JP6610292B2 - Information processing apparatus, information processing program, and information processing system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing program, and an information processing system.

  When connecting to the image forming apparatus, an information processing apparatus such as a wireless communication terminal acquires connection information using the first wireless communication method, and connects using the connection information using the second wireless communication method.

  Until it detects that the mobile terminal that transmits the print data is within the predetermined range, it waits without starting image formation based on the print data. A technique for canceling is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  An information processing device such as a wireless communication terminal receives a signal transmitted by wireless communication from an image processing device, and performs image processing based on the received signal when the received signal strength of the signal exceeds a predetermined threshold. Connect to the device.

  However, when a plurality of image processing devices are installed, the information processing device accidentally sets the received signal strength of a signal transmitted by wireless communication by an adjacent image processing device that is different from the image processing device in front of the eyes. Measurement may occur. When the received signal strength is higher than a predetermined threshold, the information processing apparatus may connect to an adjacent image processing apparatus that is different from the image processing apparatus that requests the job.

  In addition, an information processing apparatus such as a wireless communication terminal is left in the vicinity of the image processing apparatus, and a signal transmitted from the image processing apparatus by wireless communication is measured by chance, and the received signal strength is higher than a predetermined threshold value. In this case, it is assumed that the user communicates with the image processing apparatus against the intention of the user and requests a job.

  Thus, according to the present invention, when connecting to an image processing apparatus, the information processing apparatus acquires connection information by wireless communication, and a plurality of image processing apparatuses are installed in an information processing system in which connection is made using the connection information. Even in such a case, the object is to acquire connection information from a desired image processing apparatus by wireless communication.

An information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure
In an information processing apparatus that can be connected to one or more devices via a network,
Detecting means for detecting that a specific operation for starting a request for image processing from the user to the information processing apparatus is received ;
Receiving means for receiving a plurality of radio waves output from one or more devices ;
A radio wave intensity measuring means for measuring the intensity of radio waves received by the previous SL receiving means,
After it is determined that receiving the specific operation by the detection means, based on the intensity of the radio wave measured by the radio wave strength measuring means, and determining means for determining whether to connect to the equipment,
Connection means for connecting to a device determined to be connected by the determination means , using connection information acquired based on radio waves output from the device ;
Have

  According to an embodiment of the disclosure, when an information processing apparatus connects to an image processing apparatus, the information processing apparatus acquires connection information by wireless communication and uses the connection information to connect by wireless communication. Even when a processing apparatus is installed, connection information can be acquired from a desired image processing apparatus by wireless communication.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an image processing system according to an embodiment. It is a figure which shows the hardware structural example of the image processing apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the external appearance of the operation part of the image processing apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the hardware structural example of the operation part of the image processing apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a functional block diagram of the operation part of the image processing apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the hardware structural example of the radio | wireless communication terminal which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a functional block diagram of the radio | wireless communication terminal which concerns on one Embodiment. It is an example (the 1) of a time change of the received signal strength of the device information disclosure packet received by the wireless communication terminal. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the radio | wireless communication terminal which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a functional block diagram of the radio | wireless communication terminal which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the acceleration measured in a radio | wireless communication terminal. It is a figure which shows an example of the inclination of a radio | wireless communication terminal. An example (the 2) of a time change of the received signal strength of the device information disclosure packet received by the wireless communication terminal is shown. An example (the 3) of a time change of the received signal strength of the device information disclosure packet received by the wireless communication terminal is shown. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the radio | wireless communication terminal which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a functional block diagram of the radio | wireless communication terminal which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the radio | wireless communication terminal which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of a search screen displayed on the radio | wireless communication terminal which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the radio | wireless communication terminal which concerns on one Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of a search screen displayed on the radio | wireless communication terminal which concerns on one Embodiment.

Next, the form for implementing this invention is demonstrated, referring drawings based on the following Examples. Examples described below are merely examples, and embodiments to which the present invention is applied are not limited to the following examples.
In all the drawings for explaining the embodiments, the same reference numerals are used for those having the same function, and repeated explanation is omitted.

<Overview>
<Image processing system>
FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of an image processing system according to the present embodiment. The image processing system includes an image processing apparatus 100 and a wireless communication terminal 200.

  The image processing apparatus 100 can be an image forming apparatus such as a multifunction peripheral or a printer, and executes image processing according to a job that requests image processing such as printing and scanning from the outside of the wireless communication terminal 200 or the like. The image processing apparatus 100 includes a first wireless communication unit and a second wireless communication unit, and is directly connected to the wireless communication terminal 200 by the first wireless communication unit and wirelessly accessed by the second wireless communication unit. The wireless communication terminal 200 is connected via the point 300.

  As the wireless communication terminal 200, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or the like can be applied. The wireless communication terminal 200 includes a first wireless communication unit and a second wireless communication unit. The wireless communication terminal 200 is directly connected to the image processing apparatus 100 by the first wireless communication unit and wirelessly accessed by the second wireless communication unit. The image processing apparatus 100 is connected via the point 300. An NFC reader / writer may be applied instead of the first wireless communication unit.

  The wireless access point 300 establishes a communication path between the image processing apparatus 100 and the wireless communication terminal 200. The wireless access point 300 is connected to a LAN (Local Area Network) 50 such as Ethernet (registered trademark) and communicates with the wireless communication terminal 200 in accordance with a wireless LAN standard such as IEEE802.11. Here, instead of the wireless access point 300, the image processing apparatus 100 includes a Wi-Fi module that operates in the infrastructure mode, or a Wi-Fi direct module that can directly connect to and communicate with the wireless communication terminal 200. Also good. In this case, the wireless communication terminal 200 can directly connect to and communicate with the image processing apparatus 100 without going through the wireless access point 300, so that the wireless access point can be made unnecessary.

<Image processing apparatus 100>
FIG. 2 shows a hardware configuration example of the image processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment.

  The image processing apparatus 100 includes a controller 102, an operation unit 122, a facsimile control unit (FCU) 126, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) 128, an IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers) 1394 interface 130, The engine unit 132 is provided. In the image processing apparatus 100, a portion other than the operation unit 122 may be referred to as a main body unit.

  The controller 102 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 104, a North Bridge (NB) 106, a system memory (MEM-P) 108, a South Bridge (SB) 114, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) 116, a local A memory (MEM-C) 118, an HDD 120, and a network interface card (NIC) 121 are provided. The system memory 108 includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) 110 and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 112.

  The CPU 104 controls the entire image processing apparatus 100 and constitutes a chip set together with the north bridge 106, the system memory 108, and the south bridge 114. The CPU 104 is connected to other devices via this chip set. The north bridge 106 is a bridge that connects the CPU 104 to the system memory 108, the south bridge 114, and an AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) bus 60. The north bridge 106 includes a memory controller that controls reading and writing to the system memory 108, a PCI (Peripheral Component Interface) master, and an AGP target.

  The AGP bus 60 is a proposed interface for speeding up graphics processing, and directly accesses the system memory 108 with high throughput to speed up image processing.

  The ROM 110 of the system memory 108 is a read-only memory that stores programs and data for the image processing apparatus. A RAM 112 of the system memory 108 is a memory that can be used for developing an image processing apparatus program and data, and can be written and read when a drawing process is performed by a printer. The south bridge 114 is a bridge that connects the north bridge 106 and a peripheral device such as a PCI device. The south bridge 114 is connected to the north bridge 106 via a PCI bus, and a network interface (I / F) or the like can be connected to the PCI bus.

