JP7131039B2 - Image processing device and image processing system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to image processing apparatuses and image processing systems.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-200000 describes a reception unit that receives a print job from a mobile terminal, a calculation unit that calculates the time required for the mobile terminal that has sent the print job to arrive at an image forming apparatus, and the time calculated by the calculation unit. and a control means for controlling the start timing of printing based on the print job received by the receiving means.

Patent Document 2 discloses an image processing system having a terminal device worn by a user and an image output device that executes output processing for outputting an image according to an instruction from the user. acquiring means for acquiring physical characteristics from the terminal device or the image output device, and performing authentication processing for authenticating the user based on the physical characteristics acquired by the acquiring means before the output processing is executed. An image processing system is disclosed in which authentication means for executing is provided, and an image output device is provided with output processing means for executing output processing when a user is authenticated by the authentication means.

In Patent Document 3, a communication unit, a printing unit, and print data received from a terminal device through the communication unit are awaiting the start of printing by the printing unit. a control unit that transfers print data to an alternative printing device through a communication unit when determining that

Japanese Patent No. 5943623 Japanese Patent No. 2017-108316 Japanese Patent No. 2010-125708

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide an image processing apparatus and an image processing system capable of executing desired processing more quickly than when specifying processing information to be executed by the image processing apparatus.

In order to achieve the above object, the image processing apparatus according to claim 1 provides an image processing apparatus which is determined to be closest to a user terminal that generates processing information in accordance with an instruction from the user , and which is transmitted from the user terminal . a storage unit for storing additional processing information, which is the processing information associated with the identification information of the mobile terminal carried by the mobile terminal; a first reception unit for receiving the identification information from the mobile terminal; an execution unit that executes processing corresponding to processing information included in the additional processing information when the identification information received in the storage unit matches the identification information of the additional processing information stored in the storage unit ; The distance is determined using positional information given by the seat position of each of the users .

Further, the invention according to claim 2 is the invention according to claim 1, further comprising a detection unit that detects the approach of the user, and the first reception unit is configured such that the detection unit detects the approach of the user. In this case, the identification information is received from the portable terminal.

In the invention according to claim 3, in the invention according to claim 2, the execution unit detects when the user's approach by the detection unit continues for a predetermined period of time, or when the user gives an execution instruction. If there is, the processing corresponding to the processing information included in the additional processing information is executed.

In the invention according to claim 4, in the invention according to claim 3, when the detection unit detects separation of the user before a predetermined period of time elapses, the execution unit detects the separation of the user. It controls not to execute the processing included in the processing information.

The invention according to claim 5 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising an authentication unit for authenticating the user, wherein the execution unit causes the authentication unit to When the user is authenticated, the processing corresponding to the processing information included in the additional processing information is executed.

The invention according to claim 6 is the invention according to claim 5, wherein when the first receiving unit receives the identification information, the execution unit is configured to First, the processing corresponding to the processing information included in the additional processing information is executed.

In the invention according to claim 7, in the invention according to claim 6, the distance between the user and the image processing apparatus when the identification information is received is higher than the distance between the user and the image processing apparatus when the user is authenticated. The distance to the image processing device is longer.

Further, the invention according to claim 8 is the invention according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the execution unit is configured such that the first reception unit receives the identification information from the portable terminal. additional processing information associated with the identification information that matches the identification information received by the first receiving unit is obtained from the storage unit, and obtained when the user is authenticated. It executes a process corresponding to the process information included in the additional process information.

The invention according to claim 9 is the invention according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the processing information is processing for forming an image on a recording medium based on image information, and the The executing unit, when the first receiving unit receives the identification information from the mobile terminal, performs additional processing information associated with the identification information that matches the identification information received by the first receiving unit. performing preprocessing for forming an image from the image information obtained from the storage unit to generate intermediate data, and executing image forming processing based on the pre-intermediate data when the user is authenticated; It is something to do.

