JP6885889B2 - Image forming device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus that performs short-range wireless communication with a portable information processing apparatus.

In recent years, those using short-range wireless communication technology for personal authentication have become widespread. Specifically, there are employee ID cards using non-contact IC cards and Osaifu-Keitai (registered trademark). In a broad sense, short-range wireless communication refers to wireless communication having a short communicable distance, but in a narrow sense, it refers to near field communication (Near Field Communication, also referred to as NFC for short). NFC has a communicable range (hereinafter, also referred to as a field) of about 1 meter to several centimeters, and has standards such as FeliCa (registered trademark) and MIFARE (registered trademark). Near field communication in a broad sense includes standards such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark) and Bluetooth (registered trademark) in addition to NFC. In this specification, short-range wireless communication is used in a broad sense including Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

In recent years, many portable information processing devices such as smartphones, tablet computers and mobile computers have a short-range wireless communication function. And the processing capacity of the portable information processing device is improving.

Under such circumstances, when permitting the use of image forming devices such as digital multifunction devices, users are authenticated based on the certificate information for each user held by the device equipped with the short-range wireless communication function. It has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Further, a device has been proposed in which short-range wireless communication is performed between an image forming apparatus that has received a printing instruction and another image forming apparatus located at a short distance thereof to perform printing on both sides (for example, Patent Document). 2).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-155495 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2012-238178

Although the processing capacity of the portable information processing device has been improved, it cannot be said that the processing capacity of the image processing device is fully utilized for the operation settings and the like.

For example, a digital multifunction device installed in a public space such as a convenience store is used by an unspecified number of users. In that case, if the digital multifunction device is currently processing a process (job) such as copying or printing, other users have to wait until the job is completed in principle. To give a specific example, while the first user makes settings such as copying using the operation panel of the digital multifunction device, the second user cannot set the copy job. Further, when the digital multifunction device has already started the copy or print job related to the first user, the output related to the first user is output even if the second user can set the copy on the operation panel. You will not get a copy output until it is complete.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and provides an image processing device that enables interactive operation using an external portable information processing device by short-range wireless communication. is there.

The present invention includes a proximity communication unit and a control unit that perform short-range wireless communication with a portable information processing device having a display unit, and the control unit can communicate by communication via the proximity communication unit. A job setting unit that transmits a request for displaying a job setting screen on a recognition unit that recognizes a portable information processing device within a range and a display unit of the recognized portable information processing device via the proximity communication unit. And a job control unit that executes the job in response to a job start instruction, the job setting unit sets a job setting using the job setting screen after the recognition is performed, and the proximity communication unit. The job control unit provides an image forming apparatus characterized in that a job setting from the portable information processing apparatus is received by receiving the job setting via the mobile phone, and the job control unit receives a start instruction for a job that has received the job setting.

In the present invention, the job setting unit receives the job setting using the job setting screen via the proximity communication unit, and after the authentication of the registration of the completion of the job setting related to the job setting, the portable information processing device. Since the job control unit receives the start instruction for the job that received the job setting, it is possible to operate not only user authentication but also job setting using a portable information processing device that can be exchanged via short-range wireless communication. Is. Therefore, the job setting can be efficiently performed even when a plurality of users use the image forming apparatus at the same time.

For example, consider a scene in which a plurality of users use a digital multifunction device installed in a public space such as a convenience store. It is assumed that portable information processing devices such as smartphones, tablet computers, and mobile computers carried by each user can be authenticated by users and paid by mobile phones. That is, it is assumed that it is possible to communicate with the digital multifunction device via short-range wireless communication such as NFC, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth.

According to the present invention, the job setting screen is displayed on the display unit of those portable information processing devices. Each user sets a job in advance on the job setting screen of the portable information processing device. Then, when the job executed by the digital multifunction device is completed, the portable information processing device is touched to, for example, the digital multifunction device to perform communication via NFC. Alternatively, it communicates with the digital multifunction device using another method of short-range wireless communication. In this way, not only user authentication and payment of charges by Osaifu-Keitai, but also job setting of the digital multifunction device can be performed by the portable information processing device.

Not only can each user smoothly operate using the portable information processing device, but it is not necessary to wait for another user to set a job using the operation panel of the digital multifunction device. In stores and the like where the digital multifunction device is installed, the time for the user to occupy the digital multifunction device only for the operation setting can be shortened, so that the operating rate of the digital multifunction device can be increased.

It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the form in which the image forming apparatus of this invention communicates with an external device. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the digital multifunction device which concerns on this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the job setting screen 41 displayed on the operation part 33 of the digital multifunction device 11 of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the job setting screen displayed on the display part of the portable information processing apparatus of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows a different example of the job setting screen displayed on the display part of the portable information processing apparatus of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the based job situation screen displayed on the display part of the portable information processing apparatus of this invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the job setting confirmation screen displayed on the display part of the portable information processing apparatus of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the procedure of the process which the control part which concerns on this invention executes. It is a flowchart which shows the continuation of the process of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the continuation of the process of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the continuation of the process of FIG.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the following description is exemplary in all respects and should not be construed as limiting the invention.

