JP2016139991A - Relay connection system, relay connection program, and computer-readable recording medium in which relay connection program is recorded - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a relay connection system that can establish communication between a job processing device and a portable terminal from a position apart to some extent and can suppress occurrence of wasteful waiting time by restricting unintentional migration of the job processing device to a power saving mode.SOLUTION: Each job processing device 130 performs blinking with a blink pattern differing from those of the other job processing devices. A portable terminal 120 transmits a pre-connection request including information on blink patterns corresponding to imaged job processing devices, the number of which is a predetermined number, to a server before transmitting a connection request including information on a blink pattern corresponding to any job processing device out of the job processing devices, the number of which is the predetermined number, to the server. The server 110 inhibits job processing devices corresponding to the information on the blink patterns included in the pre-connection request from migrating to a power saving mode and relays communication between a job processing device corresponding to the information on the blink pattern included in the connection request and the portable terminal having transmitted the connection request.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a relay connection system, a relay connection program, and a computer-readable recording medium on which the relay connection program is recorded, and more particularly, a relay for relaying communication between a portable terminal and a job processing device via a server. The present invention relates to a connection system, a relay connection program, and a computer-readable recording medium on which the relay connection program is recorded.

  Electronic devices such as image forming apparatuses have expanded their functions in cooperation with terminal devices such as smart devices, and are working to improve their convenience. For connection between these two devices, a connection via a network is mainly used. The network connection enables wireless communication instead of wired communication, so that it is possible to avoid being constrained by the length of the cable and not having to constrain where the cable is located. give.

  However, in order to perform network communication, it is necessary for an electronic device to recognize an IP (Internet Protocol) address that is an address on the network of the electronic device. Generally, a method is adopted in which a user directly inputs an IP address of a transmission destination device into an electronic device. This work is often difficult and inconvenient for users who are unfamiliar with the operation of electronic devices and are not familiar with IP addresses. Therefore, a technique that eliminates this work has been developed.

  In the printing system disclosed in Patent Document 1 below, when a print request is received by the printer, the printer outputs a UID, which is its own unique identifier, by printing a graphical code or the like and transmits it to the server via the network. . When the UID extracted from the graphical code captured by the camera activated on the smart device in response to the input of the print request by the user and the print data are transmitted to the server, the server transmits the UID that matches the UID. Identify the printer and transfer the print data to the printer for printing.

  However, the prior art disclosed in Patent Document 1 may cause the printer to automatically shift to the power saving mode unintentionally when the user tries to input a print request to the smart device. In this case, since it is necessary to shift the printer to the normal mode again, there is a problem that a wasteful waiting time occurs.

  In the image forming apparatus described in the following cited document 2, a human body detection sensor that generates an output signal having a voltage waveform according to the amount of change in infrared rays is provided in the image forming apparatus, and the output signal by infrared rays emitted from the human body as a heat source is provided. Based on the mode of change, the approach of a person in the direction of the image forming apparatus is determined. When it is determined that a person is approaching the image forming apparatus, the normal mode is maintained without shifting the image forming apparatus to the power saving mode.

JP2013-1596994A JP 2014-46650 A

  However, the prior art disclosed in Patent Document 2 requires the user to approach the image forming apparatus, and when a plurality of image forming apparatuses are installed adjacent to each other, the plurality of image forming apparatuses are the same. There is a problem that the approach of the user may be detected.

  The present invention has been made to solve such problems. That is, the image forming apparatus can be identified from a certain distance to establish communication between the image forming apparatus and the portable terminal, and the image forming apparatus is restricted from entering the power saving mode unintentionally. It is an object of the present invention to provide a relay connection system that can suppress the occurrence of unnecessary waiting time.

  The above-described problems of the present invention are solved by the following means.

  (1) A relay connection system having at least one job processing device, a server, and a mobile terminal connected to the same network, wherein each of the at least one job processing device is a job processing device. A light flashing unit that flashes in a different flashing pattern, and the portable terminal includes a photographing unit and a pre-connection request including information on the flashing pattern corresponding to a predetermined number of the job processing devices photographed by the photographing unit To the server, and after transmitting the pre-connection request, a connection request including information regarding the blinking pattern corresponding to any one of the predetermined number of job processing devices is transmitted to the server. And a transmission unit configured to transmit, on the network, each of the plurality of job processing devices. A storage unit that stores the dress and the blinking pattern in association with each other, a receiving unit that receives the pre-connection request and the connection request from the portable terminal, and the pre-connection request received by the receiving unit, The job processing device corresponding to the information related to the blinking pattern included in the pre-connection request is specified, and control is performed to prohibit the specified job processing device from entering the power saving mode. If received, the job processing device corresponding to the information regarding the blinking pattern included in the connection request is identified, and communication between the identified job processing device and the portable terminal that transmitted the connection request is relayed A relay connection system having a control unit.

  (2) The portable terminal further includes a recognition unit that recognizes the blinking pattern photographed by the photographing unit, and the transmission unit corresponds to the predetermined number of job processing devices recognized by the recognition unit. The flash pattern corresponding to the job processing device of the predetermined number of job processing devices recognized by the recognition unit after transmitting the pre-connection request including information on the blinking pattern to the server. The relay connection system according to (1), wherein the connection request including information is transmitted to the server.

  (3) The information related to the blinking pattern included in the pre-connection request transmitted by the transmission unit to the server is a moving image of the blinking pattern corresponding to the predetermined number of job processing devices captured by the imaging unit. The information related to the blinking pattern included in the connection request is a moving image of the blinking pattern corresponding to the job processing device of any one of the predetermined number of job processing devices, and the server is received by the receiving unit. And analyzing a moving image included in each of the pre-connection request and the connection request and recognizing a blinking pattern included in each moving image, and the control unit uses the recognizing unit to perform the pre-connection request. And a job processing device corresponding to the blinking pattern recognized from each moving image included in the connection request. To relay contact system according to the above (1).

  (4) The server transmits information on the blinking pattern stored in the storage unit to the job processing apparatus at the address on the network associated with the blinking pattern, and the light of the job processing apparatus The blinking unit according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the blinking unit blinks based on information related to the blinking pattern received by the job processing device.

