatus 100. Job execution starts. During execution of the print job, an operation screen 605 is displayed on the operation unit 304 of the mobile terminal 300.

  On the other hand, if the NFC communication 700 fails due to reasons such as the NFC tag 107 and the mobile terminal 300 being separated during the execution of the NFC communication 700, a communication error screen (operation screen 606) is displayed on the operation unit 304. Is displayed. The operation screen 606 displays a message prompting the user to hold the mobile terminal 300 over the NFC tag 107 again in order to establish the NFC communication 700 again.

  Although FIG. 6 shows an example in which the button 601a corresponding to the print job is operated, the same display control is performed when the buttons 601b and 601c corresponding to the scan job and the FAX transmission job are operated. . In addition, job setting and execution instructions for jobs other than scan jobs, print jobs, and fax transmission jobs may be performed by the MFP cooperation application.

<Processing on mobile terminal>
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing executed in the mobile terminal 300 according to the present embodiment. The processing of each step shown in FIG. 7 is realized by the portable terminal 300 when the CPU 301 reads the control program stored in the flash ROM 303 into the RAM 302 and executes it.

  In step S <b> 701, the CPU 301 determines whether the NFC communication 700 has been established with the NFC tag 107. When the mobile terminal 300 is brought close to the NFC tag 107, the NFC connection is started and the NFC communication 700 is established. If the CPU 301 determines that the NFC communication 700 has been established (“YES” in S701), the process proceeds to S702. In the present embodiment, even when the user does not activate the application for the NFC reader / writer 307, when the mobile terminal 300 is brought close to the NFC tag 107, the NFC reader / writer 307 automatically uses NFC. Start the connection. However, the NFC connection may be started only when the application for the NFC reader / writer 307 is activated.

  In step S <b> 702, the CPU 301 determines whether the MFP cooperation application has been activated. If the CPU 301 determines that the MFP cooperation application has been activated (“YES” in step S702), the CPU 301 advances the process to step S703. In S703, the CPU 301 reads the handover information (connection information) from the NFC tag 107, thereby acquiring the handover information from the image forming apparatus 100 through the NFC communication 700, and the process proceeds to S704.

  On the other hand, if the CPU 301 determines that the MFP cooperation application has not been activated (“NO” in S702), the CPU 301 advances the process to S708. In step S <b> 708, the CPU 301 reads application activation information in addition to the handover information (connection information) from the NFC tag 107 through the NFC communication 700. In step S709, the CPU 301 activates the MFP cooperation application based on the application activation information read from the NFC tag 107, and advances the process to step S704.

  In step S <b> 704, the CPU 301 establishes communication with the image forming apparatus 100 by establishing the wireless LAN communication 800 according to the procedure illustrated in FIG. 5 based on the handover information read from the NFC tag 107. In step S <b> 705, the CPU 301 selects a job to be executed by the image forming apparatus 100 according to the user's selection via the operation screen 602 displayed on the operation unit 304 by the MFP cooperation application.

  In step S <b> 706, the CPU 301 transmits job type information to the image forming apparatus 100 through the wireless LAN communication 800. If the execution button 602b on the operation screen 602 is not pressed by the user, the CPU 301 can transmit job type information in response to the execution button 602b being pressed. In step S <b> 707, the CPU 301 transmits job execution data set by the user using the MFP cooperation application to the image forming apparatus 100 through the wireless LAN communication 800 as a job execution instruction, and ends the processing. As a result, execution of the job is started by the image forming apparatus 100. For example, when a setting related to a print job is performed, image data is transmitted as execution data by the wireless LAN communication 800, and printing based on the image data is performed by the image forming apparatus 100.

  In FIG. 7, the CPU 301 individually transmits job type information (S706) and job execution data (S707) to the image forming apparatus 100. In particular, the job type information is transmitted before the job execution data. This is to enable the image forming apparatus 100 to identify a device necessary for job execution at an earlier timing based on the job type information. However, the CPU 301 may collectively transmit the job type information (S706) and the job execution data (S707) to the image forming apparatus 100 as job information.

