JP2018156515A - Service provision device, wireless network equipment, service provision system and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a service provision device which provides the service to a user even in such a situation that it cannot perform wireless connection directly with a portable terminal device that is used by the user when the user uses the service through the network.SOLUTION: A service provision device includes: a proxy selection processing unit 14 which transmits a proxy request including network data to an image formation device 20 selected as proxy communication equipment when it cannot perform the network connection with a mobile terminal 1 through an access point in an image formation device 10; a proxy management unit 21 which forms the network with the mobile terminal 1 at the access point of the image formation device 20 according to the proxy request; a processing control unit 16 which causes a processing execution unit 15 to execute the processing in response to the processing request when receiving from the image formation device 20 the processing request received by the image formation device 20 from the mobile terminal 1, and causes a transmission unit 17 to transmit the execution result of the processing to the image formation device 20; and a proxy processing unit 22 which transmits the execution result of the processing received from the image formation device 10 to the mobile terminal 1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a service providing apparatus, a wireless network device, a service providing system, and a program.

  Today, multifunction devices compatible with Wi-Fi Direct (registered trademark) have appeared. In order to connect a user's mobile terminal to the multifunction device by Wi-Fi Direct, both the mobile terminal and the access point mounted on the multifunction device have the same network connection information consisting of a set of SSID (Service Set IDentifier) and passphrase. Must be set to When the mobile terminal is connected to the access point, the user can use the mobile terminal as a user interface of the multifunction peripheral. If an access point capable of multiple connections is used, multiple users can use the multi-function device in parallel.

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2015-023539

  However, since there is an upper limit for the network connection information that can be set for the access point, when the number of network connection information settings for the access point has reached the upper limit, it cannot be set even if new network connection information is set. Therefore, the portable terminal cannot be connected to the multifunction device. For this reason, the user cannot use services such as printing provided by the multifunction peripheral using the portable terminal. On the other hand, when viewed from the multifunction device side, it becomes impossible to use the service provided by the user who tries to connect the mobile terminal.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a service to the user himself / herself even in a situation where the user cannot directly connect to the mobile terminal device used when using the service via a network.

  The service providing apparatus according to the present invention provides wireless communication means for performing wireless communication with a mobile terminal device, and network connection information including an identification name and authentication information for network connection given in advance to a user. If the wireless connection between the connection means for making the wireless communication means wirelessly connect to the portable terminal device and the portable terminal device cannot be established by setting the communication means, the wireless communication between the portable terminal device is performed. Selecting means for selecting a proxy communication device to be performed; proxy request transmitting means for transmitting a proxy request including the network connection information to the proxy communication device; execution means for executing processing in response to the processing request; and the proxy communication device Receives the processing request received from the portable terminal device, causes the execution means to execute processing according to the processing request, and the execution result of the processing And having a an execution result transmission means for transmitting to said proxy communication device.

  In addition, after the proxy communication device and the mobile terminal device are connected to the network, when the network connection information can be set in the wireless communication means, the network with the mobile terminal device is disconnected. Instructing means for instructing the proxy communication device, wherein the connection means sets the network connection information in the wireless communication means, thereby causing the wireless communication means to wirelessly connect to the portable terminal device. .

  The selecting means selects a wireless network device having a function capable of operating in cooperation with the service providing apparatus.

  In addition, when there is no wireless network device that can be selected as the proxy communication device, the selection means provides an application for operating in cooperation with the service providing device to any of the wireless network devices, and the proxy communication device. It is characterized by selecting as.

  In addition, a generation unit that generates the proxy device information by associating the proxy communication device with the network connection information, and the execution result transmission unit refers to the proxy device information to receive the processing received from the execution unit The transmission destination of the execution result of is specified.

  In addition, when the network connection information of the user corresponding to the mobile terminal device that is the transmission source of the processing request is registered in the proxy device information, the execution result transmission unit is configured to execute the processing request according to the processing request. The execution result of the executed process is transmitted to the proxy communication device.

  In addition, when the network connection information of the user corresponding to the portable terminal device that is the transmission source of the processing request is not registered in the proxy device information, the execution result transmission unit is configured to execute the processing request according to the processing request. The execution result of the executed process is directly transmitted to the portable terminal device.

  The wireless network device according to the present invention uses a mobile terminal using network connection information including an identification name and authentication information for network connection, which is given to a user in advance, which is included in the proxy request transmitted from the service providing apparatus. A wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication with a device; and a processing request transmission unit that transmits a processing request to the service providing device when a processing request is transmitted from the mobile terminal device. And

  Further, the present invention has an execution result transmitting means for transmitting the execution result of the process returned from the service providing apparatus in response to the process request transmitted by the process request transmitting means to the portable terminal apparatus.

  Moreover, it has a cancellation | release means which cancels | releases the setting of the network connection information contained in the said proxy request | requirement with respect to the said radio | wireless communication means according to the notification from the said service provision apparatus.

  A service providing system according to the present invention includes the service providing apparatus and the wireless network device.