  (5) When the control unit starts specifying the job processing device before specifying the job processing device according to the pre-connection request, the job processing device connected to the network is in the power saving mode. And the control for prohibiting the job processing devices other than the specified job processing device from shifting to the power saving mode is canceled when the job processing device is specified. The relay connection system according to any one of 1) to (4).

  (6) When the blinking patterns of a plurality of job processing devices are simultaneously photographed by the photographing unit and the plurality of blinking patterns are recognized by the analyzing unit, the control unit may The image processing unit is specified by specifying a job processing device, and performing control to prohibit the specified plurality of job processing devices from shifting to the power saving mode, and then deviating from a frame that is an image capturing range of the image capturing unit. By the user in the job processing device that blinks in a blinking pattern that is no longer photographed by the user, in the job processing device that blinks in a blinking pattern in which the state of not being photographed in a predetermined range within the frame of the imaging unit continues for a predetermined time, and the mobile terminal A job processing apparatus other than the selected job processing apparatus shifts to the power saving mode. Release of the control for prohibiting the door, the relay contact system according to any one of the above (1) to (5).

  (7) A server connected to a network to which at least one job processing apparatus having a light blinking unit that blinks in a different blinking pattern for each job processing apparatus is connected to a server connected to the at least one job processing apparatus. A procedure (a) for storing the address on the network and the flashing pattern in association with each other, a pre-connection request including information on the flashing pattern captured by photographing the flashing patterns of a predetermined number of the job processing devices. After the transmission, the pre-connection request and the connection request from the portable terminal that transmits information about the blinking pattern corresponding to the job processing device corresponding to any one of the predetermined number of job processing devices through the network When the request before connection is received in the procedure (c) and the procedure (c) The job processing device corresponding to the information regarding the blinking pattern included in the pre-connection request is specified, and the connection request is received while performing control for prohibiting the specified job processing device from entering the power saving mode. The job processing device corresponding to the information related to the information regarding the blinking pattern included in the connection request is specified, and the procedure of relaying communication between the specified job processing device and the mobile terminal that transmitted the connection request And (d) a relay connection program for executing a procedure comprising:

  (8) The procedure (c) recognizes the captured blinking pattern, and transmits the pre-connection request including information on the blinking pattern corresponding to the recognized number of recognized job processing devices to the server, The pre-connection request and the connection request are received from the portable terminal that transmits the connection request including information regarding the blinking pattern corresponding to the job processing device corresponding to any one of the predetermined number of recognized job processing devices to the server. The relay connection program according to (7) above.

  (9) The information related to the blinking pattern included in the pre-connection request transmitted from the portable terminal in the procedure (c) is the blinking pattern corresponding to the predetermined number of job processing devices imaged by the portable terminal. And the information related to the blink pattern included in the connection request is a movie of the blink pattern corresponding to any one of the predetermined number of job processing apparatuses, and the procedure (d) includes , Analyzing the moving image included in each of the pre-connection request and the connection request, recognizing the flashing pattern included in each moving image, and recognizing the flashing recognized from each of the moving image included in the pre-connection request and the connection request The relay connection program according to (7), wherein each job processing device corresponding to a pattern is specified.

  (10) The procedure transmits the information related to the blinking pattern stored in the procedure (a) to the job processing apparatus at the address on the network associated with the blinking pattern, and the job processing apparatus respectively The relay connection program according to any one of (7) to (9), further including a step (e) of blinking the light blinking unit of the job processing device based on the received information regarding the blinking pattern.

  (11) In the step (d), the job processing device connected to the network starts the saving when the job processing device is specified before the job processing device is specified by the pre-connection request. Control for prohibiting transition to the power mode, and control for prohibiting transition of the job processing apparatus other than the identified job processing apparatus to the power saving mode when the job processing apparatus is identified The relay connection program according to any one of (7) to (10), which is released.

  (12) When the blink patterns of a plurality of job processing devices are simultaneously photographed by the portable terminal, the procedure (d) specifies the plurality of job processing devices by the request before connection, and specifies the plurality of specified The job processing apparatus is controlled to prohibit the transition to the power saving mode, and then blinks in a blinking pattern that is no longer photographed by the portable terminal by being out of the frame that is the photographing range of the portable terminal. A job processing apparatus other than the job processing apparatus, the job processing apparatus that blinks in a blinking pattern in which a state that is not photographed within a predetermined range in the frame continues for a predetermined time, and a job processing apparatus selected by a user in the portable terminal (7) to (1) for canceling the control prohibiting the shift to the power saving mode. Relay connection program according to any one of).

  (13) A computer-readable recording medium on which the relay connection program according to any one of (7) to (12) is recorded.

  The image forming apparatus can be identified from a certain distance to establish communication between the image forming apparatus and the portable terminal, and the image forming apparatus photographed by the portable terminal can be recognized to enter the power saving mode. By prohibiting the transition, it is possible to restrict the image forming apparatus from unintentionally shifting to the power saving mode, and to suppress the occurrence of a wasteful waiting time.

1 is a block diagram of a relay connection system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 2 is a block diagram of an MFP. FIG. It is a block diagram of a portable terminal. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a state immediately before shifting to a power saving mode when one of a plurality of MFPs has an internal timer remaining time of zero. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a moving image in which an MFP existing in a predetermined range within a frame that is a shooting range of a mobile terminal and an MFP existing outside the predetermined range are shot. It is a figure which shows the user interface for making a user select any one of several MFP displayed on the display part of the portable terminal. It is a block diagram of a server. It is a figure which shows a collation table. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of a portable terminal. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of a server.

  Hereinafter, a relay connection system, a relay connection program, and a computer-readable recording medium on which the relay connection program is recorded will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a relay connection system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

  The relay connection system 100 includes a plurality of MFPs (Multi Function Peripherals) 130, a mobile terminal 120, and a server 110. The MFP 130 constitutes a job processing apparatus.

  Server 110, portable terminal 120, and MFP 130 are connected to each other via network 140 so that they can communicate with each other. The mobile terminal 120 can be connected to the network 140 via the access point 141. The network 140 can be configured by a LAN (Local Area Network) in which computers and network devices are connected according to a standard such as Ethernet (registered trademark), or a WAN (Wide Area Network) in which LANs are connected by a dedicated line. .

