JP6256283B2 - Connection display method and image forming system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a connection display method and an image forming system. For example, the present invention relates to a connection display method and an image forming system in which an image forming apparatus and a mobile terminal are connected to perform output processing.

  Conventionally, when an image forming apparatus is used from a mobile terminal (portable terminal), there is a technique for displaying, selecting, and specifying a candidate list of image forming apparatuses to be used for printing from the mobile terminal. It takes time and effort to recognize which device is intended and to select it. In addition, there is a possibility that it will become unusable because it is connected to other users before it is selected. Various techniques for improving the convenience of connection have been proposed. For example, there is a technique in which a portable terminal having a camera captures an image forming apparatus to be output and identifies the image forming apparatus based on the captured image (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2013-161469 A

  Incidentally, the connection between the image forming apparatus and the portable terminal is performed via a network such as a wireless LAN, but it is necessary to set an IP address, a user ID, a password, and the like for the connection. Such work feels troublesome for the user, and countermeasure technology has been demanded. The technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 is insufficient for such a problem, and another technique has been demanded.

  This invention is made | formed in view of such a condition, and it aims at providing the technique which can solve the said subject.

  The present inventionofConnection display method between image forming apparatus and mobile terminalIsThe image forming apparatusThe user interface part of the, Connect with mobile deviceTerminal connectionMobile connection start process to start the mode,When the terminal connection mode is started,The image forming apparatus temporarily prevents access from an external terminal,If another mobile device is connected, disconnect the connection.An access blocking step, and the image forming apparatus shifts to the terminal connection mode;Of the user interface partAn access code display step of displaying an access code including unique information and temporary holding information of the image forming apparatus so that the mobile terminal can recognize the mobile terminal on the display panel; Included specific informationAnd temporary holding informationAn access code acquisition step of acquiring a connection request step of transmitting a connection request to the image forming apparatus based on the acquired unique information and the provisional press information, and the image forming apparatus, Upon receiving the connection request of the mobile terminal, a connection with the mobile terminal is established, and after the connection is established, a user interface that can be remotely operated is displayed on the mobile terminal in a manner similar to the user interface of the image forming apparatus Connection establishment / display processWith,The connection establishment / display step is a step executed during a period in which the access code displayed in the access code display step is continuously displayed on the display panel, and the connection display method further includes: A mobile disconnecting process for terminating the display of the access code and disconnecting the connection between the image forming apparatus and the mobile terminal, the mobile disconnecting process after a predetermined period from the establishment of the connection or from the mobile terminal The access code display is set to end after the elapse of a predetermined period of time after no access has been made, and when there is an access from the external terminal, the period until the access code display ends is shortenedIt is characterized by.
The present invention is an image forming system including an image forming apparatus and a mobile terminal, and the image forming apparatus includes:A user interface that accepts user operations;Remote connection control unit for processing remote connection with the mobile terminalWhenThe remote connection control unit comprises:The user interface unit is operatedConnect with the mobile deviceTerminal connectionWhen you start the mode, temporarily disable access from external devices,And disconnect if other mobile devices are connectedAndOf the user interface partRecognizable by the mobile terminal on the display panel,Of image forming deviceAn access code including unique information and provisional press information is displayed, and when the reply to the provisional press information is received from the mobile terminal, connection establishment with the mobile terminal is permitted, and the mobile terminal photographs the access code. Camera and the unique information included in the access codeAnd temporary holding informationAnd a pseudo panel unit that transmits a connection request to the image forming apparatus and displays a user interface that can be remotely operated in a manner similar to the user interface of the image forming apparatus after the connection is establishedWhenWithThe remote connection control unit further continues the establishment of the connection during a period in which the access code is continuously displayed on the display panel, ends the display of the access code, and terminates the display of the access code. Disconnecting from the terminal, and setting the display of the access code to be terminated after a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the connection was established, or after a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the mobile terminal has lost access, and the external terminal If there is access from, shorten the period until the display of the access code endsIt is characterized by that.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a technique for reliably and easily connecting an image forming apparatus and a mobile terminal.

