WO2013032264A1

WO2013032264A1 - Image forming apparatus supporting peer-to-peer connection and method of managing the same

Info

Publication number: WO2013032264A1
Application number: PCT/KR2012/006976
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hyun-Wook Park; Jung-Jin Park; Byeong-tak Jo; Seong-Il Park; Sung-Joon Park; Jin-Hyung Kim
Original assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
Priority date: 2011-09-02
Filing date: 2012-08-31
Publication date: 2013-03-07

Abstract

A method of managing an address book of an image forming apparatus that supports a peer-to-peer (P2P) connection includes connecting the image forming apparatus to an external wireless device in the P2P connection method through a wireless local area network (WLAN); operating a soft access point (AP) module of the image forming apparatus so that the image forming apparatus operates as an AP; allocating an internet protocol (IP) address to the wireless device by driving a dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) server unit (DHCP server) of the image forming apparatus; and registering the wireless device connected to the image forming apparatus in the address book, which stores wireless devices that are connectable to the image forming apparatus, with the allocated IP address.

Description

IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS SUPPORTING PEER-TO-PEER CONNECTION AND METHOD OF MANAGING THE SAME

Embodiments relate to an image forming apparatus supporting peer to peer (P2P) connection and a method of managing the same. More particularly, the embodiments relate to a method of registering a wireless device connecting to an image forming apparatus that supports P2P connection in an address book of the image forming apparatus, and managing the address book, a method of performing image forming operations transmitted to an image forming apparatus supporting a P2P connection through a user authentication, a method of controlling a P2P connection between an image forming apparatus that supports P2P connection and another wireless device, a method of controlling job authorities of an image forming apparatus that supports a P2P connection, and a method of managing security based on a signal intensity of an image forming apparatus that supports P2P connection.

Recently, peer to peer (P2P) communication technology, by which wireless devices may be directly connected to each other without an additional wireless connecting apparatus, have been generalized and widely used. For example, Bluetooth technology makes the P2P communication possible. Although there are limitations in terms of transmission speed and transmission range of Bluetooth, new versions of Bluetooth are being developed to compensate for the limitations.

In addition, Wi-Fi, which is a wireless local area network (WLAN) standard based on IEEE 802.11 regulated by the Wi-Fi alliance is basically a technology using ultra-high speed Internet by accessing access points (APs) connected to an infrastructured network; however, the Wi-Fi may serve the P2P communication by using an ad-hoc function. However, when the ad-hoc function is used, security is weakened, a transmission speed is lowered, and a setting method is not easily performed. Therefore, the Wi-Fi alliance has suggested a Wi-Fi Direct technology that makes the P2P communication possible. The Wi-Fi Direct allows P2P connection between wireless devices without using the AP, supports a transmission speed of a maximum of 250 Mbps, and performs security settings by using Wi-Fi protected access 2 (WPA2), in order to address problems of the ad-hoc function. In addition, the Wi-Fi Direct supports a transmission range of a maximum of 200 m, and thus, is considered as a substitute for the P2P communication.

As described above, with the appearance of the Wi-Fi Direct, it is considered that utilization of the P2P communication is increased more. In addition, the P2P communication technology may be also applied to image forming apparatuses such as printers, scanners, facsimiles, and multi-function printers. Therefore, technologies for user authentication, controlling connections, controlling rights, and managing security are necessary for safely and conveniently using image forming apparatuses supporting the P2P connection.

According to an aspect of one or more embodiments, there are provided a method of automatically registering and managing a wireless device connected to an image forming apparatus, which supports a peer-to-peer (P2P) connection, in an address book of the image forming apparatus, a method of performing an image forming operation transmitted to an image forming apparatus, which supports a P2P connection, through a user authentication, a method of controlling a P2P connection between an image forming apparatus that supports the P2P connection and other wireless devices, a method of controlling job authorities of an image forming apparatus that supports a P2P connection, and a method of managing security of an image forming apparatus that supports a P2P connection based on a signal intensity after measuring intensity of signals transmitted from wireless devices that try to connect to the image forming apparatus or requests operations to the image forming apparatus.

According to an aspect of one or more embodiments, there is provided a method of managing an address book of an image forming apparatus that supports a peer to peer (P2P) connection, the method including: connecting the image forming apparatus to an external wireless device in a P2P connection method through a wireless local area network (WLAN); operating a soft access point (AP) module of the image forming apparatus so that the image forming apparatus operates as an AP; allocating an internet protocol (IP) address to the wireless device by driving a dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) server module of the image forming apparatus; and registering the wireless device connected to the image forming apparatus in the address book, which stores information about wireless devices that may be connectable to the image forming apparatus, along with the allocated IP address.

According to one or more embodiments, there is provided an image forming apparatus supporting a peer to peer (P2P) connection, the image forming apparatus including: a communication interface unit connecting to an external wireless device in a P2P connection method when the image forming apparatus performs as an access point (AP) by driving a soft AP module; a communication control unit allocating an internet protocol (IP) address to the wireless device connected to the image forming apparatus through the communication interface unit, by driving a dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) server module; an address book management unit registering the wireless device connected to the image forming apparatus in an address book, in which wireless devices that may be connectable to the image forming apparatus are registered, along with the allocated IP address; and an address book storage unit storing the address book.

According to an aspect of one or more embodiments, there is provided a method of performing an image forming operation through a user authentication of an image forming apparatus that supports a peer to peer (P2P) connection, the method including: receiving and storing user identification information and an image forming operation by the image forming apparatus; receiving a P2P connection request from an external wireless device by the image forming apparatus for a user authentication; receiving device information from the wireless device by the image forming apparatus that is P2P connected to the wireless device, and performing the user authentication by using the received device information and the stored user identification information; and when the user authentication is succeeded, performing the image forming operation by the image forming apparatus.

According to an aspect of one or more embodiments, there is provided an image forming apparatus supporting a peer-to-peer (P2P) connection, the image forming apparatus including: an operation receipt unit receiving user identification information and an image forming operation; an operation storage unit storing the image forming operation; an operation execution unit for performing the stored image forming operation; a communication interface unit for P2P connecting to an external wireless device; a user authentication unit receiving device information from the wireless device that is P2P connected to the communication interface unit and performing a user authentication by using the device information and the user identification information; and a control unit allowing the operation execution unit to perform the image forming operation stored in the operation storage unit, when the user authentication unit succeeds in the user authentication.

According to one or more embodiments, there is provided a method of controlling a peer-to-peer (P2P) connection of an image forming apparatus that supports the P2P connection, the method including: receiving in the image forming apparatus a P2P connection request from an external wireless device; checking a device type of the wireless device by the image forming apparatus; determining whether the device type corresponds to connection restricted device types; and when the device type is the connection restricted device type, blocking a P2P connection to the wireless device by the image forming apparatus, and when the device type is not the connection restricted device type, P2P connecting the image forming apparatus to the wireless device.

According to one or more embodiments, there is provided a method of controlling a peer-to-peer (P2P) connection of an image forming apparatus that supports the P2P connection, the method including: searching for wireless devices around the image forming apparatus; checking a device type of a searched wireless device by the image forming apparatus; determining whether the device type of the wireless device corresponds to the connection restricted device type in the image forming apparatus; and displaying a searching result by the image forming apparatus with reference to the determination result.

According to one or more embodiments, there is provided an image forming apparatus supporting a peer-to-peer (P2P) connection, the image forming apparatus including: a communication interface unit connecting to an external wireless device in a P2P connection method; and a communication control unit checking a device type of the wireless device when a connection request is transmitted from the wireless device through the communication interface unit, blocking a connection to the wireless device if the checked device type is a connection restricted device type, and connecting to the wireless device in the P2P connection if the checked device type is not the connection restricted device type.

According to one or embodiments, there is provided an image forming apparatus supporting a peer-to-peer (P2P) connection, the image forming apparatus including: a device searching unit for searching for wireless devices around the image forming apparatus, and checking a device type of a searched wireless device; and a searching result display control unit determining whether the device type of the wireless device corresponds to a connection restricted device type, and displaying the searching result of the wireless device through the user interface unit with reference to the determination result.

According to an aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a method of controlling job authority of an image forming apparatus that supports a peer-to-peer (P2P) connection, the method including: storing a profile of a wireless device that is P2P connected to the image forming apparatus in the image forming apparatus; receiving and storing job authority information corresponding to the profile; when the wireless device requests the image forming apparatus to execute an operation, setting a job authority of the wireless device by using the profile and the job authority information; and checking the job authority of the wireless device by the image forming apparatus, and executing the requested job when the wireless device has the authority to perform the requested job.

According to another aspect, there is provided an image forming apparatus that supports a peer-to-peer (P2P) connection, the image forming apparatus including: a communication interface unit connecting to an external wireless device in a P2P connection method; a profile storage unit storing a profile of the wireless device that is connected to the communication interface unit; a job authority information storage unit storing job authority information corresponding to the profile stored in the profile storage unit; a job execution unit executing a job requested by the wireless device; and a control unit setting a job authority of the wireless device by using the profile and the job authority information when the wireless device requests to execute the job, and allowing the job execution unit to execute the requested job when the wireless device has an authority to execute the requested job.

According to an aspect, there is provided a method of managing security of an image forming apparatus that supports a peer-to-peer (P2P) connection based on a signal intensity, the method including: measuring an intensity of a signal transmitted from an external wireless device by the image forming apparatus; and controlling an access of the wireless device by the image forming apparatus based on the measured signal intensity.

According to another aspect, there is provided an image forming apparatus supporting a peer-to-peer (P2P) connection, the image forming apparatus including: a communication interface unit connecting to an external wireless device in the P2P connection; a connection management unit managing the connection to the external wireless device; and a security management unit measuring an intensity of a signal transmitted from the external wireless device, and controlling an access of the wireless device based on the measured signal intensity.

According to an aspect of one or more embodiments, there is provided at least one non-transitory computer readable medium storing computer readable instructions to implement one or more methods of embodiments.

According to one or more embodiments, the IP address is allocated to the wireless device that is P2P connected to the image forming apparatus, and the wireless device is automatically registered with the allocated IP address. Thus, the IP address may be used without operations having to be performed by the user. In addition, the address name, in which the wireless device is registered, in the address book, is generated by using the device information of the wireless device, and thus, the address book may be generated automatically.

According to one or more embodiments, there is provided the user authentication is performed by using the device information transmitted from the wireless device that is P2P connected to the image forming apparatus, and the image forming operation is performed after succeeding in the user authentication. Thus, the user authentication may be performed conveniently by simply connecting the wireless device to the image forming apparatus.

According to one or more embodiments, if the wireless device is not expected to provide services even when the wireless device is P2P connected to the multi multi-function printer (MFP) or if the wireless device is the device type that is irrelevant with the objective of the user, the P2P connection between the MFP and the wireless device is restricted in order to prevent unnecessary resource consumption of the system and prevent the necessary connection from being limited due to the unnecessary connection. In particular, when the Wi-Fi Direct MFP operates as the group owner (GO), there is a limitation in the number of wireless devices that may be connected to the MFP, and thus, the connection may be effectively controlled according to embodiments.