  The ASIC 116 is an IC (Integrated Circuit) for image processing having hardware elements for image processing, and has a role of a bridge for connecting the AGP bus 60, the PCI bus 70, the HDD 120, and the local memory 118, respectively. The ASIC 116 includes a PCI target and an AGP master, an arbiter (ARB) that forms the core of the ASIC 116, a memory controller that controls the local memory 118, and a plurality of DMACs (Direct Memory Access) that rotate image data using hardware logic or the like. Controller) and a PCI unit that performs data transfer between the engine unit 132 via the PCI bus 70. An operation unit 122, a facsimile control unit 126, a USB 128, an IEEE 1394 interface 130, and an engine unit 132 are connected to the ASIC 116 via the PCI bus 70.

  The local memory 118 is used as an image buffer and a code buffer for copying. The HDD 120 stores image data, programs, font data, and forms. The HDD 120 stores a license file for an application executed by the image processing apparatus 100. The NIC 121 is an interface connected to a network such as the LAN 50.

  The operation unit 122 is an interface for a user such as an operator who is directly connected to the ASIC 116 and operates the image processing apparatus 100. By operating the operation unit 122, data input, job execution, and display can be performed.

  The facsimile control unit 126 is connected to the PCI bus 70 and controls communication with an external apparatus such as a FAX apparatus or a copying apparatus having a modem function through a public line. The USB 128 and the IEEE 1394 interface 130 are each connected to the PCI bus 70 and can connect peripheral devices. The engine unit 132 is connected to the PCI bus 70, and a printer engine such as a monochrome plotter, a one-drum color plotter, a four-drum color plotter, a scanner, or a fax unit can be applied. The engine unit 132 may include an image processing unit such as error diffusion or gamma conversion.

<Operation unit 122>
FIG. 3 shows an example of an external view of the operation unit 122 of the image processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the operation unit 122 is provided with an area 1221 over which the wireless communication terminal 200 is held, and a display area 1222. The user can start the operation of the image processing apparatus 100 by holding the wireless communication terminal 200 over the holding area 1221. When the wireless communication terminal 200 is held over the holding area 1221, the display area 1222 displays that processing is in progress. In this case, the radio communication terminal 200 notifies the operation unit 122 of functions used for copying, scanning, and the like set by the user in the radio communication terminal 200 and contents set according to the function. Accordingly, the user can use the image processing apparatus 100 without performing an operation on the display area 1222.

  On the other hand, when the user performs a normal operation such as using the image processing apparatus 100 without using the wireless communication terminal 200, a plurality of applications displayed on the HOME screen displayed in the display area 1222. Select one of the icons. Thereby, the user can start the selected application.

  FIG. 4 shows a hardware configuration example of the operation unit 122 of the image processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. The operation unit 122 can be a general information processing terminal, and includes a CPU 152, a memory (MEM) 154, a nonvolatile memory 160, an I / F 162, a first wireless communication unit 164, and a second wireless communication. 166, USB 168, sensor 170, and touch panel 172. The CPU 152, the memory 154, the nonvolatile memory 160, and the I / F 162, the first wireless communication unit 164, the second wireless communication unit 166, the USB 168, the sensor 170, and the touch panel 172 are connected via the bus 80.

  The CPU 152 controls the operation of the entire operation unit 122. The memory 154 includes a ROM 156 and a RAM 158. The ROM 156 is a read-only nonvolatile storage medium and stores programs such as firmware. The RAM 158 is a volatile storage medium capable of reading and writing information at high speed, and is used as a work area when the CPU 152 processes information.

  The non-volatile memory 160 is a non-volatile storage medium capable of reading and writing information such as NAND type, and stores an OS (Operating System), various control programs, application programs, and the like. The I / F 162 connects between the bus 80 and various hardware, a network such as the LAN 50, and the like.

  The first wireless communication unit 164 is slower than a second wireless communication method such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) 4.0 (Bluetooth Low Energy: BLE) or near field communication (NFC). Wireless communication is performed using the first wireless communication method.

  The second wireless communication unit 166 is connected to the wireless access point 300 via a network such as the LAN 50. The second wireless communication unit 166 performs processing for performing high-speed wireless communication through the wireless access point 300 in comparison with the first wireless communication method according to the second wireless communication method standard such as a wireless LAN. I do.

  The USB 168 can connect peripheral devices. The sensor 170 is a sensor realized by hardware such as an acceleration sensor. The touch panel 172 is a visual user interface for the user to check the state of the image processing apparatus 100, and is also used when operating.

  The operation unit 122 and the ASIC 116 can be connected via the I / F 162 or can be connected via the USB 168.

  The first wireless communication unit 164 and the second wireless communication unit 166 may be provided in the main body instead of being provided in the operation unit 122, or may be provided in both the operation unit 122 and the main body. .

<Functional configuration of the embodiment>
Next, the functional configuration of the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram of the operation unit 122 constituting the image processing apparatus 100.

  The operation unit 122 includes a first transmission / reception unit 402, a second transmission / reception unit 404, a device information public packet creation unit 406, a connection information request processing unit 408, a connection processing unit 410, a job processing unit 412, and a storage / reading processing unit. 414. Each of these units is a function or means realized by any one of the constituent elements shown in FIG. 4 operating according to a command from the CPU 152 in accordance with the operation unit program stored in the nonvolatile memory 160. It is. The operation unit 122 has a storage unit 416 constructed by the nonvolatile memory 160 shown in FIG.

(Device information disclosure packet management table)
In the storage unit 416, a device information public packet management DB 418 configured by a device information public packet management table as shown in Table 1 is constructed.

デバイス情報公開パケット管理テーブルは、デバイス名、動作モード、出力電力レベル、受信信号強度などを紐付けることによって対応付けたものである。デバイス名は、画像処理装置１００のプラグアンドプレイに使用されるものである。動作モードは、第１の無線通信部１６４によってサポートされている規格を表す。例えば、第１の無線通信部１６４がBluetooth 4.0に対応するものである場合に、デュアルモードおよびシングルモードのいずれかが格納される。出力電力レベルは、画像処理装置１００によって発信される電波の出力強度を示す。この出力電力レベルは固定値とすることも変動値とすることもできる。

The device information disclosure packet management table associates device names, operation modes, output power levels, received signal strengths, and the like. The device name is used for plug and play of the image processing apparatus 100. The operation mode represents a standard supported by the first wireless communication unit 164. For example, when the first wireless communication unit 164 is compatible with Bluetooth 4.0, either the dual mode or the single mode is stored. The output power level indicates the output intensity of the radio wave transmitted by the image processing apparatus 100. This output power level can be a fixed value or a variable value.

  By setting the output power level to a fixed value, the distance between the image processing device 100 and the wireless communication terminal 200 can be estimated based on the received signal level of the device information disclosure packet in the image processing device 100. Further, by making the output power level a variable value, the path loss is obtained based on the output power level and the received signal level of the device information disclosure packet in the image processing apparatus 100, and the image processing apparatus 100 and the wireless communication terminal 200 Can be estimated. The received signal strength is observed by the antenna of the radio communication terminal 200 when the device information disclosure packet is received by the radio communication terminal 200.

(Connection information management table)
In the storage unit 416, a connection information management DB 420 configured by a connection information management table as shown in Table 2 is constructed.

