JP2021069016A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a configuration that can prevent an operator from keeping holding a portable terminal over a predetermined position of an image forming apparatus.SOLUTION: An image forming apparatus can form an image on a recording material under an image forming condition operated by an operator, and has a display unit that can display information on the image forming condition, and a human sensor that can detect that a person is within a predetermined area around the image forming apparatus. In response to the human sensor detecting the person, the image forming apparatus displays, on the display unit, a first screen (NFC authentication screen) indicating holding a portable terminal over a predetermined position of the image forming apparatus (S102). When the image forming apparatus does not authenticate the operator within a predetermined time from when the same displays the first screen in a state where the human sensor detects the person (No in S104, Yes in S105), the same displays, on the display unit, a second screen indicating that the operator cannot be authenticated (S107).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 15

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus such as a copier, a printer, a facsimile, and a multifunction device having a plurality of these functions.

In recent years, Near Field Communication (hereinafter referred to as NFC) has been widely used as short-range wireless communication. Further, an image forming apparatus that communicates with a mobile terminal using this NFC and authenticates an operator has been proposed (for example, Patent Document 1). When the operator holds his / her mobile terminal over a predetermined position of the image forming apparatus, NFC communication is started between the mobile terminal and the image forming apparatus.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-29778

However, in a configuration in which the mobile terminal and the image forming apparatus perform NFC communication as in Patent Document 1, the NFC communication device on the mobile terminal side may be out of order, or communication may not be possible due to an NFC setting error. In addition, the NFC communication device on the image forming apparatus side may be out of order. In such a case, the operator may continue to hold the mobile terminal at a predetermined position of the image forming apparatus without noticing the failure of the mobile terminal. If the operator does not notify that the authentication cannot be performed, the operator keeps holding the mobile terminal over the predetermined position of the image forming apparatus, assuming that the authentication is performed even though the authentication cannot be performed.

The present invention is an image forming apparatus capable of forming an image on a recording material under an image forming condition operated by an operator, a display unit capable of displaying information on the image forming condition, and the periphery of the image forming apparatus. A motion sensor that can detect the presence of a person in a predetermined area, a communication unit that performs short-range wireless communication with a mobile terminal, and an authentication unit that authenticates an operator based on the short-range wireless communication by the communication unit. Then, in response to the detection of a person by the motion sensor, the display unit is controlled so as to display a first screen indicating that the mobile terminal is held over a predetermined position of the image forming device, and the motion sensor controls the display unit. When the authentication unit authenticates the operator between the time when the first screen is displayed and the predetermined time elapses in the state where a person is detected, the display unit is controlled so as to display the image formation condition. If the authentication unit does not authenticate the operator within the predetermined time after displaying the first screen with the motion sensor detecting a person, the predetermined time has elapsed. It is characterized by including a control unit that controls the display unit so as to display a second screen indicating that the operator cannot be authenticated.

The present invention is an image forming apparatus capable of forming an image on a recording material under an image forming condition operated by an operator, a display unit capable of displaying information on the image forming condition, and the periphery of the image forming apparatus. A motion sensor that can detect the presence of a person in a predetermined area, a communication unit that performs short-range wireless communication with a mobile terminal, and an authentication unit that authenticates an operator based on the short-range wireless communication by the communication unit. A manual input unit capable of manually inputting information for the image forming apparatus to authenticate the operator, and a mobile terminal at a predetermined position of the image forming apparatus according to the detection of a person by the motion sensor. The display unit is controlled so as to display the first screen to the effect that the person is held over, and the authentication is performed between the time when the first screen is displayed in a state where the motion sensor detects a person and the time when a predetermined time elapses. When the unit authenticates the operator, the display unit is controlled so as to display the image forming condition, and the first screen is displayed in a state where the motion sensor detects a person for the predetermined time. When the authentication unit does not authenticate the operator, the control unit that controls the display unit to manually display the second screen for manually inputting the information according to the elapse of the predetermined time. It is characterized by being prepared.

The present invention is an image forming apparatus capable of forming an image on a recording material under an image forming condition operated by an operator, a display unit capable of displaying information on the image forming condition, and the periphery of the image forming apparatus. A human sensor capable of detecting the presence of a person in a predetermined area, a communication unit that performs short-range wireless communication with a mobile terminal, and an authentication unit that authenticates an operator based on the short-range wireless communication by the communication unit. Then, in response to the detection of a person by the human sensor, the display unit is controlled so as to display a first screen indicating that the mobile terminal is held over a predetermined position of the image forming device, and the human sensor controls the display unit. When the authentication unit authenticates the operator between the time when the first screen is displayed and the predetermined time elapses in the state where a person is detected, the display unit is controlled so as to display the image formation condition. If the authentication unit does not authenticate the operator within the predetermined time after displaying the first screen with the human sensor detecting a person, the predetermined time has elapsed. A control unit that controls the display unit to display a second screen that is an image that can be read by the camera of the mobile terminal and that includes an image that the image forming apparatus includes information for authenticating the operator. It is characterized by being prepared.

According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the mobile terminal from being continuously held at a predetermined position of the image forming apparatus.

The front view of the image forming apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The perspective view of the image forming apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The schematic block sectional view of the image forming apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The block diagram which shows the structure of the main part of the image forming apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The control block diagram of the image forming apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The block diagram which shows the structure of the power-source control of the image forming apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The block diagram which shows a part of the hardware composition of the image forming apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The block diagram which shows the control configuration of NFC of the image forming apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment. Schematic configuration exploded perspective view of the operation panel according to the first embodiment. The block diagram which shows the hardware configuration of the mobile terminal which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The block diagram which shows the control configuration of NFC of the mobile terminal which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The schematic diagram for demonstrating the outline of the NFC communication of the image forming apparatus and the mobile terminal which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The block diagram which shows the structure of the motion sensor which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows the detection area of the motion sensor which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The flowchart of the control concerning the authentication of NFC which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows the authentication screen of NFC which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows an example of the screen after the user authentication which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows the manual login screen which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows the screen when the NFC authentication which concerns on another 1st Example of 1st Embodiment could not be performed. The figure which shows the display screen of the 2D bar code which concerns on another 2nd example of 1st Embodiment. The flowchart of the control concerning the authentication of NFC which concerns on 2nd Embodiment.

<First Embodiment>
The first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 20. First, a schematic configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4. The image forming apparatus 1 is a general multifunction device having various functions such as a copy function, a scanning function, and a printing function.

The image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment enables authentication of the operator by performing NFC communication between the mobile terminal 6 owned by the operator such as a user or a serviceman and the image forming apparatus 1. Then, when the image forming apparatus 1 authenticates the operator, the operator can use the image forming apparatus 1. In addition, the authenticated operator can make settings unique to the image forming apparatus 1. Specifically, printing conditions (image forming conditions) such as paper size setting, color / monochrome setting, and printing density (image density) setting at the time of printing (image formation) can be registered in the image forming apparatus 1. it can. As a result, the image forming apparatus 1 that authenticates the operator can automatically call up the settings such as the printing conditions peculiar to the authenticated operator. That is, in addition to being able to use the image forming apparatus 1 by "authentication", the operator can use the image forming apparatus 1 without resetting the printing conditions set by himself / herself in the past.

Further, the image forming apparatus 1 of the present embodiment enables the mobile terminal 6 and the image forming apparatus 1 to be connected to each other by wireless LAN by NFC communication. As a result, for example, a large amount of communication such as image data in the mobile terminal 6 can be taken over by the wireless LAN, and an image based on the image data can be output by the image forming apparatus 1. Hereinafter, a specific description will be given.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the image forming apparatus 1 has an image forming unit 11 (FIG. 3) as an image forming unit for forming an image on a recording material inside the apparatus main body 1a and the front surface of the apparatus main body 1a. It is provided with an operation panel 2 provided, a motion sensor 15, and the like. Examples of the recording material include sheets such as paper, plastic film, and cloth. The operation panel 2 is for inputting an operation instruction by an operator such as a user.