≪Communication form of digital multifunction device≫
Consider a digital multifunction device as a specific example of the image forming apparatus of the present invention. Then, an example of a form in which the digital multifunction device communicates with an external device will be described.
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a mode in which the digital multifunction device communicates with an external device. In FIG. 1, the digital multifunction devices 11a, 11b, and 11c are the image forming devices of the present invention, respectively. For example, the digital multifunction device 11a is installed in store A of a convenience store. The digital multifunction device 11b is installed in a convenience store (store B) different from the store A. In addition, the digital multifunction device 11c is installed on the premises of the school. In this way, a typical example is a digital multifunction device that is installed in a public space and can be used by an unspecified number of people. However, the present invention is not limited to the image forming apparatus installed in a public space. It can also be applied to an image forming apparatus installed on an office floor. In short, it can be applied to an image forming apparatus having a function of short-range wireless communication.

For example, the digital multifunction device 11a exchanges information with a mobile computer 13a owned by a user by short-range wireless communication (for example, wireless LAN communication based on a Wi-Fi standard). Further, information is exchanged with a smartphone 14a owned by another user by short-range wireless communication (for example, near-field wireless communication based on the NFC standard). In addition, information is exchanged with a tablet computer 15a owned by another user by short-range wireless communication (for example, wireless communication based on the Bluetooth standard). Similarly, the digital multifunction device 11b performs short-range wireless communication with the mobile computer 13b, the smartphone 14b, or the tablet computer 15b. Further, the digital multifunction device 11c performs short-range wireless communication with the mobile computer 13c, the smartphone 14c, or the tablet computer 15c.

Further, the digital multifunction devices 11a, 11b and 11c are connected to the external cloud server 17 via a remote communication network (for example, the Internet) different from the short-range wireless communication. The digital multifunction devices 11a, 11b, and 11c transmit status information indicating the status of each device to the cloud server 17. The status information is information representing the respective states of the digital multifunction devices 11a, 11b, and 11c, and is, for example, information as to whether or not it is in a normal operating state. In addition, the types of jobs (copy, fax, photo service, print service, scan service, etc.) that are in the running, waiting for execution order, or waiting for start instruction, and whether each job is waiting for start instruction, waiting for execution order, or running. Includes status (job status). Furthermore, the time when the job is waiting for the start instruction, waiting for the execution order or in the running state, the contents of the job settings (for example, the number of copies, the number of prints, the presence / absence and type of post-processing, etc., single-sided / double-sided, special function settings ) May be included. The special function is, for example, a function such as binding margin, frame erasing, and saddle stitching.

The cloud server 17 is a server that is connected to a plurality of image forming devices by a network and can know the state of each image forming device. In addition to the status information of each image forming apparatus, their installation location is stored. The operator who installed each image forming apparatus accesses the cloud server 17 to register the installation location.

<< Configuration of image forming device >>
The schematic configuration of the image forming apparatus of this invention will be described. It corresponds to the digital multifunction devices 11a, 11b and 11c of FIG.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a digital multifunction device which is an image forming apparatus of the present invention. The digital multifunction device 11 shown in FIG. 2 corresponds to the digital multifunction devices 11a, 11b and 11c shown in FIG. They have a similar configuration.

In FIG. 2, the proximity communication unit 21 performs short-range wireless communication with an external portable information processing device. Specific modes of short-range wireless communication include, but are not limited to, NFC, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and the like. Further, it is sufficient that it has a communication function of any one of them, but it may correspond to a plurality of communications. In addition, the print service may receive print data from the portable information processing device.

The specific hardware configuration of the control unit 23 is mainly composed of a computer, a memory, an input / output circuit, and other peripheral circuits. The computer related to the control unit 23 executes a control program stored in advance in the memory to control the digital multifunction device 11. The recognition unit 25, the job setting unit 27, the job control unit 29, and the image control unit 31 are described as typical functions carried out by the control unit 23. However, the control unit 23 also executes various processes that do not belong to these.

When the portable information processing device enters the communicable range of the proximity communication unit 21, the recognition unit 25 recognizes the existence of the portable information processing device and attempts to establish communication. For example, when a portable information processing device having a Bluetooth communication function enters the field, it is paired with the digital multifunction device 11.
The above is the case where the short-range wireless communication is Bluetooth. For example, even in the case of Wi-Fi standard wireless LAN communication, when a portable information processing device enters the field, an attempt is made to establish the communication.

The job setting unit 27 sends data for displaying the job setting screen in response to a request from the portable information processing device for which communication has been established. Then, the job setting by the operation using the job setting screen is accepted.

The request is issued, for example, in response to a user installing an application for job setting in the portable information processing device in advance and activating the application. Alternatively, the digital multifunction device 11 provides a website for job setting, and the request is issued when login to the website is completed using the portable information processing device for which communication has been established.

