JP6865789B2 - Image forming devices, terminal devices, and image forming systems, and computer programs - Google Patents

Description

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

As a type of information equipment, image forming devices have been introduced in many business establishments (company, office, etc.). Such an image forming apparatus is connected to the terminal apparatus via a communication line, receives image data transmitted from the terminal apparatus, and prints an image based on the image data.

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

Further, in recent years, wireless printing has become widespread in image forming apparatus. When transferring image data from a terminal device to an image forming device via a wireless line, if the condition of the wireless line (for example, radio wave condition) deteriorates, good communication between the terminal device and the image forming device should be maintained. Can not be done. Therefore, the image data cannot be satisfactorily transferred from the terminal device to the image forming device.

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

In Patent Document 1, when the line condition of the wireless line is poor, the information processing device suspends the operation of the print execution instruction, so that the print operation is executed even though the print data is not transferred to the print device. Can be prevented.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-123592

However, in the information processing apparatus of Patent Document 1, the print execution process ends when the operation of the print execution instruction is stopped. Therefore, if the communication is interrupted, wait for the line condition to improve and start again from the beginning. It is necessary to perform data communication. Since it takes time and effort to resume communication, it becomes difficult to efficiently form an image. That is, there is a problem that the convenience is lowered due to the deterioration of the line condition of the wireless line.

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

In order to achieve the above object, the image forming apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention is connected to the terminal device via a wireless line, receives the image data transmitted from the terminal device, and is based on the image data. To form an image. In this image forming apparatus, the radio wave strength is not sufficient for the wireless communication means for communicating with the terminal device via the wireless line and the terminal device when the radio wave strength of the wireless line becomes equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value. It includes a notification setting means for setting to notify the user of the fact.

The image forming apparatus has a function of setting the terminal device to notify the user that the radio wave strength is not sufficient when the radio wave strength of the wireless line becomes equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value. Since the user can be alerted before the communication is interrupted, it is possible to prevent the communication from being interrupted. Therefore, even when the image data is transferred via the wireless line, the image can be efficiently formed. As a result, it is possible to suppress a decrease in convenience due to the line condition of the wireless line. Further, since the terminal device can be set on the image forming device side, the terminal device connected to the image forming device can be easily set to notify the user that the radio wave strength is not sufficient. This makes it easy to alert the user before the communication is interrupted.

Preferably, the image forming apparatus receives the line state detecting means for detecting whether or not the communication with the terminal device is interrupted by detecting the line state of the wireless line, and the image data transmitted from the terminal device. In response to the detection that the communication is interrupted by the line state detecting means during the process, the data holding means for holding the reception by recording the state in which the image data is being received is provided. Including further. The wireless communication means resumes the reception of the image data from the position where the communication of the image data being received is interrupted, based on the state recorded in the data holding means, according to the detection result of the line state detecting means.

The image forming apparatus detects whether or not the communication with the terminal apparatus is interrupted by detecting the line state of the wireless line. While receiving the image data transmitted from the terminal device, for example, if the user using the terminal device moves with the terminal device and moves away from the range where wireless communication is possible, the communication is interrupted. .. When the line state detecting means detects that the communication is interrupted, the data holding means records the state in which the image data is being received. When the user moves to a range where wireless communication is possible and communication is resumed (restored), the image forming apparatus can resume data communication from the middle. Even if the communication is interrupted during the reception of the image data, the data can be received from the middle when the communication is resumed, so that the trouble at the time of resuming can be saved. As a result, the image can be formed more efficiently, so that the decrease in convenience due to the line condition of the wireless line can be further suppressed.

More preferably, the image forming apparatus is a timing means for measuring the elapsed time from the detection that the communication is interrupted by the line state detecting means, and a case where the data holding means is holding the reception. , A means for receiving image data from the pending reception in response to the fact that the communication is resumed within a predetermined time after the line state detecting means detects that the communication is interrupted, and the data. Image data received in response to the case where the holding means is holding the reception and the state in which the communication is not restarted after the line state detecting means detects that the communication is interrupted continues for a predetermined time. Further includes means for destroying.

Data transmission (transfer) may be resumed within a predetermined time after the line state detecting means detects that the communication has been interrupted. Therefore, when the communication is resumed within a predetermined time after the line state detecting means detects that the communication is interrupted, the image forming apparatus can receive the image data from the pending communication in the middle. It is preferable that it is configured in. On the other hand, if a predetermined time has passed after the line state detecting means detects that the communication has been interrupted, there is a high possibility that the data transmission will not be resumed or the data will be retransmitted from the beginning. Therefore, the image forming apparatus is configured to discard the received image data if the communication is not resumed within a predetermined time after the line state detecting means detects that the communication is interrupted. Is preferable. As a result, it is possible to prevent the storage area for storing the image data from being wasted.

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

The image forming apparatus starts image forming (printing) after the reception of the image data is completed. In other words, the image forming apparatus does not start printing until all the data has been received. Therefore, even if the communication is interrupted during the transfer of the image data and the data communication is restarted from the middle when the communication is restarted, it is possible to prevent the printed paper from being separated (dispersed). Therefore, this also saves the trouble of restarting.

The terminal device according to the second aspect of the present invention is a terminal device connected to the image forming device via a wireless line. This terminal device detects the line state of the radio line and the transmission means for transmitting the image data to the image forming device, thereby detecting the line state detection for detecting whether or not the communication with the image forming device is interrupted. The means, the radio wave strength determining means for detecting the line state of the wireless line and determining whether or not the radio wave strength in the detected line state is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold, and the determination result by the radio wave strength determining means are affirmative. In response to a certain situation, the transmission means transmits the image data via the wireless line, and also includes a notification means for notifying the user that the radio wave strength is not sufficient.

The radio wave strength determining means detects the line state of the wireless line and determines whether or not the radio wave strength in the detected line state is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value. In response to the determination result being affirmative, that is, the radio wave intensity is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value, the notification means transmits the image data via the wireless line by the transmitting means, and at the same time, the user indicates that the radio wave strength is not sufficient. Notify to. Since the user can be alerted before the communication is interrupted, it is possible to prevent the communication from being interrupted. Therefore, even when the image data is transferred via the wireless line, the image data can be efficiently transferred to the image forming apparatus. As a result, it is possible to suppress a decrease in convenience due to the line condition of the wireless line.

