JP6645310B2 - Image processing apparatus, image processing method, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus having an image processing function such as printing and reading, an image processing method, and a program.

  2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, image processing apparatuses such as scanners, printers, and MFPs (Multi Function Peripherals) equipped with a wireless communication interface capable of wirelessly communicating with an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer (PC) and a smartphone have become widespread. I have. In such an image processing apparatus, a new print job may be received from the wireless communication interface during processing of a preceding print job.

  As described above, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. HEI 10-163572 discloses a document related to control when a new job is received during processing of a preceding job. Patent Document 1 discloses a facsimile receiving unit, which includes a facsimile receiving unit, a bidirectional I / F, and a print processing unit, and prints data received by the facsimile receiving unit or the bidirectional I / F by the print processing unit. If the printer detects that it has received a fax call signal, and has received and printed data with the bidirectional I / F, it stops receiving and printing, and starts receiving and printing fax data. Is disclosed.

JP-A-8-112961

  Here, the FAX receiving unit of the printer device of Patent Document 1 is replaced with a wireless communication interface, the FAX call signal is replaced with a connection request to the wireless communication interface, and the image processing apparatus having the wireless communication interface is processing the preceding print job. When applied to the control when a new print job is accepted, the following problem occurs.

  In FAX, FAX data is sent immediately after a FAX calling signal, but in wireless communication, a new print job is not always sent immediately after receiving a connection request. Therefore, if the preceding print job is stopped when the connection request is received, and if no new print job is sent after that, the image processing apparatus stops processing of the preceding print job and does nothing. Without processing, it is kept waiting for a new print job to be sent. As a result, the processing of the preceding print job is unnecessarily delayed.

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the problems of the above-described conventional technology. That is, an object of the present invention is to provide a technique for reducing unnecessary delay in job processing in an image processing apparatus having a wireless communication interface.

  An image processing apparatus made for the purpose of solving this problem includes a first communication unit that performs a first communication that is a wireless communication according to a first communication method with a communication destination device within a first communication range, A second communication unit that performs a second communication that is a wireless communication in accordance with a second communication method with a communication destination device that is within a second communication range wider than the communication range, an image processing unit that performs image processing, and a control unit Wherein the control unit uses the first communication unit to detect a communication destination device within the first communication range, and performs a detection process when a communication destination device is detected in the detection process. Activating a timer that measures an elapsed time starting from a predetermined time within a period in which the first communication is established after a detection time that is a time when the communication destination device is detected in the detection processing. Timer start processing to detect A communication connection process for establishing the second communication with a specific communication destination device that is a communication destination device, and the second communication unit performs image processing from the specific communication destination device that has established the second communication. When a new job to be executed by the image processing unit is received, the image processing unit determines whether or not there is a preceding job which is a job being processed. When it is determined that there is a job, a timer determining process for determining whether the elapsed time measured by the timer is shorter than a predetermined length, and the elapsed time measured by the timer in the timer determining process When it is determined that is shorter than a predetermined length, the processing of the preceding job is temporarily stopped, the processing of the new job is started, and the time measured by the timer in the timer determination processing is used. If it is not determined that the time is shorter than the predetermined length, the processing of the new job is started after the completion of the processing of the preceding job, and it is not determined that the preceding job is present in the job determination processing. In the case where the processing of the new job is started, when the processing of the preceding job is suspended in the job starting processing and the job starting processing, the processing of the preceding job is performed after the completion of the processing of the new job. And a restart process for restarting.

  The image processing apparatus disclosed in the present specification is capable of wireless communication using two types of communication systems, a first communication system and a second communication system, and is capable of performing a specific communication destination detected by the first communication system. Wireless communication is established with the device by the second communication method. Further, when the specific communication destination device is detected, the image processing device starts at a predetermined time within a period in which the first communication is established after the detection time which is the time when the communication destination device is detected. A timer for measuring the elapsed time is started. Then, when a new job is received from the specific communication destination device by the second communication, if there is a preceding job being processed, it is determined whether or not the elapsed time by the timer is shorter than a predetermined length. If the elapsed time by the timer is shorter than the predetermined length, the processing of the preceding job is temporarily stopped, and the processing of the new job is started. On the other hand, if the elapsed time by the timer is not shorter than the predetermined length, the processing of the new job is started after the processing of the preceding job is completed.

  That is, in the image processing apparatus disclosed in this specification, the specific communication destination device is started at an arbitrary time within a period in which the first communication is established after the detection of the specific communication destination device by the first communication. If the elapsed time until the reception of the new job from is shorter than the predetermined length, it is highly likely that the user of the specific communication destination apparatus desires to complete the processing of the new job early. Therefore, the image processing apparatus interrupts a new job from the specific communication destination device by giving priority to the second communication that has established a connection with the specific communication destination device. On the other hand, if the elapsed time is longer than the predetermined length, it is unlikely that the user wants to complete the processing of the new job early. Therefore, the image processing apparatus does not interrupt the new job and starts processing the new job after processing the preceding job first. By changing the processing order of the preceding job and the new job in this way, for example, if the job is a print job, the printed matter of the preceding print job and the printed matter of the new print job can be output in the order close to the user's desire.

  A control method for realizing the functions of the device, a computer program, and a computer-readable storage medium that stores the computer program are also novel and useful.