According to one or more embodiments, the job authority is set and controlled according to each of the wireless devices, and thus, an additional process for verifying the user and the verification server are not necessary. In addition, possibility of leaking the personal information and the security threat may be greatly reduced. Also, even when the user of the wireless device is changed, an additional registration process is not necessary.

According to one or more embodiments, the connection to the wireless device having the signal intensity that is less than a predetermined reference is restricted or a job requested by the wireless device is not executed, and thus, the undesired connection of the wireless device to the MFP or the execution of the job requested by the wireless device may be prevented in houses or offices.

The above and other features and advantages will become more apparent by describing in detail embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing devices supporting Wi-Fi Direct and legacy wireless local area network (WLAN) devices that are wirelessly connected to each other to form a wireless network;

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing processes of wirelessly connecting the devices supporting the Wi-Fi Direct to each other;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of displaying a list of Wi-Fi Direct devices that are found after a device discovery process performed by a device supporting the Wi-Fi Direct;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a group formation process in the processes of connecting the Wi-Fi Direct supporting devices to each other;

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a display screen for executing WPS;

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a list of devices supporting Wi-Fi Direct, information of which is stored according to a profile storing function;

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing Wi-Fi Direct supporting devices that are simultaneously connected to each other;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a multi-function printer supporting the Wi-Fi Direct according to an embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a software configuration of the multi-function printer supporting the Wi-Fi Direct of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a detailed structure of a multi-function printer supporting Wi-Fi Direct according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a method of managing an address book of a multi-function printer supporting the Wi-Fi Direct, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating detailed processes included in an operation of storing information of a wireless device in an address book storage unit, along with an allocated IP address of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a method of managing an address book of a multi-function printer supporting the Wi-Fi Direct, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating processes when a peer-to-peer (P2P) connection between a multi-function printer and a wireless device is disconnected, in the method of managing the address book of the multi-function printer supporting the Wi-Fi Direct, according to an embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a user interface screen of an address book in the multi-function printer supporting the Wi-Fi Direct, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of a multi-function printer supporting Wi-Fi Direct according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a block diagram of a detailed hardware configuration of the multi-function printer supporting the Wi-Fi Direct according to another embodiment;

FIGS. 18 through 21 are flowcharts illustrating a method of performing an image forming operation through a user authentication of a multi-function printer supporting the Wi-Fi Direct according to another embodiment;

FIG. 22 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of a multi-function printer supporting Wi-Fi Direct according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 23 and 24 are flowcharts illustrating a method of controlling the P2P connection of a multi-function printer supporting the Wi-Fi Direct, according to another embodiment;

FIG. 25 is a block diagram of a detailed configuration of a multi-function printer supporting the Wi-Fi Direct according to another embodiment;

FIG. 26 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling a P2P connection of a multi-function printer supporting the Wi-Fi Direct according to an embodiment;

FIG. 27 is a diagram showing a user interface screen for setting types of devices that are limited in a Wi-Fi Direction connection, according to another embodiment;

FIG. 28 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of a multi-function printer supporting Wi-Fi Direct according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 29 through 32 are flowcharts illustrating a method of controlling job authorities of the multi-function printer supporting the Wi-Fi Direct of FIG. 28;

FIG. 33 is a diagram showing profiles of a plurality of smartphones stored in the multi-function printer supporting the Wi-Fi Direct according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 34 is a block diagram showing a detailed structure of a multi-function printer supporting Wi-Fi Direct according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 35 through 37 are flowcharts illustrating a method of managing security based on a signal intensity of the multi-function printer supporting the Wi-Fi Direct according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 38 is a block diagram of a multi-function printer supporting Wi-Fi Direct according to another embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 39 is a flowchart illustrating a method of managing security based on a signal intensity of the multi-function printer supporting the Wi-Fi Direct according to another embodiment of the present invention.

The image forming apparatus may function as the AP that allows clients on a WLAN to be connected to each other or may function as a client on the WLAN, and the allocating of the IP address may be performed when the image forming apparatus functions as the AP.

The registering of the wireless device in the address book may include: receiving device information of the connected wireless device; and generating an address name, in which the wireless device is registered, by using the device information.

The method may further include: determining whether the connection between the wireless device and the image forming apparatus is maintained; and updating the address book when it is determined that the wireless device is disconnected.

The method may further include: scanning a network port of the wireless device; determining a protocol supported by the wireless device as a result of the scanning; and activating the protocol supported by the wireless device in the address book.

The image forming apparatus may function as the AP that allows clients on a wireless local area network (WLAN) to be connected to each other or may function as a client on the WLAN, and the communication control unit may allocate the IP address to the wireless device when the image forming apparatus functions as the AP.

The communication control unit may receive device information of the wireless device connected to the image forming apparatus to transmit the device information to the address book management unit, and the address book management unit may generate an address book, in which the wireless device is registered, by using the device information.

When the wireless device and the image forming apparatus are disconnected, the communication control unit may notify the address book management unit of the disconnection, and the address book management unit may update the address book stored in the address book storage unit.

The address book management unit may scan of a network port of the wireless device to search for a protocol supported by the wireless device, and may activate the searched protocol.

The image forming apparatus may function as an access point (AP) that allows clients on a wireless local area network (WLAN) to be connected to each other or may function as a client on the WLAN, and the receiving of the P2P connection request may include receiving the P2P connection request from the wireless device when the image forming apparatus operates as the AP and the wireless device approaches within a predetermined distance from the image forming apparatus.

The method may further include: receiving device information of the wireless device after the image forming apparatus is P2P connected to the wireless device, and generating the user identification information by using the received device information; and notifying the generated user identification information to the user and registering the user identification information in a user information table, before receiving and storing of the user identification information and the image forming operation.

The method may further include: receiving the user identification information and the device information of the wireless device in a state where the image forming apparatus is P2P connected to the wireless device; and registering the received user identification information in the user information table as information corresponding to the device information, before receiving and storing of the user identification information and the image forming operation.

The receiving and storing of the user identification information and the image forming operation may include: determining whether the received user identification information coincides with the user identification information registered in the user information table; and when the received user identification information is equal to the user identification information registered in the user information table, storing the received user identification information and the image forming operation, and when the received user identification information is not equal to the user identification information registered in the user information table, discarding the received user identification information and the image forming operation.

When the user authentication fails, user identification information may be generated by using the device information of the wireless device, and the generated user identification information may be registered in the use information table.

The device information may be unique information of the wireless device.

The user identification information may be equal to the device information.

The image forming apparatus may function as an access point (AP) that allows clients on a wireless local area network (WLAN) to be connected to each other or may function as a client on the WLAN, and the communication interface unit may receive a P2P connection request from the wireless device when the image forming apparatus operates as the AP and the wireless device approaches within a predetermined distance from the image forming apparatus.

The image forming apparatus may further include a user identification information generation unit receiving the device information from the wireless device that is P2P connected to the communication interface unit and generating the user identification information by using the device information.

The image forming apparatus may further include a user information table, in which the user identification information generated by the user identification information generation unit is registered.

The image forming apparatus may further include a user identification information check unit determining whether the user identification information received by the operation receipt unit is registered in the user information table, storing the received image forming operation in the operation storage unit when the user identification information is registered in the user information table, and discarding the image forming operation when the user identification information is not registered in the user information table.

The image forming apparatus of claim 13, wherein when the user authentication unit fails the authentication of the user, the user identification information generation unit may generate the user identification information by using the device information of the wireless device that is P2P connected to the communication interface unit and may register the user identification information in the user information table.

The image forming apparatus may further include a user interface unit displaying the user identification information generated by the user identification information generation unit or receiving the user identification information.

The device information may be unique information of the wireless device.

The user identification information may be equal to the device information.

The image forming apparatus may operate as an access point (AP) that allows clients on a wireless local area network (WLAN) to be connected to each other or operates as a client on the WLAN, and the receiving of the P2P connection request may be performed when the image forming apparatus may operate as the AP.

The determining whether the device type corresponds to the connection restricted device types may be performed with reference to a connection restricted device type database that stores a list of the connection restricted device types.

The displaying of the searching result may include displaying the searching result except for the wireless device, when the device type of the wireless device is the connected restricted device type.

The image forming apparatus may function as an access point (AP) that allows clients on a wireless local area network (WLAN) to be connected to each other or may function as a client on the WLAN, and the communication interface unit may receive the connection request from the wireless device when the image forming apparatus functions as the AP.

The image forming apparatus may further include a connection restricted device type database that stores a list of the connection restricted device types.

The image forming apparatus may further include: a user interface unit receiving a request for changing the connection restricted device type database from a user; and a connection restricted device type setting unit for changing the connection restricted device type database after checking whether the user has an authority to change the database when the user interface unit receives the request for changing the connection restricted device type database from the user.

The searching result display control unit may not display the wireless device in the searching result, when the device type of the wireless device is the connection restricted device type.

The image forming apparatus may function as an access point (AP) that allows clients on a wireless local area network (WLAN) to be connected to each other or may function as a client on the WLAN. The storing of a generated profile of the wireless device includes receiving device information from the wireless device when the image forming apparatus operates as the AP, and generating a profile using the received device information.

The setting of the job authority may include requesting the wireless device to input a verification code, when the wireless device requests the image forming apparatus to execute a job. Setting the job authority of the wireless device by using the profile and the job authority information, upon receiving the verification code which coincides with a verification code included in the stored job authority information.

The method may further include storing a result of executing the job to be linked with the stored profile and the job authority information, when the execution of the requested job is finished.

The job authority information may regulate the job authority that is allowed to the wireless device according to a device type of the wireless device grasped from the profile of the wireless device.

The method may further include deleting the job authority information corresponding to the profile of the wireless device, when the wireless device is not connected to the image forming apparatus again within a predetermined time period after the wireless device and the image forming apparatus are disconnected from each other.

The image forming apparatus may function as an access point (AP) that allows clients on a wireless local area network (WLAN) to be connected to each other or may function as a client on the WLAN, and the profile storage unit may store the profile that is generated by using device information received from the wireless device when the image forming apparatus operates as the AP.

The control unit may request the wireless device to input a verification code through a user interface unit when the wireless device requests the image forming apparatus to execute the job. The control unit sets the job authority of the wireless device by using the profile and the job authority information when the verification code which coincides with a verification code included in the stored job authority information is input.

The image forming apparatus may further include a job execution result storage unit, in which a result of executing the job is stored to be linked with the profile and the job authority information, when the execution of the job is finished.

The control unit may delete the job authority information corresponding to the profile of the wireless device, when the wireless device is not connected to the image forming apparatus again within a predetermined time period after the wireless device and the image forming apparatus are disconnected from each other.

The measuring of the signal intensity may include: receiving a connection request from the external wireless device when the image forming apparatus operates as the AP; and measuring the signal intensity of the connection request.

The controlling of the access may include: comparing the measured signal intensity with a reference signal intensity that is set in advance; and denying the access of the wireless device when the measured signal intensity is less than the reference signal intensity, and allowing the access of the wireless device when the measured signal intensity is equal to or greater than the reference signal intensity.

