JP6578027B2 - Image forming apparatus, terminal apparatus, image forming system, and computer program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly to an image forming apparatus that constitutes an image forming system together with a terminal device connected via a communication line.

  As one type of information equipment, an image forming apparatus is installed in many offices (company, office, etc.). Such an image forming apparatus is connected to a terminal device via a communication line, receives image data transmitted from the terminal device, and prints an image based on the image data.

  In an image forming system including a terminal device and an image forming device, communication may be interrupted for some reason while image data is being transferred from the terminal device to the image forming device. In such a case, image data cannot be transferred from the terminal device to the image forming apparatus, and printing cannot be executed.

  In recent years, printing using wireless in image forming apparatuses is becoming widespread. When image data is transferred from a terminal device to an image forming apparatus via a wireless line, good communication between the terminal apparatus and the image forming apparatus is maintained when the state of the wireless line (for example, radio wave conditions) deteriorates. Can not be. As a result, the image data cannot be satisfactorily transferred from the terminal device to the image forming apparatus.

  Patent Document 1 described later discloses an information processing apparatus connected to a printing apparatus via a wireless line. The information processing apparatus transmits print data to the printing apparatus and instructs the printing apparatus to execute printing of the transmitted print data. The information processing apparatus further detects the line status of the wireless line and controls the operation of the print execution instruction according to the detected line status. That is, when the line condition of the wireless line is bad, the information processing apparatus stops the operation of the print execution instruction.

  In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-228561, when the wireless line condition is poor, the information processing apparatus stops the operation of the print execution instruction, so that the print operation is executed even though the print data is not transferred to the print apparatus. Can be prevented.

JP 2011-123582 A

  However, in the information processing apparatus of Patent Document 1, the print execution process ends when the operation of the print execution instruction is stopped. Therefore, when communication is interrupted, the communication is interrupted and the line condition is improved. Data communication needs to be performed. Since it takes time to resume communication, it is difficult to efficiently form an image. That is, there is a problem that convenience deteriorates due to deterioration of the line condition of the wireless line.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and one object of the present invention is to provide an image forming apparatus capable of suppressing a decrease in convenience due to a line condition of a wireless line. Etc. is to provide.

  In order to achieve the above object, an image forming apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention is connected to a terminal device via a wireless line, receives image data transmitted from the terminal device, and based on the image data To form an image. The image forming apparatus includes: a wireless communication unit configured to communicate with a terminal device via a wireless line; and a method for improving the radio wave intensity when the radio wave intensity of the wireless line is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold for the terminal device Notification setting means for setting to notify the user.

  The image forming apparatus has a function of setting the terminal device to notify the user of a method for improving the radio field strength when the radio field strength of the wireless line is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold. Since the user can be alerted before the communication is interrupted, the communication can be prevented from being interrupted. Therefore, even when image data is transferred via a wireless line, an image can be formed efficiently. Thereby, it is possible to suppress a decrease in convenience due to the line status of the wireless line. Furthermore, since the setting of the terminal device can be performed on the image forming apparatus side, it is possible to easily set the terminal device connected to the image forming apparatus so as to notify the user of the method of improving the radio wave intensity. Thereby, a user can be alerted easily before communication is interrupted.

  Preferably, the image forming apparatus receives line state detection means for detecting whether or not communication with the terminal apparatus is interrupted by detecting a line state of the wireless line, and image data transmitted from the terminal apparatus. In response to the fact that the line state detecting means detects that the communication has been interrupted, the data holding means for holding the reception by recording the state during the reception of the image data, In addition. The wireless communication means resumes receiving the image data from the position where the communication in the image data being received is interrupted based on the state recorded in the data holding means according to the detection result of the line state detecting means.

  The image forming apparatus detects whether or not communication with the terminal device is interrupted by detecting a line state of the wireless line. During reception of image data transmitted from the terminal device, for example, when a user using the terminal device moves with the terminal device and moves away from a range where wireless communication is possible, communication is interrupted. . When the line state detecting unit detects that communication is interrupted, the data holding unit records the state in the middle of receiving the image data. When the user moves to a range where wireless communication is possible and communication is resumed (restored), the image forming apparatus can resume data communication from the middle. Even if the communication is interrupted during the reception of the image data, the data can be received from the middle when the communication is resumed. Thereby, since an image can be formed more efficiently, it is possible to further suppress a decrease in convenience due to the line condition of the wireless line.

  More preferably, the image forming apparatus includes a timing unit for measuring an elapsed time after the communication state is detected by the line state detection unit, and a case where the data holding unit holds reception. A means for receiving image data from a pending reception in response to communication being resumed within a predetermined time after it is detected that communication has been interrupted by the line state detection means; Received image data in response to a state in which communication has not been resumed for a predetermined period of time after the interruption is detected by the line status detection means when the hold means holds reception. And a means for discarding.

  There is a possibility that data transmission (transfer) may be resumed within a predetermined time after it is detected that the communication is interrupted by the line state detection means. Therefore, the image forming apparatus can receive image data from the suspended communication when communication is resumed within a predetermined time after it is detected that the communication is interrupted by the line state detection unit. It is preferable that it is comprised. On the other hand, if a predetermined time has elapsed after it is detected that the communication has been interrupted by the line state detection means, there is a high possibility that data transmission will not be resumed or that data will be transmitted again from the beginning. Therefore, the image forming apparatus is configured to discard the received image data when the communication is not resumed within a predetermined time after the communication state is detected by the line state detection unit. And preferred. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the storage area for storing the image data from being wasted.

  More preferably, the image forming apparatus further includes means for starting image formation after reception of the image data is completed.

  The image forming apparatus starts image formation (printing) after reception of the image data is completed. In other words, the image forming apparatus does not start printing until all the data is received. Therefore, even when communication is interrupted during transfer of image data and data communication is resumed from the middle when communication is resumed, it is possible to prevent the printed sheets from being separated (distributed). Therefore, this also saves time and effort at the time of resumption.

  A terminal device according to a second aspect of the present invention is a terminal device connected to an image forming apparatus via a wireless line. The terminal device detects a line state for detecting whether or not communication with the image forming apparatus is interrupted by detecting a line state of a wireless line and a transmission unit for transmitting image data to the image forming apparatus. The determination result by the means, the radio wave intensity determining means for detecting the line state of the wireless line, and determining whether or not the radio wave intensity in the detected line state is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold is positive. And a notification means for notifying the user of a method of improving the radio wave intensity in response to a certain situation.

  The radio wave intensity determining means detects a line state of the wireless line and determines whether or not the radio wave intensity in the detected line state is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value. The notification means notifies the user that the radio wave intensity is not sufficient in response to the determination result being affirmative, that is, in response to the radio wave intensity being equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value. Since the user can be alerted before the communication is interrupted, the communication can be prevented from being interrupted. Therefore, even when image data is transferred via a wireless line, the image data can be efficiently transferred to the image forming apparatus. Thereby, it is possible to suppress a decrease in convenience due to the line status of the wireless line.