  According to the present invention, in an image processing apparatus having a wireless communication interface, a technique for reducing unnecessary delay in job processing is realized.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an image processing system according to an embodiment. FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an appearance of a multifunction peripheral (MFP) according to an embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an initial screen of an application incorporated in the mobile device according to the embodiment. FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram illustrating a procedure of data communication between the mobile device and the MFP in printing when the MFP is a group owner. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a wireless connection printing process executed by the MFP in the data communication procedure illustrated in FIG. 4. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a print job management process executed by the MFP in the data communication procedure illustrated in FIG. 4. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a modification of the procedure of the print job management process executed by the MFP in the data communication procedure illustrated in FIG. 4.

  Hereinafter, an image processing system according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the present embodiment, the present invention is applied to an image processing system including a multifunction peripheral having a reading function and a printing function, and a mobile device that receives a job for causing the MFP to execute image processing.

[Overall configuration of image processing system]
As shown in FIG. 1, the image processing system 900 according to the present embodiment includes a mobile device 200 that outputs a job for causing a designated MFP to execute image processing, and an MFP 100 that processes the job. MFP 100 is an example of an image processing apparatus. In the image processing system 900 of the present embodiment, data can be exchanged between the mobile device 200 and the MFP 100 by wireless communication.

  Note that, in addition to the mobile device 200, any number of information processing apparatuses for inputting a job for causing the MFP 100 to execute image processing may be connected. The image processing system 900 may include a server or an access point (not shown), and communicate with the MFP 100 from the mobile device 200 via the server or the access point.

[MFP Configuration]
Subsequently, a schematic configuration of the MFP 100 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the MFP 100 includes a controller 30 having a CPU 31, a ROM 32, a RAM 33, and an NVRAM (Non Volatile RAM). The MFP 100 includes a printing unit 10, a reading unit 20, an operation panel 40, a wired LAN interface 36, an NFC (Near Field Communication) interface 37, and a wireless LAN interface 38, which are controlled by the CPU 31. You. Note that the controller 30 in FIG. 1 is a collective term for hardware used for controlling the MFP 100, such as the CPU 31, and does not necessarily represent a single piece of hardware that actually exists in the MFP 100.

  The ROM 32 stores firmware, which is a control program for controlling the MFP 100, various settings, initial values, and the like. The RAM 33 is used as a work area from which various control programs are read, or as a storage area for temporarily storing image data. The NVRAM 34 is also used as a storage area for storing various information used in the MFP 100. The NVRAM 34 is an example of a storage unit.

  The CPU 31 controls each component of the MFP 100 in accordance with a control program read from the ROM 32 or a signal sent from various sensors, while storing the processing result in the RAM 33 or the NVRAM 34. The CPU 31 is an example of a control unit. Note that the controller 30 may be a control unit.

  The printing unit 10 prints an image based on the image data on a sheet. The printing unit 10 only needs to be able to print an image on a sheet, and may be an inkjet system or an electrophotographic system. Further, color printing or monochrome printing may be used. The printing unit 10 is an example of an image processing unit.

  The reading unit 20 reads an image of a document and outputs image data. The reading unit 20 only needs to be able to read an image of a document, and may be a CIS type or a CCD type. Further, it may be either color readable or monochrome only. The reading unit 20 is an example of an image processing unit.

  The wired LAN interface 36 is an interface that enables connection of a cable used for Ethernet (registered trademark) communication. MFP 100 receives data transmitted from an external device via wired LAN interface 36. Further, MFP 100 transmits data to an external device via wired LAN interface 36.

  The NFC interface 37 is an interface that enables NFC wireless communication based on the international standard of ISO / IEC21481 or ISO / IEC18092. MFP 100 receives data transmitted from an external device via NFC interface 37. Further, MFP 100 transmits data to an external device via NFC interface 37. The NFC interface 37 is an example of a first communication unit. The NFC method is an example of a first communication method.

  The wireless LAN interface 38 is an interface that enables wireless communication of the WiFi (registered trademark) direct system (WFD system) based on the IEEE 802.11 standard and standards conforming thereto. The NFC system and the WFD system have different communication systems (that is, wireless communication standards), and the WFD system has a wider communication range and higher communication speed than the NFC system. The area of the communication range does not mean a logical area such as the number of communicable devices, but means a length of a distance to a communication destination apparatus, that is, a physical area. MFP 100 receives data transmitted from an external device via wireless LAN interface 38. Further, MFP 100 transmits data to an external device via wireless LAN interface 38. The wireless LAN interface 38 is an example of a second communication unit. The WFD method is an example of a second communication method.

  Note that the WFD method is a communication method in which a network is constructed by a group owner device that manages the network and a client device, and data can be transferred within the network. Therefore, in order to perform data communication with an external device via the wireless LAN interface 38, it is necessary to establish wireless communication with the external device and establish a WFD network. For example, the MFP 100 serves as a group owner device when building a WFD network, and the mobile device 200 serves as a client device. The group owner device stores identification information of the client device and connection information for establishing wireless communication with the client device by the WFD method. As the connection information, for example, an SSID (Service Set IDentifier), which is an identifier for identifying the WFD network, and a password are applicable.

  The MFP 100 includes, as other interfaces, for example, a USB interface for communicating with a device connected via a USB cable or the like, and another facsimile (FAX) device connected to a telephone network via a telephone line. A telephone line interface for performing communication may be provided.

  The operation panel 40 is provided on the exterior of the MFP 100 as shown in FIG. 2, and has an input unit 41 composed of various buttons for receiving user input, and a screen 42 for displaying messages and setting contents. The various buttons include, for example, an OK button for instructing start of image processing and a cancel button for instructing cancellation of image processing.