Preferably, the terminal device makes an inquiry as to whether or not the line state detecting means records the state in which the image data is being transmitted in response to the detection that the communication with the image forming device is interrupted. Selective of the inquiry means of, the display means for displaying the inquiry in response to the instruction from the inquiry means, and the process of suspending the communication and the process of not suspending the communication according to the instruction input for the inquiry displayed on the display means. Further includes selective execution means for execution. In this way, by inquiring whether or not to record the state during communication, the user can select whether or not to suspend the communication. The user can record the state during communication only when he / she wants to suspend the communication.

More preferably, the terminal device responds to the detection by the line state detecting means that the communication is interrupted while transmitting the image data to the image forming device, and responds to the execution result of the selection executing means. Further, a data holding means for holding the transmission by recording the state in which the image data is being transmitted is included. The transmitting means resumes the transmission of the image data from the position where the communication of the image data in the middle of transmission is interrupted, based on the state in the middle of transmission recorded in the data holding means according to the detection result of the line state detecting means. ..

When it is detected that the communication is interrupted while the image data is being transmitted to the image forming apparatus, the terminal device records the state in the process of transmitting the image data according to the execution result of the selection execution means. Hold transmission. Therefore, when the communication is resumed, the terminal device can transmit the image data from the middle. Even if the communication is interrupted during the transmission of the image data, the data transmission can be resumed from the middle when the communication is resumed, so that the trouble at the time of resumption can be saved. As a result, the image data can be transferred to the image forming apparatus more efficiently, so that the decrease in convenience due to the line condition of the wireless line can be further suppressed.

More preferably, the terminal device determines the state in which the image data is being transmitted in response to the line state detecting means detecting that the communication is interrupted while the image data is being transmitted to the image forming device. It further includes a data holding means for holding.

More preferably, the terminal device further includes means for notifying the user of a warning regarding the wireless line state according to the determination result of the radio wave strength determining means while transmitting the image data to the image forming apparatus.

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

The image forming system according to the third aspect of the present invention is connected to the terminal device for transmitting image data and the terminal device via a wireless line, receives the image data transmitted from the terminal device, and converts the image data into the image data. It includes an image forming apparatus that forms an image based on the image. In this image forming system, each of the terminal device and the image forming device includes a wireless communication means for wirelessly communicating with each other via a wireless line, and the terminal device forms an image by detecting the line state of the wireless line. A line state detecting means for detecting whether or not communication with the device is interrupted, and for detecting the line state of the wireless line and determining whether or not the radio wave strength in the detected line state is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value. In response to affirmation of the determination result by the radio wave strength determination means and the radio wave strength determination means, the wireless communication means transmits the image data via the wireless line and notifies the user that the radio wave strength is not sufficient. Including means of notification for.

Preferably, the image forming system sets the state during communication in response to the line state detecting means detecting that the communication is interrupted while the image data is being transmitted from the terminal device to the image forming device. The data holding means for holding the communication by recording is further included, and the wireless communication means of the terminal device and the image forming device is in the middle of communication recorded in the data holding means according to the detection result of the line state detecting means. Based on the state of, the transmission and reception of the image data are restarted from the position where the communication of the image data in the middle of transmission is interrupted.

More preferably, the data holding means includes a means for recording the state in which the image data is being received in the image forming apparatus.

More preferably, the data holding means includes a means for recording the state in the process of transmitting the image data in the terminal device and a means for recording the state in the process of receiving the image data in the image forming device.

The computer program according to the fourth aspect of the present invention detects a computer connected to the image forming apparatus via a wireless line, a transmitting means for transmitting image data to the image forming apparatus, and a line state of the wireless line. By doing so, the line state detecting means for detecting whether or not the communication with the image forming apparatus is interrupted, and whether the line state of the wireless line is detected and the radio wave strength in the detected line state is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value. In response to the determination result by the radio wave strength determining means for determining whether or not the radio wave strength determining means is affirmative, the radio wave intensity is not sufficient together with the transmission of the image data via the wireless line by the transmitting means. To function as a notification means for notifying the user.

Preferably, the computer program transmits the image data to the image forming apparatus and the selective execution means for selectively executing the process of suspending the communication and the process of not suspending the communication in response to the response instruction to the inquiry. In response to the detection that the communication is interrupted by the line state detecting means during the process, the transmission is performed by recording the state in which the image data is being transmitted according to the execution result of the selected executing means. Further function as a data holding means for holding. The transmitting means resumes the transmission of the image data from the position where the communication of the image data in the middle of transmission is interrupted, based on the state in the middle of transmission recorded in the data holding means according to the detection result of the line state detecting means. ..

According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain an image forming apparatus, a terminal apparatus, an image forming system, and a computer program capable of suppressing a decrease in convenience due to a line condition of a wireless line.

It is a figure which shows the whole structure of the image formation system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the image formation system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention (the figure which shows the state which the communication is likely to be interrupted). It is a figure which shows the image formation system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention (the figure which shows the state which the communication was interrupted). It is a control block diagram which shows the hardware configuration of the multifunction device shown in FIG. It is a control block diagram which shows the hardware composition of the terminal apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the wireless setting screen displayed on the operation part of the multifunction device. It is a figure which shows an example of the wireless setting screen displayed on the user I / F of a terminal apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the control structure of the program executed by the terminal apparatus shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the detailed flow of step S1000 of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the dialog screen displayed in the user I / F of a terminal apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of the dialog screen displayed in the user I / F of a terminal apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of the dialog screen displayed in the user I / F of a terminal apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of the dialog screen displayed in the user I / F of a terminal apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the control structure of the program executed by the multifunction device shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the detailed flow of step S2000 of FIG. It is a figure which shows the detailed flow of step S2120 of FIG. It is a figure which shows an example of the wireless setting screen displayed on the terminal apparatus which concerns on the modification of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the wireless setting screen displayed on the multifunction device which concerns on the modification of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the wireless setting screen displayed on the terminal apparatus which concerns on other modification of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the wireless setting screen displayed on the multifunction device which concerns on other modification of this invention.

In the following embodiments, the same parts are given the same reference number. Their functions and names are also the same. Therefore, detailed explanations about them will not be repeated.