When the short-range wireless communication is NFC, when the user touches a portable information processing device in a predetermined area (for example, a part area of the operation panel) of the digital multifunction device 11, the recognition unit 25 communicates. To establish. At the same time, the data for displaying the job setting screen is transmitted to the portable information processing device. Since it is considered that the act of touching indicates the user's intention to use the portable information processing device for the operation of the digital multifunction device 11, the job setting screen is displayed at the same time as the touching.
The job setting unit 27 also accepts job settings using the operation unit 33 of the digital multifunction device 11.
The job setting unit 27 stores the received job settings for each portable information processing device of the transmission source. Job settings by the operation unit 33 are stored separately from them.

The job control unit 29 waits for a job start instruction for each job setting received by the job setting unit 27. Upon receiving the start instruction, the job control unit starts executing the job. However, if hardware resources cannot be used, such as when there is a job being executed first, that job is registered in the pending queue. Jobs registered in the pending queue are, in principle, executed in order of first-in, first-out. It is also possible to delete jobs in the pending queue, change the order, and change the job settings by user operation. These operations can be performed by the user using the operation unit 33, but can also be performed by using the portable information processing device in which the job setting unit 27 has received the corresponding job.

Further, the job control unit 29 allows a portable information processing device that is in the job start instruction state or receives the job settings of the job registered in the execution waiting queue to communicate with the job before executing the job. The job may be deleted when it is far away. Alternatively, the job control unit 29 may put the job on hold until the predetermined period expires. Then, if the portable information processing apparatus returns within a communicable close distance before the expiration of the period, the job may be continued, but if it does not return, the job may be deleted.

Depending on the configuration of the digital multifunction device 11 and the type of job, there are some that can perform simultaneous parallel processing without conflicting hardware resources. For example, fax transmission and print services may be able to be processed concurrently. The same applies to scan services and print services. The job control unit 29 manages the execution waiting queue in consideration of these conditions.
The image control unit 31 controls the image formation process for each job.

The operation unit 33 displays the status and settings of the digital multifunction device 11 to the user, and accepts the operation by the user. As hardware, for example, a liquid crystal display device with a touch panel is applied. In addition to the liquid crystal display device, there may be operation keys. A numeric keypad for entering the number of copies and a telephone number, and a start key for receiving a job start instruction.

The remote communication unit 35 communicates data such as the above-mentioned status information with the cloud server 17 of FIG. In addition, the print service receives print data from a host connected to the network.

The image forming unit 37 forms an image related to jobs such as copy, fax, photo service, print service, and scan service. It is roughly divided into hardware resources related to reading documents, hardware resources related to sheet printing, and hardware resources related to image data processing and reading / writing.

≪Operation of digital multifunction device by portable information processing device using short-range wireless communication≫
Subsequently, some aspects in which the user of the digital multifunction device of the present invention operates and manages the digital multifunction device using the portable information processing device will be described.
As a first aspect, job setting using a portable information processing device will be described.
It is assumed that the digital multifunction device 11b and the smartphone 14b of FIG. 1 have an NFC function and can communicate with each other.
When the digital multifunction device 11b is on standby, an initial screen is displayed on the liquid crystal display device included in the operation unit 33, and the operation unit 33 receives a job setting and a start instruction.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a job setting screen 41 displayed on the operation unit 33 of the digital multifunction device 11 of the present invention. On the job setting screen 41 shown in FIG. 3, an operation button for selecting a job setting of copy, fax, photo service, print service, or scan service is arranged as a top menu. When each operation button is pressed, the job setting unit 27 switches the job setting screen 41 to the screen for setting the job of the job corresponding to the operation button.

The job setting screen 41 shown in FIG. 3 is provided with an operation button for displaying a status screen. When this operation button is pressed, the job control unit 29 switches the job setting screen 41 to the status screen that displays the job execution status. On the status screen, the job control unit 29 accepts an instruction to delete or edit a job in the execution order waiting state. In addition, it accepts inquiries from other image forming devices installed nearby.

When the user holds the smartphone 14b and touches a predetermined area of the digital multifunction device 11b, the recognition unit 25 recognizes that the smartphone 14b is in the field by communication via the proximity communication unit 21. In response to the new recognition of the smartphone 14b, the job setting unit 27 transmits data for displaying the job setting screen on the display unit of the smartphone 14b via the proximity communication unit 21. The data may, for example, request the activation of an application pre-installed on the smartphone 14b. Alternatively, for example, a Web browser pre-installed on the smartphone 14b may be activated and an add-on may be provided. In that case, the job setting screen is displayed on the display unit as an add-on on the Web browser and accepts the user's operation.

<Copy job settings>
4 and 5 are explanatory views showing an example of a job setting screen displayed on the display unit 43 of the smartphone 14b, which is the portable information processing device of the present invention. Although the job setting screen 45a shown in FIG. 4 has a different design, operation buttons having the same functions as those in FIG. 3 are displayed. That is, the operation buttons of the copy, fax, photo service, print service and scan service, and the operation buttons of the status screen. When any one of the copy, fax, photo service, and print service operation buttons is pressed, the operation is received by the proximity communication unit 21.
The job setting unit 27 switches the job setting screen 45a to the screen for setting the job of the corresponding job in response to the operation.