  The program according to the present invention is a network connection including a computer to which a wireless communication means for performing wireless communication with a mobile terminal device is connected, including an identification name and authentication information for a network connection given in advance to a user. By setting information in the wireless communication unit, a connection unit that causes the wireless communication unit to wirelessly connect to the portable terminal device, and a wireless connection with the portable terminal device when wireless connection with the portable terminal device cannot be established Selection means for selecting a proxy communication device that performs communication, proxy request transmission means for transmitting a proxy request including the network connection information to the proxy communication device, execution means for executing processing in response to a processing request, and the proxy communication device When the processing request received from the portable terminal device is received from the proxy communication device, the execution means responds to the processing request. To execute the management, execution result transmitting means for transmitting an execution result of the processing to the proxy communication devices, to function as a.

  The program according to the present invention includes a mobile terminal device using network connection information including an identification name and authentication information for network connection, which is given to a user in advance, included in an agency request transmitted from a service providing device. When a processing request is transmitted from the portable terminal device, the computer to which the wireless communication means for performing wireless communication is connected functions as a processing request transmission unit that transmits the processing request to the service providing device Let

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the service can be provided to the user himself / herself even in a situation where the user cannot directly connect to the mobile terminal device used when using the service via the network.

  According to the second aspect of the invention, it is possible to eliminate the proxy of the wireless communication by the proxy communication device and to establish a wireless connection with the mobile terminal device itself.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, the wireless network device can be operated in a cooperative manner without performing environment setting using an application or the like for the cooperative operation.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to always select a proxy communication device.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to specify the transmission destination of the process execution result.

  According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the execution result of the process can be transmitted directly to the mobile terminal device not connected to the network via the proxy communication device.

  According to the invention described in claim 7, the execution result of the process can be directly transmitted to the mobile terminal device directly connected to the network.

  According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to cause the service providing apparatus to execute processing even in a situation where the mobile terminal device used when the user uses the service via the network and the service providing apparatus cannot be directly wirelessly connected. it can.

  According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, even if the mobile terminal device used when the user uses the service via the network and the service providing device cannot be directly wirelessly connected, the execution result is carried in the process in the service providing device. It can be transmitted to the terminal device.

  According to the invention described in claim 10, it is possible to eliminate the state where the wireless communication with the mobile terminal device is performed.

  According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, the service can be provided to the user himself / herself even in a situation where the user cannot directly wirelessly connect to the mobile terminal device used when using the service via the network.

  According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to cause the service providing apparatus to execute processing even in a situation where the mobile terminal device used when the user uses the service via the network and the service providing apparatus cannot be directly wirelessly connected. it can.

  According to the invention described in claim 13, the service can be provided to the user himself / herself even in a situation where the user cannot directly connect to the mobile terminal device used when using the service via the network.

It is the figure which showed the whole structure which showed one Embodiment of the service provision system which concerns on this invention, and the block structure of each apparatus. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of an image forming apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. It is the figure which showed the example of a data structure of the user information preset and registered into the user information storage part in this Embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows a process when the network connection between a mobile terminal and an access point cannot be established in this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the data structure of the proxy management information memorize | stored in the proxy management information storage part in this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the data structure of the substitute apparatus information memorize | stored in the substitute apparatus information storage part in this Embodiment. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram illustrating processing when a print service is provided to a user in the present embodiment. It is a sequence diagram which shows a process in the case of providing a scanning service to a user in this Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overall configuration and a block configuration of each device showing an embodiment of a service providing system according to the present invention. FIG. 1 shows a mobile terminal 1, image forming apparatuses 10 and 20, and a directory server 30.

  The mobile terminal 1 is a mobile terminal device that is carried by a user of the image forming apparatus 10. In the present embodiment, a description will be given on the assumption of a smartphone, but other portable terminal devices such as a tablet terminal may be used as long as they are wireless terminal devices capable of wireless communication with the image forming apparatuses 10 and 20 and Wi-Fi Direct. The image forming apparatuses 10 and 20 and the directory server 30 are connected via the network 2. As will be apparent from the following description, in the present embodiment, since data communication is not performed between the image forming apparatus 20 and the directory server 30, the image forming apparatus 10 communicates with each of the image forming apparatus 20 and the directory server 30. It is sufficient that the network 2 capable of data communication is constructed.

  FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of the image forming apparatuses 10 and 20 according to the present embodiment. The image forming apparatuses 10 and 20 are multifunction machines equipped with various functions such as a print function, a copy function, and a scanner function, and have a built-in computer. In FIG. 2, the CPU 41 controls the operation of various mechanisms such as the scanner 44 and the printer engine 46 that are installed in the apparatus according to a program stored in the ROM 49. The address data bus 42 is connected to various mechanisms to be controlled by the CPU 41 and performs data communication. The operation panel 43 receives instructions from the user and displays information. The scanner 44 reads a document set by a user and stores it in an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 45 or the like as electronic data. The HDD 45 stores an electronic document read using the scanner 44. The printer engine 46 prints an image on output paper in accordance with an instruction from a control program executed by the CPU 41. A network interface (IF) 47 connects the network 2 and is used for data transmission / reception with the directory server 30 in this embodiment. The RAM 48 is used as a work memory during program execution and a communication buffer during electronic data transmission / reception. The ROM 49 stores various programs relating to control of the apparatus and transmission / reception of electronic data. By executing various programs, each component described later exhibits a predetermined processing function. The access point 50 is a wireless communication unit equipped with an access point function, and performs wireless communication with the mobile terminal 1 by Wi-Fi Direct.