1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment. 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a connection operation between the image forming apparatus and the mobile terminal according to the embodiment.

  Hereinafter, modes for carrying out the present invention (hereinafter referred to as “embodiments”) will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of an image forming system 1 of the present embodiment. As illustrated, the image forming system 1 includes an image forming apparatus 10 and a mobile terminal 50. The mobile terminal 50 is communicably connected to the image forming apparatus 10 and executes various functions such as a print output function and a scanner function of the image forming apparatus 10. Examples of the image forming apparatus 10 include a printer and a multifunction peripheral. Examples of the mobile terminal 50 include a tablet terminal, a smartphone, and a notebook PC.

  As one of the characteristic functions of this embodiment, the mobile terminal 50 acquires and acquires a predetermined authentication code displayed on the display panel 41 of the user interface unit 40 when connecting to the image forming apparatus 10. Connection processing is performed using the authentication code.

  FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the image forming system 1 including the image forming apparatus 10 and the mobile terminal 50. Here, attention is paid to the connection process between the image forming apparatus 10 and the mobile terminal 50, and the configuration relating to other processes is omitted as appropriate.

  The image forming apparatus 10 includes a control unit 20, a communication processing unit 12, a print execution processing unit 30, a scan execution processing unit 32, and a user interface unit 40.

  The communication processing unit 12 is a communication interface such as a wired LAN, a wireless LAN, or USB communication, and is communicably connected to an external terminal such as the mobile terminal 50.

  The control unit 20 includes an MPU (Micro-Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like, and performs various processes. The control unit 20 includes a print scan control unit 22, a remote connection control unit 24, and a storage unit 26.

  The print scan control unit 22 controls the print execution processing unit 30 and the scan execution processing unit 32 to perform print output processing and read processing of a document or the like. Regarding the print function, the print scan control unit 22 instructs the print execution processing unit 30 to perform printing based on the data acquired by the image reading unit or the print data acquired from the mobile terminal 50 via the communication processing unit 12. Do. Regarding the reading function of a document or the like, the print scan control unit 22 controls the scan execution processing unit 32 to read the document on the platen glass.

  The remote connection control unit 24 controls connection authentication and job execution by a remote application (pseudo panel application 56) installed in the mobile terminal 50 regarding the connection with the mobile terminal 50. A detailed description of connection authentication will be described later with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  The storage unit 26 holds parameters regarding various settings of the image forming apparatus 10, device information, and authentication information used for connection with the mobile terminal 50. The device-specific information is, for example, an IP address or a serial number. The authentication information used for connection with the mobile terminal 50 is, for example, a user ID, a password, or temporary holding terminal identification information described later.

  The print execution processing unit 30 has a general print execution function, and executes a print operation according to an instruction from the control unit 20 (particularly, the print / read control unit 22). Specifically, the print execution processing unit 30 includes an original feeding / placement mechanism, a paper supply mechanism, a printing mechanism, and the like. The document feeding mechanism includes a document placement unit on which a document to be printed is set and a document transport mechanism that transports the document to the printing mechanism. For example, when copying a document, the document is sequentially fed out one by one and conveyed to the reading unit of the scan execution processing unit 32, where it is read and discharged to a predetermined document discharge unit. The paper supply mechanism includes a paper feed unit such as a paper cassette and a manual feed tray, a transport mechanism including a paper feed roller, a registration roller, a discharge roller, and the like. The sheets fed one by one to the sheet conveyance path by the sheet feeding roller are conveyed to the printing mechanism (recording unit) by the registration roller.

  The scan execution processing unit 32 has a general configuration and includes a scanner, a platen glass, a document reading slit, and the like. The scan execution processing unit 32 is provided with a sensor that detects a state in which a document to be read is placed.

  The user interface unit 40 (denoted as a user IF unit 40 in the figure) includes a display panel 41 and an operation button unit 42. Status information, operation information, and the like related to the image forming apparatus 10 are displayed. The operation button unit 42 receives a user operation on the image forming apparatus 10. Note that the display panel 41 and the operation button unit 42 may be configured integrally with all or some functions by a touch panel.

