JP2016149091A - Job processing system, job processing program, and computer-readable recording medium having job processing program recorded therein - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a job processing system that enables an image forming apparatus in a power-saving mode to designate printing from a position distant to a certain extent.SOLUTION: A job processing apparatus MFP (1) of a first apparatus transmits predetermined patterns including patterns specifying MFPs (1) to (3) in a proxy group; a portable terminal 120 acquires the predetermined patterns and transmits information on the acquired predetermined patterns to a server; the server 110 specifies a first apparatus or a second apparatus on the basis of the information on the predetermined patterns and relays communication between the specified apparatus and the portable terminal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a job processing system, a job processing program, and a computer-readable recording medium recording the job processing program, and in particular, a job for relaying communication between a portable terminal and a job processing device via a server. The present invention relates to a processing system, a job processing program, and a computer-readable recording medium on which the job processing 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.

JP2013-1596994A

  However, in the above prior art, if the printer is in the power saving mode when the user tries to input a print request to the smart device, the printer cannot output the UID, and the smart device cannot acquire the printer UID. For this reason, there is a problem that the printer to be printed cannot be designated on the smart device.

  The present invention has been made to solve such problems. That is, an object of the present invention is to provide a relay connection system capable of specifying printing by an image forming apparatus that is in a power saving mode from a certain distance.

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

  (1) A device group including at least one or more job processing devices, a server that causes any one of the at least one or more job processing devices to process a job, and a portable device that transmits print data to the server And at least one first device included in the device group includes a first pattern that identifies the first device and a proxy group that is the same as the first device. A transmitting unit that transmits a predetermined pattern including a second pattern that identifies a second device other than the first device, and the portable terminal acquires the predetermined pattern transmitted by the transmitting unit A pattern acquisition unit, and a transmission unit that transmits information about the predetermined pattern acquired by the pattern acquisition unit to the server. A device that identifies each device included in the device group, stores a storage unit that associates and stores a different pattern for each device and identification information of the device, and receives information on the predetermined pattern transmitted by the transmitter A receiving unit, a specifying unit for specifying the first device or the second device based on information on the predetermined pattern received by the receiving unit with reference to the storage unit, and the specifying unit And a relay unit that relays communication between the first device or the second device whose identification information is specified by the mobile terminal and the portable terminal.

  (2) The transmission unit transmits the predetermined pattern as a blinking pattern, and the pattern acquisition unit acquires the predetermined pattern as a moving image by photographing the blinking pattern transmitted by the transmission unit, The portable terminal further includes a recognition unit for recognizing the predetermined pattern from the moving image acquired by the pattern acquisition unit, and the transmission unit transmits information on the predetermined pattern recognized by the recognition unit to the server. The job processing system according to (1), which is transmitted to

  (3) The transmission unit transmits the predetermined pattern as a blinking pattern, and the pattern acquisition unit acquires the predetermined pattern as a moving image by photographing the blinking pattern transmitted by the transmission unit, The information related to the predetermined pattern transmitted by the transmission unit to the server is the moving image acquired by the pattern acquisition unit, and the server is included in the information related to the predetermined pattern received by the reception unit. And a recognition unit that recognizes the predetermined pattern from the moving image, wherein the specifying unit specifies the first device or the second device based on the predetermined pattern recognized by the recognition unit. The job processing system according to (1) above.

  (4) The portable terminal includes the first device and the second device respectively identified by the first pattern and the second pattern included in the predetermined pattern recognized by the recognition unit. A display unit configured to display a first user interface capable of selecting any one of them; and the transmission unit displays information on the predetermined pattern including a pattern for identifying a device selected in the first user interface. The job processing system according to (2), which is transmitted to

  (5) The transmission unit transmits information on the predetermined pattern including the first pattern and the second pattern stored in the storage unit to the first device, and the transmission of the first device The job processing system according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the unit transmits the predetermined pattern based on information regarding the predetermined pattern received from the server.

  (6) The storage unit further stores relative positional information of the first device and the second device, and the transmission is stored in the storage unit, the first device and the first device. Information on the predetermined pattern further including relative position information of the two devices is transmitted to the first device, and the recognition unit is the transmission of the first device acquired by the pattern acquisition unit. And further recognizing relative position information of the first device and the second device from the moving image of the blinking pattern transmitted by the unit, and the display unit is based on the position information recognized by the recognition unit. The job processing system according to (5), wherein a relative positional relationship between the first device and the second device is displayed together with the first user interface.

  (7) In the display unit, the device in which the flashing pattern transmitted by the device is recognized by the recognition unit among the devices included in the device group is the same proxy group as the proxy group including the first device. A second user interface that can be selected as a device to be added to the server, and the transmission unit further transmits an addition request including information regarding a pattern for identifying the device selected in the second user interface to the server, The reception unit further receives the addition request from the transmission unit, the server refers to the storage unit, and selects a device based on information on the pattern included in the addition request received by the reception unit. The identified device is included in the proxy group setting information stored in the storage unit. Job processing system according to any one of the set as a device included in the same proxy group as proxy group, (4) to (6) to be.

  (8) The storage unit further stores setting information of a proxy group that includes the first device and a proximity group that is set as another proxy group in which the included device overlaps, and the transmission unit includes: The information related to the predetermined pattern further including the setting information of the proximity group stored in the storage unit is transmitted to the first device, and the recognition unit is acquired by the pattern acquisition unit. The proximity group setting information included in the flashing pattern is further recognized from the flashing pattern transmitted by the transmission unit of the apparatus, and the display unit is included in the proximity group setting information recognized by the recognition unit. When one of the adjacent groups selected is selected, one of the devices included in the selected proximity group is selected as a pattern for identifying the device. A third user interface for selectively displaying a device as a device to be included in the information related to the predetermined pattern transmitted from the transmission unit, according to any one of (4) to (7) above Job processing system.

  (9) The server identifies a pattern that identifies a device that is capable of transmitting a pattern by a transmitting unit among devices included in the proxy group, and sends an exclusion notification including information about the identified pattern to the first notification The job processing system according to any one of (1) to (8), wherein the specified pattern is excluded from the predetermined pattern transmitted from the transmission unit of the first device by transmitting to the first device. .

  (10) When the first device is a device that does not have a job processing function or a device that cannot perform a job processing function, the transmission unit of the first device selects the first device. Transmitting the predetermined pattern further including a pattern indicating that it is impossible, the recognition unit further recognizes that the selection of the proxy device is impossible from the predetermined pattern, and the display unit When the analysis unit recognizes that the selection of the first device is impossible, the first device is excluded from the devices that can be selected in the first user interface. (4) The job processing system according to any one of to (9).

  (11) The transmitting unit of the first device has a second pattern that identifies one or more different second devices from different faces of a polyhedron, and a relative position of the second device. The job processing system according to any one of (2) to (10), wherein a flashing pattern of the predetermined pattern including information is transmitted.

  (12) The job processing system according to (11), wherein each of the predetermined patterns transmitted from different faces of the polyhedron by a blinking pattern is an apparatus optimized for each of the faces.

