JP6301983B2 - Image forming apparatus - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that performs short-range wireless communication with a portable information processing apparatus.

  In recent years, those using a short-range wireless communication technique for personal authentication have become widespread. Specifically, there are employee ID cards and Osaifu-Keitai (registered trademark) using non-contact IC cards. Note that short-range wireless communication refers to wireless communication with a short communicable distance in a broad sense, but refers to near-field wireless communication (Near Field Communication, also referred to as NFC for short) in a narrow sense. NFC has a communicable range (hereinafter also referred to as a field) of about 1 meter to several centimeters, and includes standards such as FeliCa (registered trademark) and MIFARE (registered trademark). The short-range wireless communication in a broad sense includes standards such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark) and Bluetooth (registered trademark) in addition to NFC. In this specification, short-range wireless communication is used in a broad sense including Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

  In recent years, many portable information processing devices such as smart phones, tablet computers, and mobile computers have a short-range wireless communication function. And the processing capability of the portable information processing apparatus is improved.

  Under such circumstances, when permitting use of an image forming apparatus such as a digital multifunction peripheral, user authentication is performed based on certificate information for each user held by a device equipped with a short-range wireless communication function. It has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In addition, there has been proposed an apparatus that performs short-distance wireless communication between an image forming apparatus that has received a print instruction and another image forming apparatus located at a short distance to perform printing (for example, Patent Documents). 2).

JP 2011-155495 A JP 2012-238178 A

  Although the processing capability of the portable information processing device has been improved, it cannot be said that the processing capability has been fully utilized for the operation setting of the image processing device.

  For example, a digital multi-function peripheral installed in a public space such as a convenience store is used by an unspecified number of users. In this case, if the digital multi-function peripheral is currently in the process of processing (job) such as copying or printing, the other users basically have to wait until the job is completed. As a specific example, the second user cannot set a copy job while the first user is setting copying or the like using the operation panel of the digital multi-function peripheral. In addition, when the digital multifunction peripheral has already started a copy or print job related to the first user, the output related to the first user is output even if the second user can set the copy on the operation panel. No copy output can be obtained until completion.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides an image processing apparatus that enables interactive operation using an external portable information processing apparatus by short-range wireless communication. is there.

  The present invention includes a proximity communication unit that performs short-range wireless communication with a portable information processing device having a display unit, and a control unit, and the control unit can communicate by communication via the proximity communication unit. Recognizing unit for recognizing portable information processing device in range, and job setting unit for transmitting request for displaying job setting screen on display unit of recognized portable information processing device via proximity communication unit And a job control unit that executes the job in response to a job start instruction, and the job setting unit performs job setting using the job setting screen after the recognition is performed, An image forming apparatus characterized in that a job setting from the portable information processing device is received by receiving the job setting, and the job control unit receives a start instruction for the job for which the job setting has been received. Subjected to.

  In this invention, the job setting unit receives the job setting using the job setting screen via the proximity communication unit, and registers the job setting completion related to the job setting after the authentication. Since the job control unit accepts start instructions for jobs that have received job settings, not only user authentication but also job setting operations can be performed using a portable information processing device that can communicate via short-range wireless communication It is. Therefore, job setting can be performed efficiently even when a plurality of users use the image forming apparatus at the same time.

  For example, consider a scene in which a plurality of users use a digital multi-function peripheral installed in a public space such as a convenience store. A portable information processing device such as a smartphone, a tablet computer, or a mobile computer carried by each user is assumed to be able to pay a fee by user authentication or Osaifu-Keitai. That is, it is assumed that communication with the digital multifunction peripheral is possible via short-range wireless communication such as NFC, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth.

  According to this invention, the job setting screen is displayed on the display unit of those portable information processing devices. Each user performs job setting in advance on the job setting screen of the portable information processing apparatus. When the job being executed by the digital multifunction peripheral is completed, the portable information processing apparatus is touched on the digital multifunction peripheral, for example, to perform communication via NFC. Alternatively, communication with the digital multi-function peripheral is performed using other types of short-range wireless communication. In this way, not only payment of charges by user authentication and Osaifu-Keitai but also job setting of the digital multi-function peripheral can be performed by the portable information processing apparatus.

  Each user can not only smoothly perform operations using the portable information processing apparatus, but also does not have to wait for other users to perform job settings using the operation panel of the digital multi-function peripheral. A store or the like in which a digital multi-function peripheral is installed can shorten the time for the user to occupy the digital multi-function peripheral only for operation setting, and thus the operating rate of the digital multi-function peripheral can be increased.

It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the form which the image forming apparatus of this invention communicates with an external apparatus. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a digital multifunction peripheral according to the present invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the job setting screen 41 displayed on the operation part 33 of the digital multifunctional device 11 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the job setting screen displayed on the display part of the portable information processing apparatus of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example from which the job setting screen displayed on the display part of the portable information processing apparatus of this invention differs. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the job status screen based on the display part of the portable information processing apparatus of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the job setting confirmation screen displayed on the display part of the portable information processing apparatus of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process which the control part which concerns on this invention performs. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a continuation of the process of FIG. 8. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a continuation of the process of FIG. 9. 11 is a flowchart showing a continuation of the process of FIG.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, the following description is an illustration in all the points, Comprising: It should not be interpreted as limiting this invention.