As shown in FIG. 3, the image forming apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment transfers the four color toners of yellow (Y), magenta (M), cyan (C), and black (K) to the intermediate transfer belt. , An intermediate tandem image forming apparatus that transfers an image to a recording material to form an image. In the following description, Y, M, C, and K are added as subscripts to the members using the toners of each color. However, since the configuration and operation of each member are substantially the same except that the color of the toner used is different, the configuration for forming a yellow toner image will be described as a representative for the same configuration, and other components will be described. The description of the color composition will be omitted.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the image forming apparatus 1. FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration sectional view of the image forming apparatus 1. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the image forming apparatus 1 includes an image forming unit 11 that forms an image on the recording material S. The image forming unit 11 includes photosensitive drums 301Y, 301M, 301C, 301K, charging rollers 302Y, 302M, 302C, 302K, and developing devices 303Y, 303M, 303C, 303K. Further, the primary transfer rollers 305Y, 305M, 305C, 305K, a laser scanner unit 398, an intermediate transfer belt 306, a secondary transfer roller 316, a secondary transfer opposed roller 312 and the like are provided.

Further, the image forming apparatus 1 includes an image reading unit 10 for reading an image of a document. The image reading unit 10 is composed of a reader 10a and an ADF 10b. The reader 10a optically reads an image of a document placed on a mounting table (not shown) formed of a glass plate and converts it into image data. The ADF10b automatically conveys the document loaded on the document tray 10b1 and reads the image. The ADF10b is rotatably supported, and by rotating the ADF10b and opening it upward, the mounting table of the reader 10a can be accessed.

Further, on the front side of the image forming apparatus 1, an operation panel 2 capable of making settings related to image formation and setting related to image reading is provided. The operation panel 2 has an operation display unit 20a that can display information and can input information or give a command to a device by touch operation, a key 20b for inputting a numerical value or the like, and an exterior cover 20c. As will be described in detail later, the operation display unit 20a can input information and give a command to the device by displaying a software key and touching it (touch operation). The key 20b as a manual input unit is a hardware key (physical key) capable of inputting information and giving a command to a device by physically pressing the key 20b. The key 20b may be omitted.

By operating the operation display unit 20a or the key 20b, the operator can input information such as a numerical value or give a command to the device. Then, settings related to image formation such as setting the size of the recording material S related to image formation and the number of images formed, and settings related to image reading such as setting the original size can be made. In the present embodiment, the size of the recording material, the number of images formed, and the like are set as image forming conditions. In addition to this, the image formation conditions may include selection of whether to perform image formation in monochrome or color (monochrome / color), designation of density of the output image, and the like. Further, a mode for forming a plurality of images on one recording material may be selected (for example, 2in1 for forming two images on one sheet, 4in1 for forming four images on one sheet, and the like).

Next, the image forming operation by the image forming apparatus 1 will be described. When forming an image, first, an image forming job signal is input to the CPU 7 of the control unit 3 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. As a result, the feeding roller 311 and the transport roller 385 rotate, and the recording material S loaded and stored in the cassette 310 is sent out to the resist roller 386. Next, the recording material S is fed by the resist roller 386 to the secondary transfer unit formed from the intermediate transfer belt 306 stretched on the secondary transfer roller 316 and the secondary transfer opposed roller 312 at a predetermined timing.

On the other hand, in the image forming unit 11, the surface of the photosensitive drum 301Y is first charged by the charging roller 302Y. After that, the laser scanner unit 398 irradiates the surface of the photosensitive drum 301Y with laser light in response to the image signal of the original image read by the image reading unit 10 or the image signal sent from an external device such as a personal computer. .. As a result, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 301Y. After that, the developing device 303Y attaches the yellow toner to the electrostatic latent image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 301Y, and forms the yellow toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 301Y. The toner image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 301Y is first transferred to the intermediate transfer belt 306 by applying the primary transfer bias to the primary transfer roller 305Y.

By the same process, magenta, cyan, and black toner images are formed on the photosensitive drums 301M, 301C, and 301K. Then, by applying the primary transfer bias to the primary transfer rollers 305M, 305C, and 305K, these toner images are transferred superimposed on the yellow toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 306. As a result, a full-color toner image corresponding to the image signal is formed on the surface of the intermediate transfer belt 306.

After that, the intermediate transfer belt 306 is transmitted a driving force from the drive roller 317 and moves around, so that a full-color toner image is sent to the secondary transfer unit. Then, by applying the secondary transfer bias to the secondary transfer roller 316 in the secondary transfer unit, the full-color toner image on the intermediate transfer belt 306 is transferred to the recording material S.

Next, the recording material S to which the toner image is transferred is heated and pressurized in the fixing device 315, whereby the toner image on the recording material S is fixed to the recording material S. After that, the recording material S on which the toner image is fixed is discharged to the discharge unit 307 by the discharge roller 313.

As shown in FIG. 4, the operation panel 2 is provided with a mobile terminal (external device) 6 possessed by the operator and an NFC tag unit 4 for performing NFC communication as short-range wireless communication. As will be described in detail later, the NFC tag unit 4 is composed of an antenna for transmitting and receiving radio waves and an IC chip for controlling NFC communication, and is a short distance between an operator's mobile terminal such as a smartphone. Performs NFC communication, which is wireless communication. NFC (: Near Field Communication) is a non-contact wireless communication standard that uses electromagnetic waves of 13.56 MHz. This standard is a short-range wireless communication standard having a communication distance of about 10 cm or less, which is represented by ISO / IEC 18092, ISO / IEC 21481, etc., and is represented by FeliCa (registered trademark) and Mifare (registered trademark). ). Here, Bluetooth (registered trademark) is also referred to as a type of short-range wireless communication. In this embodiment, a mode in which NFC communication is performed as an example of short-range wireless communication will be described.

Further, the image forming apparatus 1 is provided with a motion sensor 15 for detecting an operator approaching the apparatus. The motion sensor 15 is arranged in front of the device main body 1a, for example, and detects when a person is present in front of the image forming device 1. The motion sensor 15 may be provided on the operation panel 2. For example, a motion sensor 15 is arranged inside a slit formed in the exterior cover 20c of the operation panel 2, an ultrasonic wave is transmitted through the slit, and the operator is detected by receiving the reflected wave. You may. The detailed configuration of the motion sensor 15 will be described later.

Further, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a wireless LAN communication unit 5 for performing wireless LAN communication with the mobile terminal 6. LAN is an abbreviation for Local Area Network. The NFC tag unit 4 and the wireless LAN communication unit 5 are connected to a control unit 3 that controls the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 via an interface.

The mobile terminal 6 is a portable device such as a smartphone or a tablet computer, an IC card, or the like, and has an NFC communication function. In the present embodiment, the mobile terminal 6 is a portable device such as a smartphone or a tablet computer, and has functions of NFC communication and wireless LAN communication. The operator uses the mobile terminal 6 to perform wireless communication with the image forming apparatus 1, and uses the image forming apparatus 1 to execute various processes. Here, the range of wireless LAN communication is wider than the range of NFC communication. Further, the data capacity that can be communicated per unit time in wireless LAN communication is larger than the data capacity that can be communicated per unit time in NFC communication. Therefore, the communication speed during wireless LAN communication is faster than the communication speed during NFC communication. Wi-Fi communication is an example of wireless LAN communication.

[Control unit]
Next, the system configuration of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a CPU 7, a RAM (memory) 8 in which data used by the CPU 7 for calculation is temporarily stored, and a ROM (storage device) 13 in which various programs are stored. To be equipped. It also includes an HDD 104 that stores software related to control of the image forming apparatus 1, various settings, and saved documents.

Further, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a network interface 106 that transmits / receives data to / from an external device via LAN, and a wireless LAN communication unit (wireless LAN interface) 5 that transmits / receives data to / from an external device via wireless LAN communication. Be prepared. Further, the operation unit interface 105 for relaying the input data from the operation panel 2 and the image data to be displayed on the operation panel 2 is provided.

Further, the image forming apparatus 1 includes a power supply control unit 170 that switches between supplying and stopping the supply of electric power to a specific device in response to an instruction from the CPU 7. The power supply control unit 170 controls a power supply device 160 capable of receiving power from a commercial power source, converting it into electric power used in each device, and supplying electric power. The details of the configuration of the power supply control unit 170 will be described later. The above-mentioned devices, the NFC tag unit 4, and the motion sensor 15 are connected to each other via the system bus 114.

Further, the image forming apparatus 1 includes an image processing unit 150 that performs image processing. The image processing unit 150 includes a RIP 110, a device interface 111, a printer image processing unit 112, and a scanner image processing unit 113, which are connected to each other via an image bus 115. Further, the image bus 115 and the system bus 114 are connected via the image bus interface 109, and the image bus interface 109 relays the image bus 115 and the system bus 114 and converts the data structure.