[Overall system configuration]
The overall configuration of the image forming system 50 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The image forming system 50 includes a multifunction device 100 (MFP: Multifunction Peripheral), which is a type of image forming apparatus, and a terminal device 200 that issues a print request to the multifunction device 100. The multifunction device 100 includes, for example, a copy function and a printer function. The multifunction device 100 receives a print request from the terminal device 200 and prints an image on the recording paper. The terminal device 200 includes a smartphone (Smartphone). The multifunction device 100 and the terminal device 200 are communicably connected via the wireless line 300.

When the multifunction device 100 and the terminal device 200 are connected by the wireless line 300, good communication is maintained between the terminal device 200 and the multifunction device 100 when the state of the wireless line 300 (for example, radio wave condition) deteriorates. Becomes difficult. In that case, the image data cannot be satisfactorily transferred from the terminal device 200 to the multifunction device 100.

With reference to FIG. 2, the line state of the wireless line 300 changes depending on, for example, the distance between the terminal device 200 and the multifunction device 100. For example, when the terminal device 200 is separated from the multifunction device 100, the radio wave strength becomes worse. Even when the terminal device 200 is within the communication range with the multifunction device 100, if the terminal device 200 is too far from the multifunction device 100, the radio wave strength may deteriorate and the communication may be interrupted. In such a case, generally, when the terminal device 200 is brought closer to the multifunction device 100, the radio wave condition is improved. In the present embodiment, if the communication is about to be interrupted while the image data is being transmitted from the terminal device 200 to the multifunction device 100, the terminal device 200 displays a warning and notifies the user that the radio wave strength is poor. With this notification, the user can be urged to move to a range where the radio field strength is good. When the user approaches the multifunction device 100 together with the terminal device 200, the radio wave condition is improved.

With reference to FIG. 3, when the terminal device 200 and the multifunction device 100 are connected by the wireless line 300, the communicable range cannot be visually recognized. Therefore, for example, the user holding the terminal device 200 mistakenly composites. It may move from within the communication range with the machine 100 to outside the communication range. In that case, communication is interrupted. If the communication is interrupted while the image data is being transmitted from the terminal device 200 to the multifunction device 100, the image data cannot be transferred from the terminal device 200 to the multifunction device 100. In the present embodiment, if the communication is interrupted while the image data is being transmitted from the terminal device 200 to the multifunction device 100, the terminal device 200 and the multifunction device 100 hold the state during the communication. Therefore, when the communication between the terminal device 200 and the multifunction device 100 is resumed, printing can be resumed from the middle.

[Hardware configuration]
<< Multifunction device 100 >>
With reference to FIG. 4, the multifunction device 100 constituting the image forming system 50 includes a control unit 110, an image reading unit 120, an image processing unit 130, an image forming unit 140, a wireless communication unit 150, and an operation unit 160.

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

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

An image reading unit 120, an image processing unit 130, an image forming unit 140, a wireless communication unit 150, and an operating unit 160 are further electrically connected to the BUS line 170.

The image reading unit 120 includes a document detection sensor and a CCD (Charge-Coupled Device) line sensor (neither of them is shown above). The document detection sensor is a light source (not shown) for the image surface of the document placed on the document placing table (not shown) manually by the user or by an automatic document transport device (not shown). The reflected light image obtained by irradiating the light from (.) Is imaged on the CCD line sensor. The CCD line sensor sequentially photoelectrically converts the imaged reflected light image and outputs it as image data to the image processing unit 130. That is, the image reading unit 120 reads image information from the document placed on the document mounting table by the document detection sensor at the time of copying or scanning the document, and converts the read image information into an electric signal by the CCD line sensor. It is output to the image processing unit 130 as image data.

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

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

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

The fixing device includes a heating roller for heating the recording paper and a pressurizing roller for pressurizing the recording paper. The recording paper is heated by the heating roller and pressed by the pressurizing roller, so that the toner image transferred on the recording paper is fixed on the recording paper. The recording paper ejected (printed) from the fixing device is ejected to the output tray.

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

The operation unit 160 includes a touch panel display 162. The touch panel display 162 is a touch panel integrated liquid crystal display device in which a display panel 164 and a touch panel 166 are overlapped with each other. The display panel 164 provides the user with various information such as information on the state of the multifunction device 100 and the state of various processes. The touch panel display 162 also provides the user with an interactive operating interface. This interactive operation interface receives a user's instruction for the operation of the entire multifunction device 100 from the touch panel 166, displays the content of the instruction on the display panel 164, and displays a control signal corresponding to the instruction on the control unit 110 or an image. Output to the MPU of the processing unit 130.

The multifunction device 100 also has a quick print function that executes a print process while receiving image data, and a print function that performs only the reception of the image data first and executes the print process after the reception of all the image data is completed. Be prepared. These printing functions can be set to any of the functions in the multifunction device 100. For example, it is possible to set any function on the setting screen (not shown) displayed on the operation unit 160 (display panel 164) of the multifunction device 100. Specifically, when the quick print is set, the quick print function is turned on, and when the quick print is not set, the quick print function is turned off. When the quick print function is turned off, the print function that executes the print process after the reception of all the image data is completed is set. These printing functions can also be set in the terminal device 200. In this case, the multifunction device 100 receives the setting instruction (setting information) transmitted from the terminal device 200 and changes the setting of its own device.

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

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

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

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

The control unit 210 is substantially a computer and includes a CPU 212, a ROM 214, and a RAM 216. A BUS line 250 is connected to the CPU 212, and a ROM 214 and a RAM 216 are electrically connected to the BUS line 250. The CPU 212 executes various computer programs in response to instructions from the user I / F 230 and the like to operate each part of the terminal device 200 and to communicate with an external device (multifunction device 100 in the present embodiment). Executes the processing of.

A storage device 220, a user I / F 230, and a wireless communication unit 240 are electrically connected to the BUS line 250. The ROM 214, the RAM 216, the storage device 220, the user I / F 230, and the wireless communication unit 240 all operate in cooperation under the control of the CPU 212, and the terminal device 200 is used as a terminal device according to the present embodiment in various applications. Achieve the processing by. These applications are, for example, terminals in the image forming system 50 that can save time and effort when resuming communication when communication is interrupted while transmitting image data stored in the terminal device 200 to the multifunction device 100. The device 200 is realized.