接続情報管理テーブルは、第２の無線通信部１６６と無線通信端末２００との間で第２の無線通信方式によって接続する際に使用する接続情報が記憶されている。接続情報管理テーブルは、例えば、ＳＳＩＤ(Service Set Identifier)、セキュリティ方式、パスワードなどのネットワークの情報、ＩＰアドレス、ポート番号などのアドレス情報などの接続情報を紐付けることによって対応付けたものである。ＳＳＩＤは無線ＬＡＮの識別情報であり、セキュリティ方式はＷＥＰ、ＷＰＡ、ＷＰＡ２、ＷＰＡ２−ＴＫＩＰ、ＡＥＳなどの暗号化方式の規格によって表される。

The connection information management table stores connection information used when connecting the second wireless communication unit 166 and the wireless communication terminal 200 by the second wireless communication method. The connection information management table is associated with, for example, connection information such as SSID (Service Set Identifier), security method, network information such as a password, and address information such as an IP address and a port number. The SSID is identification information of the wireless LAN, and the security method is represented by an encryption method standard such as WEP, WPA, WPA2, WPA2-TKIP, or AES.

<Functional units of operation unit 122>
Next, each part of the operation unit 122 will be described in detail.

  The first transmission / reception unit 402 of the operation unit 122 is realized by a command from the first wireless communication unit 164 and the CPU 152 shown in FIG. The first transmission / reception unit 402 transmits / receives various data (information) to / from the wireless communication terminal 200 according to the standard of the first wireless communication method.

  The second transmission / reception unit 404 of the operation unit 122 is realized by a command from the second wireless communication unit 166 and the CPU 152 shown in FIG. The second transmission / reception unit 404 performs processing for transmitting / receiving various data (information) to / from the wireless communication terminal 200 according to the standard of the second wireless communication method.

  The storage / read processing unit 414 of the operation unit 122 is realized by a command from the CPU 152 shown in FIG. 4 and a program for the operation unit stored in the nonvolatile memory 160. The storage / reading processing unit 414 performs processing of storing various types of data in the storage unit 416 and reading out various types of data stored in the storage unit 416.

  The device information public packet creation unit 406 of the operation unit 122 is realized by a command from the CPU 152. The device information public packet creation unit 406 creates a device information public packet that includes the information stored in the device information public packet management table of the device information public packet management DB 418. The device information disclosure packet is a packet for publicizing the existence of the image processing apparatus 100 to the wireless communication terminal 200 such as an advertisement packet. The device information disclosure packet creation unit 406 transmits the created device information disclosure packet from the first transmission / reception unit 402.

  The connection information request processing unit 408 of the operation unit 122 is realized by a command from the CPU 152. A connection information request transmitted from the wireless communication terminal 200 that has received the device information disclosure packet is input to the connection information request processing unit 408 from the first transmission / reception unit 402. When the connection information request is input, the connection information request processing unit 408 creates connection information attached with the information stored in the connection information management table of the connection information management DB 420 in accordance with the connection information request. The transmission / reception unit 402 transmits the data.

  The connection processing unit 410 of the operation unit 122 is realized by a command from the CPU 152. When a connection request transmitted by the wireless communication terminal 200 that has received the connection information is input from the second transmission / reception unit 404, the connection processing unit 410 performs a connection process with the wireless communication terminal 200 according to the connection request. I do.

  The job processing unit 412 of the operation unit 122 is realized by an instruction from the CPU 152. When a job requested by the wireless communication terminal 200 is input from the second transmission / reception unit 404, the job processing unit 412 processes the job.

<Wireless communication terminal 200>
FIG. 6 shows a hardware configuration example of radio communication terminal 200 according to the present embodiment. The wireless communication terminal 200 includes a CPU 202, a RAM 204, a ROM 206, an HDD 208, an I / F 210, a sensor 212, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 214, an operation unit 216, a first wireless communication unit 218, 2 wireless communication units 220. The CPU 202, RAM 204, ROM 206, HDD 208, I / F 210, and sensor 212 are connected by a bus 90.

  The CPU 202 controls the entire wireless communication terminal 200. The ROM 206 is a read-only nonvolatile storage medium and stores a program such as firmware. The RAM 204 is a volatile storage medium capable of reading and writing information at high speed, and is used as a work area when the CPU 202 processes information. The HDD 208 is a non-volatile storage medium that can read and write information, and stores an OS, various control programs, application programs, and the like.

  The I / F 210 connects the bus 90 to various hardware and networks. The sensor 212 is a sensor realized by hardware such as an acceleration sensor. The LCD 214 is a visual user interface for the user to check the state of the wireless communication terminal 200. The operation unit 216 is a user interface such as a keyboard and a mouse for the user to input information to the wireless communication terminal 200. The LCD 214 and the operation unit 216 may be configured by a touch panel, and the keyboard may be realized by software.

  The first wireless communication unit 218 performs wireless communication using a first wireless communication method that is slower than the second wireless communication method, such as Bluetooth 4.0 or short-range wireless communication.

  The second wireless communication unit 220 performs high-speed wireless communication as compared with the first wireless communication method in accordance with a second wireless communication method standard such as a wireless LAN.

<Functional configuration of the embodiment>
Next, a functional configuration of radio communication terminal 200 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram of the wireless communication terminal 200.

  The wireless communication terminal 200 includes a first transmission / reception unit 252, a second transmission / reception unit 254, a received signal strength measurement unit 256, a connection target identification unit 258, a connection information acquisition unit 260, a connection processing unit 262, a job request unit 264, and A storage / reading processing unit 266 is included. Each of these units is a function or means realized by any one of the constituent elements shown in FIG. 6 operating according to a command from the CPU 202 according to the wireless communication terminal program stored in the HDD 208. . The wireless communication terminal 200 has a storage unit 268 constructed by the HDD 208 shown in FIG.

(Received signal strength management table)
In the storage unit 268, a received signal strength management DB 270 configured by a received signal strength management table as shown in Table 3 is constructed.

受信信号強度管理テーブルは、デバイス名、受信信号強度などを紐付けることによって対応付けたものである。デバイス名は、画像処理装置１００のプラグアンドプレイに使用されるものであるが後から変更することも可能である。受信信号強度は、画像処理装置１００によって送信されるデバイス情報公開パケットの受信信号強度である。受信信号強度管理テーブルでは、デバイス名毎に、デバイス情報公開パケットの受信信号強度のキューが作成される。表３に示される例では、デバイス名が「Ａ」で表される画像処理装置１００によって送信されるデバイス情報公開パケットの受信信号強度が−４０ｄＢ、−４２ｄＢ、−３８ｄＢと変化していることが示される。

The received signal strength management table associates device names, received signal strengths, and the like with each other. The device name is used for plug and play of the image processing apparatus 100, but can be changed later. The received signal strength is the received signal strength of the device information disclosure packet transmitted by the image processing apparatus 100. In the received signal strength management table, a queue of received signal strengths of device information disclosure packets is created for each device name. In the example shown in Table 3, the received signal strength of the device information disclosure packet transmitted by the image processing apparatus 100 whose device name is represented by “A” is changed to −40 dB, −42 dB, and −38 dB. Indicated.

<Each functional unit of wireless communication terminal 200>
Next, each part of the wireless communication terminal 200 will be described in detail. The first transmission / reception unit 252 of the wireless communication terminal 200 is realized by a command from the first wireless communication unit 218 and the CPU 202 shown in FIG. The first transmission / reception unit 252 transmits / receives various data (information) to / from the image processing apparatus 100 in accordance with the standard of the first wireless communication method.

  The second transmission / reception unit 254 of the wireless communication terminal 200 is realized by a command from the second wireless communication unit 220 and the CPU 202 shown in FIG. The second transmission / reception unit 254 transmits / receives various data (information) to / from the image processing apparatus 100 in accordance with the standard of the second wireless communication method.