The measuring of the signal intensity may include: searching for wireless devices that are currently connected to the image forming apparatus when the image forming apparatus operates as the AP; and measuring intensities of signals transmitted from the searched wireless devices.

The controlling of the access may include: comparing the measured signal intensity with a reference signal intensity that is set in advance; and terminating the connection to the wireless device having the signal intensity that is less than the reference signal intensity.

The controlling of the access may include: checking the number of searched wireless devices; and when the number of searched wireless devices exceeds a predetermined number that is set in advance, terminating connections of the wireless devices after remaining the predetermined number of wireless devices in an order of the measured signal intensities.

The measuring of the signal intensity may include: receiving a job request from the wireless device that is currently connected to the image forming apparatus; and measuring an intensity of a signal transmitted from the wireless device that transmits the job request.

The controlling of the access may include: comparing the measured signal intensity with the reference signal intensity that is set in advance; and denying execution of the job requested by the wireless device when the measured signal intensity is less than the reference signal intensity, and executing the requested job when the measured signal intensity is equal to or greater than the reference signal intensity.

The security management unit may include: a signal intensity measurement unit for measuring the intensity of the signal from the wireless device; a reference signal intensity setting unit setting a reference signal intensity; and a signal intensity comparing unit comparing the signal intensity measured by the signal intensity measurement unit with the reference signal intensity.

The the connection management unit may allow the connection to the wireless device if an intensity of a connection request signal transmitted from an external wireless device is equal to or greater than the reference signal intensity and may deny the connection if the intensity of the connection request signal is less than the reference signal intensity when the image forming apparatus operates as the AP,.

The connection management unit may terminate connections to the wireless devices having signal intensities less than the reference signal intensity among wireless devices that are currently connected to the image forming apparatus.

When the number of searched wireless devices exceeds a predetermined number that is set in advance and the image forming apparatus operates as the AP, the connection management unit may terminate connections of the wireless devices after remaining the predetermined number of wireless devices in an order of the measured signal intensities.

The image forming apparatus may further include: a job request receipt unit to receive a job request from the wireless device; and an operation execution unit performing the requested job. The security management unit may include: a signal intensity measurement unit to measure the intensity of the signal from the wireless device that transmits the job request; a reference signal intensity setting unit setting a reference signal intensity; and a signal intensity comparing unit comparing the signal intensity measured by the signal intensity measurement unit with the reference signal intensity.

The job request receipt unit may execute the requested job when the measured signal intensity is equal to or greater than the reference signal intensity.

Embodiments will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which illustrative embodiments are shown. However, embodiments may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those of ordinary skill in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

Hereinafter, a multi-function printer (MFP) that supports Wi-Fi Direct will be described as an example of an image forming apparatus supporting a peer-to-peer (P2P) connection. However, the scope of one or more embodiments to be protected is not limited thereto.

Before describing one or more embodiments, basic connections and operations of an MFP that supports the Wi-Fi Direct will be described with reference to accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing wireless local area network (WLAN) devices supporting Wi-Fi Direct and a legacy WLAN device connecting to each other to form a wireless network. Referring to FIG. 1, an MFP 110 supporting the Wi-Fi Direct is wirelessly connected to a smartphone 120 supporting the Wi-Fi Direct, a laptop computer 130 supporting the Wi-Fi Direct, and a legacy WLAN laptop computer 140. Here, the legacy WLAN laptop computer 140 denotes a conventional laptop computer which adopts a WLAN technology and does not support the Wi-Fi Direct.

The WLAN device supporting the Wi-Fi Direct (hereinafter, referred to as “Wi-Fi Direct device”) may perform a P2P connection without using an infrastructured network, unlike conventional devices supporting Wi-Fi. In more detail, according to the conventional Wi-Fi technology, a Wi-Fi device is wirelessly connected to a router, that is, an access point (AP), connected to an infrastructured network that is configured in advance in order to form a wireless network. Here, the Wi-Fi devices, which are wirelessly connected to the AP, function as stations. However, according to Wi-Fi Direct technology, one of the Wi-Fi Direct devices that are to form the wireless network operates as an AP, and the other Wi-Fi Direct devices are wirelessly connected to the Wi-Fi Direct device that operates as the AP to operate as stations. Therefore, the wireless network may be formed between the Wi-Fi direct devices without the AP connected to the infrastructured network. In addition, when the wireless network is formed between the Wi-Fi direct devices, the legacy WLAN devices such as the Wi-Fi devices may recognize the Wi-Fi direct device operates as the AP as an AP and may be wirelessly connected to the Wi-Fi direct device.

Referring to FIG. 1, the Wi-Fi Direct MFP 110, the Wi-Fi Direct smartphone 120, and the Wi-Fi Direct laptop computer 130 that are the Wi-Fi direct devices form a wireless network without an AP connected to the infrastructured network. As described above, the Wi-Fi direct devices may be wirelessly connected to each other to form a P2P group without an AP connected to the infrastructured network.

Here, the Wi-Fi Direct MFP 110 operates as the AP, and the device operating as the AP among the Wi-Fi direct devices is referred to as a group owner (GO) of a P2P group. In addition, the Wi-Fi smartphone 120 and the Wi-Fi Direct laptop computer 130 are wirelessly connected to the GO, that is, the Wi-Fi Direct MFP 110, to operate as the stations, which are referred to as clients. On the other hand, the legacy WLAN laptop computer 140 that does not support the Wi-Fi Direct recognizes the GO, that is, the Wi-Fi Direct MFP 110, as the AP, and is wirelessly connected to the GO to be connected to the wireless network formed by the Wi-Fi direct devices.

In FIG. 1, the Wi-Fi Direct MFP 110 operates as the GO; however, any one of the other Wi-Fi direct devices, that is, the smartphone 120 and the laptop computer 130, may operate as the GO and the MFP 110 may operate as the client. Which of the Wi-Fi direct devices to become the GO is determined through a negotiation process in Wi-Fi direct connection processes, and this will be described in detail later. In addition, the Wi-Fi direct device may be the GO by itself before the connection without any negotiation, and the Wi-Fi direct device in this case is referred to as an autonomous group owner (AGO). In addition, a wireless network formed based on the AGO is referred to as an autonomous P2P group. When the autonomous P2P group is formed, the legacy WLAN device may recognize the AGO as an AP connected to the infrastructured network and may be connected to the AGO.

Although FIG. 1 shows an example in which the Wi-Fi direct devices form the P2P group without the AP connected to the infrastructured network, the Wi-Fi direct devices may operate as the stations by connecting to the AP, if the AP is connected to the infrastructured network.

Hereinafter, wireless connecting processes between the Wi-Fi direct devices and characteristics of the Wi-Fi Direct technology will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. For convenience of description, an MFP supporting the Wi-Fi Direct (hereinafter, referred to as “Wi-Fi Direct MFP”) will be described as an example; however, the scope of one or more embodiments is not limited thereto, that is, one or more embodiments may be applied to printers, scanners, or facsimiles supporting the Wi-Fi Direct. In addition, the Wi-Fi Direct is used as an example of the P2P communication method; however, other kinds of P2P communication such as Bluetooth and Zigbee may be used.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing processes of wirelessly connecting Wi-Fi Direct devices to each other. In more detail, processes of Wi-Fi Direct connection between a Wi-Fi Direct MFP 210 and a Wi-Fi Direct laptop computer 220 are shown. The Wi-Fi Direct connecting processes may be divided as a device discovery process, a group formation process, and a secure connection process. Referring to FIG. 2, the Wi-Fi Direct MFP 210 receives a request for device discovery from a user (201), and searches for a Wi-Fi Direct device around it (202).

The device discovery request may be input through a user interface of the MFP 210, for example, a user interface realized on a display unit such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) formed in the MFP 210. If it is determined as a result of searching that there is a Wi-Fi Direct device around the MFP 210, the MFP 210 shows the user the searched device through the display unit and receives a connection request 203 from the user. The connection request 203 may be also input through the display unit of the MFP 210 from the user, for example, the user may push buttons or a touch panel of the display unit. If there is a plurality of Wi-Fi Direct devices, the MFP 210 displays a list of the searched Wi-Fi direct devices on the display unit so that the user may select one of the Wi-Fi direct devices and request the connection to the selected Wi-Fi direct device.

After receiving the connection request 203, a group formation is performed between the Wi-Fi Direct devices to be connected (204). The group formation process determines the Wi-Fi Direct devices to be connected to each other and determines the Wi-Fi direct devices to be the GO or the clients in the group. The Wi-Fi Direct device to be the GO is determined through the negotiation between the Wi-Fi Direct devices, and the negotiation will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 4.

When the group is formed, the devices included in the group are to be securely connected to each other by using a Wi-Fi protected setup (WPS) technology. The WPS denotes a function of performing simple secure connection between the Wi-Fi supporting devices. The WPS may be classified as a personal identification number (PIN) type WPS and a push button configuration (PBC) type WPS. The PIN type WPS sets the secure connection by inputting a PIN code that is set in advance, and the PBC type WPS sets the secure connection by pushing a WPS button that is provided on the Wi-Fi Direct device.

Hereinafter, the PBC type WPS will be described as an example. The user pushes a WPS button provided on the MFP 210 to request the secure connection (205). In addition, within a predetermined period of time (in general, 120 seconds), the secure connection may be achieved by pushing a WPS button formed on the laptop computer 220, or a WPS button realized on an application program for Wi-Fi Direct connection in the laptop computer 220. The WPS button realized on the application program for the Wi-Fi Direct connection in the laptop computer 220 may be an object represented on a display unit of the laptop computer 220 by the application program for the Wi-Fi Direct connection. A detailed example of the WPS button is represented as reference numeral 510 in FIG. 5.

The user clicks the WPS button represented on the display unit of the laptop computer 220 by using a mouse, for example, to request the secure connection. When the security connection is requested by pushing the WPS button, the device that is determined to be the GO in the group formation process transmits security information to devices determined as the clients (206). According to the Wi-Fi Direct, the secure connection is executed after encrypting in a Wi-Fi protected access 2 (WPA2)-pre-shared key (PSK) method, and thus, the Wi-Fi Direct may have a higher security function than that of a conventional wired equivalent privacy (WEP) or Wi-Fi protected access (WAP) method.

When the WPS is executed, the Wi-Fi direct device that is the client is connected to the Wi-Fi direct device that is the GO (207). At this time, the Wi-Fi Direct device that is the GO automatically allocates an Internet protocol (IP) address to the Wi-Fi direct device that is the client by using a dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) server (208), and then, the P2P connection between the Wi-Fi Direct devices is completed.

