JP7264213B2 - Program and mobile terminal - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a program for a mobile terminal that causes an image processing device to execute an image processing operation.

For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a terminal program for a mobile terminal that causes an image processing apparatus that can communicate via a communication network to execute an image processing operation. More specifically, the terminal program of Patent Document 1 causes an image processing device specified by a user to execute an image processing operation specified by the user. Note that the image processing operation includes, for example, a printing operation for recording an image on a sheet, a scanning operation for reading an image recorded on a document, and the like.

A terminal program described in Patent Document 1 broadcasts transmission request information requesting transmission of device information to a communication network, and selects a desired image processing device from image processing devices that have transmitted device information in response to the transmission request information. Let the user specify. This allows the user to designate a desired image processing apparatus from among the image processing apparatuses that can communicate with each other.

JP 2017-062736 A

However, since the broadcasted transmission request information cannot pass through the router, it is impossible to designate an image processing apparatus to which a different network address is assigned. In addition, when there is a lot of traffic on the communication network, the broadcasted transmission request information may not reach the image processing device, or the returned device information may not reach the portable terminal. In this way, if only one method of searching for an image processing device is implemented, there is a possibility that the image processing device cannot be found.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the circumstances described above, and an object thereof is to provide a program for a mobile terminal capable of appropriately discovering an image processing apparatus within a communication network.

Various disclosures are made herein. A program that is one of the disclosed examples can be executed by a mobile terminal that includes a communication interface, an input interface, and a memory. The program includes: a first search process for searching an image processing apparatus capable of executing an image processing operation by a first method in a communication network to which the communication interface is connected; a first determination process for determining whether or not the image processing apparatus has been detected; and the image processing apparatus by a second method different from the first method in response to determination that the image processing apparatus has not been detected in the first determination process. a first storage process for storing device information identifying the image processing apparatus detected in the first search process or the second search process as designated apparatus information in the memory; causing the portable terminal to execute an operation instruction process of transmitting operation instruction information for instructing execution of the image processing operation to the image processing apparatus identified by the designated apparatus information stored in the memory through the communication interface. The program comprises, in one of the first search process and the second search process, a first transmission process of broadcasting transmission request information requesting transmission of the device information to the communication network through the communication interface; and causing the portable terminal to execute a first reception process of receiving the device information from the image processing device through the communication interface as a response to the transmission request information transmitted in the transmission process. In the other of the first search process and the second search process, the program receives, through the input interface, a user operation for inputting address information for identifying the image processing apparatus within the communication network. , a second transmission process of unicasting the transmission request information through the communication interface to the image processing apparatus identified by the address information whose input was received in the first reception process; and causing the portable terminal to execute a second reception process of receiving the device information from the image processing device through the communication interface in response to the transmission request information. In the first determination process, the program determines whether or not the device information has been received before a first time elapses after the transmission request information was transmitted in the first search process.

According to the above configuration, when the image processing device cannot be detected by the first method, the image processing device is searched by the second method different from the first method, so that the image processing device connected to the communication network can be detected. more likely.

As an example, if the image processing apparatus cannot be detected by broadcasting the transmission request information, the transmission request information is unicast to the image processing apparatus identified by the address information specified by the user. This increases the possibility of appropriately detecting a desired image processing apparatus even when an image processing apparatus to which a different network address is assigned is specified, or even when communication network traffic is heavy. As another example, if the image processing device identified by the address information specified by the user cannot be detected, the transmission request information is broadcast to the communication network. This increases the possibility of properly detecting the image processing device even if the address information is erroneously input.

"Broadcast" means that a relay device (for example, a switch, a router, etc.) transmits to all the devices in the communication network the transmission request information sent to the communication network by designating the broadcast address from the mobile terminal. , and may refer to the mobile terminal unicasting the transmission request information to all the devices in the communication network in order.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system 100 according to this embodiment. 2A is a block diagram of the MFP 10, and FIG. 2B is a block diagram of the mobile terminal 50. As shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is an example of a history list stored in memory 62. As shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of main processing. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of alternative search processing A. FIG. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of alternative search processing B. FIG. 7A and 7B show display examples of the display 53, where (A) shows the main screen and (B) shows the device selection screen. FIG. 8 shows display examples of the display 53, where (A) shows a switching confirmation screen and (B) shows a history selection screen. 9A and 9B show display examples of the display 53, where (A) shows a guide screen and (B) shows an address input screen. 10A and 10B show display examples of the display 53, in which (A) shows an error screen and (B) shows a selection confirmation screen. FIG. 11 is a flowchart of main processing according to the modification.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings as appropriate. It should be noted that the embodiment described below is merely an example of the present invention, and it goes without saying that the embodiment of the present invention can be changed as appropriate without changing the gist of the present invention. For example, the execution order of each process to be described later can be changed as appropriate without changing the gist of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system 100 according to this embodiment. A system 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes MFPs 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D (hereinafter these may be collectively referred to as “MFP 10”) and a mobile terminal 50. FIG. The MFP 10 and the mobile terminal 50 are configured to be able to communicate via a communication network. The communication network may be, for example, a wired LAN, a wireless LAN 102, 103, or a combination thereof. Further, in the present embodiment, the following processing is described on the assumption that a fixed IP address is assigned to each device in advance, but it may be dynamically assigned by DHCP or the like.

MFPs 10A and 10B and portable terminal 50 belong to wireless LAN 102 . That is, mobile terminal 50 is capable of wireless communication with MFPs 10A and 10B through access point 102A. The network address of the wireless LAN 102 is "192.168.1.0/24". More specifically, MFP 10A is assigned IP address "192.168.1.160", MFP 10B is assigned IP address "192.168.1.204", and mobile terminal 50 is assigned IP address "192.1.204". .168.1.15" is assigned.

Also, the MFPs 10C and 10D belong to the wireless LAN 103. FIG. The network address of the wireless LAN 103 is "192.168.2.0/24". More specifically, it is assumed that the IP address "192.168.2.84" is assigned to the MFP 10C, and the IP address "192.168.2.211" is assigned to the MFP 10D. That is, the wireless LANs 102 and 103 are communication networks assigned different network addresses. Also, different SSIDs are assigned to the access points 102A and 103A.

