KR101367369B1 - Zero configuration remote printing service system and printing service method using the smart device - Google Patents

Abstract

Unconfigured remote printing service system using a smart device of the present invention, a mobile terminal and attached to the mobile terminal, including a Self-Organize System (SOS) key for communicating with an external device through a sensor network (sensor network) A mobile terminal configured; It is located in each unit space to perform location-based wireless communication, when a printing service is requested through the mobile terminal, the print service is searched while expanding the radius in a hop unit, the print file to the found printer A router for transmitting a completion message to the mobile terminal upon completion of printing; And a printer for outputting the transmitted print file.

Description

ZERO CONFIGURATION REMOTE PRINTING SERVICE SYSTEM AND PRINTING SERVICE METHOD USING THE SMART DEVICE}

The present invention relates to a non-configured remote printing service system and a printing service providing method using a smart device, and more particularly, by using a radio wave characteristic of a smart device having a location-based wireless communication or a smart device having a mobile terminal. After recognizing the shortest distance service router, tracking the location of the shortest printer through the recognized router, and then sending the print file to the tracked printer, it is necessary to set the relevant drive for the printer at the user's mobile location or smart device. The present invention relates to a non-configured remote printing service system and a printing service providing method using a smart device capable of providing a print service to a user.

Recently, the spread of mobile terminals such as mobile phones, PDAs, and smart phones has become popular, and content services provided to the mobile terminals using wired / wireless networks are also increasing.

In response to this situation, it is possible to send and receive e-mail, watch still image and video data, listen to music data, and view and edit various document data using mobile terminals, regardless of the location of financial settlement such as Internet banking. It became.

In addition, with the spread of mobile terminals with high-resolution ultra-compact digital cameras, editing, storage, and internet transmission of photographs are freed, and the quality of printed photographs is equivalent to that of general film photographs.

Digital images taken by such mobile terminals are generally connected to a PC to transmit data, perform a predetermined editing process on the PC, or send them to an image output server on the Internet without editing, and then output them through a dedicated printer. There has also been a service of receiving a photo, or directly transmitting a digital image taken from a mobile terminal to an image output server on the Internet, outputting it through a dedicated printer, and providing a printed photo.

However, in order to receive printing service using a conventional mobile terminal, when there is a printer in any place, it is inconvenient to move a file to a computer connected to the printer and print, and a driver for the printer must be installed in the mobile terminal. There was a problem, such as that there is a problem that the user does not receive a printing service easily at a desired place.

The technical problem to be solved by the present invention, by using a mobile terminal capable of location-based wireless communication to track the location of the printer in the shortest distance with the user and then transmit the print file to the tracked printer, the user's mobile location And a printing service system and a printing service providing method using a mobile terminal capable of providing a print service to a user without setting a printer-related driving drive in the mobile terminal.

The non-configured remote printing service system using a smart device according to the present invention for achieving the technical problem is attached to a mobile terminal and the mobile terminal, SOS (Self--) for communicating with an external device through a sensor network (sensor network) A mobile terminal configured to include an Organize System) key; It is located in each unit space to perform location-based wireless communication, when a printing service is requested through the mobile terminal, the print service is searched while expanding the radius in a hop unit, the print file to the found printer A router for transmitting a completion message to the mobile terminal upon completion of printing; And a printer for outputting the transmitted print file.

In addition, a method for providing a non-configured remote printing service using a smart device according to the present invention for achieving the technical problem, the first step of transmitting a print request message from the mobile terminal to the target router located nearest; A second step of determining, by the target router, that the printer is connected by performing communication with the target router and an adjacent router located at a short distance, and transmitting a determination result to the mobile terminal; And a third process of determining whether to proceed with the print service according to the determination result of the second process.

The present invention has a technical effect that a print service can be conveniently provided by simply pressing a printer execution button of a mobile terminal that a user carries, without having to set a printer-related driving drive in a user's moving position and mobile terminal.