  (13) Each of the devices included in the device group is specified by a server that receives print data from the mobile terminal and causes any job processing device of the device group including at least one job processing device to process the job. The first device that is transmitted from a procedure (a) for storing a pattern different for each device and the identification information of the device in association with each other, and a transmitter of at least one first device included in the device group A predetermined pattern including a first pattern that identifies a second pattern that identifies a second device other than the first device in the same proxy group as the first device, and the obtained pattern A procedure (b) for receiving information on the predetermined pattern from the portable terminal that transmits information on the predetermined pattern, and for each device stored in the procedure (a) And identifying the identification information of the first device or the second device based on the information on the predetermined pattern received in the step (b), with reference to the pattern and the identification information of the device, A job processing program for executing a procedure having a procedure (c) for relaying communication between the first device or the second device for which identification information is specified and the portable terminal.

  (14) In the step (b), the predetermined pattern transmitted by the blinking pattern from the transmitting unit of the first device is captured as a moving image, and the predetermined pattern is recognized from the acquired moving image. The job processing program according to (13), wherein information regarding the predetermined pattern is received from the portable terminal that transmits information regarding the recognized predetermined pattern to the server.

  (15) The information related to the predetermined pattern transmitted from the portable terminal in the procedure (b) is the predetermined pattern transmitted in a blinking pattern from the transmitting unit of the first device photographed by the portable terminal. The step (c) recognizes the predetermined pattern from the moving image included in the information related to the predetermined pattern, and based on the recognized predetermined pattern, the first device or the second The job processing program according to (13), wherein the identification information of the device is specified.

  (16) In the step (b), any one of the first device and the second device specified by the first pattern and the second pattern included in the recognized predetermined pattern is performed. The job processing according to (14), wherein information related to the predetermined pattern including a pattern for specifying a device selected in the first user interface is received from the portable terminal that displays a selectable first user interface. program.

  (17) In the procedure, the information on the predetermined pattern including the first pattern and the second pattern stored in the procedure (a) is transmitted to the first device. The job processing program according to any one of (13) to (16), further including a step (d) of transmitting the predetermined pattern based on information on the predetermined pattern from a transmission unit of the apparatus.

  (18) The procedure further includes a procedure (e) for storing relative positional information of the first device and the second device, and is transmitted to the first device in the procedure (d). The information on the predetermined pattern to be further includes relative positional information of the first device and the second device stored in the procedure (e), and the procedure (b) Recognizing relative position information of the first device and the second device from the acquired moving image of the blinking pattern, and based on the recognized position information, the first device and the second device. The predetermined pattern including a pattern for specifying a device selected in the first user interface from the portable terminal that displays a relative positional relationship together with the first user interface. Receiving the broadcast, the job processing program according to (17).

  (19) In the procedure, a device that recognizes a blinking pattern transmitted by the device among devices included in the device group is selected as a device that is added to the same proxy group as the proxy group including the first device. Receiving the add request from the mobile terminal displaying a possible second user interface and sending an add request including information regarding a pattern identifying a device selected in the second user interface; and The device is identified based on the information related to the pattern included in the addition request received in the step (f) by referring to the pattern different for each device and the identification information of the device stored in the step (a). Then, the identified device is set as a device included in the same proxy group as the proxy group including the first device. Further comprising a floor (g), the job processing program according to any one of the above (16) to (18).

  (20) The procedure includes a procedure (h) for storing setting information of a proxy group including the first device and a proximity group set as another proxy group in which the included devices overlap, and the procedure ( The information regarding the predetermined pattern transmitted is received by transmitting the information regarding the predetermined pattern further including the setting information of the proximity group stored in h) to the first device, Obtaining the blinking pattern from the first device that transmits the blinking pattern based on information related to a predetermined pattern, recognizing the setting information of the proximity group included in the blinking pattern, and setting the recognized proximity group When one of the proximity groups included in the information is selected, the devices included in the selected proximity group are selected. A procedure (i) of displaying a third user interface on the portable terminal so that any one of the above can be selected as a device to be included in the information related to the predetermined pattern transmitted from the portable terminal. The job processing program according to any one of (16) to (19), further including:

  (21) The procedure specifies a pattern that identifies a device that is capable of transmitting a pattern by a transmitting unit among devices included in the proxy group, and sends an exclusion notification that includes information about the identified pattern. (13) to (20), further comprising a step (j) of excluding the specified pattern from the predetermined pattern transmitted from the transmitter of the first device by transmitting to the first device. The job processing program according to any one of the above.

  (22) When the portable device is a device that does not have a job processing function or a device that cannot perform a job processing function, the transmitting unit of the first device transmits the portable terminal. Obtaining the predetermined pattern further including a pattern indicating that selection of the first device is impossible, and further recognizing that selection of the first device is impossible from the predetermined pattern The job processing program according to any one of (16) to (21), wherein the first device is excluded from devices that can be selected in the first user interface.

  (23) The transmitter of the first device may be configured such that the transmitting unit of the first device identifies one or more different second devices from different faces of the polyhedron, and the relative position of the second device. The job processing program according to any one of (14) to (22), wherein the predetermined blinking pattern including information is transmitted.

  (24) The job processing program according to (23), wherein each device to which the predetermined pattern is transmitted by a blinking pattern from different surfaces of the polyhedron is a device optimized for each surface.

  (25) A computer-readable recording medium on which the job processing program according to any one of (13) to (24) is recorded.

  A predetermined pattern including a pattern for specifying the proxy device and the proxy device is transmitted from the proxy device, and information related to the predetermined pattern acquired by the mobile terminal is transmitted from the mobile terminal to the server. Based on this, the proxy device or proxy device is specified, and communication between the specified proxy device or proxy device and the portable terminal is relayed to the server. Thereby, it is possible to designate printing by the image forming apparatus that is in the power saving mode from a certain distance.

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. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state in which the blink pattern which a proxy apparatus generate | occur | produces with a portable terminal is imaged with the predetermined pattern transmitted by the blink pattern. It is explanatory drawing which shows the relative positional relationship of the 1st user interface displayed on the display part of the portable terminal, and MFP in a proxy group. It is explanatory drawing which shows the relative positional relationship of the 1st user interface displayed on the display part of the portable terminal and the apparatus in a proxy group when a proxy apparatus is a beacon. It is a bird's-eye view of the state in which the beacon which is a proxy device is generating the blink pattern of a different device pattern from four side surfaces of a cube. It is a figure which shows a 2nd user interface. It is a figure which shows a 3rd user interface. It is a block diagram of a server. It is a figure which shows a collation table. It is a flowchart which shows the basic operation | movement of a portable terminal. It is a flowchart which shows the basic operation | movement of a server. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a mobile terminal when an MFP is added to a proxy group. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a server when an MFP is added to a proxy group.

  Hereinafter, a job processing system, a job processing program, and a computer-readable recording medium on which the job processing 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 job processing system 100 includes a plurality of MFPs (Multi Function Peripherals) 130, a mobile terminal 120, and a server 110. A plurality of MFPs 130 constitute a device group, and each MFP 130 constitutes a job processing device.

  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 transmitting 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 138, 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, it is desirable that the blinking light is blinked at a cycle in which blinking cannot be confirmed by 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.

