TW201439889A - Methods to mobile printing and devices and systems thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention discloses methods to mobile printing and devices and systems thereof. The mobile printing of the present invention allows a mobile device to wirelessly discover at least one printing device, wherein such discovery may be done with or without the mobile device knowing any existence and/or capability of the printing device. Also, the mobile device may or may not be connected to a same wireless network as the printing device. The printing device of the present invention supports such printing from mobile devices.

Description

Printing device and its mobile printing system

The present invention relates to a method, apparatus and system for action printing; in particular, the present invention relates to a mobile device capable of wirelessly searching for at least one printing device, wherein the search system can know or not know the column in the mobile device Whether the printing device is present and/or its performance; in particular, the present invention relates to a mobile device that can communicate with a printing device, wherein the mobile device is located in the same or different wireless network as the printing device; In the meantime, the present invention relates to a printing apparatus that supports printing from a mobile device.

As today's users become more accustomed to using mobile devices to operate jobs that were previously operating on a computer, the user is increasingly not limited to the actual location in which they are located. Thus, the user can move to a location where the mobile device is unaware of the performance of the printing device at its location. In particular, the user may or may not know if there is any printing device at that location.

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a method, apparatus and system for a mobile device to find a printing device regardless of whether the mobile device knows or does not know whether or not there is a printing device present and/or its performance. Furthermore, the art also requires a mobile device, whether or not with a column The printing device can communicate with the same wireless network. Moreover, the present technology requires a printing device that can wirelessly support a mobile device.

In view of the above-mentioned shortcomings of the prior art, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method for a mobile device to wirelessly search for at least one printing device, wherein the searching method can know whether a printing device exists in the mobile device and/or Or in the case of its performance.

Furthermore, another object of the present invention is to provide a mobile device that can search for a printing device that is in the same or different wireless network as the printing device.

In an embodiment of the invention, a mobile device can transmit a signal (e.g., a broadcast, a multicast) without knowing whether or not there is a printer and/or its performance. Or unicast (unicast). This signal can include the name of the mobile device, Internet Protocol (IP) address, or performance. In another embodiment, the propagate, multicast, or unicast may include any print device request that matches at least one performance requirement. When a printing device detects a propagated signal, a multicast signal or a unicast signal, the printing device can transmit a response by means of propagation, multicast or unicast. This response can include the name of the printing device, the IP address, print performance requirements, and/or other information. Thus, the mobile device can find a printing device that matches the performance requirements of the mobile device. The mobile device can then be linked to the printing device.

According to an embodiment of the invention, in each of the plurality of printing devices, each of the printing devices can transmit a signal (for example, a propagated signal, a multicast signal, or a unicast signal). This signal can include the name of the printing device, the IP address, print performance requirements, and/or other information. The mobile device can then provide the option of a number of printing devices to interface with any of the printing devices.

In another embodiment of the present invention, a mobile device can receive one, not only A list of one or all of the available printing devices. This list identifies at least one performance of each printing device. The mobile device can then selectively couple one of the printing devices on the list having at least one printing device. In an embodiment of the invention, this list is received via a propagated domain name system (mDNS).

Another object of the present invention is to provide a line for use with a printing device A mobile device that controls the main processing procedures required to output the files received by the printing device, thereby minimizing the processing power required for the printing device.

According to the present invention, the mobile device used with the printing device can include a computer A readable medium, responsible for storing computer program instructions to be transmitted to its printing device to establish control of the device, a transceiver electrically coupled to the computer readable medium to utilize one of a plurality of electrical network technologies The technical transmission instruction is sent to the printing device and the processor, and is electrically connected to the computer readable medium and the transceiver to process the main program task and the user interface for the printing device after the control is established, and is responsible for displaying There are many options for a user to operate the printing device.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a mobile printing system in which The first mobile device can be controlled by the second mobile device, so that the main processing program for outputting the file received by the first mobile device is operated by the second mobile device, thereby reducing the processing capability required by the first mobile device .

According to the present invention, the mobile printing system can include a first mobile device There is a communication component that is communicable with a second mobile device using a plurality of electrical network technologies to receive a file transmitted by the second mobile device to the first mobile device. The first mobile device can also have an output component responsible for outputting its file. The second mobile device has a computer The readable medium is responsible for storing computer program instructions, which are the main processing programs required to control the output file, wherein the output component comprises a printing component and a voice output component. The printing component is electrically connected to the communication component to output an image file, and the voice output component is electrically connected to the communication component to output a voice file, and wherein the communication component can identify one of the files transmitted by the second mobile device. File type, and optionally transfer this file to a print component or voice output component.

In another embodiment of the invention, the mobile device controls the printing device.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a printing device that supports wireless printing from a mobile device side, wherein the mobile device and the printing device can be in the same or different wireless networks. In one embodiment of the invention, the printing device can be coupled to a wireless network, wherein the mobile device can access the printing device when coupled to the same wireless network.