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

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

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

The wireless communication unit 240 further measures the radio wave strength in the wireless line 300, the communication speed in the wireless line 300, and the like. The terminal device 200 stores in advance a threshold value as a reference for determining whether or not the radio wave strength has deteriorated (sufficiently) in the ROM 214, the RAM 216, the storage device 220, or the like. The control unit 210 determines whether or not the radio wave intensity has deteriorated by comparing the radio wave intensity measured by the wireless communication unit 240 with the threshold value. When the control unit 210 further determines that the radio wave strength has deteriorated, the control unit 210 displays a notification to the user I / F 230 to warn that the radio field strength has deteriorated.

The function of giving a warning when the radio wave strength deteriorates (when the radio wave strength is weak) can be set in the terminal device 200. In the present embodiment, the wireless setting screen 500 displayed on the user I / F 230 (touch panel display) of the terminal device 200 is configured to be able to set whether or not to give a warning when the radio wave strength is weak. With reference to FIG. 7, on the wireless setting screen 500, as a warning setting when the radio wave strength is weak, a check box 510 for checking to set a warning and a check for checking not to set a warning are checked. Includes box 520.

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

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

This program is executed in step S1000 for executing the communication process with the compound machine 100, and whether or not the terminal device 200 has the previously held data for the image data selected by the user after the step S1000. It is executed when it is determined in step S1010 and step S1010 that the determination is made and the control flow is branched according to the determination result and there is no previously reserved data, and whether or not the radio wave strength in the wireless line 300 is sufficient. Is executed when it is determined in step S1020 and step S1020 that the radio wave strength is sufficient, and the image data stored in the terminal device 200 is combined. It includes step S1030 to transfer to the machine 100, and step S1040 to be executed after step S1030 to determine whether or not the transfer of all data is completed, and to branch the control flow according to the determination result.

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

Further, in step S1010, this program is executed when it is determined that there is data held last time, and whether or not the held data (image data received before the communication is interrupted) of the multifunction device 100 is discarded. Is executed when it is determined in step S1050 and step S1050 that the pending data of the multifunction device 100 is discarded, and the image data is transmitted from the beginning. This includes step S1060, which notifies that and advances control to step S1020.

In step S1060, the dialog screen 600 shown in FIG. 10 is displayed on the user I / F 230 (touch panel display) of the terminal device 200. With reference to FIG. 10, on the dialog screen 600, for example, the text "The previous data has been discarded from the multifunction device. Printing is performed from the beginning." Is displayed. In step S1060, the data indicating the state during communication held in the terminal device 200 at the time of the previous transmission of the image data is discarded.

Further, in step S1050, this program is executed when it is determined that the reserved data of the compound machine 100 is not discarded, it is determined whether or not to transmit the image data from the middle, and the control is performed according to the determination result. It is executed in step S1070 for branching the flow and in step S1070 when it is determined that the image data is transmitted from the middle, and is executed after step S1080 and step S1080 for notifying the multifunction machine 100 to restart from the data in the middle. This includes step S1090, which changes the setting to transmit the image data from the middle and advances the control to step S1020. If it is determined in step S1070 that the image data is not transmitted from the middle, the control proceeds to step S1020.

In step S1070, the dialog screen 610 shown in FIG. 11 is displayed on the user I / F 230 (touch panel display) of the terminal device 200. With reference to FIG. 11, the dialog screen 610 displays, for example, a text asking "Do you want to send image data from the middle?", A "yes" key 612, and a "no" key 614. When the "Yes" key 612 is operated by the user, the control unit 210 determines that the image data is transmitted from the middle. On the other hand, when the "No" key 614 is operated by the user, the control unit 210 determines that the image data is not transmitted from the middle (the image data is transmitted from the beginning). In step S1080, the terminal device 200 transmits an instruction to transmit the image data from the middle (the position where the image data was stopped last time) to the multifunction device 100.

Further, in step S1020, this program is executed when it is determined that the radio wave strength is not sufficient, it is determined whether or not the communication is interrupted, and the control flow is branched according to the determination result. In step S1100, it is executed when it is determined that the communication is not interrupted, it is determined whether or not the warning display setting is ON, and the control flow is branched according to the determination result. This includes step S1120, which is executed when it is determined that the display setting is ON, displays a message notifying that the radio wave strength is weak, and advances control to step S1030. If it is determined in step S1110 that the warning display setting is not ON, the control proceeds to step S1030.

In step S1110, it is determined whether or not the warning display setting is ON depending on which of the check box 510 and the check box 520 is checked on the wireless setting screen 500 shown in FIG. 7. If the check box 510 is checked, the control unit 210 determines that the warning display setting is ON. On the other hand, when the check box 520 is checked, the control unit 210 determines that the warning display setting is not ON (OFF).

In step S1120, the dialog screen 620 shown in FIG. 12 is displayed on the user I / F 230 (touch panel display) of the terminal device 200. With reference to FIG. 12, the dialog screen 620 says, for example, "The signal strength is not good. Is it too far from the multifunction device? If it is too far away, it may be improved by approaching it." Text is displayed. By displaying this dialog screen 620, the terminal device 200 notifies the user that the radio wave condition is not good as a warning regarding the wireless line condition.

Further, in step S1100, this program is executed when it is determined that the communication is interrupted, it is determined whether or not to suspend the intermediate state, and the control flow is branched according to the determination result, and the step S1130 and the step S1130. In the step S1140, which is executed when it is determined that the intermediate state is held, and the program is terminated after the hold process is performed. If it is determined in step S1130 that the intermediate state is not held, this program ends.

In step S1130, the dialog screen 630 shown in FIG. 13 is displayed on the user I / F 230 (touch panel display) of the terminal device 200. With reference to FIG. 13, on the dialog screen 630, for example, "Communication was interrupted while transferring image data to the multifunction device. Do you want to suspend the intermediate state so that you can resume from the middle?" The inquiry text, "Yes" key 632 and "No" key 634, is displayed. When the "Yes" key 632 is operated by the user, the control unit 210 determines that the intermediate state is suspended. On the other hand, when the "No" key 634 is operated by the user, the control unit 210 determines that the intermediate state is not held.