  Here, the SSID setting table included in the access point 50, the network data set in the SSID setting table, and the relationship between the network data and the network will be described.

  The network data in this embodiment is data set as network connection information given in advance for each user, and is composed of a set of an SSID that is information for identifying an access point and a passphrase as authentication information. . In order for the mobile terminal 1 to connect to the access point 50 over the network, the same network data needs to be set in the mobile terminal 1 and the access point 50. The access point (master unit) 50 in this embodiment can operate in a single SSID mode in which only one access point (SSID) can be set and a multi-SSID mode in which a plurality of access points (SSID) can be set. However, even though a plurality of access points (SSIDs) can be set in the multi-SSID mode, there is an upper limit on the number of settings. Therefore, if the upper limit number of network data is set in the SSID setting table, the network data cannot be newly set. The upper limit number when operating in the single SSID mode is 1. The present embodiment can be used when operating in either mode.

  When network data is set in the SSID setting table, the access point 50 forms a network corresponding to the set network data. Thereby, the access point 50 wirelessly connects the mobile terminal 1 in which the network data is set via the network, and performs wireless communication with the mobile terminal 1. Since the network data in the present embodiment is given to each user, it is desirable that the access point 50 performs one-to-one data communication with only one mobile terminal 1 simultaneously via the network. In the present embodiment, description will be made assuming one-to-one data communication. If the access point 50 is operated in the multi-SSID mode, a plurality of networks can be formed in parallel. In this case as well, the one-to-one relationship with the mobile terminal 1 is maintained. That is, a plurality of one-to-one networks are formed. When network data is deleted from the SSID setting table, the corresponding network is disconnected.

  The mobile terminal 1 incorporates a computer and is equipped with a CPU, ROM, RAM, storage, touch panel, network interface, and the like. The directory server 30 is formed by a server computer and includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, HDD, network interface, and the like. The mobile terminal 1 and the directory server 30 may be realized by a conventional hardware configuration.

  The image forming apparatus 10 according to the present exemplary embodiment is provided as a service providing apparatus that provides various services such as printing and scanning to a user. In this embodiment, when the mobile terminal 1 cannot establish a network connection with the access point 50 of the image forming apparatus 10 that wants to use a service, the wireless communication of the image forming apparatus 10 that is a service providing apparatus to the image forming apparatus 20 is performed. It is characterized by functioning as a proxy communication device acting as a proxy. For this reason, even if the image forming apparatuses 10 and 20 are the same, the image forming apparatus 10 serving as the service providing apparatus and the image forming apparatus 20 serving as the proxy communication device differ in necessary components as illustrated in FIG. Come. Of course, if the image forming apparatus 10 functions as a proxy communication device of another service providing apparatus, the image forming apparatus 10 may have the components of the image forming apparatus 20. On the other hand, if the image forming apparatus 20 is to function as a service providing apparatus, the image forming apparatus 20 may have the components of the image forming apparatus 10. In the present embodiment, each function is divided into image forming apparatuses 10 and 20 for the sake of convenience so that the distinction between the functions on the service providing apparatus side and the proxy communication device side can be easily understood.

  In the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 10 operating as a service providing apparatus includes a user authentication request unit 11, a network data acquisition unit 12, a connection control unit 13, a proxy selection processing unit 14, a process execution unit 15, and a process control unit 16. , A transmission unit 17 and a substitute device information storage unit 18. Note that components not used in the description in this embodiment are omitted from FIG.

  The user authentication request unit 11 functions as a reception unit that receives user identification information (hereinafter, “user ID”) and a password of a user, and further as an authentication request unit that requests the directory server 30 to authenticate the user. The network data acquisition unit 12 functions as an individual network connection information acquisition unit that acquires the individual network information set corresponding to the user ID received by the user authentication request unit 11 from the directory server 30. The connection control unit 13 switches the mode set for the access point and manages the SSID setting table, and sets the network data previously given to the user in the SSID setting table of the access point 50, thereby allowing the access point 50 to It functions as a connection means for wireless connection with the mobile terminal 1.

  The proxy selection processing unit 14 functions as a selection unit that selects a proxy communication device that performs a wireless communication with the mobile terminal 1 when the image forming apparatus 10 cannot establish a wireless connection with the mobile terminal 1. The proxy selection processing unit 14 functions as a generation unit that generates proxy device information by associating the proxy communication device with the network connection information set in the access point 50 when the proxy communication device is selected. Further, the proxy selection processing unit 14 establishes network data for the access point 50 in the image forming apparatus 10 after the proxy communication device and the mobile terminal 1 are connected to the network. It also functions as an instruction unit that instructs the proxy communication device to disconnect the network.