Furthermore, access points 102A and 103A are connected to router 104 . That is, wireless LANs 102 and 103 are interconnected through router 104 . As a result, mobile terminal 50 can wirelessly communicate with MFPs 10C and 10D through access point 102A, router 104, and access point 103A. It should be noted that the “wireless communication” in this embodiment is not limited to the entire wireless section between the devices at both ends (for example, the mobile terminal 50 and the MFP 10D), 103A, and between access points 102A, 103A and router 104) may be wired sections.

MFP 10 mainly includes printer 11, scanner 12, display 23, input I/F 24, communication I/F 25, CPU 31, memory 32, and communication bus 33, as shown in FIG. Prepare for. Each component constituting the MFP 10 is interconnected through a communication bus 33 . The MFP 10 is an example of an image processing device.

The printer 11 is hardware that executes a printing operation for recording an image indicated by image data on a sheet. As a recording method of the printer 11, a known method such as an inkjet method or an electrophotographic method can be adopted. The scanner 12 is hardware that performs a scanning operation of reading an image recorded on a document and generating image data. A print operation and a scan operation are examples of image processing operations. MFPs 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D need only be capable of executing at least one image processing operation. Furthermore, the image processing operations that MFPs 10A, 10B, 10C, and 10D can perform may differ.

The display 23 is a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, or the like, and has a display screen for displaying various information.

The input I/F 24 is a user interface that receives input operations by the user. Specifically, the input I/F 24 has a button and outputs various operation signals associated with the pressed button to the CPU 31 . Furthermore, the input I/F 24 may have a film-like touch sensor superimposed on the display screen of the display 23 . An operation of designating an object displayed on the display screen of the display 23 and an operation of inputting a string of characters or numbers are examples of user operations. The “objects” are, for example, character strings, icons, buttons, links, radio buttons, check boxes, pull-down menus, etc. displayed on the display 23 .

The input I/F 24 implemented as a touch sensor outputs position information indicating the position on the display screen touched by the user. It should be noted that "touch" in this specification includes all operations of bringing an input medium into contact with the display screen. Also, even if the input medium does not touch the display screen, the "hover" or "floating touch" that brings the input medium close to the display screen to a position where the distance is very small is included in the above-mentioned concept of "touch". may be included. Furthermore, the input medium may be a user's finger, a touch pen, or the like. A user operation of tapping the position of an object displayed on the display 23 is an example of a user operation of designating the object.

Communication I/F 25 is an interface capable of communicating with an external device through communication network 101 . That is, MFP 10 transmits various information to an external device through communication I/F 25 and receives various information from an external device through communication I/F 25 . A specific communication procedure of the communication I/F 25 is not particularly limited, but for example, Wi-Fi (registered trademark) can be adopted.

CPU 31 controls the overall operation of MFP 10 . Based on various information output from the input I/F 24, various information received from an external device through the communication I/F 25, and the like, the CPU 31 acquires various programs, which will be described later, from the memory 32 and executes them. The CPU 31 and memory 32 constitute an example of a controller.

Memory 32 stores OS 34 and device program 35 . The device program 35 may be a single program or an aggregate of multiple programs. The memory 32 also stores data or information necessary for executing the device program 35 . The memory 32 is configured by, for example, a RAM, a ROM, an EEPROM, an HDD, a portable storage medium such as a USB memory detachable from the MFP 10, a buffer provided in the CPU 31, or a combination thereof.

Memory 32 may be a computer-readable storage medium. A computer-readable storage medium is a non-transitory medium. In addition to the above examples, non-transitory media include recording media such as CD-ROMs and DVD-ROMs. A non-transitory medium is also a tangible medium. On the other hand, an electrical signal that carries a program downloaded from a server on the Internet is a computer-readable signal medium, which is a kind of computer-readable medium, but is a non-transitory computer-readable storage. Not included in media. The same applies to the memory 62 of the mobile terminal 50, which will be described later.

The mobile terminal 50 mainly includes a display 53, an input I/F 54, a communication I/F 55, a CPU 61, a memory 62, and a communication bus 63, as shown in FIG. 2B. The display 53, the input I/F 54, the communication I/F 55, the CPU 61, the memory 62, and the communication bus 63 included in the mobile terminal 50 are connected to the display 23, the input I/F 24, the communication I/F 25, the CPU 31, and the memory included in the MFP 10. 32 and the communication bus 33, the description thereof will be omitted. The CPU 61 and memory 62 are an example of a controller.

The mobile terminal 50 is, for example, a mobile phone, a smart phone, a tablet terminal, or the like. More specifically, the display 53 of the mobile terminal 50 preferably has a display screen size of 12 inches or less, more preferably 8 inches or less. Also, the input I/F 54 of the mobile terminal 50 is desirably a touch sensor superimposed on the display screen of the display 53 .

A memory 62 stores an OS 64 and a terminal program 65 . Memory 62 may also store a history list, eg, as shown in FIG. A history list contains one or more history records. The history record is registered in the history list by the terminal program 65 at S64, which will be described later. A history record includes, for example, a device ID, a history IP address, a connection flag, and time information.

The device ID is an example of device information that identifies the MFP 10 . The device ID may be, for example, the MAC address assigned to the communication I/F 25, the model name of the MFP 10, or the like. In this embodiment, the MFP 10A is identified by the device ID "MFP-A", the MFP 10B is identified by the device ID "MFP-B", the MFP 10C is identified by the device ID "MFP-C", and the MFP 10D is identified by the device ID "MFP-A". -D". The history IP address is an example of history address information assigned to the MFP 10 identified by the device ID.

The connection flag is information indicating whether communication with the MFP 10 identified by the device ID has been established. The connection flag is set to a first value "ON" corresponding to the successful communication with the MFP 10 or a second value "OFF" corresponding to the unsuccessful communication with the MFP 10. FIG. The time information is information indicating the time when the connection flag is set to the second value "OFF". In other words, the time information is included only in history records in which the second value "OFF" is set in the corresponding connection flag.

Although not shown, the memory 62 stores mode information. The mode information is information indicating whether or not to permit communication with an external device through the communication I/F 55 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “Wi-Fi mode”). The mode information is set to a third value "ON" corresponding to permitting communication with an external device, or a fourth value "OFF" corresponding to not permitting communication with an external device. The setting value of the mode information may be switched by a user operation through the input I/F 54 or may be switched by the terminal program 65, for example.