Figure 1a shows an overall system for implementing a printer service using a mobile terminal of the present invention.
FIG. 1B is a detailed diagram for describing a detailed configuration and function of a mobile terminal of the entire system of FIG. 1A.
FIG. 1C illustrates an example of a process in which a router performs a printer service while widening a printer service search range according to the present invention.
Figure 2a shows the hardware configuration of the SOS key in accordance with the present invention.
2b illustrates the software structure of a SOS key in accordance with the present invention.
Figure 2c shows a hardware configuration of a router according to the present invention.
3A illustrates a printing process when a printer is connected to a target router as a first embodiment of providing a printer service using a mobile terminal of the present invention.
3B is a second embodiment of providing a printer service using a mobile terminal of the present invention, and shows a printing process when a printer is connected to an adjacent router.
FIG. 3C is a third embodiment of providing a printer service using a mobile terminal of the present invention, and illustrates a process when there is no printer connected to a target router or an adjacent router.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

Figure 1a shows an overall system for implementing a printer service using a mobile terminal of the present invention.

Referring to Figure 1a, the entire system for implementing a printer service using the mobile terminal of the present invention is a mobile terminal 100, a router (router, 200), printer location information table 250, a printer 300 and the whole Network 400.

As shown in FIG. 1A, the routers 200 are arranged within a radius of a hop unit around the mobile terminal 100, that is, within a radius of one hop H1 to four hops H4.

The mobile terminal 100 is a terminal capable of location-based wireless communication, for example, a mobile terminal such as a smart phone, a smart pad, an iPod, a PDA, or a personal digital assistant. Can be implemented.

Hereinafter, the configuration and function of the mobile terminal 100 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 1B.

Referring to FIG. 1B, the mobile terminal 100 includes a smart phone 110, a self-organizing system (SOS) key 120, and a device connection unit 130.

The smart phone 110 may transmit and receive data with the SOS key 120 because various applications are embedded therein.

Self-Organize System (SOS) key 120 not only transmits and receives signals to and from the router 200 through a sensor network, but also transmits and receives various applications and data of the smart phone 110. To help.

The device connection unit 130 serves as a connector that enables communication with each other by connecting the smartphone 110 and the SOS key 120.

The router 200 is an Internet networking device for connecting a local area network (LAN) and a local area network (LAN) or for connecting a local area network (LAN) and a wide area network (WAN). A plurality of routers are installed to establish a location-aware infrastructure by dividing the indoor space into several unit spaces around each router.

The routers 200 serve as location-based wireless communication access points (APs) within each unit space, and are connected to a printer 300 located in each indoor space by a local area network (LAN).

The printer location information table 250 is stored in each router 200. When the router 200 receives a print command from the mobile terminal 100, the printer location information table 250 searches for the printer location information table 250 and is located near the printer. It allows to determine the location of 300.

The printer 300 may or may not be connected to each router 200 within each Personal Area Network (PAN) range.

For example, it can be assumed that there are seven routers 200 within seven PAN ranges, and two printers 300 are connected to the router 200, but various modifications can be made without being limited thereto. Of course it is.

PANs (Personal Area Network) is formed in a plurality over a predetermined area based on each router 200, each router 200 communicates with each other through a PAN (Personal Area Network).

The entire network 400 includes a plurality of personal area networks (PANs).

FIG. 1C illustrates an example of a process in which a router performs a printer service while widening a printer service search range according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1C, when the first router R1 nearest to the mobile terminal 100 searches for a printer service, the first router R1 first searches for whether a printer exists in the mobile terminal 100, and then the printer is connected. If it is determined that it is not present, the radius is increased by one hop to continue searching for the printer service.

In this case, the second router R2, the third router R3, and the fourth router R4 in a radius range of one hop unit from the first router R1 are found, and any one of the found routers is found. If there is a printer connected to the above, the requested printer service is performed, and if it is determined that the printer is not connected to all of the searched routers, the printer further searches for the printer service by increasing the radius in units of hops.

In the same manner as before, the fifth router R5 at a radius of 2 hops from the first router R1, the sixth router R6 at a radius of 3 hops, the seventh router R7, a radius of 4 hops The printer service is searched for the eighth router R8 and the ninth router R9 in turn, or the requested printer service is executed.

That is, in the case of the present invention, the nearest router R1 receiving the service request from the mobile terminal 100 performs a print service search in units of hops, adjusts the radius of the hops, and expands the search range. When the requested print service is executed, the mobile terminal 100 notifies the executed print service result.