  The control unit 131 receives the notification of the start of identification of the MFP 130, which is made when the identification of the MFP 130 is started, from the server 110 by the communication unit 138, so that information regarding a predetermined pattern included in the notification of the start of identification is displayed. Based on this, a predetermined pattern is transmitted from the light emitting unit 133 by flashing light for a certain period of time. The information related to the predetermined pattern includes a device pattern that is a different blinking pattern for each MFP 130. As will be described later, in the server 110, an IP address (hereinafter referred to as “apparatus IP address”) that is an address on the network 140 of each MFP 130 is associated with a device pattern that is different for each MFP 130 and stored in the collation table. Yes. The device IP address is also identification information that can identify each MFP 130. 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 information regarding a pattern that differs for each MFP 130 from the server 110 via the communication unit 138.

  The control unit 131 generates a blinking pattern by the light emitting unit 133 with the device pattern included in the information relating to the predetermined pattern received in advance from when the MFP 130 is turned on or becomes communicable with the server 110. You may let them.

  The control unit 131 of the proxy device that is at least one of the MFPs 130 included in the set proxy group includes information regarding a predetermined pattern further including a device pattern associated with the device IP address of each MFP 130 included in the proxy group. Received by the communication unit 138. In other words, the proxy device (first device) is a device pattern (first pattern) that identifies the proxy device, and a proxy device (second device) that is the MFP 130 other than the proxy device in the same proxy group as the proxy device. ) Is received regarding a predetermined pattern including a device pattern (second pattern) for specifying the device pattern. The proxy group is set in the collation table of the server 110. The control unit 131 of the proxy device included in the proxy group causes the light emitting unit 133 to generate blinking light with the device pattern of the proxy device, and also the flashing light of the device pattern of the other MFP 130 included in the proxy group as the light emitting unit. 133. That is, the light emitting unit 133 of the proxy device blinks a predetermined pattern including a device pattern for specifying the proxy device and a device pattern for specifying the proxy device that is the MFP 130 other than the proxy device in the same proxy group as the proxy device. Make a call. The proxy device is not limited to a job processing device such as the MFP 130 as long as it can generate blinking light, and may be a beacon having no job processing function.

  The control unit 131 of the proxy device indicates that the proxy device cannot be selected when the proxy device is a device that does not have a job processing function, such as a beacon, or an MFP 130 that cannot perform the job processing function. A pattern may be included in a predetermined pattern and transmitted by the light emitting unit 133. The MFP 130 in a state where the job processing function cannot be performed is, for example, the MFP 130 in a state where no paper is set.

  The information regarding the predetermined pattern received by the proxy device from the server 110 may further include relative position information of each MFP 130 included in the proxy group.

  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 generation of blinking light due to light blinking of the light emitting unit 133 and communication through the network 140.

  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 rasterize the print data included in the received print job, thereby forming an image. The unit 127 is caused to form an image on a sheet 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 imaging unit 123 constitutes a pattern acquisition unit, 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 mobile terminal 120, and a moving image of blinking light generated by 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 collation table in the server 110, a predetermined pattern included in the identification start notification is flashed by the MFP 130 that has received the identification start notification. It is transmitted by.

  Based on the moving image generated by the image processing unit 124, the control unit 121 analyzes a predetermined pattern captured by the imaging unit 123 using a blinking pattern transmitted by the MFP 130, and recognizes a device pattern included in the predetermined pattern. To do. When the moving image photographed by the photographing unit 123 includes blinking patterns of the plurality of MFPs 130, the control unit 121 recognizes the device patterns of the plurality of MFPs 130 included in the moving image.

  The control unit 121 analyzes a predetermined pattern based on a blinking pattern generated by the proxy device, and recognizes a device pattern of the MFP 130 in the proxy group included in the predetermined pattern.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which a flashing pattern generated by the proxy device is captured by the mobile terminal together with a predetermined pattern transmitted by the flashing pattern.

  Since the shooting range 430 of the mobile terminal 120 includes the light emitting unit 133 of the MFP (1), which is the MFP 130 serving as the proxy device, the flashing pattern generated by the proxy device is captured by the mobile terminal 120. For example, the proxy device transmits a predetermined pattern by blinking light in the order of the start bit (S), the device pattern of itself (MFP (1)), and the device to be proxy (MFP (2), MFP (3)). Can do. Since the device pattern of the proxy device is determined immediately after the start bit, the mobile terminal 120 can recognize the device pattern associated with the IP address of the proxy device.

  The control unit 121 can analyze a predetermined pattern based on a blinking pattern generated by the proxy device, and recognize relative position information of the MFP 130 in the proxy group included in the predetermined pattern. The relative position information of the MFPs 130 in the proxy group may be included in the pattern information as the order of the device patterns included in the predetermined pattern. That is, for example, when the device information is included in the pattern information in the order of start bit (S), own device pattern, MFP (2) as the proxy device, MFP (3) as the proxy device, The control unit 121 includes an MFP (2) that is a proxy target device on the right side of one MFP (1) that is a proxy device, and a proxy device that is two right sides of the MFP (1) that is a proxy device. It can be recognized that a certain MFP (2) exists.

  The control unit 121 causes the display unit 125 to display a first user interface that can select any MFP 130 that has recognized the device pattern as a device that requests connection with the mobile terminal 120. Further, the control unit 121 can display the relative positional relationship of the MFPs 130 in the proxy group on the display unit 125 together with the first user interface based on the recognized position information.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the first user interface displayed on the display unit of the mobile terminal and the relative positional relationship between the MFPs in the proxy group.

  On the display unit 125 of the portable terminal 120, a first user interface 1251 is displayed together with the relative positional relationship between the proxy device MFP (1) and each of the proxy devices MFP (2) and MFP (3). That is, a button on the touch panel for selecting the MFP 130 in the proxy group is displayed as the first user interface 1251, and depending on the positional relationship of the button, the proxy is displayed on the right side of one MFP (1) as the proxy device. The relative positional relationship of the MFP 130 that the MFP (2) as a device exists and the MFP (2) as a proxy device exists to the right of two to the MFP (1) as a proxy device is displayed. .

  On the first user interface 1251, a mark 1253 indicating that the device is generating a blinking pattern is displayed below the button of the MFP (1) that is the proxy device.

  The control unit 121 can recognize a device having a device pattern immediately after the start bit as a proxy device in a predetermined pattern transmitted by the proxy device using a blinking pattern. For this reason, a display indicating that the MFP 130 selected by the button of the MFP (1) is the proxy device may be displayed on the button of the MFP (1) as the proxy device.

  In addition, on the display unit 125, the moving image captured by the imaging unit 123 can be displayed on the top of the first user interface 1251.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the first user interface displayed on the display unit of the mobile terminal and the relative positional relationship between the devices in the proxy group when the proxy device is a beacon.

  When the proxy device is a device that does not have a job processing function, such as a beacon 1301, or the MFP 130 in a state where the job processing function cannot be performed, the proxy device cannot be selected as a predetermined pattern transmitted by the flashing pattern. Is included. When the control unit 121 analyzes a predetermined pattern and recognizes a pattern included in the predetermined pattern indicating that selection of a proxy device is impossible, the controller 121 selects the proxy from the selectable device in the first user interface. Exclude the device.