FIG. 9 is a detailed flow of step S1000 of FIG. With reference to FIG. 9, this routine is executed after step S1200, which executes a process of connecting to the multifunction device 100 via the wireless line 300, and step S1200, and receives a notification of pending data destruction from the multifunction device 100. It is executed when it is determined in step S1210 and step S1210 that it is determined whether or not the data is present and the control flow is branched according to the determination result and the notification of the destruction of the reserved data is received from the multifunction device 100. Includes step S1220, for example, storing in the storage device 220 that the pending data of the above has been discarded and terminating this routine. This routine also ends when it is determined in step S1210 that the notification of the destruction of the pending data has not been received from the multifunction device 100.

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

The control structure of the computer program executed by the multifunction device 100 in the image forming system 50 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. This program is started when the power is turned on to the multifunction device 100.

This program is executed after step S2000 for executing communication processing with the terminal device 200 and after step S2000, determines whether or not the quick print function is turned on, and branches the control flow according to the determination result. In steps S2010 and S2010, it is executed when it is determined that the quick print function is turned on, and printing is performed while receiving the image data. In steps S2010 and S2010, the quick print function is not turned on. It is executed when it is determined that the image data is received only in step S2030, and is executed after step S2020 and step S2030 to determine whether or not the communication with the terminal device 200 is interrupted, and according to the determination result. Includes step S2040 to branch the control flow.

Further, in step S2040, this program is executed when it is determined that the communication is interrupted, determines whether or not the data hold setting (setting to hold the data in the middle of communication) is set, and controls according to the determination result. Step S2050 for branching the flow of data, and step S2060 for executing the process of holding the state during communication (data during communication), which is executed when it is determined in step S2050 that the data hold setting is set. In step S2070 and step S2070, which are executed after step S2060, determine whether or not communication is resumed within a certain time after the communication is interrupted, and branch the control flow according to the determination result, within a certain time. It is executed when it is determined that the communication has been restarted, and based on the instruction from the terminal device 200, it is determined whether or not to restart from the data in the middle, and the control flow is branched according to the determination result. including.

In step S2050, on the wireless setting screen 400 shown in FIG. 6, it is determined whether or not the data is on hold depending on which of the check box 410 and the check box 420 is checked. If the check box 410 is checked, the control unit 110 determines that the data hold setting is set. On the other hand, when the check box 420 is checked, the control unit 110 determines that the data hold setting is not set.

This program is further executed in step S2080 when it is determined to restart from the data in the middle, and is set to hold data in steps S2090 and step S2050 for receiving the image data from the middle (the position where the previous stop was stopped). It is executed when it is determined that there is no such data, and when it is determined in step S2070 that the communication has not been restarted within a certain period of time, and the held image data is discarded. In step S2110 and step S2040, when it is determined that the communication is not interrupted, in step S2080, it is determined that the data in the middle is not restarted, and in step S2040. Includes step S2120, which is executed after S2090, executes image data output processing, and ends this program.

FIG. 15 is a detailed flow of step S2000 of FIG. With reference to FIG. 15, this routine is executed after step S2200, which executes a process of connecting to the terminal device 200 via the wireless line 300, and whether or not the reserved image data is discarded. It is executed when it is determined in step S2210 and step S2210 that the determination is made and the control flow is branched according to the determination result and the reserved image data is determined to be discarded, and the terminal device 200 is notified that the reserved image data has been discarded. Includes step S2220 to end the lever routine. This routine also ends when it is determined in step S2210 that the reserved image data has not been discarded.

FIG. 16 is a detailed flow of step S2120 of FIG. With reference to FIG. 16, this routine determines whether or not quick printing is set (ON), and in step S2300 and step S2300, which divides the control flow according to the determination result, quick printing is set. If quick printing is not set in step S2310 and step S2300, which are executed when it is determined that printing is performed, it is determined whether or not printing is completed, and the control flow is branched according to the determination result. It is executed when it is determined, it is determined whether or not the reception of all data is completed, and it is determined in step S2320 and step S2320 that the control flow is branched according to the determination result that the reception of all data is completed. This includes step S2330, which is executed when the data is generated, executes a printing process based on the received image data, and ends this routine.

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

[motion]
The operation of the image forming system 50 according to the present embodiment based on the above structure and flowchart will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 and 8 to 16.

With reference to FIG. 1, a user of the terminal device 200 operates the terminal device 200 in order to perform printing on the multifunction device 100. The terminal device 200 wirelessly communicates with the multifunction device 100 and connects to the multifunction device 100 via the wireless line 300. The terminal device 200 issues a print request when the image data is selected by the user. The terminal device 200 determines whether or not the radio wave strength is sufficient, and if the radio wave strength is sufficient (YES in step S1020 shown in FIG. 8), the selected image data is transmitted to the multifunction device 100 (step S1030). .. The terminal device 200 continues to transmit the image data until the transmission of all the data is completed.

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

With reference to FIG. 2, when the radio wave strength becomes weak during transmission of image data from the terminal device 200 to the multifunction device 100 (NO in step S1020 shown in FIG. 8), communication is about to be interrupted (in step S1100). NO), the terminal device 200 determines whether or not the warning display setting is turned on (step S1110). When the warning display setting is ON (YES in step S1110), the terminal device 200 displays the dialog screen 620 shown in FIG. 12 on the user I / F 230 to notify the user that the radio wave condition is not good (YES). Step S1120). Also in this case, the terminal device 200 continues to transmit the image data (step S1030). When the user notices that the radio wave condition is not good by this notification (warning) and moves near the multifunction device 100, the radio wave condition is improved. When the warning display setting is not turned ON (NO in step S1110), the terminal device 200 continues to transmit the image data without displaying the dialog screen 620 on the user I / F 230 (step S1030).

With reference to FIG. 3, when communication is interrupted while the image data is being transmitted from the terminal device 200 to the multifunction device 100 (YES in step S1100 shown in FIG. 8), the terminal device 200 tells the user I / F 230 FIG. The dialog screen 630 shown in (1) is displayed, and the user is made to select whether or not to suspend the intermediate state. When the user operates the "Yes" key 632 on the dialog screen 630, the terminal device 200 determines that the intermediate state is held and executes the hold process (step S1140 shown in FIG. 8). That is, the terminal device 200 stores the stop position when the transmission of the image data is stopped due to the interruption of communication. When the user operates the "No" key 634 on the dialog screen 630, the terminal device 200 determines that the intermediate state is not held and ends the image data transmission operation.

