JP2016177681A - Terminal equipment, system having terminal equipment and electronic equipment, operation method presentation method, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily execute processing including a plurality of processes by using different electronic equipment.SOLUTION: Terminal equipment connected to electronic equipment includes: an instruction reception part 121 for receiving an execution request of processing including a plurality of processes: equipment specification part 123a for specifying one or more electronic equipment which executes each process of the processing; and a manual management part 123b for, on the basis of the model of each of one or more specified electronic equipment and the type of each process to be executed by one or more specified electronic equipment, acquiring the information of an operation method for causing one or more specified electronic equipment to execute each process to be executed by one or more specified electronic equipment, and for presenting the operation method for executing the next process following the acquired information in accordance with the progress of the process in the processing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a terminal device, a system including a terminal device and an electronic device, an operation method presentation method, and a program.

  In recent years, with the evolution of technology, such as improved CPU performance of electronic devices, increased memory capacity, faster communication technology, and advanced image technology, new functions using various functions of electronic devices How to use is provided.

As one of utilization forms using such an electronic device, a technique for executing a process including a plurality of steps by connecting a plurality of electronic devices having different functions connected on a network is already known.
For example, a document is scanned with one arbitrary image forming apparatus from among a plurality of image forming apparatuses connected to the network, and the scanned image is processed and output with another arbitrary one image forming apparatus. The processing to be performed.
The following Patent Document 1 discloses such a technique.

  Patent Document 1 discloses an image processing system that includes an information processing device, a first device, and a second device, and performs image processing in cooperation with the function of the first device and the function of the second device. In this system, the information processing apparatus sets image processing including a first process and a second process, and searches for a first device that can execute the first process and a second device that can execute the second process. Then, when the searched first device executes the first process, information indicating the second process to be executed next is displayed on the display unit of the first device.

However, since the operation method of each electronic device may differ depending on the model, even if the work content of the process to be processed and the device to be executed are known, a process including a plurality of processes can be performed by a mistaken operation. And may not be easily implemented.

For example, when performing scanning using an image forming apparatus such as an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral), whether or not to have a double-sided reading function, whether to select a glass surface or an ADF (Auto Document Feeder), set a document on the glass surface The user must make his / her own judgment regarding settings and operation methods that differ for each model, such as the position and setting direction, and the direction of the reading surface when using ADF.
For this reason, unless the user has sufficient knowledge about an image processing apparatus such as an MFP specified as a device to be executed, the problem that operation becomes difficult and an erroneous operation occurs has not been solved.

Such a problem is not limited to a process performed using an image processing apparatus such as an MFP, and similarly occurs when a process including a plurality of processes is executed using a plurality of electronic devices. is there.
The present invention solves such a problem, and even if the user does not have sufficient knowledge about the setting and operation method of the electronic device, the process including a plurality of steps can be easily performed. It aims to be possible.

  In order to achieve the above object, a terminal device connected to an electronic device according to the present invention includes a receiving unit that receives a process execution request including a plurality of steps, and an electronic device connected to the terminal device. Based on a specifying unit that specifies one or more electronic devices that execute each process, a model of each of the one or more electronic devices specified by the specifying unit, and a type of process that each of the one or more electronic devices executes The operation method acquisition means for acquiring operation method information for causing each of the one or more electronic devices to execute the process, and according to the information acquired by the operation method acquisition means according to the progress of the process in the process And an operation method presenting means for presenting an operation method for executing the process.

  According to said structure, the process provided with a some process can be performed easily.

It is a figure which shows an example of the network system containing the terminal device of this invention. It is a figure which shows the hardware constitutions of the terminal device of FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an MFP included in the network system of FIG. 1. It is a functional block diagram which shows the function structure of the terminal device of FIG. It is a figure which shows the postcard printing manual image display table which is an example of the image table of the operation method memorize | stored in the memory | storage part of a terminal device. It is a figure which shows the example of the image registered into the table of FIG. 5A. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing a functional configuration of MFP-A included in the network system of FIG. 1. It is a functional block diagram which shows the function structure of FP-B contained in the network system n of FIG. It is an example of the image shown on the display of the terminal device which performs the execution request of the process provided with a some process. It is another example of the image shown on the display of the terminal device which performs the execution request | requirement of a process provided with a some process. It is another example of the image shown on the display of the terminal device which performs the execution request | requirement of a process provided with a some process. An example of an image displayed on the display of the terminal device before the user X logs in to the MFP-B that executes the first process and an image of an operation method for starting execution of the first process is presented to the user It is. The user X logs into the MFP-B that executes the first process, and another operation method image for starting the execution of the first process is presented to the user. It is an example. The user X logs into the MFP-B that executes the first process, and the operation method procedure image for starting the execution of the first process is displayed. It is an example. The user X logs into the MFP-B that executes the first process, and another operation method image for starting the execution of the first process is presented to the user. It is an example. The process is performed between the user X, the terminal device, and the MFP-B from the execution request of the process including a plurality of processes until the image of the operation method for starting the execution of the first process is presented to the user. It is a sequence diagram which shows an example of the flow of operation. FIG. 10B is a sequence diagram subsequent to FIG. 10A. 6 is an example of an image shown on a display of a terminal device while the MFP-B is executing the first process. It is another example of the image shown on the display of a terminal device during MFP-B performing the first process. It is another example of the image shown on the display of a terminal device during MFP-B performing the first process. It is another example of the image shown on the display of a terminal device during MFP-B performing the first process. It is another example of the image shown on the display of a terminal device during MFP-B performing the first process. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a flow of operations performed between the terminal device, MFP-B, and MFP-A while MFP-B is executing the first process. FIG. 12B is a sequence diagram subsequent to FIG. 12A. FIG. 12B is a sequence diagram subsequent to FIG. 12B. Image displayed on the display of the terminal device until the user X logs in to the MFP-C that executes the second step and the image of the operation method for starting execution of the second step is presented to the user. It is an example. Image displayed on the display of the terminal device until the user X logs in to the MFP-C that executes the second step and the image of the operation method for starting execution of the second step is presented to the user. It is another example of. Image displayed on the display of the terminal device until the user X logs in to the MFP-C that executes the second step and the image of the operation method for starting execution of the second step is presented to the user. It is another example of. User X, terminal device, and MFP until user X logs in MFP-C that executes the second step and an image of an operation method for starting execution of the second step is presented to the user It is a sequence diagram which shows an example of the flow of the operation | movement performed between -B. 6 is an example of an image shown on a display of a terminal device while the MFP-C is executing a second process. 10 is another example of an image shown on the display of the terminal device while the MFP-C is executing the second process. 10 is another example of an image shown on the display of the terminal device while the MFP-C is executing the second process. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a flow of operations performed between the terminal device, MFP-C, and MFP-A while the MFP-C is executing the second step. FIG. 16 is a sequence diagram subsequent to 16A. It is an example of the screen displayed on the display of MFP-C during the operation reservation time of MFP-C which performs the 2nd process. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a flow of operations performed between MFP-A and MFP-C when setting an operation reservation for MFP-C executing the second step. It is an example of the screen displayed on the display of a terminal device when MFP-C which performs a 2nd process is in use by the other user. It is an example of the screen displayed on the display of a terminal device in the case of displaying the preview after the scan execution which is the first process.

Hereinafter, the form for implementing this invention is demonstrated using FIG. 1 thru | or FIG.
First, FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a network system including a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present invention and a plurality of electronic devices. In this network system example, MPF is used as an electronic device. In the example of the network system, the terminal device 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the MFP-A (master device) 20a, the MFP-B (slave device) 20b, and the MFP-C (slave device) 20c are connected to the network. 30 so that they can communicate with each other.
Hereinafter, MFP-A (master unit) 20a, MFP-B (slave unit) 20b, and MFP-C (slave unit) 20c are collectively referred to as MFP 20.

The user uses the terminal device 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention to execute processing including a plurality of steps from this system.
A process with a plurality of processes is a process that is conceptually regarded as one function, such as copying and faxing, as a process with a plurality of processes, focusing on the actual operation. There are cases where each operation of processing such as business performed using an electronic device is regarded as each process.

For example, the process of copying is a process including a process of scanning a document and a process of printing the scanned data.
Fax processing is processing comprising a step of scanning a document and a step of transmitting the scanned data.
Furthermore, the process in which the user processes and corrects an image on a paper medium using an electronic device is a process that includes a step of scanning and a step of processing and correcting scanned data.
The network system shown in FIG. 1 executes the processing as described above using different electronic devices, and further, according to the progress of the processing, the operation method of the electronic device that executes each step is a terminal device. 10 LCD 106.

Here, the terminal device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be anything that can be connected to the network 30 and can communicate with electronic devices on the network. In addition, if it is portable things, such as a smart phone and a tablet terminal, it is more suitable.
The MFP 20 can communicate with these devices and the terminal device 10 via the network 30 and has a composite function of fax, copy, scanner, and printer.