  The operation panel 40 has an NFC reading unit 43 that receives wireless communication by the NFC method. The NFC reading unit 43 is provided with an NFC interface 37, and the MFP 100 detects a device capable of performing NFC wireless communication by a signal periodically issued from the NFC interface 37 during power-on. It has become. Therefore, for example, when the user holds the mobile device 200 over the NFC reading unit 43 in a state where the NFC function of the mobile device 200 is enabled, the MFP 100 detects the mobile device 200, and the NFC method is performed between the mobile device 200 and the MFP 100. Wireless communication is automatically enabled. “Holding” the mobile device 200 over the NFC reading unit 43 is an operation of arranging the mobile device 200 within the communication range of the NFC interface 37, and the mobile device 200 may be in contact with the NFC reading unit 43. It is not necessary.

  MFP 100 includes printing and scanning as functions that can be executed in response to a command from mobile device 200. Printing is a function of receiving image data to be printed from the mobile device 200 and causing the printing unit 10 to print an image based on the image data. Scanning is a function of causing the reading unit 20 to read an image of a document set on a document table and storing image data based on the image of the document in a specified storage destination. A user using MFP 100 selects a function to be used from mobile device 200 and inputs an execution command. The functions that can be executed by MFP 100 are not limited to these, and other functions such as facsimile transmission and the like may be provided.

[Mobile device configuration]
Subsequently, a schematic configuration of the mobile device 200 will be described. As shown in FIG. 1, the mobile device 200 includes a controller 50 having a CPU 51, a ROM 52, a RAM 53, and an HDD 54. The mobile device 200 has an operation panel 55 having a touch panel having both a display function and an input function, and an NFC interface 57 and a wireless LAN interface 58 as communication interfaces for enabling communication with an external device. It is controlled by the CPU 51.

  The HDD 54 of the mobile device 200 incorporates an OS (Operating System), a browser for browsing files on the Internet, a device driver for controlling various devices, and the like. The HDD 54 also stores an application program (hereinafter, referred to as an “application 210”) that instructs the MFP 100 to perform image processing such as printing or scanning, and that receives a job that transfers image data accompanying the image processing to the MFP 100.

  The above-described application 210 is activated by the CPU 51 when the mobile device 200 receives an activation instruction from the user. After starting, the application 210 displays a selection screen 21 for allowing the user to select a job type as shown in FIG. 3 as an initial screen. The types of jobs accepted by the application 210 include a scan job and a print job. On the selection screen 21, a print button 211 for receiving a print job selection and a scan button 212 for receiving a scan job selection are displayed.

  When the scan button 212 is touched by the application 210, the scan job is registered in the job queue of the mobile device 200. When the scan job is registered, the application 210 displays a message indicating that the mobile device 200 is held over the NFC reading unit 43 of the MFP 100. If the WFD wireless communication has already been established, the display of the message is omitted.

  On the other hand, when the print button 211 is touched, the application 210 switches from the selection screen 21 to a print target selection screen (not shown), and receives instructions for selecting data to be printed and executing printing. On the print target selection screen, a list of data names or data thumbnail images is displayed, and an execution button for instructing print execution is displayed. When the user touches the data desired to be printed, the data to be printed is selected. When the user touches the execution button with the data selected, the print job is registered in the job queue of the mobile device 200. When the print job is registered, the application 210 displays a message indicating that the mobile device 200 is held over the NFC reading unit 43 of the MFP 100. If the WFD wireless communication has already been established, the display of the message is omitted.

  The CPU 51 performs various processes according to the control program read from the ROM 52 and the program read from the HDD 54 while storing the calculation results in the RAM 53 or the HDD 54. The operation of the application 210 described above is also processed by the CPU 51.

  The NFC interface 57 is an interface that enables NFC wireless communication, like the NFC interface 37 of the MFP 100. The wireless LAN interface 58 is an interface that enables WFD wireless communication, like the wireless LAN interface 38 of the MFP 100. The mobile device 200 receives data transmitted from an external device via the NFC interface 57 or the wireless LAN interface 58. Further, the mobile device 200 transmits data to an external device via the NFC interface 57 or the wireless LAN interface 58.

[Operation of image processing system]
Next, a procedure of data communication between the mobile device 200 and the MFP 100 will be described with reference to FIG. The procedure of the data communication described below is an operation when the group owner is the MFP 100 when performing the WFD wireless communication.

  In the MFP 100 of the present embodiment, a search signal is issued from the NFC interface 37 during power-on as described above. When the NFC function of the mobile device 200 is enabled, a search signal is also issued from the NFC interface 57 of the mobile device 200. When the mobile device 200 enters the range where the NFC wireless communication with the MFP 100 can be performed, one responds to a search signal from the other, so that the NFC wireless communication is performed between the mobile device 200 and the MFP 100. Becomes possible. That is, MFP 100 detects mobile device 200 by receiving a search signal or a response signal from mobile device 200. The mobile device 200 is an example of a specific communication destination device, and the detection of the mobile device 200 is an example of a detection process.

  When wireless communication according to the NFC method is established, a handover connection request is transmitted from the mobile device 200 to the MFP 100. The handover connection request is transmitted by NFC wireless communication.

  When receiving a handover connection request from mobile device 200, MFP 100 transmits a handover connection response to mobile device 200. Connection information, which is information necessary for establishing WFD wireless communication, is added to the handover connection response. The handover connection response is also transmitted by NFC wireless communication.

  Upon receiving the handover connection response from the MFP 100, the mobile device 200 requests the MFP 100 to connect in the WFD system, and establishes wireless communication with the MFP 100 in the WFD system using the connection information. That is, a handover from NFC wireless communication to WFD wireless communication is realized.