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the MFP.

  The MFP 130 includes a control unit 131, a storage unit 132, a light emitting unit 133, an image processing unit 134, an image reading unit 135, an operation unit 136, an image forming unit 137, and a communication unit 138, which exchange signals. They are connected to each other via a bus 139. The light emitting unit 133 constitutes a light blinking unit.

  The storage unit 132 includes a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and the like. A program executed by the control unit 131 and data processed by the control unit 131 are temporarily stored in the RAM. Various programs and various data are stored in the ROM. The HDD stores various programs including a program for the control unit 131 to control each component of the MFP 130, a print job received through the communication unit 137, image data, and other various data.

  A print job is a generic term for a print command to the MFP 130, and the print job includes print data and print settings. The print data is data of a document to be printed. The print data includes various data such as image data, vector data (graphics data), and text data. Specifically, the print data is, for example, PDL (Page Description Language) data, PDF (Portable Document Format) data, or TIFF (Tagged Image File Format) data. The print settings include color or monochrome settings, paper settings, and the like.

  The image processing unit 134 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), and performs layout processing and rasterization processing of print data included in the print job. Some image data is generated.

  The image reading unit 135 applies light to a document set at a predetermined reading position on the document table with a light source such as a fluorescent lamp, and photoelectrically converts the reflected light with an imaging device such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor. Then, image data is generated from the electrical signal.

  The operation unit 136 includes a touch panel for performing various settings, a numeric keypad for setting the number of copies, a start key for instructing start of operation, a stop key for instructing stop of operation, a reset key for initializing various setting conditions, and the like. Is done.

  The image forming unit 137 includes a paper transport device, a photosensitive drum, a charging device, a laser unit, a developing device, a transfer separation device, and a fixing device. The image forming unit 137 performs charging, exposure, development, transfer, and fixing by electrophotography. Through each step, an image is formed on a sheet based on the image data and output.

  The light emitting unit 133 includes a light emitting element such as an LED and a drive element that drives the light emitting element. The light emitting unit 133 may be provided as a part of the operation unit 136. The light emitting unit 133 can emit light in a plurality of colors to visually give information to the user, and can blink in various blinking patterns.

  As will be described later, the blinking pattern resulting from the blinking of the light emitting unit 133 is captured and analyzed by the mobile terminal 120 and recognized. Therefore, the blinking pattern by the blinking of the light emitting unit 133 is performed in a cycle that can be accurately recognized by the moving image captured by the mobile terminal 120. From the viewpoint of security, the blinking light is preferably blinked at a cycle in which blinking cannot be confirmed with the naked eye by the user. For example, when the frame rate of a moving image photographed by the mobile terminal 120 is 30 frames / second, about 1/30 seconds to 1/15 seconds can be blinked as the minimum light emission period / extinction period.

  The communication unit 138 is an interface for communicating with an external device via the network 140.

  The control unit 131 can be configured by a CPU or the like, and performs control of each of the above components, various arithmetic processes, and the like according to a program. That is, the control unit 131 performs overall control related to various processes including image formation while cooperating with each component configuring the MFP 130.

  Based on the information regarding the blinking pattern included in the notification of the start of identification, the control unit 131 receives the notification of the start of identification of the MFP 130 from the server 110 by the communication unit 138 when the identification of the MFP 130 is started. Then, the light emitting unit 133 blinks in the blinking pattern for a certain time. As will be described later, in server 110, an IP address (hereinafter referred to as “apparatus IP address”) that is an address on network 140 of each MFP 130 is associated with a flashing pattern that differs for each MFP 130 and stored in the collation table. Yes. The address on the network may be information other than the device IP address as long as it is information that can identify the device (MFP 130 or the like) in communication using the network. For example, the address on the network may be a device name, a MAC address, or the like. Good.

  Each MFP 130 receives, from the server 110, the communication unit 138 regarding the blinking pattern that is different for each MFP 130 included in the identification start notification.

  Note that the control unit 131 may cause the light emitting unit 133 to blink when the MFP 130 is turned on or when communication with the server 110 is enabled.

  The control unit 131 shifts the MFP 130 to the power saving mode when an operation request to the MFP 130 is not made for a predetermined time. The power saving mode is a mode for reducing the power consumption of the MFP 130. In the power saving mode, the MFP 130 cannot perform at least one of blinking of the light emitting unit 133 and communication through the network 140. The control unit 131 can determine whether an operation request to the MFP 130 has not been made for a predetermined time based on whether the remaining time of the internal timer set to the predetermined time has become zero.

  When the communication unit 138 receives a power saving prohibition notification from the server 110, the control unit 131 performs control so that the MFP 130 does not shift to the power saving mode. The power saving prohibition notification is a notification that prohibits the MFP 130 from entering the power saving mode. The control unit 131 can control the MFP 130 not to shift to the power saving mode by stopping the internal timer.

  When the communication unit 138 receives the notification of canceling the power saving prohibition from the server 110, the control unit 131 cancels the control not to shift the MFP 130 to the power saving mode. The notification of canceling the power saving prohibition is a notification for canceling the control for prohibiting the transition to the power saving mode made to the MFP 130. The control unit 131 can cancel the control not to shift the MFP 130 to the power saving mode by canceling the stop of the internal timer.

  When the control unit 131 receives the print job transmitted from the mobile terminal 120 by the communication unit 138 via the server 110, the control unit 131 causes the image processing unit 134 to perform rasterization processing based on the print data included in the received print job, and The forming unit 128 causes the sheet to form an image and output it.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the mobile terminal.

  The portable terminal 120 includes a control unit 121, a storage unit 122, a photographing unit 123, an image processing unit 124, a display unit 125, an operation unit 126, and a communication unit 127, which are connected via a bus 128 for exchanging signals. Connected to each other. The control unit 121 constitutes a recognition unit, and the communication unit 126 constitutes a transmission unit.

  The storage unit 122 includes a RAM, a ROM, an SSD (Solid State Drive), and the like. A program executed by the control unit 121 and data processed by the control unit 121 are temporarily stored in the RAM. Various data including ROM and SSD, including various programs including a program for the control unit 121 to control each component of the portable terminal 120, and a moving image of a blinking pattern of the light emitting unit 133 of the MFP 130 captured by the imaging unit 123. Is memorized.