The RIP 110 is a raster image processor that converts a page description language (PDL) code and a display list into a bitmap image. The scanner image processing unit 113 performs image processing such as correction and resolution conversion on the image data read by the image reading unit 10. The printer image processing unit 112 performs image processing such as correction and resolution conversion on the image data of the image formed by the image forming unit 11.

The image reading unit 10 is connected to the image bus 115 via the scanner bus 116 and the device interface 111. The image forming unit 11 is connected to the image bus 115 via the print bus 117 and the device interface 111. The device interface 111 adjusts the timing of transmitting the image data received from the image reading unit 10 to the image bus 115 and the timing of transmitting the image data from the image bus 115 to the image forming unit 11.

[Power control unit]
Next, the detailed configuration of the power supply control unit 170 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, the power supply control unit 170 controls the supply and stop of power supply from the power supply device 160 to each device by switching ON and OFF of the switches 171 to 177 in response to an instruction from the CPU 7. Specifically, the power supply control unit 170 supplies power to the operation panel 2, the network interface 106, the wireless LAN communication unit 5, the image processing unit 150, the image reading unit 10, the image forming unit 11, and the motion sensor 15. Control supply outage. As a result, the image forming apparatus 1 has a standby state as a first mode waiting for image formation and a sleep mode as a second mode that consumes less power than the standby state when the main power is turned on. And can be executed. Hereinafter, a specific description will be given.

When the image forming apparatus 1 is not used for a certain period of time, or when the operator operates the operation panel 2 to select the transition to the sleep mode, the image forming apparatus 1 enters the sleep mode for the purpose of power saving. In the sleep mode, the power supply control unit 170 turns on the switches 172, 173, and 177, and turns off the switches 171 and 174, 175, and 176. As a result, the operation panel 2, the image processing unit 150, the image forming unit 11, and the image reading unit 10 are stopped from being driven.

When the image forming job is specified via the network interface 106 while the image forming apparatus 1 is in the sleep mode, the power supply control unit 170 receives an instruction from the CPU 7 and switches the switches 174 and 176 to ON. The same applies when an image forming job is specified via the wireless LAN communication unit 5. As a result, power is supplied to the image processing unit 150 and the image forming unit 11 used when the image forming job is executed, and the sleep mode is returned to the standby state.

Further, when the image reading job is specified via the network interface 106 while the image forming apparatus 1 is in the sleep mode, the power supply control unit 170 switches the switches 174 and 175 to ON in response to an instruction from the CPU 7. The same applies when an image forming job is specified via the wireless LAN communication unit 5. As a result, power is supplied to the image processing unit 150 and the image reading unit 10 used when the image reading job is executed, and the sleep mode is restored to the standby state.

In this way, when a job is specified from the network interface 106 or the wireless LAN communication unit 5 in the sleep mode, the CPU 7 controls to supply power only to the device used when executing the job. As a result, the power consumption of the image forming apparatus 1 when the job is executed is suppressed.

Further, when the image forming apparatus 1 is in the sleep mode and an operator approaching the image forming apparatus 1 is detected by the motion sensor 15, the power supply control unit 170 receives an instruction from the CPU 7 and switches 171 and 174, 175. Switch 176 to ON. As a result, the sleep mode is returned to the standby state. When the operator is detected by the motion sensor 15, all the switches 171 to 177 are turned on because the job specified by the operator detected by the motion sensor 15 is unknown. This is to improve convenience by putting the device in the standby state.

That is, the standby state is, for example, a state in which power is supplied to each part of the image forming apparatus 1 so that image forming and image reading can be performed immediately according to the operation of the operator. In other words, the standby state is a state of waiting for image formation or image reading. On the other hand, the sleep mode is a power saving state in which power consumption is reduced as compared with the standby state by stopping the power supply to each part such as the operation panel 2. In the present embodiment, the display unit 2a (FIG. 7) of the operation panel 2 is turned off in the sleep mode, but at least power may be supplied to the motion sensor 15.

Further, for example, the operation panel 2 may be provided with a button capable of canceling the sleep mode, and the sleep mode may be canceled by operating this button, or any button of the key 20b (FIG. 2) may be operated. You may cancel the sleep mode by doing so. Alternatively, the sleep mode may be canceled by touching the operation display unit 20a (FIG. 2). In these cases, even in the sleep mode, power is supplied to the key 20b, the operation input unit 2b, and the operation panel microcomputer 2d (FIG. 7), and at least the display unit 2a (FIG. 7) is not supplied with power.

[Hardware configuration of image forming apparatus]
Next, the detailed relationship between the control unit 3, the operation panel 2, and the motion sensor 15 will be described with reference to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a part of the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 1. The image forming apparatus 1 includes an operation panel 2, an image reading unit 10 that reads a document and generates image data, an image forming unit 11 that executes image forming processing based on the image data, a two-dimensional bar code generation unit 12, and various information. A storage device (ROM) 13 or the like for storing is provided. Further, the image forming apparatus 1 includes an NFC tag unit 4 and a wireless LAN communication unit 5 as communication units for performing the above-mentioned NFC communication, which are arranged in the operation panel 2. Each of these units is connected to the control unit 3 via an interface.

The control unit 3 includes a CPU 7, a memory (RAM) 8, and a timer 9, and controls the operation of each unit. The CPU 7 reads and executes the program 14 stored in the storage device 13. The program 14 is a program that causes the control unit 3 to function in order to perform various processes described later. The memory 8 is for storing temporary data or the like associated with the execution of the program by the CPU 7. The timer 9 is for clocking when the control unit 3 performs various processes. The control unit 3 also functions as an authentication unit that authenticates the operator based on NFC communication, as will be described later.

As described above, the operation panel 2 includes an operation display unit 20a, a key 20b (FIG. 2), an operation sound generation unit 2c, an operation panel microcomputer 2d, and an NFC tag unit 4 for performing operations by the operator. The operation display unit 20a includes a display unit 2a, an operation unit, and an operation input unit 2b as a manual input unit. The display unit 2a is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal panel or the like, and can display various types of information. The display unit 2a can project an image on the liquid crystal panel, for example, by receiving the image data from the control unit 3 through a transfer line for image data (not shown).

The operation input unit 2b is a touch panel or the like arranged on the display unit 2a, and information can be input by touch operation. The operation panel 2 may also be configured to have an LED for displaying the state of the device. LED is an abbreviation for Light Emitting Diode.

In the present embodiment, the operation input unit 2b is a touch panel that displays the software keys displayed on the display unit 2a and allows information to be input by touch operation. The operation sound generation unit 2c is for generating various operation sounds associated with the operation. The operation panel microcomputer 2d controls these and communicates with the control unit 3.

The NFC tag unit 4 performs NFC communication with an external device (mobile terminal 6 in this embodiment) based on the NFC communication standard, and performs data input / output between the mobile terminal 6 and the control unit 3. The NFC tag unit 4 of the present embodiment is composed of an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) IC and operates as an NFC tag.

The motion sensor 15 can detect that a person is in a predetermined area around the image forming apparatus 1. The motion sensor 15 of the present embodiment is a sensor that detects a person or an object in front of the image forming apparatus 1, and sends a detection signal to the operation panel microcomputer 2d. For example, when the motion sensor 15 detects a person when the image forming apparatus 1 is in the sleep mode, the control unit 3 holds the mobile terminal 6 over the operation panel 2 at a predetermined position of the image forming apparatus, as will be described later. Display the screen of. At this time, the state of the image forming apparatus 1 is changed from the sleep mode to the standby state.

The wireless LAN communication unit 5 processes wireless LAN communication with an external device (mobile terminal 6 in this embodiment) based on the wireless LAN standard, and performs data input / output between the mobile terminal 6 and the control unit 3. .. Specifically, the wireless LAN communication unit 5 performs processing of transmission and reception of data packets according to the wireless LAN communication procedure. The wireless LAN communication unit 5 of this embodiment is compatible with the wireless LAN direct mode.

In the wireless LAN direct mode, the wireless LAN communication unit 5 operates as a wireless LAN access point (soft access point) to perform wireless LAN communication with an external device such as a mobile terminal 6 without going through an external wireless LAN access point. be able to.

