JP2021153252A - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a local area radio communication environment that allows access to the Internet not through a radio base station at the occurrence of a special situation, such as the occurrence of a disaster.SOLUTION: A print control unit 5b, when a first communication device 4a receives a print job, causes a printer device 1 to execute print processing based on the print job, and when a special event occurs, causes the printer device 1 to execute the print processing of an image of authentication information. A relay processing unit 5d, when the first communication device 4a receives the authentication information after the printing processing of the image of the authentication information is executed, executes processing of relaying communication in which a terminal being a transmission source of the authentication information accesses the Internet 83 with the first communication device 4a as an access point.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus capable of local area communication and access to the Internet.

Image forming devices such as printers, copiers, and MFPs can access the Internet through optical networks, etc., and wireless communication in local areas with information terminals in accordance with communication standards such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark). May be possible.

For example, the image forming apparatus transmits and receives various data to and from a management server on the Internet, and receives a print job from the information terminal such as a personal computer.

Further, when the image forming apparatus installed in the store receives an instruction to switch the operation mode to the disaster mode and can acquire disaster information from another device, the operation mode can be switched to the disaster mode. It is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The image forming apparatus provides a service normally provided for a fee in the disaster mode free of charge.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-182624 Public Relations

By the way, a disaster such as an earthquake or a typhoon may cause a communication failure of a wireless base station of a telephone line. In this case, it is desirable that an alternative wireless communication environment in which the information terminal can access the Internet is provided to people in the disaster area.

An object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus suitable for providing a wireless communication environment in a local area where an Internet can be accessed when a special situation such as a disaster occurs.

The image forming apparatus according to one aspect of the present invention includes a printing apparatus, a first communication apparatus, a second communication apparatus, a print control unit, and a relay processing unit. The printing apparatus executes a printing process for forming an image on a sheet. The first communication device can perform local area communication through a wireless first communication medium. The second communication device can access the Internet through a second communication medium different from the first communication medium. The print control unit is set in advance when the first communication device receives a print job, causes the print device to execute the print process based on the print job, and a predetermined special event occurs. The printing device is made to execute the printing process of the image of the authentication information. In the relay processing unit, when the first communication device receives the authentication information after the printing process of the image of the authentication information is executed, the terminal that transmits the authentication information sends the first communication device. The relay process of the communication for accessing the Internet as an access point is executed.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an image forming apparatus suitable for providing a wireless communication environment in a local area that can access the Internet when a special situation such as a disaster occurs.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure of normal mode processing by the CPU of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a procedure for special mode processing by the CPU of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The following embodiments are examples that embody the present invention, and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention.

[Structure of image forming apparatus 10]
The image forming apparatus 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a printing apparatus 1 that executes a printing process for forming an image on a sheet 91. For example, the image forming apparatus 10 is a printer, a copying machine, a facsimile apparatus, a multifunction device, or the like.

The printing device 1 executes the printing process by a predetermined method such as an electrophotographic method or an inkjet method.

In the example shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 10 includes an image reading apparatus 2 in addition to the printing apparatus 1. The image reading device 2 executes an image reading process for reading an image from the document 92.

In the following description, the image read from the document 92 by the image reading process of the image reading device 2 is referred to as a scanned image.

The image forming apparatus 10 can execute the copy process by the image reading device 2 executing the image reading process and the printing device 1 executing the printing process based on the scanned image.

The image forming apparatus 10 can communicate with one or more information terminals 8a through a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) 81. The information terminal 8a is an information processing device such as a mobile terminal or a personal computer capable of communicating with the image forming device 10.

As shown in FIG. 1, the image forming apparatus 10 further includes a user interface device 3, a first communication device 4a, a second communication device 4b, and a control device 5.

The user interface device 3 includes an operation unit 3a, a display unit 3b, and the like. The operation unit 3a is a device that receives human operations, and includes, for example, operation buttons and a touch panel.

The display unit 3b includes a display panel such as a liquid crystal panel capable of displaying information. The operation of the person includes not only the operation by a person's hand but also the operation by a person's voice or the operation by a person's eyes.

The first communication device 4a can perform local area communication with the information terminal 8a through the wireless LAN 81. The wireless LAN 81 is an example of a wireless first communication medium. For example, the first communication device 4a performs wireless communication in a local area according to the communication standard of Wi-Fi (registered trademark).

