JP2016086295A - Image processor, communication mode switching method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image processor and a communication mode switching method capable of reducing a labor of switching a communication mode in communication with wireless communication equipment with a simple configuration.SOLUTION: An image processor includes: a communication processing part capable of executing data communication with wireless communication equipment by switching a first communication mode for communicating with the wireless communication equipment by passing through a network and a wireless relay device and a second communication mode for wirelessly communicating with the wireless communication equipment without passing through the network or the wireless relay device; and a first switching processing part capable of switching the communication mode in accordance with a user operation, therein when the communication mode is set to the first communication mode, a communication start request in the second communication mode from the wireless communication equipment is received (step S21), and when the communication start request is received, the communication mode is switched from the first communication mode to the second communication mode (step S25).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus capable of communicating with a wireless communication device and a communication mode switching method.

  In general, an image processing apparatus such as a printer may be wired to a network such as a LAN (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Further, a wireless relay device capable of wireless communication with a wireless communication device may be connected to the network. In this case, the wireless communication device can communicate with the image processing device via the wireless relay device and the network. It is also conceivable that the image processing apparatus can directly perform wireless communication with the wireless communication device without going through the network and the wireless relay device.

  Further, the image processing apparatus selects one of a first communication mode that passes through the wireless relay device and a second communication mode that does not pass through the wireless relay device, and performs communication with the wireless communication device. A configuration capable of performing the above is also known. In this type of image processing apparatus, it is conceivable that the communication mode is selected in accordance with a predetermined user operation.

JP 2012-90026 JP

  By the way, when the communication mode is selected according to the user operation, the user operation is required every time the communication mode is switched. On the other hand, it is also conceivable to realize a state in which the image processing apparatus can communicate with the wireless communication device in both the communication modes. However, in this case, there is a problem that the hardware or software of the image processing apparatus becomes complicated.

  An object of the present invention is to provide an image processing apparatus and a communication mode switching method capable of reducing the trouble of switching a communication mode in communication with a wireless communication device with a simple configuration.

  An image processing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes a communication processing unit, a first switching processing unit, a request receiving unit, and a second switching processing unit. The communication processing unit includes a first communication mode in which communication is performed with a wireless communication device via a network wired to the image processing apparatus and a wireless relay apparatus connected to the network, the network, and the wireless relay. Data communication can be performed with the wireless communication device by switching to the second communication mode in which wireless communication is performed with the wireless communication device without going through a device. The first switching processing unit can switch a communication mode in data communication with the wireless communication device from the first communication mode to the second communication mode in accordance with a user operation. The request reception unit receives a communication start request in the second communication mode from the wireless communication device when the communication mode is set to the first communication mode. The second switching processing unit switches the communication mode from the first communication mode to the second communication mode when the communication start request is received by the request receiving unit.

  A communication mode switching method according to another aspect of the present invention includes a first communication for performing communication with a wireless communication device via a network wired to an image processing apparatus and a wireless relay apparatus connected to the network. Communication processing capable of executing data communication with the wireless communication device by switching the mode and the second communication mode for performing wireless communication with the wireless communication device without going through the network and the wireless relay device And a first switching processing unit capable of switching a communication mode in data communication with the wireless communication device from the first communication mode to the second communication mode in accordance with a user operation. The communication mode switching method to be executed includes the following first step and second step. The first step accepts a communication start request in the second communication mode from the wireless communication device when the communication mode is set to the first communication mode. The second step switches the communication mode from the first communication mode to the second communication mode when the communication start request is accepted in the first step.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the image processing apparatus and communication mode switching method which can reduce the effort of switching the communication mode in communication with a radio | wireless communication apparatus with a simple structure are implement | achieved.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a communication system including an image processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a communication mode setting process executed by the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a communication mode switching process executed by the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings for understanding of the present invention. In addition, the following embodiment is an example which actualized this invention, Comprising: The thing of the character which limits the technical scope of this invention is not.