The interruption of communication in the terminal device 200 means that the communication is also interrupted in the multifunction device 100. When the multifunction device 100 detects that the communication with the terminal device 200 is interrupted (YES in step S2040 shown in FIG. 14), it determines whether or not the data hold setting is set (step S2050), and sets the data hold setting. If so, the state during communication is suspended (step S2060). When the communication is interrupted, the multifunction device 100 counts the elapsed time from the interruption of the communication.

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

When the terminal device 200 communicates with the multifunction device 100 again (step S1000 shown in FIG. 8), the terminal device 200 determines that the previously held data is in the terminal device 200 (YES in step S1010). The terminal device 200 displays the dialog screen 610 shown in FIG. 11 on the user I / F 230, and allows the user to select whether or not to transmit the image data from the middle. When the user operates the "Yes" key 612 of the dialog screen 610, the terminal device 200 determines that the image data is transmitted from the middle (YES in step S1070). In this case, the terminal device 200 transmits an instruction to transmit the image data from the middle (the position where the image data was stopped last time) to the multifunction device 100 (step S1080). After that, the terminal device 200 transmits the image data from the middle (step S1030) by changing the setting of the own device to the setting to transmit the image data from the middle (step S1090).

When the multifunction device 100 receives the instruction from the terminal device 200, it determines that it restarts from the data in the middle (YES in step S2080 shown in FIG. 14), and receives the image data from the middle (the position where it was stopped last time) (step S2090). ). When the multifunction device 100 is set to quick printing (YES in step S2300 shown in FIG. 16), printing is performed while receiving image data. When printing is completed (YES in step S2310), the operation of the image forming system 50 ends. When the multifunction device 100 is not set for quick printing (NO in step S2300 shown in FIG. 16) and the reception of all data including the previously held image data is completed (YES in step S2320), the received image data The print process is executed (step S2330). When the printing process is completed, the operation of the image forming system 50 is completed.

On the other hand, when the user operates the "No" key 614 of the dialog screen 610 shown in FIG. 11, the terminal device 200 determines that the image data is not transmitted from the middle (the image data is transmitted from the beginning) (shown in FIG. 8). NO in step S1070). In this case, since the setting for transmitting the image data is not changed from the middle, the terminal device 200 transmits the image data from the beginning (step S1030). The multifunction device 100 determines that it will not restart from the data in the middle (NO in step S2080 shown in FIG. 14), and receives the image data from the beginning. When the multifunction device 100 receives the image data, the multifunction device 100 executes a printing process based on the image data.

In order to prevent the data indicating the state during communication from being continuously accumulated in the terminal device 200 due to the hold process (step S1140), the terminal device 200 collects the data for which a certain time has passed from the job start time. Remove from.

On the other hand, if the terminal device 200 does not transmit the image data within a certain period of time after the communication is interrupted (NO in step S2070 shown in FIG. 14), the multifunction device 100 discards the reserved image data (step). S2100) to cancel printing (step S2110).

It is assumed that the user of the terminal device 200 attempts to transmit the image data again after a certain period of time has elapsed after the communication is interrupted. In this case, the multifunction device 100 notifies the terminal device 200 that the image data has been discarded when the terminal device 200 is connected (step S2220 shown in FIG. 15). When the terminal device 200 receives the notification that the image data has been discarded (YES in step S1210 shown in FIG. 9), the terminal device 200 stores that the image data held in the multifunction device 100 has been discarded (step S1220).

In the terminal device 200, even if the previously held data is in the terminal device 200 (YES in step S1010 shown in FIG. 8), the image data held in the multifunction device 100 is discarded (step). In YES) in S1050, the terminal device 200 displays the dialog screen 600 shown in FIG. 10 on the user I / F 230, and transmits the image data from the beginning because the image data held in the multifunction device 100 is discarded. Notify the user to do (print from the beginning). After that, the terminal device 200 deletes the previously held data from the terminal device 200.

When the image data held in the multifunction device 100 is discarded, it is not possible to restart from the data in the middle. Even in this case, since the previously held data remains in the terminal device 200, the user of the terminal device 200 thinks that the image data up to the middle is held in the multifunction device 100, and is in the middle of the multifunction device 100. It is also possible to request to restart from the data of.

In the present embodiment, as described above, by notifying the user that the image data held in the multifunction device 100 has been discarded, the user is made to recognize that the data in the middle cannot be restarted. Can be done. Therefore, the above problem caused by the recognition deviation can be avoided.

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

The image forming system 50 detects whether or not the communication between the multifunction device 100 and the terminal device 200 is interrupted. When it is detected that the communication is interrupted while the image data is being transmitted from the terminal device 200 to the multifunction device 100, the image forming system 50 suspends the state during the communication. That is, the image forming system 50 records a state halfway (a state at the time when the communication is interrupted) when the communication is interrupted. Therefore, when the communication is restarted (recovered), the data transfer can be restarted from the middle, so that the trouble at the time of restarting can be saved.

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

Further, when transmitting image data having a large data size from the terminal device 200 to the multifunction device 100 via the wireless line 300, in the conventional system, the user using the terminal device 200 can communicate wirelessly. If the communication could not be separated and the communication was interrupted due to the distance from the range where wireless communication was possible, it was necessary to perform data communication from the beginning again. On the other hand, in the image forming system 50, even if the communication is interrupted away from the range where the wireless communication is possible, the data communication can be resumed from the middle of the communication, so that the user can freely move together with the terminal device 200.

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

When the terminal device 200 further detects that the communication is interrupted while the terminal device 200 is transmitting the image data to the multifunction device 100, the terminal device 200 displays a dialog screen 630 on the user I / F 230 and is in the middle of communication. Ask the user if they want to hold. As a result, the user can select whether or not to suspend the state during communication. The user can hold the state only when he / she wants to hold the state during communication.

In the image forming system 50, if it is detected that the communication is interrupted while the image data is being transmitted from the terminal device 200 to the multifunction device 100, both the terminal device 200 and the multifunction device 100 are in the middle of communication. Hold. By holding the state in which the image data is being transmitted by the terminal device 200, the terminal device 200 can easily transmit the image data from the middle when the communication is resumed. Further, since the multifunction device 100 suspends the state in which the image data is being received, the multifunction device 100 can easily receive the image data from the middle when the communication is resumed.