  The process execution unit 15 functions as an execution unit that executes a process in response to a process request. The process control unit 16 causes the process execution unit 15 to execute the process in response to the process request transmitted by the mobile terminal 1, and causes the transmission unit 17 to transmit the execution result of the process to the mobile terminal 1. In the present embodiment, when a proxy communication device is selected, the proxy communication device receives a processing request from the mobile terminal 1 instead of the image forming device 10. The processing request received by the device is received from the proxy communication device. Further, the image forming apparatus 10 transmits the processing execution result to the mobile communication device 1 via the proxy communication device by transmitting the processing execution result to the proxy communication device. The process control unit 16 functions as an execution result transmission unit that transmits the process execution result to the mobile terminal 1 in cooperation with the transmission unit 17 together with the process execution control.

  The substitute device information storage unit 18 stores substitute device information generated by the substitute selection processing unit 14. Since the substitute device information is generated and deleted in the course of the operation, it will be described together with the description of the operation.

  Each component 11 to 17 in the image forming apparatus 10 is realized by a cooperative operation of a computer mounted on the image forming apparatus 10 and a program operating on the CPU 41 mounted on the computer. The substitute device information storage unit 18 may use the HDD 45 or the RAM 48 mounted in the image forming apparatus 10 or an external storage unit via a network.

  In the present embodiment, the image forming apparatus 20 that operates as a proxy communication device includes a proxy management unit 21, a proxy processing unit 22, and a proxy management information storage unit 23. Note that components not used in the description in this embodiment are omitted from FIG.

  The proxy management unit 21 performs settings for operating the image forming apparatus 20 as a proxy communication device in response to a proxy request from the service providing apparatus. Specifically, network data is set in the access point 50, proxy management information is generated, and the like. When the processing request is transmitted from the mobile terminal 1 while the image forming apparatus 20 is selected as the proxy communication device, the proxy processing unit 22 transmits a processing request to the service providing apparatus. Also, it functions as an execution result transmitting means for transmitting the execution result of the process returned from the service providing apparatus in response to the processing request transmitted to the service providing apparatus to the mobile terminal 1.

  The proxy management information storage unit 23 stores proxy management information generated by the proxy management unit 21. The proxy management information is generated and deleted in the course of the operation, and will be described together with the description of the operation.

  The constituent elements 21 and 22 in the image forming apparatus 20 are realized by a cooperative operation of a computer mounted on the image forming apparatus 20 and a program operating on the CPU 41 mounted on the computer. The proxy management information storage unit 23 may use the HDD 45 or RAM 48 mounted in the image forming apparatus 20 or an external storage unit via a network.

  The directory server 30 in this embodiment includes an authentication processing unit 31, a network data transmission unit 32, and a user information storage unit 33. The authentication processing unit 31 performs user authentication in response to a user authentication request from the image forming apparatus 10. The network data transmission unit 32 returns network data in response to a network data transmission request from the image forming apparatus 10.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a data configuration example of user information preset and registered in the user information storage unit 33 in the present embodiment. The user information is set and stored in association with user authentication data and network data for network connection. The user authentication data is referred to at the time of user authentication, and is composed of a set of user ID and password of the user. Furthermore, it may be configured as a set to which identification information of an IC card possessed by the user is added. As described above, the network data is composed of a set of SSID and passphrase. In the case of this embodiment, individual network data given to each user is set as network data.

  Each component 31 and 32 in the directory server 30 is realized by a cooperative operation of a computer forming the directory server 30 and a program operating on a CPU mounted on the computer. The user information storage unit 33 is realized by an HDD 45 mounted on the directory server 30. Alternatively, the RAM 48 or an external storage means may be used via a network.

  Further, the program used in this embodiment can be provided not only by communication means but also by storing it in a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM or USB memory. The program provided from the communication means or the recording medium is installed in the computer, and various processes are realized by the CPU 41 of the computer sequentially executing the program.

  Next, the operation in this embodiment will be described. First, processing until the mobile terminal 1 can normally wirelessly connect to the image forming apparatus 10 will be described.

  In order to wirelessly connect the mobile terminal 1 to the image forming apparatus 10 by Wi-Fi Direct, the user receives user authentication in advance. For this reason, the user holds the employee ID over the image forming apparatus 10 over a reader (not shown). When the reader reads the user ID recorded on the employee ID card, the image forming apparatus 10 displays a password input screen on the operation panel 43 to allow the user to input the password. When the user inputs a password, the user authentication request unit 11 receives the user ID and password, and requests the user authentication by transmitting the received user ID and password to the directory server 30.

  When an authentication request is sent, the authentication processing unit 31 in the directory server 30 performs user authentication by comparing the user ID and password specified in the authentication request with the user authentication data in the user information storage unit 33. Then, the authentication result is returned to the image forming apparatus 10 that is the authentication request source. Here, the description is continued assuming that the authentication is successful.

  When the user authentication request unit 11 receives a notification of successful authentication from the directory server 30, the network data acquisition unit 12 subsequently transmits a network data transmission request including the user ID to the directory server 30.

  When a transmission request is sent, the network data transmission unit 32 in the directory server 30 reads the individual network data corresponding to the user ID specified in the transmission request from the user information storage unit 33, and the image forming apparatus that is the transmission request source 10 to send.

  When the network data acquisition unit 12 receives the network data transmitted from the directory server 30, the connection control unit 13 sets the network data in the SSID setting table. In this manner, a network for performing data communication with the mobile terminal 1 in which the network data is set is formed by setting the network data in the SSID setting table.