In another embodiment of the invention, the printing device can detect a signal (eg, a propagated signal, a multicast signal, or a unicast signal) of the mobile device. This signal may include the name of the mobile device, the IP address, print performance requirements, and/or other information. Once this signal is detected, the printing device can transmit a response (such as a propagation response, a multicast response, or a unicast response). This response can include the name of the printing device, the IP address, print performance requirements, and/or other information. The mobile device can then utilize the response of the printing device as needed.

The above and other objects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the <RTIgt;

100‧‧‧Printing device

102‧‧‧Communication components

104‧‧‧Printing components

106‧‧‧Voice output components

108‧‧‧User interface

110‧‧‧Remote storage device

200‧‧‧External host

202‧‧‧Computer readable media

204‧‧‧Transceiver

206‧‧‧Processor

208‧‧‧User interface

300‧‧‧Mobile Printing System

310‧‧‧First mobile device

312‧‧‧Communication components

314‧‧‧ Output components

318‧‧‧User interface

320‧‧‧Second mobile device

322‧‧‧ computer readable media

324‧‧‧ transceiver

326‧‧‧ processor

328‧‧‧User interface

330‧‧‧Remote storage device

3142‧‧‧Printing components

3144‧‧‧Voice output components

1 is a schematic view of a printing device in an embodiment of the present invention; 2 is a schematic diagram of a mobile device used in conjunction with a printing device in an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a mobile printing system in an embodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 4 is an embodiment of the present invention. A flowchart of a method for a medium-sized mobile device to search for at least one printing device; and FIG. 5 is a flow chart of another method for a mobile device to search for at least one printing device in one embodiment of the present invention.

The following examples are sufficient to enable and enable the skilled artisan. It is to be understood that the subject matter of the present invention is to be understood by those skilled in the art, and the embodiments may be variously modified without departing from the scope of the invention.

The present invention provides a method, apparatus and system for action printing. In particular, the present invention provides a mobile device that can wirelessly connect at least one printing device, wherein the connection can be made without the mobile device knowing or knowing whether there is a printing device and/or its identity. Moreover, in accordance with the present invention, the mobile device can communicate with a printing device that can be in the same or a different wireless network as the printing device.

In an embodiment of the invention, the invention can communicate using third generation mobile communication technology (3G). However, it is known to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to 3G technology. Other traditional communication network technologies, such as second-generation mobile communication technology (2G), fourth-generation mobile communication technology (4G), fourth-generation communication technology / long-term evolution (4G LTE), wireless Internet communication technology (Wi-Fi) , Bluetooth, infrared, or Ethernet, etc. are all suitable for use in the present invention.

Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a schematic representation of one of the printing devices in one embodiment of the present invention. Figure. As shown in FIG. 1, in one embodiment of the invention, printing device 100 can include a communication component 102. In one embodiment of the invention, the communication component 102 can be implemented in the printing device 100 in the form of a hardware, a soft body, a firmware, or any combination. Thereby, the printing device 100 of the present invention can be provided with network communication capability. In another embodiment of the invention, the communication component 102 can be external to the printing device 100, such as through a universal serial bus (USB) plug. Thereby, even if the printing device 100 itself does not have a built-in network communication device, the communication component 102 can be added to provide this function. In one embodiment of the invention, communication component 102 can be implemented in the form of a circuit, an application, a communication protocol, or any combination. However, it should be understood that the communication component 102 of the present invention is not limited to such implementations.

In accordance with the present invention, communication component 102 can utilize a plurality of electrical network technologies, such as Such as second-generation mobile communication technology (2G), third-generation mobile communication technology (3G), fourth-generation mobile communication technology (4G), fourth-generation communication technology / long-term evolution (4G LTE), wireless Internet communication technology (Wi -Fi), Bluetooth, infrared, etc., communicate with an external host (such as external host 200). In one embodiment of the present invention, the external host 200 can utilize a wireless network technology, such as a mobile device, such as a cell phone, a notebook computer, a tablet computer, a digital camera, or any similar device known to those skilled in the art. The third generation mobile communication technology is implemented to communicate with the communication component 102. In another embodiment of the present invention, the external host 200 can be implemented by a wired device (e.g., a desktop computer) using an Ethernet connection to communicate with the communication component 102. According to the present invention, the external host 200 can upload or download data at high speed using a wired or wireless connection.

In an embodiment of the invention, the external host 200 can send a signal to establish

Connected to one of the communication elements 102. This communication component 102 can then process this signal, acknowledging this The signal is transmitted and responded to by the external host 200 by, for example, confirming that the communication connection has been established. The communication component 102 can provide the current status of a particular component (e.g., print component 104 and voice output component 106, as detailed below) to the external host 200 in the printing device 100, causing the external host 200 to decide whether to directly transfer the file to The device 100 is printed. Next, under a peer-to-peer (P2P) architecture, the printing device 100 can be prepared to receive any file that the external host 200 desires to transmit.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the printing apparatus 100 can utilize more than one type The described telecommunications network technology communicates with more than one external host. For example, the external host 200 can include a mobile phone and a tablet. In this example, the printing device 100 can communicate with the mobile phone through the 3G network. On the other hand, the printing device 100 can communicate with the tablet through the wireless internet technology. Therefore, under the one-to-many network architecture, the printing device 100 can establish a communication connection with the mobile phone and the tablet computer respectively, and output files from the mobile phone and/or the tablet computer.