The multifunction device 100 measures the elapsed time from the detection that the communication is interrupted. When the communication is resumed within a certain period of time after the detection that the communication is interrupted is detected, the multifunction device 100 receives the image data from the suspended state during the communication. The multifunction device 100 discards the received image data when the communication is not restarted within a certain period of time after the communication is detected to be interrupted. Data transmission may be resumed within a certain period of time after the communication interruption is detected. Therefore, when the communication is resumed within a certain period of time after the detection that the communication is interrupted is detected, the multifunction device 100 is capable of receiving the image data from the suspended state during the communication. .. On the other hand, if a certain period of time has passed after it is detected that the communication is interrupted, there is a high possibility that the data transmission will not be resumed or the data will be retransmitted from the beginning. Therefore, if the communication is not resumed within a certain period of time after the communication is detected to be interrupted, the multifunction device 100 discards the received image data. As a result, it is possible to prevent the storage area for storing the image data from being wasted.

The multifunction device 100 has a printing function of starting image formation (printing) after the reception of image data is completed. When this printing function is set, the multifunction device 100 does not start printing until all the data is received. Therefore, even if the communication is interrupted during the transfer of the image data and the data communication is restarted from the middle when the communication is restarted, it is possible to prevent the printed paper from being separated (dispersed). Therefore, this also saves the trouble of restarting.

[Modification example]
In the above embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to a multifunction device which is an example of an image forming apparatus is shown, but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. The image forming apparatus constituting the image forming system may be other than the multifunction device. For example, it may be a printing device having only a printing function.

In the above embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to a terminal device including a smartphone is shown, but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. The terminal device constituting the image forming system may be a terminal device other than a smartphone as long as it is a terminal device capable of transmitting image data to the image forming device. Examples of terminal devices other than smartphones include mobile phones, PDAs (Personal Digital Assistants), notebook personal computers (hereinafter referred to as "personal computers"), stationary personal computers (for example, desktop personal computers), and tablets. Examples include terminals.

In the above embodiment, an example in which the terminal device and the multifunction device are communicably connected via a wireless line has been shown, but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, the terminal device and the image forming device may be connected so as to be able to communicate with each other via a wired communication line. Even when connected by a wired line, communication may be interrupted for some reason. Even in such a case, by applying the present invention, it is possible to save time and effort when resuming communication.

In the above embodiment, an example in which the state during communication is suspended in both the terminal device and the multifunction device when the communication is interrupted has been shown, but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. For example, when communication is interrupted, only the multifunction device may hold the state during communication. In that case, for example, the multifunction device remembers the terminal information and the hold information of the terminal device that is the source of the image data, and notifies the hold information from the multifunction device to the terminal device at the time of the next communication (at the time of connection). Allows the user to choose whether or not to resume printing on hold.

In the above-described embodiment, when the state in the middle of communication is held in the multifunction device, an example in which whether or not to hold the state is set on the multifunction device side has been shown, but the present invention has been described in such an embodiment. Not limited. Whether or not to suspend the state during communication in the multifunction device may be set on the terminal device side, or may be set on both the terminal device and the multifunction device. When the setting is made on the terminal device side, for example, the terminal device notifies the multifunction device of information on whether or not to hold the device at the time of the first communication (connection) with the multifunction device. When the multifunction device receives the notification from the terminal device, it operates as notified.

When both the terminal device and the multifunction device set whether or not to suspend the state during communication in the multifunction device, for example, a wireless setting screen is displayed in each. With reference to FIG. 17, the wireless setting screen 700 is displayed on the user I / F of the terminal device. On the wireless setting screen 700, a check box 702 is checked to set the data in the middle of communication to be held, a check box 704 is checked to not hold the data in the middle of communication, and the setting of the multifunction device. Includes a check box 706 to check to set according to. With reference to FIG. 18, the wireless setting screen 750 is displayed on the operation unit (display panel) of the multifunction device. The wireless setting screen 750 includes a check box 752 for checking to set the data in the middle of communication to be held, and a check box 754 to check for setting not to hold the data in the middle of communication. When the setting of the multifunction device and the setting of the terminal device are different, the setting of the multifunction device may be prioritized or the setting of the terminal device may be prioritized.

In the above embodiment, an example is shown in which the terminal device side is used to set whether or not to display a warning on the terminal device when the radio wave strength is weak, but the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment. .. Whether or not to display the warning may be set on the multifunction device (image forming device) side, or may be set on both the terminal device and the multifunction device. When the setting is made on the multifunction device side, for example, the multifunction device notifies the terminal device of information on whether or not to give a warning at the time of the first communication (connection) with the terminal device. When the terminal device receives the notification from the multifunction device, it operates as notified.

When setting whether or not to display a warning is performed on both the terminal device and the multifunction device, for example, a wireless setting screen is displayed in each. With reference to FIG. 19, the wireless setting screen 800 is displayed on the user I / F of the terminal device. On the wireless setting screen 800, as a warning setting when the radio wave strength is weak, a check box 802 is checked to set a warning, a check box 804 is checked to set not to warn, and a setting of the multifunction device. Includes a check box 806 to check to set according to. With reference to FIG. 20, the wireless setting screen 850 is displayed on the operation unit (display panel) of the multifunction device. The wireless setting screen 850 includes a check box 852 for checking to set a warning and a check box 854 for checking not to set as a warning setting when the radio wave strength is weak. When the setting of the multifunction device and the setting of the terminal device are different, the setting of the multifunction device may be prioritized or the setting of the terminal device may be prioritized.

In the above embodiment, when the radio wave condition of the wireless line becomes poor, an example of notifying the user that the radio wave condition is not good by displaying a dialog screen on the terminal device has been shown. May use, for example, at least one of the notification sound and the vibration in combination with the display of the dialog screen.

In the above embodiment, the image forming system may be linked with the cloud. For example, by connecting a server on the network and the multifunction device in a communicable manner, the pending data stored in the multifunction device may be transferred to the cloud (server) if it has not been used after a certain period of time. .. When the terminal device transmits the image data from the middle, the terminal device may notify the server instead of the multifunction device to restart from the data in the middle. By storing the held data in the server on the network in this way, the burden on the HDD (storage) in the multifunction machine can be reduced. Also, by saving the pending data on a server on the network, printing can be resumed from the middle of the process from other multifunction devices.