Basic processes for connecting the Wi-Fi direct devices have been described so far, and detailed processes and characteristics of the Wi-Fi Direct technology will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings as follows.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of displaying a list of the Wi-Fi Direct devices that are searched in the device discovery process in the Wi-Fi Direct device. When the device discovery process is performed by the Wi-Fi direct device, device information such as a type of the device and a service set identifier (SSID) of the device is exchanged between the devices through a probe request and a probe response that are WLAN packets, and the Wi-Fi direct device that performs the device discovery process displays the collected information. As shown in FIG. 3, the SSIDs and the types of the searched Wi-Fi Direct devices are represented as text 310 or icons 320. Here, all of the searched devices may be represented in the list; however, the devices may be filtered so that the devices of a desired type may be only displayed in the list. According to the Wi-Fi Direct technology, the Wi-Fi direct devices are defined in category units. The Wi-Fi Direct devices may be classified as categories, for example, computers, input devices, printers, scanners, facsimiles, copying machines, and cameras, and each of the categories is divided into sub-categories. For example, the computer may be classified as personal computers (PCs), servers, laptop computers, and the like.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the group formation process in detail among the connecting processes between the Wi-Fi Direct devices. The group formation process is a process for determining the Wi-Fi Direct devices that are to form a network, and the Wi-Fi Direct devices to be the group owner (GO) and the clients. For example, when the Wi-Fi direct MFP 410 performs the device discovery and selects a laptop computer 420 among the discovered Wi-Fi Direct devices to be connected, the MFP 410 transmits a GO negotiation request to the laptop computer 420 (401).

The laptop computer 420 receiving the GO negotiation request compares an intent value thereof with that of the MFP 410, and then, determines the MFP 410 as the GO when the intent value of the MFP 410 is greater than that of the laptop computer 420 and determines the laptop computer 420 as the GO when the intent value of the laptop computer 420 is greater. Here, the intent value is a value representing a degree of task intent in each device, and is determined by manufacturer policy and user settings. The intent value of the device, which is supplied power always, may be set to be relatively high.

As described above, after determining the Wi-Fi Direct device to be the GO by comparing the intent values, the laptop computer 420 transmits the determination result to the MFP 410 as a response to the GO negotiation (402). The MFP 410 that receives the determination result transmits an acknowledgement to the laptop computer 420 (403) in order to verify the receipt of the negotiation, and then, the group formation process is finished. When the group formation is completed, the Wi-Fi Direct device that is the GO manages security information and SSIDs of the other Wi-Fi Direct devices included in the group.

When the group is formed, the Wi-Fi Direct devices included in the group are securely connected to each other through the WPS. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a display screen 500 for executing the WPS. The screen of FIG. 5 may be displayed on a display unit of the Wi-Fi Direct MFP. Referring to FIG. 5, the user may select one of a WPS button 510 and a PIN code 520 for executing the WPS.

When the WPS is executed through the WPS button 510, the WPS button 510 of the Wi-Fi Direct MFP is pushed and WPS buttons of other devices are pushed within a predetermined period of time, and then, security information is exchanged between the devices automatically and the secure connection is made. Here, the Wi-Fi Direct device that is the GO provides security information to the Wi-Fi direct devices that are the clients. In addition, the secure connection is performed after encrypting in the WPA2-PSK verification method, and thus, high security may be achieved.

The Wi-Fi Direct devices have a profile storage function that is for storing information of the Wi-Fi Direct devices connected once thereto. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a list of the Wi-Fi Direct devices, information of which is stored according to the profile storage function. The list of FIG. 6 is a screen displayed on the display unit of the Wi-Fi Direct MFP. Information of a first list 610 denotes a Wi-Fi Direct device currently connected to the Wi-Fi Direct MFP, information of second through fourth lists 620-640 denotes Wi-Fi Direct devices that are not currently connected to the Wi-Fi Direct MFP, but are included in a device discovery range of the Wi-Fi Direct MFP, and information of a fifth list 650 denotes a Wi-Fi Direct device that has been connected at least once to the Wi-Fi Direct device although that is not discovered currently.

If the information of the fifth list 650 is not necessary, the user may delete the fifth list 650 by pushing a remove button 651. Since the Wi-Fi direct device has the profile storage function as described above, the Wi-Fi Direct device stores information of the other Wi-Fi Direct devices connected at least once thereto, and then, may be connected fast without executing the WPS by using the stored information in a case where the same device tries to connect thereto again.

The Wi-Fi Direct device may be P2P connected to another Wi-Fi direct device, and at the same time, may be connected to the infrastructured network, which is referred to as a concurrent connection. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the Wi-Fi Direct devices that are in the concurrent connection states. Referring to FIG. 7, the Wi-Fi direct MFP 720 is P2P connected to a smartphone 710 that is another Wi-Fi direct device, and at the same time, the Wi-Fi Direct MFP 720 is also connected to an AP 730 of the infrastructured network. The Wi-Fi Direct MFP 720 may directly transmit/receive print data to/from the smartphone 710, and at the same time, may directly transmit/receive print data to/from the infrastructured network through the AP 730 of the infrastructured network.

When the Wi-Fi direct device is concurrently connected to the Wi-Fi Direct device and the infrastructured network as shown in FIG. 7, or when the Wi-Fi Direct device is wired connected to the infrastructured network and P2P connected to another Wi-Fi direct device, different IP addresses and MAC addresses with respect to the connections, that is, the connection to the infrastructured network and the connection to the another Wi-Fi Direct device, may be used. Through a multi-homing technology, the Wi-Fi Direct device may provide the devices with different services from each other. For example, the Wi-Fi Direct MFP may provide services of all functions of the MFP through an interface connected to the infrastructured network; however, the Wi-Fi Direct MFP may provide services of partial functions of the MFP through an interface connected to another Wi-Fi Direct device.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the Wi-Fi Direct MFP. Referring to FIG. 8, the Wi-Fi Direct MFP may include a WLAN interface module 810, an Ethernet interface module 820, a central processing unit (CPU) 830, a memory unit 840, a user interface module 850, a scanner module 860, a fax module 870, and a print engine 880. In addition, the memory unit 840 may include a random access memory (RAM) 842 and a read only memory (ROM) 844. If the MFP only supports the WLAN, the MFP may not include the Ethernet interface module 820. In addition, if the device is a printer, rather than the MFP, the scanner module 860 and the fax module 870 are not necessary.

The WLAN interface module 810 is hardware performing IEEE 802.11 b/g/n function, and may communicate with a main board, on which the CPU 830 is mounted, of the MFP via a universal serial bus (USB). The Ethernet interface module 820 is hardware for performing wired Ethernet communication according to IEEE 802.3. The CPU 830 controls overall operations of the MFP, and the memory unit 840 stores information for controlling the MFP and the print data to be read when it is necessary. The user interface module 850 functions as a medium for the user to identify information of the MFP and to input commands into the MFP. The user interface module 850 may be variously modified according to products, for example, may be configured as two or four lines displayed on a display unit such as an LCD or a light emitting diode (LED), or may be realized as a graphic user interface (UI) so as to represent various graphics. The scanner module 860, the fax module 870, and the print engine 880 are hardware for performing functions of a scanner, a facsimile, and a printer.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing software configuration of the Wi-Fi Direct MFP. The configuration of the software in the Wi-Fi Direct MFP will be described with reference to FIG. 9 as follows.

A WLAN dongle firmware 901 is a firmware for connecting the WLAN, and may be stored in WLAN dongle hardware or may be transmitted to the WLAN dongle hardware from a main board of the MFP when booting the MFP. A bus driver 902 and a station (STA) host driver 903 are low level bus drivers for communicating with the WLAN hardware. A WLAN control channel 904 and a WLAN data channel 905 are channels for communicating with the WLAN firmware. A Wi-Fi Direct module 907 performs the Wi-Fi Direct connection and transmits an operating command to the WLAN firmware.

An IEEE 802.11u generic advertisement service (GAS) module 908 performs functions according to IEEE 802.11u GAS, and a WPS module 910 performs a WPS function. A soft AP module 911 is a software module allowing the MFP to perform as the AP. A transmission control protocol (TCP)/IP 913 is a standard protocol for network transmission. A Wi-Fi Direct connection manager 912 is a module for controlling the Wi-Fi Direct connection. A Wi-Fi Direct user interface 915 allows the user to perform settings related to the Wi-Fi Direct, and may be included in a user interface 914 that is installed in an embedded web server (EWS). A DHCP server 916 automatically allocates an IP to the Wi-Fi Direct device that is connected as a client. A network application program 917 performs various application operations relating to the network.

The above-described Wi-Fi Direct technology has the following advantages.

The Wi-Fi Direct device may be connected to other devices whenever and wherever, and thus, has maximum mobility and portability. If a new Wi-Fi Direct device is added, the Wi-Fi Direct device may be directly connected to the new Wi-Fi direct device. In addition, it may be identified whether there is an available device or service before setting the connection to other devices, and thus, the Wi-Fi direct devices may be conveniently used. In addition, the connection may be performed simply and stably by a simple operation, for example, pushing a WPS button, and the connection may be performed with high security functions by using the WPA2 technology.

In addition, the Wi-Fi Direct technology may provide various functions that may not be provided by the conventional WLAN technology.

For example, the device discovery function for searching for peripheral Wi-Fi Direct devices by the device type unit, the service discovery function that may search for services provided by the peripheral Wi-Fi Direct devices, a power management function that may effectively use electric power, the concurrent connection function that may form the P2P connection between the Wi-Fi Direct devices while connecting to the conventional infrastructured network, a function of separating a security domain between the infrastructured network connection and the Wi-Fi Direct connection, and a cross connection function for sharing an Internet connection may be provided by the Wi-Fi Direct technology.

In addition, since the Wi-Fi Direct technology is based on the conventional WLAN technology, that is, IEEE 802.11, the Wi-Fi Direct devices may be compatible with conventional legacy WLAN devices.

Hereinafter, a Wi-Fi Direct MFP and a method of managing an address book of the Wi-Fi Direct MFP, according to an embodiment, will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 10 through 15.

The Wi-Fi Direct MFP may generate and manage an address book including WLAN devices connected thereto. The wireless devices that may be wirelessly connected to the Wi-Fi Direct MFP and address information thereof are registered in the address book. For example, an address name of a smartphone supporting the Wi-Fi Direct is generated, and the smartphone may be registered in the generated address name in the address book with address information of the smartphone. Here, the address information may include an IP address of the smartphone, a server message block (SMB) address of the smartphone, and a file transfer protocol (FTP) address of the smartphone. The address book may include the address information of the WLAN devices that had been connected to the Wi-Fi Direct MFP and currently connected WLAN devices so as to manage connections to the WLAN devices efficiently.

According to the following embodiments, wireless devices connected to the Wi-Fi Direct MFP in the P2P connection type are automatically registered in the address book of the Wi-Fi Direct MFP with the IP addresses allocated to the wireless devices, and address names in which the wireless devices are registered may be automatically generated by using device information of the wireless devices.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a Wi-Fi Direct MFP 10 according to an embodiment. Featured components, which are necessary in executing the method of managing the address book, of the Wi-Fi Direct MFP 10 are only shown in FIG. 10 under the assumption that the basic hardware configuration of the Wi-Fi Direct MFP shown in FIG. 8 is included in the Wi-Fi Direct MFP 10. For example, a communication interface unit (communication interface) 11 of FIG. 10 corresponds to the WLAN interface unit 810 of FIG. 8, and a communication control unit (communication controller) 12 corresponds to a part for controlling communications in the CPU 830 of FIG. 8. An address book management unit (address book manager) 13 of FIG. 10 corresponds to a portion performing management processes of the address book in the CPU 830 of FIG. 8, an address book storage unit 14 of FIG. 10 corresponds to a space where the address book is stored in the memory unit 840 of FIG. 8, and a user interface unit (user interface) 15 of FIG. 10 corresponds to the user interface unit 850 of FIG. 8. Basic components of the MFP such as the print engine 880, the fax module 870, and the scanner module 860 shown in FIG. 8 are not shown in FIG. 10.