  The storage / reading processing unit 266 of the wireless communication terminal 200 is realized by a command from the CPU 202 shown in FIG. 6 and a wireless communication terminal program stored in the HDD 208. The storage / reading processing unit 266 performs processing of storing various data in the storage unit 268 and reading out various data stored in the storage unit 268.

  The received signal strength measurement unit 256 of the wireless communication terminal 200 is realized by a command from the CPU 202 and a wireless communication terminal program stored in the HDD 208. The reception signal strength measurement unit 256 measures the reception signal strength of the device information disclosure packet received by the first transmission / reception unit 252 at a predetermined period, and stores / reads it together with the device name attached to the device information disclosure packet The data is input to the processing unit 266. The storage / reading processing unit 266 stores the device name input by the received signal strength measuring unit 256 and the received signal strength in the received signal strength management DB 270 of the storage unit 268. When the device name and the received signal strength are stored in the received signal strength management DB 270 of the storage unit 268, the received signal strength can be stored according to the FIFO (First In, First Out) for each device name. A specific description will be given with reference to the received signal strength management table shown in Table 3. For example, it is assumed that the received signal strength of a device information disclosure packet transmitted by an image processing apparatus whose newly measured device name is “B” is stored. In this case, the storage / read processing unit 266 extracts and deletes the oldest value having the device name “B” from the received signal strength management table, and the received signal strength of the device information disclosure packet is changed to the device name “B”. Add as the newest value of.

  The connection target specifying unit 258 of the wireless communication terminal 200 is realized by a command from the CPU 202 and a wireless communication terminal program stored in the HDD 208. The connection target specifying unit 258 causes the storage / read processing unit 266 to read the received signal strength management table of the received signal strength management DB 270 of the storage unit 268, and based on the received signal strength stored in the received signal strength management table. The image processing apparatus to be connected is specified.

  FIG. 8 shows an example (part 1) of the temporal change in the received signal strength of the device information disclosure packet received by the wireless communication terminal 200 when the user holding the wireless communication terminal 200 approaches the image processing apparatus 100. In FIG. 8, the horizontal axis represents time (t), and the vertical axis represents the received signal strength (RSSI) of the device information disclosure packet.

  When the wireless communication terminal 200 is brought closer to the image processing apparatus 100, the received signal strength of the device information disclosure packet received by the wireless communication terminal 200 tends to increase. The received signal strength of the device information disclosure packet received by the wireless communication terminal 200 is such that the distance between the first wireless communication unit 164 of the image processing apparatus 100 and the first wireless communication unit 218 of the wireless communication terminal 200 is the same. As it approaches several centimeters, it converges to a certain value. Note that the certain value may be slightly different depending on the antenna characteristics of the wireless communication terminal 200.

  Based on the received signal strength of the device information public packet stored in the received signal strength management table, the connection target specifying unit 258 has a threshold value Rs [dB] having an average value μ [dB] of the received signal strength of the device information public packet. It is determined whether or not there are image processing apparatuses exceeding. The connection target specifying unit 258 obtains an average value μ [dB] of appropriate sampling numbers such as three device information disclosure packets, and determines whether or not the average value μ exceeds the threshold value Rs. In addition, the connection target specifying unit 258 determines that an image processing apparatus that exceeds the threshold value Rs with a mean value μ of the received signal strength of the device information disclosure packet is in front of the wireless communication terminal 200. Furthermore, the connection target specifying unit 258 specifies an image processing apparatus that is determined to be in front of the wireless communication terminal 200 as a connection target, and notifies the connection information acquisition unit 260 of the device name of the image processing apparatus.

  Returning to FIG. The connection information acquisition unit 260 of the wireless communication terminal 200 is realized by a command from the CPU 202 and a wireless communication terminal program stored in the HDD 208. Based on the device name input by the connection target specifying unit 258, the connection information acquisition unit 260 creates a connection information request with the image processing apparatus corresponding to the device name as a destination, and transmits the connection information request from the first transmission / reception unit 252. To do. Similarly, when a job requested by the user is input to the job request unit 264, the connection information acquisition unit 260 creates a connection information request with the image processing apparatus corresponding to the device name as the destination. The first transmission / reception unit 252 may transmit the data. When connection information is input from the first transmission / reception unit 252 as a response to the connection information request, the connection information acquisition unit 260 inputs the connection information to the connection processing unit 262.

  The connection processing unit 262 of the wireless communication terminal 200 is realized by a command from the CPU 202 and a wireless communication terminal program stored in the HDD 208. The connection processing unit 262 performs switching by handing over from the first wireless communication method to the second wireless communication method based on the connection information input by the connection information acquiring unit 260, and the connection target image processing device and the second wireless communication method. The transmission / reception unit 254 is connected.

  In addition, the wireless communication terminal 200 receives a job requested by the user as input to the job request unit 264, and sets the image processing apparatus corresponding to the device name as the destination based on the device name input by the connection target specifying unit 258. Connection information request may not be sent. In this case, after the job requested by the user is input to the job request unit 264, the connection processing unit 262 starts processing for connecting the connection target image processing apparatus and the second transmission / reception unit 254. It may be. By sharing a key relating to encryption between the image processing apparatus 100 and the wireless communication terminal 200, the image processing apparatus 100 encrypts and transmits connection information, and the wireless communication terminal 200 transmits the encrypted connection information. Decrypt.

  The job request unit 264 of the wireless communication terminal 200 is realized by a command from the CPU 202 and a wireless communication terminal program stored in the HDD 208. The job request unit 264 transmits a job requested by the user from the second transmission / reception unit 254 to the connected image processing apparatus 100.

<Operation of image processing system>
FIG. 9 mainly shows the operation of the wireless communication terminal 200 in the image processing system according to the present embodiment.

  In step S902, the received signal strength measuring unit 256 of the wireless communication terminal 200 measures the received signal strength of the device information disclosure packet received by the first transmitting / receiving unit 252.

  In step S904, the received signal strength measurement unit 256 of the wireless communication terminal 200 inputs the device name attached to the device information disclosure packet and the received signal strength of the device information disclosure packet to the storage / read processing unit 266. As a result, the received signal strength measurement unit 256 stores the device name attached to the device information disclosure packet and the received signal strength of the device information disclosure packet in the received signal strength management DB 270 of the storage unit 268.

  In step S906, the connection target specifying unit 258 of the wireless communication terminal 200 determines whether there is an image processing apparatus in which the average value μ of the received signal strength of the device information disclosure packet exceeds the threshold Rs. When there is no image processing apparatus in which the average value μ of the received signal strength of the device information disclosure packet exceeds the threshold Rs, the process returns to step S902.

  In step S908, the connection target specifying unit 258 of the wireless communication terminal 200 sets the image processing apparatus as a connection target when there is an image processing apparatus in which the average value μ of the received signal strength of the device information disclosure packet exceeds the threshold Rs. .

  In step S910, the connection information acquisition unit 260 of the wireless communication terminal 200 requests connection information from the image processing apparatus set as the connection target. When the connection processing unit 262 of the wireless communication terminal 200 acquires connection information (for example, an SSID, a password, and an IP address) transmitted by the image processing apparatus set as a connection target, the connection processing unit 262 uses the connection information to Connection processing is performed with the image processing apparatus.

  Note that the connection process in step S910 may be performed in the following procedure.

  For example, in step S910, the image processing apparatus transmits information (SSID, password, etc.) for connecting to the same network as the image forming apparatus without transmitting information (IP address or the like) specifying the image processing apparatus as connection information. ) Only to the wireless communication terminal 200.