In order to achieve the above object, an image processing system according to claim 10 includes an image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, and an image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9. and a second receiving unit for receiving identification information from the mobile terminal, generating processing information according to instructions from the user, and receiving the identification information from the mobile terminal (2) a user terminal including a generation unit that generates additional processing information by associating the identification information with the processing information, and a transmission unit that transmits the additional processing information to the image processing apparatus.

The invention according to claim 11 is the invention according to claim 10, wherein the image processing device is a plurality of image processing devices interconnected via a network, and the user terminal is connected to the network. The additional processing information is transmitted to a predetermined main processing unit.

According to a twelfth aspect of the invention, in the eleventh aspect of the invention, the main processing device is one of the plurality of image processing devices.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the invention, in the eleventh or twelfth aspect of the invention, each of the plurality of image processing devices is associated with first position information indicating each position. , each of the users is associated with second position information indicating the position of each of the users, and the transmission unit of the user terminal transmits the first position information closest to the second position information. The additional processing information is transmitted with the image processing apparatus as the main processing apparatus.

The invention according to claim 14 is the invention according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the execution unit of each of the plurality of image processing apparatuses stores the second If there is no additional processing information added with identification information that matches the identification information received by the second receiving unit, the additional processing information added with the identification information received by the second receiving unit is processed by the main processing A transmission request is sent to the device, and processing corresponding to the processing information included in the received additional processing information is executed.

The invention according to claim 15 is the invention according to any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein the executing unit of each of the plurality of image processing apparatuses is included in the additional processing information. When the processing corresponding to the processing information is executed, the main processing unit is notified that the additional processing information has been executed, and the other main processing unit receiving the notification executes the processing stored in the storage unit. This deletes the additional processing information that has been completed.

According to the inventions of claims 1 and 10, the image processing apparatus and image processing system are capable of executing desired processing more quickly than in the case of designating a job to be executed by the image processing apparatus. is provided.

According to the second aspect of the invention, it is possible to obtain the effect that the identification information is received from the mobile terminal at appropriate timing, compared to the case where the detection unit is not included.

According to the third aspect of the invention, as compared with the case where the processing corresponding to the processing information included in the additional processing information is executed immediately after detecting the approach of the user, malfunction due to the passage of the user is suppressed. , the effect is obtained.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, compared to the case where there is no control function to prevent the processing included in the additional processing information from being executed due to the separation of the user, the effect is that wasteful waiting time is suppressed. is obtained.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to obtain the effect that desired processing can be executed more quickly while ensuring security, as compared with the case where the authentication unit is not included.

According to the sixth aspect of the invention, even when the first receiving unit receives the identification information, the processing corresponding to the processing information included in the additional processing information is executed after the user is authenticated by the authenticating unit. As a result, the desired processing can be executed more quickly.

According to the seventh aspect of the invention, the relationship between the distance between the user and the image processing apparatus at the time of user authentication and the distance between the user and the image processing apparatus at the time of receiving the identification information is not considered. In comparison, an effect is obtained that the communication function of the image processing apparatus is effectively utilized.

According to the eighth aspect of the invention, there is an effect that the processing time after authentication is further shortened compared to the case where acquisition from the storage unit of additional processing information is started after waiting for user authentication. can get.

According to the ninth aspect of the invention, it is possible to obtain the effect of further shortening the processing time after authentication compared to the case where intermediate data generation is started after waiting for user authentication.

According to the eleventh aspect of the invention, it is possible to more easily manage additional processing information by a plurality of users as compared with the case where the devices to which user terminals transmit additional processing information are not aggregated in advance. is obtained.

According to the twelfth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to manage additional processing information by a plurality of users without adding a new device, as compared with the case where the main processing device is a server.

According to the thirteenth aspect of the present invention, compared with the case where one of the plurality of image processing apparatuses is used as the main processing apparatus, the effect of omitting the transfer processing of the additional processing information is obtained.