  In FIG. 6, the touch panel button for selecting the beacon 1301 is not displayed in the first user interface 1251, and the beacon 1301 is excluded from devices that can be selected in the first user interface.

  By using a device that does not have a job processing function, such as the beacon 1301, as a proxy device, even if all the MFPs 130 in the proxy group have shifted to the power saving mode, the proxy group as the MFP 130 that requests connection with the mobile terminal 120 The MFP 130 can be selected and a print job processing reservation can be made via the server 110.

  FIG. 7 is an overhead view of a state in which a beacon serving as a proxy device generates a blinking pattern of a different device pattern from four sides of a cube. FIG. 7 also shows each pattern transmitted from each side of the cubic beacon 1301 by a blinking pattern.

  In FIG. 7, ten MFPs (MFP (1) to MFP (10)) are included in a proxy group having the beacon 1301 as a proxy device. From each of the different side surfaces a, b, c, d of the cube of the beacon 1301, a predetermined pattern including a different device pattern and relative position information of the MFP 130 is transmitted by a blinking pattern. That is, from side surface a which is one of the side surfaces of the cube of beacon 1301, a predetermined pattern including device patterns of MFP (1) to MFP (3) and relative position information of MFP (1) to MFP (3) is included. A pattern is transmitted by a blinking pattern. From side b, a predetermined pattern including device patterns of MFP (4) and MFP (5) and relative position information of MFP (4) and MFP (5) is transmitted by a blinking pattern. From side c, a predetermined pattern including device patterns of MFP (6) and MFP (7) and relative positional information of MFP (6) and MFP (7) is transmitted by a blinking pattern. From side d, a predetermined pattern including device patterns of MFP (8) to MFP (10) and relative position information of MFP (8) to MFP (10) is transmitted by a blinking pattern.

  When the user captures the blinking pattern transmitted from the side surface a of the beacon 1301 with the mobile terminal 120, the user is considered to be relatively close to the MFP (1) to the MFP (3). A predetermined pattern including a device pattern of MFP (1) to MFP (3) and relative position information of MFP (1) to MFP (3) is transmitted from a side surface a of beacon 1301 as a flashing pattern. By photographing, a predetermined pattern is recognized by the portable terminal 120, and MFP (1) to MFP (3) are displayed on the first user interface 1251 so as to be selectable. As a result, the user can select any of MFP (1) to MFP (3), which are relatively nearby MFPs 130, on the first user interface 1251 and connect them to the portable terminal 120.

  As described above, it is desirable that each MFP 130 in which the device pattern and the relative position information of the MFP 130 are transmitted from different sides of the beacon 1301 by the blinking pattern is the MFP 130 optimized for each side. That is, it is desirable to include the device pattern of the MFP 130 existing in the irradiation direction of the blinking light of the blinking pattern generated from the side surface (the direction of each arrow in FIG. 7) in the predetermined pattern transmitted by the blinking pattern. .

  The control unit 121 relates to a predetermined pattern including the device pattern of the MFP 130 selected in the first user interface 1251 and an IP address (hereinafter referred to as “terminal IP address”) that is an address on the network 140 of the mobile terminal 120. Information is transmitted to the server 110 as a connection request. The connection request is such that the portable terminal 120 having the terminal IP address included in the request is communicably connected to the MFP 130 having the device IP address associated with the device pattern included in the connection request in the server 110. It is a request to do.

  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.

  The control unit 121 displays a second user interface that can be selected as a device to be added to the proxy group among the MFPs 130 that have recognized the device pattern. Control unit 121 transmits to server 110 an addition request including a device pattern associated with the device address of MFP 130 selected in the second user interface. That is, the control unit 121 transmits to the server 110 an addition request including information regarding a pattern for specifying the MFP 130 selected in the second user interface. Thereby, the selected MFP 130 can be added to the proxy group. The server 110 registers to add the MFP 130 in which the device IP address is associated with the device pattern included in the addition request to the proxy group specified in the addition request.

  Switching between the first user interface and the second user interface can be performed, for example, by providing a switching button on each user interface.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the second user interface.

  The second user interface displays a button for selecting the MFP (5), which is the MFP 130 whose device pattern has been recognized by the control unit 121, and a button for selecting each proxy group. By selecting a button for selecting MFP (5) and a button for selecting proxy group G (1), MFP (5), which is MFP 130 whose device pattern has been recognized, is added to proxy group G (1). can do. FIG. 7 shows a state where the proxy group G (1) is selected. If a plurality of device patterns are recognized by the control unit 121, a second user interface capable of selecting any of the MFPs 130 associated with the plurality of device patterns is displayed.

  The second user interface is a user interface that is selected as the MFP 130 to be added to the proxy group by the MFP 130 that has generated the flashing pattern for which the device pattern has been recognized after the mobile terminal 120 has captured the flashing pattern for a predetermined time. May be.

  The control unit 121 displays the proxy group and any other proxy group (hereinafter referred to as “proximity group”) in which the included MFP 130 overlaps in a selectable manner, and also displays the MFP 130 in the selected proximity group. A third user interface that displays either one of the MFPs 130 that request connection with the portable terminal 120 is displayed. That is, when one of the proximity groups is selected, the control unit 121 selects any of the MFPs 130 in the selected proximity group as an MFP 130 that includes the device pattern associated with the device address of the MFP 130 in the connection request. A third user interface is displayed for selection. Switching between the first user interface, the second user interface, and the third user interface can be performed by providing a switching button on each user interface, for example.

  The control unit 121 displays the third user interface based on the proximity group setting information recognized by analyzing the predetermined pattern including the proximity group setting information, which is transmitted from the MFP 130 serving as the proxy device in a blinking pattern. be able to.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a third user interface.

  As shown in FIG. 9A, as the third user interface 1254, a button on the touch panel for selecting the MFP 130 in the proxy group G (1) is displayed, and the proximity group G (2) to the proxy group, etc. A button for selecting is displayed. Further, it is indicated by a dotted frame that MFP (1), MFP (2), and MFP (3) are included in the same proxy group G (1).

  In the display unit 125, the moving image captured by the imaging unit 123 may be displayed on the upper part of the third user interface 1251.

  In FIG. 9A, when a button for selecting the proximity group G (2) is selected, as shown in FIG. 9B, the MFP (3), which is the MFP 130 in the proximity group G (2), and A button for selecting one of the MFPs (4) as the MFP 130 that requests connection with the portable terminal 120 is displayed. In the example of FIG. 9, the proxy group G (1) and the proximity group G (2), which is another proxy group for the proxy group G (1), include the MFP (3) in common.

  FIG. 10 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 113 constitutes a receiving unit, and the control unit 111 constitutes a specifying unit and a relay 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, relative position information of the MFP 130 included in the proxy group, and other various data.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a collation table.