  Preferably, the terminal device makes an inquiry as to whether or not to record a state during the transmission of the image data in response to the fact that the line state detection unit detects that the communication with the image forming apparatus is interrupted. Inquiry means, display means for displaying an inquiry in response to an instruction from the inquiry means, and a process for holding communication and a process not holding in accordance with an instruction input for the inquiry displayed on the display means And a selection execution means for executing the operation. Thus, by inquiring whether or not to record the state during communication, the user can select whether or not to hold communication. The user can record the state during communication only when the user wants to hold the communication.

  More preferably, the terminal device responds to the execution result of the selection execution means in response to the fact that the line state detection means detects that communication has been interrupted during transmission of image data to the image forming apparatus. And a data holding means for holding the transmission by recording a state during the transmission of the image data. The transmission means resumes transmission of the image data from the position where the communication in the image data being transmitted is interrupted based on the state of the transmission in progress recorded in the data holding means according to the detection result of the line state detection means. .

  When it is detected that the communication is interrupted during the transmission of the image data to the image forming apparatus, the terminal device records the state during the transmission of the image data in accordance with the execution result of the selection execution means. Hold the transmission. Therefore, when communication is resumed, the terminal device can transmit image data from the middle. Even if the communication is interrupted during the transmission of the image data, the data transmission can be resumed from the middle when the communication is resumed. As a result, since the image data can be transferred to the image forming apparatus more efficiently, it is possible to further suppress the decrease in convenience due to the line condition of the wireless line.

  More preferably, in response to the fact that the line state detecting means detects that communication has been interrupted while the image data is being transmitted to the image forming apparatus, the terminal device changes the state during the transmission of the image data. It further includes data holding means for holding.

  More preferably, the terminal device further includes means for notifying the user of a warning regarding the state of the wireless line in accordance with the determination result of the radio wave intensity determination means during the transmission of the image data to the image forming apparatus.

  When the radio wave condition of the wireless line deteriorates, the terminal device notifies the user of a warning regarding the wireless line state. By this notification, the user can recognize the state of the wireless line (for example, the radio wave condition is not good). Thereby, for example, the radio wave condition can be improved by urging the user to move to a better range of the radio wave condition.

  An image forming system according to a third aspect of the present invention is connected to a terminal device that transmits image data and a terminal device via a wireless line, receives image data transmitted from the terminal device, and converts the image data into the image data. And an image forming apparatus that forms an image based on the image. In this image forming system, each of the terminal device and the image forming device includes wireless communication means for wirelessly communicating with each other via a wireless line, and the terminal device detects the line state of the wireless line to thereby form an image. Line state detection means for detecting whether or not communication with the device is interrupted, and detecting the line state of the wireless line and determining whether or not the radio field intensity in the detected line state is below a predetermined threshold Radio wave intensity determining means and a notifying means for notifying the user of a method for improving the radio wave intensity in response to a positive determination result by the radio wave intensity determining means.

  Preferably, in the image forming system, in response to detecting that the communication is interrupted while the image data is being transmitted from the terminal device to the image forming apparatus, the image forming system displays a state during the communication. The wireless communication unit of the terminal device and the image forming apparatus further includes a data holding unit for holding the communication by recording, and the wireless communication unit of the terminal device and the image forming apparatus is in the middle of the communication recorded in the data holding unit according to the detection result of the line state detecting unit On the basis of the state, transmission and reception of the image data are resumed from a position where communication in the image data being transmitted is interrupted.

  More preferably, the data holding means includes means for recording a state in the middle of receiving the image data in the image forming apparatus.

  More preferably, the data holding means includes means for recording a state in the middle of transmission of image data in the terminal device and means for recording a state in the middle of reception of image data in the image forming apparatus.

  A computer program according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is a computer program connected to an image forming apparatus via a wireless line, transmitting means for transmitting image data to the image forming apparatus, and detecting a line state of the wireless line To detect whether or not communication with the image forming apparatus has been interrupted, and whether or not the line state of the wireless line is detected, and the radio field intensity in the detected line state is below a predetermined threshold In response to the affirmative result of the determination by the radio wave intensity determining means and the radio wave intensity determining means, the radio wave intensity determining means functions as a notification means for notifying the user of the radio wave intensity improving method.

  Preferably, the computer program sends the image data to the image forming apparatus, selection execution means for selectively executing the processing for holding the communication and the processing not holding the computer in response to the response instruction to the inquiry. In response to the fact that the line state detecting means detects that the communication has been interrupted, the transmission is performed by recording the state during the transmission of the image data in accordance with the execution result of the selection executing means. It further functions as a data holding means for holding. The transmission means resumes transmission of the image data from the position where the communication in the image data being transmitted is interrupted based on the state of the transmission in progress recorded in the data holding means according to the detection result of the line state detection means. .

  According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain an image forming apparatus, a terminal device, an image forming system, and a computer program that can suppress a decrease in convenience due to a line state of a wireless line.

1 is a diagram illustrating an overall configuration of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a diagram illustrating an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention (a diagram illustrating a state in which communication is likely to be interrupted); 1 is a diagram illustrating an image forming system according to an embodiment of the present invention (a diagram illustrating a state in which communication is interrupted). FIG. 2 is a control block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the multifunction peripheral illustrated in FIG. 1. It is a control block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of the terminal device shown in FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a wireless setting screen displayed on the operation unit of the multifunction peripheral. FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the radio | wireless setting screen displayed on user I / F of a terminal device. It is a flowchart which shows the control structure of the program performed with the terminal device shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the detailed flow of step S1000 of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the dialog screen displayed on user I / F of a terminal device. It is a figure which shows an example of the dialog screen displayed on user I / F of a terminal device. It is a figure which shows an example of the dialog screen displayed on user I / F of a terminal device. It is a figure which shows an example of the dialog screen displayed on user I / F of a terminal device. 2 is a flowchart showing a control structure of a program executed by the multifunction machine shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the detailed flow of step S2000 of FIG. It is a figure which shows the detailed flow of step S2120 of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the radio | wireless setting screen displayed on the terminal device which concerns on the modification of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the radio | wireless setting screen displayed on the multifunctional device which concerns on the modification of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the radio | wireless setting screen displayed on the terminal device which concerns on the other modification of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the radio | wireless setting screen displayed on the multifunctional device which concerns on the other modification of this invention.

  In the following embodiments, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their functions and names are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

[Overall system configuration]
With reference to FIG. 1, an overall configuration of an image forming system 50 according to the present embodiment will be described. The image forming system 50 includes a multifunction peripheral 100 (MFP) that is a kind of image forming apparatus, and a terminal device 200 that issues a print request to the multifunction peripheral 100. The multi-function device 100 includes, for example, a copy function and a printer function. The multifunction device 100 receives a print request from the terminal device 200 and prints an image on a recording sheet. The terminal device 200 includes a smartphone. The multi-function device 100 and the terminal device 200 are communicably connected via a wireless line 300.

  When the multifunction device 100 and the terminal device 200 are connected by the wireless line 300, good communication is maintained between the terminal device 200 and the multifunction device 100 when the state of the wireless line 300 (for example, radio wave conditions) deteriorates. It becomes difficult. In this case, it is impossible to transfer image data from the terminal device 200 to the multi-function device 100 satisfactorily.