  The photographing unit 123 includes an optical lens, an image sensor, and the like, and converts information on an image light-projected on the image sensor by the optical lens into an electrical signal and outputs the electrical signal.

  The image processing unit 124 includes a CPU, an ASIC, or the like, and generates moving image data (hereinafter also referred to as “moving image”) based on an electrical signal output from the photographing unit 123.

  The display unit 125 is configured by a liquid crystal display, for example, and displays various types of information including a moving image generated by the image processing unit 124.

  The operation unit 126 can be configured by a touch panel and fixed keys for performing various settings and inputs. The touch panel may be provided as part of the display unit 125.

  The communication unit 127 is an interface for communicating with an external device by being connected to the network 140 via the access point 141 by wireless communication such as a wireless LAN.

  The control unit 121 can be configured by a CPU or the like, and performs control of the above-described components, various arithmetic processes, and the like according to a program. That is, the control unit 121 performs overall control related to various processes while cooperating with each component configuring the mobile terminal 120.

  The control unit 121 transmits a notification of starting identification of the MFP 130 to the server 110. When the identification start notification transmitted to the server 110 is transmitted to the MFP 130 registered in the server 110, the light emitting unit 133 of the MFP 130 that has received the identification start notification blinks.

  Based on the moving image generated by the image processing unit 124, the control unit 121 analyzes the blinking pattern captured by the photographing unit 123 due to the blinking of the light emitting unit 133 of the MFP 130 and recognizes the blinking pattern. When the moving image photographed by the photographing unit 123 includes a blinking pattern of the plurality of MFPs 130, the control unit 121 recognizes the blinking pattern of the plurality of MFPs 130 included in the moving image.

  The control unit 121 transmits a pre-connection request including information regarding one or a plurality of blinking patterns recognized by analyzing the blinking pattern by the blinking of the light emitting unit 133 of each MFP 130 to the server 110 by the communication unit 127. To do. The pre-connection request is a request for prohibiting the MFP 130 having the device IP address associated with the flashing pattern in the information related to the flashing pattern included in the pre-connection request from entering the power saving mode. . The pre-connection request is made before the portable terminal 120 and the MFP 130 are connected via the network 140. In addition, since the blinking pattern included in the moving image photographed by the photographing unit 123 changes when the photographing direction of the photographing unit 123 changes, the pre-connection request can be transmitted periodically or continuously. Accordingly, for example, as described later, power is saved in the MFP 130 that blinks in the blinking pattern of the information related to the blinking pattern that is no longer photographed by being out of the frame that is the photographing range of the photographing unit 123 and is no longer included in the pre-connection request. Notification of prohibition release can be made.

  FIG. 4A is an explanatory diagram showing a state immediately before shifting to the power saving mode when one of the plurality of MFPs has a remaining time of the internal timer of zero. FIG. 4B is an example of a moving image in which a plurality of MFPs 130 exist in the frame 400 that is the shooting range 430 of the mobile terminal 120. In FIG. 4, the prohibition mark 420 indicates that the internal timer 410 of the MFP 130 is stopped.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the remaining time of the internal timer 410 of the left MFP (1) out of the three MFPs 130 present in the frame 400 is almost in a state immediately before shifting to the power saving mode. However, a pre-connection request including information related to the blinking pattern of the MFP (1) blinking is transmitted to the server 110, and the server 110 is controlled to prohibit the MFP (1) from entering the power saving mode. The transition of the MFP (1) to the power mode is restricted just before the transition.

  After transmitting a pre-connection request that prohibits the plurality of MFPs 130 from entering the power saving mode to the server 110, the control unit 121 excludes one of the plurality of MFPs 130 from the MFP 130 that is the target of the pre-connection request. An exclusion request to do so can be sent to the server 110. The exclusion request includes information related to the blinking pattern by the blinking of the MFP 130 that is recognized by the control unit 121 and is excluded from the target of the pre-connection request.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a moving image in which an MFP existing in a predetermined range within a frame that is a shooting range of the mobile terminal and an MFP existing outside the predetermined range are shot. Here, the predetermined range refers to a partial region of the frame 400, for example, a partial region including the center of the frame 400. In FIG. 5, MFP (2) exists within a predetermined range (photographed within the predetermined range), and MFP (1) and MFP (3) exist outside the predetermined range (photographed outside the predetermined range).

  As illustrated in FIG. 5, the control unit 121 causes the MFPs 130 (MFP (1) and MFP (1) and MFP (1) to blink in a blinking pattern in which a state in which no image is captured in a predetermined range 500 within the frame 400 that is the shooting range of the mobile terminal 120 continues for a predetermined time. As for 3)), an exclusion request for the MFP 130 is transmitted to the server 110. The server 110 controls the MFP 130 having the device IP address associated with the blinking pattern in the information related to the blinking pattern included in the exclusion request to cancel the prohibition of the transition to the power saving mode. . In FIG. 5, the left MFP 130 (MFP (1)) is released from the prohibition of the transition to the power saving mode, so that the remaining time of the internal timer 410 becomes 0 and is in the power saving mode.

  For the MFP 130 (MFP (2)) photographed in the predetermined range 500 in the frame 400 that is the photographing range of the portable terminal 120, the prohibition of shifting to the power saving mode is maintained.

  The predetermined range 500 in the frame 400 is desirably a range including the center of the frame 400 as described above. By setting the predetermined range 500 to include the center of the frame 400 that is most likely to be noticed by the user, it is possible to prevent the MFP 130 that is likely to be noticed by the user from unintentionally shifting to the power saving mode.

  The control unit 121 displays a user interface for causing the user to select one of the plurality of MFPs 130 included in the moving image displayed on the display unit 125 as the MFP 130 to be connected to the mobile terminal 120 via the network 140. Can be displayed. The control unit 121 sends a connection request including information related to the blinking pattern of the MFP 130 selected by the user and an IP address (hereinafter referred to as “terminal IP address”) that is an address on the network 140 of the mobile terminal 120 to the server. 110.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a user interface displayed on the display unit of the mobile terminal for allowing the user to select one of a plurality of MFPs.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the user interface for allowing the user to select one of the plurality of MFPs 130 can be configured by a rectangular UI button 600 surrounding the light emitting unit 133 of each MFP 130. The user can select the MFP 130 by selecting one of the UI buttons 600 displayed on each of the plurality of MFPs 130 by touch input.