<Processing in NFC tag of image forming apparatus>
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing executed in the NFC tag 107 of the image forming apparatus 100. The process of each step shown in FIG. 8 is executed by the NFC processing unit 151 of the NFC tag 107.

  The NFC processing unit 151 is activated when power is supplied by the radio wave received from the mobile terminal 300 (NFC reader / writer 307). Determine whether. When the mobile terminal 300 is brought close to the NFC tag 107, the NFC connection is started and the NFC communication 700 is established. If the NFC processing unit 151 determines that the NFC communication 700 has been established (“YES” in S801), the process proceeds to S802.

  In step S <b> 802, the NFC processing unit 151 determines whether information (data) is written from the portable terminal 300 to the NFC tag 107 through the NFC communication 700. If it is determined that information is to be written from the mobile terminal 300 to the NFC tag 107 (“YES” in S802), the NFC processing unit 151 stores the data received from the mobile terminal 300 by the NFC communication 700 in S803 in the storage area. Write to 152. Further, the NFC processing unit 151 outputs an interrupt signal to the CPU 101 via the wired I / F 403 in S804, ends the NFC communication in S805, and returns the process to S801.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the mobile terminal 300 reads information from the NFC tag 107 (“NO” in S802), the NFC processing unit 151 transfers the data stored in the storage area 152 to the NFC communication 700 in S806. To the portable terminal 300. In this manner, information (data) is read from the NFC tag 107 by the portable terminal 300 (NFC reader / writer 307). Thereafter, the NFC processing unit 151 ends the NFC communication in S805, and returns the process to S801.

<Use example of NFC tag storage area>
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of information stored in the storage area 152 of the NFC tag 107. The storage area 152 is roughly divided into two storage areas, a user area 170 and a system area 180. In this embodiment, NDEF (NFC Data Exchange Format) is assumed as the format of information stored in the storage area 152 of the NFC tag 107, but other formats may be used.

  The user area 170 is an area that users and applications using the NFC tag 107 can freely use, and corresponds to a storage area in which information can be read and written from an external device such as the mobile terminal 300 by NFC communication. . The user area 170 stores use information 170a of the MFP cooperation application, activation information and download information 170b of the MFP cooperation application, and Wi-Fi handover information 170c. The empty area 170d is an unused area.

  The MFP cooperation application usage information 170a includes various types of information used by the MFP cooperation application, and includes, for example, job type information written from the mobile terminal 300, error information of the image forming apparatus 100, status information, log information, and the like. Note that the job type information may be stored not in the storage area 152 but in other storage areas (for example, the RAM 102 and the HDD 104).

  The MFP cooperation application activation information 170b is information for starting the MFP cooperation application in the portable terminal 300 when the MFP cooperation application is read by the NFC communication 700 in a state where the MFP cooperation application is not activated in the portable terminal 300. Further, the MFP cooperation application download information 170b is information for accessing a website where the NFC cooperation application can be downloaded when the MFP cooperation application is not installed in the mobile terminal 300.

  The handover information 170 c includes the SSID and security key of the access point 500 and the IP address of the image forming apparatus 100 that are necessary for the mobile terminal 300 to establish the wireless LAN communication 800.

  The system area 180 is an area in which information for performing various settings regarding the NFC tag 107 is stored, and is used for performing various settings regarding the NFC tag 107. Based on the information stored in the system area 180, for example, settings relating to the timing at which the NFC tag 107 outputs an interrupt signal and settings relating to the authority to read and write from the external device to the NFC tag 107 can be performed.

<Processing in Image Forming Apparatus>
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing executed in the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. The processing of each step shown in FIG. 10 is realized by the image forming apparatus 100 when the CPU 101 reads out the control program stored in the ROM 103 or the HDD 104 to the RAM 102 and executes it. In FIG. 10, after the image forming apparatus 100 shifts to the power saving mode, the mobile terminal 300 transmits job information (job type information and job execution data) to the image forming apparatus 100 via the wireless LAN communication 800. Is assumed.