The second communication device 4b can access the Internet 83 through a wired network 82 such as an optical network. The wired network 82 is an example of a second communication medium different from the first communication medium.

The image forming apparatus 10 is installed in a store such as a convenience store or a public facility such as a library, and provides a paid service for executing the print process or the copy process. Therefore, the image forming apparatus 10 also includes a billing apparatus 6.

The control device 5 executes various calculations, data processing, and control of various electric devices included in the image forming device 10. The control device 5 can exchange data and control signals between the printing device 1, the image reading device 2, the user interface device 3, the first communication device 4a, the second communication device 4b, and the billing device 6.

The control device 5 includes a CPU 51, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 52, a secondary storage device 53, and the like.

The RAM 52 is a computer-readable volatile storage device. The RAM 52 can temporarily store a computer program executed by the CPU 51 and various data referenced or output by the CPU 51.

The secondary storage device 53 is a computer-readable non-volatile storage device. The secondary storage device 53 stores in advance the computer program executed by the CPU 51 and various data referenced by the CPU 51.

For example, a combination of one or both of an SSD (Solid State Drive) and a hard disk drive is adopted as the secondary storage device 53.

The CPU 51 is a processor that executes the computer program stored in the secondary storage device 53 after expanding it into the RAM 52. As a result, the CPU 51 executes various data processing and control.

The CPU 51 includes a plurality of processing modules realized by executing the computer program. The plurality of processing modules include a main control unit 5a, a print control unit 5b, a read control unit 5c, and the like.

The main control unit 5a mainly monitors the operation of the operation unit 3a and the data reception by the communication device 4, and when the operation or data reception is detected, controls the start of processing according to the detection content.

Further, the main control unit 5a may transmit the operation data representing the operation status of the image forming apparatus 10 to the management server 8b on the Internet 83 through the second communication device 4b.

The print control unit 5b controls the print device 1 to cause the print device 1 to execute the print process. For example, when the first communication device 4a receives a print job, the print device 1 is made to execute the print process based on the received print job.

Further, when the main control unit 5a downloads a print job from the data server 8c on the Internet 83 to the secondary storage device 53 in response to the download print operation for the operation unit 3a, the print process based on the downloaded print job is performed. Is executed by the printing device 1.

The reading control unit 5c controls the image reading device 2 to cause the image reading device 2 to execute the image reading process. For example, when the main control unit 5a detects a copy operation on the operation unit 3a, the reading control unit 5c causes the image reading device 2 to execute the image reading process, and the print control unit 5b further prints the print based on the scanned image. Let the printing device 1 execute the process.

It is also conceivable that another processor such as a DSP executes the data processing and control instead of the CPU 51.

By the way, a disaster such as an earthquake or a typhoon may cause a communication failure of a wireless base station of a telephone line. In this case, it is desirable that the information terminal 8a provides people in the disaster area with a wireless communication environment in which the Internet 83 can be accessed without going through the wireless base station.

As will be described later, the image forming apparatus 10 shifts from the normal mode in which the first communication device 4a is used for receiving the print job to the relay mode in which the first communication device 4a is used for relay processing for accessing the Internet 83. It has a function. As a result, the image forming apparatus 10 can provide a wireless communication environment in a local area where the Internet 83 can be accessed when a special situation such as a disaster occurs.

The CPU 51 further includes a relay processing unit 5d as the processing module realized by executing the computer program (see FIG. 1).

[Normal mode processing]
Hereinafter, an example of the procedure of the normal mode processing, which is the processing of the CPU 51 in the normal mode, will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

The image forming apparatus 10 operates in the normal mode when it is started. The main control unit 5a starts the normal mode processing when the image forming apparatus 10 is activated. In the following description, S101, S102, ... Represent an identification code for a plurality of steps in the normal mode processing.

<Process S101>
In the normal mode processing, the main control unit 5a determines whether or not the image forming apparatus 10 is in a chargeable state. The chargeable state is a state in which a charge corresponding to the service of the print process or the copy process is possible.

For example, the main control unit 5a determines that the image forming apparatus 10 is in the chargeable state when money exceeding a predetermined amount is deposited in the charging device 6. Further, in the main control unit 5a, the image forming apparatus 10 can charge the charge even when the charge registration information corresponding to the input identification information input through the operation unit 3a is registered in the data server 8c on the Internet 83. Determined to be in a state.