That is, the communication I/F 55 monitors the beacon signal transmitted from the access point 102A when the third value "ON" is set in the mode information, and responds to the reception of the beacon signal by the transmission source. Connect to access point 102A. Then, the mobile terminal 50 can communicate with an external device through the communication I/F 55 connected to the access point 102A. On the other hand, the communication I/F 55 does not monitor the beacon signal when the fourth value "OFF" is set in the mode information. That is, communication I/F 55 is not connected to access point 102A. As a result, the mobile terminal 50 cannot communicate with an external device through the communication I/F 55 .

Also, although illustration is omitted, the memory 62 can store a designated device ID. The designated device ID is an example of designated device information for identifying the MFP 10 designated by the user through the input I/F 54 (hereinafter referred to as “designated device”). That is, the designated device ID is the device ID received from the designated device. Furthermore, although illustration is omitted, the memory 62 may be provided with a data folder. The data folder may store, for example, photo data, document data, presentation data, spreadsheet data, and the like. Various data stored in the data folder are data that can be the target of the print operation.

[Operation of system 100]
The operation of the system 100 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6. FIG. It is assumed that three history records are registered in the history list as shown in FIG. 3 at the start of the main processing.

The flow charts in this specification basically show the processing of the CPU 31, 61 according to the instructions written in the program. That is, the processes such as “judgment”, “extraction”, “selection”, “calculation”, “determination”, “specification”, “control” in the following description represent the processing of the CPUs 31 and 61 . Processing by the CPU 31,61 also includes hardware control via the OS 34,64. Also, "data" in this specification is represented by a computer-readable bit string. Data having substantially the same meaning and content but different formats are treated as the same data. The same applies to "information" in this specification.

[Main processing]
First, the terminal program 65 executes the main process shown in FIG. 4 in response to being started by the user. First, the terminal program 65 causes the display 53 to display the main screen shown in FIG. 7A (S11). The main screen includes action icons 111 and 112 and a switch icon 113 . An action icon 111 corresponds to a print action, and an action icon 112 corresponds to a scan action. The switch icon 113 corresponds to an instruction to switch the specified device. If the specified device ID is not stored in the memory 62, the switching icon 113 describes a character string of "unselected" indicating that the specified device is not specified. Then, the terminal program 65 receives a user operation on the main screen through the input I/F 54 (S12).

Next, the terminal program 65 searches for an MFP 10 that can communicate through the wireless LAN 102 to which the communication I/F 55 is connected in response to receiving the designation of the switch icon 113 through the input I/F 54 (S12: switch) ( S13). This process is an example of the first search process for searching for the MFP 10 that can be the designated device by the first method, and is implemented using, for example, SNMP (abbreviation for Simple Network Management Protocol). More specifically, terminal program 65 broadcasts transmission request information to wireless LAN 102 through communication I/F 55 . The process of S13 is an example of the first transmission process. Then, the terminal program 65 waits until the first period of time elapses after transmitting the transmission request information in S13 before performing the processes after S14.

As an example, the terminal program 65 may set the broadcast address “192.168.1.255” as the destination address of the IP packet containing the transmission request information and send it to the wireless LAN 102 . The access point 102A and the router 104 that have received the IP packet with the set broadcast address transmit the IP packet to all devices belonging to the wireless LAN 102 . However, the router 104 does not relay the transmission request information broadcast within the wireless LAN 102 to devices belonging to the wireless LAN 103 .

As another example, the terminal program 65 sends a plurality of transmission requests in which one of all the IP addresses "192.168.1.1" to "192.168.1.254" in the wireless LAN 102 is set as the destination address. Information may be sent to access point 102A in order through communication I/F 55 . That is, the terminal program 65 may unicast the transmission request information to all devices belonging to the wireless LAN 102 .

On the other hand, although not shown, the device program 35 of the MFPs 10A and 10B receives transmission request information from the portable terminal 50 through the communication I/F 25. FIG. Then, device program 35 of MFP 10A, 10B transmits the device ID of its own device to portable terminal 50 via communication I/F 25 as a response to the transmission request information. However, depending on the traffic of the wireless LAN 102, if the MFPs 10A and 10B cannot receive the transmission request information before the first time elapses after the transmission request information is transmitted, or if the device ID returned by the MFPs 10A and 10B is the mobile terminal It may not reach 50. Also, the MFPs 10C and 10D belonging to the wireless LAN 103 do not receive the transmission request information transmitted in S13.

Next, terminal program 65 receives the device ID transmitted as a response to the transmission request information from MFPs 10A and 10B through communication I/F 55 . Then, the terminal program 65 associates the received device ID with the source address of the IP packet containing the device ID (that is, the IP address of the MFP 10 that is the source of the device ID), and temporarily stores them in the memory 62 . . This process is an example of the first reception process.

However, as described above, terminal program 65 may receive device IDs from both MFPs 10A and 10B, may receive device IDs from only one of MFPs 10A and 10B, or may receive device IDs from both MFPs 10A and 10B. may not receive the device ID from the Then, the terminal program 65 determines whether or not one or more device IDs have been received after the first time has passed since the transmission request information was transmitted (S14). Receiving the device ID before the first time elapses is an example of detecting the MFP 10 identified by the device ID. The process of S14 is an example of the first determination process.

Next, in response to determining that one or more device IDs have been received (S14: Yes), the terminal program 65 causes the display 53 to display the device selection screen shown in FIG. 7B (S15). . FIG. 7B shows a device selection screen when device IDs are received from both MFPs 10A and 10B. The device selection screen includes device icons 121 and 122 . Device icons 121 and 122 correspond to one set of device IDs and IP addresses temporarily stored in memory 62 . Device icons 121 and 122 describe corresponding device IDs and IP addresses. Then, the terminal program 65 receives a user's operation on the device selection screen through the input I/F 54 (S16).