  With reference to FIG. 2, the line state of the wireless line 300 varies depending on, for example, the distance between the terminal device 200 and the multifunction peripheral 100. For example, when the terminal device 200 moves away from the multi-function device 100, the radio wave intensity deteriorates. Even when the terminal device 200 is within the communication range with the multi-function device 100, if the terminal device 200 is too far from the multi-function device 100, the radio wave intensity may deteriorate and communication may be interrupted. In such a case, generally, when the terminal device 200 is brought closer to the multifunction device 100, the radio wave condition is improved. In the present embodiment, if communication is about to be interrupted while image data is being transmitted from the terminal device 200 to the multifunction peripheral 100, the terminal device 200 displays a warning to notify the user that the radio wave intensity is poor. This notification can prompt the user to move to a range where the radio field intensity is good. When the user approaches the multifunction peripheral 100 together with the terminal device 200, the radio wave condition is improved.

  Referring to FIG. 3, when the terminal device 200 and the multifunction peripheral 100 are connected by the wireless line 300, the communicable range cannot be visually recognized. For example, the user holding the terminal device 200 mistakenly combines May move out of the communication range from the communication range with the device 100. In such a case, communication is interrupted. If communication is interrupted while image data is being transmitted from the terminal device 200 to the multifunction device 100, the image data cannot be transferred from the terminal device 200 to the multifunction device 100. In the present embodiment, if communication is interrupted while image data is being transmitted from the terminal device 200 to the multifunction device 100, the terminal device 200 and the multifunction device 100 hold the state during communication. Therefore, when communication between the terminal device 200 and the multifunction device 100 is resumed, printing can be resumed from the middle.

[Hardware configuration]
<Machine 100>
Referring to FIG. 4, the multi-function device 100 configuring the image forming system 50 includes a control unit 110, an image reading unit 120, an image processing unit 130, an image forming unit 140, a wireless communication unit 150, and an operation unit 160.

  The control unit 110 is substantially a computer, and includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 112, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 114, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 116, and an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 118. A BUS line 170 is connected to the CPU 112, and a ROM 114, a RAM 116, and an HDD 118 are electrically connected to the BUS line 170. The CPU 112 executes various computer programs in accordance with instructions from the operation unit 160 and the like, thereby executing desired processing such as operations of the respective units of the multifunction peripheral 100 and communication with the terminal device 200. The various computer programs described above are stored in advance in the ROM 114 or the HDD 118, and are read from the ROM 114 or the HDD 118 and transferred to the RAM 116 when desired processing is executed. The CPU 112 reads and interprets a program instruction from an address in the RAM 116 specified by a value stored in a register called a program counter (not shown) in the CPU 112. The CPU 112 also reads data necessary for the operation from the address specified by the read instruction, and executes an operation corresponding to the instruction on the data. The execution result is also stored in an address specified by the instruction, such as a register in the RAM 116, HDD 118, and CPU 112.

  The HDD 118 stores a computer program for realizing general operations of the multifunction machine 100. This computer program is provided from an information processing apparatus or the like via a network or the like (not shown). The computer program may be provided by a storage medium such as a DVD on which the computer program is recorded. That is, a DVD as a computer program recording medium may be mounted on a DVD drive (not shown) built in the multifunction peripheral 100, and the computer program may be read from the DVD and installed in the HDD 118. In addition, the HDD 118 stores various data including image data and the like.

  Further, the image reading unit 120, the image processing unit 130, the image forming unit 140, the wireless communication unit 150, and the operation unit 160 are electrically connected to the BUS line 170.

  The image reading unit 120 includes a document detection sensor and a CCD (Charge-Coupled Device) line sensor (none of which is shown). The document detection sensor is a light source (not shown) for an image surface of a document placed on a document placement table (not shown) manually by a user or by an automatic document feeder (not shown). The reflected light image obtained by irradiating light is formed on the CCD line sensor. The CCD line sensor sequentially photoelectrically converts the formed reflected light image and outputs it to the image processing unit 130 as image data. That is, the image reading unit 120 reads image information from a document placed on a document placement table by a document detection sensor when the document is copied or scanned, and converts the read image information into an electrical signal by a CCD line sensor. The image data is output to the image processing unit 130.

  The image processing unit 130 includes an MPU (Micro Processing Unit, not shown). The image processing unit 130 performs various processing including predetermined image processing such as rasterization processing on the image data received from the image reading unit 120 or the terminal device 200 or the like, and print data with predetermined gradation. And output to the image forming unit 140.

  The image forming unit 140 prints an image indicated by image data on a recording sheet, and includes, for example, a photosensitive drum, a charging device, a laser scanning unit (LSU), a developing device, a transfer device, a cleaning device, and a fixing device. And a static eliminator. For example, the image forming unit 140 is provided with a conveyance path, and a recording sheet fed from a sheet feeding unit (not shown) is conveyed along the conveyance path. The paper feed unit pulls out the recording paper stored in a paper cassette (not shown) or the recording paper placed on the manual feed tray one by one, and sends the recording paper to the conveyance path of the image forming unit 140. . While the recording paper is being transported along the transport path of the image forming unit 140, the recording paper passes between the photosensitive drum and the transfer device, and further passes through the fixing device to perform printing on the recording paper. It is.

  The photosensitive drum rotates in one direction, and its surface is cleaned by a cleaning device and a static eliminator and then uniformly charged by a charging device. The laser scanning unit modulates the laser beam based on the image data to be printed, and repeatedly scans the surface of the photosensitive drum in the main scanning direction with this laser beam to form an electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum. To do. The developing device supplies toner to the surface of the photosensitive drum to develop the electrostatic latent image, and forms a toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum. The transfer device transfers the toner image on the surface of the photosensitive drum to a recording sheet passing between the transfer device and the photosensitive drum.

  The fixing device includes a heating roller for heating the recording paper and a pressure roller for pressing the recording paper. The recording paper is heated by the heating roller and is pressed by the pressure roller, whereby the toner image transferred onto the recording paper is fixed on the recording paper. The recording paper discharged (printed) from the fixing device is discharged to a paper discharge tray.

  The wireless communication unit 150 interfaces with the wireless line 300. Multifunction device 100 communicates with an external device (terminal device 200 in the present embodiment) via wireless communication unit 150. The multi-function device 100 can receive a command signal for instructing execution of various processes such as a print job from the terminal device 200 via the wireless communication unit 150. The wireless communication unit 150 further measures the radio wave intensity in the wireless line 300, the communication speed in the wireless line 300, and the like. Further, under the control of the control unit 110, the wireless communication unit 150 detects whether or not communication with the terminal device 200 is interrupted while the image data transmitted from the terminal device 200 is being received.

  The operation unit 160 includes a touch panel display 162. The touch panel display 162 is a touch panel integrated liquid crystal display device in which a display panel 164 and a touch panel 166 are overlapped. The display panel 164 provides the user with various types of information such as information regarding the state of the multifunction peripheral 100 and the state of various processes. The touch panel display 162 also provides an interactive operation interface for the user. This interactive operation interface accepts user instructions for the overall operation of the multifunction peripheral 100 from the touch panel 166, displays the contents of the instructions on the display panel 164, and sends a control signal corresponding to the instructions to the control unit 110 or the image. Output to the MPU of the processing unit 130.