[Communication system 100]
As shown in FIG. 1, a communication system 100 including an image processing apparatus 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an image processing apparatus 10, a wireless relay device 30, a wireless communication device 40, and a wireless relay device 50. . The image processing apparatus 10 is wired to a communication network 20 such as the Internet or a LAN, and can perform data communication with a communication device connected to the communication network 20 via the communication network 20. Further, the image processing apparatus 10 is connected to the communication network 20 via the wireless relay device 50, thereby executing data communication with a communication device connected to the communication network 20 via the communication network 20. It is also possible.

  The wireless communication device 40 is, for example, a mobile terminal such as a smartphone, and can execute wireless communication with the image processing device 10 or the wireless relay device 30 connected to the communication network 20 by wire. The image processing apparatus 10 can execute data communication with the wireless communication device 40 via the communication network 20 and the wireless relay device 30 and perform wireless communication without passing through the communication network 20 and the wireless relay device 30. It is also possible to execute data communication directly and wirelessly with the device 40.

[Schematic Configuration of Image Processing Apparatus 10]
Hereinafter, a schematic configuration of the image processing apparatus 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. Here, FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the image processing apparatus 10.

  As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the image processing apparatus 10 includes an ADF 1, an image reading unit 2, an image forming unit 3, a paper feeding unit 4, a control unit 5, an operation display unit 6, and a communication unit 7. The image processing apparatus 10 is a multifunction machine having a plurality of functions such as a scan function, a facsimile function, and a copy function, in addition to a printer function that forms an image based on image data. The present invention is also applicable to image processing apparatuses such as printer apparatuses, scanner apparatuses, facsimile apparatuses, and copiers.

  The ADF 1 is an automatic document conveyance device that includes a document setting unit, a plurality of conveyance rollers, a document pressing unit, and a paper discharge unit, and conveys a document read by the image reading unit 2. The image reading unit 2 includes a document table, a reading unit, a plurality of mirrors, an optical lens, and a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), and can read image data from the document.

  The image forming unit 3 can form an image by electrophotography based on the image data read by the image reading unit 2 or image data input from an information processing apparatus such as an external personal computer. Specifically, the image forming unit 3 includes a photosensitive drum, a charging device, an optical scanning device (LSU), a developing device, a transfer roller, a cleaning device, a fixing roller, a pressure roller, and a paper discharge tray. Then, in the image forming unit 3, an image is formed on the sheet supplied from the paper feeding unit 4, and the sheet after the image formation is discharged to the paper discharge tray. The sheet is a sheet material such as paper, coated paper, postcard, envelope, and OHP sheet.

  The operation display unit 6 is a display unit such as a liquid crystal display that displays various types of information in response to control instructions from the control unit 5, and an operation key or touch panel that inputs various types of information to the control unit 5 in response to user operations. And so on.

  The communication unit 7 is a communication interface capable of executing data communication with an external communication device. Specifically, the communication unit 7 includes a wired communication unit 71 and a wireless communication unit 72 as shown in FIG.

  The wired communication unit 71 can execute data communication with a communication device connected to the communication network 20 via the communication network 20 connected to the image processing apparatus 10 by wire. For example, the wired communication unit 71 executes data communication with the wireless communication device 40 via the communication network 20 and the wireless relay device 30 that is wired to the communication network 20.

  The wireless communication unit 72 can execute wireless data communication with a communication device. For example, the wireless communication unit 72 performs direct wireless data communication with the wireless communication device 40 without going through the communication network 20 and the wireless relay device 30. Specifically, the wireless communication unit 72 may perform wireless communication with the wireless communication device 40 in accordance with a wireless LAN communication standard such as Wi-Fi Direct (registered trademark).

  The wireless communication unit 72 is connected to the wireless communication device 40 via the communication network 20 connected via the wireless relay device 50 existing within the communication range of the wireless communication unit 72 and the wireless relay device 30. It is also possible to execute data communication.