The two-dimensional bar code generation unit 12 encodes the set data into a two-dimensional bar code (QR code: registered trademark) as an image for authentication to generate a two-dimensional bar code image. The generated two-dimensional bar code image is displayed on the display unit 2a of the operation panel 2, and the user can read the two-dimensional bar code image using the mobile terminal 6. The authentication image is an image that can be read by the camera 38 (FIG. 10) of the mobile terminal 6 and includes information for the image forming apparatus 1 to authenticate the user. In the present embodiment, the authentication image is a two-dimensional bar code, but such an image is not limited to the two-dimensional bar code. Further, in the present embodiment, the two-dimensional bar code generation unit 12 may be omitted.

[Hardware configuration of NFC tag part]
Next, the hardware configuration of the NFC tag unit 4 in the image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to FIG. The NFC tag unit 4 includes an NFC tag control unit 21, a memory 22, an RF control unit 23, an RF interface unit 24, an RF field detection unit 25, a loop antenna 26, and the like.

The NFC tag control unit 21 controls each unit of the NFC tag unit 4, and inputs / outputs data to the control unit 3 via the interface. The NFC tag control unit 21 has a tag read interrupt generation unit 21a.

The tag read interrupt generation unit 21a generates an interrupt signal when the NFC tag data is read or written from the mobile terminal 6 by NFC communication with the mobile terminal 6. The interrupt signal of the tag read interrupt generation unit 21a is output to the control unit 3.

The memory 22 stores data written from the control unit 3 or the mobile terminal 6 as NFC tag data, and is composed of a non-volatile memory. Further, the data written in the memory 22 can be read by the control unit 3.

The RF control unit 23 performs electromagnetic wave modulation and demodulation processing for RF communication when performing NFC communication with an external device (portable terminal 6 in this embodiment). RF is an abbreviation for Radio Frequency.

The RF interface unit 24 performs electromagnetic coupling by receiving radiation of electromagnetic waves when performing NFC communication with an external device (mobile terminal 6 in this embodiment), and performs processing of receiving and transmitting electromagnetic waves. ..

The RF field detection unit 25 detects an electromagnetic field (RF field) while the RF interface unit 24 is radiated by electromagnetic waves in NFC communication with an external device. Specifically, it is assumed that the RF field detection unit 25 detects the electric power (energy) of the electromagnetic wave. The detection signal of the RF field detection unit 25 is output to the control unit 3.

The loop antenna 26 is an antenna for performing NFC communication with an external device, and in the present embodiment, it is formed in a loop coil shape to receive electromagnetic wave radiation from the mobile terminal 6, perform electromagnetic coupling, and perform communication by electromagnetic waves. Has been done.

In the present embodiment, the NFC tag unit 4 performs electromagnetic coupling by receiving radiation of electromagnetic waves from the mobile terminal 6, and operates by receiving power supply by the electromotive force generated by the electromagnetic coupling. It is assumed that the memory 22, the RF control unit 23, and the RF interface unit 24 are controlled by the NFC tag control unit 21.

[control panel]
Next, the operation display unit 20a of the operation panel 2 will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, the operation display unit 20a is equipped with an NFC antenna, and is arranged in the order of the display unit 2a, the operation input unit 2b which is a touch panel, and the loop antenna 26 which is an NFC antenna from the bottom layer. There is. A protective glass (not shown) may be arranged on the outermost side.

That is, in the operation display unit 20a, a display unit 2a such as a liquid crystal is arranged on a lower layer. The display unit 2a and the operation panel microcomputer 2d (FIG. 7) are connected by a flexible flat cable (hereinafter abbreviated as FFC) or the like (not shown). An operation input unit 2b such as a touch panel is arranged above the display unit 2a. In the operation panel 2, the upper side is the side on which the operator touches.

The operation input unit 2b may be a resistance type or capacitance type touch panel, or may have an optical structure, but in the present embodiment, it is a 4-wire resistance type touch panel. The touch panel of the operation input unit 2b has electrodes arranged on four sides, and each electrode is connected to the operation panel microcomputer 2d via a connector such as a Flexible Printed Circuit (hereinafter abbreviated as FPC).

A loop antenna 26, which is an NFC antenna pattern, is arranged above the operation input unit 2b. The operation input unit 2b and the loop antenna 26 are transparent or translucent films, and the image displayed on the display unit 2a can be visually recognized from above the loop antenna 26.

In the present embodiment, the loop antenna 26 is used as one antenna pattern, but it may be configured by a plurality of antenna patterns. The loop antenna 26 is also connected to the RF interface unit 24 via a connector such as an FPC.

The loop antenna 26 is most sensitive when it is arranged on the operation input unit 2b in communication with the mobile terminal 6. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the loop antenna 26 is arranged so as to cover the operation input unit 2b. The position of the loop antenna 26 is not limited to this, and may be, for example, between the display unit 2a and the operation input unit 2b. Further, the loop antenna 26 and the operation input unit 2b may be integrally configured.

In the present embodiment, the loop antenna 26, which is an antenna for performing NFC communication in this way, is arranged in the operation panel 2 and above the display unit 2a so as to overlap the display unit 2a. Therefore, as will be described in detail later, the display unit 2a can display a screen that guides the operator to hold the mobile terminal 6 over a predetermined position within the display range on the operation panel 2. Then, the operator can perform NFC communication by holding the mobile terminal 6 over the operation panel 2.

[Hardware configuration of mobile terminal]
Next, the hardware configuration of the mobile terminal 6 will be described with reference to FIG. The mobile terminal 6 includes a control unit 31, an operation panel 34, a storage device 35, an NFC R / W unit 36, a wireless LAN communication unit 37, a camera 38, a two-dimensional bar code analysis unit 39, and the like. The control unit 31 controls the mobile terminal 6, and is composed of a CPU 32 and a memory 33. The CPU 32 reads and executes various programs stored in the storage device 35. The memory 33 stores temporary data and the like associated with the execution of the program by the CPU 32.

The operation panel 34 has a configuration for inputting an operation instruction by an operator. That is, the operation panel 34 is composed of a display unit 34a composed of a liquid crystal panel and displaying various information, and an operation input unit 34b such as a touch panel on the display unit 34a. In addition, an operation sound generating unit 34c for generating various operation sounds accompanying the operation is also provided. The storage device 35 stores the above-mentioned various programs and the like.

The NFC R / W unit 36 performs NFC communication with an external device (image forming apparatus 1 in this embodiment) based on the NFC communication standard, and performs data input / output between the image forming apparatus 1 and the control unit 3. It is a thing. The NFC R / W unit 36 of this embodiment operates as an NFC reader / writer. That is, data is read and written by NFC communication.

The wireless LAN communication unit 37 performs communication processing with an external device (image forming apparatus 1 in this embodiment) based on the wireless LAN standard, and performs data input / output processing performed between the image forming apparatus 1 and the control unit 31. Do. The wireless LAN communication unit 37 of the present embodiment processes wireless LAN communication based on the wireless LAN standard, and specifically, processes data packets to be transmitted and received according to the wireless LAN communication procedure.

The camera 38 is a camera for imaging. The two-dimensional bar code analysis unit 39 analyzes the read two-dimensional bar code and acquires the data of the two-dimensional bar code. Further, although not shown, the mobile terminal 6 has a power supply configuration necessary for a mobile terminal, such as a battery and a power control unit. In this embodiment, the camera 38 and the two-dimensional bar code analysis unit 39 may be omitted.

[Hardware configuration of NFC R / W section]
Next, the hardware configuration of the NFC R / W unit 36 in the mobile terminal 6 will be described with reference to FIG. The NFC R / W unit 36 includes an NFC R / W control unit 41, an RF control unit 42, an RF interface unit 43, a loop antenna 44, and the like.

The NFC R / W control unit 41 controls each unit of the NFC R / W unit 36, and inputs / outputs data to / from the control unit 31 via an interface. The RF control unit 42 performs modulation and demodulation processing of electromagnetic waves for RF communication when performing NFC communication with an external device. The RF interface unit 43 radiates electromagnetic waves to perform electromagnetic coupling when performing NFC communication with an external device, and performs processing of receiving and transmitting electromagnetic waves.

The loop antenna 44 is an antenna for performing NFC communication with an external device, and in the present embodiment, the loop coil is used to radiate an electromagnetic wave to the image forming apparatus 1 to perform electromagnetic coupling and perform communication by the electromagnetic wave. It is formed in a shape. The RF control unit 42 and the RF interface unit 43 are controlled by the NFC R / W control unit 41.