According to the fourteenth aspect of the present invention, when there is no additional processing information added with identification information that matches the identification information received by the second receiving unit in the storage unit, a transmission request is made to the main processing unit. As compared with the case where the network does not have the function, the effect is obtained that the function of the network is utilized more effectively.

According to the fifteenth aspect of the present invention, when the processing corresponding to the processing information included in the additional processing information is executed, the main processing unit does not delete the processed additional processing information stored in the storage unit. As compared with the case, an effect of suppressing an increase in the storage capacity of the storage unit is obtained.

1 is a block diagram showing configurations of an image processing apparatus and an image processing system according to an embodiment; FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing the flow of additional processing information generation processing in the user terminal according to the embodiment; 6 is a flow chart showing the flow of additional processing information execution processing in the image processing apparatus according to the embodiment;

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[First embodiment]
An image processing apparatus and an image processing system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. FIG.

FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of an image processing system 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the image processing system 1 includes an image processing device 10, a user terminal 30, and a portable terminal 50. As shown in FIG. The image processing apparatus 10 is an image processing apparatus according to this embodiment. The image processing device 10 and the user terminal 30 are interconnected via a network 70 . Although FIG. 1 shows a configuration in which one image processing apparatus 10 and user terminal 30 are connected to the network 70, the configuration is not limited to this. good. The form of the network 70 is not particularly limited, but in the present embodiment, as an example, it is configured by a wired or wireless LAN (Local Area Network).

The image processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment is an apparatus having an image processing function, such as an image forming apparatus (printer) or a multi-function machine in which a scanner function, a facsimile function, a copy function, etc. are integrated into a printer. In this embodiment, an image forming apparatus will be described as an example.

The mobile terminal 50 is a terminal device worn (carried) by a user. The form of the mobile terminal 50 is not particularly limited, but examples thereof include a wearable terminal, a smart phone, an ID card (IDentification Card), and the like. A wearable terminal is used as an example of mobile terminal 50 according to the present embodiment. It is assumed that a plurality of users carry different mobile terminals 50, and each of the plurality of mobile terminals 50 has an antenna 52 that constantly or intermittently transmits a signal containing identification information for identifying itself. ing. Details of the “identification information” will be described later.

As shown in FIG. 1, the image processing apparatus 10 includes a job acquisition section 12, a job management section 14, a job reception section 16, a job execution section 18, a mobile terminal communication section 20, and a mobile terminal proximity detection section 22. .

The mobile terminal communication unit 20 has an antenna 24 and mainly receives the identification information transmitted from the mobile terminal 50 . Communication with the mobile terminal 50 is performed using a short-range wireless communication system, for example. Examples of short-range wireless communication systems used in this embodiment include NFC (Near Field Communication), Bluetooth (registered trademark), and the like.

The mobile terminal proximity detection unit 22 is a part that detects the approach of the user carrying the mobile terminal 50 by communicating with the mobile terminal 50 in the mobile terminal communication unit 20 . Approach detection is performed, for example, by using the intensity of the radio wave received from the mobile terminal 50 and received by the mobile terminal communication unit 20, or by using a GPS (Global Positioning System) signal installed in each of the mobile terminal communication unit 20 and the mobile terminal 50. performed using In this embodiment, as an example, the strength of the radio wave received from the mobile terminal 50 received by the mobile terminal communication unit 20 is used to detect the approach of the user. When the mobile terminal proximity detection unit 22 detects that the user is approaching, the mobile terminal proximity detection unit 22 notifies the job acquisition unit 12 to that effect.

The job receiving section 16 receives additional processing information transmitted from the user terminal 30 via the network 70 . The additional processing information according to the present embodiment is information in which identification information is associated with information to be processed by the image processing apparatus 10, as will be described later. Hereinafter, the additional processing information may be referred to as a "job". A “job” in the present embodiment refers to a unit of processing executed by the image processing apparatus 10 . In the present embodiment, as an example of a job in the image processing apparatus 10, an image forming process (printing) will be described.