  The wireless communication terminal 200 that has received the connection information from the image processing apparatus transmits information (such as an IP address) that identifies the wireless communication terminal 200 to the connection target image processing apparatus and uses the connection information received from the image processing apparatus. To the same network as the image processing apparatus.

  The image processing apparatus that has received information (IP address or the like) specifying the wireless communication terminal 200 from the wireless communication terminal 200 connects to the wireless communication terminal 200 using the received information.

  As another example, the connection process in step S910 may be performed in the following procedure.

  For example, in step S910, the image processing apparatus transmits information (SSID, password, etc.) for connecting to the same network as the image forming apparatus without transmitting information (IP address or the like) specifying the image processing apparatus as connection information. ) Only to the wireless communication terminal 200.

  The wireless communication terminal 200 that has received the connection information from the image processing apparatus uses the connection information received from the image processing apparatus to build a server on the same network as the image processing apparatus, and the wireless communication terminal 200 can accept the information. Address information (such as URL) is notified to the image processing apparatus.

  The image processing apparatus that has received address information (such as a URL) from which the wireless communication terminal 200 can accept information from the wireless communication terminal 200 uses the received address information to identify information (such as an IP address). To the wireless communication terminal 200.

  The wireless communication terminal 200 that has received information (IP address or the like) specifying the image processing apparatus from the image processing apparatus connects to the image processing apparatus using the received information and requests image processing such as printing.

  As described above, the wireless communication terminal 200 does not receive all of the information for connecting to the image processing apparatus by the first wireless communication method, and transmits a part of the information for connecting to the image processing apparatus to the wireless access point. A connection process may be performed for receiving the image data via 300 and performing image processing such as printing.

  After the connection process is performed in step S910, the job request unit 264 of the wireless communication terminal 200 transmits a job such as printing or scanning requested by the user from the second transmission / reception unit 254 to the connected image processing apparatus 100. To do.

  In step S906 in FIG. 9, the connection target specifying unit 258 collectively determines whether there is an image processing apparatus in which the average value μ of the received signal strength of the device information disclosure packet exceeds the threshold Rs. This determination may be made individually for each image processing apparatus. For example, every time a device information disclosure packet is received from each image forming apparatus, the connection target specifying unit 258 individually calculates the average value of the received signal strength of the image forming apparatus, and the calculated average value μ exceeds the threshold value Rs. In such a case, the process of step S908 may be executed.

  In the above-described embodiment, the wireless communication terminal 200 does not perform handover from the first wireless communication method to the second wireless communication method after acquiring the connection information acquired by the first wireless communication method. You may make it connect with the image processing apparatus of a connection object by a communication system. After the connection, the wireless communication terminal 200 may transmit a job requested by the user from the first transmission / reception unit 252 to the connected image processing apparatus 100.

  According to the image processing system described above, the wireless communication terminal measures the received signal strength of the device information disclosure packet transmitted by the image processing device a plurality of times, and when the average value reaches a certain threshold value, A connection information request is transmitted to the image processing apparatus. Accordingly, it is possible to instruct a desired image processing apparatus to execute a job by simply holding the wireless communication terminal over the image processing apparatus without operating the image processing apparatus or the wireless communication terminal.

  In the example described above, the case where the wireless communication terminal 200 measures the received signal strength of a device information disclosure packet multiple times and transmits a connection information request to an image processing apparatus whose average value has reached a certain threshold value will be described. did. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and the wireless communication terminal 200 may transmit a connection information request to an image processing apparatus that falls within a certain range. Alternatively, the wireless communication terminal 200 may perform a predetermined calculation process on the received signal strength of the device information disclosure packet, and specify an image processing apparatus that transmits a connection information request based on a result of the calculation process. .

  In the example described above, the connection target specifying unit 258 of the wireless communication terminal 200 has the threshold value Rs [dB] with the average value μ [dB] of the received signal strength based on the received signal strength stored in the received signal strength management table. The case where it is determined whether or not there is an image processing apparatus exceeding the above has been described. Whether there is an image processing apparatus in the connection target specifying unit 258 that has an average value μ exceeding a certain threshold Rs and within a certain range based on the standard deviation σ in addition to the average value μ. You may make it judge. Thus, it is possible to identify the image processing apparatus to be connected based on the radio wave characteristics with higher accuracy.

<First Embodiment>
The image processing system according to the first embodiment can apply FIG. 1, and includes a wireless communication terminal 500 instead of the wireless communication terminal 200. The image processing system according to the first embodiment differs from the image processing system described in <Overview> in part of the functions of the wireless communication terminal.

<Functional configuration of the present embodiment>
Next, a functional configuration will be described. FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram of the wireless communication terminal 500. The wireless communication terminal 500 includes a first transmission / reception unit 552, a second transmission / reception unit 554, a received signal strength measurement unit 556, a connection target identification unit 558, a connection information acquisition unit 560, a connection processing unit 562, a job request unit 564, a storage A read processing unit 566 and an inclination detection unit 572 are provided. Each of these units is a function or means realized by any one of the constituent elements shown in FIG. 6 operating according to a command from the CPU 202 according to the wireless communication terminal program stored in the HDD 208. . Further, the wireless communication terminal 500 has a storage unit 568 constructed by the HDD 208 shown in FIG.

<Each functional unit of wireless communication terminal 500>
Next, each unit of the wireless communication terminal 500 will be described. The first transmission / reception unit 552, the second transmission / reception unit 554, the received signal strength measurement unit 556, the connection information acquisition unit 560, the connection processing unit 562, the job request unit 564, and the storage / read processing unit 566 are shown in FIG. In addition, the function of each unit of the wireless communication terminal 200 can be applied.

  The inclination detection unit 572 of the wireless communication terminal 500 is realized by commands from the sensor 212 and the CPU 202 shown in FIG. The inclination detection unit 572 detects an inclination such as an angle of the wireless communication terminal 500 based on measurement information such as acceleration measured by the sensor 212.

  FIG. 11 shows an example of acceleration measured in the wireless communication terminal 500. When an acceleration sensor is applied to the sensor 212, the acceleration is measured when an object moves by the sensor 212. For example, the longitudinal direction of the LCD 214 of the wireless communication terminal 500 is defined as the Y axis, the horizontal direction of the LCD 214 is defined as the X axis, and the direction perpendicular to the plane composed of the X axis and the Y axis is defined as the Z axis. In this case, the wireless communication terminal 500 can determine the acceleration in the left-right direction of the wireless communication terminal 500 by detecting the acceleration in the X-axis direction, and can detect the acceleration in the vertical direction of the wireless communication terminal 500 by detecting the acceleration in the Y-axis direction. The acceleration in the direction can be obtained. Further, the wireless communication terminal 500 can obtain the acceleration in the front-rear direction of the wireless communication terminal 500 by detecting the acceleration in the Z-axis direction. The inclination detection unit 572 determines an inclination such as an angle of the wireless communication terminal 500 by determining whether or not the acceleration measured by the sensor 212 has converged within a certain range.

  FIG. 12 shows an example of the inclination of the wireless communication terminal 500, and shows a case where it is inclined 45 degrees from the horizontal direction. In this case, the inclination detection unit 572 detects that the acceleration in the Y-axis direction of the wireless communication terminal 500 is sin 45 °. If the inclination detecting unit 572 detects that the inclination of the wireless communication terminal 500 falls within a predetermined range, the inclination detecting unit 572 notifies the connection target specifying unit 558 of that fact. Here, the predetermined range is set in advance based on the inclination of the operation unit 122 of the image processing apparatus 100. For example, when connecting the wireless communication terminal 500 to the image processing apparatus 100, it is assumed that the user often holds the screen parallel to the display screen of the touch panel 172 of the operation unit 122. When the wireless communication terminal 500 and the display screen of the touch panel 172 are parallel, the inclinations of both are equal. Therefore, the inclination detection unit 572 determines whether the inclination of the wireless communication terminal 500 is within a predetermined range from the inclination of the display screen of the touch panel 172.