According to the present invention, the communication component 102 can recognize the file sent by the external host 200. a file type. In an example, the external host 200 can transmit an image file (such as a photo file) to the printing device 100. In another example, the external host 200 can transmit a voice file (such as a music file) to the printing device 100. Thereby, the communication component 102 of the present invention can recognize the file type of the file transmitted by the external host 200, transfer the file to the corresponding component, and activate the corresponding component to output the file without using the additional component for identification.

In an embodiment of the invention, the printing device 100 can include a printing element 104 And a voice output component 106. The printing component 104 of the present invention can be electrically coupled to the communication component 102 to output an image file. In addition, the voice output component 106 of the present invention can be electrically coupled to the communication component 102 to output a voice file. Thereby, when the external host 200 transmits a voice file (such as a music file) to the printing device 100, the communication component 102 of the present invention can recognize that the received file is a tone. The music file, selectively transmits the music file directly to the voice output component 106, and activates the voice output component 106. The voice output component 106 can then play the music file.

In another example, the external host 200 can transmit an image file (such as a photo) The file is given to the printing device 100. The communication component 102 of the present invention recognizes that the received file is an image file, selectively passes the image file directly to the printing component 104, and activates the printing component 104. Print element 104 can then print out the photo. In other words, the communication component 102 of the present invention has the ability to recognize its file type upon receipt of a file from the external host 200. Thereby, the printing apparatus 100 not only does not need additional components for performing the identification work, but also reduces the processing capability required for the back end when outputting the file. Moreover, because the communication component 102 of the present invention has the ability to distinguish between image files and voice files, the printing device 100 can play music through the voice output component 106, that is, without adding components or increasing the processing requirements of existing components. Used as a music player.

In an embodiment of the invention, the voice output component 106 can be built into the print package. Set to 100, such as a built-in speaker. In another embodiment of the invention, the speech output component 106 can be coupled to the printing device 100 in an external manner. In other words, the voice output component 106 can be electrically connected to the printing device 100 through a wire to output a voice file. In an embodiment of the invention, the external speaker can share a power source with the printing component 104. In another embodiment of the invention, the external speaker can have a dedicated power source.

According to the present invention, the speech output component 106 can be played not only from a mobile device but also from a mobile device. The voice file of 200 is set, and after the printing component 104 completes a printing task, an alert sound is output to remind the user to take the printed photo or file.

In an embodiment of the invention, the printing device 100 can include a user interface. 108. In one embodiment of the present invention, the user interface 108 can be built into the printing device 100, and a screen is disposed on a top or side of the printing device 100. In another embodiment of the invention, the user interface 108 can be connected to the printing device 100 in an external manner. The user interface 108 of the present invention can display a number of options for the user to operate the printing device 100, such as changing the print size, number of prints, and the like. The user interface 108 of the present invention may also select a data transfer option to request the remote storage device to transmit a file, or to download a file from the remote storage device, and the like.

In an embodiment of the invention, a remote storage device 110 can be used to store outside The file transmitted by the host computer 200. In another example of the present invention, the printing element 100 can retrieve the file from the remote storage device 110 and then output the file. For example, the printing device 100 can retrieve a music file from the remote storage device 110 and then play the music file through the voice output component 106. Alternatively, the printing device 100 can retrieve an image file from the remote storage device 110 and then print the image file through the printing component 104. Thereby, the printing apparatus 100 does not need to store a large amount of image and/or voice files in the storage medium of the area, thereby maintaining the compactness of the printing apparatus.

In an embodiment of the invention, the remote storage device 110 can pass through a wireless network The connection communicates with the printing device 100. However, it is known to those skilled in the art that the remote storage device 110 can also be through other known methods, such as second generation mobile communication technology (2G), third generation mobile communication technology (3G), fourth generation mobile communication technology ( 4G), fourth generation communication technology/long-term evolution (4G LTE), Bluetooth, infrared, or Ethernet, etc., communicate with the printing device 100 as described above.

Referring to Figure 2, there is shown an embodiment of the present invention for use with a printing device A schematic diagram of one of the mobile devices. As shown in FIG. 2, the mobile device 200 of the present invention can include a computer readable medium 202 for storing computer program instructions, and the computer program command is responsible for controlling the output of the file (such as an image file and/or a voice file) by the printing device 100. The main processing procedure required.

In an embodiment of the invention, the computer readable medium 202 can be, but is not limited to, any A physical medium that operates using magnetic, electronic, electromagnetic, optical, or semiconductor components. Specifically, the computer readable medium 202 can be a memory card, a hard disk, a portable magnetic disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), or any other that can be stored, stored, communicated, or transmitted. The program's physical medium, the program of which is used by or in conjunction with the mobile device 200.