The job management unit 14 is a storage unit that stores jobs and the like transmitted from the user terminal 30, and includes, for example, a HDD (Hard Disk Drive), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like. Of course, the job management unit 14 may also store image processing information other than jobs transmitted from the user terminal 30, such as image information read by a scanner. Note that the job management unit 14 corresponds to the "storage unit" according to the present invention.

When the job acquisition unit 12 receives the notification of the user's approach from the portable terminal proximity detection unit 22 , the job acquisition unit 12 uses the identification information received from the portable terminal 50 to transmit the identification information that the approaching user has sent to the image processing apparatus 10 via the network 70 . A job is extracted and acquired from the job management unit 14 .

The job executing section 18 executes the job acquired by the job acquiring section 12 . The job execution unit 18 executes the job immediately after the user approaches, and when a predetermined condition is satisfied (for example, when the user is authenticated, which will be described later), the job acquisition unit 12 It may also execute the acquired job.

The user terminal 30 generates a job that the user causes the image processing apparatus 10 to execute. Although the form of the user terminal 30 is not particularly limited, examples thereof include a PC (Personal Computer), a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a tablet terminal, and the like. In this embodiment, the user terminal 30 is a PC as an example. For example, there may be a plurality of user terminals 30 corresponding to each of a plurality of users. As shown in FIG. 1, the user terminal 30 includes a user operation unit 32, a job generation unit 34, a job transmission unit 36, and a portable terminal communication unit 38 to which an antenna 40 is connected.

The mobile terminal communication unit 38 communicates with the mobile terminal 50 carried by the user and mainly receives identification information. Communication with the mobile terminal 50 is performed using a short-range wireless communication system, for example. Examples of short-range wireless communication systems used in this embodiment include NFC, Bluetooth (registered trademark), and the like.

The user operation unit 32 includes, for example, a liquid crystal screen, a keyboard, etc., and is used as an interface when a user creates a job.

The job generation unit 34 creates processing information based on instructions input by the user by operating the user operation unit 32 . Also, the identification information is acquired from the mobile terminal communication unit 38 . When creating the processing information, the job generation unit 34 associates the created processing information with the identification information to generate additional processing information (job).

The job transmission section 36 transmits the job generated by the job generation section 34 to the image processing apparatus 10 via the network 70 .

Here, conventionally, when an image processing apparatus executes a process, it is common to send a job to a specific image processing apparatus and give an instruction via a UI (User Interface) or the like of the image processing apparatus to execute the job. there were. In another mode, a job is sent to a server, and the user goes to a specific image processing apparatus connected to the server and authenticates the job, and then instructs the job to be executed. However, the user is required to go to the desired image processing apparatus and issue an instruction for execution or to issue an instruction for execution after performing authentication, which takes extra time and is inconvenient for the user. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the job is executed only by the user approaching the image processing apparatus that the user desires to execute the job. As a result, an image processing apparatus and an image processing system are provided that allow desired processing to be executed more quickly than when a job to be executed is designated after authentication.

With reference to FIG. 2, additional processing information generation processing executed in user terminal 30 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing the flow of this additional processing information generation processing. This additional processing information generation processing program is stored in a storage unit such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) (not shown) of the user terminal 30, and is expanded in a RAM or the like by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and executed. In the additional processing information generating process shown in FIG. 2, it is assumed that the user has started inputting a print job to be executed in the image processing apparatus 10 using the user terminal 30 .

In step S100, the mobile terminal communication unit 38 is controlled to acquire "identification information" that is information for identifying the mobile terminal 50 (user). The identification information according to the present embodiment is not particularly limited as long as it is information that can identify the mobile terminal 50 , but in the present embodiment, the serial number of the mobile terminal 50 is used. The serial number is, for example, the manufacturing number of the mobile terminal 50 . The timing of acquiring the identification information is, for example, the timing when communication between the mobile terminal communication unit 38 of the user terminal 30 and the mobile terminal 50 is established.