[NFC communication]
Next, using FIG. 12, the NFC R / W unit 36 of the mobile terminal 6 electromagnetically couples with the NFC tag unit 4 of the image forming apparatus 1 and reads the NFC tag data of the NFC tag unit 4 by NFC communication. Will be explained. It should be noted that the detailed communication protocol of NFC communication conforms to the NFC communication standard, and the outline of the operation of communication by electromagnetic coupling will be described below.

First, the NFC R / W unit 36 performs a polling operation for reading the NFC tag data of the NFC tag unit 4. Then, the operator holds the mobile terminal 6 and brings the NFC R / W unit 36 of the mobile terminal 6 close to the NFC tag unit 4 of the image forming apparatus 1. That is, the mobile terminal 6 is brought close to or in contact with a predetermined position of the operation panel 2.

The NFC R / W control unit 41 controls the RF control unit 42 and modulates the electromagnetic wave based on the NFC communication standard in order to transmit command data for reading the NFC tag. This modulated wave is brought to the RF interface section 43. The NFC R / W control unit 41 controls the RF interface unit 43 to transmit the resulting modulated wave.

The transmitted modulated wave is brought from the RF interface unit 43 to the loop antenna 44 and radiated as an electromagnetic wave. An RF field is generated in the vicinity of the NFC R / W section 36 and the NFC tag section 4 by the radiated electromagnetic wave, and the NFC R / W section 36 and the NFC tag section 4 are electromagnetically coupled.

In the NFC tag unit 4, the loop antenna 26 receives the radiation of the electromagnetic wave, so that the electromagnetic wave is received. The received electromagnetic wave is brought to the RF interface unit 24, and the RF interface unit 24 generates an electromotive force due to electromagnetic coupling. The NFC tag unit 4 operates by obtaining electric power by this electromotive force. At the same time, the electromagnetic wave received by the RF interface unit 24 is brought to the RF control unit 23.

The NFC tag control unit 21 controls the RF control unit 23 to demodulate the modulated electromagnetic wave brought to the RF control unit 23 to obtain demodulated data. The NFC tag control unit 21 obtains demodulated data and detects that this is command data for reading the NFC tag data.

Therefore, the NFC tag control unit 21 reads the data written as the NFC tag data in the memory 22 and transfers it to the RF control unit 23 as the response data for the command data. The NFC tag control unit 21 controls the RF control unit 23 to modulate an electromagnetic wave based on the NFC communication standard in order to transmit response data which is NFC tag data, and this modulated wave is brought to the RF interface unit 24.

The NFC tag control unit 21 controls the RF interface unit 24 to transmit the resulting modulated wave. The transmitted modulated wave is brought from the RF interface unit 24 to the loop antenna 26 and radiated as an electromagnetic wave. At this point, the NFC tag control unit 21 assumes that the NFC tag data has been transmitted as response data in response to the reception of the command data for reading the NFC tag data, and the tag read interrupt generation unit 21a transmits an interrupt signal. generate.

On the other hand, in the NFC R / W control unit 41, the loop antenna 44 receives the electromagnetic wave modulated based on the response data radiated from the NFC tag control unit 21. The received electromagnetic wave is brought to the RF control unit 42 via the RF interface unit 43.

The NFC R / W control unit 41 controls the RF control unit 42 to demodulate the modulated electromagnetic wave brought to the RF control unit 42 to obtain demodulated data. Then, the NFC R / W control unit 41 notifies the control unit 31 that the reading of the NFC tag data of the NFC tag unit 4 is completed. At the same time, the NFC R / W control unit 41 transfers the read NFC tag data to the control unit 31.

In the mobile terminal 6, when the NFC R / W control unit 41 of the NFC R / W unit 36 notifies that the reading of the NFC tag data is completed, the control unit 31 is notified by the operation sound generation unit 34c of the operation panel 34. Generates an operation completion sound.

As a result, the operator can know that the NFC R / W unit 36 of the mobile terminal 6 has completed reading the NFC tag data of the NFC tag unit 4 of the image forming apparatus 1.

Even when the NFC tag unit 4 of the image forming apparatus 1 acquires the data of the NFC R / W unit 36 of the mobile terminal 6, the data output side and the data reading side are only reversed, and the communication method is The same is true.

Here, information such as an ID and a password, which is setting information for performing operator authentication (individual authentication, login), is stored in the storage device 35 of the mobile terminal 6. The NFC R / W unit 36 of the mobile terminal 6 outputs the above-mentioned setting information read from the storage device 35 as NFC tag data in response to the reading from the NFC tag unit 4 of the image forming device 1. As a result, the image forming apparatus 1 can acquire the setting information necessary for personal authentication, and authenticates the operator who possesses the mobile terminal 6. Then, the image forming apparatus 1 permits the operator to use the apparatus by authenticating the operator. The use of the device referred to here includes the formation of an image on a recording material, the use of a document reading device, and the like.

On the other hand, setting information for performing the wireless LAN direct mode, for example, setting information such as SSID, PASSKEY, and IP address, is stored in the storage device (ROM) 13 of the image forming apparatus 1. Setting information such as SSID, PASSKEY, and IP address read from the storage device 13 is written in the memory 22 of the NFC tag unit 4 of the image forming device 1. The NFC tag unit 4 of the image forming apparatus 1 outputs the above-mentioned setting information read from the memory 22 as NFC tag data in response to the reading from the NFC R / W unit 36 of the mobile terminal 6. As a result, the mobile terminal 6 can acquire the above setting information necessary for the wireless LAN connection, and the image forming apparatus 1 authenticates the operator who possesses the mobile terminal 6 to and the mobile terminal 6. Make a wireless LAN connection.

As described above, in the case of the present embodiment, the operator holds the mobile terminal 6 compatible with NFC communication over the NFC tag unit 4 on the image forming device 1 side, so that the image forming device 1 and the mobile terminal 6 perform personal authentication or wireless LAN. Get connection information for connection. Then, the image forming apparatus 1 automatically sets personal authentication and wireless LAN connection.

[Human sensor]
Next, the motion sensor 15 will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14. FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the motion sensor 15. As shown in FIG. 13, the motion sensor 15 is composed of a transmission unit 181, a reception unit 183, and an ultrasonic transmission / reception element 182. The ultrasonic transmission / reception element 182 converts an electric signal into an ultrasonic wave and transmits it, or receives an ultrasonic wave and converts it into an electric signal.

The transmission unit 181 receives a digital signal for controlling ultrasonic transmission from the operation panel microcomputer 2d, and converts it into an analog signal for ultrasonic transmission by the ultrasonic transmission / reception element 182. When the ultrasonic transmission / reception element 182 receives an electric signal for ultrasonic wave transmission from the transmission unit 181, the ultrasonic wave transmission / reception element 182 oscillates and transmits ultrasonic waves. The ultrasonic wave transmission wave 184 transmitted from the ultrasonic wave transmission / reception element 182 is reflected when it hits an object such as a human body. The ultrasonic wave transmission / reception element 182 receives the reflected wave 185 of the ultrasonic wave and inputs it to the receiving unit 183 as an analog electric signal.

The receiving unit 183 converts the received ultrasonic analog electric signal into a digital signal and inputs it to the operation panel microcomputer 2d via the system bus 114. The operation panel microcomputer 2d measures the time from transmitting a signal for controlling ultrasonic wave transmission to the transmitting unit 181 to receiving the received signal of the reflected wave 185 of the ultrasonic wave by the receiving unit 183. Then, from the dynamic change of this time, the approaching or moving away movement of the object generating the reflected wave 185 is detected. The operation panel microcomputer 2d, which is the target for exchanging signals with the motion sensor 15, may be the CPU 7 of the control unit 3.

FIG. 14 shows the positional relationship between the detection range (predetermined area) B of the motion sensor 15 and the operator 70. In the present embodiment, the motion sensor 15 is an ultrasonic type sensor as described above. The detection range B of the motion sensor 15 extends in a fan shape to the front of the image forming apparatus 1 from the detection surface of the motion sensor 15.

When the operator 70 walks toward the image forming apparatus 1 and enters the detection range B of the motion sensor 15 as shown in FIG. 14, the detection signal of the motion sensor 15 changes. The operation panel microcomputer 2d (FIG. 7) detects an object according to an object detection algorithm according to a change in the detection signal of the motion sensor 15.