According to the present invention, the computer readable medium 202 can be stored for transmission to the printing device 100. To establish computer program instructions for controlling the printing device 100. In one embodiment of the invention, computer program instructions stored on computer readable medium 202 can issue a signal to establish a communication connection with printing device 100. After the communication connection is established, the mobile device 200 can receive the current status of the printing element 104 and the voice output element 106, as described above, and begin to control the printing device 100.

In an embodiment of the invention, the mobile device 200 can include a processor 206. The processor 206 of the present invention can process program tasks that were originally processed by the printing device 100. In an embodiment of the present invention, the processor 206 can be electrically coupled to the computer readable medium 202 and the transceiver 204, whereby after receiving the parameters of the printing component 104 and the voice output component 106, the processor 206 The necessary calculation program can be performed and the control command to be transmitted to the printing device 100 can be selected.

In an example, the print element 104 parameters received by the processor 206 indicate printing. The component 104 is in an idle state, so that the processor 206 can immediately select to transmit an instruction to print an image file to the printing device 100. In another example, the print element 104 parameters received by the processor 206 indicate that the print element 104 is in a busy state, and thus the processor 206 can optionally transmit an instruction to the printing device 100 to suspend a print job.

In an embodiment of the invention, the user may want to transmit from the mobile device 200. An image file is sent to the printing device 100. According to the present invention, the user transmits an image file to the print package Before setting 100, the user can edit the image file on the mobile device 200 side first. For example, a user may want to add a frame edge to an image file, such as a gold or silver frame border. In another example, the user may want to adjust the color saturation of the image file. In accordance with the present invention, computer readable medium 202 can store computer program instructions responsible for operating such edits on mobile device 200. Thereby, the edited image file can be processed by the processor of the mobile device 200 instead of the printing device 100. When the edited image file is transferred to the printing device 100, the communication component 102 of the printing device 100 can directly transfer the edited image file to the printing component 104, and activate the printing component 104 to output the edited image. Image file.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the mobile device 200 can also transmit music files to The device 100 is printed. In this example, computer readable medium 202 can store computer program instructions to be transmitted to printing device 100 to establish the communication link. After the communication connection is established, the computer program command can transmit one selected voice file or multiple voice files from the local area memory to the printing device 100. In one example, the computer program instructions can randomly transmit a voice file to the printing device 100 from a zone playlist. When the communication component 102 of the present invention receives a voice file from the mobile device 200, the communication component 102 can directly transmit the file to the voice output component 106 and activate the voice output component 106 to play the music profile. Thereby, the printing apparatus 100 can be used as a music player without storing the music file on the local end.

In an embodiment of the invention, the mobile device 200 can include a transceiver 204. In accordance with the present invention, computer readable medium 202 can be electrically coupled to transceiver 204 to cause computer program instructions stored on computer readable medium 202 to be transmitted to communication component 102 of printing device 100. Moreover, the music and/or video files stored on the computer readable medium 202 can also be transferred to the communication component 102 of the printing device 100.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the mobile device 200 can include a user interface. 208. The user interface 208 of the present invention can display a number of options for the user to operate the mobile device 200. Moreover, the user interface 208 of the present invention can display a plurality of options for the user to operate the printing device 100 after establishing a communication connection between the printing device 100 and the mobile device 200. For example, if the user chooses to edit the photo before printing the photo file, the user can select a desired photo frame on the mobile device through the user interface 208, such as a gold or silver graphic photo frame, or change The color saturation of the photo. Moreover, the user can also select printing options on the mobile device side through the user interface 208, such as photo size, resolution, number of prints, and the like. In other words, once the communication connection between the printing device 100 and the mobile device 200 is established, the user interface 208 of the mobile device 200 can display the menu displayed on the user interface 108 of the printing device 100 to the user. . Thereby, the mobile device 200 can perform control of the printing device 100.

Referring to FIG. 3, a diagram of a mobile printing system in an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. schematic diagram. As shown in FIG. 3, the mobile printing system 300 can include a first mobile device 310 and a second mobile device 320. In an embodiment of the invention, the first mobile device 310 can be a pocket printer.

In accordance with the present invention, first mobile device 310 can include a communication component 312. This hair The communication component 312 can communicate with the second mobile device 320 using a plurality of electrical network technologies. In one embodiment of the invention, the present invention may utilize third generation mobile communication technology (3G). However, it is known to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to 3G technology, and any other known communication network technologies, such as second generation mobile communication technology (2G), fourth generation mobile communication technology (4G), and fourth. Generation communication technology/long-term evolution (4G LTE), wireless Internet communication technology (Wi-Fi), Bluetooth, infrared, or Ethernet are suitable for the present invention.