When the image forming apparatus 100 is activated from the power-off state, the CPU 101 performs initial setting to the NFC tag 107 in S1001. Specifically, the CPU 101 writes the handover information, the activation information and download information of the MFP cooperation application in the storage area 152 via the NFC processing unit 151. Thereafter, in step S1002, the CPU 101 determines whether the transition time to the power saving mode has elapsed while the image forming apparatus 100 is in the idle state. If it is determined that the transition time has elapsed (“YES” in S1002), the CPU 101 causes the entire image forming apparatus 100 to transition from the normal operation mode to the power saving mode in S1003. Note that the transition time to the power saving mode can be set to an arbitrary time.

  In the image forming apparatus 100 operating in the power saving mode, a plurality of devices (functional blocks) such as the CPU 101, the scanner unit 130, the printer unit 140, and the FAX communication unit (not shown) are in the power saving state. . Note that the condition for shifting to the power saving mode is not limited to the elapse of the transition time, but may be, for example, that a power saving mode transition button (not shown) provided in the operation unit 120 is operated by the user. Both of them may be used.

  In step S <b> 1004, the CPU 101 or the network I / F 106 determines whether job type information has been received from an external device through the wireless LAN communication 800. Here, in the image forming apparatus 100 operating in the power saving mode, the network I / F 106 (and the wireless LAN I / F 118) operates in the normal operation state. When the network I / F 106 (and the wireless LAN I / F 118) receives the job type information from the external device, the network I / F 106 outputs an interrupt signal to the CPU 101, thereby changing the CPU 101 from the power saving state to the normal operation state (non-power saving state). ) Can be temporarily restored. Thereby, the CPU 101 can execute the determination process of S1004. Alternatively, the network I / F 106 (and the wireless LAN I / F 118) may execute the determination process of S1004.

  If it is determined that the job type information is received from the external device (“YES” in S1004), the CPU 101 returns from the power saving state to the normal operation state (non-power saving state) in S1005. In step S1006, the CPU 101 corresponds to the job type information among a plurality of devices (scanner unit 130, printer unit 140, FAX communication unit (not shown), etc.) based on the received job type information. Identify the devices required for job execution. For example, when the job type information indicates a print job as the job type, the CPU 101 specifies the printer unit 140 as a device necessary for executing the print job. When the job type information indicates a scan job as the job type, the CPU 101 identifies the scanner unit 130 as a device necessary for executing the scan job.

  Thereafter, in S1007, the CPU 101 returns (shifts) the device specified in S1006 from the power saving state to the normal operation state. In step S <b> 1008, when the CPU 101 receives job execution data from the external device, the CPU 101 executes the job using the received execution data by controlling the device returned to the normal operation state. While the job is executed in this way, the device (functional block) used to execute the job operates, while the other devices in the power saving state operate in the power saving state. Continue. Thereafter, when the execution of the job is completed, the CPU 101 ends the process.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 100 writes the handover information in the NFC tag 107. The mobile terminal 300 reads the handover information from the NFC tag 107, establishes the NFC communication 700 with the image forming apparatus 100, and performs a handover from the NFC communication 700 to the wireless LAN communication 800. When the image forming apparatus 100 receives the job type information from the portable terminal 300 while in the power saving state, the image forming apparatus 100 identifies a device required for job execution among a plurality of devices included in the image forming apparatus 100. Further, the image forming apparatus 100 shifts the identified device from the power saving state to the non power saving state, and executes the job. As a result, devices unnecessary for job execution are not shifted from the power saving state to the non-power saving state, and unnecessary power consumption can be suppressed.

[Second Embodiment]
In the first embodiment, the mobile terminal 300 transmits job type information to the image forming apparatus 100 by wireless LAN communication 800 established based on handover information (connection information) acquired by the NFC communication 700. In contrast, in the second embodiment, an example in which job type information is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 100 by NFC communication before the wireless LAN communication 800 is established will be described. For the sake of simplification of explanation, explanations about parts common to the first embodiment are omitted, and explanations about different parts are given.

<Processing on mobile terminal>
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing executed in the mobile terminal 300 according to the present embodiment. The processing of each step shown in FIG. 11 is realized by the portable terminal 300 when the CPU 301 reads the control program stored in the flash ROM 303 into the RAM 302 and executes it. In FIG. 11, the same reference numerals as in FIG. 7 are used for the steps for performing the same processes as in the first embodiment. 11 is different from the first embodiment (FIG. 7) in that S1101 to S1104 are added.