When the image forming apparatus 10 determines that the chargeable state is available, the main control unit 5a shifts the process to step S102, and when not, shifts the process to step S108. When the main control unit 5a determines that the image forming apparatus 10 is not in the chargeable state, the main control unit 5a outputs a message to the display unit 3b that a deposit operation is required.

<Process S102>
In step S102, the main control unit 5a monitors the operation on the operation unit 3a, and when it detects the operation of the print request for the operation unit 3a, shifts the process to the process S103, and if not, transfers the process to the process S104. Migrate.

<Process S103>
In step S103, the print control unit 5b executes a process of acquiring the print job, and shifts the process to step S106.

For example, the process of acquiring the print job is the process of receiving the print job from the information terminal 8a through the first communication device 4a, or the process of downloading the print job from the data server 8c on the Internet 83 through the second communication device 4b. It is a process to do.

<Step S104>
In step S104, the main control unit 5a monitors the operation on the operation unit 3a, and when the operation of the copy request for the operation unit 3a is detected, shifts the process to step S105, and if not, shifts the process to step S108. Migrate.

<Process S105>
In step S105, the reading control unit 5c causes the image reading device 2 to execute the image reading process, and then shifts the process to step S106.

<Step S106>
In step S106, the print control unit 5b causes the print apparatus 1 to execute the print process based on the print job obtained in step S103 or the print process based on the read image obtained in step S105. After that, the print control unit 5b shifts the process to step S107.

<Process S107>
In step S107, the main control unit 5a executes the print process executed in response to the print request or the billing process corresponding to the copy process executed in response to the copy request.

For example, the billing process is a process of reducing the balance of the billing device 6 or a process of reducing and updating the balance data in the billing registration information. After executing the billing process, the main control unit 5a shifts the process to step S101.

<Step S108>
In step S108, the main control unit 5a determines whether or not a predetermined special event has occurred. For example, it is conceivable that the special event includes one or both of the first special event and the second special event shown below.

The first special event is an event in which the second communication device 4b receives emergency notification information from a predetermined emergency notification device 8d on the Internet 83.

For example, when the emergency notification device 8d executes the push notification to the second communication device 4b, the second communication device 4b receives the emergency notification information. Further, when the main control unit 5a periodically executes an inquiry process to the emergency notification device 8d through the second communication device 4b, the second communication device 4b receives the emergency notification information as a response to the inquiry process. It is also possible.

The second special event is an event in which a predetermined special operation is performed on the operation unit 3a. For example, it is conceivable that the operation unit 3a is provided with an emergency button dedicated to accepting the special operation. In this case, the operation for the emergency button is the special operation. It is also conceivable that the special operation is a simultaneous operation or a keyword input operation for a plurality of operation buttons included in the operation unit 3a.

When the main control unit 5a determines that the special event has occurred, the process shifts to the process S109, and when not, the process shifts to the step S101.

<Process S109>
In step S109, the main control unit 5a shifts the operation mode of the image forming apparatus 10 from the normal mode to the relay mode, and ends the normal mode processing.

[Relay mode processing]
Next, an example of the procedure of the relay mode processing, which is the processing of the CPU 51 in the relay mode, will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

The image forming apparatus 10 operates in the normal mode when it is started. The main control unit 5a starts the relay mode process when the operation mode is shifted from the normal mode to the relay mode. In the following description, S201, S202, ... Represent the identification codes of the plurality of steps in the relay mode processing.

<Process S201>
In the relay mode processing, the relay processing unit 5d determines whether or not the Internet 83 can be accessed through the second communication device 4b. When the relay processing unit 5d determines that the Internet 83 can be accessed, the process shifts to the process S202, and when not, the process shifts to the step S207.

<Process S202>
In step S202, the print control unit 5b causes the printing apparatus 1 to execute the printing process of the authentication information image, which is an image of the authentication information set in advance, and then shifts the process to step S203.

The authentication information is information used in an authentication process for determining whether or not the first communication device 4a is allowed to be used as an access point for relaying access to the Internet 83. In the present embodiment, the authentication information includes an SSID (Service Set Identifier) and a password.