In step S102, the job generation unit 34 is controlled to add the identification information acquired in step S100 to print processing information to be executed by the image processing apparatus 10 to generate additional processing information (job). Specifically, identification information is embedded in PDL (Page Description Language) data generated for print processing. The timing at which the identification information is added to the processing information is, for example, the timing at which the user starts inputting to create the processing information, or the timing at which the creation of the processing information is completed. In the present embodiment, a form in which identification information is directly added to processing information executed by the image processing apparatus 10 will be described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It may be stored in a storage unit such as an HDD of the terminal 30 .

In step S<b>104 , the job transmission unit 36 is controlled to transmit the job generated in step S<b>102 to the image processing apparatus 10 . The transmission may be automatically performed by the job transmission unit 36 upon completion of job generation, or may be performed by displaying a standby screen for the user on a UI or the like (not shown) and instructing the user.

Next, with reference to FIG. 3, additional processing information execution processing executed in the image processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing the flow of this additional processing information execution processing. This additional processing information execution processing program is stored in a storage unit such as a ROM (not shown) of the image processing apparatus 10, for example, and is expanded in a RAM or the like by the CPU and executed. In the additional processing information execution processing shown in FIG. 3, it is assumed that the user has already sent a job from the user terminal 30 to the image processing apparatus 10 via the network 70. FIG.

In step S200, the mobile terminal proximity detector 22 is controlled to wait until the mobile terminal 50 (user) approaches. When the approach of the portable terminal 50 is detected, the process proceeds to step S202.

Here, detection of the user's approach is performed based on communication with the mobile terminal 50 in the mobile terminal communication unit 20 as described above. That is, as an example, the mobile terminal proximity detection unit 22 receives from the mobile terminal communication unit 20 the radio wave intensity of the transmission signal transmitted from the mobile terminal 50, and detects the approach when the radio wave intensity exceeds a predetermined value. detect. For example, the mobile terminal 50 and the mobile terminal communication unit 20 are each provided with a GPS function, and the difference between the GPS signal of the mobile terminal 50 and the GPS signal of the mobile terminal communication unit 20 is a predetermined value. The approach of the user may be detected in the following cases.

In step S202, the mobile terminal communication unit 20 is controlled so as to acquire identification information from the mobile terminal 50 that has approached.

In step S204, the job acquisition unit 12 is controlled to determine whether or not the job management unit 14 has a job (additional processing information) to which identification information matching the identification information acquired in step S202 is added. If the determination is negative, the process returns to step S200 to continue detection of the proximity of the portable terminal, and if the determination is positive, the process proceeds to step S206.

In step S206, the job acquisition unit 12 is controlled to acquire from the job management unit 14 a job (additional processing information) to which identification information matching the identification information acquired in step S202 is added.

In step S208, it is determined whether or not the user's approach state has been maintained (continued) for a predetermined period (time). If the user's approach is no longer detected (released) before the predetermined period elapses and the determination is negative, the process returns to step S200 to continue detecting the approach of the mobile terminal 50. . On the other hand, when detection of the user's approach continues for a predetermined period and the determination is affirmative, the process proceeds to step S210.

In step S210, print processing, which is processing corresponding to processing information included in the job (additional processing information), is executed. At that time, the fact that the job can be executed may be displayed on the UI unit (not shown) of the image processing apparatus 10, and the execution start instruction from the user may be waited.

In step S212, it is determined whether or not there is an instruction to end. End the processing information execution processing program. The end instruction in step S212 is, for example, when the power of the image processing apparatus 10 is turned off.