Referring to FIG. 10, the Wi-Fi Direct MFP 10 of an embodiment may include the communication interface unit (communication interface) 11, the communication control unit (communication controller) 12, the address book management unit (address book manager) 13, the address book storage unit 14, and the user interface unit (user interface) 15. Although not shown in FIG. 10, the Wi-Fi Direct MFP 10 of an embodiment may further include a soft AP unit and a DHCP server unit (DHCP server). In addition, the Wi-Fi Direct MFP 10 may be P2P connected to an external wireless device 20 via the communication interface unit (communication interface) 11. Functions and operations of the components in the Wi-Fi Direct MFP 10 will be described in more detail as follows.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a method of managing the address book of the Wi-Fi Direct MFP shown in FIG. 10, according to an embodiment. The method of managing the address book of the Wi-Fi Direct MFP will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11. The Wi-Fi Direct MFP 10 is P2P connected to the external wireless device 20 via the communication interface unit 11 (S1101). If the Wi-Fi Direct MFP 10 and the wireless device 20 both support Bluetooth technology, the Wi-Fi Direct MFP 10 and the wireless device 20 may be P2P connected to each other by using Bluetooth. Otherwise, if the MFP 10 and the wireless device 20 both support the Wi-Fi Direct, one of the Wi-Fi Direct MFP 10 and the wireless device 20 becomes the GO and drives the soft AP unit (not shown) to perform as the AP, and then, the Wi-Fi Direct MFP 10 and the wireless device 20 may be P2P connected to each other. For example, when both of the MFP 10 and the wireless device 20 support the Wi-Fi Direct and the MFP 10 is the GO, the Wi-Fi Direct MFP 10 and the wireless device 20 are P2P connected to each other through the connecting processes shown in FIG. 2. That is, the Wi-Fi Direct MFP 10 searches for peripheral wireless devices and selects the wireless device 20 to be connected among the searched wireless devices, and then, transmits a connection request. Then, through the group formation process shown in FIG. 4, it is determined that the Wi-Fi Direct MFP 10 operates as the GO and the wireless device 20 operates as the client.

In addition, WPS buttons provided on the Wi-Fi Direct MFP 10 and the wireless device 20 are pushed in order to execute the WPS, the secure connection is set between the Wi-Fi MFP 10 and the wireless device 20. After that, the communication control unit 12 of the Wi-Fi Direct MFP 10 drives the DHCP server (not shown) to allocate an IP address to the wireless device 20 connected thereto (S1103). When the IP address is allocated to the wireless device 20, the address book management unit 13 of the Wi-Fi Direct MFP 10 stores information of the wireless device 20 in the address book storage unit 14, along with the allocated IP address (S1105). Here, the address name of the wireless device 20 in the address book may be directly input by the user, or may be automatically generated by the address book management unit 13 of the Wi-Fi Direct MFP 10. An example of automatically generating the address name by the address book management unit 13 is shown in FIGS. 12 and 13.

When the Wi-Fi Direct MFP 10 is connected to another wireless device 20, the user executes an application program for transmitting data and transmits the data of the MFP to the wireless device 20 connected thereto through an SMB, an FTP, Web-based distributed authoring and versioning (WebDAV), or a network technology without an interesting name (TWAIN). At this time, in order to transmit the data, information such as a server IP address of the wireless device 20, log-in information, or a shared folder path is necessary.

Conventionally, the user has to directly input device information of the wireless device connected to the MFP in the address book of the MFP. In addition, as described above, the IP address of the wireless device connected to the MFP as the client is automatically generated by the DHCO server and allocated, and the IP address is a temporary address that varies depending on each connection. Therefore, the user has to check the newly generated IP address in the wireless device, and directly input the IP address in the MFP according to the conventional art.

However, according to the method of managing the address book of the Wi-Fi Direct MFP of the present embodiment, the IP address of the wireless device is automatically input into the address book of the Wi-Fi Direct MFP when the wireless device is connected to the Wi-Fi Direct MFP. Therefore, the user does not need to input the IP address in the Wi-Fi Direct MFP.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating sub-processes included in operation S1105 of FIG. 11. FIG. 12 illustrates a method of generating the address name used when registering the wireless device 20 in the address book of the Wi-Fi Direct MFP 10. When the wireless device 20 is connected to the Wi-Fi Direct MFP 10, the communication control unit 12 receives device information of the wireless device 20 (S1201), and transmits the device information to the address book management unit 13.

The address book management unit 13 generates the address name for registering the wireless device 20 in the address book by using the transmitted device information of the wireless device 20 (S1203). Then, the address book management unit 13 registers the wireless device 20 and the IP address of the wireless device 20 in the generated address name (S1205). As described above, since the address name is generated by using the device information of the wireless device 20, the user does not need to input the address name, and the wireless device 20 may be automatically registered in the address book.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a method of managing an address book of a Wi-Fi Direct MFP according to an embodiment. The wireless device that is P2P connected to the Wi-Fi Direct MFP may be a legacy WLAN device that does not support the Wi-Fi Direct. FIG. 13 illustrates that the address name generating processes may vary depending on whether the wireless device connected to the Wi-Fi Direct MFP supports the Wi-Fi Direct.

When the wireless device 20 is P2P connected to the Wi-Fi Direct MFP 10 (S1301), the communication control unit 12 drives the DHCP server to allocate the IP address to the wireless device 20 (S1303). It is determined whether the wireless device 20 connected to the Wi-Fi Direct MFP 10 supports the Wi-Fi Direct (S1305). Then, if the wireless device 20 supports the Wi-Fi Direct, the communication control unit 12 of the Wi-Fi Direct MFP 10 may obtain the device information of the wireless device 20, for example, the device type, the manufacturer, and the device name of the wireless device 20, through the device discovery process shown in FIG. 3.

When the communication control unit 12 transmits the device information and the IP address of the wireless device 20 to the address book management unit 13 (S1307), the address book management unit 13 may generate the address name by using the device information (S1309). For example, if a rule of address name generation is set as “[identifier representing Wi-Fi device]-[manufacturer]-[device type]-[device name]”, the address name may be generated as, for example, “WiFi-SAMSUNG-NOTEPC-TEST”.

On the other hand, if the wireless device 20 does not support the Wi-Fi Direct, the communication control unit 12 transmits the IP address allocated to the wireless device 20 to the address book management unit 13 (S1315), and the address book management unit 13 obtains a host name of the wireless device 20 by using the IP address and generates the address name by using the host name (S1317). For example, if a rule of address name generation is set as “[identifier representing Wi-Fi device]-[host name]” and the host name of the wireless device 20 is “myNotePC”, the address name of the wireless device 20 is “WiFi-myNotePC”.

When the generation of the address name in which the wireless device 20 will be registered is finished in operation S1309 or operation S1317, the address book management unit 13 registers the wireless device 20 and the IP address in the generated address name in the address book (S1311). In addition, the address book management unit 13 scans a server network port with respect to the IP address of the wireless device 20 to activate the open protocol in the address book (S1313). The method of scanning the port may be performed by trying to form a TCP connection to each port and checking whether the connection is set or not.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a process performed when the P2P connection between the Wi-Fi Direct MFP 10 and the wireless device 20 is disconnected, in the method of managing the address book of the Wi-Fi Direct MFP according to an embodiment. Referring to FIG. 14, when the P2P connection between the Wi-Fi Direct MFP 10 and the wireless device 20 is disconnected (S1401), it is identified whether there is the wireless device 20 is registered in the address book (S1403), and the wireless device 20 may be deleted from the address book (S1405). Otherwise, the address book may represent the wireless device 20, the connection of which is disconnected, without deleting the wireless device 20. Thus, the user may easily identify the wireless devices, to which the Wi-Fi Direct MFP is currently connected, simply by using the address book.

On the other hand, when the wireless device 20 is registered in the address book, the device information of the wireless device 20 such as the device type and the connecting states of the wireless device 20 may be represented to the user by using graphic icons via the user interface. FIG. 15 shows an example of the user interface screen of the address book. Referring to FIG. 15, a list of the wireless devices registered in the address book is displayed, information such as the device type and the manufacturer is displayed in text and the graphic icons, and the connecting states of the wireless devices are shown in graphics.

According to one or more embodiments, the IP address is allocated to the wireless device that is P2P connected to the image forming apparatus, and the wireless device is automatically registered with the allocated IP address. Thus, the IP address may be used without operations having to be performed by the user.

In addition, the address name, in which the wireless device is registered, in the address book, is generated by using the device information of the wireless device, and thus, the address book may be generated automatically.

Hereinafter, a Wi-Fi Direct MFP and a method of performing an image forming operation through a user authentication of the Wi-Fi Direct MFP, according to another embodiment, will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 16 through 21.

FIG. 16 is a detailed block diagram of a Wi-Fi Direct MFP 1600 according to another embodiment. Referring to FIG. 16, the Wi-Fi Direct MFP 1600 of an embodiment may include a communication interface unit 1610, a user authentication unit 1620, a control unit 1030, an operation execution unit 1640, an operation storage unit 1650, and an operation receipt unit 1660. FIG. 17 is a detailed block diagram showing hardware configuration of the Wi-Fi Direct MFP 1700 according to another embodiment. Referring to FIG. 17, the Wi-Fi Direct MFP 1700 may additionally include a user information table 1770, a user identification (ID) information check unit 1780, a user ID information generation unit 1790, and a user interface unit 1800, in addition to the components shown in FIG. 16.

Featured components, which are necessary in executing the method of performing an image forming operation through user authentication, of the Wi-

Fi Direct MFP

1600, 1700 are only shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 under the assumption that the basic hardware configuration of the Wi-Fi Direct MFP shown in FIG. 8 is included in the Wi-

Fi Direct MFP

1600, 1700.

For example, the communication interface unit 1610 of FIG. 16 corresponds to a WLAN interface unit 810 of FIG. 8, the user authentication unit 1620, the control unit 1630, and the operation execution unit 1640 of FIG. 16 are included in the CPU 830 of FIG. 8, and the operation storage unit 1650 of FIG. 16 is a space for storing the image forming operation in the memory unit 840 of FIG. 8. The operation receipt unit 1660 of FIG. 16 may be included in one of the WLAN interface unit 810 or the Ethernet interface unit 820 of FIG. 8.

In addition, the user information table 1770 of FIG. 17 is a space for storing user information in the memory unit 840 of FIG. 8, the user ID information generation unit 1790 of FIG. 17 is included in the CPU 830 of FIG. 8, and the user interface unit 1800 of FIG. 17 corresponds to the user interface unit 850 of FIG. 8. Besides, basic components of the MFP such as the print engine 880, the fax module 870, and the scanner module 860 shown in FIG. 8 are not shown in FIGS. 16 and 17. Functions and operations of the components in the

MFP

1600, 1700 shown in FIGS. 16 and 17 will be described as follows.