  The matching table 1121 is registered and stored in association with the device ID, device IP address, device pattern, blinking state, device state, connection frequency, and terminal IP address for each MFP 130. That is, the server 110 can manage a plurality of MFPs 130 as a group as a group of MFPs 130 in advance, and each of the MFPs 130 included in the group has a device ID, a device IP address, a device pattern, a blinking state, a device state. Information such as connection frequency and terminal IP address is stored. Also, proxy group setting information is registered in the collation table 1121. In FIG. 11, each row is information associated with one MFP 130.

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

  The device pattern is represented by a code in which a predetermined number of “1” and “0” are arranged. For example, when the device pattern is transmitted by a blinking pattern, “1” indicates light emission and “0” indicates quenching. Correspond. The device pattern can be generated by storing a program for generating a device pattern in the storage unit 112 and operating the program, and can be registered in the collation table 1121. The device pattern may be created by an administrator and registered in the collation table 1121. In addition, 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 associated with the newly recognized device IP address of the MFP 130. May be registered in the collation table 1121.

  The blinking state is information indicating whether the light emitting unit 133 of the MFP 130 normally performs the light blinking operation 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 the network 140. It is a setting that is connected via.

  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. 11, MFP (1) shows an example in which valid connection settings are registered. MFP (9) shows an example in which the device status is out of toner and connection setting is not made. MFP (8) shows an example in which a blinking abnormality of the light emitting unit 133 occurs. MFP (2) and MFP (3) are examples in the power saving mode. Further, MFP (1), MFP (2), and MFP (3) are included in the proxy group G (1), and MFP (3) and MFP (4) are included in the proxy group G (2). ), The proxy group setting information that the MFP (6) is included in the proxy group G (3) is registered.

  In the collation table 1121, setting information of proximity groups is registered. The proxy group setting information may also serve as the proximity group setting information. That is, for example, in the example of FIG. 11, the proxy group G (1) and the other proxy group G (2) include the same MFP 130, MFP (3). 2) is registered as a proximity group of the proxy group G (1).

  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 associates and registers the device ID, device IP address, device pattern, blinking state, device state, connection frequency, and terminal IP address in the collation table 1121 and stores them in the storage unit 112. In addition, the control unit 111 registers the proxy group setting information and the proximity group setting information in the matching table 1121 and stores them in the storage unit 112.

  When the communication unit 113 receives the MFP 130 identification start notification from the portable terminal 120, the control unit 111 communicates an identification start notification including information related to a predetermined pattern to the MFP 130 registered in the collation table 1121. The data is transmitted from the unit 113. As a result, the control unit 111 transmits a predetermined pattern from the light emitting unit 133 of the MFP 130 using a blinking pattern. That is, the control unit 111 causes the device pattern associated with the device IP address in the collation table 1121 included in the predetermined pattern to be transmitted from the light emitting unit 133 of the MFP 130 using a blinking pattern.

  The control unit 111 further includes a device pattern associated with the device IP address of each MFP 130 included in the proxy group, which is set in the proxy group setting information in the matching table 1121 for the MFP 130 serving as the proxy device. The information regarding the pattern is transmitted from the communication unit 113. As a result, the control unit causes the MFP 130 of the proxy device to transmit the device pattern associated with its own device IP address from the light emitting unit 133 by the blinking pattern, and the device associated with the device IP address of the proxy device. The pattern is transmitted on behalf of the proxy device.

  The control unit 111 can cause the communication unit 113 to transmit information regarding a predetermined pattern further including relative position information of each MFP 130 included in the proxy group to the MFP 130 serving as the proxy device.

  When the communication unit 113 receives a connection request from the portable terminal 120, the control unit 111 specifies the MFP 130 having the device IP address associated with the device pattern included in the connection request in the matching table 1121. 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 causes the storage unit 112 to store it. 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. . As a result, the mobile terminal 120 that has transmitted the connection request and the MFP 130 having the device IP address associated with the blinking pattern included in the connection request are connected 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 so as to be stored in the storage unit 112, and then holds the registration for a certain period of time. Can relate to continuous printing.

  When the communication unit 113 receives an addition request from the mobile terminal 120, the control unit 111 adds the MFP 130 in which the device IP address is associated with the device pattern included in the addition request to the proxy group specified in the addition request. Register.

  The control unit 111 includes information on the predetermined pattern including the proximity group setting information and transmits the information to the MFP 130 serving as the proxy device, and causes the MFP 130 serving as the proxy device to transmit the predetermined pattern including the proximity group setting information using the blinking pattern. be able to. The mobile terminal 120 analyzes the predetermined pattern, recognizes the setting information of the proximity group included in the predetermined pattern, displays one of the proximity groups in a selectable manner, and also displays the MFP 130 in the selected proximity group. A third user interface for displaying either one as a selectable MFP 130 that requests connection with the mobile terminal 120 is displayed.

  The control unit 111 identifies a device pattern associated with the device address of the MFP 130 that can transmit a predetermined pattern from the light emitting unit 133 by the blinking pattern among the MFPs 130 included in the proxy group. An exclusion notification including a pattern is transmitted from the communication unit 113 to the MFP 130 serving as the proxy device. As a result, the control unit 111 excludes the specified device pattern from the predetermined pattern transmitted by the flashing pattern from the light emitting unit 133 of the proxy device MFP 130.

  Hereinafter, basic operations of the portable terminal and the server will be described with reference to flowcharts.

  FIG. 12 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 122 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 receipt of the identification start notification from the mobile terminal 120, the server 110 transmits the identification start notification to all the MFPs 130 registered in the collation table 1121, and sends the identification start notification to the MFP 130 capable of generating a blinking pattern. A predetermined pattern included is transmitted by a blinking pattern.

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

  When the shooting unit 123 captures a moving image with a blinking pattern generated by the MFP 130 other than the proxy device, the control unit 121 recognizes a predetermined pattern, and thereby determines a device pattern associated with the device IP address of the MFP. recognize.

  The control unit 121 recognizes a predetermined pattern when the moving image of the blinking pattern generated by the MFP 130 serving as the proxy device is captured by the image capturing unit 123, and associates the device with the device IP address of each MFP 130 in the proxy group. Recognize device patterns.

  The control unit 121 recognizes the relative position information of the MFP 130 when the predetermined pattern includes the relative position information of the MFP 130 in the proxy group.

  The control unit 121 transmits the recognized device pattern to the server 110 (S104).

  The control unit 121 receives information of the MFP 130 associated with the recognized device 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 registered in the collation table 1121, such as blinking state, device state, and proxy group setting information. Note that the control unit 121 may acquire information on the MFP 130 from the predetermined pattern transmitted by the MFP 130 by including the information on the MFP 130 in a predetermined pattern transmitted by the MFP 130 using the blinking pattern.

  The control unit 121 accepts various instructions from the user input at the operation unit 126 (S107), and determines the contents of the instructions (S108).

  When receiving an instruction to cancel the operation from the user, the control unit 121 notifies the server 110 of the cancellation of the operation (S112) and ends the process.