  Note that the value of the tilt of the operation unit 122 of the image processing apparatus 100 (the tilt of the display screen of the touch panel 172) is stored in the storage unit 568 in advance by the wireless communication terminal 500, for example.

  The connection target specifying unit 558 of the wireless communication terminal 500 is realized by a command from the CPU 202 and a wireless communication terminal program stored in the HDD 208. The connection target specifying unit 558 causes the storage / read processing unit 566 to read the received signal strength management table of the received signal strength management DB 570 of the storage unit 568. Also, the connection target specifying unit 558 determines whether the received signal strength of the device information disclosure packet stored in the received signal strength management table and the inclination of the wireless communication terminal 500 are within a predetermined range. The image processing apparatus to be connected is specified. Here, the predetermined range is set in advance according to the shape of the image processing apparatus 100, and is stored in the storage unit 568, for example.

  Here, a case where the connection target is specified based on whether or not the average value μ of the received signal strength of the device information disclosure packet exceeds the threshold value Rs will be considered. In addition to the average value μ, based on the standard deviation σ, the connection target may be specified based on whether the average value μ exceeds a certain threshold Rs and whether the standard deviation σ is within a certain range. Good.

  FIG. 13 shows an example (part 2) of the temporal change in the received signal strength of the device information disclosure packet received by the wireless communication terminal 200. In FIG. 13, the horizontal axis represents time (t), and the vertical axis represents the received signal strength (RSSI) of the device information disclosure packet. As illustrated in FIG. 13, depending on the antenna characteristics of the wireless communication terminal 200, the received signal strength of the device information disclosure packet transmitted by the image processing apparatus 100 may be accidentally measured as a value larger than the threshold value Rs. In this case, since the average value μ of the received signal strength of the device information disclosure packet exceeds a certain threshold value Rs, the wireless communication terminal 200 transmits a connection information request to the image processing apparatus and is transmitted by the image processing apparatus. Connection processing may be performed based on the connection information. If this connection processing is an image processing device intended by the user, there is no problem, but if the wireless communication terminal is left unattended while being connectable to the image processing device, there is a problem. is there.

  FIG. 14 shows an example (part 3) of the temporal change in the received signal strength of the device information disclosure packet received by the wireless communication terminal 200. In FIG. 14, the horizontal axis represents time (t), and the vertical axis represents the received signal strength (RSSI) of the device information disclosure packet. In FIG. 14, the received signal strength of the device information disclosure packet transmitted by the two image processing apparatuses, the first image processing apparatus and the second image processing apparatus, is measured. Of the first image processing apparatus and the second image processing apparatus, the first image processing apparatus is an image processing apparatus in front of the user and is to be connected. However, the received signal strength of the device information disclosure packet transmitted by the second image processing apparatus may be measured as a value larger than the threshold value Rs by chance. In this case, since the average value μ [dB] of the received signal strength exceeds a certain threshold value Rs [dB], the wireless communication terminal transmits a connection information request to the second image processing apparatus, and the image processing apparatus Connection processing may be performed based on the transmitted connection information.

  As described above, in wireless communication terminal 500 according to the present embodiment, in addition to the received signal strength of the device information disclosure packet, the inclination of wireless communication terminal 500 is predetermined from the inclination of the display screen of operation unit 122 of image processing apparatus 100. The connection target is specified based on whether it is in the range. Thereby, the wireless communication terminal 500 can reduce being connected to an image processing apparatus not intended by the user.

<Operation of image processing system>
FIG. 15 mainly shows the operation of wireless communication terminal 500 in the image processing system according to the present embodiment. Steps S1502 to S1506 can be applied to steps S902 to S906 in FIG.

  In step S1508, the connection target specifying unit 558 of the wireless communication terminal 500 determines that the inclination of the wireless communication terminal 500 is predetermined by the inclination detection unit 572 when there is an image processing device in which the average value μ of the received signal strength exceeds the threshold Rs. It is determined whether or not it is detected that the range is entered. If it is not detected that the inclination of the wireless communication terminal 500 falls within the predetermined range, the process returns to step S1502.

  In step S1510, when the inclination detection unit 572 detects that the inclination of the wireless communication terminal 500 falls within a predetermined range, the connection target specifying unit 558 of the wireless communication terminal 500 sets the image processing apparatus as a connection target. Set.

  In step S1512, the connection information acquisition unit 560 of the wireless communication terminal 500 requests connection information from the image processing apparatus set as the connection target. When the connection processing unit 562 of the wireless communication terminal 500 acquires connection information transmitted by the image processing apparatus set as a connection target, the connection processing unit 562 performs connection processing with the image processing apparatus using the connection information.

  After the connection process is performed in step S1512, the job request unit 564 of the wireless communication terminal 500 transmits a job such as printing or scanning requested by the user from the second transmission / reception unit 554 to the connected image processing apparatus. .

  In the flowchart shown in FIG. 15, the processes in steps S1502 to S1506 and S1510 may be performed after the process in step S1508.

  In step S1506 in FIG. 15, the connection target specifying unit 558 collectively determines whether there is an image processing apparatus in which the average value μ of the received signal strength of the device information disclosure packet exceeds the threshold Rs. This determination may be made individually for each image processing apparatus. For example, each time the device target disclosure unit 558 receives a device information disclosure packet from each image forming apparatus, the connection target specifying unit 558 individually calculates the average value of the received signal strength of the image forming apparatus, and the calculated average value μ exceeds the threshold value Rs. In such a case, the process of step S1508 may be executed.

  According to the present embodiment, in addition to the received signal strength of the device information disclosure packet, the image processing apparatus to be connected to the wireless communication terminal 500 is displayed on the display screen of the operation unit of the image processing apparatus. It is specified based on whether or not it is within a predetermined range from the inclination. As a result, the wireless communication terminal 500 can be prevented from being erroneously connected to an image processing apparatus different from the desired image processing apparatus.

<Modification>
In the image processing system according to this modification, the device information disclosure packet creation unit 406 of the operation unit 122 attaches the value of the tilt of the operation unit 122 of the own device (the tilt of the display screen of the touch panel 172) to the device information disclosure packet. To send.

  For example, in the case of the image processing apparatus 100 in which the angle of the operation unit 122 is fixed, the device information disclosure packet creation unit 406 stores the inclination value of the operation unit 122 in the storage unit 416 in advance, and stores the stored operation. The value of the inclination of the unit 122 is included in the device information disclosure packet and transmitted.

  Further, if the image processing apparatus 100 can change the tilt of the operation unit 122, the image processing apparatus 100 determines the value of the tilt of the operation unit 122 based on the acceleration measured by the sensor 170 as in the wireless communication terminal 500. Measure. Further, the device information public packet creation unit 406 transmits the measured inclination value of the operation unit 122 in the device information public packet.

  When the image processing apparatus 100 measures the value of the tilt of the operation unit 122, for example, the value of the tilt of the operation unit 122 is measured at a predetermined time interval or the like, and the operation unit 122 included in the device information disclosure packet. It is desirable to update the slope value of.