For example, the communication component 312 can pass through the 3G wireless network and the second mobile device 320 for communication. In this example, the second mobile device 320, such as a cell phone, desktop computer, notebook computer, tablet computer, digital camera, or any similar device known to those skilled in the art, can transmit a signal to the communication component 312. To start a communication connection. The communication component 312 can then process the signal, acknowledge the signal transmission, and respond to the second mobile device 320 by confirming that the communication connection has been established. The communication component 312 can provide the current state of a particular component (e.g., print component 3142 and voice output component 3144, as detailed below) to the second mobile device 320, causing the second mobile device 320 to determine Whether a file is directly transmitted to the first mobile device 310. Next, in a peer-to-peer (P2P) configuration, the first mobile device 310 can be prepared to receive any of the files that the second mobile device 320 desires to transmit.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the first mobile device 310 can transmit through the foregoing More than one of several digital network technologies communicates with more than one second mobile device. For example, the second mobile device 320 can include a mobile phone and a tablet computer. In this example, the first mobile device 310 can communicate with the mobile phone through the 3G network. On the other hand, the first mobile device 310 can communicate with the tablet through the wireless internet technology. In this way, under the one-to-many network architecture, the first mobile device 310 can establish a communication connection with the mobile phone and the tablet computer respectively, and output files from the mobile phone and/or the tablet terminal.

According to the present invention, the communication component 312 can recognize the second mobile device 320 A file type of the file. In an example, the second mobile device 320 can transmit an image file (such as a photo file) to the first mobile device 310. In another example, the second mobile device 320 can transmit a voice file (such as a music file) to the first mobile device 310. Thereby, the communication component 312 of the present invention can identify the file type of the file transmitted by the second mobile device 320 and transmit the file to the output component. 314.

In an embodiment of the invention, the output component 314 can include a printing component 3142 and a voice output component 3144. The printing component 3142 of the present invention can be electrically coupled to the communication component 312 to output an image file. In addition, the voice output component 3144 of the present invention can be electrically coupled to the communication component 102 to output a voice file. Thereby, when the second mobile device 320 transmits a voice file (such as a music file) to the first mobile device 310, the communication component 312 of the present invention can recognize that the received file is a music file, and selectively select the music. The file is transmitted to the voice output component 3144, and the voice output component 3144 is activated. The voice output component 3144 can then play the music file.

In another example, the second mobile device 320 can transmit an image file (such as a photo) The file file is given to the first mobile device 310. The communication component 312 of the present invention recognizes that the received file is an image file, selectively passes the image file to the printing component 3142, and activates the printing component 3142. Print element 3142 can then print out the photo. In other words, the communication component 312 of the present invention has the ability to recognize its file type upon receipt of a file transmitted by the second mobile device 320. Thereby, the first mobile device 310 not only does not need additional components for performing the identification work, but also reduces the processing capability required for the back end when outputting the file. Moreover, because the communication component 312 of the present invention has the ability to distinguish between image files and voice files, the first mobile device 310 can play music through the voice output component 3144, that is, without the need to add components or increase the processing requirements of existing components. Used as a music player.

In an embodiment of the invention, the voice output component 3144 can be built into the first line. The mobile device 310 is, for example, a built-in speaker. In another embodiment of the invention, the voice output component 3144 can be coupled to the first mobile device 310 in an external manner. That is, the voice output component 3144 can be electrically connected to the first mobile device 310 through a separate structure (such as an external speaker). Link to output a voice file. In an embodiment of the invention, the external speaker can share a power source with the printing element 3142. In another embodiment of the invention, the external speaker can have a dedicated power source.

According to the present invention, the speech output component 3144 can not only play a single line from the second line. The voice file of the mobile device 320 can also output a reminder sound after the printing component 3142 completes a printing task to remind the user to take the printed photo or file.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the first mobile device 310 can include a user. Interface 318. In an embodiment of the present invention, the user interface 318 can be built in the first mobile device 310, and a screen is disposed on a top or side of the first mobile device 310. In another embodiment of the invention, the user interface 318 can be connected to the first mobile device 310 in an external manner. The user interface 318 of the present invention can display a number of options for the user to operate the first mobile device 310, such as changing the print size, number of prints, and the like. The user interface 318 of the present invention may also select a data transfer option to request the remote storage device to transmit a file, or to download a file from the remote storage device, and the like.

In an embodiment of the invention, a remote storage device 330 can be used to store the first The file transmitted by the second mobile device 320. In another example of the present invention, the printing element 3142 can retrieve the file from the remote storage device 330 and then output the file. For example, the first mobile device 310 can retrieve a music file from the remote storage device 330 and then play the music file through the voice output component 3144. Alternatively, the first mobile device 310 can retrieve an image file from the remote storage device 330 and then print the image file through the printing component 3142. Thereby, the first mobile device 310 does not need to store a large amount of video and/or voice files in the storage medium of the local area, thereby maintaining the compactness of the device.