≪Communication mode of digital MFPs≫
A digital multi-function peripheral is considered as a specific example of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. An example in which the digital multi-function peripheral communicates with an external device will be described.
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a form in which the digital multifunction peripheral communicates with an external device. In FIG. 1, digital multifunction peripherals 11a, 11b, and 11c are image forming apparatuses according to the present invention. For example, the digital multifunction peripheral 11a is installed in a store A of a convenience store. The digital multifunction peripheral 11b is installed in a convenience store (store B) different from the store A. The digital multifunction machine 11c is installed on the school premises. A typical example is a digital multifunction machine installed in a public space and usable by an unspecified number of people. However, the present invention is not limited to the image forming apparatus installed in the public space. The present invention can also be applied to an image forming apparatus installed on an office floor. In short, the present invention can be applied to an image forming apparatus having a short-range wireless communication function.

  For example, the digital multifunction peripheral 11a exchanges information with a mobile computer 13a possessed by a certain user by short-range wireless communication (for example, wireless LAN communication based on the Wi-Fi standard). Furthermore, information is exchanged by the near field communication (for example, near field type wireless communication based on the NFC standard) with the smartphone 14a possessed by another user. In addition, information is exchanged with a tablet computer 15a possessed by another user by short-range wireless communication (for example, wireless communication based on the Bluetooth standard). Similarly, the digital multifunction peripheral 11b performs short-range wireless communication with the mobile computer 13b, the smartphone 14b, or the tablet computer 15b. The digital multifunction peripheral 11c performs short-range wireless communication with the mobile computer 13c, the smartphone 14c, or the tablet computer 15c.

  Further, the digital multifunction peripherals 11a, 11b, and 11c are connected to an external cloud server 17 via a remote communication network (for example, the Internet) different from short-range wireless communication. The digital multifunction peripherals 11a, 11b, and 11c transmit status information indicating the state of each device to the cloud server 17. The status information is information indicating the state of each of the digital multifunction peripherals 11a, 11b, and 11c, and is, for example, information indicating whether or not a normal operation state is present. Also, the type of job that is in execution, waiting for execution order or waiting for start instruction (copy, fax, photo service, print service, scan service, etc.) and whether each job is waiting for start instruction, waiting for execution order, or executing Includes status (job status). Furthermore, the time when the job waits for start instructions, waits for execution, or is in execution, the contents of the job settings (for example, the number of copies, the number of prints, the presence and type of post-processing, etc. ) May be included. The special functions are functions such as binding margin, frame erasing, and saddle stitching.

  The cloud server 17 is a server that is connected to a plurality of image forming apparatuses via a network and can know the state of each image forming apparatus. In addition to the status information of each image forming apparatus, their installation locations are stored. Registration of the installation location is performed by the worker who installed each image forming apparatus accessing the cloud server 17.

<< Configuration of image forming apparatus >>
A schematic configuration of the image forming apparatus of the present invention will be described. This corresponds to the digital multifunction peripherals 11a, 11b, and 11c in FIG.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a digital multi-function peripheral which is an image forming apparatus according to the present invention. The digital multifunction peripheral 11 shown in FIG. 2 corresponds to the digital multifunction peripherals 11a, 11b, and 11c shown in FIG. They have a similar configuration.

  In FIG. 2, the proximity communication unit 21 performs short-range wireless communication with an external portable information processing apparatus. Specific examples of short-range wireless communication include, but are not limited to, NFC, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. Further, any one of them may be provided, but a plurality of communications may be supported. In addition, print data from the portable information processing apparatus may be received by a print service.

  The specific hardware configuration of the control unit 23 includes a memory, an input / output circuit, and other peripheral circuits with a computer at the center. The computer related to the control unit 23 controls the digital multifunction peripheral 11 by executing a control program stored in advance in the memory. As a representative function that the control unit 23 assumes, a recognition unit 25, a job setting unit 27, a job control unit 29, and an image control unit 31 are described. However, the control unit 23 also executes various processes that do not belong to these.

When the portable information processing device is within the communicable range of the proximity communication unit 21, the recognition unit 25 recognizes its presence and tries to establish communication. For example, when a portable information processing apparatus having a Bluetooth communication function enters the field, pairing with the digital multifunction peripheral 11 is performed.
The above is an explanation in the case where the short-range wireless communication is Bluetooth. For example, even in a Wi-Fi standard wireless LAN communication, if a portable information processing device enters the field, an attempt is made to establish communication.

  The job setting unit 27 sends data for displaying a job setting screen in response to a request from the portable information processing apparatus with which communication has been established. Then, the job setting by the operation using the job setting screen is accepted.

  The request is issued in response to, for example, a user installing a job setting application in advance in the portable information processing apparatus and starting the application. Alternatively, the request is issued when the digital multi-function peripheral 11 provides a job setting Web site, and login to the Web site is completed using a portable information processing apparatus that has established communication.

When the short-range wireless communication is NFC, when the user touches the portable information processing apparatus in a predetermined area (for example, a partial area of the operation panel) of the digital multifunction peripheral 11, the recognition unit 25 performs communication. Establish. At the same time, data for displaying the job setting screen is transmitted to the portable information processing apparatus. Since the action of touch is considered to indicate the user's intention to use the portable information processing apparatus for the operation of the digital multi-function peripheral 11, the job setting screen is displayed simultaneously with the touch.
The job setting unit 27 also accepts job settings using the operation unit 33 of the digital multifunction peripheral 11.
The job setting unit 27 stores the accepted job setting for each portable information processing apparatus as a transmission source. Job settings by the operation unit 33 are stored separately from them.