For example, the print control unit 5b causes the printing device 1 to execute a continuous printing process for forming the authentication information image on a plurality of sheets 91. The sheet 91 on which the authentication information image is formed is distributed to people near the store where the image forming apparatus 10 is installed.

Therefore, a person near the store inputs the authentication information represented by the authentication information image formed on the sheet 91 into the information terminal 8a, and then requests to use the image forming device 10 as an access point. It can be transmitted to the image forming apparatus 10 through the information terminal 8a.

In step S202, the main control unit 5a may display the authentication information on the display unit 3b.

<Process S203>
In step S203, the main control unit 5a outputs a relay mode notification indicating that the image forming apparatus 10 is operating in the relay mode through the display unit 3b. After that, the main control unit 5a shifts the process to step S204.

For example, the process of outputting the relay mode notification includes one or both of a process of blinking the display screen of the panel display unit included in the display unit 3b and a process of blinking the lamp included in the display unit 3b.

The main control unit 5a that executes the process of step S203 is an example of a notification unit that executes a predetermined notification process when the special event occurs. The process of outputting the relay mode notification is an example of the notification process.

<Process S204>
In step S204, the relay processing unit 5d monitors the reception status of the first communication device 4a and determines whether or not the authentication request is received from the information terminal 8a through the first communication device 4a. When the relay processing unit 5d determines that the authentication request has been received, the process shifts to the process S205, and when not, the process shifts to the step S208.

<Process S205>
In step S205, the relay processing unit 5d executes the authentication process corresponding to the authentication request received in step S204, and determines the success or failure of the authentication process.

When the authentication request received in step S204 includes the authentication information corresponding to the authentication information image printed in step S202, the relay processing unit 5d determines that the authentication process has succeeded, and does not. In this case, it is determined that the authentication process has failed.

When the relay processing unit 5d determines that the authentication process is successful, the process shifts to the process S206, and when it determines that the authentication process fails, the relay processing unit 5d shifts the process to the process S204.

In the following description, the information terminal 8a in which the authentication process is successful is referred to as a permitted terminal. In step S205, when the permitted terminals reach a predetermined upper limit number of terminals, the relay processing unit 5d performs the authentication process regardless of whether or not the authentication information is included in the authentication request. Determines that has failed.

<Step S206>
In step S206, the relay processing unit 5d establishes communication on the wireless LAN 81 with the authorized terminal, and then shifts the process to step S208.

<Step S207>
In step S207, the main control unit 5a outputs an error notification through the display unit 3b, and shifts the process to step S212.

<Process S208>
In step S208, the relay processing unit 5d executes a relay process of communication for accessing the Internet 83 using the first communication device 4a as an access point in response to a request from the permission terminal. After that, the relay processing unit 5d shifts the processing to step S209.

The relay processing unit 5d skips the process of step S208 when the access request to the Internet 83 is not received from the permitted terminal.

<Process S209>
In step S209, the relay processing unit 5d executes the relay limiting process and shifts the process to step S210.

The relay restriction process is a process for each authorized terminal to stop the relay process when a predetermined upper limit time has elapsed from the start of the relay process. Stopping the authentication process means excluding the target information terminal 8a from the permitted terminals.

In step S209, the relay processing unit 5d stores the information terminal 8a excluded from the permitted terminals as a restricted terminal.

When the relay processing unit 5d receives an access request to the Internet 83 from the restricted terminal, the relay processing unit 5d transmits a standby notification to the restricted terminal through the first communication device 4a without performing the relay process to the restricted terminal. .. The waiting notification indicates that it is necessary to redo the transmission of the authentication request after the predetermined compulsory waiting time has elapsed.

<Process S210>
In step S210, the relay processing unit 5d executes the restriction release process and shifts the process to step S211. The restriction release process is a process for canceling the stop of the relay process for each of the restricted terminals when the forced standby time elapses after the relay process is stopped.

Canceling the stop of the relay process means excluding the target information terminal 8a from the restricted terminals.

The relay processing unit 5d does not automatically return the information terminal 8a excluded from the restricted terminal to the permitted terminal. Therefore, the information terminal 8a excluded from the restricted terminal needs to start over from the transmission of the authentication request in order to return to the permitted terminal.