Next, the terminal program 65, for example, in response to receiving the designation of the device icon 121 through the input I/F 54 (S16: Yes), sets the device ID "MFP-A" corresponding to the designated device icon 121. , is stored in the memory 62 as a designated device ID (S17). If the designated device ID is already stored in the memory 62, the terminal program 65 overwrites the designated device ID with a new designated device ID. S17 is an example of a first storage process. Then, the terminal program 65 executes the processes after S11 again. The main screen displayed here differs from that in FIG.

On the other hand, the terminal program 65 changes the set value of the mode information in response to determining that the device ID has not been received within the first period of time after transmitting the transmission request information in S13 (S14: No). It judges (S19). The process of S19 is an example of the fifth determination process. Then, the terminal program 65 displays the switching confirmation screen shown in FIG. (S20). The switching confirmation screen includes a message "Wi-Fi mode is OFF. Do you want to switch it to ON?" Then, the terminal program 65 receives a user's operation on the switching confirmation screen through the input I/F 54 (S21).

Next, the terminal program 65 sets the mode information stored in the memory 62 to the third value "ON" in response to receiving the designation of the [YES] icon 131 through the input I/F 54 (S21: YES). (S22). The processing of S22 is an example of switching processing for switching the set value of the mode information from the fourth value "OFF" to the third value "ON". Then, the terminal program 65 executes the processes after S13 again. On the other hand, when the terminal program 65 accepts designation of the [NO] icon 132 through the input I/F 54 (S21: NO), the terminal program 65 does not execute the process of S22 and executes the processes after S11 again.

Further, the terminal program 65 executes the alternative search process A (S23) in response to judging that the third value "ON" is set in the mode information (S19: ON). The alternative search process A is a process of searching for the MFP 10 by a method different from the first search process. Details of the alternative search process A will be described with reference to FIG.

[Alternative search process A]
First, the terminal program 65 determines whether or not a history record is registered in the history list (S31). The process of S31 is an example of the second determination process. Next, in response to determining that the history record is registered in the history list (S31: Yes), the terminal program 65 causes the display 53 to display the history selection screen shown in FIG. 8B (S32). ). Then, the terminal program 65 receives a user's operation on the history selection screen through the input I/F 54 (S33). The process of S33 is an example of the third reception process.

The history selection screen includes history icons 141 , 142 , 143 and a [cancel] icon 144 . History icons 141 to 143 correspond to one of a plurality of history records registered in the history list. The history icons 141 to 143 describe the device ID and history IP address included in the corresponding history record. [Cancel] icon 144 corresponds to an instruction not to select a history record.

Next, the terminal program 65 reads the history record corresponding to the designated history icon 142 from the history list, for example, in response to receiving the designation of the history icon 142 through the input I/F 54 (S33: history). . Next, the terminal program 65 transmits transmission request information in which the history IP address "192.168.2.84" of the read history record is set as the destination address to the access point 102A through the communication I/F 55 (S34). . This transmission request information is relayed to MFP 10C by access point 102A, router 104, and access point 103A. That is, terminal program 65 unicasts the transmission request information to MFP 10C identified by the history IP address. The process of S34 is an example of the fourth transmission process.

Next, the terminal program 65 waits for the execution of the processes after S35 until the third time elapses after the transmission request information is transmitted in S34. The third time is a predetermined time longer than the first time. Then, the terminal program 65 receives the device ID "MFP-C" from the MFP 10C through the communication I/F 55 as a response to the transmission request information transmitted in S34 (S35). The process of S35 is an example of a fourth reception process, and the processes of S32 to S35 are an example of a third search process for searching for the MFP 10 using the third method.

Next, in response to receiving the device ID "MFP-C" from the MFP 10C (S35: Yes), the terminal program 65 sets the connection flag of the history record read from the history list to the first value "ON". (S36). Also, the terminal program 65 stores the device ID "MFP-C" received in S35 in the memory 62 as the designated device ID (S37). The process of S36 is an example of the first setting process, and the process of S37 is an example of the first storage process. Then, the terminal program 65 returns to S11 of FIG. 4 and causes the display 53 to display the main screen on which the designated device ID “MFP-C” is described in the switching icon 113. FIG.

On the other hand, when the terminal program 65 determines that the history record is not registered in the history list (S31: None), it accepts the designation of the [Cancel] icon 144 on the history selection screen through the input I/F 54. (S33: Cancel), or in response to the fact that the device ID "MFP-C" has not been received within the third time after transmitting the transmission request information in S34 (S35: No), A second value "OFF" is set to the connection flag of the history record read from the history list (S38). The terminal program 65 also acquires time information indicating the current time from a system clock (not shown) and sets it in the history record. The process of S38 is an example of the second setting process.

Next, the terminal program 65 causes the display 53 to display the guide screen shown in FIG. 9A (S39). The guide screen includes a message "MFP not found. Do you want to search by specifying an IP address?" No] is an example of the first screen including the icon 152 . The message on the guide screen is an example of a message prompting the user to enter an IP address, and the specific wording is not limited to this. Then, the terminal program 65 receives a user's operation on the guide screen through the input I/F 54 (S40). The process of S39 is an example of the first display process, and the process of S40 is an example of the second reception process.

Next, the terminal program 65 executes alternative search processing B (S41) in response to receiving designation of the [Yes] icon 151 through the input I/F 54 (S40: Yes). On the other hand, the terminal program 65 returns to S11 of FIG. 4 and returns to S11 of FIG. is displayed on the display 53. The alternative search process B is a process of searching for the MFP 10 by a method different from the first search process and the third search process. Details of the alternative search process B will be described with reference to FIG.

[Alternative search process B]
First, the terminal program 65 causes the display 53 to display the address input screen shown in FIG. 9B (S51). The address input screen includes a text box 161 for displaying the IP address input by the user, the own IP address "192.168.1.15/24", the unconnectable device "192.168.2.84", and [ OK] is an example of the second screen including the icon 162. FIG. The own IP address indicates the IP address assigned to the communication I/F 55 . A connection-disabled device indicates a history IP address of a history record in which the first value "OFF" is set in the connection flag. Then, the terminal program 65 receives a user's operation on the address input screen through the input I/F 54 (S52). S51 is an example of the second display process, and the process of S52 is an example of the first reception process.