The configuration of this network system is only an example, and the number of MFPs 20 is arbitrary. The electronic device is not limited to the MFP. Furthermore, the master unit may simultaneously execute one process as a slave unit. Moreover, you may utilize a server etc. as a main | base station.
Further, the network 30 is not limited to a LAN (Local Area Network), and can employ a communication path according to any other standard regardless of wired wireless. Further, not only the network 30 but also a communication path by peer-to-peer communication may be used.

FIG. 2 shows a hardware configuration of the terminal device 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG.
The terminal device 10 includes a CPU 101, a RAM 102, a ROM 103, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 104, an I / F (Inter Face) 105, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 106 and an operation unit 107, a communication I / F (Inter Face) 108, An I / F (Inter Face) device 109 is provided, and these are connected by a system bus 110.

Then, the CPU 101 executes the program stored in the ROM 103 or the HDD 104 using the RAM 102 as a work area, thereby controlling the entire terminal device 10 and realizing various functions to be described later.
The I / F 105 is an interface for connecting the LCD 106 serving as a display unit and the operation receiving unit 107 to the system bus 110 so that the CPU 101 can control them.
The communication I / F 108 is an interface for communicating with an external device such as the MFP 20 via a network, and includes an I / F device 109, and includes Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth (registered trademark), NFC ( It can communicate with an image processing apparatus such as the MFP 20 by communication means such as Near Field Communication.

Next, FIG. 3 shows a hardware configuration of the MFP 20 shown in FIG.
The MFP 20 includes a CPU 201, a RAM 202, a ROM 203, an HDD 204, an I / F 205, an LCD 206 and an operation unit 207, a communication I / F 208, an I / F device 209, a recording medium I / F 210, an engine I / F 211, and an engine unit 212. Are connected by a system bus 213.
Then, the CPU 201 controls the entire MFP 20 by executing programs stored in the ROM 203 or the HDD 204 using the RAM 202 as a work area, thereby realizing various functions to be described later.
The recording medium I / F 210 is an interface for storing various recording media in the HDD 204 via a drive device (not shown).

The engine I / F 211 is an interface for connecting the engine unit 212 to the system bus 213 so that the CPU 201 can control it.
The engine unit 212 is hardware that performs processing other than general-purpose information processing and communication for realizing a copy function, a scanner function, a fax function, and a printer function. For example, a scanner (image reading unit) that scans and reads an image of a document, a plotter (image forming unit) that performs printing on a sheet material such as paper, and a communication unit that performs fax communication are provided.
Other portions have the same functions as those described with reference to FIG.

Next, using FIG. 4 to FIG. 6, a configuration of functions included in the terminal device 10, the MFP-A (master device) 20a, and the MFP-B (slave device) 20b will be described. Note that the MFP-C (slave unit) 20c has the same function as the MFP-B (slave unit) 20b, and thus the description thereof is omitted.
In FIG. 4, the function used in order to implement | achieve the process provided with the several process mentioned above using the system of this embodiment among the functions of the terminal device 10 was mainly shown. In addition, the function of the terminal device 10 is not restricted to these.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the terminal device 10 includes an instruction receiving unit 121, a storage unit 122, a control unit 123, a display instruction unit 124, and a transmission / reception unit 125.
The control unit 123 includes a device identification unit 123a, a manual management unit 123b, an authentication management unit 123c, a processing content notification unit 123d, a map acquisition unit 123e, a state information acquisition unit 123f, a communication unit 123g, and a position detection unit 123h.

First, the instruction receiving unit 121 has a function of receiving an execution request for a process including a plurality of steps performed by a user and notifying the control unit of the received execution request.
In the following, a simple process means a process having a plurality of steps.
In addition, here, a process execution request refers to a setting required to execute a process on an arbitrary electronic device, and the process is transferred to an arbitrary electronic device based on the setting. A request to be executed.

Settings required to execute processing on any electronic device are, for example, paper size, duplex printing, color printing, manual error, high-speed printing, etc. Is to set about.
The user makes this execution request via a dedicated screen provided by a dedicated application described later, which is displayed on the LCD 106 (FIG. 2).
The above-described function of accepting an execution request for a process including a plurality of steps provided in the instruction accepting unit 121 is a function of accepting means. Further, the process related to the reception of the execution request is a process of a reception procedure.

The storage unit 122 is a storage area provided in the ROM 103 or the HDD 104, and stores various information and data to be described later. The function of storing the information and the like provided in the storage unit 122 is a function of a storage unit. Further, the process related to the storage is a storage procedure process.
The control unit 123 includes functions 123a to 123h necessary for executing the above-described processing using a plurality of electronic devices. Each of these functions will be described below.
The device specifying unit 123 a has a function of specifying an electronic device that executes the next process step from among electronic devices connected to the network 30.

Here, the specification of the electronic device may be specified by the terminal device 10 displaying the electronic device stored in the storage unit 122 on the LCD 106 and allowing the user to select an arbitrary electronic device from among the electronic devices. . In this case, the user selects an arbitrary electronic device from the displayed electronic devices via the operation unit 107. Next, the device specifying unit 123 a of the terminal device 10 receives the user selection via the instruction receiving unit 121. This may be specified.
In addition, the electronic device that is the master unit extracts an electronic device having a function of executing one process from the electronic devices on the network, and notifies the device specifying unit 123a of the extracted electronic device, It may be specified that the device specifying unit 123a has received the notification.

Further, based on the above notification, the authentication management unit 123c described below notifies the electronic device selected as the electronic device that executes one process, and the login information is permitted from the electronic device. The fact that the authentication management unit 123c has received the notification to that effect may be specified when notified to the device specifying unit 123a.
Furthermore, when the device specifying unit 123a detects that an electronic device specified to execute the next step is in use or cannot be used due to a failure after the completion of execution of a certain step, As an electronic device that executes the process, a function of specifying another electronic device is also provided.

The state information of the electronic device is acquired by a state information acquisition unit 123f, which will be described later, and notifies the device specifying unit 123a when circumstances such as unusability occur. Upon detecting this notification, the device specifying unit 123a specifies another electronic device based on the above function.
In this case, the user may be inquired whether or not to specify another electronic device, and the other electronic device may be specified only when there is a request from the user.
The function of the device specifying unit 123a described above, which specifies an electronic device that executes each process, is a function of a specifying unit. Further, the process related to this specification is a process of a specific procedure.

The manual management 123b has a function of acquiring, from the storage unit 122, information such as an operation method for causing the electronic device to execute the process based on the model of the electronic device specified by the device specifying unit 123a and the type of the process. .
Information such as an operation method for each type of process is registered in the storage unit 122 in advance for each model. For example, in this embodiment, text data for explaining an operation procedure according to progress for each of various functions such as copy, print, and fax, image data for an operation method of a device for executing the operation procedure, etc. Are registered for each MFP-A 20a, MFP-B 20b, and MFP-C 20c.
However, it is not necessarily registered in the storage unit 122 of the terminal device 10, and may be stored, for example, in a storage area of an electronic device corresponding to the parent device, or an electronic device on the network may be operated by each person. Information such as a method may be stored in a storage area.

The function of acquiring the operation method provided in the manual management unit 123b is a function of the operation method acquisition means. Further, the process related to the acquisition is a process of an operation method acquisition procedure.
Here, the operation method refers to an image showing an operation method for each device. In addition, you may include the text data of the message which shows an operation procedure. Further, the image may include an operation procedure message itself.
Moreover, the function which presents the operation method of the apparatus regarding the operation procedure according to a progress condition from the acquired operation method is also provided. The function of presenting the operation method is a function of the operation method presenting means, and the process of presenting the operation method to the user is a process of the operation method presenting procedure.

  The user can know the operation method for executing the next step by confirming the image or the like of the operation method presented on the LCD 106 of the terminal device 10. In addition, when the first process does not exist here, the next process means the first process.

Here, with reference to FIGS. 5A and 5B, information such as operation methods registered in the storage unit 122 will be described.
FIG. 5A is an example of a postcard print manual image display table stored in an arbitrary MFP for postcard printing. Various manual images of operation methods according to operation procedures are registered.
FIG. 5B is an example of each image registered in the table of FIG. 5A.

First, in the table of FIG. 5A, an image file that the terminal apparatus 10 presents to the user according to the progress of the printing process when the printing paper is a postcard is registered.
For example, when viewed in the column direction, in the column 301, an image file to be presented to the user by the terminal device 10 in order to first confirm the printing paper and the printing direction is registered.
In a column 302, an image file to be presented to the user by the terminal device 10 in order to confirm an arrangement location and an arrangement direction when the document is arranged on the glass surface is registered.
In a column 303 is registered an image file that the terminal apparatus 10 presents to the user in order to confirm the installation position and direction when the printing paper is installed in the manual feed tray.