  Upon receiving the handover connection response from MFP 100, mobile device 200 waits for registration of a print job or a scan job. For example, when a print job is registered, the mobile device 200 starts generating image data for printing. When the mobile device 200 is held over the MFP 100 in a state where the print job is registered, the mobile device 200 starts generating the image data for printing immediately after receiving the handover connection response from the MFP 100. In this case, generation of image data for printing may be started immediately after registration of a print job without waiting for reception of a handover connection response from MFP 100.

  Then, after the generation of the image data is completed, the mobile device 200 starts transmitting the image data on condition that the wireless communication by the WFD method is established. Image data is transmitted by WFD wireless communication. After the transmission of the image data is completed, the mobile device 200 disconnects the WFD wireless communication with the MFP 100 after the printing from the MFP 100 is completed.

  After receiving the image data from the mobile device 200, the MFP 100 starts printing the image data. After the printing of all pages is completed, a print completion is transmitted to the mobile device 200. Thus, a series of processing of the print job is completed.

  On the other hand, when the scan job is registered, mobile device 200 transmits a scan start instruction to MFP 100 on condition that wireless communication with MFP 100 by the WFD method has been established. The scan start instruction is transmitted by WFD wireless communication. When the mobile device 200 is held over the MFP 100 in a state where the scan job is registered, the mobile device 200 immediately transmits a scan start instruction after receiving the handover connection response from the MFP 100. In this case, a scan start instruction may be transmitted by NFC wireless communication at the time of handover connection.

  After completing the transmission of the scan start instruction, the mobile device 200 receives the image data transmitted from the MFP 100. Then, the mobile device 200 disconnects the WFD wireless communication with the MFP 100 after completing the reception of the image data.

  After receiving a scan start instruction from mobile device 200, MFP 100 starts reading an image of the document. Then, image data of the read image is generated, and the image data is transmitted to the mobile device 200. Thus, a series of processing of the scan job is completed.

[Wireless connection printing process]
Next, the wireless connection printing process executed by the MFP 100 to realize the above-described printing operation by the WFD wireless communication will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The wireless connection printing process is executed by the CPU 51 when the NFC interface 37 receives a handover connection request from an external device (in this embodiment, the mobile device 200). That is, the wireless connection print processing is executed after the NFC wireless communication is established.

  In the wireless connection printing process, first, the CPU 31 transmits a handover connection response to the mobile device 200, which is the transmission source of the handover connection request, using the NFC interface 37 (S101). S101 is an example of communication connection processing and connection information transmission processing. The connection information used for communication in the WFD system is added to the handover connection response.

  Further, the CPU 31 starts a timer (S102). The timer is for measuring the elapsed time after receiving the handover connection request. S102 is an example of a timer activation process.

  After S102, the CPU 31 determines whether or not the NFC interface 37 has received a WFD connection request from the transmission destination of the handover connection response (the mobile device 200 in this embodiment) (S111).

  When the WFD connection request has not been received (S111: NO), the CPU 31 determines whether or not the timer time T, which is the elapsed time measured by the timer started in S102, is longer than the first standby time T1. (S112). If the timer time T is not longer than the first standby time T1 (S112: NO), the process returns to S111, and the CPU 31 waits for reception of a WFD connection request. If the timer time T is longer than the first standby time T1 (S112: YES), the CPU 31 terminates the wireless connection printing process without waiting for the reception of the WFD connection request any longer.

  On the other hand, if a WFD connection request has been received (S111: YES), the CPU 31 establishes a wireless communication connection with the mobile device 200 by the WFD method (S121). S121 is an example of a communication connection process and an establishment process.

  After S121, the CPU 31 receives a print job transmitted from the mobile device 200 and executes a print job management process for causing the printing unit 10 to print an image of image data included in the print job (S122). The reception of the print job is performed by the WFD wireless communication, and it is irrelevant whether or not the NFC wireless communication is possible after S121. Details of the print job management process will be described later. After S122, the CPU 31 disconnects the wireless communication connection in the WFD system (S123). After S123, the wireless connection printing process ends.

[Print job management process]
Next, the print job management processing in step S122 of the wireless connection print processing will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. Note that while the connection of the WFD wireless communication is established, jobs other than the print job can be received from the mobile device 200, but a description of the processing when the jobs are received will be omitted.

  In the print job management process, the CPU 31 first determines whether the wireless LAN interface 38 has received a new print job from the mobile device 200 (S151). If a new print job has not been received (S151: NO), the CPU 31 determines whether or not the timer time T is longer than the second standby time T2 (S152). The second waiting time T2 is determined based on the timer time T when the connection of the wireless communication in the WFD system is established. If the timer time T is not longer than the second standby time T2 (S152: NO), the process returns to S151, and the CPU 31 waits for a print job. If the timer time T is longer than the second standby time T2 (S152: YES), the print job management process ends.

  On the other hand, when a new print job has been received (S151: YES), the CPU 31 determines whether or not a preceding print job, which is a print job received from a device other than the mobile device 200, is being processed (S161). Step S161 is an example of a job determination process.

  The MFP 100 can receive a job from the wired LAN interface 36 in addition to the wireless LAN interface 38. Further, the MFP 100 has a copy function of causing the printing unit 10 to print the image read by the reading unit 20. Therefore, a new print job from the mobile device 200 may be received while the printing unit 10 is processing the preceding print job. Here, the preceding print job is a job that uses the printing unit 10 necessary for processing the job received from the mobile device 200, and a job that does not use the printing unit 10 (for example, a scan job or a fax transmission job) is Does not target the preceding print job.