  The control unit 5 includes control devices such as a CPU, ROM, RAM, and EEPROM (registered trademark) (not shown). The CPU is a processor that executes various arithmetic processes. The ROM is a non-volatile storage unit in which information such as a control program for causing the CPU to execute various processes is stored in advance. The RAM is a volatile storage unit, and the EEPROM is a non-volatile storage unit. The RAM and the EEPROM are used as a temporary storage memory (working area) for various processes executed by the CPU. Then, the control unit 5 performs overall control of the image processing apparatus 10 by executing various control programs stored in advance in the ROM using the CPU. The control unit 5 may be an electronic circuit such as an integrated circuit (ASIC), and is a control unit provided separately from the main control unit that comprehensively controls the image processing apparatus 10. May be.

  Further, the control unit 5 includes a communication processing unit 51 and a first switching processing unit 52, as shown in FIG. Specifically, the control unit 5 functions as the communication processing unit 51 and the first switching processing unit 52 by executing the control program stored in the ROM using the CPU.

  The communication processing unit 51 includes a first communication mode in which communication is performed with the wireless communication device 40 via the communication network 20 wired to the image processing device 10 and the wireless relay device 30 connected to the communication network 20. A second communication mode in which direct wireless communication is performed with the wireless communication device 40 without passing through the communication network 20 and the wireless relay device 30, and the communication network 20 and the wireless relay device connected via the wireless relay device 50. Data communication can be performed with the wireless communication device 40 by switching to the third communication mode in which communication is performed with the wireless communication device 40 via 30.

  Specifically, the communication processing unit 51 controls the wired communication unit 71 to control the wireless communication device when the communication mode in the data communication with the wireless communication device 40 is set to the first communication mode. Data communication with 40 is executed. Further, when the communication mode is set to the second communication mode, the communication processing unit 51 controls the wireless communication unit 72 to execute data communication with the wireless communication device 40. Further, when the communication mode is set to the third communication mode, the communication processing unit 51 controls the wireless communication unit 72 to execute data communication with the wireless communication device 40.

  The first switching processing unit 52 can switch the communication mode to any one of the first communication mode, the second communication mode, and the third communication mode in accordance with a user operation. For example, when an operation input for switching the communication mode is performed on the operation display unit 6, the first switching processing unit 52 changes the communication mode to the first communication mode, the second communication mode, and Switch to any of the third communication modes.

  The first switching processing unit 52 changes the communication mode from the third communication mode to the first communication mode when a communication cable connecting the image processing apparatus 10 and the communication network 20 is connected to the image processing apparatus 10 by the user. Switch to 1 communication mode. Further, the first switching processing unit 52 switches the communication mode from the first communication mode to the third communication mode when the connection state between the image processing apparatus 10 and the communication cable is canceled by the user. In addition, the 1st switching process part 52 may switch the said communication mode between the said 1st communication mode and the said 2nd communication mode according to insertion and extraction of the said communication cable by a user.

[Communication mode setting process]
Here, an example of a communication mode setting process executed by the control unit 5 according to the control program in the image processing apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, steps S11, S12,... Represent the numbers of processing procedures (steps) executed by the control unit 5. The control unit 5 executes the communication mode setting process when the image processing apparatus 10 is powered on.

<Step S11>
First, in step S <b> 11, the control unit 5 determines whether or not the communication cable is connected to the image processing apparatus 10.

  If the control unit 5 determines that the communication cable is connected to the image processing apparatus 10 (Yes in S11), the control unit 5 shifts the process to step S12. If the communication cable is not connected to the image processing apparatus 10 (No side in S11), the control unit 5 shifts the process to step S111.

<Step S12>
In step S12, the control unit 5 sets the communication mode to the first communication mode.

<Step S111>
In step S111, the control unit 5 sets the communication mode to the third communication mode.

<Step S13>
In step S <b> 13, the control unit 5 determines whether an operation input for switching the communication mode with respect to the operation display unit 6 or a user operation of inserting or removing the communication cable has been performed.

  Here, when the control unit 5 determines that an operation input for switching the communication mode with respect to the operation display unit 6 and a user operation of insertion / extraction of the communication cable have been performed (Yes side of S13), the process is stepped. The process proceeds to S14. If neither the operation input for switching the communication mode to the operation display unit 6 nor the user operation of insertion / extraction of the communication cable is performed (No side of S13), the control unit 5 proceeds to step S15. Transition.