Since the ultrasonic sensor of the present embodiment also receives a signal reflected from an immovable object such as a desk or a pillar placed around the image forming apparatus, the approaching operator 70 is determined by the detection algorithm. I try to distinguish. Further, the detection algorithm is used to discriminate between a person who only crosses in front of the image forming apparatus 1 and a person who actually uses the image forming apparatus 1.

When the operation panel microcomputer 2d detects the operator 70 according to the detection algorithm, the operation panel microcomputer 2d sends a detection signal to the control unit 3. The CPU 7 of the control unit 3 controls operations such as changing the power supply state of the image forming apparatus 1 from the sleep state to the standby state and holding the image forming device 1 so as not to shift from the standby state to the sleep state according to the detection signal. That is, when the motion sensor 15 detects a person while the image forming apparatus 1 is in the sleeping state, the CPU 7 shifts the state of the image forming apparatus 1 from the sleeping state to the standby state. Then, while the motion sensor 15 detects a person, the state of the image forming apparatus 1 is not changed to the sleep state.

When the motion sensor 15 no longer detects a person, the sleep state may be automatically entered. Further, even if the motion sensor 15 detects a person in the standby state, if there is no operation on the image forming apparatus for a certain period of time, the sleep state may be entered.

[Operator authentication]
Next, the operation of the CPU 7 of the control unit 3 when the operator performs NFC authentication to the image forming apparatus 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 15 and FIGS. 16 to 18. In the following description, the operator is the user. The operator is not limited to the user, but also includes a service person who maintains the image forming apparatus 1.

First, it is assumed that the state of the image forming apparatus 1 is the sleep state. In this state, when the motion sensor 15 detects that there is a person (user in this case) within a predetermined area (within the detection range), the operation panel microcomputer 2d uses the detection signal of the motion sensor 15 to display the image forming apparatus 1. Determine that there is a user in front. Then, when the CPU 7 receives the user's detection signal from the operation panel microcomputer 2d (S101), the image forming apparatus 1 is put into the standby state from the sleep state, and the CPU 7 is displayed on the display unit 2a of the operation panel 2 as shown in FIG. Display the NFC authentication screen (S102).

The NFC authentication screen of FIG. 16 corresponds to a first screen for holding the mobile terminal 6 over a predetermined position of the image forming apparatus 1. That is, the NFC authentication screen of FIG. 16 displays a target mark indicating a predetermined position over which the mobile terminal 6 is held in order to perform NFC communication between the image forming device 1 and the mobile terminal 6. In the present embodiment, since the loop antenna 26 of the NFC tag unit 4 for performing NFC communication with the mobile terminal 6 is arranged in the operation panel 2, the target mark is displayed in the operation panel 2 (inside the operation panel). I try to do it. The screen of FIG. 16 is an example, and the first screen may be a display that shows the position of holding the mobile terminal 6 equipped with NFC.

In addition to the display indicating the predetermined position where the mobile terminal 6 is held over the first screen as shown in FIG. 16, a button for manually inputting information for the image forming apparatus 1 to authenticate the user (a button ( The software key) may be displayed. This is because the user may not have a mobile terminal having an NFC communication function in the first place, or may desire manual authentication.

Here, there are cases where the radio wave of NFC communication of the mobile terminal 6 is weak and cannot be detected by the image forming apparatus 1, or NFC communication cannot be performed due to a malfunction of the NFC communication device of the mobile terminal 6 or the image forming apparatus 1. is there. In that case, since the user does not notice the failure or the like, there is a possibility that the user is waiting for the communication of the mobile terminal 6 in front of the image forming apparatus 1. Alternatively, it may try to communicate with NFC many times. As a result, time is wasted. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the control unit 3 as the authentication unit does not authenticate the user within a predetermined time after displaying the NFC authentication screen on the operation panel 2 with the motion sensor 15 detecting a person. In this case, the control unit 3 controls the display unit 2a so as to display a second screen indicating that the user cannot be authenticated according to the elapse of a predetermined time. The flow chart of FIG. 15 will be returned to a specific description.

When the NFC authentication screen is displayed on the display unit 2a of the operation panel 2 in S102, the control unit 3 starts measuring the time T in which the user is in front of the image forming apparatus (S103). The initial value of time T is T = 0. The user performs an operation of holding the mobile terminal 6 over the instructed position according to the screen display. The CPU 7 of the control unit 3 cannot detect the operation itself for authentication performed by the user, but instead identifies whether the object (here, the mobile terminal 6) is detected via NFC communication (S104). If NFC communication can be detected (Yes in S104), it means that the object has existed, and the process proceeds to the authentication operation (S108). In the authentication operation, as described above, NFC communication is performed between the mobile terminal 6 and the image forming apparatus 1, so that personal authentication and wireless LAN connection settings are automatically performed.

When the control unit 3 authenticates the user in S108, the control unit 3 controls the display unit 2a of the operation panel 2 so as to display the image formation conditions as shown in FIG. 17, for example. That is, when NFC communication is performed and the control unit 3 authenticates the user between the time when the above-mentioned first screen is displayed with the motion sensor 15 detecting a person and the time when a predetermined time described later elapses. , The image formation conditions are displayed on the operation panel 2.

On the screen shown in FIG. 17, four types of setting buttons 73a to 73d are displayed. The setting button 73a is a button for setting whether to perform image formation in monochrome or color (monochrome / color). The setting button 73b is a button for setting the number of copies to be printed. The setting button 73c is a button for setting whether to perform image formation on one side or both sides (single side / double side). The setting button 73d is a button for setting the paper size.

More specifically, the operation panel 2 displays the image formation conditions in response to the user holding the mobile terminal 6 over the target mark of the operation panel 2 at a predetermined position to perform authentication. For example, suppose that the user selects an image file to be printed on the mobile terminal 6. In this state, when the user holds the mobile terminal 6 over the target mark on the operation panel 2, the operation panel 2 displays a screen for setting the number of prints. This screen corresponds to a screen for displaying image formation conditions. When the user inputs the number of prints and presses the start button, the number of images selected on the mobile terminal 6 is printed.

Further, the screen displayed after the user is authenticated (after login) may be a screen individually set for the user. That is, a user, an administrator who manages the device, or the like sets an image forming condition unique to each user in advance for the image forming device, and displays based on the setting after the user is authenticated. Is also good. That is, when the user is authenticated, the control unit 3 controls the display unit 2a of the operation panel 2 so as to display the image formation conditions corresponding to the authenticated user.

For example, it is desirable that a user whose most conditions for image formation are A4 monochrome is set with "A4 monochrome" image formation conditions when logging in to the image forming apparatus 1. The storage device of the image forming device 1 in the present embodiment can store the image forming conditions for each user. Therefore, when the user's login to the image forming apparatus 1 is completed, the "image forming condition" of the user is automatically set, and the image forming condition is displayed on the operation panel 2.

However, the image formation conditions corresponding to such a user may be stored at the request of the user. For example, when the user finishes image formation under a predetermined image formation condition, a screen for confirming whether or not to memorize the condition is displayed, and the condition is memorized according to the operation at that time. Or you may or may not. Further, the storage time may be limited so that the initial setting of the image forming apparatus may be restored after a certain period of time has elapsed. For example, suppose that a user who normally forms an image on an A4 size recording material automatically stores the image forming condition when an image is formed on the A3 recording material at a certain time. In this case, the condition for forming an image on the A3 size recording material is set when this user logs in next time, and there is a possibility that the usability of the user who normally forms an image on the A4 size recording material is deteriorated. On the other hand, as described above, the usability of the user is improved by allowing the user to select whether or not to memorize the image formation condition and limiting the time for memorizing the image formation condition. Be done.

In addition to this, the screen displayed after the operator's authentication may be a menu screen on which "copy mode", "FAX mode", "scan mode", "setting mode", etc. can be selected. Each of these modes is also included in the image formation conditions. In this case, if the user selects the "setting mode", he / she may be able to confirm / reset his / her own image formation conditions. Further, even when the user presses the "copy mode", the image formation conditions set by the user may be displayed first. That is, when the user is authenticated, the operation panel 2 may first display the menu screen and then display the image formation condition setting screen or the confirmation screen.