For example, if the user is set to reciprocate the printing paper, place the document on the glass surface, and place the printing paper on the manual feed tray, the file on line 305 is provided to the user according to the progress status. Become.
Next, FIG. 5B is an example of an image registered in the table of FIG. 5A.
Columns corresponding to columns 301, 302, and 303 in FIG. 5A are columns 311, 312, and 313 in FIG. 5B. In addition, the rows corresponding to the rows 304, 305, and 306 in FIG. 5A are the rows 314, 315, and 316 in FIG. 5B.

For example, the image of the file registered in the column 302 and the row 306 in FIG. 5A is the image in the column 312 and the row 316 in FIG. 5B.
When this image is presented, when the user places an original on the glass surface, in the case of the model on which the image is presented, the user places a postcard so that the lower side of the postcard is on the right side and the reading surface is on the bottom, and the arrow It can be seen that the corner should be aligned with the part of.

The files and images as described above are stored in the storage unit 122 for each model and each operation procedure.
Since the user is presented with the operation method as described above according to the progress of each process, the user executes the process according to the presented operation method information even if the operation knowledge about the electronic device to be used is insufficient. Can be operated.

In addition, erroneous operations can be prevented, and processing can be easily executed.
5A and 5B are merely examples, a classification method for each operation procedure, what kind of image to register, whether to save a document indicating the operation procedure as text data, It is free to save the image as an image, and is not subject to any restrictions.

Returning to the description of FIG.
Next, the authentication management unit 123c is authentication information for logging in to an electronic device when the user executes each process using the electronic device on the network, and is registered in the storage unit 122 in advance. It has a function of acquiring a thing from the storage unit 122 and sending it to the electronic device.
Also, it has a function of notifying user authentication information to an electronic device on the network and requesting that the electronic device authenticate the user and permit login.

Furthermore, a function for requesting logout of the user from the electronic device when the logout condition is satisfied from the progress notified from the electronic device executing each process is provided.
Furthermore, a function of accepting a notification that login is permitted and a notification that logout is completed when the electronic device logs in and logs out in response to the above-described login request and logout request is provided.
Here, the authentication information may be information for authenticating the user. For example, an ID and a password set for each user.
In this embodiment, the authentication information is notified to the electronic device selected to execute each step, and the electronic device that executes each step is specified when the authentication for login is completed. . However, as described above, the electronic device may be specified before the notification of the authentication information.

The process content notifying unit 123d receives setting information such as a process including a plurality of steps selected by the user and a function for executing the process among the contents of the execution request received by the instruction receiving unit 121. The electronic device specified as the electronic device which performs this process is provided with a function of notifying.
This information is transmitted from the electronic device that performs the first step to the electronic device that plays the role of the parent device, and is stored in the storage area of the electronic device. In order to execute the second step, the electronic device that executes the second step requests the information from the electronic device corresponding to the parent device and acquires the information from the parent device. When there are three or more processes, the electronic apparatus that executes the third and subsequent processes similarly requests the information from the electronic apparatus that is the master unit, and acquires the information.

The map acquisition unit 123e has a function of a map information acquisition unit that acquires map information indicating an arrangement of electronic devices that execute each process from an electronic device of a parent device connected to the network. Here, the map information may include map information for each electronic device.
In addition, according to the acquired map information, there is also provided a function of position presentation means for presenting the position of the electronic device that executes each process to the user.
When the electronic device that executes the first step and the next step is different in the process consisting of a plurality of steps by using the above function, the map acquisition unit 123e maps the map according to the completion of the execution of the first step. Information is acquired, and the position of the device that performs the next step is presented to the user according to the acquired map information.

The state information acquisition unit 123f includes a function of a state information acquisition unit that acquires state information indicating the current state of the electronic device. The process related to the acquisition of the status information is a process of the status information acquisition procedure.
The state information here is information on the execution process of each step of the electronic device, for example, when scanning an original using the electronic device, “original set”, “scan in progress”, “ Status information corresponding to the progress such as “scan completed” and information on whether or not the electronic device is in a usable state, for example, information indicating that the electronic device cannot be used due to a failure while other processing is being executed are included.

This state information can be acquired from an MIB (Management Information Base) published by each electronic device on the network.
The state information acquisition unit 123f notifies the device acquisition unit 123a, the manual management unit 123b, the map acquisition unit 123e, a position detection unit 123h, which will be described later, and the like as appropriate.
The communication unit 123g has a function of controlling the communication unit of the terminal device 10 according to the usage status. In the present embodiment, the terminal device 10 uses NFC as a communication means only when notifying authentication information, and other communication uses wireless communication such as Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. The communication unit 123g controls this switching.

Based on the function of the position detection unit that detects the position of the terminal device 10 and the detection result, the position detection unit 123h is, when the terminal device 10 approaches within a predetermined distance from the position of the device that performs the next process, A function of a switching unit is provided that ends the presentation of the position and starts the presentation of the image of the operation method provided by the manual management unit 123b.
The position may be detected by specifying coordinates on the earth using GPS or the like, or within a specific range such as in a facility based on the image of the marker that has been imaged or radio waves from a predetermined transmission source. Only the coordinates may be specified.
The above is the description of the units 123a to 123h included in the control unit 123.

Next, the display instruction unit 124 displays, on the LCD 106, information that is notified from the control unit 123 and that is necessary for executing a process including a plurality of steps, for example, an instruction or an image. It has a function.
The transmission / reception unit 125 has a function of transmitting / receiving information necessary for executing processing notified from the control unit 123 to / from electronic devices on the network.

Next, with reference to FIG. 6, each function included in the MFP-A 20 a serving as the parent device among the electronic devices of the network system illustrated in FIG. 1 will be described. Here, depending on the situation, the master unit may execute any of the steps as a slave unit, so the function specific to the master unit is clearly described.
As illustrated in FIG. 6, the MFP-A 20 a includes an instruction receiving unit 221, a storage unit 222, a transmission / reception unit 223, a control unit 224, and a display instruction unit 225.

The control unit 224 also includes a processing content acquisition unit 224a, an authentication management unit 224b, a device extraction management unit 224c, a status information disclosure unit 224d, a restriction request management unit 224e, and a job execution management unit 224f. Further, the job execution management unit 224f includes a reading unit 224g, a printing unit 224h, a mail unit 224m, and a fax unit 224n.
First, the designation receiving unit 221 has a function of receiving an instruction given by the user via the operation unit 207 (see FIG. 3).
The storage unit 222 is a storage area provided in the ROM 203 or the HDD 204 and has a function of storing various data described later.

The transmission / reception unit 223 receives various requests notified from the terminal device 10 and other electronic devices, and appropriately notifies each unit of the control unit 224, and receives notifications from each unit of the control unit 224. A function of transmitting the notification to the terminal device 10 and other electronic devices is provided.
The control unit 224 includes functions 224a to 224n necessary for executing various requests from the terminal device 10 and other electronic devices received by the transmission / reception unit 223. These functions will be described below.

The process content acquisition unit 224a receives a process including a plurality of processes notified from the process content notification unit 123d of the terminal device 10 and setting information when the process is executed by the electronic device, and stores the setting information in the storage unit 222. It has a function.
In addition, each function and the setting information are provided with a function of notifying an electronic device that executes each process. This function is a function unique to the master unit.

When the terminal device 10 sends user authentication information and requests authentication of the user, the authentication management unit 224b receives the authentication information and the authentication request, and is registered in the storage unit 222 in advance. A function is provided for determining whether there is a corresponding one of the authentication information and performing authentication. In addition, when the authentication is successful, a function of permitting login and notifying the authentication information management unit 123c of the terminal device 10 that login is permitted is also provided.
Further, it has a function of receiving a logout request notified by the terminal device 10, executing the logout, and notifying the authentication management unit 123 c of the terminal device 10 that the logout is completed.

The device extraction management unit 224c has a function of extracting an electronic device that executes each process. In the storage unit 222 of the MFP-A 20a, model names of other electronic devices on the network are associated with executable functions and registered as device information. The device extraction management unit 224c extracts an electronic device that can execute each process from the device information, and notifies the terminal device 10 of the extracted electronic device. This function is unique to the master unit.
In the extraction of devices, an electronic device that is executing one arbitrary process makes an extraction request to execute the next step when the execution of that step is completed. Upon receiving this request, the device extraction management unit 224c performs device extraction.

The state information disclosure unit 224d has a function of disclosing device state information using the MIB. In response to the request from the state information acquisition unit 123f of the terminal device 10, the state information disclosure unit 224d notifies the state information.
The restriction request management unit 224e has a function of notifying an electronic device extracted by the device extraction management unit 224c as an electronic device that executes an arbitrary process of a request to restrict use by another user. This function is unique to the master unit.
When this restriction request is made, at the same time, the time for restricting execution is obtained from an execution reservation time table (not shown) stored in the storage unit 222, and the use of other users is restricted by that time. It may be a request.