In an embodiment of the invention, the remote storage device 330 can pass through a wireless network The connection communicates with the first mobile device 310. However, those skilled in the art are aware that remote storage devices 330 can also be through other known methods, such as second generation mobile communication technology (2G), third generation mobile communication technology (3G), fourth generation mobile communication technology (4G), fourth generation communication technology / long-term evolution (4G) LTE), Bluetooth, Infrared, or Ethernet, etc., communicate with the first mobile device 310 as described above.

According to the present invention, the second mobile device 320 of the present invention can include a computer program The computer readable medium 322 of the command is responsible for controlling the primary processing program required by the first mobile device 310 to output files (such as image files and/or voice files).

In an embodiment of the invention, the computer readable medium 322 can be, but is not limited to, any A physical medium that operates using magnetic, electronic, electromagnetic, optical, or semiconductor components. Specifically, the computer readable medium 322 can be a memory card, a hard disk, a portable magnetic disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), or any other that can be stored, stored, communicated, or transmitted. The program's physical medium, the program of which is for use by or in conjunction with the second mobile device 320.

According to the present invention, the computer readable medium 322 can be stored for transmission to the first mobile device. 310 is set to establish computer program instructions controlled by the first mobile device 310. In one embodiment of the invention, computer program instructions stored on computer readable medium 322 can signal a connection to establish communication with first mobile device 310. After the communication connection is established, the second mobile device 320 can receive the current status of the printing element 3142 and the voice output element 3144, as described above, and begin to control the first mobile device 310.

In an embodiment of the invention, the second mobile device 320 can include a processor 326. The processor 326 of the present invention can process program tasks that were originally processed by the first mobile device 310. In an embodiment of the present invention, the processor 326 can be electrically coupled to the computer readable medium 322 and the transceiver 324. After receiving the parameters of the printing component 314 and the voice output component 3144, the processor 326 can Performing the necessary calculation procedures and selecting the control finger to be transmitted to the first mobile device 300 make.

In an embodiment of the invention, the print element 3142 received by the processor 326 The parameter indicates that the printing element 3142 is in an idle state, and therefore, the processor 326 can immediately transmit an instruction to print an image file to the first mobile device 310. In another embodiment of the present invention, the printing element 3142 parameter received by the processor 326 indicates that the printing element 3142 is in a busy state. Therefore, the processor 326 can transmit an instruction to the first mobile device 310 to suspend printing. jobs.

In an embodiment of the invention, the second mobile device 320 may want to transmit a shadow. Like the file to the first mobile device 310. According to the present invention, the user can first edit the image file on the second mobile device 320 before the user transmits the image file to the first mobile device 310. For example, a user may want to add a frame edge to an image file, such as a gold or silver frame border. In another example, computer readable medium 322 can store computer program instructions responsible for operating such edits on second mobile device 320. Thereby, the edited image file can be processed by the processor 326 of the second mobile device 320 instead of the first mobile device 310. When the edited image file is transmitted to the first mobile device 310, the communication component 312 of the first mobile device 310 can directly transfer the edited image file to the printing component 3142, and activate the printing component 3142 to output the image. Edited image file.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the second mobile device 320 can also transmit music. The file is transferred to the first mobile device 310. In this example, computer readable medium 322 can store computer program instructions to be passed to first mobile device 310 to establish the communication connection. After the communication connection is established, the computer program command can transmit the selected one voice file or multiple voice files from the local area memory to the first mobile device 310. In one example, the computer program instructions can randomly transmit a voice file to the first mobile device 310 from a zone playlist. When the communication component 312 of the present invention receives the second mobile device When the voice file is 320, the communication component 312 can directly transfer the file to the voice output component 3144 and activate the voice output component 3144 to play the music file. Thereby, the first mobile device 310 can be used as a music player without storing the music file at the local end.

In an embodiment of the invention, the second mobile device 320 can include a transceiver 324. In accordance with the present invention, computer readable medium 322 can be electrically coupled to transceiver 324 to cause computer program instructions stored on computer readable medium 322 to be transmitted to communication component 312 of first mobile device 310. Moreover, the music and/or video files stored on the computer readable medium 322 can also be transmitted to the communication component 312 of the first mobile device 310.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the second mobile device 320 can include a user. Interface 328. The user interface 328 of the present invention can display a number of options for the user to operate the second mobile device 320. Moreover, the user interface 328 of the present invention can display a number of options for the user to operate the first mobile device 310 after establishing a communication connection between the first and second devices 310, 320. For example, if the user chooses to edit the photo before printing the photo file, the user can select a desired photo frame, such as a gold or silver photo frame, on the second mobile device through the user interface 328. Or change the color saturation of the photo. Moreover, the user can also select printing options, such as photo size, resolution, number of prints, etc., on the second mobile device side through the user interface 328. In other words, once the communication connection between the first and second mobile devices 310, 320 is established, the user interface 328 of the second mobile device 320 can display the display on the user interface 318 of the first mobile device 310. The menu is given to the user. Thereby, the second mobile device 320 can perform control of the first mobile device 310.