  The mobile terminal 50 is, for example, a tablet terminal, a smartphone, or a notebook PC. As functions characteristic of the present embodiment, the mobile terminal 50 includes a camera 52, a communication processing unit 54, and a pseudo panel application 56. The communication processing unit 54 has a wireless LAN, for example.

  The pseudo panel application 56 is a remote display panel application that displays a remote panel so that the image forming apparatus 10 can be operated in a display form similar to that of the user interface unit 40 of the image forming apparatus 10.

  The user of the mobile terminal 50 can operate the image forming apparatus 10 as if operated by the user interface unit 40 by starting the pseudo panel application 56 and performing connection processing described later.

  A connection operation between the image forming apparatus 10 configured as described above and the mobile terminal 50 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  When the user operates the user interface unit 40 of the image forming apparatus 10 and selects a connection mode (mobile terminal connection) with the mobile terminal 50 (S10), the remote connection control unit 24 sends the mobile terminal 50 to the communication processing unit 12. A connection request from an external terminal other than is rejected (S12). That is, the communication processing unit 12 temporarily prevents access from an external terminal other than the mobile terminal 50. If another mobile terminal 50 is connected, the connection may be disconnected. At this time, if there is a job that is already being executed, the job may be executed to the end or may be temporarily interrupted. In any case, priority is given to connection processing with the newly connected mobile terminal 50.

  When the connection mode is started, the remote connection control unit 24 displays device-specific information for connection on the display panel 41 (S14). The device specific information is encrypted by a two-dimensional code such as a QR code (registered trademark). This two-dimensional code includes an IP address, user ID, password, and the like necessary for connection. Further, the two-dimensional code includes temporary holding terminal identification information. When the temporary holding terminal identification information is returned from the mobile terminal 50, the connection between the mobile terminal 50 and the image forming apparatus 10 is established.

  Next, the user operates the mobile terminal 50 to activate the pseudo panel application 56 (remote display panel application), and device-specific information (two-dimensional code) displayed on the display panel 41 by the camera 52 (camera function). ) Is captured and captured (S16). The camera 52 is not limited to a built-in type but may be an external type.

  The pseudo panel application 56 analyzes the acquired device specific information (two-dimensional code), extracts information necessary for connection, and executes a connection operation with the image forming apparatus 10 (S18). Here, connection processing with the mobile terminal 50 is performed using an IP address, a user ID, a password, and the like, and temporary press identification information is transmitted to the image forming apparatus 10 (S20).

  When the temporary press identification information is received from the mobile terminal 50, the remote connection control unit 24 of the image forming apparatus 10 establishes a connection with the mobile terminal 50 (S22). That is, a communication connection is established between the communication processing unit 12 of the image forming apparatus 10 and the communication processing unit 54 of the mobile terminal 50. When the communication connection is established, the user of the mobile terminal 50 can use the pseudo panel application 56 to operate the image forming apparatus 10 as if operating the user interface unit 40 of the image forming apparatus 10.

  Here, the operation from the mobile terminal 50 is possible only during the period when the device specific information (two-dimensional code) is displayed on the display panel 41 of the user interface unit 40. For example, the device-specific information (two-dimensional code) is set to disappear after a predetermined period has elapsed since the connection was established, or after a predetermined period has elapsed since the mobile terminal 50 has lost access. At this time, when there is an access from another external terminal, the period until the display of the device specific information (two-dimensional code) disappears may be shortened. Furthermore, when access from other external terminals is appropriate or when there are many accesses, the mobile terminal 50 may be notified of this and other users who wish to execute jobs may be notified. .