  The multi-function device 100 also has a quick print function for executing print processing while receiving image data, and a print function for performing print processing only after receiving image data first and receiving all image data. Prepare. These printing functions can be set to any of the functions in the multifunction peripheral 100. For example, one of the functions can be set on a setting screen (not shown) displayed on the operation unit 160 (display panel 164) of the multifunction device 100. Specifically, the quick print function is turned on when setting the quick print, and the quick print function is turned off when the quick print is not set. When the quick print function is turned off, a print function for executing print processing after reception of all image data is set. These print functions can also be set in the terminal device 200. In this case, the MFP 100 receives the setting instruction (setting information) transmitted from the terminal device 200 and changes the setting of the own device.

  The multi-function device 100 further has a function of holding the state during communication when it is detected that communication has been interrupted during reception of image data transmitted from the terminal device 200. In other words, when the MFP 100 detects that communication has been interrupted while receiving image data transmitted from the terminal device 200, the MFP 100 stores data indicating the state of communication in the HDD 118. The data indicating the state during the communication includes the time information when the print job is received, the identification information of the terminal device 200, the identification information of the received image data, and the reception of the image data is stopped due to the interruption of the communication. Time stop position and image data received before communication is interrupted. The identification information of the terminal device 200 is, for example, a terminal ID or a terminal serial number. The identification information of the image data is, for example, a file name. If quick printing is set, the printing process is executed while receiving the image data, so that the image data received before the communication is interrupted is not stored in the HDD 118. That is, the data indicating the state during communication does not include the image data received before the communication is interrupted.

  The function of holding the state in the middle of communication can be set in the multifunction peripheral 100. In the present embodiment, the wireless setting screen 400 displayed on the operation unit 160 (display panel 164) of the multifunction peripheral 100 is configured to be able to set whether or not to hold the state during communication. Referring to FIG. 6, radio setting screen 400 has a check box 410 to be checked for setting to hold data in the middle of communication (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “data hold setting”), and in the middle of communication. A check box 420 for checking in order to set not to hold the data is included.

  The control unit 110 further has a timer function for measuring an elapsed time after the communication is interrupted when the communication is interrupted. The control unit 110 detects whether or not the communication is resumed within a certain time (for example, about 30 seconds to several minutes) after the communication is interrupted. This fixed time can be arbitrarily set. If the communication is not resumed and the data received before the communication is interrupted is stored in the HDD 118, the image data stored in the HDD 118 is discarded (deleted).

<< Terminal Device 200 >>
Referring to FIG. 5, terminal device 200 configuring image forming system 50 includes control unit 210, storage device 220, user interface (hereinafter referred to as “user I / F”) 230, and wireless communication unit 240. .

  The control unit 210 is substantially a computer and includes a CPU 212, a ROM 214, and a RAM 216. A BUS line 250 is connected to the CPU 212, and a ROM 214 and a RAM 216 are electrically connected to the BUS line 250. The CPU 212 executes various computer programs in response to an instruction from the user I / F 230 or the like, thereby performing desired operations such as operation of each unit of the terminal device 200 and communication with an external device (the multifunction device 100 in the present embodiment). Execute the process.

  The storage device 220, the user I / F 230, and the wireless communication unit 240 are electrically connected to the BUS line 250. The ROM 214, RAM 216, storage device 220, user I / F 230, and wireless communication unit 240 all operate cooperatively under the control of the CPU 212, and the terminal device 200 as the terminal device according to the present embodiment can be used as various applications. Realize the process. For example, when the communication is interrupted while the image data stored in the terminal device 200 is being transmitted to the multi-function peripheral 100, these applications can be saved in the terminal in the image forming system 50 that can save time and labor when the communication is resumed. An apparatus 200 is realized.

  The storage device 220 includes a flash memory drive (not shown) such as an SSD (Solid State Drive). The storage device 220 stores a computer program for realizing general operations of the terminal device 200, the application, and the like. These computer programs and the like are provided from an information processing apparatus or the like via a network or the like (not shown). The computer program or the like may be provided by a storage medium such as a DVD on which the computer program or the like is recorded. In addition, the storage device 220 stores various data including image data and the like. The storage device 220 may be configured to include an HDD instead of the SSD or together with the SSD.

  The user I / F 230 includes an input / output device including an operation display device such as a touch panel display.

  The wireless communication unit 240 has an interface with the wireless line 300. The terminal device 200 communicates with an external device (the multifunction device 100 in the present embodiment) via the wireless communication unit 150. The terminal device 200 can transmit a command signal for instructing execution of various processes such as a print job to the multifunction peripheral 100 or the like via the wireless communication unit 150. The wireless communication unit 240 further detects whether or not communication with the terminal device 200 is interrupted while the image data transmitted from the terminal device 200 is being received under the control of the control unit 210.

  The wireless communication unit 240 further measures the radio wave intensity in the wireless line 300, the communication speed in the wireless line 300, and the like. The terminal device 200 stores in advance a threshold value serving as a reference for determining whether or not the radio wave intensity has deteriorated (sufficient) in the ROM 214, the RAM 216, the storage device 220, or the like. The control unit 210 compares the radio field intensity measured by the radio communication unit 240 with a threshold value to determine whether the radio field intensity has deteriorated. Further, when the control unit 210 determines that the radio wave intensity has deteriorated, the control unit 210 displays a notice for warning on the user I / F 230.

  The function of giving a warning when the radio wave intensity deteriorates (when the radio wave intensity is weak) can be set in the terminal device 200. In the present embodiment, the wireless setting screen 500 displayed on the user I / F 230 (touch panel display) of the terminal device 200 is configured to be able to set whether or not to warn when the radio field intensity is weak. Referring to FIG. 7, the wireless setting screen 500 has a check box 510 that is checked to set a warning as a warning setting when the radio wave intensity is weak, and a check that is checked to set a warning not to be set. Box 520 is included.

  The terminal device 200 also has a function of suspending a state during communication when it is detected that communication has been interrupted while image data is being transmitted to the multifunction peripheral 100. That is, when the terminal device 200 detects that communication has been interrupted during transmission of image data to the multifunction peripheral 100, the data indicating the state during communication and the time information at the start of transmission of the print job are displayed. (Job start time) is stored in the storage device 220. The data indicating the state during communication includes the stop position when transmission of the image data is stopped due to the interruption of communication.

Software configuration
Referring to FIG. 8, in the image forming system 50 according to the present embodiment, a control structure of a computer program executed by the terminal device 200 in order to issue a print request from the terminal device 200 to the multifunction peripheral 100. explain. This program is activated when an operation for issuing a print request is performed by the user.

  This program is executed after step S1000 in which communication processing with the multifunction peripheral 100 is executed and after step S1000, and whether or not the terminal device 200 has previously held data for the image data selected by the user. Step S1010 for determining and branching the control flow according to the determination result, and executed when it is determined in step S1010 that there is no previously held data, and whether or not the radio wave intensity in the radio line 300 is sufficient. And in step S1020 for branching the control flow according to the determination result, and in step S1020, when it is determined that the radio wave intensity is sufficient, the image data stored in the terminal device 200 is combined. Executed after step S1030 and step S1030 for transferring to the machine 100. It determines whether data transfer has been completed, and a step S1040 for branching control flow depending on the result of determination.