[Second embodiment]
This embodiment is a form in which a plurality of image processing apparatuses 10 are connected on a network 70 . If a plurality of image processing apparatuses 10 exist on the same network 70 , the user terminal 30 needs to send a job (additional processing information) to any one of the image processing apparatuses 10 . In this embodiment, the image processing device 10 to which the user terminal 30 first transmits is called a "main processing device". Of course, the main processing device does not necessarily match the image processing device 10 intended to execute the job sent from the user terminal 30 by the user.

In this embodiment, the main processing device is one selected from the plurality of image processing devices 10 . Each user terminal 30 first transmits a job (additional processing information) to the main processing unit. Therefore, the main processing unit may have a storage unit having a capacity for storing jobs from each user terminal 30 . When a certain image processing apparatus 10 detects the user's approach and acquires identification information (corresponding to steps S200 to S202 in FIG. 3), the image processing apparatus 10 first matches the acquired identification information. It is determined whether or not the job associated with the identification information exists in its own job management section 14 (corresponding to step S204 in FIG. 3). If the job exists, the processes after step S206 in FIG. 3 are executed.

On the other hand, if a job associated with identification information that matches the acquired identification information does not exist in its own job management unit 14, the job associated with the identification information that matches the identification information acquired by the image processing apparatus 10 Inquires of the main processing unit whether (additional processing information) exists (corresponding to step S204 in FIG. 3). If there is such a job, the main processing apparatus transmits the job to the image processing apparatus 10 (corresponding to step S206 in FIG. 3). The image processing apparatus 10 that has received the job executes the received job when the user's approach continues for a predetermined period (steps S208 to S210 in FIG. 3). Here, the image processing apparatus 10 that has executed the job may notify the main processing apparatus to that effect, and the main processing apparatus that has received the notification may delete the job from the storage section in which the job is stored. good. Alternatively, the main processing device may delete the job immediately after transmitting the job to the image processing device 10 .

In the present embodiment, a mode in which a predetermined one of the plurality of image processing apparatuses 10 is used as the main processing apparatus has been exemplified and described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a dedicated server may be arranged on the network 70 as a main processing device. Furthermore, the functions of the main processing unit may be arranged on the cloud.

<Modification of Second Embodiment>
In this embodiment, the image processing device 10 to be the main processing device is not determined in advance, but the image processing device 10 to be the main processing device is determined according to the distance from the user (portable terminal 50). That is, the main processing unit for each of a plurality of users may differ from user to user. Also, in the present embodiment, position information is used as identification information.

In this embodiment, location information is assigned to each of a plurality of users. The positional information of the user is uniquely given by, for example, the position of the user's seat (corresponding to "second positional information" according to the present invention). The second location information is a form of identification information, and is stored in the mobile terminal 50 carried by the user. The second position information is indicated by coordinates on a map, for example. Then, it is read into the user terminal 30 when the user operates the user terminal 30 to generate a job (additional processing information) (corresponding to step S100 in FIG. 2).

On the other hand, the image processing apparatus 10 is also uniquely given position information according to each installation position (corresponding to "first position information" according to the present invention). The first position information is indicated by coordinates on a map, for example. Then, the user terminal 30 transmits a job (additional processing information), which is processing information associated with the second position information generated by the user, to the closest image processing apparatus 10 among the plurality of image processing apparatuses 10 ( (corresponding to step S104 in FIG. 2). Judgment of the closest image processing device 10 is made, for example, by comparing the difference between the second position information and the first position information. The processing by the image processing apparatus 10 that has received the job is the same as the flowchart in FIG. 2, and the identification information in FIG. 2 can be read as the second position information.

[Third embodiment]
This embodiment uses authentication processing in addition to the identification information in the above embodiments. That is, the image processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment has a user authentication unit (not shown). In this embodiment, the type of the authentication unit is not particularly limited, and conventionally known authentication methods such as fingerprint, iris, and ID card are used.