The embodiments disclosed this time are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. The scope of the present invention is indicated by each claim of the scope of claims, taking into consideration the description of the detailed description of the invention, and all changes within the meaning and scope equivalent to the wording described therein. Including.

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

Claims (14)

An image forming apparatus that is connected to a terminal device via a wireless line, receives image data transmitted from the terminal device, and forms an image based on the image data.
A wireless communication means for communicating with the terminal device via the wireless line,
A notification setting means for setting the terminal device to notify the user that the radio wave strength is not sufficient when the radio wave strength of the wireless line becomes equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value .
A line state detecting means for detecting whether or not communication with the terminal device is interrupted by detecting the line state of the wireless line, and
By recording the state in the process of receiving the image data in response to the detection of the interruption of communication by the line state detecting means while receiving the image data transmitted from the terminal device. Including data holding means for holding the reception
The wireless communication means resumes reception of the image data from a position where communication is interrupted in the image data being received, based on the state recorded in the data holding means according to the detection result of the line state detection means. to the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus
A timekeeping means for measuring the elapsed time from the detection that the communication is interrupted by the line state detecting means, and
When the data holding means is holding the reception, the data is held in response to the fact that the communication is resumed within a predetermined time after the line state detecting means detects that the communication is interrupted. Means for receiving image data from the middle of reception,
In response to the case where the data holding means is holding the reception and the state in which the communication is not restarted after the line state detecting means detects that the communication is interrupted continues for a predetermined time, the receiving means is received. further comprising, an image forming apparatus according to claim 1 and means for discarding the image data. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the image forming apparatus further includes means for starting image forming after the reception of image data is completed. A terminal device that is connected to an image forming device via a wireless line.
A transmission means for transmitting image data to the image forming apparatus, and
A line state detecting means for detecting whether or not communication with the image forming apparatus is interrupted by detecting the line state of the wireless line, and
A radio wave intensity determining means for detecting the line state of the wireless line and determining whether or not the radio wave intensity in the detected line state is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value.
In response to the determination result by the radio wave strength determining means being affirmative, the notification means for notifying the user that the radio wave strength is not sufficient together with the transmission of the image data via the wireless line by the transmitting means. Terminal devices, including. The terminal device is
An inquiry means for inquiring whether or not to record a state in which the image data is being transmitted in response to the line state detecting means detecting that the communication with the image forming apparatus is interrupted. ,
A display means for displaying the inquiry in response to an instruction from the inquiry means,
The terminal device according to claim 4 , further comprising a selective execution means for selectively executing a process of suspending communication and a process of not suspending communication in response to an instruction input for an inquiry displayed on the display means. The terminal device responds to the detection by the line state detecting means that the communication is interrupted while transmitting the image data to the image forming device, and responds to the execution result of the selection executing means. Further includes a data holding means for holding the transmission by recording the state in which the image data is being transmitted.
The transmission means transmits the image data from a position where communication in the image data in the middle of transmission is interrupted, based on the state in the middle of transmission recorded in the data holding means according to the detection result of the line state detection means. The terminal device according to claim 5 , wherein the terminal device is restarted. The terminal device suspends the state in which the image data is being transmitted in response to the line state detecting means detecting that the communication is interrupted while the image data is being transmitted to the image forming device. The terminal device according to claim 4 , further comprising a data holding means for performing. The terminal device further includes means for notifying the user of a warning regarding the wireless line state according to the determination result of the radio wave intensity determining means while transmitting the image data to the image forming device. Item 4. The terminal device according to any one of claims 4 to 7. Includes a terminal device that transmits image data and an image forming device that is connected to the terminal device via a wireless line, receives image data transmitted from the terminal device, and forms an image based on the image data. It is an image formation system
Each of the terminal device and the image forming device includes a wireless communication means for wirelessly communicating with each other via the wireless line.
The terminal device is
A line state detecting means for detecting whether or not communication with the image forming apparatus is interrupted by detecting the line state of the wireless line, and
A radio wave intensity determining means for detecting the line state of the wireless line and determining whether or not the radio wave intensity in the detected line state is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value.
In response to the determination result by the radio wave strength determining means being affirmative, the wireless communication means transmits the image data via the wireless line and notifies the user that the radio wave strength is not sufficient. An image forming system, including means. In response to the line state detecting means detecting that the communication is interrupted while the image data is being transmitted from the terminal device to the image forming device, the image forming system is in the middle of communication. Further includes a data holding means for holding the communication by recording the
The wireless communication means of the terminal device and the image forming device are in the image data in the middle of transmission, respectively, based on the state in the middle of communication recorded in the data holding means according to the detection result of the line state detection means. The image forming system according to claim 9 , wherein transmission and reception of the image data are resumed from a position where communication is interrupted. The image forming system according to claim 10 , wherein the data holding means includes a means for recording a state in which image data is being received in the image forming apparatus. The data holding means is
A means for recording a state in which image data is being transmitted to the terminal device, and
The image forming system according to claim 10 , further comprising means for recording a state in which image data is being received in the image forming apparatus. A computer connected to an image forming apparatus via a wireless line,
A transmission means for transmitting image data to the image forming apparatus, and
A line state detecting means for detecting whether or not communication with the image forming apparatus is interrupted by detecting the line state of the wireless line, and
A radio wave intensity determining means for detecting the line state of the wireless line and determining whether or not the radio wave intensity in the detected line state is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value.
Notification means for notifying the user that the radio wave strength is not sufficient together with the transmission of the image data via the wireless line by the transmitting means in response to the determination result by the radio wave strength determining means being affirmative. A computer program that acts as. The computer program uses the computer,
An inquiry means for inquiring whether or not to record a state in which the image data is being transmitted in response to the line state detecting means detecting that the communication with the image forming apparatus is interrupted. ,
A selective execution means for selectively executing a process of suspending communication and a process of not suspending communication in response to a response instruction to the inquiry.
In response to the line state detecting means detecting that the communication is interrupted while the image data is being transmitted to the image forming apparatus, the image data of the image data is determined according to the execution result of the selection executing means. By recording the state in the middle of transmission, it further functions as a data holding means for holding the transmission.
The transmission means transmits the image data from a position where communication in the image data in the middle of transmission is interrupted, based on the state in the middle of transmission recorded in the data holding means according to the detection result of the line state detection means. 13. The computer program of claim 13.

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