The processes of steps S209 and S210 are processes for preventing the service of the relay mode from being exclusively used by some information terminals 8a and giving more information terminals 8a an opportunity to receive the service of the relay mode. ..

<Process S211>
In step S211 the main control unit 5a determines whether or not a predetermined relay release event has occurred. For example, it is conceivable that the relay release event includes one or both of the first release event and the second release event shown below.

The first release event is an event in which the second communication device 4b receives the emergency release information from the emergency notification device 8d on the Internet 83.

For example, when the emergency notification device 8d executes the push notification to the second communication device 4b, the second communication device 4b receives the emergency release information. Further, when the main control unit 5a periodically executes an inquiry process to the emergency notification device 8d through the second communication device 4b, the second communication device 4b receives the emergency release information as a response to the inquiry process. It is also possible.

The second release event is an event in which a predetermined release operation is performed on the operation unit 3a. For example, it is conceivable that the operation unit 3a includes a release button dedicated to accepting the release operation. In this case, the operation for the release button is the release operation. It is also conceivable that the release operation is a simultaneous operation or a keyword input operation for a plurality of operation buttons included in the operation unit 3a.

When the main control unit 5a determines that the release event has occurred, the process shifts to the process S212, and if not, the process shifts to the step S204.

<Process S212>
In step S212, the main control unit 5a shifts the operation mode of the image forming apparatus 10 from the relay mode to the normal mode, and ends the relay mode process.

In step S212, before the main control unit 5a shifts the operation mode to the relay mode, the relay processing unit 5d sends the relay mode to all the permitted terminals and the restricted terminals through the first communication device 4a. Send a notification that the service has ended.

As shown above, when the first communication device 4a receives the print job, the print control unit 5b causes the print device 1 to execute the print process based on the print job (S103, S106 in FIG. 2). reference).

On the other hand, when the predetermined special event occurs, the print control unit 5b causes the printing device 1 to execute the printing process of the preset authentication information image (steps S108 and 3 in FIG. 2). See S202).

Further, the relay processing unit 5d receives information on the source of the authentication information when the first communication device 4a receives the authentication request including the authentication information after the printing process of the authentication information image is executed. The terminal 8a executes the relay processing of the communication for accessing the Internet 83 using the first communication device 4a as an access point (see steps S204 to S206 and step S208 in FIG. 3).

Therefore, the image forming apparatus 10 is suitable for providing a wireless communication environment in a local area where the Internet 83 can be accessed without going through a wireless base station of a telephone line when a special situation such as a disaster occurs. There is.

When the operation mode of the image forming apparatus 10 is the relay mode, the print control unit 5b prints the authentication information image every time a predetermined print operation is performed on the operation unit 3a. It is also conceivable to have the printing device 1 execute the above.

1: Printing device 2: Image reading device 3: User interface device 3a: Operation unit 3b: Display unit 4: Communication device 4a: First communication device 4b: Second communication device 5: Control device 5a: Main control unit 5b: Print Control unit 5c: Reading control unit 5d: Relay processing unit 6: Billing device 8a: Information terminal 8b: Management server 8c: Data server 8d: Emergency notification device 10: Image forming device 51: CPU
52: RAM
53: Secondary storage device 81: Wireless LAN
82: Wired network 83: Internet

Claims (4)

A printing device that executes a printing process that forms an image on a sheet,
A first communication device capable of local area communication through the first wireless communication medium,
A second communication device capable of accessing the Internet through a second communication medium different from the first communication medium, and
When the first communication device receives a print job, the print device is made to execute the print process based on the print job, and when a predetermined special event occurs, the image of the authentication information set in advance is displayed. A print control unit that causes the printing device to execute the printing process,
When the first communication device receives the authentication information after the printing process of the image of the authentication information is executed, the terminal of the source of the authentication information uses the first communication device as an access point to the Internet. An image forming apparatus including a relay processing unit that executes relay processing of the communication to be accessed. For each terminal, the relay processing unit stops the relay processing when a predetermined upper limit time elapses from the start of the relay processing, and further relays the relay when a predetermined forced standby time elapses. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the suspension of processing is released. The special event means that the second communication device receives emergency notification information from the device on the Internet, and that a predetermined special operation is performed on an operation unit included in the image forming device. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, which comprises one or both. The image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a notification unit that executes a predetermined notification process when the special event occurs.

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