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the same interface as the user interface unit 40 of the image forming apparatus 10 can be displayed on the mobile terminal 50 such as a user's tablet or smartphone, and job execution and setting change can be performed remotely. The connection between the image forming apparatus 10 and the mobile terminal 50 is performed via a network such as a wireless LAN. However, it is possible to easily set an IP address, a user ID, a password, and the like to be connected. Further, since access is permitted only during a period when the authentication code is displayed on the display panel 41, security can be ensured. In the case of the mobile terminal 50 wirelessly connected to the image forming apparatus 10, if there are a plurality of connectable image forming apparatuses 10, the actually connected image forming apparatus 10 may be different from the desired one. . However, in the present embodiment, since device-specific information displayed on the display panel 41 of the image forming apparatus 10 is captured and connected, the image forming apparatus 10 to which the mobile terminal 50 is connected is not mistaken, and is always desired. It can be connected to the image forming apparatus 10.

  The present invention has been described based on the embodiments. This embodiment is an exemplification, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to combinations of these components, and such modifications are also within the scope of the present invention.

1 image forming system 10 image forming apparatus 12 communication processing unit 20 control unit 22 print scan control unit 24 remote connection control unit 26 storage unit 30 print execution processing unit 32 scan execution processing unit 40 user interface unit 41 display panel 42 operation button unit 50 Mobile terminal 52 Camera 54 Communication processing unit 56 Pseudo panel application

Claims (2)

The connection display method between the image forming apparatus and the mobile terminal is as follows :
A mobile connection start step in which a user interface unit of the image forming apparatus is operated to start a terminal connection mode for connecting to a mobile terminal;
When the terminal connection mode is started, the image forming apparatus temporarily does not accept access from an external terminal, and an access blocking step of disconnecting the connection if another mobile terminal is connected ;
The image forming apparatus shifts to the terminal connection mode, and an access code display for displaying an access code including unique information and temporary holding information of the image forming apparatus on the display panel of the user interface unit so as to be recognized by the mobile terminal Process,
An access code acquisition step in which the mobile terminal captures the access code and acquires the unique information and the provisional press information included in the access code;
A connection request step in which the mobile terminal transmits a connection request to the image forming apparatus based on the acquired unique information and the provisional press information;
The image forming apparatus receives the connection request of the mobile terminal, establishes a connection with the mobile terminal, and can be remotely operated in a manner similar to the user interface of the image forming apparatus after the connection is established the a connection establishment-display step of displaying on the mobile terminal,
The connection establishment / display step is a step executed during a period in which the access code displayed in the access code display step is continuously displayed on the display panel,
The connection display method further includes a mobile disconnecting step of terminating the display of the access code and disconnecting the connection between the image forming apparatus and the mobile terminal,
The mobile disconnection step is set to end the display of the access code after a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the connection was established or after a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the access from the mobile terminal is lost. A connection display method characterized by shortening a period until the display of the access code is terminated when there is an access . An image forming system comprising an image forming apparatus and a mobile terminal,
The image forming apparatus includes:
A user interface that accepts user operations;
And a remote connection control unit that performs processing for remote connection with the mobile terminal,
The remote connection control unit
When the terminal connection mode for connecting to the mobile terminal is started by operating the user interface unit , access from an external terminal is temporarily not accepted, and the connection is disconnected if another mobile terminal is connected And
An access code including unique information of the image forming apparatus and provisional press information is displayed on the display panel of the user interface unit so that the mobile terminal can recognize the information, and when a reply to the provisional press information is received from the mobile terminal Allow connection establishment with mobile device,
The mobile terminal
A camera for photographing the access code;
Based on the unique information and the temporary holding information included in the access code, a connection request is transmitted to the image forming apparatus, and after the connection is established, remote operation is performed in a manner similar to the user interface of the image forming apparatus. and a pseudo-panel unit for displaying the possible user interface,
The remote connection control unit further includes:
The connection establishment is continued during a period in which the access code is continuously displayed on the display panel, and the connection between the image forming apparatus and the mobile terminal is terminated by terminating the display of the access code,
If the access code is set to be terminated after a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the connection was established or after a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the mobile terminal has lost access, and there is an access from the external terminal An image forming system characterized in that a period until the display of the access code is completed is shortened .

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