  In the mobile terminal 1 carried by a user who has received user authentication, network data previously assigned to the user is set in advance. For example, when the user ID of the user who has been authenticated is “userA”, as shown in FIG. 3, “SSIDuA” as the SSID and “a1a1a1a1” as the passphrase are preset. Therefore, the network corresponding to the network data is formed by setting the network data of the user whose user ID is “userA” in the SSID setting table. Then, when the user is authenticated, the mobile terminal 1 of the user is established with a wireless connection by Wi-Fi Direct via the network with the image forming apparatus 10 using the network data.

  Next, processing when the network connection between the mobile terminal 1 and the access point 50 cannot be established will be described with reference to the sequence diagram shown in FIG. Here, the case where the network connection cannot be established is a case where the upper limit number of network data has already been set in the SSID setting table.

  The processing from step 101 to step 105 shown in FIG. 4 is the same as the processing when the mobile terminal 1 can connect to the access point 50 normally. That is, when the processing content is omitted as appropriate, the user authentication request unit 11 in the image forming apparatus 10 accepts the user ID recorded on the employee ID card and the password input from the password input screen (step 101), The user authentication is requested by transmitting the received user ID and password to the directory server 30 (step 102). Then, the authentication processing unit 31 in the directory server 30 performs user authentication based on the user ID and password specified in the authentication request (step 103).

  When the authentication success notification is sent from the directory server 30, the network data acquisition unit 12 sends a network data transmission request to the directory server 30 (step 104). The network data transmission unit 32 in the directory server 30 reads the network data corresponding to the user ID specified in the transmission request from the user information storage unit 33 and transmits it to the image forming apparatus 10 that is the transmission request source (step 105).

  In the normal network connection described above, the network is formed by setting the acquired network data in the SSID setting table, and the wireless connection with the mobile terminal 1 is established. It is assumed that there is not (step 106).

  In this case, the proxy selection processing unit 14 searches for a wireless network device that performs wireless communication with the mobile terminal 1 instead of its own device, and selects it as a proxy communication device (step 107). Here, it is assumed that the image forming apparatus 20 is selected as a proxy communication device that performs wireless communication with the mobile terminal 1.

  The proxy selection processing unit 14 transmits a proxy request including network data of the user corresponding to the mobile terminal 1 and identification information (device ID) of the own device to the image forming device 20 (step 108).

  The proxy management unit 21 in the image forming apparatus 20 determines to accept the proxy for wireless communication in response to the proxy request from the image forming apparatus 10 and returns an acceptance notification including the identification information (device ID) of the own apparatus. (Step 109). Whether or not to accept may be determined with reference to the performance of the device itself, the load status, and the like. Then, the proxy management unit 21 sets the network data included in the proxy request in the SSID setting table of the own device (step 110) and transmits the device ID of the proxy request source (image forming apparatus 10). The proxy management information including the network data is generated and registered in the proxy management information storage unit 23 (step 111).

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of proxy management information stored in the proxy management information storage unit 23 according to the present embodiment. In the substitute device ID, the device ID of the substitute request source, which is the device ID “dev10” of the image forming apparatus 10 in the present embodiment, is set, and the network data (SSID “ SSIDuA ”and passphrase“ a1a1a1a1 ”) are registered in association with each other.

  When an acceptance notification is returned from the image forming apparatus 20, the proxy selection processing unit 14 registers the device ID of the proxy request destination (image forming device 20) and network data in the proxy device information storage unit 18. (Step 112).

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of proxy device information stored in the proxy device information storage unit 18 according to the present embodiment. In the substitute destination device ID, the device ID of the substitute communication device that requested and accepted the substitute, the device ID “dev20” of the image forming apparatus 20 in the present embodiment, is set and given to the user of the mobile terminal 1. Network data (SSID “SSIDuA”, passphrase “a1a1a1a1”) are registered in association with each other.

  As described above, when the network data is set in the SSID setting table in the image forming apparatus 20, the access point 50 of the image forming apparatus 20 forms a network corresponding to the network data. As a result, the network is connected to the mobile terminal 1 in which the network data (SSID “SSIDuA”, passphrase “a1a1a1a1”) is set.

  The user may think that the portable mobile terminal 1 has formed a network with the image forming apparatus 10 by inputting the password from the operation panel 43 of the image forming apparatus 10. However, in practice, the mobile terminal 1 is wirelessly connected to the image forming apparatus 20.

  Here, the selection criteria for the proxy communication device in the proxy selection processing unit 14 will be described.

  First, the proxy selection processing unit 14 must select a wireless network device that can establish a wireless network connection with at least the mobile terminal 1. For this purpose, the mobile terminal 1 needs to be within a range where radio waves transmitted from the access point of the wireless network device can reach. In the present embodiment, since the user inputs a password from the operation panel 43 of the image forming apparatus 10, the position of the mobile terminal 1 can be assumed to be the installation position of the own apparatus (image forming apparatus 10). Therefore, the image forming apparatus 10 grasps in advance the radio wave reception status from the access point of the surrounding wireless network device, and selects a receivable wireless network device as a proxy communication device candidate in advance. This selection process may be repeated periodically to update the proxy communication device candidates as appropriate. Then, the proxy selection processing unit 14 selects any one of the candidates as a proxy communication device. Alternatively, priorities may be set in descending order of reception intensity, and wireless communication proxy may be requested in descending order of priority until the proxy is accepted.