On the other hand, the mobile terminal 100 simply makes a print service request to the router, waits for a response to the request, and does not perform a print service search such as a router.

2A to 2C, the hardware structure of the SOS key 120, the software structure of the SOS key 120, and the hardware structure of the router 200 will be described in detail.

First, a hardware structure of the SOS key 120 will be described with reference to FIG. 2A.

The hardware of the SOS key 120 includes a power supply unit 121, a status display unit 122, a data switching unit 123, an antenna unit 124, an RF communication unit 125, and a main controller unit 126.

The power supply unit 121 serves to supply power to the main controller unit 126.

The status display unit 122 serves to determine the current state of the SOS key 120 from the outside, for example, it may be implemented using an LED (Light Emitting Diode) lamp.

The data switching unit 123 converts data according to data communication methods supported by various types of smart phones.

The antenna unit 230 transmits and receives a signal by performing communication with an external device, such as a router 200, and in this case, a wireless peer-to-peer such as WIFI Direct, IEEE 802.15.4 MAC, or ANT + as a protocol of a sensor network applied to wireless communication. (P2P, peer-to-peer) protocol can be used.

The RF communication unit 125 serves to process signals transmitted and received by the antenna unit 124, and may be implemented in the form of a one chip in which ANT + / Bluetooth is simultaneously used as necessary.

The main controller unit 126 controls the respective devices constituting the SOS key 120.

Next, the software structure of the SOS key 120 will be described with reference to FIG. 2B.

First, the process of receiving and processing data through the SOS key 120 through the sensor network will be described.

The sensor data receiver 121 receives a data through the sensor network and has a first process of reading data in a normal polling or interrupt method.

Since the data received in the first process may vary according to various communication methods, the data received by the serializer 122 may have a second process of recovering the original data through the data serialization process.

The filtering unit 123 has a third process of transferring data to the processing unit 124 after a filtering process of dividing the data recovered in the second process into necessary data and unnecessary data.

Next, a process of transmitting data to the sensor network by the SOS key 120 will be described.

When the processing unit 124 issues a data transmission command to the sensor data transmitter 125, the sensor data transmitter 125 has a fourth process of transmitting data to an external router 200 through the sensor network.

In this case, unlike the case of receiving the data described above, since the data need not be serialized and filtered, the configuration of the serializer 122 and the filter 123 is unnecessary.

Next, the SOS key 120 looks at the process of transmitting and receiving data with the smart phone 110.

When the processing unit 124 gives a data transmission command to the data transmission unit 128, the data transmission unit 128 has a fifth process of transmitting data to an application of the smart phone 110.

 The data receiver 126 receives the data sent from the application of the smart phone 110 and then sends the data to the serializer 127, and processes the data that has been serialized by the serializer 127. 124) a sixth process.

On the other hand, the processing unit 124 not only plays a role of transmitting and receiving data with the router 200 and the smart phone 110 described above, but also the address information of the nearest router 200 in the closest distance to the user It acts as a store.

Hereinafter, how the address information of the nearest router 200 is recognized and stored by the processing unit 124 will be described.

The processing unit 124 analyzes a beacon signal periodically transmitted from a predetermined router 200. That is, the processing unit 124 extracts a received signal strength indication (RSSI) value for the transmitted beacon signal, and optimizes the extracted received field strength (RSSI) value and the address of the router 200. Recognize it as a nearby router and save it.

In this case, if the processing unit 124 receives a beacon signal from another router 200, the received field strength (RSSI) value of the received beacon signal is compared with the received field strength (RSSI) value already stored. The router address providing the larger received field strength (RSSI) value is updated with information of the nearest router.

Next, a hardware structure and a function of the router 200 will be described with reference to FIG. 2C.

The hardware structure of the router 200 may include a power supply unit 210, a storage unit 220, an antenna unit 230, an Ethernet communication unit 240, a wireless communication unit 250, an Ethernet control unit 245, a USB interface control unit 260, and the like. The main controller unit 270 is configured to be included.

The power supply unit 210 supplies power to the main controller unit 270, the antenna unit 230, the Ethernet communication unit 240, and the wireless communication unit 250.

The storage unit 220 includes a flash memory 221 and a main memory 222.