FIG. 5 shows an example of a copy job setting screen. The job setting screen 45b shown in FIG. 5A has a different design from the screen for accepting copy job settings by the operation unit 33, but the items that can be set are almost the same. That is, the numerical keys used for setting the number of copies, the color mode, the copy density, the magnification, the double-sided copying, the finishing, the binding margin, the frame erasing, and various settings (transition to the setting screen of various functions). Further, in the lower right corner, a button for switching the job setting screen 45b is arranged on the status screen for displaying the job execution status.

The job setting screen 45c shown in FIG. 5B is an example of setting screens for various functions. Saddle stitching, mass original mode, 1 set 2 copies, cover / interleaving paper, OHP interleaving paper, 2in1 / 4in1, book copy, tab copy, card scan buttons are arranged, and any button is pressed. And select its function. A function that has detailed settings for the selected function transitions to the screen for making the detailed settings.

When the user who has completed the copy job setting on the job setting screens 45b and 45c touches the digital multifunction device 11b again with the smartphone 14b, the job setting data is digitally transmitted from the smartphone 14b by communication via the proximity communication unit 21. It is sent to the multifunction device 11b. The job setting unit 27 receives the job setting and stores it in the memory. In the case of a copy job, the job control unit waits for authentication for billing and pressing of a color start key or a black-and-white start key (neither shown) arranged in the operation unit 33. That is, it waits for a copy job start instruction. Note that so-called walk-up jobs such as copy, scan service, and fax transmission service start job execution when the color start key or black and white start key is pressed, but in the case of a print job, print data and job setting data. The reception of is an alternative.

When either the color start key or the black-and-white start key is pressed, the job control unit 29 starts a color copy or black-and-white copy job according to the pressed key. If the hardware resources required for the copy job are not immediately available, register the job in the pending queue and start executing the job as soon as the hardware resources become available.

The above is a description of the case where the smartphone 14b communicates with the digital multifunction device 11b by NFC having a very narrow field. For example, in short-range wireless communication by Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, the field is wider than that of NFC. In addition, even with NFC, it is possible to communicate within a range of several centimeters to about 1 meter without bringing them close to each other until they are touched. In that case, if the smartphone 14b is in the field of the digital multifunction device 11b, data on the job setting screen and data on the job setting can be exchanged between the two at any time.

In general, short-range wireless communication of wireless LAN such as Wi-Fi has a wider field than NFC, but it takes time and effort to select a wireless network and enter a password. On the other hand, NFC has a feature that the image forming device and the portable information processing device can be authenticated one-to-one because the communication area is narrow but the devices communicate with each other at a close distance, which reduces the time and effort for the user to perform authentication installation. Can be done. It can be said that short-range wireless communication by Bluetooth is intermediate between wireless LAN and NFC. The first time you need to perform a pairing operation, but from the next time you can authenticate just by entering the field.

When the operation button of "Job status" is pressed on the job setting screen 45a of FIG. 4 or the job setting screen 45b of FIG. 5 when the smartphone 14b is in the field, the operation is received by the proximity communication unit 21. The job control unit 29 switches the job setting screen 41 to the job status screen that displays the job execution status in response to the operation. The job status screen is based on status information. The status information is information managed by the control unit 23 including the job control unit 29, and represents the state of the digital multifunction device 11b.

When the job setting screens 45a and 45b are executed by an installed application or an add-on of a Web browser, if the job status button is touched when the smartphone 14b is not in the field, the application or add-on is a digital multifunction device. You may display a message that you cannot communicate with. Alternatively, a message indicating that the Web browser is not connected to the digital multifunction device 11b, which is a Web server, may be displayed. When the user returns to the field after seeing the message (touches in the case of NFC), data communication is performed.

<Checking job status and operating jobs>
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a based job status screen displayed on the display unit of the portable information processing apparatus of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 6, the job control unit displays the jobs being executed and the jobs in the execution order waiting state on the job status screen 47. The "copying" display indicates the executing status, and the "waiting" display indicates the execution waiting status. Further, the job control unit 29 accepts an operation related to the displayed job.

For example, on the job status screen 47 of FIG. 6, if either the running or waiting job is touched and selected and the "Details" button is touched, the operation is performed via the proximity communication unit 21. Is transmitted to the job control unit 29. The job control unit 29 transmits the details of the job setting selected in response to the operation to the smartphone 14b as one of the status information. The smartphone 14b displays the contents of the job setting on the display unit 43 based on the status information.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a job setting confirmation screen displayed on the display unit of the portable information processing apparatus of the present invention.
For jobs for which job settings have been made on the smartphone 14b and are in the execution waiting state, all or part of the job settings can be changed. Only the job setting can be confirmed for the job being executed and the job for which the job setting has been made by the other portable information processing device or the operation unit 33. However, the job settings cannot be changed using the smartphone 14b. Exceptionally, it is possible to change the paper selection. This is to enable output in any of the sizes provided when the job is set for paper other than the size equipped in the digital multifunction device 11b. FIG. 7A illustrates a job setting confirmation screen 49a in which only job settings can be confirmed. FIG. 7B illustrates a job setting confirmation screen 49b in which the job settings can be changed.
On the job status screen 47 of FIG. 6, there is a grayed out "priority" button to the right of the "details" button, and a "stop / delete" button to the right of the grayed out "priority" button.