  If the MFP 100 is not processing the preceding print job (S161: NO), the CPU 31 starts processing a new print job that is a print job received from the mobile device 200 (S164). After S164, the print job management process ends.

  If the MFP 100 is processing the preceding print job (S161: YES), the CPU 31 determines whether the timer time T is longer than the third standby time T3 (S162). S162 is an example of a timer determination process. The third standby time T3 is determined based on a timer time T when a wireless communication connection in the WFD system is established, and is set when the wireless LAN interface 38 receives a new print job from the mobile device 200. Is not longer than the third standby time T3, the length is set to such a length that the user of the mobile device 200 can guess that he wants to obtain the printed matter immediately.

  Therefore, when the timer time T is longer than the third standby time T3 (S162: YES), the CPU 31 does not start the processing of the new print job but waits for the end of the processing of the preceding print job (S163). Then, after the processing of the preceding print job is completed, the processing of the new print job is started (S164). That is, the end of the processing of the preceding print job has priority over the start of the processing of the new print job. After S164, the print job management process ends.

  If the timer time T is not longer than the third waiting time T3 (S162: NO), the CPU 31 determines whether to stop the processing of the preceding print job and start the processing of a new print job. It is determined whether or not the interruptable condition is satisfied (S171). There are a plurality of interruptable conditions, and if all of them are satisfied, the CPU 31 determines that the interruptable condition is satisfied. If at least one of the interruptable conditions is not satisfied (S171: NO), the CPU 31 does not start the new print job, waits for the end of the preceding print job (S163), and after the end of the preceding print job, sets the new print job. The process starts (S164).

  Specifically, the MFP 100 has the following two conditions as interruptable conditions. The first interruptable condition is that the interrupt print setting by the user setting is valid. The MFP 100 stores the interrupt print setting in the NVRAM 34 and accepts an input of validity or invalidity of the interrupt print setting by a user operation on the operation panel 40. The initial value of the interrupt print setting is valid. The MFP 100 places importance on the user's settings, permits interrupt printing when the interrupt print setting is valid, gives priority to the new print job over the preceding print job, and interrupts the new print job when the interrupt print setting is invalid. Instead, the processing of the preceding print job is completed first, and then the processing of the new print job is started.

  The second interruptable condition is that the time required to print the image of the image data included in the new print job is shorter than a predetermined time. If it takes a long time to print the image data of the new print job, if the new print job is interrupted, the completion of the preceding print job may be significantly delayed, and the disadvantage of the interrupted user increases. Therefore, if the time required to print the image data of the new print job is short, the MFP 100 gives priority to the new print job over the preceding print job, and if the time required to print the image data of the new print job is long, the MFP 100 , The processing of the preceding print job is completed first, and then the processing of the new print job is started.

  To determine whether the time required to print the image of the image data is shorter than a predetermined time, MFP 100 obtains information on the new print job from the new print job when receiving the new print job. Then, the time required for printing is estimated based on the information of the new print job. For example, the longer the number of prints, the longer the time required for printing. Therefore, the MFP 100 acquires information on the number of prints from the new print job and determines whether the number of prints is smaller than the predetermined number. If the number of prints is smaller than the predetermined number, it is determined that the time required for printing the new print job is shorter than the predetermined time.

  Further, for example, as the capacity of the image data increases, the time required for printing increases. Therefore, the MFP 100 acquires the capacity of the image data to be printed from the new print job, and determines whether the capacity of the image data is smaller than a predetermined value. If the capacity of the image data is smaller than the predetermined value, it is determined that the time required for printing the new print job is shorter than the predetermined time.

  Also, for example, the larger the paper size, the longer the time required for printing. Therefore, the MFP 100 acquires the information on the paper size from the new print job and determines whether the paper size is smaller than the predetermined size. If the paper size is smaller than the predetermined size, it is determined that the time required for printing the new print job is shorter than the predetermined time. In these cases, S171 is an example of attribute acquisition processing and attribute determination processing.

  Note that the MFP 100 may use the attribute information such as the number of prints acquired from the new print job as it is to determine whether the time required for printing is long, or determine the estimated time required for printing based on the attribute information. Calculation may be performed to determine whether the predicted time is longer than a predetermined length. In this case, by calculating the predicted time based on the plurality of pieces of attribute information, it is possible to more accurately determine whether the time required for printing is long. On the other hand, by using the attribute information obtained from the new print job as it is, the process of S171 is simplified.

  The MFP 100 can estimate the length of time required for printing based on the data format of the print data. For example, it can be estimated that it takes time to start printing in the case of data requiring analysis of image contents such as PDL, and it takes no time to start printing in the case of data which can be directly printed such as BMP. Therefore, the MFP 100 acquires the data format of the print data from the new print job, and determines whether the data format of the print data is a predetermined format that can be directly printed. If the format is the predetermined format, it is determined that the time required for printing the new print job is shorter than the predetermined time. In this case, S171 is an example of a data format acquisition process and a data format determination process.

  The interruptable condition is not limited to the above two conditions, and other conditions may be added. Further, it is not always necessary to have all the two conditions, and only one of them may be used. Further, it is not necessary to have an interrupt enable condition. In this case, the CPU 31 omits the determination in S171, and shifts to S172 after S162 is NO.

  If all the interruptable conditions are satisfied (S171: YES), the CPU 31 stops the processing of the preceding print job (S172). If the processing of the preceding print job has already been stopped, S172 is omitted. Then, the process of the new print job is started, and the process of the new print job is waited for (S173). That is, the new print job is processed before the preceding print job. Thereby, the user of the mobile device 200 can acquire the printed matter of the new print job at an early stage.