  In step S1010, it is determined whether or not the communication is interrupted during the previous transmission of the image data and the state during the communication is suspended. In step S1020, the radio wave intensity measured by the wireless communication unit 240 is compared with the threshold value stored in the ROM or the like to determine whether the radio wave intensity is greater than the threshold value. When the radio field intensity measured by the wireless communication unit 240 is larger than the threshold value, the control unit 210 determines that the radio field intensity is sufficient. On the other hand, when the radio field intensity measured by the wireless communication unit 240 is equal to or less than the threshold, the control unit 210 determines that the radio field intensity is insufficient (the radio field intensity is weak (deteriorates)). In step S1030, the image data selected by the user is transmitted to the multi-function device 100. If it is determined in step S1040 that the transfer of all data has not been completed, control returns to step S1020. If it is determined that the transfer of all data has been completed, the program ends.

  Further, this program is executed when it is determined in step S1010 that there is data previously held, and whether or not the hold data (image data received before communication is interrupted) of the multifunction peripheral 100 is discarded. This is executed when it is determined in step S1050 that branches the control flow according to the determination result and in step S1050 that the pending data of the multifunction peripheral 100 has been discarded, and image data is transmitted from the beginning. And step S1060 which advances the control to step S1020.

  In step S1060, the dialog screen 600 shown in FIG. 10 is displayed on the user I / F 230 (touch panel display) of the terminal device 200. Referring to FIG. 10, the dialog screen 600 displays, for example, the text “Previous data has been discarded from the MFP. Printing will start from the beginning.” Note that in step S1060, data indicating a state during communication that is suspended in the terminal device 200 when the previous image data was transmitted is discarded.

  This program is further executed when it is determined in step S1050 that the pending data of the multifunction peripheral 100 has not been discarded, and it is determined whether or not the image data is to be transmitted halfway, and the control is performed according to the determination result. This process is executed when it is determined in step S1070 that the flow is branched and in step S1070 that the image data is to be transmitted from the middle, and is executed after step S1080 for informing the multifunction peripheral 100 that the data is resumed from the middle. And step S1090 that changes the setting to transmit image data from the middle and advances the control to step S1020. If it is determined in step S1070 that the image data is not transmitted from the middle, control proceeds to step S1020.

  In step S1070, the dialog screen 610 shown in FIG. 11 is displayed on the user I / F 230 (touch panel display) of the terminal device 200. Referring to FIG. 11, for example, a text for inquiring “Do you want to send image data halfway?”, “Yes” key 612 and “No” key 614 are displayed on dialog screen 610. When the “Yes” key 612 is operated by the user, the control unit 210 determines to transmit the image data from the middle. On the other hand, when the “NO” key 614 is operated by the user, the control unit 210 determines that image data is not transmitted from the middle (image data is transmitted from the beginning). In step S <b> 1080, the terminal device 200 transmits an instruction to transmit the image data from the middle (position where it was stopped last time) to the multi-function device 100.

  This program is further executed when it is determined in step S1020 that the radio field intensity is not sufficient, and it is determined whether or not the communication is interrupted, and the control flow is branched according to the determination result, step S1100 and step S1100. This is executed when it is determined in S1100 that the communication is not interrupted, and it is determined whether or not the warning display setting is ON, and the flow of control is branched according to the determination result. In steps S1110 and S1110, the warning is issued. Step S1120 is executed when it is determined that the display setting is ON, and a message notifying that the radio wave intensity is weak is displayed and the control proceeds to Step S1030. If it is determined in step S1110 that the warning display setting is not ON, the control proceeds to step S1030.

  In step S1110, it is determined whether the warning display setting is ON depending on which of the check box 510 and the check box 520 is checked in the wireless setting screen 500 shown in FIG. When the check box 510 is checked, the control unit 210 determines that the warning display setting is ON. On the other hand, when the check box 520 is checked, the control unit 210 determines that the warning display setting is not ON (OFF).

  In step S1120, a dialog screen 620 shown in FIG. 12 is displayed on the user I / F 230 (touch panel display) of the terminal device 200. Referring to FIG. 12, the dialog screen 620 shows, for example, “The radio wave intensity is not good. Is it too far from the MFP? If it is too far away, it may be improved by approaching.” The text of is displayed. By displaying this dialog screen 620, the terminal device 200 notifies the user that the radio wave condition is not good as a warning regarding the wireless line state.

  This program is further executed when it is determined in step S1100 that the communication has been interrupted, and it is determined whether or not to hold the intermediate state, and the control flow is branched according to the determination result, step S1130 and step S1130. Step S1140 is executed when it is determined that the intermediate state is suspended, and the program is terminated after performing the suspension process. If it is determined in step S1130 that the intermediate state is not suspended, the program ends.

  In step S1130, a dialog screen 630 illustrated in FIG. 13 is displayed on the user I / F 230 (touch panel display) of the terminal device 200. Referring to FIG. 13, a dialog screen 630 displays, for example, “Communication was interrupted while image data was being transferred to the multifunction device. Do you want to hold the intermediate state so that it can be resumed from the middle?” The text to be queried, “Yes” key 632 and “No” key 634 are displayed. When the “Yes” key 632 is operated by the user, the control unit 210 determines to hold the intermediate state. On the other hand, when the “NO” key 634 is operated by the user, the control unit 210 determines not to hold the intermediate state.

  FIG. 9 is a detailed flow of step S1000 of FIG. Referring to FIG. 9, this routine is executed after step S1200 for executing processing for connecting to multi-function device 100 via wireless line 300, and after step S1200, and a notification of pending data discard is received from multi-function device 100. In step S1210 for branching the control flow according to the determination result, and in step S1210, the process is executed when it is determined that the pending data discard notification is received from the multifunction device 100. For example, the storage device 220 stores the fact that the pending data has been discarded and ends this routine. If it is determined in step S1210 that the pending data discard notification has not been received from the multi-function device 100, this routine also ends.

  In step S1050 shown in FIG. 8, it is determined whether or not the hold data of the multifunction device 100 is discarded based on the information stored in step S1220 shown in FIG. 9 and indicating that the hold data of the multifunction device 100 is discarded. judge.

  With reference to FIG. 14, a control structure of a computer program executed by the multifunction peripheral 100 in the image forming system 50 according to the present embodiment will be described. This program is activated when the multifunction device 100 is turned on.

  This program is executed after step S2000 for executing communication processing with the terminal device 200 and after step S2000, determines whether or not the quick print function is ON, and branches the control flow according to the determination result. This is executed when it is determined in step S2010 and step S2010 that the quick print function is turned on. In step S2020 in which printing is performed while receiving image data, and in step S2010, the quick print function is not turned on. Is executed after the reception of image data, and after step S2020 and step S2030, it is determined whether or not communication with the terminal device 200 is interrupted, and according to the determination result Step S2040 for branching the control flow; Including.