<Step S14>
In step S14, the control unit 5 switches the communication mode to any one of the first communication mode, the second communication mode, and the third communication mode in accordance with the user operation performed in step S13.

<Step S15>
In step S <b> 15, the control unit 5 determines whether the image processing apparatus 10 is powered off.

  Here, when the control unit 5 determines that the power of the image processing apparatus 10 is turned off (Yes side in S15), the control unit 5 ends the execution of the communication mode setting process. If the power of the image processing apparatus 10 is not turned off (No side of S15), the control unit 5 shifts the process to step S13 until the power of the image processing apparatus 10 is turned off. It waits for an operation input for switching the communication mode to the operation display unit 6 or insertion / extraction of the communication cable.

  By the way, in the image processing apparatus 10, when the communication mode is selected according to a user operation, the user operation is required every time the communication mode is switched. On the other hand, in the image processing apparatus 10, it is conceivable to realize a state in which communication with the wireless communication device 40 can be performed in both communication modes. However, in this case, there is a problem that the hardware or software of the image processing apparatus 10 is complicated. On the other hand, in the image processing apparatus 10, as described below, it is possible to reduce the trouble of switching the communication mode in communication with the wireless communication device 40 with a simple configuration.

  Specifically, a communication mode switching program for causing the CPU to execute a communication mode switching process (see FIG. 4) described later is stored in advance in the ROM of the control unit 5. The communication mode switching program is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD, DVD, or flash memory, and is read from the recording medium and installed in a storage unit such as the EEPROM of the control unit 5. It may be a thing.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 1, the control unit 5 includes a job execution unit 53, a request reception unit 54, a second switching processing unit 55, a third switching processing unit 56, an interruption processing unit 57, a restart processing unit 58, and a 4 switching processing part 59 is further included. Specifically, the control unit 5 uses the CPU to execute the communication mode switching program stored in the ROM, so that a job execution unit 53, a request reception unit 54, a second switching processing unit 55, a second switching processing unit 55, It functions as a 3 switching processing unit 56, an interruption processing unit 57, a restart processing unit 58, and a fourth switching processing unit 59.

  The job execution unit 53 can execute a job in accordance with job data received through data communication with the wireless communication device 40. For example, the job includes a print job that causes the image forming unit 3 to form an image based on print data transmitted from the wireless communication device 40.

  The request receiving unit 54 receives a communication start request in the second communication mode from the wireless communication device 40 when the communication mode is set to the first communication mode. Specifically, the request receiving unit 54 controls the wireless communication unit 72 to periodically transmit a beacon signal around the image processing apparatus 10. Then, the request receiving unit 54 receives the communication start request by causing the wireless communication unit 72 to receive the communication start request transmitted from the wireless communication device 40 in response to the beacon signal.

  The second switch processing unit 55 switches the communication mode from the first communication mode to the second communication mode when the request reception unit 54 receives the communication start request.

  The third switching processing unit 56 sets the communication mode when data communication with the wireless communication device 40 is completed after the communication mode is switched to the second communication mode by the second switching processing unit 55. Switch to the first communication mode.

  The interruption processing unit 57 is configured to execute a job execution unit 53 when the request reception unit 54 receives the communication start request during execution of the job according to the job data received in the data communication in the first communication mode. It is possible to interrupt the execution of the job.

  The restart processing unit 58 restarts the execution of the job suspended by the suspension processing unit 57 after the third switching processing unit 56 switches the communication mode to the first communication mode.

  The fourth switching processing unit 59 executes job execution when the request reception unit 54 receives the communication start request during execution of the job according to the job data received in the data communication in the first communication mode. The communication mode can be switched from the first communication mode to the second communication mode after the job execution by the unit 53 is completed.