  The job control unit 29 waits for a job start instruction for each job setting received by the job setting unit 27. When receiving the start instruction, the job control unit starts executing the job. However, if a hardware resource cannot be used, such as when there is a job being executed first, the job is registered in the execution queue. In principle, jobs registered in the execution queue are executed in order of first-in first-out. Note that it is also possible to delete jobs in the execution queue, change the order, and change job settings by user operation. These operations can be performed by the user using the operation unit 33, but can also be performed using the portable information processing apparatus that has received the corresponding job in the job setting unit 27.

  In addition, the job control unit 29 can communicate with a portable information processing apparatus that is in a job start instruction state or that has received a job setting of a job registered in the execution queue before the job of the job is executed. The job may be deleted when it is away from the proximity distance. Alternatively, the job control unit 29 may put the job on hold until a predetermined period expires. If the portable information processing apparatus returns to a communicable proximity distance before the expiration of the period, the job may be continued, but if it does not return, the job may be deleted.

Depending on the configuration of the digital multi-function peripheral 11 and the type of job, there are those that can perform parallel processing without conflicting hardware resources. For example, fax transmission and print services may be processed concurrently. The same applies to the scan service and the print service. The job control unit 29 manages the waiting queue in consideration of these conditions.
The image control unit 31 controls image formation processing for each job.

  The operation unit 33 displays the state and settings of the digital multi-function peripheral 11 to the user and accepts an operation by the user. As the hardware, for example, a liquid crystal display device with a touch panel is applied. In addition to the liquid crystal display device, there may be operation keys. A numeric keypad for inputting the number of copies and a telephone number, a start key for receiving a job start instruction, and the like.

  The remote communication unit 35 communicates data including the above-described status information with the cloud server 17 of FIG. The print service receives print data from a host connected to the network.

  The image forming unit 37 performs image formation related to jobs such as copying, faxing, photo service, print service, and scan service. Broadly divided, it is composed of hardware resources related to document reading, hardware resources related to sheet printing, and hardware resources related to image data processing and reading / writing.

≪Operation of digital multi-function peripheral with portable information processing device using short-range wireless communication≫
Next, several modes in which the user of the digital multifunction peripheral of the present invention operates and manages the digital multifunction peripheral using the portable information processing apparatus will be described.
As a first aspect, job setting using a portable information processing device will be described.
It is assumed that the digital multifunction peripheral 11b and the smartphone 14b in FIG. 1 have an NFC function and can communicate with each other.
When the digital multifunction peripheral 11b is on standby, an initial screen is displayed on the liquid crystal display device included in the operation unit 33, and the operation unit 33 accepts job setting and start instructions.

  FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the job setting screen 41 displayed on the operation unit 33 of the digital multifunction peripheral 11 according to the present invention. In the job setting screen 41 shown in FIG. 3, operation buttons for selecting any one of copy, fax, photo service, print service, and scan service job settings are arranged as a top menu. When each operation button is pressed, the job setting unit 27 switches the job setting screen 41 to a screen for performing job setting of the job corresponding to the operation button.

  Note that an operation button for displaying a status screen is arranged on the job setting screen 41 shown in FIG. When this operation button is pressed, the job control unit 29 switches the job setting screen 41 to a status screen that displays the job execution status. On the status screen, the job control unit 29 receives an instruction to delete or edit a job that is waiting for execution. Furthermore, it accepts inquiries about other image forming apparatuses installed in the vicinity.

  When the user touches a predetermined area of the digital multifunction peripheral 11b with the smartphone 14b, the recognition unit 25 recognizes that the smartphone 14b is in the field by communication via the proximity communication unit 21. In response to the newly recognized smartphone 14b, the job setting unit 27 transmits data for displaying the job setting screen on the display unit of the smartphone 14b via the proximity communication unit 21. The data may be for requesting activation of an application installed in advance in the smartphone 14b, for example. Alternatively, for example, a web browser installed in advance on the smartphone 14b may be activated and an add-on may be provided. In this case, the job setting screen is displayed on the display unit as an add-on on the Web browser and accepts a user operation.

<Copy job settings>
4 and 5 are explanatory diagrams illustrating an example of a job setting screen displayed on the display unit 43 of the smartphone 14b which is the portable information processing apparatus of the present invention. Although the job setting screen 45a shown in FIG. 4 has a different design, operation buttons having the same functions as those in FIG. 3 are displayed. That is, operation buttons for copy, fax, photo service, print service, and scan service, and operation buttons for the status screen. When any one of the copy, fax, photo service, and print service operation buttons is pressed, the operation is received by the near field communication unit 21.
In response to the operation, the job setting unit 27 switches the job setting screen 45a to a screen for setting the job of the corresponding job.

  FIG. 5 shows an example of a copy job setting screen. Although the job setting screen 45b shown in FIG. 5A is different in design from the screen for accepting copy job settings on the operation unit 33, items that can be set are substantially the same. That is, a numeric key used for setting the number of copies, color mode, copy density, magnification, double-sided copy, finishing, margin, frame erasure, and various settings (transition to a setting screen for various functions). In the lower right corner, a button for switching the job setting screen 45b to a status screen for displaying the job execution status is arranged.