  As described above, even if the MFP 100 receives the handover connection request during the processing of the preceding print job, the MFP 100 continues processing of the preceding print job without stopping at that time, and thereafter receives a new print job from the mobile device 200. In this case, depending on whether the elapsed time from the reception of the handover connection request from the mobile device 200 to the reception of the new print job is shorter than a predetermined standby time, the processing of the preceding print job is stopped and the new print job is stopped. Decide whether to interrupt.

  That is, if the time from when the MFP 100 receives the handover connection request from the mobile device 200 to when the MFP 100 receives the new print job is not longer than the predetermined standby time, the user of the mobile device 200 obtains the print of the new print job quickly. It can be inferred that there is a high possibility that they want to do so. In this case, the MFP 100 stops processing the preceding print job and processes the new print job received from the mobile device 200.

  On the other hand, if the time from when the MFP 100 receives the handover connection request from the mobile device 200 to when it receives the new print job is longer than the predetermined standby time, the user of the mobile device 200 obtains the print of the new print job earlier. It can be guessed that it is unlikely that they want to do so. In this case, the MFP 100 processes the new print job received from the mobile device 200 after the processing of the preceding print job is completed.

  After the processing of the new print job is completed, the CPU 31 determines whether the wireless LAN interface 38 has received another new print job from the mobile device 200 (S174). The MPF 100 can receive another new print job following the new print job while the new print job is being processed. Therefore, if another new print job has been received from the mobile device 200, which is the external device that has transmitted the new print job being processed (S174: YES), the process returns to S171, and the CPU 31 satisfies the interrupt enabled condition. The other new print job is interrupted on condition that this is the case. If a plurality of new print jobs received from the mobile device 200 are continuously processed while the preceding print job is stopped, the printed material of the preceding print job is placed between the printed material of one new print job and the printed material of another new print job. Can be prevented from being pinched. As a result, the printed matter of a plurality of new print jobs and the printed matter of the preceding print job can be easily separated.

  If another new print job has not been received (S174: NO), the CPU 31 restarts the processing of the preceding print job stopped in S172 (S175). After S175, the print job management process ends. Steps S162, S163, S164, S172, and S173 are examples of the job start process. Step S175 is an example of a restart process.

[Modification of Print Job Management Process]
Next, a modified example of the print job management process will be described. In the above-described embodiment, after the processing of the new print job is completed, the MFP 100 determines in S174 whether another new print job has been received, and determines whether another new print job has been received. Does not restart the preceding print job but processes the other new print job. In this case, if there are many other new print jobs, the preceding print job remains stopped for a long time, and the user of the preceding print job waits until all the processes of the new print job are completed and the preceding print job is restarted. You will have to wait for hours.

  In order to prevent the user of the preceding print job from waiting for a long time as described above, in a modified example, a limit value is set for the number of new print jobs that can be processed continuously with the preceding print job stopped. After stopping the preceding print job and processing new print jobs up to the limit value, MFP 100 resumes processing of the preceding print job even if there is a subsequent new print job.

  Specifically, a print job management process that implements the above-described modification will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. The same processes as those in the print job management process shown in FIG. 6 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  In the print job management process according to the modification, the CPU 31 determines whether the wireless LAN interface 38 has received a new print job from the mobile device 200 (S151). A description of the process when a new print job has not been received (S151: NO) will be omitted. If a new print job has been received (S151: YES), the CPU 31 initializes the value of a counter C that counts the number of continuous processing of the new print job to 0 (S260).

  After S260, the CPU 31 determines whether the preceding print job is being processed (S161). If the preceding print job is not being processed (S161: NO), the CPU 31 starts processing a new print job (S164). If the preceding print job is being processed (S161: YES), the CPU 31 determines whether the timer time T is longer than the third standby time T3 (S162). If the timer time T is longer than the third waiting time T3 (S162: YES), the CPU 31 does not start processing of the new print job but waits for the end of processing of the preceding print job (S163). Then, after the processing of the preceding print job is completed, the processing of the new print job is started (S164). After S164, the print job management process ends.

  If the timer time T is not longer than the third standby time T3 (S162: NO), the CPU 31 determines whether the value of the counter C is smaller than a threshold (S271). The threshold value may be a value that does not make the waiting time of the user of the preceding print job too large, and is set to, for example, 5 in this modification. If the value of the counter C is smaller than the threshold (S271: YES), the CPU 31 stops the processing of the preceding print job (S172). If the processing of the preceding print job has already been stopped, S172 is omitted. Then, the process of the new print job is started, and the process of the new print job is waited for (S173).

  After the processing of the new print job is completed, the CPU 31 determines whether the wireless LAN interface 38 has received another new print job from the mobile device 200 (S174). If another new print job has been received from the mobile device 200 (S174: YES), 1 is added to the counter C (S291). After that, returning to S271, if the number of consecutive processings of the new print job is smaller than 5, the CPU 31 interrupts another new print job.

  If another new print job has not been received (S174: NO), the CPU 31 restarts the processing of the preceding print job stopped in S172 (S175). After S175, the print job management process ends.

  If the value of the counter C is not smaller than the threshold value (S271: NO), the CPU 31 restarts the processing of the preceding print job (S281) and waits for the end of the processing of the preceding print job (S163). Then, after the processing of the preceding print job is completed, the processing of the new print job is started (S164). That is, the MFP 100 processes the new print job first while the counter C is smaller than the threshold, and processes the preceding print job and then processes the new print job when the counter C becomes larger than the threshold. I do. This can prevent the user of the preceding print job from waiting for a long time.