The "priority" button moves the job for which the job setting has been made on the smartphone 14b among the jobs in the execution waiting state to the beginning of the execution waiting job. The reason why it is grayed out in FIG. 6 is that the selected job is a running job. Also, when a job set as a job is selected on a smartphone other than the smartphone 14b, it is grayed out.

The "Cancel / Delete" button suspends the execution of a job that is in the running state, and deletes the job that is in the waiting state from the execution waiting queue. However, jobs that can be canceled / deleted are jobs set on the smartphone 14b.

<Inquiry about other machines using cloud server>
The "inquire other machine" button is used to inquire about other image forming devices installed in the vicinity. As shown in FIG. 1, in this embodiment, the digital multifunction device 11b is connected to the cloud server 17 via network communication. The cloud server can communicate with a plurality of image forming devices and acquires the status information of each image forming device.

When the "inquire other device" button is pressed on the smartphone 14b, the operation is transmitted to the control unit 23 via the proximity communication unit 21. The control unit 23 requests the cloud server 17 to inquire about another image forming apparatus via the remote communication unit 35. In response to the request, the cloud server 17 returns the information of other image forming devices that are close to each other and is not crowded to the digital multifunction device 11b based on the status information acquired from each image forming device. Upon receiving the information, the control unit 23 transfers the information to the smartphone 14b.

As described above, the user can grasp the number of jobs waiting to be executed by the digital multifunction device 11b from the job status screen of the smartphone 14b. Then, when the waiting time until the job execution is likely to be long, press the other machine inquiry key. Then, the request for inquiring about another device is transmitted to the cloud server 17 via the digital multifunction device 11b. The cloud server 17 searches for other image forming devices installed in the vicinity based on the installation location information stored in advance for the requested digital multifunction device 11b. As a search condition, search for a device that is not only installed in the neighborhood but is not out of order and the processing time of the job waiting to be executed is expected to be shorter than the standard even if there is no job waiting to be processed at present. To do. Then, the corresponding image forming apparatus is sent to the requested image forming apparatus together with the information on the installation location. In this case, it is the digital multifunction device 11b. If the smartphone 14b has a GPS function, the user can obtain a map display and navigation service using the installation location of another image forming apparatus acquired from the cloud server 17 via the digital multifunction device 11b.

As described above, it is possible to reduce the waiting time of the user and increase the overall operating rate of the image forming apparatus connected to the cloud server 17 by obtaining the information of the other machine from the cloud server 17 in response to the inquiry of the other machine. become.

<Job operation based on field monitoring>
Further, the job control unit 29 may monitor whether or not the smartphone 14b for which the job has been set remains in the field during the period of the job execution waiting state. Then, when the smartphone 14b goes out of the field, it may be determined that the user has left and the job waiting to be executed may be deleted immediately. Alternatively, the execution of the job may be suspended and monitoring may be continued for a certain period of time, and when the smartphone 14b enters the field by the expiration of the period, the execution suspension may be released.

In addition, when the smartphone 14b goes out of the field, the selection of whether to immediately delete the job waiting to be executed or to reserve it for a certain period of time and monitor it to return to the field, and to select the length of the period. It may be possible to do it with the application or add-on of the smartphone 14b.

In the case of waiting for the start instruction of the job after receiving the job setting, the job control unit 29 may monitor whether or not the smartphone 14b in which the job setting is set remains in the field. Then, when the smartphone 14b goes out of the field, it may be determined that the user has left and the job setting of the job waiting for the start instruction may be deleted immediately. Alternatively, if the job setting is retained and monitoring is continued for a certain period of time and the start instruction is not received by the expiration of the period, the job setting may be deleted.

Further, when the smartphone 14b goes out of the field, the smartphone 14b selects whether to immediately delete the job waiting for the start instruction or to reserve the job for a certain period of time and wait for the start instruction, and to select the length of the period. It may be possible to do it with an app or add-on.

≪Processing flow≫
The processing of the control unit 23 including the job control unit 29 will be described. 8 to 11 are flowcharts showing a procedure of processing executed by the control unit 23 according to the present invention. However, the flowchart focuses on a characteristic aspect of the present invention, and details for switching other processes and the screen of the display unit 43 are omitted.

In FIG. 8, first, the control unit 23 checks whether or not the recognition unit newly recognizes the portable information processing device by communication via the proximity communication unit 21 (step S11). If there is no newly recognized portable information processing device (No in step S11), the routine loops. However, since the processing is performed in a multitasking environment, other tasks are actually executed in parallel in the loop.