FIGS. 18 through 21 are flowcharts illustrating a method of performing an image forming operation through user authentication of the Wi-Fi Direct MFP according to the embodiment.

A case where the MFP 1600 does not include the user information table 1670 will be described with reference to FIGS. 16 and 18. The operation receipt unit 1660 of the MFP 1600 receives wired or wirelessly an image forming operation and a user ID information, and stores the operation storage unit 1650 (S1801). When the MFP 1600 operates as the GO of the P2P group and a wireless device 20 supporting the Wi-Fi Direct approaches around the MFP 1600, the communication interface unit 1610 of the MFP 1600 may receive a Wi-Fi Direct connection request from the wireless device 20 (S1803).

When the communication interface unit 1610 receives the connection request from the wireless device 20 supporting the Wi-Fi Direct, the user authentication unit 1620 receives device information of the wireless device 20 through the Wi-Fi Direct device discovery and may perform the user authentication by comparing the received device information with the user ID information stored in the operation storage unit 1650 (S1805).

For example, if the user transmits a host name of the wireless device 20 as the user ID information with the image forming operation, the user authentication unit 1620 may acquire the host name of the wireless device 20 when the Wi-Fi Direct connection request is transmitted from the wireless device 20, and accordingly, the user authentication may be performed by comparing the acquired host name of the wireless device 20 with the stored user ID information.

In addition, it is determined whether the user authentication successes (S1807), and if the user authentication succeed, the control unit 1630 allows the operation execution unit 1640 to perform the image forming operation stored in the operation storage unit 1650 (S1809).

FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating processes of generating the user ID information through a Wi-Fi Direct connection between the MFP 1700 and the wireless device 20 in advance. The processes of generating the user ID information shown in FIG. 19 will be described with reference to FIGS. 17 and 19. The MFP 1700 is Wi-Fi Direct connected to the external wireless device 20 (S1901). In detail, the MFP 1700 and the wireless device 20 are connected to each other in the Wi-Fi Direct through the connection processes shown in FIG. 2, and the MFP 1700 becomes the GO through the group formation process shown in FIG. 4 and receives the device information of the wireless device 20.

When the receipt of the device information of the wireless device 20 is finished, the user ID information generation unit 1790 of the MFP 1700 generates the user ID information by using the device information of the wireless device 20 (S1903). Here, the device information of the wireless device 20 used to generate the user ID information may be exclusive information of the wireless device 20. The host name of the wireless device 20 may be changed, and the IP address is flexible because it may be changed whenever the wireless device 20 is connected to other devices. Thus, a media access control (MAC) address of the wireless device 20 may be the exclusive information of the wireless device 20.

In an embodiment, the user ID information is generated by using the MAC address of the wireless device 20. When the user ID information is generated by using the MAC address of the wireless device 20, the generated user ID information is stored (registered) in the user information table 1770 (S1905). In addition, when the user ID information is generated, the generated information may be notified to the user through the user interface unit 1800.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating sub-processes of operation S1801 shown in FIG. 18, that is, the operation of receiving and storing the user ID information and the image forming operation. The processes shown in FIG. 20 are performed under an assumption that certain user ID information is generated in advance and registered in the user information table. When the operation receipt unit 1660 of the MFP 1600 receives the user ID information and the image forming operation (S2001), the user ID information check unit 1680 checks whether the transmitted user ID information coincides with the user ID information registered in the user information table (S2003). As a result of the checking, when the transmitted user ID information coincides with the user ID information registered in the user information table 1670, the transmitted user ID information and the image forming operation are stored in the operation storage unit 1650 (S2005). However, if the transmitted user ID information does not coincide with the user ID information registered in the user information table 1670, the transmitted user ID information and the image forming operation are discarded (S2007). As described above, if the user ID information that is not registered in the user information table 1670 is received, the user ID information is discarded so as to prevent unnecessary information from being stored in the MFP 1600.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating processes of executing the image forming operation through the user authentication of the Wi-Fi Direct MFP according to an embodiment. When the wireless device 20 approaches around the MFP 1700, the communication interface unit 1710 of the MFP 1700 receives a Wi-Fi Direct connection request from the wireless device 20, and the wireless device 20 is connected to the communication interface unit 1710 of the MFP 1700 (S2101). When the wireless device 20 is connected to the communication interface unit 1710 of the MFP 1700 in the Wi-Fi Direct connection, the user authentication unit 1720 of the MFP 1700 checks the MAC address of the wireless device 20 (S2102), and checks whether there is the MAC address of the wireless device 20 exists in the user information table 1770 (S2103). If the MAC address of the wireless device 20 exists in the user information table 1770, it is checked whether the received user ID information exists in the user information table 1770 (S2104). In addition, if the user ID information exists in the user information table 1770, the control unit 1730 makes the operation execution unit 1740 perform the image forming operation (S2105).

On the other hand, if there is not the MAC address of the wireless device 20 in the user information table 1770 in operation S2103, the user ID information generation unit 1790 checks the device information of the wireless device 20 (S2106) in order to identify whether the user may use the MFP 1700 (S2107). When it is identified that the user may use the MFP 1700, the user ID information generation unit 1790 generates the user ID information by using the MAC address of the wireless device 20 (S2108), and stores the MAC address of the wireless device 20 and the user ID information in the user information table 1770 (S2109). In addition, the generated user ID information is notified to the user through the user interface unit 1800 (S2110).

Recently, one shared printer has been used by many people in offices, or the like, and thus, secure printing operation has been important. Conventionally, a user authentication method by using a card reader and a card is widely used. In more detail, a user registered as a user in an MFP transmits an image forming operation to the MFP along with the user ID information such as the user ID, and the user touches the card reader provided in the MFP with the card of his/her own to transmit signature stored in the card to the MFP. Through the above processes, the user authentication is performed by identifying the user ID information. However, in the above user authentication process using the card and the card reader, the MFP has to include the card reader and the user has to have the card.

However, according to the method of performing the image forming operation through the user authentication of the MFP supporting the P2P connection, the MFP does not need to include an additional card reader provided that the MFP supports the P2P connection, and the user may perform the user authentication conveniently by approaching to the MFP with a wireless device such as a smartphone, instead of the card for the user authentication. In addition, the above user authentication method is expected to be widely used when the Wi-Fi Direct technology is widely applied to the image forming apparatuses and the smartphones.

In addition, according to the conventional user authentication method using the card and the card reader, the user has to input the user ID information directly through the user interface of the MFP; however, according to a method, the MFP automatically generates the user ID information by using the device information of the wireless device when the wireless device is connected to the MFP in the P2P connection. Thus, the user ID information may be simply generated.

Hereinafter, a method of controlling a P2P connection of a Wi-Fi Direct MFP according to another embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 22 through 27.

FIG. 22 is a block diagram of a Wi-Fi Direct MFP 2200 according to another embodiment. Featured components, which are necessary in executing the method of managing the address list, of the Wi-Fi Direct MFP 2200 are only shown in FIG. 22 under the assumption that the basic hardware configuration of the Wi-Fi Direct MFP shown in FIG. 8 is included in the Wi-Fi Direct MFP 2200. For example, a communication interface unit 2211 of FIG. 22 corresponds to the WLAN interface unit 810 of FIG. 8, and a communication control unit 2212 corresponds to a part for controlling communications in the CPU 830 of FIG. 8. A user interface unit 2213 of FIG. 22 corresponds to the user interface unit 850 of FIG. 8, a connection restricted device type setting unit 2214 of FIG. 22 is included in the CPU 830 of FIG. 8, and a connection restricted device type database 2215 of FIG. 22 is a space for storing a list of connection restricted device types in the memory unit 840 of FIG. 8. Besides, basic components of the MFP such as the print engine 880, the fax module 870, and the scanner module 860 shown in FIG. 8 are not shown in FIG. 22.

Referring to FIG. 22, the Wi-Fi Direct MFP 2200 of an present embodiment may include the communication interface unit 2211, the communication control unit 2212, the user interface unit 2213, the connection restricted device type setting unit 2214, and the connection restricted device type database 2215. Functions and operations of the components in the Wi-Fi Direct MFP 2200 will be described in more detail as follows.

FIGS. 23 and 24 are flowcharts illustrating a method of controlling a P2P connection of the Wi-Fi Direct MFP according to another embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 23, the communication interface unit 2211 of the MFP 2200 receives a Wi-Fi Direct connection request from an external wireless device 20 (S2301). On receiving the connection request, the communication control unit 2212 checks a device type of the wireless device 20 that transmits the connection request (S2303). The device type may be identified by using a device discovery function of the Wi-Fi Direct. After identifying the device type of the wireless device 20, the communication control unit 2212 determines whether the device type of the wireless device 20 included in connection restricted device types, with reference to the connection restricted device type database 2215 (S2305). Here, the connection restricted device type database 2215 stores device types of connection restricted devices. If the device type of the wireless device 20 corresponds to the connection restricted device types, the connection to the wireless device 20 is disconnected (S2307). If the device type of the wireless device 20 does not corresponds to the connection restricted device types, the Wi-Fi Direct MFP 2200 is Wi-Fi direct connected to the wireless device (S2309). If the connection to the wireless device 20 is disconnected, the disconnection may be notified to the user by recording the disconnection in a system log or displaying a message on the user interface unit 2213.

As described above, if the wireless device is not expected to provide services even when the wireless device is P2P connected to the MFP or if the wireless device is the device type that is irrelevant with the objective of the user, the P2P connection between the MFP 2200 and the wireless device 20 is restricted in order to prevent unnecessary resource consumption of the system and prevent the necessary connection from being limited due to the unnecessary connection. In particular, when the Wi-Fi Direct MFP operates as the GO, there is a limitation in the number of wireless devices that may be connected to the MFP, and thus, the connection may be effectively controlled according to embodiments.

FIG. 24 is a flowchart illustrating processes of setting and changing the connection restricted device types by the user. When the user inputs a request for changing the connection restricted device type and the database through the user interface unit 2213 (S2401), the connection restricted device type setting unit 2214 determines whether the user has an authority to change (S2403). The determination of the authority may be performed in a way of log-in by the user through the user interface unit 2213. If it is determined that the user has the authority to change the device type, the connection restricted device type database is changed according to the request of the user (S2405). At this time, the user may select the device types, the connection of which is wanted to be restricted, among the device types of eleven categories and sub-categories of each of the eleven categories, which are defined by the Wi-Fi Direct, through the user interface unit 2213.

On the other hand, even if the user does not set the connection restricted device types through the processes shown in FIG. 24, the device type that may not provide any service even when it is P2P connected to the MFP due to characteristics of the device may be set as the connection restricted device type as an initial setting of the MFP. For example, gaming devices or audio devices may not provide any service even when the above devices are P2P connected to the MFP, and thus, device types of the above gaming devices or the audio devices may be set as the connection restricted device types at the initial setting of the MFP.