  The control unit 121 may determine that the MFP 130 blinking in a blinking pattern continuously photographed for a predetermined time in the predetermined range 500 in the frame 400 that is the photographing range of the mobile terminal 120 is the MFP 130 selected by the user. it can. The control unit 121 may determine that the MFP 130 that generates flashing light continuously captured for a predetermined time within the frame 400 that is the capturing range of the mobile terminal 120 is the MFP 130 selected by the user. However, the number of MFPs 130 determined to be the MFP 130 selected by the user is limited to one.

  The control unit 121 transmits a connection request including information related to the blinking pattern recognized by analyzing the blinking pattern caused by blinking of the selected MFP 130 and the terminal IP address of the portable terminal 120 to the server 110 via the communication unit 127. The connection request means that the MFP 130 having the device IP address associated with the blinking pattern in the information related to the blinking pattern included in the connection request is sent to the mobile terminal having the terminal IP address included in the request. This is a request to connect 120.

  The control unit 121 transmits a print job by the server 110 to the MFP 130 connected to the portable terminal 120 via the network 140, and causes the MFP 130 to form an image on a sheet and output it.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the server.

  The server 110 includes a control unit 111, a storage unit 112, and a communication unit 113, which are connected to each other via a bus 114 for exchanging signals. The communication unit 115 constitutes a receiving unit.

  The storage unit 112 includes a RAM, a ROM, an HDD, and the like. A program executed by the control unit 111 and data processed by the control unit 111 are temporarily stored in the RAM. Various programs and various data are stored in the ROM. The HDD stores various programs including an operating system, a print job, a collation table 1121, and other various data.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a collation table.

  In the collation table 1121, for each MFP 130, a device ID, a device IP address, a blinking pattern, a blinking state, a device state, a connection frequency, and a terminal IP address are stored in association with each other. That is, the server 110 can manage a plurality of MFPs 130 in advance as a group as a group of MFPs 130. For each of the MFPs 130 included in the group, the server ID, the device IP address, the blink pattern, the blink state, the device Information such as status, connection frequency, and terminal IP address is stored. In FIG. 8, each row is information associated with one MFP 130.

  The device ID is an identification number or name assigned to each MFP 130.

  The blinking pattern is represented by a code in which a predetermined number of “1” and “0” are arranged, “1” indicates light emission, and “0” indicates extinction. The flashing pattern can be generated by storing a program for generating a flashing pattern in the storage unit 112 and operating the program, and can be registered in the verification table 1121. The blinking pattern may be created by an administrator and registered in the collation table 1121. Further, when an MFP 130 that can communicate with the server 110 in the same network 140 is newly recognized by the control unit 111, a blinking pattern is generated by the above-described program, and it corresponds to the newly recognized device IP address of the MFP 130. It may also be registered in the collation table 1121.

  The blinking state is information indicating whether the light emitting unit 133 of the MFP 130 normally blinks or is abnormal. The server 110 receives a notification from the MFP 130 that has detected the abnormality of the light emitting unit 133 by self-diagnosis or the like, and registers and updates the blinking state in the collation table 1121.

  In the apparatus state, whether or not the MFP 130 is in a state in which a job cannot be normally executed due to factors such as running out of consumables (for example, running out of toner) or opening the door to clear a paper jam is registered and updated. The For example, the server 110 registers and updates the device status of the collation table 1121 in response to the notification from the MFP 130 that cannot print due to running out of toner.

  The connection frequency is the number of times connection setting has been performed in response to a connection request from the mobile terminal 120. In the connection setting, the device IP address of the MFP 130 and the terminal IP address of the portable terminal 120 are associated with each other, registered in the collation table 1121, and stored in the storage unit 112, whereby the MFP 130 and the portable terminal 120 are connected to each other in the network. 140 is a setting to be connected via 140.

  The terminal IP address is registered in the collation table 1121 in association with the apparatus IP address of the MFP 130 by connection setting.

  In FIG. 8, MFP (4) shows an example of an initial state when the MFP 130 is newly registered in the collation table 1121. MFP (1) shows an example in which valid connection settings are registered. MFP (2) shows an example in which the device status is out of toner and connection setting is not made. MFP (3) shows an example in which a blinking abnormality of the light emitting unit 133 occurs.

  The communication unit 113 is an interface for communicating with an external device via the network 140.

  The control unit 111 can be configured by a CPU or the like, and performs control of the above-described constituent elements and various arithmetic processes according to a program. That is, the control unit 111 performs overall control related to various processes while cooperating with each component configuring the server 110.

  The control unit 111 causes the storage unit 112 to store the device ID, the device IP address, the flashing pattern, the flashing state, the device state, the connection frequency, and the terminal IP address in association with each other in the matching table 1121.

  When the communication unit 113 receives the identification start notification of the MFP 130 from the portable terminal 120, the control unit 111 causes the MFP 130 registered in the collation table 1121 to transmit the identification start notification from the communication unit 113, thereby causing the MFP 130. The light emitting unit 133 is blinked. The control unit 111 includes information on the blinking pattern included in the identification start notification by including information on the blinking pattern associated with the device IP address in the verification table 1121 in the identification start notification transmitted to the MFP 130. The light emitting unit 133 of the MFP 130 blinks with the blink pattern.

  When the pre-connection request is received from the mobile terminal 120 by the communication unit 113, the control unit 111 receives the MFP 130 of the device IP address associated with the flashing pattern information related to the flashing pattern included in the pre-connection request in the matching table 1121. Is identified. That is, the control unit 111 identifies the MFP 130 corresponding to the information regarding the blinking pattern included in the pre-connection request. The control unit 111 transmits to the identified MFP 130 a power saving prohibition notification from the communication unit 113 for prohibiting the shift to the power saving mode.