  In addition, in order for the image forming apparatus to operate as a proxy communication device, the proxy management unit 21 and the proxy processing unit 22 realized by an application need to be installed. Therefore, proxy communication device candidates may be limited to wireless network devices on which the proxy application is installed. Alternatively, when a wireless network device that is not equipped with a proxy application is selected as a candidate, the proxy selection processing unit 14 may provide a proxy application to the proxy request destination so that it can function as a proxy communication device.

  As will be described later, in this embodiment, the user does not have to move to the installation position of the proxy communication device at all. In the present embodiment, it is only necessary to establish a network connection between the user's mobile terminal 1 and the proxy communication device, and therefore the distance relationship between the proxy communication device and the mobile terminal 1 (image forming apparatus 10) is considered as a selection criterion. It is not necessary. However, as described above, if priority is given to reception strength, it can be said that the distance relationship is considered.

  When the proxy communication device is determined as described above, the image forming apparatus 10 performs processing itself in response to a processing request from the mobile terminal 1 even in a situation where a network connection cannot be established with the mobile terminal 1. Service can be provided. Hereinafter, a case where a print service is provided as a service provided to a user will be described as an example with reference to the sequence diagram shown in FIG. Here, it is assumed that the mobile terminal 1 is connected to the image forming apparatus 20 via the network after the process of requesting the substitution shown in FIG.

  The user operates the mobile terminal 1 to instruct printing of a desired file (step 121). The mobile terminal 1 transmits a print request including a file (print data) designated in accordance with the user operation via the network (step 122). As described above, the user may think that an instruction is directly sent to the image forming apparatus 10 because the user is standing in front of the image forming apparatus 10, but actually, the image forming apparatus 20 connected to the network. Sent to.

  When the print request is received, the proxy processing unit 22 redirects the received print request to the proxy image forming apparatus 10 via the network 2 (step 123). By the way, in the case where the proxy communication device is an image forming apparatus that can provide a service, the received print request may include a request addressed to itself and a request for the proxy image forming apparatus 10. In this case, the proxy processing unit 22 or the means for controlling the process refers to the proxy management information and determines whether the received print request is a request addressed to itself or a request for the proxy image forming apparatus 10. To do. Specifically, when the network to which the print request has been transmitted is a network formed using network data (SSID “SSIDuA”, passphrase “a1a1a1a1”), proxy processing unit 22 transmits from mobile terminal 1. It is determined that the print request is for the agency (image forming apparatus 10). Note that in the case of a print request addressed to the own apparatus, the image forming apparatus 20 executes the print process itself.

  When receiving the print request, the process control unit 16 in the image forming apparatus 10 causes the process execution unit 15 to execute the print process in response to the print request (step 124). As a result, the printed matter is output from a tray (not shown) of the image forming apparatus 10. Subsequently, the process control unit 16 causes the transmission unit 17 to transmit the process execution result to the image forming apparatus 20 that is the print request source via the network 2 (step 125). In the case of the printing process, the printing execution result is a printed matter and is output from the tray. Therefore, the printing end state (normal end) is transmitted as the execution result.

  Incidentally, the image forming apparatus 10 may receive a print request from other than the mobile terminal 1. In this case, the processing control unit 16 refers to the substitute device information and determines whether the received print request is a request transferred from the substitute image forming apparatus 20 or directly transmitted to the own apparatus. to decide. Here, since the device ID of the image forming apparatus 20 that is the transmission source of the print request is registered in the substitute device information, the processing control unit 16 determines that the print request has been transferred from the substitute destination. In this way, the transmission source of the execution result of the process is specified based on the registered content of the substitute device information in the substitute device information storage unit 18. If the print request is not received from the proxy image forming apparatus 20, that is, if the device ID of the transmission source of the print request is not registered in the proxy device information, the image forming apparatus 10 prints the processing execution result. Send directly to the requester.

  When the proxy processing unit 22 receives the execution result via the network 2 and recognizes that the execution result is transmitted from the proxy source by referring to the proxy management information, the proxy processing unit 22 transmits the received execution result to the transmission of the execution result. A mobile terminal via a network formed using network data (SSID “SSIDuA”, passphrase “a1a1a1a1”) set in the proxy management information corresponding to the original and proxy image forming apparatus 10 1 (step 126).

  The mobile terminal 1 displays the execution result returned in response to the print request on the screen (step 127). When the user recognizes the end of printing by displaying the execution result on the mobile terminal 1 or finishing the output of the printed material, the user acquires the printed material (step 128).

  According to the present embodiment, even when the access point 50 of the image forming apparatus 10 cannot establish a network connection as described above, the print service requested by the user can be provided by itself. From the user's point of view, since the printed matter is output from the image forming apparatus 10 in front of the user, the user does not notice that the image forming apparatus 20 performs the wireless communication. Even if it is noticed, there is no problem because printing is normally executed by the image forming apparatus 10.