  This program is further executed when it is determined in step S2040 that communication has been interrupted, and it is determined whether or not the data hold setting (setting to hold data in the middle of communication) is made, and control is performed according to the determination result. Step S2050 for branching the flow of steps, Step S2060 that is executed when it is determined in step S2050 that the data hold setting is set, and a process for holding the state during communication (data during communication) is executed, It is executed after step S2060, and it is determined whether or not communication has been resumed within a predetermined time after the communication is interrupted. In steps S2070 and S2070, the flow of control is branched according to the determination result. It is executed when it is determined that communication has been resumed, and based on an instruction from the terminal device 200 It determines whether to resume from the middle of the data, and a step S2080 for branching control flow depending on the result of determination.

  In step S2050, it is determined whether or not the data hold setting is made depending on which of the check box 410 and the check box 420 is checked on the wireless setting screen 400 shown in FIG. When the check box 410 is checked, the control unit 110 determines that the data hold setting is set. On the other hand, when the check box 420 is checked, the control unit 110 determines that the data hold setting is not set.

  This program is further executed in step S2080 when it is determined to resume from halfway data. In step S2090 in which image data is received from the middle (position where it was previously stopped), and in step S2050, the data hold setting is set. This is executed when it is determined that there is no communication, and when it is determined in step S2070 that communication has not been resumed within a certain time, and is executed after step S2100 for discarding the pending image data and after step S2100 In step S2110 for canceling printing and ending this program, and in step S2040, when it is determined that communication is not interrupted, in step S2080, when it is determined not to resume from halfway data, and step After S2090 Runs, including Run output processing of the image data and a step S2120 to end the program.

  FIG. 15 is a detailed flow of step S2000 of FIG. Referring to FIG. 15, this routine is executed after step S2200 for executing processing for connecting to terminal device 200 via wireless line 300, and whether or not the pending image data has been discarded. Step S2210 for determining and branching the flow of control according to the determination result, executed when it is determined in step S2210 that the reserved image data has been discarded, and notifies the terminal device 200 that it has been discarded. Step S2220 which ends the lever routine. If it is determined in step S2210 that the held image data has not been discarded, this routine also ends.

  FIG. 16 is a detailed flow of step S2120 of FIG. Referring to FIG. 16, this routine determines whether or not quick printing is set (ON), and in step S2300 that branches the flow of control according to the determination result, in step S2300, quick printing is set. It is executed when it is determined that printing has been performed, and it is determined whether or not printing has ended. In steps S2310 and S2300 where the flow of control branches according to the determination result, quick printing is not set. If it is determined, it is determined whether or not reception of all data is completed, and it is determined in step S2320 that branches the flow of control according to the determination result, and reception of all data is completed in step S2320. Step S2 is executed to execute the printing process based on the received image data and end this routine. And a 30.

  If it is determined in step S2310 that printing has ended, this routine ends. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S2310 that printing has not ended, control returns to step S2040 shown in FIG. If it is determined in step S2320 that reception of all data has not been completed, control returns to step S2320 shown in FIG.

[Operation]
With reference to FIGS. 1-3 and FIGS. 8-16, operation | movement of the image forming system 50 which concerns on this Embodiment based on the above structures and flowcharts is demonstrated.

  Referring to FIG. 1, the user of terminal device 200 operates terminal device 200 in order to perform printing with multifunction device 100. The terminal device 200 communicates wirelessly with the multifunction device 100 and is connected to the multifunction device 100 via the wireless line 300. The terminal device 200 issues a print request when image data is selected by the user. The terminal device 200 determines whether or not the radio field intensity is sufficient. If the radio field intensity is sufficient (YES in step S1020 shown in FIG. 8), the selected image data is transmitted to the multi-function peripheral 100 (step S1030). . The terminal device 200 continues to transmit image data until transmission of all data is completed.

  If the multifunction device 100 is set to quick printing (YES in step S2010 shown in FIG. 14), the multifunction device 100 performs printing while receiving image data from the terminal device 200 (step S2020). When all data transmitted from terminal device 200 is received and printing is completed (YES in step S2310 shown in FIG. 16), the operation of image forming system 50 ends. On the other hand, when quick printing is not set (NO in step S2010 shown in FIG. 14), only image data is received (step S2030), and when reception of all data is completed (in step S2320 shown in FIG. 16). YES), print processing is executed (step S2330). When this printing process ends, the operation of the image forming system 50 ends.

  Referring to FIG. 2, when the radio wave intensity becomes weak while image data is being transmitted from terminal apparatus 200 to multifunction apparatus 100 (NO in step S1020 shown in FIG. 8), and communication is likely to be interrupted (in step S1100). NO), the terminal device 200 determines whether or not the warning display setting is ON (step S1110). If the warning display setting is ON (YES in step S1110), the terminal device 200 displays a dialog screen 620 shown in FIG. 12 on the user I / F 230 to notify the user that the radio wave condition is not good ( Step S1120). Also in this case, the terminal device 200 continues to transmit image data (step S1030). When the user notices that the radio wave condition is not good due to this notification (warning) and moves to the vicinity of the multifunction peripheral 100, the radio wave condition is improved. If the warning display setting is not turned on (NO in step S1110), the terminal device 200 continues to transmit image data without displaying the dialog screen 620 on the user I / F 230 (step S1030).

  Referring to FIG. 3, if communication is interrupted while image data is being transmitted from terminal device 200 to multi-function device 100 (YES in step S1100 shown in FIG. 8), terminal device 200 notifies user I / F 230 of FIG. A dialog screen 630 shown in FIG. 6 is displayed to allow the user to select whether or not to hold the intermediate state. When the user operates the “Yes” key 632 on the dialog screen 630, the terminal device 200 determines that the intermediate state is to be suspended, and executes a suspension process (step S1140 shown in FIG. 8). That is, the terminal device 200 stores the stop position when the transmission of the image data is stopped due to the interruption of communication. When the user operates the “No” key 634 on the dialog screen 630, the terminal device 200 determines that the intermediate state is not suspended, and ends the image data transmission operation.

  The fact that communication is interrupted at the terminal device 200 means that communication is also interrupted at the multifunction device 100. When multifunction device 100 detects that communication with terminal device 200 has been interrupted (YES in step S2040 shown in FIG. 14), MFP 100 determines whether or not the data hold setting is set (step S2050), and sets the data hold setting. If it is, the state during communication is suspended (step S2060). When the communication is interrupted, the multi-function device 100 counts an elapsed time after the communication is interrupted.

  It is assumed that the user of the terminal device 200 tries to transmit the image data again within a certain time after the communication is interrupted because the communication is interrupted during the transmission of the image data. When communication is resumed within a certain time (YES in step S2070 shown in FIG. 14), as described later, the held image data is not discarded.

  When terminal device 200 communicates again with MFP 100 (step S1000 shown in FIG. 8), terminal device 200 determines that the terminal device 200 has the data previously suspended (YES in step S1010). The terminal device 200 displays a dialog screen 610 shown in FIG. 11 on the user I / F 230 to allow the user to select whether or not to transmit image data from the middle. When the user operates “Yes” key 612 on dialog screen 610, terminal apparatus 200 determines that image data is to be transmitted from the middle (YES in step S1070). In this case, the terminal device 200 transmits an instruction to transmit the image data from the middle (position where it was stopped last time) to the multi-function device 100 (step S1080). After that, the terminal device 200 transmits the image data from the middle (step S1030) by changing the setting of the own device to the setting for transmitting the image data from the middle (step S1090).