  When the user gives an instruction to select a proximity group in the third user interface, the control unit 121 transmits an instruction to select the selected proximity group to the server (S109). When the proximity group selection instruction is transmitted to the server, information on a predetermined pattern including the device pattern associated with the device IP address of the MFP 130 in the proximity group selected from the server 110 to the MFP 130 of the proxy device is transmitted, The proxy device MFP 130 transmits the predetermined pattern by a blinking pattern. When the shooting unit 123 shoots a blink pattern moving image generated by the MFP 130 serving as the proxy device, the control unit 121 analyzes the moving image and associates the moving image with the device IP address of the MFP 130 in the proximity group included in the predetermined pattern. By recognizing the device pattern (S103) and transmitting it to the server 110 (S104), the information of the MFP 130 in the proximity group is received from the server 110 (S105), and any one of the MFPs 130 in the proximity group is displayed to be selectable. (S106).

  When the MFP 130 is selected in the first user interface or the like, the control unit 121 transmits a connection request for connecting the selected MFP 130 and the portable terminal 120 to the server (S110), and the selected MFP 130 is selected. A print job to be printed is transmitted to the server (S111).

  FIG. 13 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 a notification of the start of identification of the MFP 130 from the portable terminal 120 (S201), the control unit 111 transmits a notification of the start of identification to all the MFPs 130 registered and managed in the collation table 1121, and the MFP 130 has a predetermined blinking pattern. The pattern is transmitted (S202).

  The control unit 111 receives the device pattern included in the predetermined pattern recognized by analyzing the blinking pattern moving image captured by the MFP 130 captured by the mobile terminal 120 from the mobile terminal 120 (S203). The control unit 111 identifies the MFP 130 associated with the received device pattern (S204), and acquires information on the proxy group including the identified MFP 130 and information on the selected proximity group from the matching table 1121 (S205).

  When an instruction to select a proximity group is received from the portable terminal 120 by the communication unit 113 (S206: YES), the control unit 111 determines the status of the MFP 130 in the proximity group (S208). When the proximity group selection instruction has not been received from the mobile terminal 120 by the communication unit 113 (S206: NO), the control unit 111 determines the status of the MFP 130 in the proxy group (S207). The status of the MFP 130 is, for example, the presence / absence of transition to the power saving mode, the presence / absence of an abnormal blinking state, and the like.

  Based on the result of determining the status of the MFP 130 in the proxy group or in the proximity group, the control unit 111 determines the MFP 130 that is the proxy device for which the specified MFP 130 flashes in proxy (S209). For example, the control unit 111 may exclude, from the proxy device, an MFP 130 that can generate a blinking pattern (for example, the MFP 130 that has not transitioned to the power saving mode) among the MFPs 130 in the proxy group or in the proximity group. it can.

  The control unit 111 determines whether the specified MFP 130 can perform proxy blinking (S210). That is, the control unit 111 determines whether or not the identified MFP 130 has a function of performing proxy blinking. This determination is made because there are MFPs 130 that can generate flashing light for their own device patterns but cannot generate flashing light on behalf of other MFP 130 device patterns. is there.

  When the control unit 111 determines that the specified MFP 130 can perform proxy blinking (S210: YES), the control unit 111 sets the device pattern of the MFP 130 in the proxy group and the MFP 130 in the proximity group to the proxy device that is the specified MFP 130. The information regarding the predetermined pattern including is transmitted (S212).

  When the control unit 111 determines that the specified MFP 130 cannot perform the proxy blinking (S210: NO), the mobile terminal 120 includes the device patterns of the MFP 130 in the proxy group and the MFP 130 in the proximity group. Pattern information is transmitted (S211).

  If there are a plurality of MFPs 130 identified in step S204, steps S205 to S212 can be executed for each MFP 130.

  The control unit 111 determines the content of the user instruction received from the mobile terminal 120 by the communication unit 113 (S213).

  When the content of the user instruction is cancellation of the operation, the control unit 111 instructs all MFPs 130 registered and managed in the collation table 1121 to end transmission of a predetermined pattern by the blinking pattern (S217). .

  When the content of the instruction by the user is an instruction to select a proximity group, the control unit 111 temporarily stores the selected proximity group (S214). As a result, the proximity group selected by the proximity group selection instruction is maintained, so that even if another proximity group is selected later, it is within the previously selected proximity group. Information regarding a predetermined pattern including the device pattern of the MFP 130 is transmitted to the MFP 130 of the proxy device (S203 to S212).

  When the content of the instruction by the user is selection of MFP 130, control unit 111 registers the terminal IP address included in the connection request received from portable terminal 120 in matching table 1121 in association with selected MFP 130, and selects The transmission of the print job to the MFP 130 is reserved (S215). Thereafter, the control unit 111 instructs all MFPs 130 registered and managed in the collation table 1121 to end transmission of a predetermined pattern using a blinking pattern (S217).

  Next, operations of the portable terminal and the server when adding an MFP to the proxy group will be described with reference to a flowchart.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the operation of the mobile terminal when an MFP is added to the proxy group. This flowchart can be executed by the control unit 121 according to a program stored in the storage unit 122 of the mobile terminal 120.

  When the moving image of the blinking pattern generated by the MFP 130 is photographed by the photographing unit 123, the control unit 121 analyzes the blinking pattern included in the moving image and recognizes a predetermined pattern included in the blinking pattern (S301).

  The control unit 121 causes the operation unit 126 to display a second user interface for selecting the MFP 130 to be added to the proxy group on the display unit 125 (S302).

  The control unit 121 transmits an addition request for adding the MFP 130 selected in the second user interface to the designated proxy group to the server 110 via the communication unit 127 (S303).

  FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the operation of the server when an MFP is added to the proxy group. 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 an addition request from the mobile terminal 120 via the communication unit 113 (S401), the control unit 111 identifies the MFP 130 in which the device IP address is associated with the device pattern included in the addition request (S402).

  The control unit 111 registers the specified MFP 130 to be added to the proxy group specified in the addition request in the matching table 1121 (S403).

  This embodiment has the following effects.

  A predetermined pattern including a pattern for specifying the proxy device and the proxy device is transmitted from the proxy device, and information related to the predetermined pattern acquired by the mobile terminal is transmitted from the mobile terminal to the server. Based on this, the proxy device or proxy device is specified, and the server relays communication between the specified proxy device or proxy device and the address of the mobile terminal. Thereby, it is possible to designate printing by the image forming apparatus that is in the power saving mode from a certain distance.

  Furthermore, a predetermined pattern transmitted from the proxy device is used as a flashing pattern, the flashing pattern is captured by the mobile terminal, the predetermined pattern is recognized from the captured video, and information on the recognized predetermined pattern is transmitted from the mobile terminal to the server. Let Thereby, it is possible to designate printing by the MFP that cannot acquire the blinking pattern by the portable terminal because the proxy device is installed behind the user.

  Furthermore, a first user interface capable of selecting either the proxy device or the proxy target device included in the predetermined pattern recognized by the mobile terminal is displayed on the mobile terminal, and includes a predetermined pattern including a pattern for specifying the selected device Send information about the pattern from the mobile device to the server. Thereby, it is possible to more easily select an image forming apparatus to be printed.