  In the image processing apparatus 10, when the communication start request is received by the request receiving unit 54 during execution of the job according to the job data received in the data communication in the first communication mode, the interruption processing is performed. One of the processing of the unit 57 and the fourth switching processing unit 59 is executed. For example, when the communication start request is received during execution of the job in response to an operation input to the operation display unit 6, the control unit 5 performs any processing of the interruption processing unit 57 and the fourth switching processing unit 59. It can be set to be executed.

[Communication mode switching process]
Hereinafter, an example of a communication mode switching process executed by the control unit 5 according to the communication mode switching program in the image processing apparatus 10 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, the control unit 5 performs the communication mode switching process when the communication mode is set to the first communication mode.

<Step S21>
First, in step S <b> 21, the control unit 5 receives the communication start request in the second communication mode from the wireless communication device 40. Here, the process of step S21 is an example of the first step in the present invention, and is executed by the request receiving unit 54 of the control unit 5.

  Here, if the control part 5 judges that the said communication start request | requirement was received (Yes side of S21), it will transfer a process to step S22. If the communication start request has not been received (No in S21), the control unit 5 waits for reception of the communication start request in step S21.

<Step S22>
In step S22, the control unit 5 determines whether or not the job according to the job data received in the data communication in the first communication mode is being executed.

  If the control unit 5 determines that the job is being executed (Yes in S22), the control unit 5 shifts the process to step S23. If the job is not being executed (No in S22), the control unit 5 moves the process to step S25.

<Step S23>
In step S23, the control unit 5 determines whether or not the setting for interrupting the execution of the job determined to be being executed in step S22 is set.

  Here, when the control unit 5 determines that the setting for interrupting the execution of the job is made (Yes side of S23), the process proceeds to step S24. If the setting for interrupting the execution of the job is not made (No in S23), the control unit 5 shifts the process to step S231.

<Step S231>
In step S231, the control unit 5 stands by until the execution of the job determined to be being executed in step S22 is completed. Here, the process of step S <b> 231 is executed by the fourth switching processing unit 59 of the control unit 5. As a result, it is possible to prioritize the execution of the job executed at the time of accepting the communication start request over the execution of the job according to the job data transmitted from the wireless communication device 40 in the second communication mode. It is.

<Step S24>
In step S24, the control unit 5 interrupts the execution of the job determined to be being executed in step S22. Here, the process of step S <b> 24 is executed by the interruption processing unit 57 of the control unit 5. Thereby, the execution of the job according to the job data transmitted from the wireless communication device 40 in the second communication mode can be prioritized over the execution of the job being executed when the communication start request is received. It is.

<Step S25>
In step S25, the control unit 5 switches the communication mode from the first communication mode to the second communication mode. Here, the process of step S25 is an example of the second step in the present invention, and is executed by the second switching processing unit 55 of the control unit 5. In addition, when the process of step S25 is performed following the process of step S231, the process of step S25 is performed by the 4th switching process part 59 of the control part 5. FIG. Accordingly, for example, a wireless communication device 40 such as a portable terminal that cannot be connected to the communication network 20 due to strict security or the like can directly perform data communication with the image processing apparatus 10 in the second communication mode. is there.

<Step S26>
In step S <b> 26, the control unit 5 performs data communication in the second communication mode with the wireless communication device 40 and receives the job data from the wireless communication device 40.

<Step S27>
In step S <b> 27, the control unit 5 determines whether the data communication with the wireless communication device 40 in the second communication mode has been completed. Specifically, when the execution of the job according to the job data received in step S <b> 26 is completed and the job execution completion notification is transmitted to the wireless communication device 40, the control unit 5 performs the wireless communication device 40. It is determined that the data communication with the second communication mode has ended.

  Here, if the control part 5 judges that the data communication by the said 2nd communication mode between the radio | wireless communication apparatuses 40 was complete | finished (Yes side of S27), it will transfer a process to step S28. If the data communication with the wireless communication device 40 in the second communication mode is not completed (No side in S27), the control unit 5 performs the second communication with the wireless communication device 40 in step S27. Wait for the end of data communication in communication mode.