The terminal program 65 causes the text box 161 to display, for example, an IP address (hereinafter referred to as an “input IP address”) input through a software keyboard (not shown). In addition, the terminal program 65 temporarily stores the input IP address displayed in the text box 161 in the memory 62 in response to receiving the designation of the [OK] icon 162 through the input I/F 54 (S52: Yes). . Next, the terminal program 65 determines whether or not the connection flag of the history record containing the input IP address as the history IP address is set to the second value "OFF" (S53). The process of S53 is an example of the third determination process.

As an example, the terminal program 65 accepts the input of the IP address "192.168.2.84" and the designation of the [determine] icon 162 through the input I/F 54 (S52: Yes). It is determined that the connection flag of the history record containing the IP address as the history IP address is set to the second value "OFF" (S53: Yes). The terminal program 65 in this case is obtained from the system clock (not shown) from the time "2017.4.10 17:50" indicated by the time information of the history record including the IP address "192.168.2.84". Calculate the elapsed time up to the current time indicated by the time information. Next, the terminal program 65 determines whether the calculated elapsed time is equal to or longer than a predetermined threshold time (eg, 1 hour, 24 hours, etc.) (S54). The process of S54 is an example of the fourth determination process.

Next, when the terminal program 65 determines that the calculated elapsed time is less than the threshold time (S54: No), the terminal program 65 displays the error screen shown in FIG. 10A without executing the processes after S57. is displayed on the display 53 (S55). The error screen includes the message "The specified MFP was not found. Please search again." Then, the terminal program 65 receives a user's operation on the error screen through the input I/F 54 (S56).

Then, the terminal program 65 executes the processes after S51 again in response to receiving the specification of the [OK] icon 170 through the input I/F 54 (S56: Yes). On the other hand, when the terminal program 65 determines that the elapsed time is equal to or greater than the threshold time (S54: No), the terminal program 65 uses the input IP address "192.168.2.84" to perform the processing after S57, which will be described later. Execute.

As another example, the terminal program 65 accepts the input of the IP address "192.168.2.160" and the designation of the [OK] icon 162 through the input I/F 54 (S52: Yes). , the connection flag of the history record that includes the input IP address as the history IP address is set to the first value "ON" (S53: No), and the processes after S57 are executed. As yet another example, the terminal program 65 accepts the input of the IP address “192.168.1.204” through the input I/F 54 (S52: Yes), and uses the input IP address as the history IP address. It is determined that the included history record is not registered in the history list (S53: No), and the processes after S57 are executed.

Next, the terminal program 65 transmits, to the access point 102A through the communication I/F 55, transmission request information in which the input IP address (for example, 192.168.1.204) whose input was received in S52 is set as the destination address. (S57). This transmission request information is relayed to MFP 10B by access point 102A. That is, terminal program 65 unicasts the transmission request information to MFP 10B identified by the input IP address. The process of S57 is an example of the second transmission process.

Next, the terminal program 65 waits until the second time has passed since the transmission request information was transmitted in S57 before performing the processes after S58. The second time is a predetermined time longer than the first time. Also, the second time may be the same as the third time. Then, the terminal program 65 receives the device ID "MFP-B" from the MFP 10B through the communication I/F 55 as a response to the transmission request information transmitted in S57 (S58). The processing of S58 is an example of the second reception processing, and the processing of S51 to S58 is an example of the second search processing for searching for the MFP 10 by the second method. Then, the terminal program 65 sets the device ID "MFP" before the second time elapses.
-B" is received (S58: Yes), the processes from S63 onward are executed without executing the processes of S59 to S62.

More specifically, the terminal program 65 stores the device ID "MFP-B" received in S58 in the memory 62 as the designated device ID (S63). Also, the terminal program 65 registers a new history record in the history list (S64). The history record registered in S64 contains the device ID "MFP-B" received in S58, and the source IP address "192.168.1.204" of the IP packet containing the device ID "MFP-B" is recorded in the history record. It contains as an IP address and contains a connection flag set to the first value "ON". The processing of S63 is an example of the first storage processing, and the processing of S64 is an example of the second storage processing. Then, the terminal program 65 returns to S11 of FIG. 4 and causes the display 53 to display the main screen in which the switch icon 113 describes the designated device ID “MFP-B”.

On the other hand, the terminal program 65 responds that the device ID "MFP-B" has not been received within the second time after transmitting the transmission request information in S57 (S58: No), the input IP address The transmission request information is broadcast through the communication I/F 55 to the communication network to which "192.168.1.204" belongs (that is, the wireless LAN 102) (S59). The process of S59 is an example of the third transmission process. Then, the terminal program 65 waits until the first period of time elapses after transmitting the transmission request information in S59 before performing the processes after S60. The process of S60 is an example of the third reception process.

Next, the terminal program 65, for example, receives the device ID “MFP-B” from the MFP 10B through the communication I/F 55 as a response to the transmission request information transmitted in S59 (S60: Yes). The selection confirmation screen shown in (B) is displayed on the display 53 (S61). The selection confirmation screen includes the message "MFP-B found. Do you want to specify it?" Then, the terminal program 65 receives the user's operation on the selection confirmation screen through the input I/F 54 .

Next, the terminal program 65 executes the processes after S63 described above in response to receiving the designation of the [Yes] icon 181 through the input I/F 54 (S62: Yes). On the other hand, the terminal program 65 responds that the device ID has not been received within the first period of time after transmitting the transmission request information in S59 (S60: No), or [No] on the selection confirmation screen. When the designation of the icon 182 is received through the input I/F 54 (S62: NO), the processes from S11 onward are executed again without executing the processes of S63 and S64. Note that in S60, the device ID is not always received from the MFP 10B identified by the input IP address. Also, when a plurality of device IDs are received in S60, the user may select one of the received plurality of device IDs.

Returning to FIG. 4 again, the terminal program 65 selects the action icon 111 in response to receiving the designation of the action icon 111 through the input I/F 54 with the designated device ID stored in the memory 62 (S12: action). 111 is executed (S18). Although a flow chart of operation instruction processing for instructing a print operation is omitted, for example, the following processing is executed.