If there is a newly recognized portable information processing device (Yes in step S11), the control unit 23 establishes communication with the portable information processing device (step S13).
Subsequently, the control unit 23 as the job setting unit 27 checks whether or not a request for the job setting screen has been received via the proximity communication unit 21 (step S15). The request on the job setting screen is received when the portable information processing device that communicates with NFC is touched. Alternatively, it is received when a portable information processing device that communicates via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or the like enters the field, and a Web page or add-on for setting an application or job is activated by a user operation.
Furthermore, a request is also received when the job setting screen is operated to transition to a different screen.

When the request for the job setting screen is received (Yes in step S15), the job setting unit 27 sends data for displaying the job setting screen to the requested portable information processing device. Specifically, it sends a response to a request to an application or data for displaying a Web page.
After that, the routine returns to step S15.

When the request on the job setting screen is not received in step S15 (No in step S15), the control unit 23 as the job setting unit 27 checks whether or not the job setting has been received via the proximity communication unit 21. (Step S21). The job setting is received when the "send" button is operated on the job setting screen of the portable information processing device.
When the job setting is received (Yes in step S21), the job control unit 29 stores the received job setting in the memory for each portable information processing device of the transmission source (step S23).
After that, the routine returns to step S15.

When the job setting is not received in step S21 (No in step S21), the control unit 23 subsequently checks whether or not the job setting unit 27 has received the job start instruction (step S25 in FIG. 9). ). In the case of a walk-up job such as copying, the job start instruction corresponds to an operation in which the color start key or the black-and-white start key (not shown) of the operation unit 33 is pressed. In the case of a print job, receiving print data and job setting data corresponds to the start instruction.
When the job start instruction is received (Yes in step S25), the job control unit 29 registers the job for which the start instruction has been received in the execution waiting queue (step S27). After that, the routine returns to step S15. The job control unit 29 manages the jobs registered in the execution waiting queue until the execution of the job is completed.

When the job start instruction is not received in step S25 (No in step S25), the control unit 23 subsequently checks whether or not a request for the job status screen has been received via the proximity communication unit 21 (step). S31). The request on the job status screen is received when the job status button is touched. Alternatively, the request is also received when the detail button or the like of the job status screen 47 is operated to update to a different screen.

When the request for the job status screen is received (Yes in step S31), the job setting unit 27 sends data for displaying the job status screen to the requested portable information processing device. Specifically, it sends a response to a request to an application or data for displaying a Web page.
After that, the routine returns to step S15.

When the request on the job status screen is not received in step S31 (No in step S31), the control unit 23 subsequently checks whether or not a job operation instruction has been received via the proximity communication unit 21 (step). S35). The job operation instruction is received, for example, when the priority button or the cancel / delete button is operated on the job status screen 47.

When the request of the job status screen is received (Yes in step S35), the job setting unit 27 performs the processing of changing the order of the target jobs and canceling / deleting according to the instruction (step S37).
After that, the routine returns to step S15.

When the job operation instruction is not received in step S35 (No in step S35), the control unit 23 subsequently checks whether or not the job setting change instruction has been received via the proximity communication unit 21 (step). S41). The instruction to change the job setting is received, for example, when a button for changing the job setting such as a color / black-and-white button, a double-sided copy button, or a copy density button is operated on the job setting confirmation screen 49b.

When the instruction for changing the job setting is received (Yes in step S35), the job setting unit 27 performs a process of changing the job setting of the target job according to the instruction (step S45).
After that, the routine returns to step S15.

When the instruction for changing the job setting is not received in step S41 (No in step S41), the control unit 23 subsequently checks whether or not a request for inquiry to another machine has been received via the proximity communication unit 21 (No). Step S47 in FIG. 10). The request for inquiry to another machine is received, for example, when the inquiry button for another machine is operated on the job status screen 47 of FIG.

When the request for inquiry to another device is received (Yes in step S47), the control unit 23 performs a process of transmitting the request for inquiry to another device to the cloud server 17 via the remote communication unit 35 (step S49).
After that, the routine returns to step S15.

When the request for inquiring about another device is not received in step S47 (No in step S47), the control unit 23 subsequently checks whether or not the result of the inquiry for another device has been received via the remote communication unit 35. (Step S51). The result of the other machine inquiry is sent from the cloud server 17 in response to the other machine inquiry request in step S49.

When the result of the inquiry to the other device is received (Yes in step S51), the control unit 23 sends the result of the inquiry to the other device to the portable information processing device via the proximity communication unit 21 (step S53).
After that, the routine returns to step S15. The display unit 43 of the portable information processing device displays the result of the inquiry of another device (not shown).

When the result of the inquiry to the other device is not received in step S51 (No in step S51), the control unit 23 subsequently examines whether or not the portable information processing device has left the field as the recognition unit 25 (No). Step S55). The process when it is determined that the portable information processing device is out of the field (Yes in step S55) will be described later as the process of FIG.
When it is determined that the portable information processing device has not left the field (No in step S55), the control unit 23 checks whether the predetermined period has expired while waiting for the job start instruction (step S57). ).