  Note that, even in the above-described modified example, similarly to the embodiment, when the preceding print job is stopped, the interrupt enabling condition in S171 may be determined. In this case, even if the value of the counter C is smaller than the threshold value (S271: YES), if the interruptable condition is not satisfied, the process of the new print job is not started and the process of the preceding print job is waited for (S163). ). Then, after the processing of the preceding print job is completed, the processing of the new print job is started (S164). That is, the end of the processing of the preceding print job has priority over the start of the processing of the new print job.

  As described above in detail, in the MFP 100, if the time from when the MFP 100 receives the handover connection request from the mobile device 200 to when the MFP 100 receives the new print job from the mobile device 200 is not longer than the predetermined standby time, It can be inferred that the user of the mobile device 200 is likely to want to obtain the printed matter early. In this case, the MFP 100 stops the processing of the preceding print job and processes the new print job that is the job received from the mobile device 200. On the other hand, if the time from when the MFP 100 receives the handover connection request from the mobile device 200 to when it receives the new print job is longer than the predetermined standby time, the user of the mobile device 200 obtains the print of the new print job earlier. It can be guessed that it is unlikely that they want to do so. In this case, the MFP 100 processes the new print job received from the mobile device 200 after the processing of the preceding print job is completed. As described above, whether to process the preceding print job or the new print job first is determined by the time from when the MFP 100 receives the connection request from the mobile device 200 to when the MFP 100 receives the new print job from the mobile device 200. By changing according to whether or not it is longer than the predetermined standby time, the order of processing of the preceding print job and the new print job can be output in the order of the print of the preceding print job and the print of the new print job in the order closer to the user's desire. As a result, the possibility that the completion of the processing of the preceding print job is unnecessarily delayed can be reduced.

  Note that the present embodiment is merely an example and does not limit the present invention in any way. Therefore, naturally, the present invention can be variously modified and modified without departing from the gist thereof. For example, the information processing apparatus for inputting a job may be any apparatus capable of wireless communication and having a function of controlling the image processing apparatus. As the mobile device 200, a smartphone, a tablet PC, or the like is applicable. The image processing apparatus may be any apparatus having an image processing function, and may be a copier, a printer, a scanner, or a facsimile apparatus in addition to the MFP 100.

  In the embodiment, the NFC system is used as the short-range communication and the WFD system is used as the long-distance communication, and the handover from the NFC system to the WFD system is performed. May be combined.

  Further, in the embodiment, the timer is started when a handover connection request from the mobile device 200 is received, but the condition for starting the timer is not limited to this. That is, it is only necessary that wireless communication by the NFC method has been established after the mobile device 200 is detected. For example, a timer may be started when wireless communication by the NFC method with the mobile device 200 is established. .

  Also, in the embodiment, the group owner when performing WFD wireless communication is the MFP 100, but the mobile device 200 may be the group owner. In this case, when wireless communication according to the NFC method is established, connection information that is information necessary for establishing wireless communication according to the WFD method is transmitted from the mobile device 200 to the MFP 100. In this case, the timer may be started at the timing when the connection information is received. Further, the timer may be started when the NFC wireless communication with the mobile device 200 is established.

  Further, the processing disclosed in the embodiment may be executed by a single CPU, a plurality of CPUs, hardware such as an ASIC, or a combination thereof. Further, the processes disclosed in the embodiments can be realized in various forms such as a recording medium or a method recording a program for executing the processes.

10 Printing unit 37, 57 NFC interface 38, 58 Wireless LAN interface 100 MFP
200 Mobile device 900 Image processing system

Claims (9)