The image processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment uses the authentication section to perform any one of the following processes.
<First Aspect>
The job is executed when the identification information is acquired by the mobile terminal communication unit 20 and the user is authenticated by the authentication unit. In this case, for example, authentication processing is performed before step S210 in the flowchart shown in FIG. At this time, when the mobile terminal communication unit 20 receives the identification information, the job execution unit 18 may execute the job regardless of the user authentication by the authentication unit. Further, the distance between the user and the image processing apparatus 10 when receiving the identification information may be set longer than the distance between the user and the image processing apparatus 10 when the user is authenticated.
<Second Aspect>
In this embodiment, processing is divided between reception of identification information by the mobile terminal communication unit 20 and authentication processing by the authentication unit. For example, the job (additional processing information) may be acquired from the job management unit 14 when the identification information is received, and the job may be executed when the user is authenticated. In this case, for example, user authentication processing is added between steps S208 and S210 in the flowchart shown in FIG. As another form, when the identification information is received, the job (additional processing information) is acquired from the job management unit 14, and the image data to be printed included in the job is transferred to the intermediate for print processing. Data may be converted, and an image may be formed on a recording medium (paper) when user authentication is performed. Note that "intermediate data" according to the present embodiment refers to preprocessing such as rasterization before image formation.

In the above embodiment, the job (additional processing information) transmitted (transferred) from the user terminal 30 or the main processing device to the image processing device 10 is information in which identification information or position information is associated with the processing information. Although the form has been exemplified and explained, it is not limited to this, and the user terminal 30 may convert the processing information to intermediate data, and the intermediate data may be associated with the identification information or the position information as a job.

Further, when there is no compatibility of intermediate data between the image processing apparatuses 10, information is exchanged between the image processing apparatuses 10 at which stage of the conversion process compatibility is maintained, and the current processing process is performed. It is also possible to select a process having data compatibility in the nearest processing process from , advance or return the process to that point, and then transfer the data.

If the intermediate data is not compatible between the image processing apparatuses 10, information on a data format that can be processed in common may be exchanged between the image processing apparatuses 10, converted into that format, and then transferred. .

In the above embodiment, the job (additional processing information) transmitted (transferred) from the user terminal 30 or the main processing device to the image processing device 10 is stored in the storage unit. However, if the proximity of the mobile terminal 50 is not detected for a certain period of time, jobs (including additional processing information and intermediate data) held by the image processing apparatus 10 may be deleted. In other words, the job having the identification information of the detected portable terminal 50 is kept by resetting the retention timer.

Further, the image processing system 1 is provided with a function of notifying the user that the job cannot be executed when the portable terminal 50 (user) stays in an area where the image processing apparatus 10 where the job is executed is absent for a certain period of time. may Further, when the image processing apparatus 10 is moved to an area where the image processing apparatus 10 where the job is to be executed after staying in an area where the image processing apparatus 10 where the job is executed is not located for a certain period of time, if there is a job to be executed, the job is executed. The image processing system 1 may have a function of notifying the user that there is a job to be processed.

Also, when the image processing apparatus 10 is in the power saving state and the proximity of the mobile terminal 50 is detected, the communication means with the image processing apparatus 10 in the image processing system 1 is first released from power saving, and the mobile terminal 50 is switched off. is judged from the communication result whether or not there is an image processing apparatus 10 in the image processing system 1 holding processing information to which the identification information of is added. When it is detected for more than the time, power saving may be canceled for the functions of the image processing apparatus 10 that are used according to the content of the processing corresponding to the processing information included in the job (additional processing information).

Further, each process performed by the user terminal 30 and the image processing apparatus 10 according to each of the above embodiments may be recorded in storage means and distributed as a program to be executed by a computer.