  The control unit 111 may notify the MFP 130 connected to the network 140 of the power saving prohibition when receiving the notification of the start of identification before specifying the MFP 130 by the pre-connection request. Thereafter, when the MFP 130 is specified by the pre-connection request, the power saving prohibition cancellation notification may be sent to the MFPs 130 other than the specified MFP 130.

  When the mobile terminal 120 captures a plurality of blink patterns by blinking the plurality of MFPs 130 and recognizes the plurality of blink patterns, the information on the plurality of blink patterns is included in the pre-connection request. Identifies a plurality of MFPs 130 and notifies the identified MFPs 130 of power saving prohibition. Thereafter, the control unit 111 uses the blink pattern of the information related to the blink pattern that is no longer photographed by being out of the frame 400 that is the photographing range of the mobile terminal 120 and is no longer included in the pre-connection request because the blink pattern is not recognized. It is possible to notify the blinking MFP 130 of canceling the power saving prohibition.

  The control unit 111 specifies a plurality of MFPs 130 in response to a pre-connection request and notifies the plurality of MFPs 130 of power saving prohibition, and after that, a state in which shooting is not performed in a predetermined range 500 in the frame 400 that is a shooting range of the mobile terminal 120 is predetermined. A notification of canceling the power saving prohibition may be sent to the MFP 130 that blinks in a blink pattern that continues over time. The control unit 111 can recognize the MFP 130 that blinks in a blinking pattern in which a state in which no image is captured in a predetermined range within the frame that is the image capturing range of the mobile terminal 120 continues for a predetermined time by an exclusion request received from the mobile terminal 120.

  The control unit 111 specifies a plurality of MFPs 130 according to the pre-connection request and notifies the plurality of MFPs 130 of power saving prohibition, and then saves the MFPs other than the MFPs 130 selected by the user in the mobile terminal 120 among the plurality of MFPs 130. You may notify the cancellation of power prohibition. The control unit 111 can recognize the MFP 130 selected by the user as the MFP 130 having the apparatus IP address associated with the blinking pattern in the information related to the blinking pattern included in the connection request in the matching table 1121.

  When the communication unit 113 receives a connection request from the mobile terminal 120, the control unit 111 identifies the MFP 130 having the device IP address associated with the blinking pattern information related to the blinking pattern included in the connection request in the matching table 1121. To do. That is, the control unit 111 identifies the MFP 130 corresponding to the information regarding the blinking pattern included in the connection request. The control unit 111 associates the identified device IP address of the MFP 130 with the terminal IP address of the portable terminal 120 included in the connection request, registers the information in the collation table 1121, and stores it in the storage unit 112. When the terminal IP address and the device IP address are registered in association in registration table 1121, control unit 111 relays communication between portable terminal 120 with the terminal IP address and MFP 130 with the device IP address. To do. As a result, the mobile terminal 120 that has transmitted the connection request is connected to the MFP 130 having the device IP address associated with the blink pattern of the information related to the blink pattern included in the connection request via the network 140. The control unit 111 associates the device IP address of the MFP 130 with the terminal IP address of the portable terminal 120 and registers them in the collation table 1121 to store them in the storage unit 112, and then holds the registration for a certain period of time. Thus, continuous printing can be supported.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the operation of the mobile terminal. This flowchart can be executed by the control unit 121 according to a program stored in the storage unit of the mobile terminal 120.

  When an application program for transmitting print data to the MFP 130 is activated by the user (S101), the control unit 121 transmits a notification of starting identification of the MFP 130 to the server 110 (S102). Upon receiving the identification start notification from the portable terminal 120, the server 110 transmits the identification start notification to all the MFPs 130 registered in the collation table 1121 and causes the light emitting unit 133 of the MFP 130 to blink.

  When the photographing unit 123 captures a blinking moving image of the MFP 130, the control unit 121 analyzes and recognizes the blinking pattern included in the moving image (S103).

  The control unit 121 transmits a pre-connection request including information regarding the recognized blinking pattern to the server 110 (S104).

  The control unit 121 receives information of the MFP 130 associated with the recognized blinking pattern in the collation table 1121 from the server 110 (S105), and displays it on the display unit 125 (S106). The received information of the MFP 130 includes, for example, information such as a blinking state and a device state registered in the collation table 1121.

  The control unit 121 accepts various instructions from the user input at the operation unit 126 (S107).

  When the control unit 121 receives an instruction to cancel the operation from the user (S108: YES), the control unit 121 notifies the server 110 to cancel the operation (S112), and ends the process.

  If the user has not received an instruction to cancel the operation from the user (S108: NO), the control unit 121 determines whether the MFP 130 has been selected (S109). The control unit 121 can determine that the MFP 130 has been selected by the user selecting the MFP 130 in the user interface for selecting the MFP 130 displayed on the display unit 125 of the mobile terminal 120. When there is an MFP 130 that emits flashing light continuously shot for a predetermined time in the frame 400 that is the shooting range of the mobile terminal 120 or in the predetermined range 500 in the frame 400, the control unit 121 selects the MFP 130 by the user. It may be determined that

  When the control unit 121 determines that the MFP 130 is not selected (S109: NO), the control unit 121 repeatedly executes step S103 to step S109.

  If the control unit 121 determines that the MFP 130 has been selected (S109: YES), the control unit 121 includes information regarding the blinking pattern recognized by analyzing the blinking pattern of the selected MFP 130 blinking and the terminal IP address of the portable terminal 120. A connection request is transmitted to the server 110.

  The control unit 121 transmits a connection request to transmit the print job to the server 110 after the server 110 is connected to the selected MFP 130 (S111).

  FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the server. This flowchart can be executed by the control unit 111 according to a program stored in the storage unit 112 of the server 110.

  When the control unit 111 receives the notification of the start of identification of the MFP 130 from the portable terminal 120, the control unit 111 transmits the notification of the start of identification to all the MFPs 130 registered in the collation table 1121, and causes the light emitting unit 133 of the MFP 130 to blink (S201). .

  The control unit 111 transmits a power saving prohibition notification to the MFP 130 managed by being registered in the collation table 1121 (S202). As a result, the MFP 130 registered in the server 110 is prohibited from shifting to the power saving mode.