First, the terminal program 65 accepts, through the input I/F 54, a user operation to designate one of the plurality of data stored in the data folder of the memory 62 (hereinafter referred to as "designated data"). In addition, the terminal program 65 may receive a user's operation for designating print operation execution conditions (for example, sheet size, image quality, etc.) through the input I/F 54, or may receive a state in which an image indicated by designated data is printed on a sheet. may be displayed on the display 53. The terminal program 65 then transmits the print instruction information to the designated device through the communication I/F 55 . The print instruction information is an example of operation instruction information that instructs execution of a print operation for designated data. The print instruction information includes, for example, designation data and condition information indicating execution conditions designated by the user.

On the other hand, the device program 35 of the MFP 10 receives print instruction information from the mobile terminal 50 through the communication I/F 25 . Then, the device program 35 causes the printer 11 to execute the print operation according to the received print instruction information. That is, the printer 11 prints the image indicated by the designated data included in the print instruction information on the sheet according to the execution conditions indicated by the condition information.

In addition, the terminal program 65, in a state in which the designated device ID is stored in the memory 62, receives the designation of the action icon 112 through the input I/F 54 (S12: action), and scans corresponding to the action icon 112. An action instruction process for causing the specified device to perform an action is executed (S18). Although a flow chart of operation instruction processing for instructing a scanning operation is omitted, for example, the following processing is executed.

First, the terminal program 65 receives, through the input I/F 54, a user's operation for designating execution conditions for the scanning operation (for example, reading resolution, scan data save destination, etc.). Next, the terminal program 65 transmits scan instruction information to the designated device through the communication I/F 55 . The scan instruction information is an example of operation instruction information that instructs execution of a scan operation. The scan instruction information includes, for example, condition information indicating execution conditions specified by the user.

On the other hand, although not shown, the device program 35 of the MFP 10 receives scan instruction information from the mobile terminal 50 through the communication I/F 25 . Then, the device program 35 causes the scanner 12 to perform a scanning operation according to the received scanning instruction information. That is, the scanner 12 reads a document set on an ADF (not shown) or a contact glass at the reading resolution indicated in the scan instruction information to generate scan data. Then, the device program 35 saves the scan data generated by the scanner 12 in the save destination indicated by the scan instruction information (for example, a USB memory (not shown), the mobile terminal 50).

[Action and effect of the present embodiment]
According to the above embodiment, when the MFP 10 cannot be detected in the first search process (S13), the MFP 10 is searched in the second search process (S51 to S58) different from the first search process. That is, when the MFP 10 cannot be detected by broadcasting the transmission request information, the transmission request information is unicast to the MFP 10 identified by the IP address specified by the user through the address input screen. As a result, even when MFPs 10C and 10D to which different network addresses are assigned are specified, or when the traffic on wireless LAN 102 is heavy, the possibility of appropriately detecting the desired MFP 10 increases.

Further, according to the above embodiment, when the MFP 10 cannot be detected in the second search process, the transmission request information is broadcast to the communication network including the input IP address. This increases the possibility that the desired MFP 10 can be detected even if the IP address is erroneously input through the address input screen. Note that S59 is not limited to broadcasting the transmission request information. As another example, the terminal program 65 may transmit (that is, multicast) the transmission request information to each device identified by the IP address obtained by replacing the last digit of the input IP address with 0 to 9. .

Further, according to the above embodiment, the waiting time in S35 and S58 is longer than the waiting time in S14. can be made higher. In addition, in S14, S35, S58, and S60, if the device ID cannot be received before the predetermined waiting time elapses, the terminal program 65 retransmits the transmission request information (that is, S13, S34, S57, retry of S59) may be executed. The terminal program 65 may make the number of retries in S35 and S58 greater than those in S14 and S60. That is, the terminal program 65 may make at least one of the waiting time and the number of retries in S35 and S58 different from those in S14 and S60.

Further, according to the above embodiment, when the MFP 10 cannot be detected in the first search process, the third search process using the history list is executed prior to the second search process. As a result, the MFP 10 identified by the IP address can be detected without re-entering the IP address that was previously entered in S52. In other words, it is possible to reduce the operational burden on the user who inputs the IP address of the desired MFP 10 . Note that the registration of the history record is not limited to the timing at which the specified device is specified in the second search process, and may be the timing at which the specified device is specified in the first search process.

Further, according to the above embodiment, when the MFP 10 cannot be detected in the first search process, the user can be made aware of the possibility of being able to detect the MFP 10 by entering the IP address through the guide screen. As a result, the possibility of detection of MFP 10 is further increased. In addition, since the IP address assigned to the mobile terminal 50 and the IP address of the MFP 10 that could not be detected in the past third search process are reported to the user through the address input screen, the MFP 10 can be detected by the second search process. more sexuality.

Also, the MFP 10 for which the threshold time has not passed since the second value "OFF" was set in the connection flag is highly likely not to respond even if the transmission request information is unicast again in S57. On the other hand, the MFP 10 for which the threshold time has passed since the second value "OFF" was set to the connection flag may be ready to transmit the device ID. Therefore, as in the above embodiment, depending on the elapsed time after the connection flag is set to the second value "OFF" (S54), whether or not the transmission request information is unicast to the MFP 10 identified by the history IP address. It is desirable to judge whether

Further, according to the above embodiment, when the fourth value "OFF" is set in the mode information, the first search process is retried after switching the mode information to the third value "ON". The possibility of detection of MFP 10 is further increased. However, the execution timing of the processes of S19 to S22 is not limited to the above example. As another example, the terminal program 65 may execute the processes of S19 to S22 prior to S13.

Further, the processing when the fourth value "OFF" is set in the mode information is not limited to the above example. As another example, the terminal program 65 may execute S22 and the alternative search process A (S23) in response to the [Yes] icon 131 being designated in S21. In this case, the processing of S22 may be performed before S57, and it does not matter whether it is before or after S51 & S52. This further increases the possibility of detecting the MFP 10 by the second search process.

In the above embodiment, an example of executing the second search process when the MFP 10 cannot be detected by the first search process has been described, but the execution order of the search processes is not limited to the above example. Also, the MFP 10 may be searched by a method different from the first search process, the second search process, and the third search process. As another example, the first search process may be executed when the MFP 10 cannot be detected in the second search process. Main processing according to the modification will be described with reference to FIG. 11 . 4 and 6 are given the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

First, the terminal program 65 causes the display 53 to display the address input screen shown in FIG. (S51). Next, when the terminal program 65 accepts the input of the IP address and the designation of the [OK] icon 162 through the input I/F 54 (S52: Yes), the terminal program 65 selects the MFP 10 identified by the input IP address. (S57). Next, the terminal program 65 receives the device ID from the MFP 10 through the communication I/F 55 within the second time after unicasting the transmission request information (S58: Yes). The ID is stored in the memory 62 as a designated device ID (S17).