  Upon receiving the instruction from the terminal device 200, the multi-function device 100 determines that the data is resumed from the midway data (YES in step S2080 shown in FIG. 14), and receives the image data from the midway (previously stopped position) (step S2090). ). If multifunction device 100 is set to quick printing (YES in step S2300 shown in FIG. 16), printing is performed while receiving image data. When printing ends (YES in step S2310), the operation of image forming system 50 ends. If the multifunction device 100 is not set to quick printing (NO in step S2300 shown in FIG. 16), when reception of all data including the previously held image data is completed (YES in step S2320), the received image data Print processing is executed (step S2330). When the printing process ends, the operation of the image forming system 50 ends.

  On the other hand, when the user operates the “No” key 614 on the dialog screen 610 shown in FIG. 11, the terminal apparatus 200 determines that the image data is not transmitted halfway (the image data is transmitted from the beginning) (shown in FIG. 8). NO in step S1070). In this case, since the setting is not changed so that the image data is transmitted from the middle, the terminal device 200 transmits the image data from the beginning (step S1030). The multi-function device 100 determines not to resume from the data in the middle (NO in step S2080 shown in FIG. 14), and receives the image data from the beginning. When receiving the image data, the multi-function device 100 executes a printing process based on the image data.

  In order to prevent the terminal device 200 from continuing to store data indicating the state of communication during the hold process (step S1140) in the terminal device 200, the terminal device 200 receives data after a certain time has elapsed from the job start time. Delete from.

  On the other hand, if terminal device 200 does not transmit image data within a predetermined time after communication is interrupted (NO in step S2070 shown in FIG. 14), multifunction device 100 discards the suspended image data (step In step S2100, the printing is canceled (step S2110).

  Assume that the user of the terminal device 200 tries to transmit image data again after a predetermined time has elapsed since the communication was interrupted. In this case, the multifunction peripheral 100 notifies the terminal device 200 that the image data has been discarded when connected to the terminal device 200 (step S2220 shown in FIG. 15). When receiving the notification that the image data has been discarded (YES in step S1210 shown in FIG. 9), the terminal device 200 stores that the image data held in the multifunction peripheral 100 has been discarded (step S1220).

  Even if the terminal device 200 has the data previously held in the terminal device 200 (YES in step S1010 shown in FIG. 8), the image data held in the multifunction device 100 is discarded (step S1010). In S1050, the terminal apparatus 200 displays the dialog screen 600 shown in FIG. 10 on the user I / F 230 and transmits the image data from the beginning because the image data held in the multifunction peripheral 100 is discarded. The user is notified that printing is performed (printing is started from the beginning). Thereafter, the terminal device 200 deletes the previously held data from the terminal device 200.

  When the image data held in the multifunction peripheral 100 is discarded, it is not possible to resume from the intermediate data. Even in this case, since the data held last time remains in the terminal device 200, the user of the terminal device 200 thinks that halfway image data is held in the multi-function device 100, and is halfway to the multi-function device 100. It is also possible to request to resume from the data of

  In the present embodiment, as described above, by notifying the user that the image data held in the multifunction peripheral 100 has been discarded, the user can recognize that the data cannot be resumed from the intermediate data. Can do. Therefore, the above problem due to recognition shift can be avoided.

[Effects of the present embodiment]
As is clear from the above description, the following effects can be obtained by using the image forming system 50 according to the present embodiment.

  The image forming system 50 detects whether communication between the multifunction peripheral 100 and the terminal device 200 is interrupted. If it is detected that communication is interrupted while image data is being transmitted from the terminal device 200 to the multifunction peripheral 100, the image forming system 50 suspends the state during communication. In other words, the image forming system 50 records a state (a state at the time when communication is interrupted) until communication is interrupted. For this reason, when the communication is resumed (recovered), the data transfer can be resumed from the middle, so that the trouble of resuming can be saved.

  When image data is being transmitted from the terminal device 200 to the multifunction peripheral 100, for example, a user using the terminal device 200 moves with the terminal device 200 and moves away from a range where wireless communication is possible. Communication is interrupted. In such a case, the image forming system 50 suspends the state during communication. Therefore, when the user moves to a range where wireless communication is possible and communication is resumed, data communication can be resumed from the middle. Thereby, the trouble at the time of resumption can be saved effectively.

  Further, when image data having a large data size is transmitted from the terminal device 200 to the multi-function peripheral 100 via the wireless line 300, in the conventional system, the user using the terminal device 200 is within a range where wireless communication is possible. When communication cannot be performed because the wireless communication cannot be separated and the communication is interrupted, the data communication needs to be performed again from the beginning. On the other hand, in this image forming system 50, even when communication is interrupted away from a range where wireless communication is possible, data communication can be resumed from the middle of communication, so that the user can move freely with the terminal device 200.

  Furthermore, the terminal device 200 notifies the user that the radio wave condition is not good as a warning regarding the radio line state, for example, when the radio wave condition of the radio line 300 is deteriorated. By this notification, the user can recognize the state of the wireless line 300 (the radio wave condition is not good). Thereby, for example, the radio wave condition can be improved by urging the user to move to a better range of the radio wave condition.

  Further, when the terminal device 200 detects that communication has been interrupted while image data is being transmitted from the terminal device 200 to the multi-function device 100, the terminal device 200 displays a dialog screen 630 on the user I / F 230 to indicate a state during communication. The user is inquired whether or not to hold the password. Thereby, the user can select whether to hold the state in the middle of communication. The user can suspend only when he / she wants to suspend the state during communication.

  In the image forming system 50, when it is detected that communication is interrupted while image data is being transmitted from the terminal device 200 to the multifunction device 100, both the terminal device 200 and the multifunction device 100 are in a state of being in communication. Hold. Since the terminal device 200 holds the state in the middle of transmission of the image data, the terminal device 200 can easily transmit the image data from the middle when communication is resumed. Furthermore, by holding the state in the middle of receiving the image data, the multifunction device 100 can easily receive the image data from the middle when communication is resumed.

  The multi-function device 100 measures the elapsed time since it was detected that communication was interrupted. When the communication is resumed within a certain time after it is detected that the communication has been interrupted, the multi-function device 100 receives the image data from the suspended communication state. The multifunction peripheral 100 discards the received image data when the communication is not resumed within a predetermined time after it is detected that the communication is interrupted. There is a possibility that data transmission may be resumed within a certain time after it is detected that communication has been interrupted. Therefore, the MFP 100 can receive image data from a suspended communication state when the communication is resumed within a certain time after it is detected that the communication is interrupted. . On the other hand, if a certain period of time passes after it is detected that communication has been interrupted, there is a high possibility that data transmission will not be resumed or that data will be retransmitted from the beginning. Therefore, the multifunction peripheral 100 discards the received image data when the communication is not resumed within a predetermined time after it is detected that the communication is interrupted. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the storage area for storing the image data from being wasted.