<Step S28>
In step S28, the control unit 5 switches the communication mode from the second communication mode to the first communication mode. Here, the process of step S <b> 28 is executed by the third switching processing unit 56 of the control unit 5. Thereby, it is possible to save the user's trouble of returning the communication mode switched in step S25.

<Step S29>
In step S29, the control unit 5 determines whether there is the job interrupted in step S24.

  Here, when the control unit 5 determines that there is the interrupted job (Yes side of S29), the control unit 5 shifts the processing to step S30. If there is no interrupted job (No in S29), the control unit 5 shifts the process to step S21.

<Step S30>
In step S30, the control unit 5 resumes the execution of the job interrupted in step S24. Here, the process of step S30 is executed by the restart processing unit 58 of the control unit 5.

  Thus, in the communication mode switching process, the communication mode is automatically switched from the first communication mode to the second communication mode in response to the communication start request received from the wireless communication device 40. Therefore, the trouble of switching the communication mode in communication with the wireless communication device 40 can be reduced with a simple configuration.

1: ADF
2: Image reading unit 3: Image forming unit 4: Paper feeding unit 5: Control unit 51: Communication processing unit 52: First switching processing unit 53: Job execution unit 54: Request receiving unit 55: Second switching processing unit 56: Third switching processing unit 57: Interruption processing unit 58: Resumption processing unit 59: Fourth switching processing unit 6: Operation display unit 7: Communication unit 71: Wired communication unit 72: Wireless communication unit 10: Image processing device 20: Communication network 30: Wireless relay device 40: Wireless communication device 50: Wireless relay device 100: Communication system

Claims (7)

A first communication mode for communicating with a wireless communication device via a network wired to the image processing apparatus and a wireless relay apparatus connected to the network, and without passing through the network and the wireless relay apparatus A communication processing unit capable of executing data communication with the wireless communication device by switching to a second communication mode for performing wireless communication with the wireless communication device;
A first switching processing unit capable of switching a communication mode in data communication with the wireless communication device from the first communication mode to the second communication mode in accordance with a user operation;
When the communication mode is set to the first communication mode, a request reception unit that receives a communication start request from the wireless communication device according to the second communication mode;
A second switching processing unit that switches the communication mode from the first communication mode to the second communication mode when the request reception unit receives the communication start request;
An image processing apparatus comprising:   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the wireless communication device includes a mobile terminal.   After the communication mode is switched to the second communication mode by the second switching processing unit, when data communication with the wireless communication device is completed, the communication mode is switched to the first communication mode. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a three-switch processing unit. A job execution unit capable of executing a job according to job data received by the data communication;
The job execution unit executes the job when the request reception unit receives the communication start request during execution of the job according to the job data received in the data communication in the first communication mode. An interruption processing unit capable of being interrupted;
A resumption processing unit for resuming execution of the job suspended by the interruption processing unit after the communication mode is switched to the first communication mode by the third switching processing unit;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising: A job execution unit capable of executing a job according to job data received by the data communication;
Execution completion of the job by the job execution unit when the request reception unit receives the communication start request during execution of the job according to the job data received in the data communication in the first communication mode A fourth switching processing unit capable of switching the communication mode from the first communication mode to the second communication mode later;
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:   The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising one or both of an image reading unit capable of reading image data from a document and an image forming unit capable of forming an image based on the image data. A first communication mode for communicating with a wireless communication device via a network wired to the image processing apparatus and a wireless relay apparatus connected to the network, and without passing through the network and the wireless relay apparatus A communication processing unit capable of performing data communication with the wireless communication device by switching to a second communication mode for performing wireless communication with the wireless communication device; and the wireless communication device according to a user operation. A communication mode switching method executed by an image processing apparatus comprising: a first switching processing unit capable of switching a communication mode in data communication between the first communication mode and the second communication mode;
A first step of accepting a communication start request in the second communication mode from the wireless communication device when the communication mode is set to the first communication mode;
A second step of switching the communication mode from the first communication mode to the second communication mode when the communication start request is accepted in the first step;
Including a communication mode switching method.

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