  A job setting screen 45c shown in FIG. 5B is an example of a setting screen for various functions. Buttons for selecting various functions such as saddle stitch, large-volume original mode, 1 set 2 copies, cover / insert paper, OHP interleaf, 2 in 1/4 in 1, book copy, tab copy, card scan are arranged, and any button is pressed And its function. If the selected function has a detailed setting, the screen changes to a screen for performing the detailed setting.

  When the user who has completed the copy job setting on the job setting screens 45b and 45c touches the digital multifunction peripheral 11b again with the smartphone 14b, the job setting data is digitally transmitted from the smartphone 14b through communication via the proximity communication unit 21. It is sent to the multifunction machine 11b. The job setting unit 27 receives the job setting and stores it in the memory. In the case of a copy job, the job control unit waits for authentication for charging and pressing of a color start key or a monochrome start key (neither shown) arranged in the operation unit 33. That is, it waits for a copy job start instruction. Note that for so-called walk-up jobs such as copy, scan service, and fax transmission service, job execution starts when the color start key or monochrome start key is pressed, but in the case of a print job, print data and job setting data Is an alternative.

  When either the color start key or the monochrome start key is pressed, the job control unit 29 starts a color copy or monochrome copy job according to the pressed key. If the hardware resources necessary for the copy job cannot be used immediately, the job is registered in the execution queue, and the execution of the job is started as soon as the hardware resource becomes available.

  The above is an explanation of the case where the smartphone 14b communicates with the digital multifunction peripheral 11b using NFC with a very narrow field. For example, near field communication using Wi-Fi or Bluetooth has a wider field than NFC. Further, even in NFC, it is possible to communicate within a range of several centimeters to about 1 meter without touching until it is touched. In this case, if the smartphone 14b is in the field of the digital multifunction peripheral 11b, data on the job setting screen and job setting data can be exchanged at any time between the two.

  In general, near field communication of a wireless LAN such as Wi-Fi has a wider field than NFC, but has a troublesome operation such as selection of a wireless network and input of a password. On the other hand, NFC has a feature that the image forming apparatus and the portable information processing apparatus can be authenticated one-on-one because the devices communicate with each other at a close distance though the communication area is narrow, and the user has to perform authentication installation. Can do. Note that short-range wireless communication using Bluetooth can be said to be intermediate between wireless LAN and NFC. The first time requires a pairing operation, but from the next time you can authenticate just by entering the field.

  When the smartphone 14b is in the field, when the “job status” operation button is pressed on the job setting screen 45a in FIG. 4 or the job setting screen 45b in FIG. 5, the operation is received by the proximity communication unit 21. In response to the operation, the job control unit 29 switches the job setting screen 41 to a job status screen that displays the job execution status. The job status screen is based on status information. The status information is information managed by the control unit 23 including the job control unit 29 and represents the state of the digital multifunction peripheral 11b.

  When the job setting screens 45a and 45b are executed by an installed application or an add-on of a web browser, if the job status button is touched when the smartphone 14b is not in the field, the app or add-on is a digital multi-function peripheral. You may display the message that it cannot communicate with. Alternatively, a message indicating that the Web browser is not connected to the digital multifunction peripheral 11b, which is a Web server, may be displayed. When the user sees the message and returns to the field (touching in the case of NFC), data communication is performed.

<Checking job status and job operations>
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a job status screen based on the display unit of the portable information processing apparatus according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 6, the job control unit causes the job status screen 47 to display jobs that are being executed and in the execution order waiting state. The “copying” display indicates a state of execution, and the “standby” display indicates a state of waiting for execution. Further, the job control unit 29 receives an operation related to the displayed job.

  For example, when a “detail” button is touched in a state where either a job being executed or waiting is touched and selected on the job status screen 47 in FIG. 6, the operation is performed via the proximity communication unit 21. To the job control unit 29. The job control unit 29 transmits the details of the job setting selected in response to the operation to the smartphone 14b as one piece of status information. The smartphone 14b displays the contents of the job setting on the display unit 43 based on the status information.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a job setting confirmation screen displayed on the display unit of the portable information processing apparatus of the present invention.
For jobs that are set in the smartphone 14b and are waiting to be executed, all or part of the job settings can be changed. For a job being executed and a job for which another portable information processing apparatus or operation unit 33 has been set, only the job setting can be confirmed. However, the job setting cannot be changed using the smartphone 14b. Exceptionally, the paper selection can be changed. This is so that, when a job is set for a sheet other than the size equipped in the digital multifunction peripheral 11b, it can be output in any of the equipped sizes. FIG. 7A illustrates a job setting confirmation screen 49a in which only job setting confirmation is possible. FIG. 7B illustrates a job setting confirmation screen 49b in which job settings can be changed.
In the job status screen 47 of FIG. 6, there is a grayed-out “priority” button to the right of the “details” button, and a “cancel / delete” button to the right of it.

  The “priority” button moves a job for which the job setting has been performed on the smartphone 14b among jobs waiting to be executed to the head of the job waiting to be executed. The reason why it is grayed out in FIG. 6 is that the selected job is an active job. In addition, when a job set with a job other than the smartphone 14b is selected, the job is grayed out.