  When the control unit 111 receives a pre-connection request including information on the blinking pattern recognized by the portable terminal 120 from the portable terminal 120 (S203), the control unit 111 stores information on the MFP 130 associated with the blinking pattern in the matching table 1121. 112 (S204) and transmitted to the portable terminal 120 (S205).

  When there is information on the blinking pattern newly included in the pre-connection request by being newly recognized by the mobile terminal 120 (S206: YES), the control unit 111 is associated with the blinking pattern in the matching table 1121. A notification of power saving prohibition is transmitted to the MFP 130 (S207). In addition, the control unit 111 notifies the MFP 130 associated with the blinking pattern of the information regarding the blinking pattern that is no longer included in the pre-connection request due to being not recognized by the mobile terminal 120 among the MFPs 130 that have notified the prohibition of power saving. A notification of canceling the power saving prohibition is transmitted (S208).

  When there is no information regarding the blinking pattern newly included in the pre-connection request by being newly recognized by the mobile terminal 120 (S206: NO), the control unit 111 is not recognized by the mobile terminal 120 and is not yet connected. It is determined whether there is information on the blinking pattern that is no longer included in the request (S209).

  When there is information on the blinking pattern that is no longer included in the pre-connection request (S210: YES), the control unit 111 transmits a power saving prohibition release notification to the MFP 130 associated with the blinking pattern (S210).

  When the control unit 111 receives an operation cancellation notification from the mobile terminal 120 (S211: YES), the control unit 111 notifies the MFP 130 that has been prohibited from entering the power saving mode due to the power saving prohibition notification to cancel the power saving prohibition. Then, the control for prohibiting the transition to the power saving mode is canceled (S215).

  When the control unit 111 has not received an operation cancellation notification from the mobile terminal 120 (S211: NO), the control unit 111 determines whether the MFP 130 has been selected on the mobile terminal 120 (S212). The control unit 111 can determine whether or not the MFP 130 is selected on the mobile terminal 120 based on whether or not a connection request is received from the mobile terminal 120.

  When the control unit 111 determines that the MFP 130 is not selected (S212: NO), the control unit 111 repeatedly executes step S203 to step S212.

  When the control unit 111 determines that the MFP 130 has been selected (S212: YES), the MFP 130 of the device IP address associated with the flashing pattern information related to the flashing pattern included in the received connection request in the matching table 1121. And the terminal IP address of the portable terminal 120 included in the connection request are associated with each other and registered in the collation table 1121 (S213). Thereby, the mobile terminal 120 and the MFP 130 selected by the mobile terminal 120 are connected via the network 140.

  The control unit 111 transmits the print job received from the portable terminal 120 to the selected MFP 130 (S214). After that, the control unit 111 notifies the MFP 130 that has been prohibited from shifting to the power saving mode due to the notification of prohibiting power saving to cancel the prohibition of shifting to the power saving mode by notifying the MFP 130 that has been prohibited from shifting to the power saving mode (S215). ).

  As described above, the relay connection system, the relay connection program, and the computer-readable recording medium that records the relay connection program according to the embodiment of the present invention have been described. However, the present embodiment has the following effects.

  The image forming apparatus can be identified from a certain distance to establish communication between the image forming apparatus and the portable terminal, and the image forming apparatus photographed by the portable terminal can be recognized to enter the power saving mode. By prohibiting the transition, it is possible to restrict the image forming apparatus from unintentionally shifting to the power saving mode, and to suppress the occurrence of a wasteful waiting time.

  Further, when the job processing device is specified, the job processing device connected to the network is prohibited from entering the power saving mode, and when the job processing device is specified, the job processing device other than the specified job processing device is specified. The job processing apparatus is prohibited from shifting to the power saving mode. By this, by limiting the transition to the power saving mode of the job processing device that the user may wish to connect to the mobile terminal at an earlier time point, the job that the user wishes to connect while identifying the job processing device It can restrict | limit that a processing apparatus transfers to a power saving mode.

  Furthermore, after specifying a plurality of job processing devices and restricting the transition to the power saving mode, the job processing device deviated from the frame that is the shooting range of the mobile terminal, the job processing device deviated from the predetermined range in the frame for a predetermined time For the job processing devices other than the job processing device selected by the user, the restriction on the transition to the power saving mode is released. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent an increase in power consumption due to restricting the shift of the job processing apparatus to the power saving mode more than necessary.

  The relay connection system, the relay connection program, and the computer-readable recording medium that records the relay connection program according to the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiments.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, a mobile terminal that has captured a blinking pattern by blinking of a light emitting unit of a job processing apparatus recognizes the blinking pattern by analyzing the photographed blinking pattern. However, a moving image of a blinking pattern may be transmitted from the mobile terminal to the server as information regarding the blinking pattern, and the moving image may be analyzed by the server to recognize the blinking pattern included in the moving image.

  In the above-described embodiment, the job processing apparatus is described as an MFP. However, the apparatus is not limited to an MFP as long as it is an apparatus that executes a job requested from a mobile terminal. Moreover, although the address on the network has been described as an IP address, the address is not limited to the address used in IP, and may be an address on the network according to the network used.

100 relay connection system,
110 servers,
120 mobile devices,
130 MFP,
400 frames,
410 internal timer,
430 shooting range,
Pre-defined range within 500 frames 600 UI buttons.