  In this embodiment, if the CPU 301 determines in S702 that the MFP cooperation application has been activated (“YES” in S702), the process proceeds to S1101. In step S1101, the CPU 301 determines whether a job has been selected using the MFP cooperation application (operation screen 601). If the CPU 301 determines that the job has been selected (“YES” in S1101), the process proceeds to S1102, and if it is determined that the job has not been selected (“NO” in S1101), the process proceeds to S703. . Note that the processing after S703 is the same as that in the first embodiment.

  In step S1102, the CPU 301 writes job type information indicating the type of the selected job in the storage area 152 of the NFC tag 107 by the NFC communication 700. After that, in S1103, the CPU 301 reads the handover information (connection information) from the NFC tag 107 in the same manner as in S703, thereby acquiring the handover information from the image forming apparatus 100 through the NFC communication 700, and the process proceeds to S1104. . In S1104, the CPU 301 establishes communication with the image forming apparatus 100 by establishing the wireless LAN communication 800 according to the procedure shown in FIG. 5 based on the handover information read from the NFC tag 107, as in S704. , The process proceeds to S707.

  In step S <b> 707, the CPU 301 transmits job execution data set by the user using the MFP cooperation application to the image forming apparatus 100 through the wireless LAN communication 800 as a job execution instruction, and ends the processing.

<Processing in Image Forming Apparatus>
FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a procedure of processing executed in the image forming apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. The processing of each step shown in FIG. 12 is realized by the image forming apparatus 100 when the CPU 101 reads out the control program stored in the ROM 103 or the HDD 104 to the RAM 102 and executes it. In FIG. 12, as in the first embodiment, after the image forming apparatus 100 shifts to the power saving mode, the mobile terminal 300 transmits job information (job type information and job execution data) via the wireless LAN communication 800. It is assumed that data is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 100. In FIG. 12, the same reference numerals as in FIG. 10 are used for the steps for performing the same processing as in the first embodiment. 12 is different from the first embodiment (FIG. 10) in that S1201 to S1204 are added.

  When the CPU 101 shifts the entire image forming apparatus 100 from the normal operation mode to the power saving mode in S1003, the process proceeds to S1201. In step S <b> 1201, the CPU 101 determines whether an interrupt signal has been received from the NFC tag 107. If the CPU 101 determines that an interrupt signal has not been received from the NFC tag 107 (“NO” in S1201), it advances the process to S1004 and performs the same determination process as in the first embodiment. However, if it is determined in S1004 that the job type information has not been received from the external device, the CPU 101 returns the process to S1201. On the other hand, if the CPU 101 determines that an interrupt signal has been received from the NFC tag 107 (“YES” in S1201), the process proceeds to S1202.

In S1202, the CPU 101 returns from the power saving state to the normal operation state (non-power saving state). In step S <b> 1203, the CPU 101 determines whether job type information is stored as MFP cooperation application usage information 170 a in the NFC tag 107 and in the storage area 152 of the NFC tag 107. If the CPU 101 determines that the job type information is not stored (“NO” in S1203), the CPU 101 advances the process to S1204. In step S1204, the CPU 101 shifts again from the normal operation state to the power saving state, and returns the process to step S1201. on the other hand,
If the CPU 101 determines that the job type information is stored (“YES” in S1203), the CPU 101 advances the process to S1006.

  The processes after S1006 are the same as those in the first embodiment. When the processing has proceeded from S1203 to S1006, the CPU 101 identifies a device (functional block) necessary for executing the job of the type indicated by the job type information written in the storage area 152 (S1006), The identified device is shifted from the power saving state to the normal power state (S1007). Further, when the CPU 101 receives job execution data from the external device (mobile terminal 300) through the wireless LAN communication 800, the CPU 101 controls the device that has been returned to the normal operation state, thereby using the received execution data. Run the job.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the image forming apparatus 100 receives the job type information by the NFC communication 700 before the wireless LAN communication 800 is established. This makes it possible to return a device required for job execution from the power saving state to the normal operation state at an earlier timing.