In this case, an operating system (OS) such as a real time operating system (RTOS) is stored in the flash memory 221. The real time operating system (RTOS) operates through the main controller 270 and the main memory 222. The operation of the antenna unit 230, the Ethernet communication unit 240, and the wireless communication unit 250 is controlled through the device driver.

The main memory 222 stores various programs and data necessary for the operation of the main controller 270.

The antenna unit 230 transmits and receives a signal by communicating with an external SOS key 120. In this case, a wireless peer-to-peer (P2P) such as WIFI Direct, IEEE 802.15.4 MAC, or ANT + as a protocol of a sensor network applied to wireless communication. Peer-to-peer protocols may be used.

The Ethernet communication unit 240 is a local network capable of exchanging information at a transmission rate of 10 Mbps between up to 1,024 data terminals within a distance of about 2.5 km between data stations, and implements the IEEE 802.3 standard. It is connected to the printer 300 through ethernet) communication.

Meanwhile, the Ethernet communication unit 240 is controlled by the Ethernet control unit 245 and allows the printer 300 to print the transmitted print file according to the control signal.

The wireless communication unit 250 serves to process signals transmitted and received by the antenna unit 230, such as Wi-Fi (Wireless Broadband Internet, WiBro), Wi-Fi, WiMAX (World Interoperability for Microwave Access, WiMAX), Communication networks such as High Speed Packet Access (HSPA), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), and Bluetooth may be used.

The USB interface controller 260 controls the USB interface when the router 200 communicates with a universal serial bus (USB) for protocol extension.

The main controller 270 controls each device constituting a router.

The main functions of the router 200 will be summarized below.

First, the router 200 has a function of broadcasting a beacon signal that periodically informs its location.

In detail, the router 200 broadcasts a beacon signal including its location information periodically through the antenna unit 230 to inform its location information.

At this time, the beacon signal contains a received field strength (RSSI) value, which has a property of decreasing with distance due to the characteristics of radio waves, and by using this property, the SOS key 120 receives each received signal. By comparing the field strength (RSSI) value, the router 200 that provides the largest value is recognized as the nearest router.

The broadcast signal may be determined according to the network configuration. For example, a wireless peer-to-peer (P2P) protocol such as WIFI Direct, IEEE 802.15.4 MAC, or ANT + may be used. Can be.

Second, the router 200 has a function of communicating with the SOS key 120 and transmitting and receiving data.

 In detail, as illustrated in FIG. 2B, the router 200 not only transmits and receives data through the SOS key 120 and the sensor network, but also transmits and receives data to and from the smart phone 110.

Third, the router 200 has a function of transmitting a file that the user wants to print to the printer 300 connected through Ethernet communication.

In detail, the printer location information table 250 including location information of the printer 300 located at a short distance is stored in the router 200. At this time, if the user moves the printer to another place and installs it again, the printer location information is also updated.

The location information of the router 200 is pre-registered by the user, and since the router is a fixed node, the location information once registered is valid until the location is moved to another location.

If the location of the router moves, the user may request location change information, and thus the changed location information of the router is provided to the user.

The printer location information and the location information of the router described above are used as information of the printer service.

Here is a brief overview of the process of printing using a printer service.

First, when the router 200 receives a printing request and a file through the SOS key 120, the router 200 transmits a print file that the user wants to print to the printer 300 connected through Ethernet, and the printer receives the print file. 300 prints the file.

When the printing is finished, the router 200 transmits its location information and the printer result to the SOS key 120 which has requested a printer.

3A illustrates a printing process when a printer is connected to a target router as a first embodiment of providing a printer service using a mobile terminal of the present invention.

Hereinafter, referring to FIG. 3A, a printer service providing process using the mobile terminal of the present invention when the printer 300 is connected to the target router 200a will be described.

First, the user has a first process a10 of transmitting a print request message to the target router 200a through the mobile terminal 100.

In this case, the target router 200a refers to a router in a position closest to the mobile terminal 100 of the user, and is used as follows.

Next, the target router 200a has a second process a20 of searching the printer location table 250 to track whether there is a printer connected.