  The “Cancel / Delete” button cancels the execution of a job that is in the middle of execution, and deletes it from the execution queue for a job that is in the execution waiting state. However, jobs that can be canceled / deleted are jobs that have been set for jobs other than the smartphone 14b.

<Other device inquiry using cloud server>
The “inquiry of other device” button is used for an operation of inquiring another image forming apparatus installed in the vicinity. As shown in FIG. 1, in this embodiment, the digital multifunction peripheral 11b is connected to the cloud server 17 via network communication. The cloud server can communicate with a plurality of image forming apparatuses and acquires status information of each image forming apparatus.

  When the “inquiry of other device” button is pressed on the smartphone 14 b, the operation is transmitted to the control unit 23 via the proximity communication unit 21. The control unit 23 requests the cloud server 17 to inquire about another image forming apparatus via the remote communication unit 35. In response to the request, the cloud server 17 returns information on other image forming apparatuses that are close and not crowded to the digital multifunction peripheral 11b based on the status information acquired from each image forming apparatus. Upon receiving the information, the control unit 23 transfers the information to the smartphone 14b.

  As described above, the user can grasp the number of jobs in the execution waiting state of the digital multifunction peripheral 11b from the job status screen of the smartphone 14b. When the waiting time until job execution is likely to be long, the other device inquiry key is pressed. Then, a request for other device inquiry is transmitted to the cloud server 17 via the digital multifunction device 11b. The cloud server 17 searches for other image forming apparatuses installed in the vicinity based on the information on the installation location stored in advance for the requested digital multifunction peripheral 11b. As a search condition, search for devices that are not only installed in the vicinity, but that are not in failure and that are expected to have a shorter processing time for jobs waiting to be executed, even if there are currently no jobs waiting to be processed. To do. Then, the corresponding image forming apparatus is sent to the requested image forming apparatus together with the installation location information. In this case, the digital multifunction peripheral 11b. If the smartphone 14b has a GPS function, the user can obtain a map display or navigation service using the installation location of another image forming apparatus acquired from the cloud server 17 via the digital multifunction peripheral 11b.

  As described above, it is possible to reduce the waiting time of the user by obtaining information on the other machine from the cloud server 17 in response to the other machine inquiry, and to increase the overall operation rate of the image forming apparatus connected to the cloud server 17. become.

<Job operation based on field monitoring>
Further, the job control unit 29 may monitor whether or not the smartphone 14b that has set the job remains in the field during the job execution waiting period. And when the smart phone 14b goes out of the field, it may be determined that the user has left and the job waiting for execution may be immediately deleted. Alternatively, monitoring may be continued for a certain period while the execution of the job is suspended, and when the smartphone 14b enters the field by the expiration of the period, the suspension of the execution may be released.

  In addition, when the smartphone 14b goes out of the field, the selection of whether to immediately delete the job waiting for execution or to keep monitoring for a certain period and return to the field, and the selection of the length of the period, You may enable it to do with the application or add-on of the smart phone 14b.

  In the case of waiting for an instruction to start the job after accepting the job setting, the job control unit 29 may monitor whether or not the smartphone 14b that has performed the job setting remains in the field. And when the smart phone 14b goes out of the field, it may be judged that the user has left and the job setting of the job waiting for the start instruction may be immediately deleted. Alternatively, monitoring may be continued for a certain period while holding the job setting, and the job setting may be deleted when a start instruction is not received by the expiration of the period.

  In addition, when the smartphone 14b goes out of the field, the selection of whether to immediately delete the job waiting for the start instruction or reserve for a certain period and wait for the start instruction, and the selection of the length of the period, You may be able to do it with an app or an add-on.

≪Process flow≫
Processing of the control unit 23 including the job control unit 29 will be described. 8 to 11 are flowcharts showing a procedure of processes executed by the control unit 23 according to the present invention. However, the flowchart focuses on the characteristic aspects of the present invention, and other processing and details for switching the screen of the display unit 43 are omitted.

  In FIG. 8, the control unit 23 first checks whether or not the recognition unit has newly recognized the portable information processing device through communication via the proximity communication unit 21 (step S11). If there is no newly recognized portable information processing apparatus (No in step S11), the routine loops. However, since processing is performed in a multitasking environment, other tasks are actually executed in parallel during the loop.

If there is a newly recognized portable information processing device (Yes in step S11), the control unit 23 establishes communication with the portable information processing device (step S13).
Subsequently, the control unit 23 as the job setting unit 27 checks whether or not a job setting screen request has been received via the proximity communication unit 21 (step S15). The request for the job setting screen is received when the portable information processing apparatus communicating with NFC is touched. Alternatively, it is received when a portable information processing apparatus that communicates via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth enters the field and an application, a job setting Web page, or an add-on is activated by a user operation. Furthermore, a request is also received when the job setting screen is operated to change to a different screen.

When the job setting screen request is received (Yes in step S15), the job setting unit 27 sends data for displaying the job setting screen to the requested portable information processing apparatus. Specifically, a response to the request is sent to the application or Web page display data is sent.
Thereafter, the routine returns to step S15.