Further, this function may be executed on condition that a restriction request from the terminal device 10 is received.
Furthermore, the time for use restriction can also be set by an electronic device that executes the next process by storing an execution reservation time table in its own storage area in advance, and obtaining and setting it. Good.
The job execution management unit 224f is a function for executing image forming processing or the like generally provided in a so-called MFP. The job execution management unit 224f includes at least functions of a reading unit 224g, a printing unit 224h, a mail unit 224m, and a fax unit 224h.
The display instruction unit 225 has a function of receiving a notification from the control unit 224 and displaying the received notification content on the LCD 206 of the MFP-A 20a.
This completes the description of the functions provided in the MFP-A 20a.

Next, the functions provided in the MFP-B 20b as the slave unit are shown in the functional block diagram of FIG.
The MFP-B 20 b includes an instruction receiving unit 231, a storage unit 232, a transmission / reception unit 233, a control unit 234, and a display instruction unit 235.
The control unit 234 includes a processing content acquisition unit 234a, an authentication management unit 234b, a state information disclosure unit 234c, and a job execution management unit 234d. Further, the job execution management unit 234d includes a reading unit 234e, a printing unit 234f, a mail unit 234g, and a fax unit 234h.

The control unit 234 does not have functions corresponding to the device extraction management unit 224c and the restriction request management unit 224e of the MFP-A 20a. These functions are functions unique to the master unit.
However, since the other functions provided in the control unit 234 are basically the same as the functions provided in the MFP-A 20a, only the different parts will be described and the subsequent description will be omitted.

The processing content acquisition unit 234a of the MFP-B 20b receives and stores a process including a plurality of processes notified from the processing content notification unit 123d of the terminal device 10 and setting information when the processing is executed by the electronic device. 232 is provided with a function for storing. The MFP-A 20a is not provided with a function of notifying each process and the setting information of the process to the electronic device that executes each process.
Finally, since the MFP-C 20c has the same function as the MFP-B 20b, description thereof is omitted.
The above is a description of the hardware configuration and functions of the terminal device 10, which is an embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 1, the electronic device on the network, and the MFP 20.

Next, an embodiment will be described in which the terminal device 10 and the MFP 20 execute a process consisting of a plurality of processes in cooperation with each other via the network 30 shown in FIG.
First, in this example, the user X performs copying using the terminal device 10 and the MFP-A 20a, MFP-B 20b, and MFP-C 20c. The parent machine is MFP-A 20a.
In this embodiment, the process including a plurality of steps is “copy”.
The plurality of processes are “scanning” and “printing”. In the following description, “copy” is simply written as “processing”, “scan” is written as “first process”, and “print” is written as “second process”. Shall be included.

First, in FIGS. 8A to 9B, when the user X makes an execution request for causing the electronic device on the network to execute a copy to the terminal device 10, the screen displayed on the LCD 106 by the terminal device 10 is shown. An example is shown.
This execution request is made using a dedicated application (hereinafter simply referred to as “dedicated application”). The screens displayed in FIGS. 8B to 9B are screens provided by the dedicated application, and are displayed on the LCD 106 by the terminal device 10. The dedicated application is controlled by the CPU 101 of the terminal device 10.

FIG. 8A shows a screen on which a plurality of icons indicating various functions that can be executed by the terminal device 10 are displayed. Here, the “MFP cooperation” icon 151 is an icon provided by the above-described dedicated application, and when this icon is pressed, the dedicated application is activated.
First, when the user X presses the “MFP cooperation” icon 151, the terminal device 10 activates a dedicated application.
When the dedicated application is activated, the terminal apparatus 10 displays a process selection screen 152 for selecting a process to be executed (FIG. 8B).

FIG. 8B is an example of the process selection screen 152 displayed by the terminal device 10.
The terminal device 10 displays a button for selecting a process to be executed on the process selection screen 152. In this example, the terminal apparatus 10 displays a scanner selection button 153, a copy selection button 154, a fax selection button 155, and a printer selection button 156.
When the user presses any of these buttons, the terminal device 10 determines the process to execute the selected process and displays the next screen.
Here, the user X presses the copy selection button 154 to select a copy.

Next, FIG. 8B shows a function setting screen 157 that the terminal device 10 displays next, in a state where the function is set by the user.
The terminal device 10 displays a function setting screen 157 in order to set a function or the like necessary for executing the process according to the content of the process selected on the process selection screen 152. The setting method depends on the specifications of the dedicated application. For example, when a user presses a setting button (not shown), setting requirements such as various functions are displayed, and the user can perform setting by direct input or the like. May be.

In FIG. 8C, the function setting screen 157 displays a target document setting button 158, a printing paper setting button 159, a printing number setting button 160, and a high-speed printing setting button 161. However, the buttons shown in FIG. 8C are all set.
It should be noted that setting buttons other than those shown in FIG. 8C, such as setting buttons for color / monochrome printing, tray / manual feed, etc., may be displayed.

As shown in FIG. 8C, the functions input by the user X are “postcard” for the copy target document, “postcard” for the print target paper, 100 copies, and “high speed printing” function of the electronic device used. .
When the user X completes the input of these functions, the user X presses the confirm button 162. When the user presses the confirm button 162, the terminal device 10 confirms the setting of these functions.
In the above description, the operation performed by the user X on the terminal device 10 is an operation in response to a copy execution request.

Next, when the terminal device 10 receives an execution request made by the user X, the terminal device 10 performs an operation of specifying a device that executes a scan that is the first step of copying. FIGS. 9A to 9C show screens displayed on the LCD 106 by the terminal device 10 in accordance with the work for specifying the electronic device that executes the first process.
First, in order to identify a device that executes the first step, the terminal device 10 displays an operation instruction screen 163 provided by the above-described dedicated application on the LCD 106. The screen shown in FIG. 9A is this operation instruction screen 163. On this screen, a “1. scanning operation procedure” display 164, a “2. printing operation procedure” display 165, and an operation procedure display unit 166 are displayed.

The user X can grasp from the display 164 and the display 165 on the operation instruction screen 163 that the process for copying is scanning and printing.
The terminal device 10 displays this display on the operation instruction screen 163 by the number corresponding to the number of processes.
In addition, the terminal device 10 displays an operation method image corresponding to the operation procedure of the device executing the process on the operation procedure display unit 166 according to the progress of each process.
Here, a part of the frame of the operation procedure display unit 166 is a balloon, and the blowing portion is in contact with the “1. scan operation procedure” display 164, so that the current display is a scan operation. It turns out that it is a picture about a procedure.

As illustrated in FIG. 9A, the terminal device 10 displays an instruction message on the operation procedure display unit 166 so that the operation terminal 10 is brought into contact with the MFP near the user X. In accordance with the instruction, the user X touches (may hold over) a nearby MFP (here, MFP-B 20b).
Although the instruction displayed in FIG. 9A is “near MFP”, the user X only needs to touch an arbitrary MFP, and the touched MFP is not limited.
When touched, the terminal device 10 detects the MFP-B 20b through NFC communication, and transmits authentication information (here, ID and password) of the user X and an authentication request to the MFP-B 20b. When the MFP-B 20 b receives the authentication information and the authentication request, the MFP-B 20 b determines whether the authentication information is stored in the storage unit 232.

The MFP-B 20b obtains the authentication information of the user X from the user authentication information list (not shown) registered in advance in the storage unit 232 and corresponding to the authentication information of the user X, and notification of successful authentication Is transmitted to the terminal device 10. Upon receiving the notification of successful authentication, the terminal device 10 displays a message indicating successful authentication on the operation procedure display unit 166 as illustrated in FIG. 9B.
Here, the terminal apparatus 10 displays a message “Logged in to MFP-B as user X” on the operation procedure display unit 166.
As described above, when the work described with reference to FIGS. 8A to 9B is completed, the terminal device 10 completes the identification of the electronic device that executes the first process.

When the identification of the electronic device that executes the first process is completed, the terminal device 10 switches the communication means to Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or the like, and confirms processing, a confirmed function, etc. for the identified electronic device MFP-B 20b. Send the setting information. When the MFP-B 20b receives the transmitted information, the MFP-B 20b stores the information in the storage unit 232.
In this example, the determined setting information is “postcard” for the copy target document, “postcard” for the print target paper, 100 copies, and the function “high-speed printing” of the electronic device used.

Next, the terminal apparatus 10 requests the model name from the MFP-B 20b, and acquires the model name from the MFP-B 20b.
Next, the terminal device 10 acquires the operation procedure image of the MFP-B 20b from its own storage unit 122, and displays an operation procedure image corresponding to the first operation procedure for executing the first step. Displayed on the part 166.