  Next, the case where a scan service is provided as a service provided to a user will be described as an example with reference to the sequence diagram shown in FIG. Here again, it is assumed that the mobile terminal 1 is connected to the image forming apparatus 20 via the network after the processing shown in FIG. Further, since the basic processing flow is the same as that of the printing process, description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

  First, the user sets a document to be scanned on the document table of the image forming apparatus 10 (step 131), and then operates the mobile terminal 1 to instruct document scanning (step 132). The mobile terminal 1 transmits a scan request via the network in accordance with the user operation (step 133). As described above, the user may think that an instruction is directly sent to the image forming apparatus 10 because the user is standing in front of the image forming apparatus 10, but actually, the image forming apparatus 20 connected to the network. Sent to.

  When receiving the scan request, the proxy processing unit 22 redirects the received scan request to the proxy image forming apparatus 10 via the network 2 (step 134). If the information on the requesting device is not registered in the proxy management information and it is determined that the request is a scan request addressed to the device itself, the image forming device 20 executes the scanning process itself.

  When receiving the scan request, the process control unit 16 in the image forming apparatus 10 causes the process execution unit 15 to execute the scan process in response to the scan request (step 135). When scan data is generated by this scan, the process control unit 16 causes the transmission unit 17 to transmit a process execution result (scan data) to the image forming apparatus 20 via the network 2 (step 136). When the information of the device that is the transmission source of the scan request is not registered in the substitute device information, the transmission unit 17 directly transmits the scan data to the request source.

  When the proxy processing unit 22 receives the execution result via the network 2 and recognizes that the execution result has been transmitted from the proxy source by referring to the proxy management information, the proxy processing unit 22 sends the received execution result to the proxy source. Correspondingly, the data is transmitted to the mobile terminal 1 via the network formed using the network data (SSID “SSIDuA”, passphrase “a1a1a1a1”) set in the proxy management information (step 137).

  The mobile terminal 1 receives the scan data returned in response to the scan request and stores it internally (step 138). In step 138, the mobile terminal 1 transmits a reception completion notification to the effect that the reception of the scan data is completed to the proxy processing unit 22 of the image forming apparatus 20, and the proxy processing unit 22 scans the mobile terminal 1 that has transmitted it. A data reception completion notification is transmitted to the processing control unit 16 of the image forming apparatus 10. Until the reception completion notification is received, the processing control unit 16 of the image forming apparatus 10 displays a message indicating that “scanned image is being transferred” on a display unit (not shown). "Transfer complete" may be displayed. In step 136, the image forming apparatus 10 has completed transmission of scan data to the image forming apparatus 20, but transfer to the processing request source mobile terminal 1 is not necessarily completed. It is preferable that the display of “scan image transfer completion” is displayed only after receiving a scan data reception completion notification from the mobile terminal 1 via the mobile phone 20. On the other hand, when the user confirms that the scanning process has been executed and all the originals have been read, the originals are collected (step 139).

  In the case of the scan service, the data flow is basically the same as that of the print service. However, in the case of a print service, a printed matter corresponding to the execution result is directly output from the image forming apparatus 10. In the case of a scan service, scan data corresponding to the execution result is transmitted to the user via the image forming apparatus 20. Will be sent to the mobile terminal 1.

  By the way, the access point 50 of the image forming apparatus 10 can eventually set network data, and the image forming apparatus 10 may be able to directly perform wireless communication with the mobile terminal 1. Therefore, when it is detected that network data is set in the access point 50 of the image forming apparatus 10, the proxy selection processing unit 14 deletes the corresponding proxy device information from the proxy device information storage unit 18. Further, the proxy selection processing unit 14 instructs the image forming apparatus 20 to disconnect the network with the mobile terminal 1. It is convenient to add network data to be set in the SSID setting table to this instruction.

  Upon receiving this instruction, the agency management unit 21 cancels the setting of the network data added to the instruction from the agency management information storage unit 23. That is, the network data is deleted from the SSID setting table of the image forming apparatus 20. Further, the proxy management information including the network data is deleted from the proxy management information storage unit 23, thereby eliminating the proxy relationship with the image forming apparatus 10.

  According to the present embodiment, as described above, even in a situation where the image forming apparatus 10 cannot be wirelessly connected to the mobile terminal 1 via the access point 50, the service itself is provided in response to a request from the mobile terminal 1. Can be provided. If the image forming apparatus 20 is requested to substitute for service provision, there may be no problem in the case of the scan service, but when the execution result (printed material) is output at the service execution source as in the print service, the user Therefore, it is necessary to move to the place where the image forming apparatus 20 that does not require the printing process is installed. Further, since the user does not know which wireless network device is the proxy communication device, unless the image forming apparatus 10 presents information, the user must start by searching for the proxy communication device. In this embodiment, such an inconvenient situation can be avoided.

  Even if the network connection destination is not the image forming apparatus 10, the provision of the service itself is executed by the image forming apparatus 10 requested by the user, so that the user registers and sets information necessary for executing the service processing. Even if only the image forming apparatus 10 is used, the service process requested by the user is executed without any problem.