When the job setting screen request is not received in step S15 (No in step S15), the control unit 23 as the job setting unit 27 checks whether the job setting is received via the proximity communication unit 21. (Step S21). The job setting is received when the “Send” button is operated on the job setting screen of the portable information processing apparatus.
When the job setting is received (Yes in step S21), the job control unit 29 stores the received job setting in the memory for each portable information processing device that is the transmission source (step S23).
Thereafter, the routine returns to step S15.

When no job setting is received in step S21 (No in step S21), the control unit 23 checks whether a job start instruction is received as the job setting unit 27 (step S25 in FIG. 9). ). The job start instruction corresponds to an operation in which a color start key or a monochrome start key (not shown) of the operation unit 33 is pressed in the case of a walk-up job such as copying. In the case of a print job, reception of print data and job setting data corresponds to the start instruction.
When the job start instruction is received (Yes in step S25), the job control unit 29 registers the job that has received the start instruction in the execution queue (step S27). Thereafter, the routine returns to step S15. The job control unit 29 manages jobs registered in the execution waiting queue until job execution is completed.

  When the job start instruction has not been received in step S25 (No in step S25), the control unit 23 then checks whether a job status screen request has been received via the proximity communication unit 21 (step S25). S31). The job status screen request is received when the job status button is touched. Alternatively, a request is also received, for example, when a detail button on the job status screen 47 is operated to update to a different screen.

When the job status screen request is received (Yes in step S31), the job setting unit 27 sends data for displaying the job status screen to the requested portable information processing apparatus. Specifically, a response to the request is sent to the application or Web page display data is sent.
Thereafter, the routine returns to step S15.

  When the job status screen request has not been received in step S31 (No in step S31), the control unit 23 checks whether a job operation instruction has been received via the proximity communication unit 21 (step S31). S35). A job operation instruction is received, for example, when a priority button or a cancel / delete button is operated on the job status screen 47.

When a job status screen request is received (Yes in step S35), the job setting unit 27 performs processing for changing the order of the target job and canceling / deleting according to the instruction (step S37).
Thereafter, the routine returns to step S15.

  When no job operation instruction is received in step S35 (No in step S35), the control unit 23 checks whether a job setting change instruction is received via the proximity communication unit 21 (step S35). S41). The job setting change instruction is received, for example, when a button for changing job settings such as a color / monochrome button, double-sided copy button, or copy density button is operated on the job setting confirmation screen 49b.

When the job setting change instruction is received (Yes in step S35), the job setting unit 27 performs a process of changing the job setting of the target job in accordance with the instruction (step S45).
Thereafter, the routine returns to step S15.

  When the job setting change instruction has not been received in step S41 (No in step S41), the control unit 23 subsequently checks whether or not another device inquiry request has been received via the proximity communication unit 21 (step S41). Step S47 in FIG. The other device inquiry request is received, for example, when the other device inquiry button is operated on the job status screen 47 of FIG.

When the request for other device inquiry is received (Yes in step S47), the control unit 23 performs a process of transmitting the request for other device inquiry to the cloud server 17 via the remote communication unit 35 (step S49).
Thereafter, the routine returns to step S15.

  When it is determined in step S47 that a request for other device inquiry has not been received (No in step S47), the control unit 23 checks whether or not the result of other device inquiry has been received via the remote communication unit 35. (Step S51). The result of the other device inquiry is sent from the cloud server 17 in response to the other device inquiry request in step S49.

When the result of the other device inquiry is received (Yes in step S51), the control unit 23 sends the result of the other device inquiry to the portable information processing apparatus via the proximity communication unit 21 (step S53).
Thereafter, the routine returns to step S15. The display unit 43 of the portable information processing apparatus displays the result of other device inquiry (not shown).

When the result of the other device inquiry is not received in step S51 (No in step S51), the control unit 23 then checks whether the portable information processing device is out of the field as the recognition unit 25 ( Step S55). The process when it is determined that the portable information processing device is out of the field (Yes in step S55) will be described later as the process of FIG.
When it is determined that the portable information processing device is not out of the field (No in step S55), the control unit 23 checks whether a predetermined period has expired while waiting for a job start instruction (step S57). ).

When the period has expired (Yes in step S57), the control unit 23 performs a process of deleting the target job setting from the memory as the job control unit 29 (step S59).
Thereafter, the routine returns to step S15.

In step S55 described above, when the control unit 23 determines that the portable information processing device is out of the field (Yes in step S55), what kind of response is set in the job control unit 29 in that case? Investigate. That is, whether the job registered by the portable information processing apparatus that has gone out of the field is set to be deleted immediately or whether the job is set to be deleted after a predetermined period has expired. Check (step S61).
If immediate deletion is set, the job control unit 29 deletes the target job from the execution queue (step S63).
Thereafter, the routine returns to step S11.

On the other hand, if it is set in step S61 described above that the job is deleted after the predetermined period has expired, the routine proceeds to step S65 and checks whether or not the period has expired. When the period has expired (Yes in step S65), the routine proceeds to step S63 described above, and the job control unit 29 deletes the target job from the waiting queue.
If the period has not expired (No in step S65), the job control unit 29 sets the execution pending state so as not to start execution of the target job. That is, the job continues to be in an execution waiting state, and another job is allowed to overrun and start executing (step S67).