  Further, a predetermined pattern including a device pattern associated with the address of each MFP included in the proxy group and the relative position information of the MFP is transmitted from the proxy device by a blinking pattern, and the predetermined pattern acquired by the portable terminal is used. The relative positional relationship of each MFP based on the recognized positional information is displayed together with a first user interface that can select the MFP as a connection target. As a result, the user can grasp the relative positional relationship of each MFP from the irradiation direction of the flashing light, and therefore can easily and accurately specify the MFP for which connection with the portable terminal is desired.

  Further, a second user interface capable of selecting an MFP to be added to the proxy group among MFPs whose device patterns have been recognized by the portable terminal is displayed, and an addition including information on a pattern for identifying the MFP selected by the second user interface The request is transmitted to the server, and the MFP specified based on the addition request is additionally registered in the proxy group. As a result, the MFP can be added to the proxy group more easily without inputting an IP address.

  The setting information of the proximity group is acquired by the mobile terminal, including the setting information of the proximity group, which is another proxy group in which the included MFP overlaps, in the predetermined pattern to be transmitted by the blinking pattern from the proxy device Further recognition is performed from the predetermined pattern. Then, by selecting any one of the proximity groups, a third user interface for displaying any MFP in the selected proximity group as a connection target is displayed on the mobile terminal. Thereby, it is possible to expand the selection range of the MFP that requires connection with the portable terminal within a range relatively close to the user who is shooting the blinking pattern with the portable terminal.

  By identifying a device pattern that identifies a device that can transmit pattern information among devices included in the proxy group, and sending an exclusion notification including information about the identified device pattern from the server to the proxy device, the proxy device The specified device pattern is excluded from the predetermined pattern transmitted by. Thereby, concentration of the processing burden on the proxy device can be reduced.

  If the proxy device is a device that does not have a job processing function or is an MFP that cannot perform the job processing function, a pattern indicating that the proxy device cannot be selected is added to a predetermined pattern transmitted by the proxy device. include. Then, when a pattern indicating that the proxy device cannot be selected is recognized by the mobile terminal from the acquired predetermined pattern, the proxy device is excluded from the devices that can be selected in the first user interface. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the user from erroneously selecting a device or the like that does not have a job processing function as a device that requests connection with the portable terminal.

  Different device patterns and pattern information including relative position information of the MFP are transmitted from different surfaces of the polyhedral proxy device by blinking light. Thereby, pattern information can be transmitted from one proxy apparatus in the direction according to the installation direction of each proxy apparatus.

  Each MFP in which pattern information including a device pattern and relative position information of the MFP is transmitted from different surfaces of the polyhedral proxy device by blinking light is an MFP optimized for each surface. As a result, an MFP that is relatively close to the user who captures the flashing light on the mobile terminal can be selected and connected to the mobile terminal.

  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, the proxy device transmits the pattern information with blinking light, and the mobile terminal that has captured the blinking light analyzes the captured blinking light to recognize the pattern information. However, the proxy device may use, for example, Bluetooth (registered trademark) or the like to transmit pattern information by radio waves, and the mobile terminal may acquire pattern information by radio waves.

  In the above-described embodiment, the mobile terminal that has captured the flashing pattern transmitted from the light emitting unit of the job processing apparatus recognizes the flashing pattern by analyzing the captured flashing 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. Thereby, the processing burden by a portable terminal can be reduced.

  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 processes 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,
430 Shooting range 1301 Beacon.

Claims (25)