  Note that the proxy communication device according to the present embodiment is not required to be realized by the image forming apparatus 20 as long as it has a function of performing wireless communication in the image forming apparatus 10 that is a service providing apparatus. In other words, the proxy communication device only needs to have a communication function capable of transferring data received from the mobile terminal 1 to the image forming apparatus 10 and transferring data received from the image forming apparatus 10 to the mobile terminal 1. It is not necessary to realize the image forming apparatus wireless network device equipped with a service function such as a print function or a scan function. For example, the wireless network device may be realized by a single access point, a router with a built-in access point function, an information processing apparatus with a built-in access point function, or a device with a built-in access point function.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Mobile terminal, 2 networks, 10, 20 Image formation apparatus, 11 User authentication request part, 12 Network data acquisition part, 13 Connection control part, 14 Proxy selection process part, 15 Process execution part, 16 Process control part, 17 Transmission part , 18 Proxy device information storage unit, 21 Proxy management unit, 22 Proxy processing unit, 23 Proxy management information storage unit, 30 Directory server, 31 Authentication processing unit, 32 Network data transmission unit, 33 User information storage unit, 41 CPU, 42 Address data bus, 43 Operation panel, 44 Scanner, 45 Hard disk drive (HDD), 46 Printer engine, 47 Network interface (IF), 48 RAM, 49 ROM, 50 Access point.

Claims (13)

Wireless communication means for performing wireless communication with a portable terminal device;
A connection means for wirelessly connecting the wireless communication means to the portable terminal device by setting network connection information including an identification name and authentication information for network connection given to a user in advance in the wireless communication means;
If wireless connection with the mobile terminal device cannot be established, selection means for selecting a proxy communication device that performs wireless communication with the mobile terminal device;
Proxy request transmitting means for transmitting a proxy request including the network connection information to the proxy communication device;
Execution means for executing processing in response to the processing request;
When the proxy communication device receives the processing request received from the mobile terminal device, the execution unit transmits the execution result of the processing to the proxy communication device by causing the execution unit to execute a process according to the processing request. When,
A service providing apparatus comprising: After the proxy communication device and the mobile terminal device are connected to the network, when the network connection information can be set in the wireless communication means, the proxy communication is performed so as to disconnect the network with the mobile terminal device. Having instruction means for instructing the device;
The service providing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the connection unit causes the wireless communication unit to wirelessly connect to the portable terminal device by setting the network connection information in the wireless communication unit.   The service providing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the selecting unit selects a wireless network device having a function capable of cooperating with the service providing apparatus.   The selection means, when there is no wireless network device that can be selected as the proxy communication device, provides an application for operating in cooperation with the service providing device to any of the wireless network devices and selects the proxy communication device. The service providing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein: Generating means for associating the proxy communication device with the network connection information to generate proxy device information;
The service providing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the execution result transmission unit specifies a transmission destination of an execution result of the process received from the execution unit by referring to the proxy device information.   The execution result transmission unit is executed by the execution unit in response to the processing request when network connection information of a user corresponding to the mobile terminal device that is a transmission source of the processing request is registered in the proxy device information. 6. The service providing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein an execution result of the process is transmitted to the proxy communication device.   The execution result transmission unit is executed by the execution unit in response to the processing request when the network connection information of the user corresponding to the mobile terminal device that is the transmission source of the processing request is not registered in the proxy device information. The service providing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the execution result of the process is directly transmitted to the mobile terminal apparatus. Wireless communication is performed with the mobile terminal device using the network connection information including the identification name and authentication information for network connection given in advance to the user included in the proxy request transmitted from the service providing device. Wireless communication means;
When a processing request is transmitted from the mobile terminal device, processing request transmission means for transmitting the processing request to the service providing device;
A wireless network device comprising:   9. The apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising an execution result transmitting unit that transmits an execution result of the process returned from the service providing apparatus in response to the process request transmitted by the process request transmitting unit to the portable terminal device. The wireless network device described in 1.   9. The wireless network device according to claim 8, further comprising a canceling unit that cancels the setting of the network connection information included in the proxy request to the wireless communication unit in response to a notification from the service providing apparatus.   A service providing system comprising: the service providing apparatus according to claim 1; and the wireless network device according to claim 8. A computer to which wireless communication means for performing wireless communication with a mobile terminal device is connected,
A connection means for wirelessly connecting the wireless communication means to the portable terminal device by setting network connection information including an identification name and authentication information for network connection given to a user in advance in the wireless communication means;
If wireless connection with the mobile terminal device cannot be established, selection means for selecting a proxy communication device that performs wireless communication with the mobile terminal device;
Proxy request transmitting means for transmitting a proxy request including the network connection information to the proxy communication device;
Execution means for executing processing in response to a processing request;
When the proxy communication device receives the processing request received from the portable terminal device from the proxy communication device, the execution unit causes the execution unit to execute a process according to the processing request, and transmits the execution result of the processing to the proxy communication device. Execution result transmission means to perform,
Program to function as. Wireless communication is performed with the mobile terminal device using the network connection information including the identification name and authentication information for network connection given in advance to the user included in the proxy request transmitted from the service providing device. The computer to which the wireless communication means is connected is
A processing request transmitting means for transmitting the processing request to the service providing device when a processing request is transmitted from the portable terminal device;
Program to function as.

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