Thereafter, the control unit 23 as the recognition unit 25 checks whether the portable information processing apparatus that has gone out of the field has returned to the field before the period expires (step S69). If not (No in step S69), the routine proceeds to step S65 described above, and loops until the period expires or the portable information processing device returns to the field.
When the portable information processing apparatus that has once gone out of the field returns to the field before the period expires (Yes in step S69), the job control unit 29 releases the execution pending state for the corresponding job (step S71).

Thereafter, the routine returns to step S15. A job whose execution suspension has been released starts executing the job when the turn comes, like other jobs registered in the execution queue.
The above is the characteristic flow of the present invention among the processes executed by the control unit 23.
The features of the present invention described above will be described in several modes.

(Embodiment 1)
An image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a proximity communication unit that performs short-range wireless communication with a portable information processing apparatus having a display unit, and a control unit, and the control unit is configured to pass through the proximity communication unit. A recognition unit for recognizing a portable information processing device within a communicable range by communication and a request for displaying a job setting screen on the display unit of the recognized portable information processing device is transmitted via the proximity communication unit. A job setting unit, and a job control unit that executes the job in response to a job start instruction.The job setting unit performs job setting using the job setting screen after the recognition is performed. The job control unit accepts a job setting from the portable information processing apparatus by receiving via the proximity communication unit, and the job control unit accepts a start instruction for the job that accepted the job setting. That.

  In the present invention, the portable information processing apparatus is carried by a user and performs processing related to authentication and operation. Specific examples thereof include, but are not limited to, smartphones, tablet computers, and mobile computers.

  The proximity communication unit refers to an interface circuit for performing communication by a wireless communication method having a short communicable distance compared to mobile communication typified by a communication method such as CDMA or LTE of a mobile phone. Specific examples thereof include, but are not limited to, those based on communication standards such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or NFC.

  Furthermore, the authentication information may be stored in advance in the portable information processing device, or may be input by the user by operating the portable information processing device, or the portable information processing device may have user-specific features ( For example, biological features) may be captured.

  The job is a series of processes in which the image forming apparatus processes and outputs input data. Examples of the job include a copy job, a print job, a scan job, a fax transmission job, and a fax reception job.

  The job setting screen is an operation screen for performing settings necessary for executing a job. For example, the number of copies in a copy job, selection of two-sided copying or one-sided copying, selection of post-processing, and the like can be set. This is the screen to perform.

  Furthermore, registration of completion of job setting indicates that the job setting is under the control of the job control unit and is in a state of waiting for a start instruction. In addition, after a job in a start instruction waiting state receives a start instruction, the state transitions to a state of waiting for execution or being executed. The state of waiting for execution order is a state of waiting because there is another job that is currently being executed, etc., and is a state of starting execution when there is no cause for waiting.

  The functions of the authentication unit, job setting unit, and job control unit are such that the computer reads a program (software) corresponding to each function stored in advance in the memory, and performs processing in cooperation with hardware resources of the image processing apparatus. It is realized by.

Furthermore, the preferable aspect of this invention is demonstrated.
The job setting screen may be displayed when an application installed in advance in the portable information processing apparatus is activated.
Here, the request may be a request for starting the application.
The job setting screen may be displayed when a web browser installed in advance in the portable information processing apparatus is activated.
Here, the request may be a request for starting the web browser.
The image forming apparatus further includes an operation unit that displays a job setting screen, a job setting screen displayed on the operation unit on the image forming apparatus side, and a job setting screen displayed on the display unit on the portable information processing apparatus side May be capable of accepting an operation related to the same function although the design of the screen is different.
Furthermore, the image forming apparatus connected to the network further includes an external cloud server that stores an installation location and status, and a remote communication unit that communicates via the network, and the portable information processing apparatus includes other images. A request for searching for a forming device is received on the job setting screen, and the received request is sent to the proximity communication unit. The control unit receives the request received from the portable information processing device via the remote communication unit. Sent to the cloud server, the job processing time is shorter than the reference, other image forming apparatus, receiving information about the other image forming apparatus installed in the vicinity from the cloud server, the received information the It may be transmitted to a portable information processing apparatus and displayed on the display unit.
Here, the display unit may display a map or navigation using an installation location of another image forming apparatus based on the information.
(Embodiment 2)
The proximity communication unit is capable of communicating with a plurality of portable information processing devices within a communicable proximity distance, and the job control unit is configured to check whether a registered job is waiting for a start instruction, waiting for execution order, or being executed. The status information including the state of the current state may be transmitted to each portable information processing device, and an instruction to delete or edit a job that is waiting for a start instruction or waiting for execution order may be received from each portable information processing device.
In this way, the user can not only check the status of the job with the portable information processing apparatus, but can also delete or edit the job.

(Embodiment 3)
The job control unit may receive an instruction to change the order of jobs in the execution order waiting state from each portable information processing apparatus.
In this way, the user can not only check the status of the job with the portable information processing apparatus but also change the job execution order.

(Embodiment 4)
The job control unit deletes the job when the portable information processing apparatus that has registered the job in the start instruction waiting state or the execution order waiting state is away from a communicable distance before the execution of the job, or The job is put on hold until the predetermined period expires, and when the portable information processing device returns within a communicable distance before the period expires, the job is resumed and the job is deleted when it does not return. May be.
In this way, when a user who has registered a job waiting for execution leaves the site for some reason, it is possible to avoid a problem that occurs when the job remains.