FIG. 25 is a detailed block diagram of a Wi-Fi Direct MFP according to another embodiment, and FIG. 26 is a flowchart illustrating operations of the Wi-Fi Direct MFP of FIG. 25. Referring to FIG. 25, the Wi-Fi Direct MFP 2500 of another embodiment may include the user interface unit 2513, the connection restricted device type setting unit 2514, the connection restricted device type database 2515, a search result display control unit 2516, and a device searching unit 2517.

Featured components of the Wi-Fi Direct MFP 2500 that are necessary to execute the method of controlling the P2P connection are only shown in FIG. 25 under the assumption that the basic hardware configuration of the Wi-Fi Direct MFP shown in FIG. 8 is included in the Wi-Fi Direct MFP 2500. For example, the user interface unit 2513 of FIG. 25 corresponds to the user interface unit 850 of FIG. 8, the connection restricted device type setting unit 2514 of FIG. 25 is included in the CPU 830 of FIG. 8, and the connection restricted device type database 2515 of FIG. 25 is a space for storing a list of connection restricted device types in the memory unit 840 of FIG. 8. In addition, the search result display control unit 2516 of FIG. 25 is included in the CPU 830 of FIG. 8, and the device searching unit 2517 of FIG. 25 is included in the WLAN interface unit 810 and the CPU 830.

Referring to FIG. 26, the device searching unit 2517 searches for wireless devices supporting Wi-Fi Direct (S2601), and when the Wi-Fi Direct wireless device is searched, the device searching unit 2517 receives device information of the searched Wi-Fi Direct wireless device and checks the device type (S2603). When the device type is checked, the search result display control unit 2516 determines whether the checked device type corresponds to the connection restricted device type (S2605). If the checked device type corresponds to the connection restricted device type, the search result display control unit 2516 may display that connection to the corresponding wireless device is restricted when the device searching result is displayed on the user interface unit 2513 (S2607). Otherwise, the device searching result may be displayed except for the connection restricted wireless devices (S2609).

As described above, when the device searching result is displayed in the MFP, it is notified to the user that there is the wireless device, the connection to which is restricted. Thus, user’s convenience may be improved.

FIG. 27 is a diagram showing an example of the user interface for setting the Wi-Fi Direct connection restricted device type. Referring to FIG. 15, devices such as input devices, printers, scanners, faxes and copies, gaming devices, and audio devices are set as the device types, the connection to which is restricted.

Hereinafter, a method of controlling job authorities of a Wi-Fi Direct MFP according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 28 through 33.

FIG. 28 is a block diagram showing a detailed configuration of a Wi-Fi Direct MFP according to another embodiment of the present invention. Featured components, which are necessary in executing the method of controlling job authorities, of the Wi-Fi Direct MFP 2800 are only shown in FIG. 28 under the assumption that the basic hardware configuration of the Wi-Fi Direct MFP shown in FIG. 8 is included in the Wi-Fi Direct MFP 28.

For example, a communication interface unit 2811 of FIG. 28 corresponds to the WLAN interface unit 810 of FIG. 8, a profile storage unit 2812, a job authority information storage unit 2814, and a job execution result storage unit 2817 of FIG. 28 are included in the memory unit 840 of FIG. 8, a control unit 2813 and a job execution unit 2815 of FIG. 28 are included in the CPU 830 of FIG. 8, and a user interface unit 2816 of FIG. 28 corresponds to the user interface unit 850 of FIG. 8. Basic components of the MFP such as the print engine 880, the fax module 870, and the scanner module 860 shown in FIG. 8 are not shown in FIG. 28.

Referring to FIG. 28, the Wi-Fi Direct MFP 2800 according to the present embodiment includes the communication interface unit 2811, the profile storage unit 2812, the control unit 2813, the job authority information storage unit 2814, the job execution unit 2815, the user interface unit 2816, and the job execution result storage unit 2817. Functions and operations of each component in the Wi-Fi Direct MFP 2800 will be described in more detail with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 29 through 32.

FIGS. 29 through 32 are flowcharts illustrating a method of controlling job authority in the Wi-Fi Direct MFP 2800 according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 29, the MFP 2800 stores profiles of a wireless device that is Wi-Fi Direct connected to the MFP 2800 through the communication interface unit 2811 (S2901). The profile of the wireless device is stored in the profile storage unit 2812. The profile of the wireless device denotes a storage of device information corresponding to each wireless device. That is, the profile of the wireless device may be generated and stored by using the device information of the wireless device, and the stored profile includes the device information of the corresponding wireless device.

The profile storage of the wireless device is described in detail above with reference to FIG. 6. After storing the profile of the wireless device, the MFP 2800 stores job authority information corresponding to the stored profile in the job authority storage unit 2814 (S2903). Here, the job authority information is information that is necessary to set a job authority of the wireless device by using the profile of the wireless device. That is, it may be identified what kind of job authority is allowed for the corresponding wireless device according to the information such as the device name or the device type grasped from the profile, by using the job authority information. The job authority denotes an authority for the wireless device to perform an operation such as printing or copying through the MFP 2800.

Detailed processes of operations S2901 and S2903, in which the wireless device is registered and the job authority is set, are illustrated in FIG. 30. In more detail, when the wireless device is connected to the MFP 2800 through the Wi-Fi Direct connecting processes shown in FIG. 2, the MFP 2800 receives device information of the wireless device by using the device discovery function (S3001), and generates the profile by using the received device information and stores the profile in the profile storage unit 1812 (S3003). Refer to description with reference to FIG. 6 about the generation and storage of the profile of the wireless device connected to the MFP 2800.

FIG. 33 shows an example of storing profiles of wireless devices. In FIG. 33, profiles generated by host names of a plurality of smartphones are stored. Profiles of smartphone 01 through smartphone 09 are generated and stored. Here, when storing the profiles, the user may be notified the storage of profile through the user interface unit 2816, and then, the profile may be stored when the user identifies the notification.

After storing the profiles, a manager or a user having an authority to set the job authority checks the profiles of the registered wireless device through the user interface unit 2816 of the MFP 2800, and stores the job authority information to correspond to the profile of each wireless device (S3005). The allocated job authority information is stored in the job authority information storage unit 2814 of the MFP 2800. Here, according to the job authority information, the job authority may be set by the device type of the wireless device, or may be set by model groups in the same kind of device type. For example, the printing and copying operations are all allowed for the laptop computers, while accessing the files stored in the MFP is only allowed for the storage devices.

In addition, the job authority information may include verification codes for verifying the wireless devices. When an external wireless device requests the MFP 2800 to perform a certain job, the MFP 2800 performs a verification of the wireless device, and sets the job authority of the wireless device by using the profile and the job authority information after the verification.

Here, for verifying the wireless device, the MFP 2800 requests input of a verification code, and determines that the verification has succeeded when the verification code stored in the job authority information is input. For example, when the job authority information including a PIN code is stored and the wireless device connected to the MFP 2800 to request an execution of operation, the MFP 2800 requests the wireless device to input the PIN code, and then, the MFP 2800 sets the job authority of the wireless device when the PIN code allocated to the wireless device is input accurately.

Referring to FIG. 29, when the job execution request is received from the wireless device, the control unit 2813 sets the job authority of the wireless device by using the profile stored in the profile storage unit 2812 and the job authority information stored in the job authority storage unit 2814 (S2905). When the job authority of the wireless device is set, the control unit 2813 checks whether the wireless device has the authority to execute the requested job (S2907). When it is identified that the wireless device has the authority, the control unit 2813 allows the MFP 2800 to execute the requested job (S2909). In addition, when the execution of the job is finished, the job execution information may be stored in the job execution result storage unit 2817 in linkage with the profile information of the wireless device.

FIG. 31 is a flowchart illustrating detailed processes in the operation S2905 of FIG. 29. Referring to FIG. 31, when the wireless device requests the MFP 2800 to execute an operation, the MFP 2800 requests the wireless device to input the PIN code included in the job authority information (S3101). When the PIN code is input, the control unit 2813 checks whether the accurate PIN code is input (S3103), and when it is determined that the PIN code is input accurately, the control unit 2813 sets the job authority of the wireless device by using the profile stored in the profile storage unit 2812 and the job authority information stored in the job authority storage unit 2814 (S3105).

FIG. 32 is a flowchart illustrating a method of deleting job authority information corresponding to the profile of the wireless device, when there is no reconnection within a predetermined time period after the connection of the wireless device to the MFP 2800 is disconnected. Referring to FIG. 32, the MFP 2800 stores the profile of the wireless device that is Wi-Fi Direct connected to the MFP 2800 through the communication interface unit 2811 (S3201). The profile of the wireless device is stored in the profile storage unit 2812. After storing the profile of the wireless device, the MFP 2800 stores the job authority information corresponding to the stored profile in the job authority information storage unit 2814 (S3203).

When the wireless device is disconnected from the MFP 2800, it is identified whether the wireless device is connected to the MFP 2800 again within a predetermined time period. If the wireless device is not connected to the MFP 2800 within the predetermined time period, the job authority information corresponding to the profile of the wireless device is deleted from the job authority information storage unit 2814 (S3207). As described above, by deleting the job authority information of the wireless device that is not connected to the MFP 2800 for the predetermined time, unnecessary consumption of the storage space in the job authority information storage unit 2814 may be prevented.

User-based verification and the authority setting processes are only provided, and thus, a process of registering the user has to be additionally performed and personal information of the user has to be stored. In addition, a log-in process is necessary to verify the user, and a verification server is necessary. In particular, in public spaces, there may be a problem in maintaining security when user ID is exposed. However, according to the present invention, the job authority is set and controlled for each wireless device, and thus, an additional process for verifying the user and the verification server are not necessary. In addition, possibility of leaking the personal information and the security threat may be greatly reduced.

Also, when the user using the wireless device is changed, a new user has to be registered again. However, there is no need to perform the registration of a new user according to the present invention.

In addition, information about the Wi-Fi Direct connection is stored and linked with the executed job information, and thus, the wireless device is reconnected to the MFP, the verification and the operation control may be performed by using the stored information.

According to the present invention, the job authority is set and controlled according to each of the wireless devices, and thus, an additional process for verifying the user and the verification server are not necessary. In addition, possibility of leaking the personal information and the security threat may be greatly reduced. Also, even when the user of the wireless device is changed, an additional registration process is not necessary.

Hereinafter, a method of managing security based on signal intensity of the Wi-Fi Direct MFP according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 34 through 39.

FIG. 34 is a block diagram of a Wi-Fi Direct MFP 3400 according to an embodiment. Featured components in executing the method of managing the security, of the Wi-Fi Direct MFP 3400 are only shown in FIG. 34 under the assumption that the basic hardware configuration of the Wi-Fi Direct MFP shown in FIG. 8 is included in the Wi-Fi Direct MFP 3400. For example, a security management unit 3411 and a connection management unit 3412 of FIG. 34 are included in the CPU 830 of FIG. 8, and a communication interface unit 3413 of FIG. 34 corresponds to the WLAN interface unit 810 of FIG. 8. Besides, basic components of the MFP such as the print engine 880, the fax module 870, and the scanner module 860 shown in FIG. 8 are not shown in FIG. 34.