When the period has expired (Yes in step S57), the control unit 23 performs a process of deleting the target job setting from the memory as the job control unit 29 (step S59).
After that, the routine returns to step S15.

When the control unit 23 determines in step S55 described above that the portable information processing device is out of the field (Yes in step S55), what kind of response is set in the job control unit 29 in that case? Find out. That is, whether the job registered by the portable information processing device that has gone out of the field is set to be deleted immediately, or whether the job is deleted after the predetermined period has expired. Check (step S61).
When the immediate deletion is set, the job control unit 29 deletes the target job from the execution waiting queue (step S63).
After that, the routine returns to step S11.

On the other hand, if the above-mentioned step S61 is set to delete the job after the predetermined period has expired, the routine proceeds to step S65 to check whether or not the period has expired. When the period expires (Yes in step S65), the routine proceeds to step S63 described above, and the job control unit 29 deletes the target job from the execution waiting queue.
If the period has not expired (No in step S65), the job control unit 29 puts the execution on hold so as not to start the execution of the target job. That is, the job continues in the execution waiting state, and other jobs are allowed to overtake and start execution (step S67).

After that, the control unit 23 as the recognition unit 25 checks whether the portable information processing device that has gone out of the field returned to the field before the expiration of the period (step S69). If not (No in step S69), the routine proceeds to step S65 described above and loops until the period expires or the portable information processor returns to the field.
When the portable information processing apparatus once out of the field returns to the field before the expiration of the period (Yes in step S69), the job control unit 29 releases the execution pending state for the corresponding job (step S71).

After that, the routine returns to step S15. The job whose execution hold has been released starts executing the job when its turn comes, like other jobs registered in the execution waiting queue.
The above is the flow of processing characteristic of the present invention among the processing executed by the control unit 23.
The features of the present invention described above will be described in several embodiments.

(Embodiment 1)
The image forming apparatus according to the present invention includes a proximity communication unit and a control unit that perform short-range wireless communication with a portable information processing device having a display unit, and the control unit is via the proximity communication unit. A request for displaying a job setting screen on a recognition unit that recognizes a portable information processing device within a communicable range by communication and a display unit of the recognized portable information processing device is transmitted via the proximity communication unit. The job setting unit includes a job setting unit for processing and a job control unit for executing the job in response to a job start instruction, and the job setting unit performs job setting using the job setting screen after the recognition is performed. It is characterized in that a job setting from the portable information processing apparatus is received by receiving the information via the proximity communication unit, and the job control unit receives a start instruction for a job that has received the job setting.

In the present invention, the portable information processing device is carried by a user to perform processing related to authentication and operation. Specific embodiments thereof include, but are not limited to, smartphones, tablet computers and mobile computers.

Further, the proximity communication unit refers to an interface circuit for performing communication by a wireless communication method having a shorter communication range than mobile communication represented by a communication method such as CDMA or LTE of a mobile phone. Specific embodiments thereof include, but are not limited to, those based on communication standards such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and NFC.

Furthermore, the authentication information may be stored in the portable information processing device in advance, the user may operate the portable information processing device to input the authentication information, or the portable information processing device is a user-specific feature ( For example, biological features) may be captured.

The job is a series of processes in which the image forming apparatus processes and outputs input data, and examples thereof include a copy job, a print job, a scan job, a fax transmission job, and a fax reception job.

The job setting screen is an operation screen for making settings necessary for executing a job. For example, settings such as the number of copies in a copy job, selection of double-sided copy or single-sided copy, and selection of post-processing can be made. This is the screen to be performed.

Furthermore, the registration of job setting completion means that the job settings are placed under the control of the job control unit and are in a state of waiting for a start instruction. After the job in the start instruction waiting state receives the start instruction, the job transitions to the execution order waiting or the executing state. The execution order waiting state is a waiting state due to reasons such as having another job currently being executed, and is a state in which execution is started when the waiting factor disappears.

For each function of the authentication unit, job setting unit, and job control unit, the computer reads the program (software) corresponding to each function stored in advance in the memory, and performs processing in cooperation with the hardware resources of the image processing device. Realized by.