  The connection target specifying unit 558 of the wireless communication terminal 500 has a predetermined difference between the inclination of the wireless communication terminal 500 and the inclination of the operation unit 122 included in the device information disclosure packet in addition to the received signal strength of the device information disclosure packet. The connection target is specified based on whether or not it is within the range. Thereby, even when the inclination of the operation unit 122 of the image processing apparatus 100 is changed, the wireless communication terminal 500 can specify the desired image processing apparatus 100. Further, even when the inclination of the operation unit 122 such as an angle varies depending on the image processing device, the wireless communication terminal 500 can specify a desired image processing device.

<Second Embodiment>
The image processing system according to the second embodiment can apply FIG. 1, and includes a wireless communication terminal 600 instead of the wireless communication terminal 200. The image processing system according to the first embodiment differs from the image processing system described in <Overview> in part of the functions of the wireless communication terminal.

<Functional configuration of the present embodiment>
Next, a functional configuration will be described. FIG. 16 is a functional block diagram of the wireless communication terminal 600. The wireless communication terminal 600 includes a first transmission / reception unit 652, a second transmission / reception unit 654, a received signal strength measurement unit 656, a connection target specifying unit 658, a connection information acquisition unit 660, a connection processing unit 662, a job request unit 664, a storage A read processing unit 666, a search screen display control unit 672, and a timer 674 are provided. Each of these units is a function or means realized by any one of the constituent elements shown in FIG. 6 operating according to a command from the CPU 202 according to the wireless communication terminal program stored in the HDD 208. . The wireless communication terminal 600 includes a storage unit 668 constructed by the HDD 208 shown in FIG.

<Each functional unit of wireless communication terminal 600>
Next, each unit of the wireless communication terminal 600 will be described. For the first transmission / reception unit 652, the second transmission / reception unit 654, the received signal strength measurement unit 656, the connection information acquisition unit 660, the connection processing unit 662, the job request unit 664, and the storage / read processing unit 666, the wireless communication terminal 200 The functions of each part can be applied.

  The search screen display control unit 672 of the wireless communication terminal 600 is realized by an instruction from the LCD 214 and the CPU 202 shown in FIG. The search screen display control unit 672 performs control to display a search screen for indicating to the user of the wireless communication terminal 600 that the image processing apparatus is being searched. The search screen also displays a search start item to be selected when the search of the image processing apparatus is started and a cancel item to be selected when the search is canceled.

  The timer 674 of the wireless communication terminal 600 is realized by a command from the CPU 202 shown in FIG. The timer 674 measures the elapse of a preset time such as 30 seconds.

  The connection target specifying unit 658 of the wireless communication terminal 600 is realized by a command from the CPU 202 and a wireless communication terminal program stored in the HDD 208. The connection target specifying unit 658 causes the search screen display control unit 672 to display a screen indicating that the image processing apparatus is being searched until the time set in advance by the timer 674 elapses. Further, the connection target specifying unit 658 causes the storage / read processing unit 666 to read the received signal strength management table of the received signal strength management DB 670 of the storage unit 668. Further, the connection target specifying unit 658 determines whether or not the received signal strength of the device information disclosure packet stored in the received signal strength management table and the inclination of the wireless communication terminal 600 are within a predetermined range. The image processing apparatus to be connected is specified.

  If the connection target specifying unit 658 cannot specify the image processing apparatus to be connected even after a preset time has elapsed, the connection target specifying unit 658 stops the search for the image processing apparatus being executed by the first transmission / reception unit 652 and searches the search screen. The search screen displayed by the display control unit 672 is closed. When the connection target specifying unit 658 cannot specify the image processing apparatus to be connected even after the preset time has elapsed, the connection target specifying unit 658 stops searching such as “No device found” in the search screen display control unit 672. You can also display the message.

<Operation of Image Processing System (Part 1)>
The operation of the wireless communication terminal 600 in the image processing system according to the present embodiment will be described together with the search screen. FIG. 17 mainly shows the operation of the wireless communication terminal 600 in the image processing system according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 18 shows an example of a search screen displayed on the wireless communication terminal 600 according to the present embodiment. Here, the search screen is displayed after the home screen is displayed on wireless communication terminal 600, and then the connection screen is displayed.

  In step S <b> 1702, search screen display control unit 672 of wireless communication terminal 600 displays a search screen on LCD 214. Here, the connection target specifying unit 658 starts the timer 674. For example, when the connection application that connects the wireless communication terminal 600 to the image processing apparatus 100 is activated by the user, the home screen illustrated in FIG. 18A is displayed. On the home screen, job properties such as “Original Type”, “Resolution”, “File Format”, “Scan Size”, “Original Side”, and start items for starting the search for image processing devices can be displayed. it can. Here, when the user selects a start item, the search screen shown in FIG. 18B is displayed and the search of the image processing apparatus is started.

  In step S1704, the connection target specifying unit 658 of the wireless communication terminal 600 determines whether or not a cancel item on the search screen displayed by the search screen display control unit 672 has been selected (for example, pushed down). When the cancel item on the search screen is selected, the process proceeds to step S1716 described later. As shown in FIG. 18 (2), a cancel item selected when the search is canceled is displayed on the search screen. The user can cancel the search by selecting a cancel item.

  In step S1706, when the connection target specifying unit 658 of the wireless communication terminal 600 determines that the cancel item on the search screen is not selected, the timer 674 determines whether or not the search time has elapsed.

  In step S1708, if the received signal strength measurement unit 656 of the wireless communication terminal 600 determines that the search time has not elapsed, the received signal strength measurement unit 656 measures the received signal strength of the device information disclosure packet received by the first transmission / reception unit 652. .

  In step S1710, the connection target specifying unit 658 of the wireless communication terminal 600 determines whether there is an image processing apparatus in which the average value μ of the received signal strength of the device information disclosure packet exceeds the threshold value Rs. If there is no image processing apparatus in which the average value μ of the received signal strength of the device information disclosure packet exceeds the threshold value Rs, the process returns to step S1704.

  In step S1712, the connection target specifying unit 658 of the wireless communication terminal 600 sets an image processing apparatus as a connection target when there is an image processing apparatus whose average value μ of the received signal strength of the device information disclosure packet exceeds the threshold Rs. .

  In step S1714, the connection information acquisition unit 660 of the wireless communication terminal 600 requests connection information from the image processing apparatus set as the connection target. When the connection processing unit 662 of the wireless communication terminal 600 acquires connection information transmitted by the image processing apparatus set as a connection target, the connection processing unit 662 uses the connection information to perform connection processing with the image processing apparatus. Here, the search screen display control unit 672 changes the search screen to a connection screen shown in FIG. In this connection screen, a cancel item to be selected when the connection is canceled is displayed. The user can cancel the connection by selecting a cancel item.

  In step S1716, search screen display control unit 672 of wireless communication terminal 600 closes the search screen displayed on LCD 214.

  In step S1718, the search screen display control unit 672 of the wireless communication terminal 600 determines whether an error message is set to be displayed when the search time has elapsed in step S1716. If it is not set to display an error message, the process proceeds to step S1716.

  In step S1720, search screen display control unit 672 of wireless communication terminal 600 displays an error message if it is set to display an error message. Here, the search screen display control unit 672 changes the search screen to an error display screen shown in FIG. This error display screen displays that no device was found during the search time. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S1716.

<Operation of Image Processing System (Part 2)>
The operation of the wireless communication terminal 600 in the image processing system according to the present embodiment will be described together with the search screen. FIG. 19 mainly shows the operation of the wireless communication terminal 600 in the image processing system according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 20 shows an example of a search screen displayed on the wireless communication terminal 600 according to the present embodiment. Here, after the home screen is displayed on wireless communication terminal 600, the search screen is not displayed and the connection screen is displayed.