An apparatus group including at least one job processing apparatus; a server that causes any one of the at least one job processing apparatus to process a job; and a portable terminal that transmits print data to the server. A job processing system comprising:
At least one first device included in the device group includes:
Transmitting a predetermined pattern including a first pattern for specifying the first device and a second pattern for specifying a second device other than the first device in the same proxy group as the first device Has a transmitter to
The portable terminal is
A pattern acquisition unit for acquiring the predetermined pattern transmitted by the transmission unit;
A transmission unit that transmits information on the predetermined pattern acquired by the pattern acquisition unit to the server;
The server
A storage unit that identifies each device included in the device group, stores a pattern different for each device and the identification information of the device in association with each other,
A receiving unit for receiving information on the predetermined pattern transmitted by the transmitting unit;
A specifying unit for specifying the first device or the second device based on information on the predetermined pattern received by the receiving unit with reference to the storage unit;
A job processing system comprising: a relay unit that relays communication between the first device or the second device whose identification information is specified by the specifying unit and the portable terminal. The transmitting unit transmits the predetermined pattern in a blinking pattern,
The pattern acquisition unit acquires the predetermined pattern as a moving image by photographing a blinking pattern transmitted by the transmission unit,
The portable terminal further includes a recognition unit that recognizes the predetermined pattern from the moving image acquired by the pattern acquisition unit,
The job processing system according to claim 1, wherein the transmission unit transmits information on the predetermined pattern recognized by the recognition unit to the server. The transmitting unit transmits the predetermined pattern in a blinking pattern,
The pattern acquisition unit acquires the predetermined pattern as a moving image by photographing a blinking pattern transmitted by the transmission unit,
The information related to the predetermined pattern transmitted by the transmission unit to the server is the moving image acquired by the pattern acquisition unit,
The server further includes a recognition unit for recognizing the predetermined pattern from the moving image included in the information related to the predetermined pattern received by the receiving unit,
The job processing system according to claim 1, wherein the specifying unit specifies the first device or the second device based on the predetermined pattern recognized by the recognition unit. The portable terminal may select one of the first device and the second device respectively identified by the first pattern and the second pattern included in the predetermined pattern recognized by the recognition unit. A display unit for displaying a selectable first user interface;
The job processing system according to claim 2, wherein the transmission unit transmits information on the predetermined pattern including a pattern that identifies a device selected in the first user interface to the server. The transmission unit transmits information on a predetermined pattern including the first pattern and the second pattern stored in the storage unit to the first device,
The job processing system according to claim 1, wherein the transmission unit of the first device transmits the predetermined pattern based on information about the predetermined pattern received from the server. The storage unit further stores relative positional information of the first device and the second device,
The transmission unit transmits information on the predetermined pattern further including relative position information of the first device and the second device stored in the storage unit to the first device,
The recognizing unit acquires relative position information of the first device and the second device from the moving image of the blinking pattern transmitted by the transmitting unit of the first device, acquired by the pattern acquiring unit. To further recognize
The said display part displays the relative positional relationship of the said 1st apparatus and the said 2nd apparatus with the said 1st user interface based on the said positional information recognized by the said recognition part. The job processing system described in 1. The display unit adds, among the devices included in the device group, a device whose blinking pattern transmitted by the device is recognized by the recognition unit to the same proxy group as the proxy group including the first device. Further display a second user interface selectable as a device;
The transmitting unit further transmits an addition request including information on a pattern for identifying a device selected in the second user interface to the server;
The receiving unit further receives the addition request from the transmitting unit;
The server refers to the storage unit, identifies a device based on information about the pattern included in the addition request received by the reception unit, and identifies the identified device as the proxy stored in the storage unit The job processing system according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the job setting system is set as a device included in the same proxy group as the proxy group including the first device in group setting information. The storage unit further stores setting information of a proxy group including the first device and a proximity group set as another proxy group in which the included device overlaps,
The transmission unit transmits information on the predetermined pattern further including setting information of the proximity group stored in the storage unit to the first device,
The recognizing unit further recognizes the setting information of the proximity group included in the blinking pattern from the blinking pattern transmitted by the transmitting unit of the first device acquired by the pattern acquiring unit,
The display unit selects one of the devices included in the selected proximity group by selecting one of the proximity groups included in the setting information of the proximity group recognized by the recognition unit. 8. The third user interface for selectively displaying a pattern for specifying the device as a device to be included in the information related to the predetermined pattern transmitted from the transmission unit. 8. The job processing system described in the section.   The server identifies a pattern that identifies a device that is capable of transmitting a pattern by a transmission unit among devices included in the proxy group, and sends an exclusion notification including information about the identified pattern to the first device The job processing system according to claim 1, wherein the specified pattern is excluded from the predetermined pattern transmitted from the transmission unit of the first device by transmitting to the first device. If the first device is a device that does not have a job processing function or a device that cannot perform the job processing function, the transmission unit of the first device cannot select the first device. Transmitting the predetermined pattern further including a pattern indicating that,
The recognizing unit further recognizes that the proxy device cannot be selected from the predetermined pattern;
The display unit excludes the first device from devices that can be selected in the first user interface when the analysis unit recognizes that the selection of the first device is impossible. Item 10. The job processing system according to any one of Items 4 to 9.   The transmitting unit of the first device includes the second pattern that specifies one or more different second devices from different faces of the polyhedron, and relative positional information of the second device. The job processing system according to claim 2, wherein the flashing pattern having the predetermined pattern is transmitted.   The job processing system according to claim 11, wherein the devices to which the predetermined patterns are transmitted by flashing patterns from different surfaces of the polyhedron are devices optimized for each surface. A server that receives print data from a portable terminal and causes a job to be processed by any job processing device in a group of devices including at least one job processing device.
A procedure (a) for identifying each device included in the device group, storing a pattern different for each device and the device identification information in association with each other,
The first pattern for identifying the first device, which is transmitted from the transmission unit of at least one first device included in the device group, and the first proxy group in the same proxy group as the first device. A procedure of acquiring a predetermined pattern including a second pattern for specifying a second device other than the device and receiving information related to the predetermined pattern from the portable terminal that transmits the acquired information related to the predetermined pattern (b) )When,
The first apparatus refers to the pattern different for each apparatus and the identification information of the apparatus stored in the procedure (a), and based on the information regarding the predetermined pattern received in the procedure (b) Or identifying the identification information of the second device, and relaying the communication between the first device or the second device with the identified identification information and the portable terminal (c),
A job processing program for executing a procedure having:   In the step (b), the predetermined pattern transmitted in a blinking pattern from the transmitter of the first device is acquired as a moving image, and the predetermined pattern is recognized from the acquired moving image. The job processing program according to claim 13, wherein information regarding the predetermined pattern is received from the portable terminal that transmits the information regarding the predetermined pattern to the server. The information related to the predetermined pattern transmitted from the portable terminal in the step (b) is a moving image of the predetermined pattern transmitted in a blinking pattern from the transmission unit of the first device photographed by the portable terminal. Yes,
The procedure (c) recognizes the predetermined pattern from the moving image included in the information related to the predetermined pattern, and identifies the first device or the second device based on the recognized predetermined pattern. The job processing program according to claim 13, wherein the job processing program is specified.   The procedure (b) can select either the first device or the second device specified by the first pattern and the second pattern included in the recognized predetermined pattern, respectively. The job processing program according to claim 14, wherein information on the predetermined pattern including a pattern for specifying a device selected in the first user interface is received from the portable terminal that displays the first user interface.   The procedure transmits information about the predetermined pattern including the first pattern and the second pattern stored in the procedure (a) to the first device, thereby transmitting the first device. The job processing program according to any one of claims 13 to 16, further comprising a step (d) of transmitting the predetermined pattern from a section based on information on the predetermined pattern. The procedure further comprises a step (e) of storing relative positional information of the first device and the second device;
The information regarding the predetermined pattern transmitted to the first device in the procedure (d) includes the relative position of the first device and the second device stored in the procedure (e). More information,
The procedure (b) recognizes relative positional information of the first device and the second device from the acquired moving image of the blinking pattern, and based on the recognized positional information, the first device And information regarding the predetermined pattern including a pattern for identifying the device selected in the first user interface from the portable terminal that displays the relative positional relationship of the second device together with the first user interface. The job processing program according to claim 17, which is received. The procedure is as follows:
A second user interface that can be selected as a device that adds a device that recognizes a blinking pattern transmitted by the device to a proxy group that is the same as the proxy group that includes the first device among devices included in the device group. Receiving the addition request from the portable terminal for transmitting and sending an addition request including information relating to a pattern identifying the device selected in the second user interface; and
Refer to the pattern that is different for each device and the identification information of the device stored in step (a), and select the device based on the information about the pattern included in the addition request received in step (f). Identifying and identifying the identified device as a device that is included in the same proxy group as the proxy group that includes the first device;
The job processing program according to any one of claims 16 to 18, further comprising: The procedure is as follows:
A procedure (h) for storing setting information of a proxy group including the first device and a proximity group set as another proxy group in which the included devices overlap;
Receiving the information on the predetermined pattern transmitted by transmitting the information on the predetermined pattern further including the setting information of the proximity group stored in the step (h) to the first device; The flashing pattern is acquired from the first device that transmits the flashing pattern based on the received information related to the predetermined pattern, the setting information of the proximity group included in the flashing pattern is recognized, and the proximity that has been recognized When any one of the proximity groups included in the group setting information is selected, any one of the devices included in the selected proximity group is transmitted from the portable terminal as a pattern identifying the device. A third user interface for display selectably as a device to be included in information relating to a predetermined pattern And steps (i) to display an over face to the portable terminal,
The job processing program according to any one of claims 16 to 19, further comprising:   The procedure specifies a pattern that identifies a device that is allowed to transmit a pattern by a transmitting unit among devices included in the proxy group, and sends an exclusion notification including information on the specified pattern to the first device. 21. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 20, further comprising a step (j) of excluding the specified pattern from the predetermined pattern transmitted from the transmitter of the first device by transmitting to the first device. Job processing program.   When the first device is a device that does not have a job processing function or a device in a state where the job processing function cannot be performed, the mobile terminal transmits the proxy first transmitted by the transmitting unit of the first device. When acquiring the predetermined pattern further including a pattern indicating that the selection of the first device is impossible, and further recognizing that the selection of the first device is impossible from the predetermined pattern, The job processing program according to any one of claims 16 to 21, wherein the first device is excluded from devices that can be selected in the first user interface.   The transmitting unit of the first device includes the second pattern that specifies one or more different second devices from different faces of a polyhedron, and relative position information of the second device. The job processing program according to any one of claims 14 to 22, which transmits a flashing pattern of the predetermined pattern.   24. The job processing program according to claim 23, wherein each device to which the predetermined pattern is transmitted by a blinking pattern from different surfaces of the polyhedron is a device optimized for each surface. A computer-readable recording medium on which the job processing program according to any one of claims 13 to 24 is recorded.