(Embodiment 5)
A remote communication unit that communicates with an external server, wherein the status information includes information on whether or not the device is in a normal operation state, and the job control unit includes the status information and installation location information. And the server stores the status information and the installation location information together with the status information and the installation location information transmitted from another image forming apparatus, and the job control unit is not in a normal operation state. Information or information stored in the server, and the status is transmitted to each portable information processing device within a communicable proximity distance when the job is waiting for execution or when the job in the order of execution exceeds a predetermined standard The location of installation of another image forming apparatus in which a job in a normal operation state and waiting for execution order is below a predetermined standard is searched for each portable type It may be controlled to provide a broadcasting processing apparatus.
In this way, when the image forming apparatus is not in a normal operation state or when there is a long wait until job execution, information on other image forming apparatuses that can be used using the portable information processing apparatus can be obtained.
Preferred embodiments of the present invention include combinations of any of the plurality of embodiments described above.

  In addition to the embodiments described above, there can be various modifications of the present invention. These modifications should not be construed as not belonging to the scope of the present invention. The present invention should include the meaning equivalent to the scope of the claims and all modifications within the scope.

11, 11a, 11b, 11c: Digital MFP, 13a, 13b, 13c: Mobile computer, 14a, 14b, 14c: Smartphone, 15a, 15b, 15c: Tablet computer, 17: Cloud server, 21: Proximity communication unit, 23 : Control unit, 25: recognition unit, 27: job setting unit, 29: job control unit, 31: image control unit, 33: operation unit, 35: remote communication unit, 37: image forming unit, 41, 45a, 45b, 45c: Job setting screen 43: Display section 47: Job status screen 49a, 49b: Job setting confirmation screen

Claims (13)

An operation unit that displays the job setting screen;
A proximity communication unit that performs short-range wireless communication with a portable information processing device having a display unit;
A control unit, the control unit,
A recognition unit for recognizing a portable information processing device in a communicable range by communication via the proximity communication unit;
A job setting unit that transmits a request to display a job setting screen on the display unit of the recognized portable information processing apparatus via the proximity communication unit;
A job control unit that executes the job in response to a job start instruction,
Both the operating unit and job setting screen displayed on the display unit is a function of the job to be executed a setting screen for the user to select,
The job setting unit receives the job setting using the job setting screen after the recognition is performed via the proximity communication unit, and separately from the job setting using the operation unit, the portable information processing Accept job settings from the device,
The image forming apparatus, wherein the job control unit receives a start instruction by managing a job waiting for a start instruction that has received a job setting separately from the job setting set by using the operation unit . The job setting screen displayed on the operation unit on the image forming apparatus side and the portable information processing apparatus side
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein operation buttons for accepting operations related to the same function can be simultaneously displayed on the job setting screen displayed on the display unit.   The job setting screen displayed on the operation unit on the image forming apparatus side and the job setting screen displayed on the display unit on the portable information processing apparatus side accept operations corresponding to the same function although the screen design is different. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus can perform the operation. The job setting window is a portable information processing apparatus an image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 preinstalled application is displayed is activated. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the request is a request to activate the application. The job setting window is a portable information processing apparatus an image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 pre-installed web browser displays are activated. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein the request is a request to activate the web browser. An external cloud server that stores the installation location and status of the image forming apparatus connected to the network, and a remote communication unit that communicates via the network;
The portable information processing apparatus accepts a request for searching for another image forming apparatus on the job setting screen, and sends the accepted request to the proximity communication unit.
The control unit sends the request received from the portable information processing apparatus to the cloud server via the remote communication unit, and is another image forming apparatus whose job processing time is shorter than a reference, The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein information about another image forming apparatus installed in the network is received from the cloud server, and the received information is transmitted to the portable information processing apparatus to be displayed on the display unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 8 , wherein the display unit displays a map or navigation using an installation location of another image forming apparatus based on the information. The proximity communication unit can communicate with a plurality of portable information processing devices within a communicable proximity distance,
The job control unit transmits status information including whether the registered job is waiting for a start instruction, waiting for execution order, or being executed, to each portable information processing apparatus, and starting from each portable information processing apparatus The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus receives an instruction to delete or edit a job in a waiting or execution order waiting state. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein the job control unit receives an instruction to change the order of jobs in the execution order waiting state from each portable information processing apparatus. The job control unit deletes the job when the portable information processing apparatus that has registered the job in the start instruction waiting state or the execution order waiting state is away from a communicable distance before the execution of the job, or The job is put on hold until a predetermined period expires, and when the portable information processing apparatus returns within a communicable close range before the period expires, the job is resumed, and when the job does not return, the job is deleted. The image forming apparatus according to claim 10 . A remote communication unit that communicates with an external server;
The status information includes information on whether or not the normal operation state,
The job control unit transmits the status information and installation location information to the server via the remote communication unit,
The server stores the status information and installation location information together with status information and installation location information transmitted from another image forming apparatus,
When the job control unit is not in a normal operation state or when a job in the execution order waiting state exceeds a predetermined reference, the job control unit transmits the state to each portable information processing apparatus within a communicable proximity distance. In addition, each portable information processing device can be used to search for information stored in the server to determine the installation location of another image forming apparatus in which a job in a normal operation state and waiting for execution order is not more than a predetermined standard The image forming apparatus according to claim 10 , wherein the image forming apparatus is controlled so as to be provided.