FIG. 9C is an image in a state where an image acquired by the terminal device 10 is displayed on the operation procedure display unit 166.
Here, the message 167 “Please set a postcard on the original glass” corresponds to the first procedure for executing the scan. An image 168 displayed below the message is an image 168 of the operation method of the MFP-B 20b corresponding to the first procedure.
The terminal device 10 displays the message 167 and the image 168 on the operation procedure display unit 166 when starting execution of scanning.
The user X may set a postcard on the glass surface according to the message and image of the operation procedure display unit 166.

If no image or the like of the operation method of the MFP-B 20b is stored in the storage unit 122 of the terminal device 10, the image of the operation method may be downloaded. The download source may be the Internet or the storage unit 232 of the MFP-B 20b.
In that case, as shown in FIG. 9D, the terminal apparatus 10 displays a message indicating that the image of the operation method is being downloaded on the operation procedure display unit 166, and when the download is completed, the corresponding operation method is displayed. May be displayed.

As described above, the operation from when the user X starts a copy execution request until the terminal device 10 displays the operation procedure and operation method for starting the first process on the MFP-B 20b on the LCD 106 of the terminal device 10 is described. An example has been described focusing on the screen displayed on the LCD 106 by the terminal device 10.
Note that the above-described specifications of the image and the like are merely examples, and may have different specifications.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 9A, the user X selects the electronic device that executes the first process. However, the terminal device 10 lists the electronic devices that the user X on the network has the authority to use. Then, for the item selected by the user X, an operation for specifying a device for executing the first step as described above may be performed. In this case, the authentication operation is omitted because the device that executes the first process is specified from among the electronic devices that the user X has the authority to use.

Next, the operation flow of the user X, the terminal device 10, and the MFP-B 20b described with reference to FIGS. 8A to 9C is shown in the sequence diagrams of FIGS. 10A and 10B.
In the terminal device 10 and the MFP-B 20b, the CPUs 101 and 201b control the functions described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 7, and execute these operations.
First, when the user X requests the terminal device 10 to start the dedicated application (S11), the terminal device 10 that detects this starts the dedicated application and displays the process selection screen 152 (FIG. 8B) (S12).

When the user X selects a process to be executed from the displayed process selection screen 152 (S13), the terminal device 10 confirms the selection (S14) and displays the function setting screen 157 (FIG. 8C) (S15). . Next, the user X sets a function related to the processing from the displayed function setting screen 157 and requests the confirmation (S16).
In response to the confirmation request, the terminal device 10 confirms the operation mode set by the user X (S17). Next, an operation procedure display unit is displayed on the operation instruction screen 163 (FIG. 9A), and an instruction message for holding the terminal device over the electronic device that executes the first process is displayed (S18). In the operation procedure display unit 166 (FIG. 9A) on this screen, an instruction message to the effect that the terminal device 10 is touched to the electronic device that the user X desires to specify as the electronic device that executes the first process is described. (FIG. 9A).

When the user X holds the terminal device 10 over the MFP-B 20b according to the instruction message displayed on the operation procedure display unit 166 (S19), the terminal device 10 detects the MFP-B 20b by NFC (S20).
Next, the authentication information of the user X is acquired from the storage unit 122 (S21), and the acquired authentication information (ID and password) and an authentication request are transmitted to the MFP-B 20b (S22).
Upon receiving the authentication information and authentication request transmitted in step S22, the MFP-B 20b determines whether it is stored in the storage unit 232 (S23). If stored (Yes in S23), the terminal device 10 is notified of successful authentication (S24). On the other hand, if it is not stored (No in S23), authentication fails (S25).

If the authentication fails, this process ends. Note that the user X may return to step S19 to perform authentication work for different electronic devices.
In step S18, a list of electronic devices that the user has authority to use is displayed in advance. In step S19, the terminal device 10 is held over the electronic device desired by the user X. Also good. In that case, the authentication work of steps S20 to S25 is not necessary.

Upon receiving the authentication success notification transmitted by the MFP-B 20b in step S24, the terminal device 10 displays a login completion on the screen (S26). When the login is completed, the operation of identifying the MFP-B 20b as the electronic device that performs the first process performed by the terminal device 10 is completed.
Here, the terminal device 10 switches the communication means from NFC to Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or the like (S27). The terminal device 10 is held over the MFP 20 because a short time is preferable.

Next, the terminal device 10 transmits the process determined in step S14 and the operation mode determined in step S17 to the MFP-B 20b (S28). The MFP-B 20b stores the received information in the storage unit 232 (S29).
Next, the terminal device 10 transmits a notification of the model name request of the MFP-B 20b to the MFP-B 20b (S30). Upon receiving this notification, the MFP-B 20b acquires the model name of the MFP-B 20b from the storage unit 232 (S31), and transmits the acquired model name to the terminal device 10 (S32).

When the terminal device 10 receives the model name from the MFP-B 20b, the terminal device 10 acquires an image or the like of the operation method registered in association with the model name from its own storage unit 122 (S33). The image of the operation method corresponding to the first operation procedure for starting the first process in the MFP-B 20b is selected from the images and the like and displayed on the screen (S34).
The above is a sequence diagram of an operation flow from when the user X starts a copy execution request to when the terminal device 10 displays the operation procedure for starting the first process on the MFP-B 20b on the LCD 106. It is explanation of.

By doing as described above, the user X only needs to operate according to the instruction of the terminal device 10, so that erroneous operations can be reduced. Further, since the terminal device 10 also performs complicated operations such as login, the burden on the user X is reduced, and the processing time can be further shortened.
The above-described operation flow is an example, and the present invention is not limited to this.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 11A to 11E, an operation instruction displayed on the LCD 106 by the terminal device 10 regarding the operation flow of the terminal device 10, MFP-B 20b, and MFP-A 20a when the MFP-B 20b executes a scan. This will be described with reference to the screen 163 for use.
The terminal device 10 receives device information published by the MIB and transmitted by the MFP-B 20b, thereby acquiring information on the execution state of the scan, and operating procedures according to the state information. And an image of the operation method of the device according to the operation procedure is also displayed.
Note that the same applies to the MFP-A 20a and MFP-C 20c, although not specifically described below.

First, the user X sets a postcard on the original glass based on the instruction of the image displayed on the operation procedure display unit 166 of the operation instruction screen 163 displayed on the terminal device 10 (FIG. 9C).
Next, when the MFP-B 20b detects that the user X has set a document on the MFP-B 20b, the information is transmitted to the terminal device 10. When the terminal device 10 receives the information, the terminal device 10 displays a message 169 indicating that the document set is detected on the operation procedure display unit 166 as shown in FIG. 11A. Note that the message 169 includes three items: detection of a document set, time to start reading, and reading to start after the time has elapsed. However, this is an example, and the present invention is not limited to this.

  When the terminal device 10 receives information that the MFP-B 20b detects that a document has been set, the terminal device 10 starts execution previously registered in an execution start reservation time table (not shown) registered in the storage unit 122. Time (for example, 5 seconds) is acquired. When the time has elapsed, a reading request is transmitted to the MFP-B 20b. By doing so, since reading can be automatically started, even when the hand is closed with the terminal device 10, processing can be started promptly.

Further, the terminal device 10 sets a reading interruption button 170 and a reading start button 171 in the operation procedure display unit 166 in addition to the display of the message 169 described above. When these buttons 170 and 171 are pressed, the terminal apparatus 10 determines that the MFP-B 20b has requested reading interruption or start, and transmits the request to the MFP-B 20b.
When the MFP-B 20b receives the interruption or start request transmitted from the terminal device 10, the MFP-B 20b promptly executes the interruption or start of reading even before the time until the reading starts.

Next, when the MFP-B 20 b starts reading the document, the MFP-B 20 b transmits a notification of the start to the terminal device 10. Upon receiving this notification, the terminal device 10 displays a message 172 indicating that reading is in progress on the operation procedure display unit 166 as shown in FIG. 11B.
Further, as shown in the screen shown in FIG. 11B, the reading interruption button 170 may be set so that reading can be interrupted even during reading.

Next, when the MFP-B 20b completes reading, a reading completion notification is transmitted to the terminal device 10. Upon receiving this notification, the terminal device 10 displays a message 173 indicating that the reading has been completed on the operation procedure display unit 166, as shown in FIG. 11C.
The message 173 indicates that reading has been completed, that the document has been removed, and that the next process is being prepared for printing, but is not limited thereto.

On the other hand, the MFP-B 20b transmits a reading completion notification to the terminal device 10, and at the same time, the process determined in step S14 and the setting information determined in step S17 stored in its storage unit 232, and the user The X authentication information and the scanned image data are transmitted to the MFP-A 20a.
Upon receiving these, the MFP-A 20a stores them in the storage unit 222. At this time, the fact that the MFP-B 20b has transmitted these pieces of information is also stored.
Then, the MFP-A 20a extracts the data from the available electronic devices stored in the storage unit 222 as the electronic device that executes the second process. This extraction is performed based on the confirmed process and setting information sent from the MFP-B 20b. In this embodiment, the MFP-A 20a extracts the MFP-C 20c as an executable device from the second process constituting the process and the setting information of the process.