Referring to FIG. 4, a method for a mobile device to search for at least one printing device in an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. According to the present invention, the mobile device can search for at least one printing device, wherein the search The search can be performed if the mobile device knows or does not know if there is a print device and/or its performance. Moreover, in accordance with the present invention, the mobile device can communicate with printing devices located on the same or different wireless networks.

Mobile devices and printers located in different networks according to an embodiment of the present invention It can communicate through possible technologies, including unicast domain name system and network address interpretation (NAT). Furthermore, mobile devices and printing devices located on the same network may utilize possible technologies (eg, propagation, multicast, and unicast), at the same access point (AP) within the same local area network or not. Communicate with the same access point. For example, in an embodiment of the invention, Figures 4 and 5 use propagation, multicast, and unicast signals.

Referring to FIG. 4, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, when a mobile device is to search for a When the device is printed (as shown in step 410), the mobile device can first determine if it is aware of the presence of any of the printing devices. Moreover, according to another embodiment of the present invention, in step 410, the mobile device can determine whether there is any presence of the printing device, and any specific performance of the printing device is in accordance with the requirements of the mobile device. If the mobile device knows the presence and/or performance of a printing device, the mobile device can determine in step 420 whether the printing device is coupled to a wireless network, such as a WiFi or an access point (AP). If so, the mobile device can search for the printing device at step 480 via the identification of the wireless network or printing device, including but not limited to the Service Set Identifier (SSID) and the IP address.

Or, according to another embodiment of the present invention, if the mobile device does not know any The presence of the printing device and/or its performance, the mobile device can still find the printing device by searching for the printing device. Specifically, in step 430, the mobile device can determine if it knows any wireless network, such as WiFi or an access point (AP). If so, the mobile device can perform a search in the wireless network through mDNS or other means, as shown in step 440, to identify any of the wireless networks. / or all printing devices. According to another embodiment of the invention, the identification may also include identifying the performance of the printing device. Through this identification, the mobile device can then search for the printing device, as shown in step 480.

In an embodiment of the invention, the mDNS can provide a one located in the wireless network. A list of one or more of all available printing devices for mobile device access. According to another embodiment of the invention, this list may include the performance of the printing device.

In another embodiment of the present invention, if a mobile device does not know of any printing The presence and/or performance of the device, and the absence of any wireless network and/or its identity, the mobile device can still find the printing device by searching for the printing device. Specifically, in step 450, the mobile device can transmit a signal (such as a propagated signal, a multicast signal, or a unicast signal) to find a printing device. According to an embodiment of the invention, the mobile device can transmit and/or multicast a signal to cause one or more printing devices to make one or more responses. Propagation and/or multicasting identifies mobile devices (eg, IP addresses of mobile devices). In another embodiment, the propagation and/or multicasting may include at least one performance desired by the mobile device.

According to an embodiment of the invention, when a printing device detects a mobile device signal The printing device can transmit a response signal (such as a broadcast signal, a multicast signal, or a unicast signal). The response signal can also be a propagated signal, a multicast signal or a unicast signal. In a preferred embodiment, the printing device transmits a single-point response. The unicast signal may include an identification of the printing device (eg, the name of the printing device and/or an IP address). In another embodiment, the unicast may include a performance, certain performance, or all of the printing device. performance.

Alternatively, in another embodiment of the present invention, the printing device can transmit a column of printing A signal (such as a propagated signal, a multicast signal, or a unicast signal) without any action device. According to an embodiment of the invention, the printing device signal may comprise a printing device A performance, some performance, or all of the performance.

Referring to FIG. 4, according to an embodiment of the present invention, if a mobile device receives a print package The printing signal is set, and the mobile device can then find the printing device through the printing device signal in step 480.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, each of the plurality of printing apparatuses A set of printed device signals (such as a propagated signal, a multicast signal, or a unicast signal) can be transmitted. In a preferred embodiment, the printing device can transmit a single-point transmission signal, and the unicast signal can include the name of the printing device, the IP address, the printing performance, and/or other information. The mobile device can then provide an option to the printing device to interface with any of the printing devices via the printing device signal.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, if the single point propagation is not detected in step 460 The response or any printing device signal can be manually connected to the printing device from the mobile device. Specifically, the mobile device can physically locate the identification of the printing device and link the printing device through the physical identification (step 470).

Figure 5 is an embodiment of the present invention, the mobile device finds at least one of the printing devices Another flow chart of other methods. In another embodiment, the mobile device can detect the presence of any printing device signals prior to transmitting, multicasting, and/or unicasting the signals of the mobile device, as shown in step 550.

In another embodiment, the mobile device can determine whether there is any printing device The presence and/or identity of any wireless network is determined prior to presence and/or performance.

In another preferred embodiment, after a printing device is found, the mobile device can be The printing device is programmed and/or reprogrammed to specify a wireless network, SSID, IP address, identification signal, and/or any other identification of the printing device for later access to the printing device.

The present invention has been described in detail with reference to the preferred embodiments of the present invention. That is, the equivalent changes and modifications made by the scope of the present application should remain within the scope of the present invention.