On the other hand, if NFC communication cannot be detected in S104 (No in S104), the CPU 7 determines whether or not the motion sensor 15 has detected the user (S105). That is, the CPU 7 determines whether or not the user is still in front of the image forming apparatus 1 from the detection signal of the user of the operation panel microcomputer 2d by the motion sensor 15. If it is determined that the user is not in front of the image forming apparatus 1 (No in S105), the process ends without any particular processing (S109). In this embodiment, the NFC authentication screen of FIG. 16 is continuously displayed. Then, when a certain period of time elapses without any operation of the image forming apparatus 1, the image forming apparatus 1 is put into a sleep state.

On the other hand, in S105, when it is determined that the user is in front of the image forming apparatus 1 (Yes in S105), has the preset predetermined time T0 elapsed from the start of the display of the NFC authentication screen (T = T0)? ) Is confirmed (S106). If the time from the start of displaying the NFC authentication screen does not elapse T0 for a predetermined time (No in S106), the process returns to S104 to determine whether or not NFC communication has been detected. The predetermined time T0 is, for example, 10 seconds, but the predetermined time T0 can be set as appropriate. Further, the user may be able to change the predetermined time.

When the predetermined time T0 elapses from the display start of the NFC authentication screen (Yes in S106), it is determined that the user is waiting for the image forming apparatus 1 to authenticate by NFC communication. Then, the screen of the operation panel 2 is switched to the manual login screen as shown in FIG. 18 (S107). That is, the CPU 7 displays an authentication screen (manual login screen in this embodiment) other than NFC communication as shown in FIG. 18 on the display unit 2a of the operation panel 2.

The manual login screen of FIG. 18 corresponds to a second screen indicating that the user cannot be authenticated. The manual login screen of FIG. 18 includes a display indicating that the user cannot be authenticated, and a display for manually inputting information (for example, ID or PASSWORD) for the image forming apparatus 1 to authenticate the user.

Specifically, on the manual login screen of FIG. 18, a manual input box 201 for an ID required for login and a manual input box 202 for a password are displayed. The user selects an input destination by touching each box, inputs information with the key 20b (FIG. 2), and manually logs in. Even when such a manual login is performed, the image formation conditions corresponding to the user may be displayed on the operation panel 2 as described above. When the user touches the manual input box, a software key capable of inputting characters such as alphabets and numbers may be displayed on the operation panel 2. In this case, the user manually logs in by inputting information in each box by touch operation. Further, on the screen of FIG. 18, a button (software key) 203 for returning to the NFC authentication input screen by the mobile terminal 6 is displayed again. When the user touches the button 203, the screen of FIG. 16 is displayed again.

In the case of the present embodiment, as described above, if the NFC authentication is not performed within a predetermined time after the NFC authentication screen is displayed, the manual login screen as shown in FIG. 18 is displayed. .. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the operator from wasting time due to the inability to perform NFC communication.

<Another example of this embodiment>
The second screen is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 18, and may be, for example, a screen as shown in FIG. 19 or FIG. 20. FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a second screen of another first example of the present embodiment. Unlike FIG. 18, the screen shown in FIG. 19 displays that the user cannot be authenticated, and the image forming apparatus 1 manually inputs information for authenticating the user (manual input boxes 201, 202, etc. in FIG. 18). ) Is not displayed. However, in FIG. 19, a button (software key) for manually shifting to a screen for inputting information for the image forming apparatus 1 to authenticate the user is displayed.

That is, in this example, on the NFC authentication screen of FIG. 16, when the target cannot be detected by NFC communication and when the motion sensor 15 continues to detect the user, the manual login screen of FIG. 18 is immediately displayed. The screen shown in FIG. 19 is displayed without shifting to. The screen of FIG. 19 may be displayed on the screen of FIG.

When the screen of FIG. 19 is displayed on the screen of FIG. 16, when NFC authentication cannot be performed, the screen is suddenly and unintentionally switched, so that the user is erroneously recognized as if the authentication was successful. It can be prevented from being stowed.

Further, FIG. 20 is a diagram showing a second screen of another second example of the present embodiment. In this example, instead of the manual input authentication as shown in FIG. 18, an image that can be read by the camera 38 of the mobile terminal 6 and includes information for the image forming apparatus 1 to authenticate the user (here). Then, the authentication is performed by the two-dimensional bar code). Therefore, in this example, the image forming apparatus 1 requires the two-dimensional bar code generation unit 12 shown in FIG. 7, and the mobile terminal 6 requires the camera 38 and the two-dimensional bar code analysis unit 39 shown in FIG. Is.

That is, in this example, when the target cannot be detected by NFC communication on the NFC authentication screen of FIG. 16 and when the motion sensor 15 continues to detect the user, as shown in FIG. The dimension bar code is displayed. In addition, you may display on the screen of FIG. 20 that the user cannot be authenticated.

By doing so, the user can log in to the image forming apparatus 1 by reading the two-dimensional bar code with the camera 38 of the mobile terminal 6 without manually inputting the data. A button (software key) indicating the transition to the manual login screen may be displayed on the screen of FIG. 19 to enable manual input.

In addition, for example, on the screen of FIG. 19, the description of "Please log in manually" is deleted, and the display of "Transfer to the manual login screen" is changed to "Display a two-dimensional bar code". Alternatively, this screen may be displayed on the screen of FIG. Then, when the "display two-dimensional bar code" button is touched on such a screen, the screen of FIG. 20 may be displayed. Furthermore, the manual login screen and the screen for displaying the two-dimensional bar code may be displayed at the same time, or the buttons for shifting to the respective login method screens may be displayed at the same time so that the login method can be selected. ..

<Second embodiment>
The second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 20 with reference to FIG. 21. In the first embodiment described above, the second screen is displayed when the image forming apparatus 1 does not authenticate the operator for a predetermined time after displaying the first screen. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, if the image forming apparatus 1 does not authenticate the operator even if the operation panel 2 is touched a predetermined number of times after the first screen is displayed, even before the elapse of the predetermined time Two screens are displayed. Since other configurations and operations are the same as those in the first embodiment, the same configurations will be described with reference to the same reference numerals, and illustration and description thereof will be omitted.

Also in this embodiment, the first screen is a screen as shown in FIG. 16, and NFC communication can be performed by holding the mobile terminal 6 over the operation panel 2. Therefore, when NFC communication is not possible, it is assumed that the user places the mobile terminal 6 on the operation panel 2 or hits the mobile terminal on the operation panel 2 many times. Therefore, when the target cannot be detected by NFC communication, the operation panel microcomputer 2d may repeatedly detect the signal that the touch panel is touched from the operation input unit 2b.

The operation panel microcomputer 2d transmits the input detection information of the operation input unit 2b to the CPU 7 of the control unit 3. From the detection signal of the operation input unit 2b and the detection signal of the motion sensor 15, the CPU 7 can determine that the user 7 standing in front of the image forming apparatus 1 is present and is operating the operation input unit 2b. Therefore, it can be determined that the user 7 is trying to authenticate.

The operation sequence of the CPU 7 of the control unit 3 at this time will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 21 is substantially the same as the flowchart shown in FIG. 15 of the first embodiment. That is, it is the same except for S203 and S206. In FIG. 15, the screen is switched based on the determination of the time T, whereas in FIG. 21, the screen is switched by the number of times the operation input unit 2b is touched.

Specifically, when the NFC authentication screen is displayed on the display unit 2a of the operation panel 2 in S202, the control unit 3 starts measuring the time T in which the user is in front of the image forming apparatus, and at the same time, the operation input unit 2b The count of the number of operations F is started (S203). The initial value of the number of operations F is set to F = 0. The number of operations of the operation input unit 2b is the number of times the operation panel 2 is touched.

Further, in S204, if the object cannot be detected by NFC communication and the motion sensor 15 detects the user (No in S204, Yes in S205), the process proceeds to S206. In S206, has the preset predetermined time T0 elapsed (T = T0) from the start of the display of the NFC authentication screen (first screen), or has the count of the number of operations F reached the preset predetermined number of times F0? Confirm (F = F0). If none of the above conditions are satisfied (No in S206), the process returns to S204, and if either one is satisfied (Yes in S206), the CPU 7 displays a second screen as shown in FIG. 18 on the display unit 2a of the operation panel 2. Display (S207).

That is, if the number of operations F reaches the predetermined number of times F0 before the elapsed time T from the display on the first screen reaches the predetermined time T0, the second screen is displayed even before the predetermined time T0 has elapsed. .. On the other hand, even if the number of operations F has not reached the predetermined number of times F0, the second screen is displayed even when the elapsed time T reaches the predetermined time T0. The predetermined number of times F0 is, for example, twice, but the predetermined number of times F0 can be set as appropriate. Further, the user may be able to change the predetermined number of times.