When the extraction of the electronic device that executes the second process is completed, the MFP-A 20a acquires the map information of the extracted electronic device MFP-C 20c from the map information stored in the storage unit 222. At this time, the MFP-A 20a may add an icon indicating the position of the MFP-C 20c that executes the second step to the map information. Further, the terminal device 10 may add this icon.
Next, the MFP-A 20a transmits to the MFP-B 20b that the electronic device that executes the next step is the MFP-C 20c and the map information of the MFP-C 20c.
The MFP-B 20b transmits these pieces of information received from the MFP-A 20a to the terminal device 10.

When the MFP-B 20b detects that the user X has removed the document from the glass surface of the MFP-B 20b, the MFP-B 20b transmits a document removal notification to the terminal device 10.
When the terminal device 10 receives from the MFP-B 20b the notification of the electronic device extracted as the electronic device that executes the second step and the notification that the document has been removed, the terminal device 10 determines that the conditions for logout have been met. Then, a logout request for logging out the user X from the MFP-B 20b is transmitted to the MFP-B 20b.

  The logout condition here is that the MFP-B 20b transmits to the terminal device 10 information on the execution device extracted by the MFP-A 20a as the parent device as the execution device of the second process, and the terminal device 10 receives it. The MFP-B 20b that detects that the user X has removed the document from the MFP-B 20b transmits the information to the terminal device 10, and the terminal device 10 receives the information.

Upon receiving this logout request, the MFP-B 20b performs a process of logging out the user X. Further, when the logout is completed, the MFP-B 20b transmits a logout completion notification to the terminal device 10. Upon receiving the logout completion notification from the MFP-B 20b, the terminal device 10 displays a message 174 for notifying that the logout has been completed on the operation procedure display unit 166, as shown in FIG. 11D.
At this time, the terminal device 10 thereafter notifies the user X that the operation procedure display unit 166 displays an operation procedure for the next step and an image of the operation method of the device for executing the procedure. .

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11D, the operation procedure display unit 166 is displayed in a form in which the balloon portion is moved to the “2. Print operation procedure” display 165, and this is indicated to the user X. Notify.
Since this display is based on the specification of the dedicated application, notification may be made by other methods. Simply, the image displayed on the operation procedure display unit 166 from the next time may be notified by a message or the like that it relates to the operation procedure of the next step of printing.
Next, as illustrated in FIG. 11E, the terminal apparatus 10 causes the operation procedure display unit 166 to start execution of printing, which is the second process, and to indicate that the execution device is the MFP-C 20c. 175 and its map information image 176 are displayed.
As a result, the user X can know the execution device and the location of the execution device, and the map is further displayed. Therefore, even if there is no guidance about the location, the user X can easily move by looking at the map.

  11A to 11E, the terminal device 10 describes the flow of operations of the terminal device 10, the MFP-B 20b, and the MFP-A 20a until the MFP-B 20b completes the execution of the first scan. The description using the operation instruction screen 163 provided by the dedicated application displayed on the LCD 106 is finished.

  By performing the operation as described above, it is possible for the terminal device to extract an appropriate electronic device as an electronic device capable of executing the second step in consideration of functions that can be executed by each electronic device. It is. For this reason, even if the user X does not have knowledge about the electronic device connected to the network, it is possible to easily select a plurality of electronic devices that are to execute processing including a plurality of steps. In addition, since the time for selection can be shortened, the time until the execution of the process is completed is shortened.

Next, the operation flow of the terminal device 10, MFP-B 20b, and MFP-A 20a described above is summarized in the sequence diagrams of FIGS. 12A to 12C.
First, when the MFP-B 20b detects an operation for starting execution of the first process performed by the user X (S41), the detected notification is transmitted to the terminal device 10 (S42). In this example, the operation to start scanning is the setting of the document on the glass surface by the user X.

  Next, the terminal device 10 that has received this notification acquires the execution start reserved time from the storage unit 122 (S43), and notifies the operation procedure display unit 166 that the execution of the first process starts after the reserved time elapses. Displayed (S44). Next, the terminal device 10 transmits an execution request to the MFP-B 20b after the reservation time has elapsed (S45). Upon receiving this request, the MFP-B 20b starts executing the first process (S46).

At the same time, the MFP-B 20b sends a notification that the execution of the first process has been started to the terminal device 10 (S47). On the other hand, when the terminal device 10 receives this notification, it indicates that the first step is being executed. The information is displayed on the operation procedure display unit 166 (S48).
Next, when the execution of the first step is completed (S49), the MFP-B 20b transmits a notification of the completion of the first step to the terminal device 10 (S50).
Upon receiving this notification, the terminal device 10 informs the operation procedure display unit 166 that the execution of the first process has been completed, that the original is removed from the glass surface of the MFP-B 20b, and that the next process is being prepared for execution. Displayed (S51).

Next, the MFP-B 20b stores the confirmed process, the confirmed operation mode, the authentication information of the user X, and the image data scanned in the first step, which are stored in the storage unit 232 in step S28 (see FIG. 10B). Then, based on the information sent to the MFP-A 20a as the base unit and sent at the same time, an extraction request for the electronic device that executes the second step is sent (S52).
First, upon receiving the information transmitted in step S52, the MFP-A 20a stores the information in the storage unit 222. Next, in response to the extraction request received in step S52, the MFP-A 20a stores, in the storage unit 222, an electronic device that can execute the next process based on the information regarding the operation mode sent in step S52. The data is extracted from the data of the available electronic devices (S54).

Further, the MFP-A 20a acquires the extracted electronic device map information from the storage unit 222 (S55), and the MFP-B 20b stores the electronic device extracted in step S54 and the electronic device map information acquired in step S55. Transmit (S56). Receiving this, the MFP-B 20b transmits these to the terminal device 10 (S57).
Next, when the MFP-B 20b detects that the document has been removed from the glass surface (
The notification is transmitted to the terminal device 10 (S58) (S59).
When detecting that the notifications in steps S57 and S59 are received, the terminal device 10 determines that the logout condition is satisfied (S60), and transmits a request for logging out the user X from the MFP-B 20b to the MFP-B 20b (S61). .

Here, the logout condition is that a notification of an electronic device that executes the next process is received and a notification of document removal is received. Upon receiving this notification, the MFP-B 20b executes a logout process for the user X (S62). When the logout is completed, the MFP-B 20b notifies the terminal device 10 that the logout has been completed.
On the other hand, when receiving this notification, the terminal device 10 displays on the operation procedure display unit 166 that the logout from the MFP-B 20b has been completed (S64).
Next, the terminal device 10 displays the electronic device that executes the second process and the map information of the electronic device on the operation procedure display unit 166 (S65).
Above, description of the sequence diagram of FIG. 12A thru | or 12C is complete | finished (S63).

  Next, in FIGS. 13A to 13C, the user X uses the terminal device 10 to log in to the MFP-C 20c, which is an electronic device that executes the second step, and the terminal device 10 performs the printing that is the second step. An operation instruction for the terminal device 10 to display an operation flow until the operation procedure display unit 166 displays an operation procedure for starting execution and an image of the operation method of the MFP-C 20c for executing the operation procedure. This will be described using the screen 163 for use.

  First, the user X moves toward the MFP-C 20c that executes the next process according to the map information image 176 presented by the terminal device 10 (see FIG. 11E). At this time, the terminal device 10 starts detection of the MFP-C 20c using Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or the like. When the terminal device 10 detects the MFP-C 20c with a preset radio wave intensity, the terminal device 10 switches the communication means to NFC.

Then, the terminal device 10 displays a message 177 instructing that the MFP-C 20c is detected and that the MFP-C 20c is touched (or held) over the operation procedure display unit 166 of the operation instruction screen 163. Since the subsequent authentication work is the same as the authentication work performed in the MFP-B 20b, the description thereof is omitted (see FIGS. 10A and 10B).
When receiving the login permission notification from the MFP-C 20C, the terminal device 10 displays a message 179 on the operation procedure display unit 166 for notifying the user X that the login is permitted, as shown in FIG. 13B.
As described above, when the terminal device 10 receives the login permission notification, the terminal device 10 completes the identification of the electronic device that executes the second process.

When the login is completed, the terminal device 10 acquires an operation method image or the like registered in association with the model name of the MFP-C 20c from the storage unit 122, and starts the second process in the MFP-C 20c. Then, an image of the operation method of the MFP-C 20c regarding the first operation procedure is selected. Then, as illustrated in FIG. 13C, the terminal device 10 displays a message 180 indicating the first operation procedure and an image 181 of the operation method in the MFP-C 20 c on the operation procedure display unit 166.
From this image, in order to start printing, which is the next step, in the MFP-C 20c, the user X has a postcard as a printing paper, the bottom side of the postcard is on the right side, and the printing surface is on the top. As you can see, it can be set in the manual feed tray.