Referring to FIG. 34, the Wi-Fi Direct MFP 3400 of the present embodiment may include the security management unit 3411, a connection management unit 3412, and the communication interface unit 3413. The security management unit 3411 may include a reference signal intensity setting unit 3411a, a signal intensity comparing unit 3411b, and a signal intensity measurement unit 3411c. Functions and operations of each component in the MFP 3400 will be described with reference to following flowcharts.

FIGS. 35 through 37 are flowcharts illustrating a method of managing security based on a signal intensity of the Wi-Fi Direct MFP 3400 according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 35 is a flowchart illustrating processes of measuring the signal intensity of a wireless device 20 and determining whether the connection is permitted or not, when the wireless device 20 requests to connect to the MFP 3400 in the Wi-Fi Direct.

Referring to FIG. 35, the reference signal intensity setting unit 3411a of the MFP 3400 may set an intensity of a reference signal for controlling accesses of wireless devices (S3501). Here, the reference signal intensity may be set as a value inputted by the user through a user interface unit (not shown) that is connected to the reference signal intensity setting unit 3411a, or may be an arbitrary value determined by the reference signal intensity setting unit 3411a in consideration of current communication environment.

When the communication interface unit 3413 receives a Wi-Fi Direct connection request from the external wireless device 20 (S3503), the signal intensity measuring unit 3411c measures intensity of a signal transmitted from the wireless device 20 (S3505). Since the connection request signal is transmitted from the wireless device 20, the connection request signal intensity may be measured. When the signal intensity is measured, the signal intensity comparing unit 3411b compares the measured signal intensity with the reference signal intensity set by the reference signal intensity setting unit 3411a (S3507).

As a result of the comparison, when the measured signal intensity is equal to or greater than the reference signal intensity, the Wi-Fi Direct connection between the wireless device 20 and the MFP 3400 is permitted (S3509). Therefore, the WPS may be executed in order to securely connect the MFP 3400 and the wireless device 20 to each other. On the other hand, if the measured signal intensity is less than the reference signal intensity, the connection of the wireless device 20 to the MFP 3400 is denied (S3511).

As described above, the connection to the wireless device, the connection request signal intensity of which is less than a predetermined value, is restricted, and thus, undesired connection of a wireless device may be prevented when a wireless network is formed by operating the Wi-Fi Direct MFP as the GO in houses or offices. In general, houses and offices are blocked by walls, and thus, the signal intensity transmitted from other wireless devices out of the houses or the offices is greatly reduced.

Meanwhile, processes of measuring signal intensities of the wireless devices that are currently connected to the MFP 3400 in the Wi-Fi Direct and terminating the connection of the wireless devices if the measured signal intensities of which are less than a reference signal intensity, will be described with reference to FIG. 36.

Referring to FIG. 36, the connection management unit 3412 of the MFP 3400 searches for the wireless devices that are currently Wi-Fi Direct connected to the MFP 3400 (S3601). When the MFP 3400 operates as a GO, a plurality of wireless devices may be Wi-Fi Direct connected to the MFP 3400. When the wireless devices that are connected to the MFP 3400 are searched, the signal intensity measurement unit 3411c measures the signal intensities of the searched wireless devices (S3603). The intensity of the signal that is transmitted from the wireless device may be measured while maintaining the Wi-Fi Direct connection between the MFP 3400 and the wireless device.

The signal intensity comparing unit 3411b compares the signal intensity of the searched wireless devices with the reference signal intensity set in advance by the signal intensity setting unit 3411a, and transmits a comparison result to the connection management unit 3412. The connection management unit 3412 terminates the connection to the wireless device having the signal intensity that is less than the reference signal intensity (S3607).

As described above, the processes of measuring the signal intensities of the wireless devices that are currently connected to the MFP 3400 and terminating the connection if the signal intensities are less than the reference signal intensity may be repeatedly performed with predetermined time intervals. Therefore, even if the wireless device that is not wanted to be connected may be connected to the MFP 3400, the undesired connection may be disconnected by the repetitive monitoring.

Otherwise, connections to a predetermined number of wireless devices among the wireless devices that are currently connected to the MFP 3400 are only maintained, and the connection to the other wireless devices may be terminated. This process will be described with reference to FIG. 37.

Referring to FIG. 37, the connection management unit 3412 searches for the wireless devices that are currently Wi-Fi Direct connected to the MFP 3400 (S3701), and the signal intensity measurement unit 3411c measures the signal intensities of the searched wireless devices (S3703). In addition, the connection management unit 3412 checks the number of the searched wireless devices (S3705), and determines whether the number of searched wireless devices exceeds the number that is predetermined (S3707).

If the number of searched wireless devices exceeds the predetermined number, the process goes to operation S3709 so that the connection management unit 3412 maintains the connection to the wireless devices of a predetermined numbers in an order of the signal intensity, and terminates the connection to the other wireless devices. The user may set the number of wireless devices that may be connected to the MFP 3400 in advance, and terminates the connection to the wireless devices having weak signal intensities when the number of wireless devices connected to the MFP exceeds the set number. Thus, the wireless devices wanted by the user may be only connected to the MFP.

FIG. 38 is a block diagram of a Wi-Fi Direct MFP according to another embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 38, the MFP 3800 additionally includes an job request receipt unit 3814 and an operation execution unit 3815, in addition to the configuration of MFP 3400 shown in FIG. 34. Functions and operations of each component will be described with reference to FIG. 39.

FIG. 39 is a flowchart illustrating a method of executing a requested job according to a signal intensity of a wireless device, if an job request is transmitted from the wireless device. Referring to FIG. 39, the job request receipt unit 3814 receives a job request from a wireless device 20 connected to the MFP 3800 through the communication interface unit 3813 (S3901). The signal intensity measurement unit 3811c measures the signal intensity of the wireless device 20 that transmits the job request (S3903).

Then, the signal intensity comparing unit 3811b compares the measured signal intensity with the reference signal intensity set by the reference signal intensity setting unit 3811a (S3905), and the operation execution unit 3815 executes the requested job when the measured signal intensity is equal to or greater than the reference signal intensity (S3907). As described above, when the job request is transmitted from the wireless device 20, the signal intensity of the wireless device is measured to determine whether the requested job will be executed or not, and thus, the job requested by undesired wireless connection may not be executed even if the wireless device is connected to the MFP 3800.

According to the above description, the connection to the wireless device having the signal intensity that is less than a predetermined reference is restricted or a job requested by the wireless device is not executed, and thus, the undesired connection of the wireless device to the MFP or the execution of the job requested by the wireless device may be prevented in houses or offices.

Embodiments may be recorded in computer-readable media including program instructions (computer readable instructions) to implement various operations embodied by a computer. The media may also include, alone or in combination with the program instructions, data files, data structures, and the like. The program instructions recorded on the media may be those specially designed and constructed for the purposes of embodiments, or they may be of the kind well-known and available to those having skill in the computer software arts. Examples of computer-readable media include magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks, and magnetic tape; optical media such as CD ROM disks and DVDs; magneto-optical media such as optical disks; and hardware devices that are specially configured to store and perform program instructions, such as read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), flash memory, and the like. The computer-readable media may also be a distributed network, so that the program instructions are stored and executed in a distributed fashion. The program instructions may be executed by one or more processors. The computer-readable media may also be embodied in at least one application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), which executes (processes like a processor) program instructions. Examples of program instructions include both machine code, such as produced by a compiler, and files containing higher level code that may be executed by the computer using an interpreter. The above-described devices may be configured to act as one or more software modules in order to perform the operations of the above-described embodiments, or vice versa.

While embodiments have been particularly shown and described with reference to drawings, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as defined by the following claims.

Claims

An image forming apparatus supporting a peer to peer (P2P) connection, the image forming apparatus comprising:

a communication interface unit which is connected to an external wireless device in a P2P connection method when the image forming apparatus performs as an access point (AP) by driving a soft AP unit;

a communication control unit which allocates an internet protocol (IP) address to the wireless device connected to the image forming apparatus through the communication interface unit, by driving a dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) server;

an address book management unit which registers the wireless device connected to the image forming apparatus in an address book, in which wireless devices that are connectable to the image forming apparatus are registered, along with the allocated IP address; and

an address book storage unit which stores the address book.
The image forming apparatus of claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus operates as the AP that allows clients on a wireless local area network (WLAN) to be connected to each other or operates as a client on the WLAN, and the communication control unit allocates the IP address to the wireless device when the image forming apparatus operates as the AP.
The image forming apparatus of claim 1, wherein the communication control unit receives device information of the wireless device connected to the image forming apparatus to transmit the device information to the address book management unit, and the address book management unit generates an address book, in which the wireless device is registered, by using the device information.
The image forming apparatus of claim 3, wherein the device information includes at least one selected from the group consisting of a device type of the wireless device, a manufacturer of the wireless device, a device name, and a host name of the wireless device.
The image forming apparatus of claim 4, further comprising a user interface unit which displays information about the address book to a user of the image forming apparatus, wherein the user interface unit displays the device type of the wireless device registered in the address book as text or graphics.
The image forming apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a user interface unit which displays information about the address book to the user, wherein the user interface unit displays a connecting status of the wireless device registered in the address book.
The image forming apparatus of claim 1, wherein when the wireless device and the image forming apparatus are disconnected, the communication control unit notifies the address book management unit of the disconnection, and the address book management unit updates the address book stored in the address book storage unit.
The image forming apparatus of claim 1, wherein the address book management unit scans of a network port of the wireless device to search for a protocol supported by the wireless device, and activates the searched protocol.
A method of managing an address book of an image forming apparatus that supports a peer to peer (P2P) connection, the method comprising:

connecting the image forming apparatus to an external wireless device in a P2P connection method through a wireless local area network (WLAN);

operating a soft access point (AP) module of the image forming apparatus so that the image forming apparatus operates as an AP;

allocating an internet protocol (IP) address to the wireless device by driving a dynamic host configuration protocol (DHCP) server of the image forming apparatus; and

registering the wireless device connected to the image forming apparatus in the address book, which stores information about wireless devices that are connectable to the image forming apparatus, along with the allocated IP address.
The method of claim 9, wherein the image forming apparatus operates as the AP that allows clients on a WLAN to be connected to each other or operates as a client on the WLAN, and the allocating of the IP address is performed when the image forming apparatus operates as the AP.
The method of claim 9, wherein the registering of the wireless device in the address book comprises:

receiving device information of the connected wireless device; and

generating an address name, in which the wireless device is registered, by using the device information.
The method of claim 11, wherein the device information includes at least one selected from the group consisting of a device type of the wireless device, a manufacturer of the wireless device, a device name, and a host name of the wireless device.
The method of claim 12, further comprising representing the device type of the wireless device registered in the address book on a screen on which the address book is displayed by using text or graphics.
The method of claim 9, further comprising representing a connecting status of the wireless device that is registered in the address book, on the screen on which the address book is displayed.
At least one non-transitory computer readable recording medium storing computer readable instructions that control at least one processor for executing the method according to claim 9.