Claims (20)

A method for a mobile device to search for at least one printing device, the method comprising: a mobile device transmitting at least one mobile device signal requesting printing device performance; at least one printing device receiving the mobile device signal; the printing device receiving the mobile device One of the performance of the printing device is compared to the performance of the request printing device. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one printing device has the printing device performance matching the performance of the request printing device, and the matching printing device responds to the mobile device with a printing device signal Signal. The method of claim 1, wherein the mobile device signal is a broadcast, a multicast, or a unicast. The method of claim 2, wherein the printing device signal comprises at least the name of the printing device, an internet protocol (IP) address or performance. The method of claim 2, wherein the printing device signal is a multi-point spread or a unicast. The method of claim 2, the method further comprising: more than one printing device echoing the mobile device signal with more than one printing device signal; the mobile device receiving the more than one printing device signal; The mobile device provides one of a plurality of printing devices to utilize the printing device signal to connect the more than one printing device. The method of claim 1, wherein the mobile device is coupled to the printing device to enable the mobile device to control a majority of the processing procedures to minimize the processing capability required for the printing device. The processing program is a program required for outputting when the printing device receives a file. A method for searching for at least one printing device by a mobile device, the method comprising: transmitting, by the at least one printing device, a printing device signal to identify at least one performance of the printing device; and detecting, by the mobile device, the printing device signal; The mobile device compares the performance of one of the printing devices to one of the requirements of the mobile device. The method of claim 8, wherein the printing device signal includes a name, an internet protocol (IP) address, or a performance of the printing device. The method of claim 8, wherein the printing device signal is a broadcast, a multicast, or a unicast. The method of claim 8, further comprising: transmitting, by more than one printing device, a printing device signal to identify at least one of the printing devices The mobile device detects the more than one printing device signal; and the mobile device provides one of a plurality of printing devices to link the printing device signal to the more than one printing device. The method of claim 8, wherein the printing device signal is transmitted through a Multicast Domain Name System (mDNS). The method of claim 8, wherein the mobile device is coupled to the printing device such that the mobile device controls most of the processing procedures to minimize the processing capability required for the printing device. The processing program is a program required for outputting when the printing device receives a file. A mobile device for searching at least one printing device, the mobile device comprising: a computer readable medium storing computer program instructions, the command is transmitted to the at least one printing device to establish control of one of the printing devices; Electrically coupled to the computer readable medium to transmit the command to the printing device by using one of a plurality of electrical network technologies; a processor electrically coupling the computer readable medium and the transceiver, once established After the control, the processor processes most of the program tasks for the printing device; and a user interface displays a plurality of options for a user to operate the printing device, wherein the mobile device transmits a mobile device signal, requesting At least one request for printing device performance; At least one printing device receives the mobile device signal; the printing device compares one of the performance of the printing device with the performance of the request printing device. The mobile device of claim 14, wherein at least one of the printing devices having the performance of one of the printing devices matches the requested printing device performance, and the matching printing device responds with a printing device signal Mobile device signal. A mobile device for searching at least one printing device, the mobile device comprising: a computer readable medium storing computer program instructions, the command being transmitted to the at least one printing device to establish control of one of the printing devices; a transceiver Electrically coupling the computer readable medium to transmit the command to the printing device by using one of a plurality of electrical network technologies; a processor electrically coupling the computer readable medium and the transceiver, once the transceiver is established After control, the processor processes most of the program tasks for the printing device; and a user interface displays a plurality of options for a user to operate the printing device, wherein the at least one printing device transmits a printing device signal. Identifying at least one performance of the printing device; the mobile device detecting the printing device signal; and the mobile device comparing the performance of the printing device with a demand of the mobile device. The mobile device of claim 16, wherein the printing device signal includes a name, an internet protocol (IP) address, or a performance of the printing device. A printing device comprising: a communication component capable of communicating with a mobile device using a plurality of electrical network technologies to receive a file transmitted by the mobile device to the printing device; and an output component outputting the a file; wherein the mobile device has a computer readable medium storing computer program instructions for controlling a majority of processing programs required to output the file; the printing device transmitting a printing device signal to identify at least the printing device a performance; the mobile device detects the printing device signal; and the mobile device compares the performance of the printing device with a demand of the mobile device. The printing device of claim 18, wherein the printing device propagates at least the name, internet protocol (IP) address or performance of the printing device. A mobile printing system, the system comprising: a first mobile device having a communication component capable of communicating with a second mobile device using a plurality of electrical network technologies to receive the second mobile device Transmitting to a file of the first mobile device, and the first mobile device has an output component for outputting the file; the second mobile device has a computer readable medium, the medium storing computer program instructions, the command controlling most of the a processing program required for outputting the file, wherein the first mobile device transmits a first mobile device signal to identify at least one performance of the first mobile device; The second mobile device detects the first mobile device signal; and the second mobile device compares the performance of the first mobile device with a demand of the second mobile device.