On the other hand, the terminal program 65 sends the transmission request information to the wireless LAN 102 through the communication I/F 55 in response to not receiving the device ID within the second time after unicasting the transmission request information (S58: No). is broadcast (S13). Next, the terminal program 65 causes the display 53 to display the device selection screen shown in FIG. 7B (S15). The device selection screen includes device icons corresponding to the device IDs received within the first time after broadcasting the transmission request information. When the terminal program 65 accepts a user operation to designate one of the device icons through the input I/F 54 (S16: Yes), the terminal program 65 changes the device ID corresponding to the designated device icon to the designated device ID. is stored in the memory 62 as .

That is, in the main processing according to the modification, the transmission request information is broadcast to the wireless LAN 102 when the MFP 10 identified by the IP address specified by the user through the address input screen cannot be detected. This increases the possibility that the MFP 10 can be detected even if the IP address is entered incorrectly. Of the processes shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the processes omitted in FIG. 11 can also be applied to the modified example.

Further, in the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 of the above-described embodiment, various programs stored in the memories 32 and 62 are executed by the CPUs 31 and 61, thereby realizing each process executed by the controller of the present invention. explained. However, the configuration of the controller is not limited to this, and part or all of it may be realized by hardware such as an integrated circuit.

Furthermore, the present invention can be implemented not only as the MFP 10 and the mobile terminal 50, but also as a program that causes the MFP 10 and the mobile terminal 50 to execute processing. The program may be recorded on a non-transitory recording medium and provided. The non-transitory recording medium may include a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, etc., and a storage unit installed in a server connectable to the MFP 10 and the portable terminal 50 via a communication network. Then, the program stored in the storage unit of the server may be distributed through a communication network such as the Internet as information or a signal indicating the program.

10 MFPs
11... Printer 12... Scanners 23, 53... Displays 24, 54... Input I/F
25, 55...Communication I/F
31, 61 CPU
32, 62... memory 35... device program 50... mobile terminal 65... terminal program 102, 103... wireless LAN
102A, 103A...Access point 104...Router

Claims (7)