In the first exemplary embodiment, since it is determined that the printer 300 is connected to the target router 200a in the second process a20, a third process a30 of transmitting a printer presence message to the mobile terminal 100 is performed. Have

Next, the user has a fourth process (a40) of transmitting a print file, which the user intends to print, to the target router 200a through the mobile terminal 100.

Next, the target router 200a has a fifth process a50 of transmitting the received print file to the connected printer 300.

Next, the printer 300 has a sixth process a60 of starting to print the requested print file.

Next, when the printer 300 completes printing of the entire requested print file, the printer 300 has a seventh process a70 of transmitting a print completion message to the target router 200a.

Next, the target router 200a has an eighth process a80 of transmitting the print completion message and the location information of the printer 300 to the mobile terminal 100.

In this case, the user can easily find the corresponding output by referring to the location information of the transmitted printer.

Finally, the mobile terminal 100 has a ninth process a90 of outputting a print completion message on the screen.

3B is a second embodiment of providing a printer service using a mobile terminal of the present invention, and shows a printing process when a printer is connected to an adjacent router.

Hereinafter, referring to FIG. 3B, the printer service providing process using the mobile terminal of the present invention when the printer 300 is connected to the adjacent router 200b will be described.

First, the user has a first process b10 of transmitting a print request message to the target router 200a through the mobile terminal 100.

Next, the target router 200a has a second process b20 of searching the printer location table 250 to track whether there is a printer connected.

In the second exemplary embodiment, since it is determined that the printer 300 is connected to the neighboring router 200b adjacent to the target router 200a in the second process (b20), the mobile terminal 100 receives a printer presence message. It has a third process (b30) to transmit.

Next, the user has a fourth process (b40) for transmitting the print file the user wants to print to the target router 200a through the mobile terminal 100.

Next, the target router 200a has a fifth process b50 of transmitting the received print file to the adjacent router 200b.

Next, the neighbor router 200b has a sixth process b60 of transmitting the received print file to the printer 300 connected to the neighbor router 200b.

Next, the printer 300 has a seventh process b70 of starting to print the requested print file.

Next, when the printer 300 completes printing of the entire requested print file, the printer 300 has an eighth process b80 of transmitting a print completion message to the neighbor router 200b.

Next, the neighbor router 200b has a ninth process b90 of transmitting the received print completion message to the target router 200a.

Next, the target router 200a has a tenth step b100 of transmitting a print completion message and printer 300 location information to the mobile terminal 100.

In this case, the user can easily find the corresponding output by referring to the location information of the transmitted printer.

Finally, the mobile terminal 100 has an eleventh process b110 of outputting a print completion message on the screen.

FIG. 3C is a third embodiment of providing a printer service using a mobile terminal of the present invention, and illustrates a process when there is no printer connected to a target router or an adjacent router.

Hereinafter, referring to FIG. 3C, when there is no printer connected to the target router 200a or the neighboring router 200b, a printer service providing process using the mobile terminal of the present invention will be described.

First, the user has a first process c10 of transmitting a print request message to the target router 200a through the mobile terminal 100.

Next, the target router 200a has a second process c20 for searching the printer location information table 250 to track whether there is a printer connected.

 In the third embodiment, since it is determined that there is no printer connected to the target router 200a or the neighboring router 200b in the second process c20, the third process c30 of transmitting a printer absence message to the mobile terminal 100 is performed. Has

Finally, the mobile terminal 100 has a fourth process (c40) for outputting a print impossible message on the screen.

While the present invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit of the invention.

100: mobile terminal
110: smartphone
120: Self-Organize System (SOS) key
130: device connection
200: router
250: printer location information table
300: Printer
400: entire network

Claims (14)