Next, the operation flow of the user X, the terminal device 10, and the MFP-C 20c described with reference to FIGS. 13A to 13C is shown in the sequence diagram of FIG.
First, the terminal device 10 detects the MFP-C 20c extracted as an electronic device that executes the next process using a communication unit such as Bluetooth or Wi-Fi (S71).
When detecting the MFP-C 20c, the terminal device 10 switches the communication means to NFC (S72).

Next, the terminal device 10 displays a screen for instructing the terminal device 10 to touch (or hold) the MFP-C 20c on the operation procedure display unit 166 (S73).
When the user X holds the terminal device 10 over the MFP-C 20c according to the instruction on the screen (S74), the terminal device 10 detects the MFP-C 20c by NFC (S75).
The subsequent operation flow related to authentication is the same as the operation from step S21 in FIG. 10A to step S30 in FIG.

When the authentication work is completed, the terminal device 10 acquires, from its own storage unit 122, an operation method image or the like registered in association with the model name of the MFP-C 20c (S76). An image of the operation method of the MFP-C 20c for executing the first operation procedure for starting execution of the next step is selected and displayed on the operation procedure display unit 166 (S77).
Here, the terminal device 10 acquires the model name as model information when the MFP-C 20c is notified as the second process in steps S56 and S57 in FIG. 12B.
This is the end of the description of the sequence diagram of FIG.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 15A to 15C, operations displayed by the terminal device 10 regarding the flow of operations of the terminal device 10, the MFP-C 20 c, and the MFP-A 20 a when the MFP-C 20 c executes printing, which is the next step. The operation procedure display unit 166 on the instruction screen 163 will be described.
First, the user X sets a postcard on the manual feed tray based on the instruction of the image displayed on the operation procedure display unit 166 of the operation instruction screen 163 displayed on the terminal device 10 (see FIG. 13C).
When the MFP-C 20c detects that the user X has set a document on the MFP-C 20c, the MFP-C 20 transmits the information to the terminal device 10. When the terminal device 10 receives the information, the terminal device 10 displays a message notifying that the document has been set on the operation procedure display unit 166.

  FIG. 15A is a diagram for displaying the operation procedure display unit 166 at this time. As illustrated in FIG. 15A, when the terminal device receives information on which printing paper is set from the MFP-C 20 c, the terminal device displays a print start message 182 on the operation procedure display unit 166. This message 182 displays a message that the setting of the printing paper has been detected, the time until the start of printing, and the printing start after the time has elapsed.

The terminal device 10 also sets a print interruption button 183 and a print start button 184 in addition to the above message. Note that these buttons 183 and 184 have the same basic functions except that the reading interruption button 167 and the reading start button 168 described in FIG. .
When the printing start time has elapsed, the terminal device 10 issues a print execution request to the MFP-C 20c. Upon receiving this print execution request, the MFP-C 20c starts printing.
Here, operations from a print execution request to printing start will be described with reference to sequence diagrams (FIGS. 16A and 16B) described later.

When the terminal device 10 receives a notification of completion of printing from the MFP-C 20c, the terminal device 10 displays a print completion message 185 on the operation procedure display unit 166 as shown in FIG. 15B.
Next, when the printing is completed, the terminal device 10 transmits a logout request for the user X to the MFP-C 20c. Since the operation up to the completion of logout is basically the same as the logout operation of the MFP-B 20b, description thereof is omitted.
Next, when the terminal apparatus 10 receives the logout completion notification, the terminal apparatus 10 displays a message indicating that the logout has been completed on the operation procedure display unit 166 as illustrated in FIG.
The above is the description of the operation flow of the terminal device 10, the MFP-C 20c, and the MFP-A 20a when the MFP-C 20c executes printing, which is the next step.

Next, the flow of this operation is shown in the sequence diagrams of FIGS. 16A and 16B, and will be described.
First, when the MFP-C 20c detects an operation of starting execution of the second process performed by the user X (S81), the MFP-C 20c transmits the detected notification to the terminal device 10 (S82). The operation detected in this example is an operation of setting a postcard on the manual feed tray.
Henceforth, the process to step S85 is the same as the process of step S43 thru | or S45 of FIG. 12A used as object apparatus MFP-C20c.

When the processing up to step S85 is completed, the MFP-C 20c stores information on the operation mode related to the second step among the operation modes stored in the storage unit 222 by the MFP-A 20a in step S53 of FIG. And a request for requesting the image data scanned in the first step (S86).
Upon receiving this request, the MFP-A 20a acquires these information and data from the storage unit 222 and transmits them to the MFP-C 20c (S87).
Upon receiving this information and data, the MFP-C 20c starts executing the second process (S88).

The operations in steps S89 to S92 are basically the same as those in steps S47 to S50 in FIG. The difference is that communication is performed between the terminal device 10 and the MFP-C 20c, and the target process is the second process.
When the operation of step S92 is completed, the terminal device 10 displays on the screen that the execution of the second step is completed (S93).
Next, the terminal device 10 notifies the MFP-C 20c of a logout request (S94). Upon receiving this notification, the MFP-C 20c executes a logout process for the user X (S95). When the logout is completed, the MFP-C 20c transmits a logout completion notification to the terminal device 10 (S96).

Upon receiving this notification, the terminal device 10 displays a logout completion notification on the operation procedure display unit 166, and this operation ends.
This completes the description of the operations performed by the terminal device 10 and the MFP 20 in the process in which the user X performs copying using the MFP-B 20b and the MFP-C 20c.
This is the end of the description of the embodiment in which the terminal device 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention uses the MFP 20 to execute a process copy including two steps of scanning and printing.

As described above, when processing is performed based on an instruction from the terminal device 10, an operation procedure and a method of operating an execution device when a process including a plurality of steps as described above is performed using a plurality of electronic devices. Even if there is not much knowledge of the above, it becomes possible to execute the processing. Moreover, since the terminal device 10 presents an operation method for each device, erroneous operations can be reduced.
Also, when making multiple electronic devices execute processing, the terminal device will extract the appropriate device based on the setting information as to which device should be selected. it can. Further, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the selected device does not have a function for executing the process.

  Furthermore, since the terminal device 10 also performs complicated operations such as so-called login and logout operations, the burden on the user is reduced. Further, since the image of the operation procedure and the operation method is automatically displayed on the terminal device 10 according to the progress of the process, the operation method can be known even if the hand is closed for the operation. In addition, the time required for the entire process can be shortened, and work efficiency can be improved.

Next, a modified example will be described.
When the first process is completed, the user X refers to the map information image 176 presented on the LCD 106 of the terminal device 10 in order to execute the second process (see FIG. 11E), toward the MFP-C 20c. Move.
However, if another user starts using the MFP-C 20c during the movement, the user X can immediately perform the operation even if the user X moves to the place where the MFP-C 20c is installed. May not be possible.

As a means for eliminating such a case, it is conceivable to set MFP-C 20c to exclude the use of users other than user X. At this time, as shown in FIG. 17, on the operation screen 187 of the MFP-C 20c, a message 188 that other users cannot use is displayed. In addition, the unusable time may be displayed. The MFP-C 20c prevents other users from using it until this time elapses. In this way, it is possible to eliminate the use of other users for a predetermined time.
In consideration of the case where other users need to use it urgently, a forcible release button 189 is set, and when this button is pressed, the unusable state is released so that the use can be started immediately. Good.

The flow of operations performed between the MFP-A 20a and the MFP-B 20b at this time is shown in FIG. 18 and will be described.
The above-described exclusion of the predetermined time for use of the MFP-C 20c by another user is shown in FIG. 18 after the MFP-B 20b extracts the MFP-C 20c as an electronic device that executes the second step in step S54 of FIG. 12B. This can be realized by adding the operation shown.

Therefore, first, when MFP-C 20c is extracted in step S54, MFP-A 20a refers to a timeout table (not shown) relating to operation reservation from storage unit 122, and acquires a timeout time (S101).
Next, an operation reservation request is transmitted to the MFP-C 20c (S102). The contents notified together with the operation reservation request at this time are that the user is the user X and the timeout time. When the notification from the MFP-A 20a is received, the MFP-C 20c excludes the use of other users until a predetermined timeout time.
For example, during a predetermined timeout period, control is performed so that the operation is disabled except when the authentication information of the user X is transmitted.
The timeout period may be started when the operation reservation is confirmed in step S103.

Further, when the MFP-B 20b notifies the terminal device 10 of the logout completion of the user X in step S63 of FIG. 12C, at the same time, the MFP-C 20c transmits a notification to start execution of the operation reservation to the MFP-C 20c. A timeout period may be started after the notification is received.
In this way, when a process including a plurality of steps is executed using different electronic devices, the process can be executed promptly without being interrupted.
In this process, the MFP-A 20a requests an operation reservation, but when the terminal device 10 receives a notification that execution of an arbitrary process is completed, the MFP-A 20a is instructed to the MFP-C 20c. Notification may be made to make an operation reservation request.