A program executable by a mobile terminal comprising a communication interface, an input interface, and a memory,
The program
a first search process for searching, by a first method, for an image processing apparatus capable of executing an image processing operation within a communication network to which the communication interface is connected;
a first determination process of determining whether or not the image processing device is detected in the first search process;
a second search process for searching for the image processing device by a second method different from the first method in response to determining that the image processing device is not detected in the first determination processing;
a first storage process of storing device information identifying the image processing device detected in the first search process or the second search process in the memory as designated device information;
causing the portable terminal to execute an operation instruction process of transmitting, through the communication interface, operation instruction information for instructing execution of the image processing operation to the image processing apparatus identified by the designated apparatus information stored in the memory; ,
The program
In the first search process,
a first transmission process of broadcasting transmission request information requesting transmission of the device information to the communication network through the communication interface;
causing the portable terminal to execute a first reception process of receiving the device information from the image processing device through the communication interface in response to the transmission request information transmitted in the first transmission process;
In the second search process,
a first reception process for receiving, through the input interface, a user operation for inputting address information for identifying the image processing apparatus within the communication network;
a second transmission process of unicasting the transmission request information through the communication interface to the image processing device identified by the address information whose input is received in the first reception process;
causing the mobile terminal to execute a second reception process of receiving the device information from the image processing device through the communication interface in response to the transmission request information transmitted in the second transmission process;
determining in the first determination process whether or not the device information has been received before a first period of time has passed since the transmission request information was transmitted in the first search process;
The memory stores mode information in which a third value corresponding to permitting communication with an external device connected to the communication network or a fourth value corresponding to not permitting the communication interface is set. and
The program
causing the portable terminal to execute a fifth judgment process for judging the set value of the mode information after executing the first search process;
setting value of the mode information from the fourth value in response to determining that the image processing apparatus is not detected in the first determination process and determining that the fourth value is in the fifth determination process; causing the mobile terminal to perform switching processing for switching to the third value prior to the second transmission processing ;
The program
In response to not receiving the device information in the second reception process before a second time elapses after transmitting the transmission request information in the second transmission process,
a third transmission process of multicasting the transmission request information to a device identified by a plurality of pieces of address information including part of the address information whose input is received in the first reception process;
causing the portable terminal to execute a third reception process of receiving the device information from the image processing device through the communication interface in response to the transmission request information transmitted in the third transmission process;
A program for storing the device information received in the third reception processing in the memory as the designated device information in the first storage processing. A program executable by a mobile terminal comprising a communication interface, an input interface, and a memory,
The program
a first search process for searching, by a first method, for an image processing apparatus capable of executing an image processing operation within a communication network to which the communication interface is connected;
a first determination process of determining whether or not the image processing device is detected in the first search process;
a second search process for searching for the image processing device by a second method different from the first method in response to determining that the image processing device is not detected in the first determination processing;
a first storage process of storing device information identifying the image processing device detected in the first search process or the second search process in the memory as designated device information;
an operation instruction process of transmitting, through the communication interface, operation instruction information for instructing execution of the image processing operation to the image processing apparatus identified by the designated apparatus information stored in the memory, on the mobile terminal. let
The program
In the first search process,
a first transmission process of broadcasting transmission request information requesting transmission of the device information to the communication network through the communication interface;
causing the portable terminal to execute a first reception process of receiving the device information from the image processing device through the communication interface in response to the transmission request information transmitted in the first transmission process;
In the second search process,
a first reception process for receiving, through the input interface, a user operation for inputting address information for identifying the image processing apparatus within the communication network;
a second transmission process of unicasting the transmission request information through the communication interface to the image processing device identified by the address information whose input is received in the first reception process;
causing the mobile terminal to execute a second reception process of receiving the device information from the image processing device through the communication interface in response to the transmission request information transmitted in the second transmission process;
determining in the first determination process whether or not the device information has been received before a first period of time has passed since the transmission request information was transmitted in the first search process;
The memory stores mode information in which a third value corresponding to permitting communication with an external device connected to the communication network or a fourth value corresponding to not permitting the communication interface is set. and
The program
causing the portable terminal to execute a fifth judgment process for judging the set value of the mode information after executing the first search process;
causing the mobile terminal to execute the second search process in response to determining that the image processing device was not detected in the first determination process and determining that the third value was determined in the fifth determination process ,
In response to determining that the image processing device was not detected in the first determination process and that the fourth value was determined in the fifth determination process,
a switching process for switching the set value of the mode information from the fourth value to the third value;
A program for causing the portable terminal to execute the first search process again after executing the switching process. The mobile terminal includes a display,
The program
A first screen including a message prompting the user to input the address information, a first object, and a second object is displayed on the display in response to determining that the image processing device is not detected in the first determination process. a first display process to cause
a second reception process for receiving a user operation on the first screen through the input interface;
causing the portable terminal to execute the second search process in response to receiving the designation of the first object in the second receiving process;
3. The program according to claim 1, wherein the second search process is not executed in response to acceptance of designation of the second object in the second acceptance process. The program
In response to not receiving the device information in the second reception process before a second time elapses after transmitting the transmission request information in the second transmission process,
a third transmission process of multicasting the transmission request information to a device identified by a plurality of pieces of address information including part of the address information whose input is received in the first reception process;
causing the portable terminal to execute a third reception process of receiving the device information from the image processing device through the communication interface in response to the transmission request information transmitted in the third transmission process;
3. The program according to claim 2 , wherein, in said first storage process, said device information received in said third reception process is stored in said memory as said designated device information. 5. The program according to claim 1 , wherein said second time is longer than said first time. a communication interface;
an input interface;
memory;
A mobile terminal comprising a controller,
The controller is
a first search process for searching, by a first method, for an image processing apparatus capable of executing an image processing operation within a communication network to which the communication interface is connected;
a first determination process of determining whether or not the image processing device is detected in the first search process;
a second search process for searching for the image processing device by a second method different from the first method in response to determining that the image processing device is not detected in the first determination processing;
a first storage process of storing device information identifying the image processing device detected in the first search process or the second search process in the memory as designated device information;
performing an operation instruction process of transmitting, through the communication interface, operation instruction information instructing execution of the image processing operation to the image processing apparatus identified by the designated apparatus information stored in the memory;
The controller is
In the first search process,
a first transmission process of broadcasting transmission request information requesting transmission of the device information to the communication network through the communication interface;
executing a first reception process of receiving the device information from the image processing device through the communication interface as a response to the transmission request information transmitted in the first transmission process;
In the second search process,
a first reception process for receiving, through the input interface, a user operation for inputting address information for identifying the image processing apparatus within the communication network;
a second transmission process of unicasting the transmission request information through the communication interface to the image processing device identified by the address information whose input is received in the first reception process;
executing a second reception process of receiving the device information from the image processing device through the communication interface in response to the transmission request information transmitted in the second transmission process;
determining in the first determination process whether or not the device information has been received before a first period of time has passed since the transmission request information was transmitted in the first search process;
The memory stores mode information in which a third value corresponding to permitting communication with an external device connected to the communication network or a fourth value corresponding to not permitting the communication interface is set. and
The controller is
executing a fifth judgment process for judging the set value of the mode information after executing the first search process;
setting value of the mode information from the fourth value in response to determining that the image processing apparatus is not detected in the first determination process and determining that the fourth value is in the fifth determination process; executing a switching process for switching to the third value prior to the second transmission process ;
The controller is
In response to not receiving the device information in the second reception process before a second time elapses after transmitting the transmission request information in the second transmission process,
a third transmission process of multicasting the transmission request information to a device identified by a plurality of pieces of address information including part of the address information whose input is received in the first reception process;
causing the portable terminal to execute a third reception process of receiving the device information from the image processing device through the communication interface in response to the transmission request information transmitted in the third transmission process;
In the first storage process, the mobile terminal stores the device information received in the third reception process in the memory as the designated device information. a communication interface;
an input interface;
memory;
A mobile terminal comprising a controller,
The controller is
a first search process for searching, by a first method, for an image processing apparatus capable of executing an image processing operation within a communication network to which the communication interface is connected;
a first determination process of determining whether or not the image processing device is detected in the first search process;
a second search process for searching for the image processing device by a second method different from the first method in response to determining that the image processing device is not detected in the first determination processing;
a first storage process of storing device information identifying the image processing device detected in the first search process or the second search process in the memory as designated device information;
performing an operation instruction process of transmitting, through the communication interface, operation instruction information instructing execution of the image processing operation to the image processing apparatus identified by the designated apparatus information stored in the memory;
The controller is
In the first search process,
a first transmission process of broadcasting transmission request information requesting transmission of the device information to the communication network through the communication interface;
executing a first reception process of receiving the device information from the image processing device through the communication interface as a response to the transmission request information transmitted in the first transmission process;
In the second search process,
a first reception process for receiving, through the input interface, a user operation for inputting address information for identifying the image processing apparatus within the communication network;
a second transmission process of unicasting the transmission request information through the communication interface to the image processing device identified by the address information whose input is received in the first reception process;
executing a second reception process of receiving the device information from the image processing device through the communication interface in response to the transmission request information transmitted in the second transmission process;
determining in the first determination process whether or not the device information has been received before a first period of time has passed since the transmission request information was transmitted in the first search process;
The memory stores mode information in which a third value corresponding to permitting communication with an external device connected to the communication network or a fourth value corresponding to not permitting the communication interface is set. and
The controller is
executing a fifth judgment process for judging the set value of the mode information after executing the first search process;
executing the second search process in response to determining that the image processing device was not detected in the first determination process and determining that the third value was determined in the fifth determination process,
In response to determining that the image processing device was not detected in the first determination process and that the fourth value was determined in the fifth determination process,
a switching process for switching the set value of the mode information from the fourth value to the third value;
A portable terminal that executes the first search process again after executing the switching process.

Images