1 image processing system 10 image processing device 12 job acquisition unit 14 job management unit 16 job reception unit 18 job execution unit 20 mobile terminal communication unit 22 mobile terminal proximity detection unit 24 antenna 30 user terminal 32 user operation unit 34 job generation unit 36 job Transmission unit 38 Mobile terminal communication unit 40 Antenna 50 Mobile terminal 52 Antenna 70 Network

Claims (15)

Additional processing that is the processing information associated with the identification information of a portable terminal carried by the user, which is determined to be the closest to the user terminal that generates the processing information according to an instruction from the user , and that is transmitted from the user terminal . a storage unit for storing information;
a first receiving unit that receives the identification information from the mobile terminal;
an execution unit that executes processing corresponding to processing information included in additional processing information when the identification information received by the first receiving unit matches the identification information of additional processing information stored in the storage unit; , including
The distance is determined using positional information imparted by the seat position of each of the users.
Image processing device. Further comprising a detection unit that detects the approach of the user,
The image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first receiving section receives the identification information from the portable terminal when the detecting section detects the approach of the user. The execution unit executes a process corresponding to the processing information included in the additional processing information when the user's approach by the detection unit continues for a predetermined period or when the user instructs execution. The image processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: 4. The image according to claim 3, wherein the execution unit controls not to execute the processing included in the additional processing information when the detection unit detects separation of the user before a predetermined period elapses. processing equipment. further comprising an authentication unit that authenticates the user;
The image processing according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the execution unit executes processing corresponding to processing information included in the additional processing information when the user is authenticated by the authentication unit. Device. 6. When the first receiving unit receives the identification information, the execution unit executes processing corresponding to the processing information included in the additional processing information regardless of user authentication by the authentication unit. The image processing device according to . The image processing apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the distance between the user and the image processing apparatus when the identification information is received is longer than the distance between the user and the image processing apparatus when the user is authenticated. . The execution unit, when the first reception unit receives the identification information from the mobile terminal, provides additional processing information associated with identification information that matches the identification information received by the first reception unit. from the storage unit, and executes processing corresponding to the processing information included in the additional processing information acquired when the user is authenticated. The described image processing device. wherein the processing information is processing for forming an image on a recording medium based on image information;
The execution unit, when the first reception unit receives the identification information from the mobile terminal, provides additional processing information associated with identification information that matches the identification information received by the first reception unit. from the storage unit, performs preprocessing for forming an image from the image information to generate intermediate data, and performs image forming processing based on the pre-intermediate data when the user is authenticated. The image processing apparatus according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein: an image processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 9;
a mobile terminal carried by a user and equipped with a transmission unit for transmitting its own identification information;
a second receiving unit that receives the identification information from the mobile terminal, generates processing information according to an instruction from the user, and adds the identification information to the processing information when the identification information is received from the mobile terminal; a user terminal comprising a generating unit that generates additional processing information in association with the image processing apparatus, and a transmitting unit that transmits the additional processing information to the image processing apparatus;
image processing system including wherein the image processing device is a plurality of image processing devices interconnected via a network;
11. The image processing system according to claim 10, wherein said user terminal transmits said additional processing information to a predetermined main processing device on said network. 12. The image processing system according to claim 11, wherein said main processing device is one of said plurality of image processing devices. each of the plurality of image processing devices is associated with first position information indicating each position;
Each of the users is associated with second position information indicating the position of each of the users,
13. The transmitting unit of the user terminal according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the image processing device of the first positional information closest to the second positional information is used as the main processing device to transmit the additional processing information. image processing system. The execution unit of each of the plurality of image processing apparatuses, when the storage unit does not contain the additional processing information to which the identification information that matches the identification information received by the second reception unit is added, (11) to (11) to claim (11), requesting transmission of the additional processing information to which the identification information received by the receiving unit (2) is added to the main processing unit, and executing processing corresponding to the processing information included in the received additional processing information. 14. The image processing system according to any one of 13. the execution unit of each of the plurality of image processing devices notifies the main processing device that the additional processing information has been executed when processing corresponding to processing information included in the additional processing information is executed;
15. The image processing system according to any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein the other main processing device that has received the notification deletes the processed additional processing information stored in the storage unit.

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