Next, as another modified example, the user X is moving toward the MFP-C 20c while referring to the map information image 176 presented on the LCD 106 of the terminal device 10 (see FIG. 11E). A process when the state becomes unusable will be described.
As already described, the terminal device 10 acquires the status information of the MFP 20 from the information disclosed in the MIB.

When the operation reservation time described above has elapsed, the forced cancellation by another user, the occurrence of an error in another device, or the like occurs when the MFP-C 20c uses the acquired information, as shown in FIG. A message 190 for notifying that the status of the device has changed and an option 191 for determining whether or not to change the execution destination device are displayed on the operation procedure display unit 166 to inquire the user X.
The user X can confirm the selection by selecting one of the options 191 and pressing the confirm button 192.
In the example illustrated in FIG. 19C, the user X has selected to change the electronic device that executes the second process.

Then, next, the flow of operation when the user X selects change will be described.
First, when the terminal device 10 detects a change request from a user regarding a device that executes the second process, the terminal device 10 transmits the change request notification to the MFP-A 20a.
When the MFP-A 20a receives the change request notification, the MFP-A 20a acquires the operation mode related to the second process from the storage unit 222.
Next, based on the acquired content, an electronic device that can execute the second process is extracted from the device information registered in the storage unit 222.
Next, map information of the electronic device that executes the newly extracted second process is acquired from the storage unit 222.

The MFP-A 20a transmits to the terminal device 10 the electronic device that executes the newly extracted second process and its map information.
When the terminal device 10 receives the information from the MFP-A 20a, the terminal device 10 displays the newly extracted electronic device that executes the second process and its map information on the operation procedure display unit 166.
The above is the description of the flow of operations performed by the terminal device 10 and the MFP-A 20a when the user X requests a device change.
As described above, even if the electronic device that executes the second process becomes unavailable for some reason, it can be executed quickly without interruption by changing the execution device.

Finally, as another modification, after the first scan in FIGS. 12A to 12C is completed, the terminal device 10 displays a preview 193 of the scan on the operation procedure display unit 166 as shown in FIG. Thus, when the user notices an error in the original document or desires to change the scan or print setting, the MFP-B 20b adds a setting corresponding to the change request from the terminal device 10. As a result, misprinting can be prevented. Further, if an error is noticed after the second process is executed, the work needs to be re-executed, so that the work time is excessive, but this can be prevented.
The operation procedure display unit 166 of the operation instruction screen 163 shown in FIG. 20 is provided with a confirm button 194, a cancel button 195, and an edit button 196. When each button is pressed, the terminal device executes preview confirmation, cancellation, and editing.

First, when the user X presses the confirmation button 194, the terminal device 10 performs the operation as it is as described with reference to FIG.
When the user X presses the cancel button 195, the terminal apparatus 10 instructs the MFP-B 20b to cancel the operation, displays the function setting screen 157 (see FIG. 8C) again, and through the screen, Reset the settings again and execute the scan with the new settings. In this case, the processing corresponding to FIGS. 9A to 9C is omitted.
When the user X presses the edit button 196, although not shown, it is possible to change the setting of the operation mode related to printing in the second process, such as changing the print color.

This is the end of the description of the embodiment of the present invention. However, in the invention, the specific configuration of the apparatus, the specific configuration of the network, the specific processing procedure, and the like are not limited to those described in the embodiment. Absent.
For example, although the MFP is used in this embodiment, other electronic devices may be used. Further, the number is not particularly limited. Moreover, the structure which distribute | distributes the various functions of the terminal device 10 mentioned above to a some apparatus, and implement | achieves the function of the terminal apparatus 10 in cooperation with these some apparatus may be sufficient. Moreover, it is good also as a system provided with the terminal device 10 mentioned above and the some electronic device mentioned above.

Moreover, it is good also as an operation method presentation method which performs each procedure of the process which the terminal device 10 performed in the above-mentioned embodiment in cooperation with one or several processors.
Furthermore, it is good also as a program for making the function of the terminal device 10 implement | achieve one or several computers.
Such a program may be stored not only in the ROM but also in an external storage medium or the like. Further, it can be provided by being recorded on an arbitrary nonvolatile recording medium such as a memory card, CD, DVD, or Blu-ray disc. The programs recorded on these recording media can also be installed and executed on other image forming apparatuses.

Furthermore, it is also possible to download from an external device that is connected to a network and includes a recording medium that records the program, or an external device that stores the program in a storage unit, and install and execute the program on a computer.
Moreover, it is needless to say that the configurations of the embodiment and the modified examples described above can be arbitrarily combined and implemented as long as they do not contradict each other.

10: terminal device, 20a: MFP-A, 20b: MFP-B, 20c: MFP-C, 101: CPU, 102: RAM, 103: ROM, 106: LCD, 121: instruction receiving unit, 122: storage unit, 123: Control unit, 123a: Device identification unit, 123b: Manual management unit, 123c: Authentication management unit, 123d: Processing content notification unit, 123e: Map acquisition unit, 123f: Status information acquisition unit, 123g: Communication unit, 123h: Position detection unit, 125: transmission / reception unit, 163: operation instruction screen, 166: operation procedure display unit

JP2012-99122A

Claims (9)

A terminal device connected to an electronic device,
Accepting means for accepting an execution request for a process comprising a plurality of steps;
A specifying means for specifying one or more electronic devices that execute each step of the processing among the electronic devices connected to the terminal device;
Based on the model of each of the one or more electronic devices specified by the specifying means and the type of process executed by each of the one or more electronic devices, for causing each of the one or more electronic devices to execute the process Operation method acquisition means for acquiring operation method information;
A terminal device comprising: an operation method presenting unit that presents an operation method for executing a next step according to information acquired by the operation method acquiring unit according to progress of the process in the process. The terminal device according to claim 1,
A status information acquisition unit configured to acquire status information indicating a current status of the electronic device from each of the one or more electronic devices;
The operation method acquisition unit is configured to perform the processing based on a model of each of the one or more electronic devices, a type of process executed by each of the one or more electronic devices, and status information of each of the one or more electronic devices. Means for acquiring information to be presented to the user according to the state information when performing each step of
The operation method presenting means should be presented when causing the electronic device identified by the identifying means to execute each step of the processing, and information to be presented to the user acquired by the state information acquiring means according to the state information The terminal device characterized by presenting. The terminal device according to claim 1,
Provided with map information acquisition means for acquiring map information indicating the arrangement of electronic devices,
When the electronic device that executes one step in the process is different from the electronic device that executes the next step of the one step, the map information acquisition unit acquires the electronic device according to the completion of the one step. A terminal apparatus comprising: a position presentation unit that presents a position of a device that performs the next step to the user according to map information. The terminal device according to claim 3,
Position detecting means for detecting the position of the terminal device;
Based on the detection result of the position detection means, when the terminal device approaches within a predetermined distance from the position of the device that performs the next step, the position presentation by the position presentation means is terminated and the operation method is presented. A terminal device comprising switching means for starting presentation of an operation method related to the next step by means. The terminal device according to claim 1,
When the electronic device that executes the next step is detected to be in use, the specifying unit detects another electronic device as the electronic device that executes the next step according to the progress of the step in the process. A terminal device characterized by specifying. The terminal device according to claim 5,
The means for inquiring the user whether or not to specify another electronic device as the electronic device for executing the next step when it is detected that the electronic device for executing the next step is in use A terminal device comprising: A system comprising a terminal device connected to an electronic device and a plurality of electronic devices,
The terminal device is
Accepting means for accepting an execution request for a process comprising a plurality of steps;
A specifying means for specifying one or more electronic devices that execute each step of the processing among the plurality of electronic devices connected to the terminal device;
An operation for causing each of the one or more electronic devices to execute the process based on the model of each of the one or more electronic devices specified by the specifying unit and the type of the process executed by each of the one or more electronic devices. Operation method acquisition means for acquiring method information;
A terminal device comprising: an operation method presenting unit that presents an operation method for executing a next step according to information acquired by the operation method acquiring unit according to progress of the process in the process. One processor or multiple processors working together,
A reception procedure for receiving an execution request for a process including a plurality of steps;
A specifying procedure for specifying one or more electronic devices that execute each step of the processing among the electronic devices connected to the apparatus;
An operation for causing each of the one or more electronic devices to execute the process based on the model of each of the one or more electronic devices specified by the specifying means and the type of the process performed by each of the one or more electronic devices. An operation method acquisition procedure for acquiring method information;
An operation method presentation method for executing an operation method presentation procedure for presenting an operation method for executing the next step according to the information acquired in the operation method acquisition procedure according to the progress of the process in the processing. . The program for functioning a computer as a terminal device as described in any one of Claims 1 thru | or 6.