A mobile terminal attached to the mobile terminal, the mobile terminal including a Self-Organize System (SOS) key for communicating with an external device through a sensor network;
Located in each unit space to perform location-based wireless communication, and stores a printer location information table including the location information of the printer located in a short distance, when a printing service is requested through the mobile terminal, 1 hop ( a router that searches for a print service while expanding a radius in hop units, sends a print file to the found printer, and sends a completion message to the mobile terminal upon completion of printing; And
A remote printing service system using a smart device, characterized in that it comprises a printer for outputting the transmitted print file. The method of claim 1,
The SOS (Self-Organize System) key,
A power supply unit supplying power to the main controller unit;
A data conversion unit converting data according to a data communication scheme supported by the mobile terminal;
An antenna unit for performing wireless communication through the router and a sensor network;
An RF communication unit processing a signal transmitted and received by the antenna unit; And
And a main controller unit controlling the power supply unit, the data switching unit, the antenna unit, and the RF communication unit. 3. The method of claim 2,
The sensor network includes:
Unconfigured remote printing service system using a smart device, characterized by using WIFI Direct, IEEE 802.15.4 MAC or ANT + protocol. 3. The method of claim 2,
The SOS (Self-Organize System) key,
After comparing received signal strength (RSSI) values for a plurality of signals transmitted from the router, the router providing the maximum received field strength (RSSI) value is recognized as the nearest router and stored therein. Unconfigured remote printing service system using a smart device, characterized in that it further comprises a processing unit. The method of claim 1,
The router (router),
A power supply unit supplying power to the main controller unit, the antenna unit, the Ethernet communication unit, and the wireless communication unit;
A storage unit for storing an operating system (OS), a program, and data;
An antenna unit for performing wireless communication through the SOS key and a sensor network;
An Ethernet communication unit connected to the printer through Ethernet communication;
A wireless communication unit processing a signal transmitted and received by the antenna unit; And
And a main controller unit controlling the power supply unit, the storage unit, the antenna unit, the Ethernet communication unit, and the wireless communication unit. The method of claim 5,
OS (Operating System) of the storage unit,
And a remote time operating system (RTOS) for controlling the operation of the antenna unit, the Ethernet communication unit, and the wireless communication unit through a device driver. The method of claim 5,
The sensor network includes:
Unconfigured remote printing service system using a smart device, characterized by using WIFI Direct, IEEE 802.15.4 MAC or ANT + protocol. The method of claim 5,
The wireless communication unit includes:
Any one of Wi-Fi (Wireless Broadband Internet, WiBro), Wi-Fi, WiMAX (World Interoperability for Microwave Access, WiMAX), High Speed Packet Access (HSPA), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Bluetooth Settings remote printing service system using a smart device, characterized in that using. The method of claim 5,
And a non-configurable remote printing service system using a smart device, wherein the router further comprises a USB interface controller for controlling a USB interface when the router performs USB (Universal Serial Bus) communication. delete A method for providing a non-configured remote printing service executed in the unconfigured remote printing service system according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
A first step of transmitting a print request message from a mobile terminal to a target router nearest to the target router;
A second step of determining, by the target router, that the printer is connected by performing communication with the target router and an adjacent router located at a short distance, and transmitting a determination result to the mobile terminal; And
And a third process of determining whether to proceed with a print service according to the determination result of the second process. 12. The method of claim 11,
If it is determined in the second step that the printer is connected to the target router,
Transmitting a printer presence message from the target router to the mobile terminal;
Transmitting a print file to the target router;
A fifth step of transmitting the received print file from the target router to the printer;
A sixth step of starting to print the requested print file;
A seventh step of transmitting a print completion message from the printer to the target router when printing of the entire requested print file is completed;
An eighth step of transmitting the print completion message and the location information of the printer from the target router to the mobile terminal; And
And a ninth process of outputting a print completion message on the screen of the mobile terminal. 12. The method of claim 11,
If it is determined in the second step that the printer is connected to the adjacent router,
Transmitting a printer presence message from the target router to the mobile terminal;
Transmitting a print file to the target router;
A fifth step of transmitting the received print file from the target router to the neighbor router;
A sixth step of transmitting the received print file from the neighbor router to the printer;
A seventh step of starting to print the requested print file;
An eighth step of transmitting a print completion message from the printer to the neighbor router when printing of the entire requested print file is completed;
A ninth step of transmitting the received print completion message from the neighbor router to the target router;
A tenth step of transmitting the print completion message and location information of the printer from the target router to the mobile terminal; And
And an eleventh process of outputting a print completion message on the screen of the mobile terminal. 12. The method of claim 11,
If it is determined in the second step that the printer is not connected to the target router or the adjacent router,
Transmitting a printer absence message from the target router to the mobile terminal; And
And a fourth process of outputting a non-printable message on the screen of the mobile terminal.

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