  The multi-function device 100 has a print function for starting image formation (printing) after reception of image data is completed. When this printing function is set, the multi-function device 100 does not start printing until all data is received. Therefore, even when communication is interrupted during transfer of image data and data communication is resumed from the middle when communication is resumed, it is possible to prevent the printed sheets from being separated (distributed). Therefore, this also saves time and effort at the time of resumption.

[Modification]
In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to a multifunction peripheral that is an example of an image forming apparatus has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. The image forming apparatus constituting the image forming system may be other than a multifunction peripheral. For example, a printing apparatus having only a printing function may be used.

  In the said embodiment, although the example which applied this invention to the terminal device which consists of a smart phone was shown, this invention is not limited to such an embodiment. The terminal device constituting the image forming system may be a terminal device other than a smartphone as long as the terminal device can transmit image data to the image forming device. Examples of terminal devices other than smartphones include mobile phones, PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants), notebook personal computers (hereinafter referred to as “PCs”), stationary personal computers (for example, desktop personal computers), and tablets. A terminal etc. are mentioned.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example in which a terminal device and a multifunction peripheral are communicably connected via a wireless line has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, the terminal device and the image forming apparatus may be communicably connected via a wired communication line. Even when connected by a wired line, communication may be interrupted for some reason. Even in such a case, it is possible to save time and labor when resuming communication by applying the present invention.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example in which a state in the middle of communication is suspended in both the terminal device and the multifunction device when communication is interrupted has been described, but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, when the communication is interrupted, only the multi-function device may hold the state during the communication. In this case, for example, the multifunction device remembers the terminal information and hold information of the terminal device from which the image data is transmitted, and notifies the hold information from the multifunction device to the terminal device during the next communication (connection). Thus, it is possible to cause the user to select whether or not to resume the pending printing.

  In the above-described embodiment, an example in which setting of whether or not to hold is held on the multifunction device side when holding a state in the middle of communication in the multifunction device has been described. However, the present invention includes such an embodiment. It is not limited. Whether or not to hold the state during communication in the multifunction device may be set on the terminal device side or on both the terminal device and the multifunction device. When the setting is performed on the terminal device side, for example, the terminal device notifies the multifunction device of whether or not to hold during the first communication (connection) with the multifunction device. When receiving the notification from the terminal device, the multifunction peripheral operates as notified.

  When setting whether to hold a state during communication in the multifunction device is performed in both the terminal device and the multifunction device, for example, a wireless setting screen is displayed in each. Referring to FIG. 17, a wireless setting screen 700 is displayed on the user I / F of the terminal device. The wireless setting screen 700 includes a check box 702 that is checked to make a setting for holding data in communication, a check box 704 that is checked to make a setting not to hold data in communication, and a setting of the MFP. A check box 706 for checking to make a setting according to the above is included. Referring to FIG. 18, a wireless setting screen 750 is displayed on the operation unit (display panel) of the multi-function peripheral. The wireless setting screen 750 includes a check box 752 that is checked to set to hold data in the middle of communication, and a check box 754 that is checked to set to not hold data in the middle of communication. When the setting of the multifunction device is different from the setting of the terminal device, the setting of the multifunction device may be prioritized or the setting of the terminal device may be prioritized.

  In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the terminal device side sets whether or not to display a warning in the terminal device when the radio wave intensity is weak has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. . Whether or not to display a warning may be set on the multifunction peripheral (image forming apparatus) side or on both the terminal device and the multifunction peripheral. When setting is performed on the multifunction device side, for example, the multifunction device notifies the terminal device of information on whether or not to issue a warning during the first communication (connection) with the terminal device. When the terminal device receives the notification from the multifunction peripheral, the terminal device operates as notified.

  When setting whether or not to perform warning display is performed in both the terminal device and the multifunction peripheral, for example, a wireless setting screen is displayed in each. Referring to FIG. 19, a wireless setting screen 800 is displayed on the user I / F of the terminal device. The wireless setting screen 800 includes a check box 802 that is checked to make a setting for warning, a check box 804 that is checked to make a setting that does not warn, and a setting of the multifunction device as a warning setting when the signal strength is weak. To include a check box 806 for checking. Referring to FIG. 20, a wireless setting screen 850 is displayed on the operation unit (display panel) of the multifunction machine. The wireless setting screen 850 includes a check box 852 that is checked to set a warning as a warning setting when the radio wave intensity is weak, and a check box 854 that is checked to set a warning not to be set. When the setting of the multifunction device is different from the setting of the terminal device, the setting of the multifunction device may be prioritized or the setting of the terminal device may be prioritized.

  In the above embodiment, an example in which the user is notified that the radio wave condition is not good by displaying a dialog screen on the terminal device when the radio wave condition of the wireless line is deteriorated has been described. For example, at least one of the notification sound and the vibration may be used in combination with the display of the dialog screen.

  In the above embodiment, the image forming system may be linked with the cloud. For example, by connecting the server on the network and the multifunction device in a communicable manner, the pending data stored in the multifunction device may be transferred to the cloud (server) if it has not been used after a certain period of time. . When the terminal device transmits image data from the middle, the terminal device may tell the server, not the multifunction peripheral, to resume from the middle data. In this way, by storing the pending data in the server on the network, the burden on the HDD (storage) in the multifunction peripheral can be reduced. In addition, by storing the hold data in a server on the network, printing can be resumed from another multifunction device in the middle.

  The embodiment disclosed herein is merely an example, and the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above. The scope of the present invention is indicated by each claim of the claims after taking into account the description of the detailed description of the invention, and all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the wording described therein are included. Including.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 50 Image forming system 100 Multifunction machine 110 Control part 120 Image reading part 130 Image processing part 140 Image forming part 150,240 Wireless communication part 160 Operation part 200 Terminal device 210 Control part 220 Storage device 230 User I / F
300 Wireless line 400, 500 Wireless setting screen 600-630 Dialog screen

Claims (4)

An image forming apparatus that is connected to a terminal device via a wireless line, receives image data transmitted from the terminal device, and forms an image based on the image data,
Wireless communication means for communicating with the terminal device via the wireless line;
An image forming apparatus comprising: a notification setting unit configured to notify the terminal device of a radio field strength improvement method when the radio field strength of the wireless line is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold. The image forming apparatus includes:
A line state detecting means for detecting whether communication with the terminal device is interrupted by detecting a line state of the wireless line;
In response to detecting that the communication is interrupted while receiving the image data transmitted from the terminal device, the state of the image data being received is recorded. A data holding means for holding the reception,
The wireless communication unit resumes receiving the image data from a position where the communication in the image data being received is interrupted based on the state recorded in the data holding unit according to the detection result of the line state detecting unit. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1. The image forming apparatus includes:
Time measuring means for measuring an elapsed time since it was detected that communication was interrupted by the line state detecting means;
In the case where the data holding means is holding reception, the data holding means is put on hold in response to the communication being resumed within a predetermined time after it is detected that the communication is interrupted by the line state detecting means. Means for receiving image data from the middle of receiving,
In response to the fact that the data holding means is holding reception and the communication state is not resumed after the line state detecting means detects that communication has been interrupted, the reception is continued. The image forming apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: means for discarding the processed image data.   The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for starting image formation after reception of image data is completed.

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