[Third Embodiment]
In the first and second embodiments, the mobile terminal 300 receives a job selection from the user via the operation screen 601 displayed on the operation unit 120 by the MFP cooperation application. In the third embodiment, when the portable terminal 300 is brought close to the NFC tag 107 and the NFC communication 700 is established, the type of job to be executed by the image forming apparatus 100 based on the application activated in the portable terminal 300 is established. An example of determining the will be described. For the sake of simplification of explanation, explanations about parts common to the first and second embodiments are omitted, and explanations about different parts are given.

  In the present embodiment, the mobile terminal 300 includes an application for causing the image forming apparatus 100 to execute a job for each job type. For example, when the application activated when the mobile terminal 300 is brought close to the NFC tag 107 is an application dedicated to a print job, the mobile terminal 300 causes the image forming apparatus 100 to execute a print job. Therefore, in this case, the CPU 301 can determine the type of job to be executed by the image forming apparatus 100 as a print job. When the application activated when the mobile terminal 300 is brought close to the NFC tag 107 is an application dedicated to a scan job, the mobile terminal 300 causes the image forming apparatus 100 to execute a scan job. Therefore, in this case, the CPU 301 can determine the type of job to be executed by the image forming apparatus 100 as a scan job.

  The CPU 301 transmits job type information indicating the type determined as described above to the image forming apparatus 100 (S706, S1102). Even in such an embodiment, the same effect as in the first and second embodiments described above can be obtained.

[Other Embodiments]
The present invention can also be realized by executing the following processing. That is, software (program) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus via a network or various storage media, and a computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or apparatus reads the program. It is a process to be executed.

100: Image forming apparatus, 300: Portable terminal, 700: NFC communication, 800, 900: Wireless LAN communication, 101, 301: CPU, 107: NFC tag, 307: NFC reader / writer, 118, 306: Wireless LAN I / F

Claims (21)