In the case of the present embodiment as described above, even if a predetermined time has not elapsed from the display on the first screen, the second screen is displayed when the operation panel 2 is operated a predetermined number of times, so that the user can display the second screen. You can further reduce the waiting time without being able to authenticate.

<Other Embodiments>
In each of the above-described embodiments, a case where a portable device such as a smartphone or a tablet computer having functions of NFC communication and wireless LAN communication is used as the mobile terminal has been described. However, the mobile terminal may be an IC card or the like having an NFC communication function. Such an IC card does not have a wireless LAN communication function, but personal authentication can be performed on the image forming apparatus by NFC communication.

Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, the configuration in which the loop antenna 26 of the NFC tag unit 4 for performing NFC communication with the mobile terminal 6 is arranged in the operation panel 2 has been described. However, the loop antenna 26 may be outside the operation panel 2. For example, it may be provided at a position adjacent to the operation panel 2. In this case, on the first screen to hold the mobile terminal 6 over the predetermined position of the image forming apparatus 1, the position where the loop antenna 26 is arranged is displayed as the predetermined position over which the mobile terminal 6 is held.

Further, in each of the above-described embodiments, when the motion sensor 15 detects a person, the image forming apparatus 1 is put into the standby state from the sleep mode, but even if the motion sensor 15 detects a person, the image forming device 1 is not put into the standby state. The first screen as shown in 16 may be displayed. Then, when the personal authentication is completed by NFC authentication or another method, the image forming apparatus 1 may be put into the standby state.

Further, the timing of displaying the first screen is not limited to the case where the motion sensor 15 detects a person in the sleep mode. For example, in the standby state, the first screen is displayed even when the motion sensor 15 detects a person again after a lapse of time that does not shift to the sleep mode after the motion sensor 15 stops detecting a person. It may be displayed. As an example of such a case, the previous operator who has been authenticated and used the image forming apparatus 1 disappears from the front of the image forming apparatus 1, and another operator leaves the image forming apparatus 1 in the standby state. It is conceivable that the image forming device 1 is in front of the image forming apparatus 1.

Further, as another example of the timing of displaying the first screen, there is a time when the image forming apparatus 1 is started. That is, when the image forming apparatus 1 is activated by turning on the main power of the image forming apparatus 1, for example, after first displaying an initial screen such as a logo mark of the manufacturer of the apparatus on the operation panel 2, the image forming apparatus 1 is displayed. The first screen may be displayed. In this case, the first screen may be displayed even if the motion sensor 15 does not detect a person, or the first screen may be displayed when the motion sensor 15 detects a person. Is also good.

1 ... Image forming device / 2 ... Operation panel / 2a ... Display unit / 2b ... Operation input unit (operation unit, manual input unit) / 3 ... Control unit (authentication unit) / 4・ ・ ・ NFC tag part (communication part) / 6 ・ ・ ・ Mobile terminal / 15 ・ ・ ・ Human sensor / 20b ・ ・ ・ Key (manual input part) / 26 ・ ・ ・ Loop antenna (antenna) / 38 ・ ・·camera

Claims (12)

An image forming apparatus capable of forming an image on a recording material under image forming conditions operated by an operator.
A display unit capable of displaying information on the image formation conditions and
A motion sensor capable of detecting the presence of a person in a predetermined area around the image forming apparatus, and a motion sensor.
A communication unit that performs short-range wireless communication with mobile terminals,
An authentication unit that authenticates the operator based on short-range wireless communication by the communication unit,
When the motion sensor detects a person, the display unit is controlled so as to display a first screen indicating that the mobile terminal is held over a predetermined position of the image forming apparatus, and the motion sensor controls the person. When the authentication unit authenticates the operator between the time when the first screen is displayed in the detected state and the time when a predetermined time elapses, the display unit is controlled so as to display the image formation condition, and the display unit is controlled. If the authentication unit does not authenticate the operator within the predetermined time after displaying the first screen with the motion sensor detecting a person, the operator responds to the elapse of the predetermined time. A control unit that controls the display unit so as to display a second screen indicating that the user cannot be authenticated.
An image forming apparatus characterized in that. The image formation conditions are individually set for the operator.
When the authentication unit authenticates the operator, the control unit controls the display unit so as to display the image formation condition corresponding to the authenticated operator.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is characterized in that. The image forming apparatus is provided with a manual input unit capable of manually inputting information for authenticating an operator.
The second screen includes a display indicating that the information is manually input.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the image forming apparatus is characterized in that. An image forming apparatus capable of forming an image on a recording material under image forming conditions operated by an operator.
A display unit capable of displaying information on the image formation conditions and
A motion sensor capable of detecting the presence of a person in a predetermined area around the image forming apparatus, and a motion sensor.
A communication unit that performs short-range wireless communication with mobile terminals,
An authentication unit that authenticates the operator based on short-range wireless communication by the communication unit,
A manual input unit capable of manually inputting information for the image forming apparatus to authenticate the operator,
When the motion sensor detects a person, the display unit is controlled so as to display a first screen indicating that the mobile terminal is held over a predetermined position of the image forming device, and the motion sensor controls the person. When the authentication unit authenticates the operator between the time when the first screen is displayed in the detected state and the time when a predetermined time elapses, the display unit is controlled so as to display the image formation condition, and the display unit is controlled. If the authentication unit does not authenticate the operator within the predetermined time after displaying the first screen with the motion sensor detecting a person, manually according to the elapse of the predetermined time. A control unit that controls the display unit so as to display a second screen for inputting the information is provided.
An image forming apparatus characterized in that. The image formation conditions are individually set for the operator.
When the authentication unit authenticates the operator, the control unit controls the display unit so as to display the image formation condition corresponding to the authenticated operator.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the image forming apparatus is characterized in that. An operation panel having the display unit, an operation unit capable of inputting information by an operator by touch operation, and an antenna for performing short-range wireless communication with a mobile terminal is provided.
The manual input unit includes the operation unit.
The predetermined position is displayed in the operation panel.
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the image forming apparatus is characterized in that. The control unit does not authenticate the operator even if the operation panel is touched a predetermined number of times after displaying the first screen on the display unit in a state where the motion sensor detects a person. In this case, the display unit is controlled so that the second screen is displayed even before the lapse of the predetermined time.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the image forming apparatus is characterized in that. The second screen is an image that can be read by a camera of a mobile terminal, and includes an image including information for the image forming apparatus to authenticate an operator.
The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the image forming apparatus is characterized in that. An image forming apparatus capable of forming an image on a recording material under image forming conditions operated by an operator.
A display unit capable of displaying information on the image formation conditions and
A motion sensor capable of detecting the presence of a person in a predetermined area around the image forming apparatus, and a motion sensor.
A communication unit that performs short-range wireless communication with mobile terminals,
An authentication unit that authenticates the operator based on short-range wireless communication by the communication unit,
When the motion sensor detects a person, the display unit is controlled so as to display a first screen indicating that the mobile terminal is held over a predetermined position of the image forming apparatus, and the motion sensor controls the person. When the authentication unit authenticates the operator between the time when the first screen is displayed in the detected state and the time when a predetermined time elapses, the display unit is controlled so as to display the image formation condition, and the display unit is controlled. If the authentication unit does not authenticate the operator within the predetermined time after displaying the first screen with the motion sensor detecting a person, the mobile terminal responds to the elapse of the predetermined time. A control unit that controls the display unit so as to display a second screen having an image that can be read by the camera of the image forming apparatus and includes an image including information for authenticating the operator. ,
An image forming apparatus characterized in that. The image formation conditions are individually set for the operator.
When the authentication unit authenticates the operator, the control unit controls the display unit so as to display the image formation condition corresponding to the authenticated operator.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 9. An operation panel having the display unit, an operation unit capable of inputting information by an operator by touch operation, and an antenna for performing short-range wireless communication with a mobile terminal is provided.
The predetermined position is displayed in the operation panel.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 9 or 10. The control unit does not authenticate the operator even if the operation panel is touched a predetermined number of times after displaying the first screen on the display unit in a state where the motion sensor detects a person. In this case, the display unit is controlled so that the second screen is displayed even before the lapse of the predetermined time.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 11.

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