Further, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described.
The job setting screen may be displayed by activating an application pre-installed in the portable information processing device.
Here, the request may be a request to start the application.
Further, the job setting screen may be displayed by activating a web browser pre-installed in the portable information processing device.
Here, the request may be a request for invoking the web browser.
The image forming apparatus further includes an operation unit for displaying a job setting screen, and a job setting screen displayed on the operation unit on the image forming apparatus side and a job setting screen displayed on the display unit on the portable information processing apparatus side. It may be possible to accept operations related to the same function although the screen design is different from the above.
Furthermore, the portable information processing device further includes an external cloud server that stores the installation location and status of the image forming device connected to the network, and a remote communication unit that communicates via the network, and the portable information processing device is used for other images. The request for searching the forming device is received on the job setting screen, the received request is sent to the proximity communication unit, and the control unit sends the request received from the portable information processing device via the remote communication unit. Another image forming device that is sent to the cloud server and has a job processing time shorter than the standard, receives information about another image forming device installed in the vicinity from the cloud server, and receives the received information. It may be transmitted to the portable information processing device and displayed on the display unit.
Here, the display unit may display a map or navigation using the installation location of another image forming apparatus based on the information.
(Embodiment 2)
The proximity communication unit can communicate with a plurality of portable information processing devices within a communicable proximity distance, and the job control unit can be used to wait for a start instruction, wait for an execution order, or execute a registered job. The status information including the status of the above may be transmitted to each portable information processing device, and the instruction to delete or edit the job in the start instruction waiting state or the execution order waiting state may be received from each portable information processing device.
In this way, the user can not only check the status of the job on the portable information processing device, but also delete or edit the job.

(Embodiment 3)
The job control unit may receive an instruction to change the order of jobs in the execution order waiting state from each portable information processing device.
In this way, the user can not only check the job status on the portable information processing device but also change the job execution order.

(Embodiment 4)
The job control unit deletes the job when the portable information processing device that has registered the job waiting for the start instruction or waiting for the execution order moves away from a communicable close distance before executing the job. The job is put on hold until the predetermined period expires, and if the portable information processing device returns within the communicable close distance before the period expires, the job is restarted, and if it does not return, the job is deleted. You may.
By doing so, when the user who registered the job in the execution waiting state leaves the place for some reason, if the job remains, it is possible to avoid the problem.

(Embodiment 5)
The remote communication unit further includes a remote communication unit that communicates with an external server, the status information includes information on whether or not it is in a normal operating state, and the job control unit uses the status information and installation location information on the remote communication unit. It is transmitted to the server via the server, the server stores the status information and the installation location information together with the status information and the installation location information transmitted from another image forming apparatus, and the job control unit is not in a normal operating state. If the job in the execution order waiting state exceeds a predetermined standard, the status is transmitted to each portable information processing device within a communicable close range, and the information stored in the server is stored. You may control to provide each portable information processing device with the installation location of another image forming device in which the job in the normal operating state and the execution order waiting state is in a state below a predetermined standard by searching for. ..
In this way, when the image forming apparatus is not in a normal operating state or when there is a long wait until the job is executed, information on another image forming apparatus that can be used by using the portable information processing apparatus can be obtained.
Preferred embodiments of the present invention include a combination of any of the plurality of embodiments described above.

In addition to the embodiments described above, there may be various variations of the present invention. These variations should not be construed as not belonging to the scope of the present invention. The present invention should include the meaning equivalent to the claims and all modifications within the said scope.

11, 11a, 11b, 11c: Digital multifunction device, 13a, 13b, 13c: Mobile computer, 14a, 14b, 14c: Smartphone, 15a, 15b, 15c: Tablet computer, 17: Cloud server, 21: Proximity communication unit, 23 : Control unit, 25: Recognition unit, 27: Job setting unit, 29: Job control unit, 31: Image control unit, 33: Operation unit, 35: Remote communication unit, 37: Image forming unit, 41, 45a, 45b, 45c: Job setting screen, 43: Display, 47: Job status screen, 49a, 49b: Job setting confirmation screen

Claims (3)

A proximity communication unit that performs short-range wireless communication with a portable information processing device that has a display unit,
Equipped with a control unit
The control unit
A recognition unit that recognizes a portable information processing device within a communicable range by communication via the proximity communication unit, and a recognition unit.
The job setting section that receives job settings and
Includes a job control unit that receives a job start instruction from a communicable external device and executes the job.
The job setting unit receives the job settings set by the portable information processing device after the short-range wireless communication with the portable information processing device is established, and receives the job settings.
If the job control unit receives an instruction to delete a job waiting to be executed from the portable information processing device and the deletion instruction is for a job for which a job has been set in the portable information processing device. Image forming device to be deleted. The image forming device is further equipped with an operation unit for displaying the job setting screen.
The job settings received by the job setting unit are set using the job setting screen displayed on the operation unit.
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the job control unit receives an instruction to start a job or an instruction to delete a job waiting for the start of execution of a job from the operation unit. As a step performed by a computer that controls an image forming apparatus capable of short-range wireless communication with a portable information processing apparatus.
A recognition step that recognizes a portable information processing device within the communication range by short-range wireless communication,
The job setting step to receive the job setting and
It is equipped with a job control step that receives a job start instruction from a communicable external device and executes the job.
The job setting step receives the job setting set by the portable information processing device after the short-range wireless communication with the portable information processing device is established, and receives the job setting set by the portable information processing device.
If the job control step receives an instruction to delete a job waiting to be executed from the portable information processing device and the deletion instruction is for a job for which a job has been set in the portable information processing device. A method of controlling the image forming apparatus to be deleted.

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