A communication system comprising an information processing device and a communication device capable of communicating with the information processing device,
The communication device
Connection information for connecting to the information processing device in the second communication method for wireless communication at a higher speed than the first communication method for short-range wireless communication is transmitted to the information processing device by communication of the first communication method. Acquisition means for acquiring from,
Based on the connection information acquired by the acquisition means, communication of the second communication method with the information processing device is established, and job information for causing the information processing device to execute a job is provided as the second communication method. Transmission means for transmitting to the information processing apparatus by communication of
The information processing apparatus includes:
First communication means for transmitting the connection information to the communication device by communication of the first communication method;
Second communication means for receiving the job information from the communication device by communication of the second communication method established based on the connection information;
When the job information is received by the second communication unit while a plurality of functional blocks included in the information processing apparatus is in a power saving state, a job corresponding to the job information is selected from the plurality of functional blocks. A specific means for identifying functional blocks required for execution;
Control means for causing the functional block specified by the specifying means to shift from a power saving state to a non-power saving state and executing the job;
A communication system comprising: The first communication unit has a storage area in which information can be read and written from an external device through communication of the first communication method.
The information processing apparatus further includes storage means for storing the connection information in the storage area,
The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition unit reads the connection information stored in the storage area by communication of the first communication method. The job information includes job type information indicating a job type and execution data for the job,
The specifying unit specifies a functional block necessary for executing a job of a type indicated by the job type information,
The control unit shifts the functional block specified by the specifying unit from a power saving state to a non-power saving state, and executes the job using the execution data. The communication system according to 1.   The communication system according to claim 3, wherein the transmission unit transmits the job type information to the information processing apparatus prior to the execution data. The acquisition unit further writes job type information indicating a type of job to be executed by the information processing apparatus into the storage area by communication of the first communication method.
The communication system according to claim 2, wherein the specifying unit specifies a functional block necessary for executing a job of a type indicated by job type information written from the communication device to the storage area. The transmission means transmits job execution data as the job information to the information processing apparatus,
6. The control unit according to claim 5, wherein the control unit shifts the functional block specified by the specifying unit from a power saving state to a non-power saving state, and executes the job using the execution data. Communication system. The communication apparatus includes an application for causing the information processing apparatus to execute a job for each job type,
The communication device causes the information processing device to execute based on an application activated in the communication device when communication with the first communication device is established by the acquisition device in the first communication method. The communication system according to claim 3, further comprising a determining unit that determines the type of the communication system.   8. The acquisition unit according to claim 1, wherein the acquisition unit establishes communication with the first communication unit by the first communication method when the communication device is in a state of being close to the information processing device. The communication system according to item 1. The second communication method is a wireless LAN method,
The communication according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the transmission means communicates with the information processing apparatus via the access point by connecting to the access point by the wireless LAN method. system. The second communication method is Wi-Fi Direct,
The communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the transmission unit communicates with the information processing apparatus by connecting to the information processing apparatus with Wi-Fi Direct. An information processing device capable of communicating with an external communication device,
Connection information for connecting to the information processing apparatus in the second communication method for wireless communication at a higher speed than the first communication method is transmitted to the communication device by communication in the first communication method for short-range wireless communication. A first communication means for transmitting;
Second communication means for receiving job information for executing a job from the communication device by communication of the second communication method established based on the connection information;
When the job information is received by the second communication unit while a plurality of functional blocks included in the information processing apparatus is in a power saving state, a job corresponding to the job information is selected from the plurality of functional blocks. A specific means for identifying functional blocks required for execution;
Control means for causing the functional block specified by the specifying means to shift from a power saving state to a non-power saving state and executing the job;
An information processing apparatus comprising: The first communication unit has a storage area in which information can be read and written from an external device through communication of the first communication method.
The information processing apparatus further includes storage means for storing the connection information in the storage area,
The first communication means transmits the connection information to the communication device when the connection information stored in the storage area is read from the communication device by communication of the first communication method. The information processing apparatus according to claim 11. The job information includes job type information indicating a job type and execution data for the job,
The specifying unit specifies a functional block necessary for executing a job of a type indicated by the job type information,
The control unit shifts the functional block specified by the specifying unit from a power saving state to a non-power saving state, and executes the job using the execution data. The information processing apparatus described in 1.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the job type information is transmitted from the communication apparatus prior to the execution data. When the connection information stored in the storage area is read from the communication apparatus by communication of the first communication method, job type information indicating a job type is written from the communication apparatus to the storage area,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the specifying unit specifies a functional block necessary for executing a job of a type indicated by job type information written from the communication apparatus to the storage area. Job execution data is transmitted from the communication device to the information processing device as the job information,
16. The control unit according to claim 15, wherein the control unit shifts the functional block specified by the specifying unit from a power saving state to a non power saving state, and executes the job using the execution data. Information processing device.   The said 1st communication means establishes communication with the said communication apparatus by the said 1st communication system, when the said communication apparatus will be in the state which adjoined the said information processing apparatus, The any one of Claim 11 to 16 characterized by the above-mentioned. The information processing apparatus according to item 1. The second communication method is a wireless LAN method,
The information processing according to any one of claims 11 to 17, wherein the second communication unit communicates with the communication device via an access point to which the communication device is connected by the wireless LAN method. apparatus. The second communication method is Wi-Fi Direct,
The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 11 to 17, wherein the second communication unit communicates with the communication apparatus by connecting to the communication apparatus with the Wi-Fi Direct. An information processing apparatus control method capable of communicating with an external communication apparatus,
Connection information for connecting to the information processing apparatus in the second communication method for wireless communication at a higher speed than the first communication method is transmitted to the communication device by communication in the first communication method for short-range wireless communication. A first communication step of transmitting;
A second communication step of receiving job information for executing a job from the communication device by communication of the second communication method established based on the connection information;
When the job information is received while a plurality of functional blocks included in the information processing apparatus are in a power saving state, a function required for executing a job corresponding to the job information among the plurality of functional blocks A specific step of identifying a block;
A control step of transferring the functional block specified in the specific step from a power saving state to a non-power saving state, and executing the job;
A method for controlling an information processing apparatus, comprising:   The program for functioning a computer as each means of the information processing apparatus of any one of Claim 11 to 19.

Images