  In step S1902, the connection target specifying unit 658 of the wireless communication terminal 600 determines whether or not the search time has elapsed in the timer 674. For example, when the connection application that connects the wireless communication terminal 600 to the image processing apparatus 100 is started by the user, the home screen illustrated in FIG. 20A is displayed. On the home screen, job properties such as “Original Type”, “Resolution”, “File Format”, “Scan Size”, “Original Side”, and start items for starting the search for image processing devices can be displayed. it can. Here, when the user selects a start item, the search of the image processing apparatus is started, and the search time preset in the timer 674 is started to be counted down. Cancel items to be selected when the search is canceled can also be displayed on the home screen. The user can cancel the search by selecting a cancel item.

  In step S1904, the reception signal strength measurement unit 656 of the wireless communication terminal 600 measures the reception signal strength of the device information disclosure packet received by the first transmission / reception unit 652 when determining that the search time has not elapsed. .

  In step S1906, the connection target specifying unit 658 of the wireless communication terminal 600 determines whether there is an image processing apparatus in which the average value μ of the received signal strength of the device information disclosure packet exceeds the threshold value Rs. If there is no image processing apparatus in which the average value μ of the received signal strength of the device information disclosure packet exceeds the threshold value Rs, the process returns to step S1902.

  In step S1908, the connection target specifying unit 658 of the wireless communication terminal 600 sets the image processing apparatus as a connection target when there is an image processing apparatus whose average value μ of the received signal strength of the device information disclosure packet exceeds the threshold Rs. .

  In step S1910, the connection information acquisition unit 660 of the wireless communication terminal 600 requests connection information from the image processing apparatus set as the connection target. When the connection processing unit 662 of the wireless communication terminal 600 acquires connection information transmitted by the image processing apparatus set as a connection target, the connection processing unit 662 uses the connection information to perform connection processing with the image processing apparatus. Here, the search screen display control unit 672 changes the search screen to the connection screen shown in FIG. In this connection screen, a cancel item to be selected when the connection is canceled is displayed. The user can cancel the connection by selecting a cancel item.

  In step S1912, the search screen display control unit 672 of the wireless communication terminal 600 closes the search screen displayed on the LCD 214.

  In step S1914, the search screen display control unit 672 of the wireless communication terminal 600 determines whether an error message is set to be displayed when the search time has elapsed in step S1902. If it is not set to display an error message, the process proceeds to step S1912.

  In step S1916, the search screen display control unit 672 of the wireless communication terminal 600 displays an error message if it is set to display an error message. Here, the search screen display control unit 672 changes the search screen to an error display screen shown in FIG. This error display screen displays that no device was found during the search time. An “OK” item to be selected when an error is confirmed is displayed on the error display screen. When the user selects this “OK” item, the process proceeds to step S1912.

  According to the present embodiment, the wireless communication terminal measures the received signal strength of the device information disclosure packet by receiving a search instruction for the image processing apparatus by the user. Therefore, even when the wireless communication terminal is left in the vicinity of the image processing apparatus in a connectable state, the received signal strength of the device information disclosure packet is not erroneously measured. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the remaining battery level of the wireless communication terminal from decreasing without knowing it.

  It is possible to combine the above-described embodiment and modifications as appropriate. Further, the above-described embodiments and modifications can be applied to a projection apparatus such as a projector, an electronic blackboard, and the like in addition to an image forming apparatus such as a multifunction peripheral having functions such as printing, scanning, and copying.

  In the embodiment described above, the image processing system is an example of an information processing system, and the wireless communication terminal is an example of an information processing apparatus. The received signal strength measuring unit is an example of a radio wave strength measuring unit and an acquiring unit, the connection target specifying unit is an example of a determining unit, and the job requesting unit is an example of an operation detecting unit. Furthermore, the connection processing unit is an example of a determination unit and a connection unit, the inclination detection unit is an example of a measurement unit, and the timer is an example of a measurement unit.

  Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments and modifications, each embodiment and modification is merely an example, and those skilled in the art will recognize various modifications, modifications, alternatives, substitutions, and the like. Will understand. For convenience of explanation, an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention has been described using a functional block diagram, but such an apparatus may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination thereof. The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various variations, modifications, alternatives, substitutions, and the like are included without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

50 LAN
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Image processing apparatus 122 Operation part 200, 500, 600 Wireless communication terminal 300 Wireless access point 252,552,652 1st transmission / reception part 254,554,654 2nd transmission / reception part 256,556,656 Received signal strength measurement part 258 558, 658 Connection target identification unit 260, 560, 660 Connection information acquisition unit 262, 562, 662 Connection processing unit 264, 564, 664 Job request unit 266, 566, 666 Storage / read processing unit 268, 568, 668 Storage unit 270, 570, 670 Received signal strength management DB
572 Inclination detection unit 672 Search screen display control unit 674 Timer

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2008-17381

Claims (6)

In an information processing apparatus that can be connected to one or more devices via a network,
Detecting means for detecting that a specific operation for starting a request for image processing from the user to the information processing apparatus is received ;
Receiving means for receiving a plurality of radio waves output from one or more devices ;
A radio wave intensity measuring means for measuring the intensity of radio waves received by the previous SL receiving means,
After the acceptance of the specific operation is detected by said detecting means, based on the intensity of the radio wave measured by the radio wave strength measuring means, and determining means for determining whether to connect to the equipment,
Connection means for connecting to a device determined to be connected by the determination means , using connection information acquired based on radio waves output by the device ;
An information processing apparatus. The wireless communication system for radio waves received by the receiving means is Bluetooth (registered trademark),
The connection means is a radio communication system for radio waves received by the reception means when performing processing for connection with a device determined to be connected by the determination means, and is different from the radio communication system obtaining at least part of the connection information for connecting to the device in a wireless communication system, an information processing apparatus according to claim 1. Measuring means for measuring the passage of a predetermined time set in advance,
3. The determination unit according to claim 1, wherein if the determination unit cannot determine whether or not to connect to each of the one or more devices even after the predetermined time has elapsed, the determination unit stops the determination. Information processing device. When the specific operation is performed by the user, the radio wave intensity measuring means starts measuring the intensity of the radio wave, the information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3. An information processing device that can be connected to one or more devices via a network ,
Detection processing for detecting that a specific operation for starting a request for image processing from the user to the information processing apparatus has been received;
A reception process for receiving a plurality of radio waves output from one or more devices ;
A radio wave intensity measurement process for measuring the intensity of the radio wave received in the reception process ;
After the acceptance of the specific operation in the detection process is detected, and the radio wave intensity based on the measured intensity of radio waves measurement processing, determination processing whether to connect to the equipment,
To a device that is determined to make a connection with the determination process, a process of connecting with the connection information obtained based on the radio waves the instrument outputs,
An information processing program that executes An information processing system having a device and an information processing apparatus connectable to the device ,
Before Symbol information processing apparatus,
Detecting means for detecting that a specific operation for starting a request for image processing from the user to the information processing apparatus is received;
Receiving means for receiving a plurality of radio waves output from one or more devices ;
A radio wave intensity measuring means for measuring the intensity of radio waves received by the previous SL receiving means,
After the acceptance of the specific operation is detected by said detecting means, based on the intensity of the radio wave measured by the radio wave strength measuring means, and determining means for determining whether to connect to the equipment,
Connection means for connecting to a device determined to be connected by the determination means , using connection information acquired based on radio waves output by the device;
An information processing system .

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