A first communication unit that performs first communication that is wireless communication according to a first communication method with a communication destination device within a first communication range;
A second communication unit that performs second communication that is wireless communication according to a second communication method with a communication destination device that is within a second communication range wider than the first communication range;
An image processing unit for performing image processing;
A control unit;
With
The control unit includes:
A detection process of detecting a communication destination device within the first communication range using the first communication unit;
When a communication destination device is detected in the detection process, a predetermined time within a period during which the first communication is established after a detection time that is a time when the communication destination device is detected in the detection process. A timer activation process for activating a timer for measuring the elapsed time from the time of
A communication connection process for establishing the second communication with a specific communication destination device that is a communication destination device detected in the detection process;
When the second communication unit receives a new job for causing the image processing unit to execute image processing from the specific communication destination device that has established the second communication, a job being processed by the image processing unit Job determination processing for determining whether or not there is a preceding job
A timer determination process for determining whether the elapsed time measured by the timer is shorter than a predetermined length when it is determined in the job determination process that the preceding job is present;
If it is determined in the timer determination process that the elapsed time measured by the timer is shorter than a predetermined length, the processing of the preceding job is suspended, the processing of the new job is started, and the timer determination is performed. If it is not determined in the processing that the elapsed time measured by the timer is shorter than a predetermined length, the processing of the new job is started after the completion of the processing of the preceding job, and the processing of the new job is started. A job start process for starting the processing of the new job when it is not determined that the preceding job exists;
A restart process for restarting the processing of the preceding job after the completion of the processing of the new job when the processing of the preceding job is suspended in the job start processing;
An image processing apparatus characterized by performing the following. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1,
A storage unit for storing a setting as to whether or not to process the new job in preference to the preceding job;
The control unit includes:
In the job start process, even if it is determined in the timer determination process that the elapsed time measured by the timer is shorter than a predetermined length, the new job is stored in the storage unit more than the preceding job. If the setting indicating that processing is to be performed with priority is not stored, the processing of the new job is started after the processing of the preceding job is completed.
An image processing apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. In the image processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The control unit includes:
When the second communication unit receives the new job from the specific communication destination device, the second communication unit acquires, from the new job, attribute information that is one of a data size, the number of prints, a paper size, and a resolution. Attribute acquisition processing,
Whether or not the attribute information acquired in the attribute acquisition process or the predicted value of the time required to complete the processing of the new job and calculated based on the attribute information is larger than a threshold value Attribute determination processing for determining
And execute
In the job start process, even if it is determined in the timer determination process that the elapsed time measured by the timer is shorter than a predetermined length, the attribute information or the predicted value is included in the attribute information. If it is determined that the value is larger than the threshold value, the processing of the new job is started after the processing of the preceding job is completed.
An image processing apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. In the image processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2,
The control unit includes:
A data format acquisition process for acquiring a data format of image data to be processed in the new job from the new job when the second communication unit receives the new job from the specific communication destination device;
A data format determination process for determining whether the data format acquired in the data format acquisition process is a predetermined format,
And execute
In the job start process, even if it is determined in the timer determination process that the elapsed time measured by the timer is shorter than a predetermined length, the data format determination process changes the data format to a predetermined format. When it is determined that the processing of the preceding job is completed, the processing of the new job is started.
An image processing apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. An image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
The control unit includes:
In the resuming process, if a subsequent job that is a job following the new job has been received from the specific communication destination device before the processing of the new job is completed, after the completion of the processing of the new job, Starting the execution of the succeeding job, and restarting the processing of the preceding job when all the jobs received from the specific communication destination device have been processed;
An image processing apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. An image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
The control unit includes:
In the communication connection process,
A connection information transmission process of transmitting connection information used for establishing the second communication to the specific communication destination device by the first communication;
After transmitting the connection information to the specific communication destination device in the connection information transmission process, the second communication unit receives a connection establishment request based on the connection information from the specific communication destination device, Establishment processing for establishing the second communication with the specific communication destination device;
An image processing apparatus characterized by performing the following. The image processing apparatus according to claim 6,
The control unit includes:
The time after the detection time, the time when the transmission request for the connection information is received by the first communication or the time when the connection information is transmitted by the first communication is determined by the elapsed time measured by the timer. Starting point,
An image processing apparatus characterized by the above-mentioned. A first communication unit that performs first communication that is wireless communication according to a first communication method with a communication destination device within a first communication range;
A second communication unit that performs a second communication that is wireless communication according to a second communication method with a communication destination device that is within a second communication range wider than the first communication range;
An image processing unit for performing image processing;
A method for controlling an image processing apparatus comprising:
A detecting step of detecting a communication destination device within the first communication range using the first communication unit;
When the communication destination device is detected in the detection step, a predetermined time within a period during which the first communication is established after a detection time that is a time when the communication destination device is detected in the detection step. A timer starting step for starting a timer for measuring an elapsed time starting from the time of
A communication connection step of establishing the second communication with a specific communication destination device that is the communication destination device detected in the detection step;
When the second communication unit receives a new job for causing the image processing unit to execute image processing from the specific communication destination device that has established the second communication, a job being processed by the image processing unit A job determining step of determining whether there is a preceding job that is
A timer determining step of determining whether the elapsed time measured by the timer is shorter than a predetermined length when it is determined in the job determining step that the preceding job exists;
If it is determined in the timer determining step that the elapsed time measured by the timer is shorter than a predetermined length, the processing of the preceding job is suspended, the processing of the new job is started, and the timer determination is performed. If it is not determined in step that the elapsed time measured by the timer is shorter than a predetermined length, the processing of the new job is started after the completion of the processing of the preceding job. A job start step for starting processing of the new job when it is not determined that the preceding job exists;
A resuming step of resuming the processing of the preceding job after the completion of the processing of the new job when the processing of the preceding job is suspended in the job starting step;
A method for controlling an image processing apparatus, comprising: A first communication unit that performs first communication that is wireless communication according to a first communication method with a communication destination device within a first communication range;
A second communication unit that performs second communication that is wireless communication according to a second communication method with a communication destination device that is within a second communication range wider than the first communication range;
An image processing unit that performs image processing;
Image processing device with
A detection process of detecting a communication destination device within the first communication range using the first communication unit;
When a communication destination device is detected in the detection process, a predetermined time within a period during which the first communication is established after a detection time that is a time when the communication destination device is detected in the detection process. A timer activation process that activates a timer that measures the elapsed time from the time of
A communication connection process for establishing the second communication with a specific communication destination device that is a communication destination device detected in the detection process;
When the second communication unit receives a new job for causing the image processing unit to execute image processing from the specific communication destination device that has established the second communication, a job being processed by the image processing unit Job determination processing for determining whether or not there is a preceding job
A timer determination process for determining whether the elapsed time measured by the timer is shorter than a predetermined length when it is determined in the job determination process that the preceding job is present;
If it is determined in the timer determination process that the elapsed time measured by the timer is shorter than a predetermined length, the processing of the preceding job is suspended, the processing of the new job is started, and the timer determination is performed. If it is not determined in the processing that the elapsed time measured by the timer is shorter than a predetermined length, the processing of the new job is started after the completion of the processing of the preceding job, and the processing of the new job is started. A job start process for starting the processing of the new job when it is not determined that the preceding job exists;
A restart process for resuming the processing of the preceding job after the completion of the processing of the new job when the processing of the preceding job is suspended in the job start processing;
A program characterized by executing

Images