Claims (13)

A relay connection system having at least one job processing device, a server, and a mobile terminal connected to the same network,
Each of the at least one job processing device includes:
It has a light blinking part that blinks with a different blinking pattern for each job processing device,
The portable terminal is
A shooting section;
The pre-connection request including information regarding the blinking pattern corresponding to the predetermined number of the job processing devices photographed by the photographing unit is transmitted to the server, and after the pre-connection request is transmitted, the predetermined number of job processing devices A transmission unit that transmits a connection request including information on the blinking pattern corresponding to any one of the job processing devices to the server,
The server
For each of the plurality of job processing devices, a storage unit that stores an address on the network and the blinking pattern in association with each other,
A receiver that receives the pre-connection request and the connection request from the mobile terminal;
When the pre-connection request is received by the receiving unit, the job processing device corresponding to the information regarding the blinking pattern included in the pre-connection request is specified, and the specified job processing device shifts to the power saving mode. When the connection request is received by the receiving unit, the job processing device corresponding to the information regarding the blinking pattern included in the connection request is specified, and the specified job processing device and the connection are controlled. A relay connection system comprising: a controller that relays communication with the mobile terminal that has transmitted the request. The portable terminal further includes a recognition unit for recognizing the blinking pattern photographed by the photographing unit,
The transmitting unit is recognized by the recognizing unit after transmitting the pre-connection request including information on the blinking pattern corresponding to the predetermined number of job processing devices recognized by the recognizing unit to the server. The relay connection system according to claim 1, wherein the connection request including information related to the blinking pattern corresponding to the job processing device of any one of the predetermined number of job processing devices is transmitted to the server. The information related to the blinking pattern included in the pre-connection request transmitted by the transmission unit to the server is a moving image of the blinking pattern corresponding to the predetermined number of job processing devices imaged by the imaging unit, and the connection The information regarding the blinking pattern included in the request is a moving image of the blinking pattern corresponding to the job processing device of any of the predetermined number of job processing devices,
The server further includes a recognition unit that analyzes the moving images included in the pre-connection request and the connection request received by the receiving unit and recognizes the blinking pattern included in each moving image,
The relay connection system according to claim 1, wherein the control unit specifies job processing devices corresponding to blinking patterns respectively recognized from the moving images included in the pre-connection request and the connection request by the recognition unit. The server transmits information on the blinking pattern stored in the storage unit to the job processing apparatus at an address on the network associated with the blinking pattern;
The relay connection system according to claim 1, wherein the light blinking unit of the job processing device blinks based on information related to the blinking pattern received by the job processing device.   The control unit starts specifying the job processing device before specifying the job processing device according to the pre-connection request, and the job processing device connected to the network shifts to the power saving mode. 5. When the job processing device is specified, the control for prohibiting the job processing device other than the specified job processing device from shifting to the power saving mode is canceled. The relay connection system according to any one of the above. When the blinking patterns of a plurality of job processing devices are simultaneously photographed by the photographing unit and the plurality of blinking patterns are recognized by the analyzing unit,
The control unit specifies the plurality of job processing devices according to the pre-connection request, performs control to prohibit the specified plurality of job processing devices from shifting to the power saving mode, and then performs the photographing unit. The job processing device blinks in a blinking pattern that is no longer photographed by the photographing unit due to being out of the frame that is the photographing range of the image, and blinks in a blinking pattern in which a state that is not photographed in a predetermined range in the frame of the imaging unit continues for a predetermined time The control that prohibits the job processing device other than the job processing device that performs and the job processing device selected by the user in the portable terminal from shifting to the power saving mode is canceled. The relay connection system according to one item. To a server connected to a network to which at least one or more of the job processing devices having a light flashing portion that flashes with a different flashing pattern for each job processing device is connected,
A procedure (a) for storing the network address of the at least one job processing apparatus and the blinking pattern in association with each other;
After photographing a blinking pattern of a predetermined number of the job processing devices and transmitting a pre-connection request including information regarding the photographed blinking pattern, the job processing device is one of the predetermined number of job processing devices. A step (c) of receiving the pre-connection request and the connection request from a mobile terminal that transmits a connection request including information on the corresponding blinking pattern through the network;
In the step (c), when the pre-connection request is received, the job processing device corresponding to the information regarding the blinking pattern included in the pre-connection request is specified, and the specified job processing device shifts to the power saving mode. When the connection request is received, the job processing device corresponding to the information related to the information regarding the blinking pattern included in the connection request is identified, and the identified job processing device and the A step (d) of relaying communication with the mobile terminal that has transmitted the connection request;
A relay connection program for causing a procedure including:   The step (c) recognizes the captured blinking pattern, transmits the pre-connection request including information on the blinking patterns corresponding to the recognized number of recognized job processing apparatuses to the server, and then recognizes the recognized blinking pattern. The pre-connection request and the connection request are received from the portable terminal that transmits the connection request including information regarding the blinking pattern corresponding to the job processing device of any one of a predetermined number of job processing devices to the server. Item 8. The relay connection program according to item 7. The information regarding the blinking pattern included in the pre-connection request transmitted from the portable terminal in the procedure (c) is a moving image of the blinking pattern corresponding to the predetermined number of job processing devices captured by the portable terminal. And the information related to the blinking pattern included in the connection request is a moving image of the blinking pattern corresponding to any one of the predetermined number of job processing devices.
The step (d) analyzes the moving images included in the pre-connection request and the connection request, recognizes the blinking patterns included in the respective moving images, and includes the moving images included in the pre-connection request and the connection request, respectively. The relay connection program according to claim 7, wherein each of the job processing devices corresponding to the blinking pattern recognized from each is identified.   The procedure transmits the information related to the blinking pattern stored in the procedure (a) to the job processing device at the address on the network associated with the blinking pattern, and is received by the job processing device, respectively. The relay connection program according to any one of claims 7 to 9, further comprising a step (e) of blinking a light blinking unit of the job processing device based on information on the blinking pattern.   In the step (d), the job processing device connected to the network is set to the power saving mode at the time when the job processing device is specified before the job processing device is specified by the pre-connection request. The control for prohibiting the transfer is performed, and when the job processing device is specified, the control for prohibiting the job processing device other than the specified job processing device from shifting to the power saving mode is canceled. The relay connection program according to any one of claims 7 to 10. When the flash patterns of a plurality of job processing devices are simultaneously photographed by the mobile terminal,
The step (d) specifies the plurality of job processing devices according to the pre-connection request, and performs control for prohibiting the specified plurality of job processing devices from shifting to the power saving mode. The job processing device that blinks in a blink pattern that is no longer photographed by the portable terminal due to being out of the frame that is the photographing range of the portable terminal, and blinks in a blink pattern in which a state that is not photographed in a predetermined range in the frame continues for a predetermined time The control for prohibiting the job processing device other than the job processing device and the job processing device selected by the user in the portable terminal from being shifted to the power saving mode is canceled. The relay connection program described in the section. The computer-readable recording medium which recorded the relay connection program as described in any one of Claims 7-12.