JP2014201022A - Terminal device, setting information output method, and communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a terminal device with which image information for connection can be correctly input.SOLUTION: A terminal device 1 includes: a connection unit 4 for connecting to be able to communicate with an information terminal via a communication network; an input unit 2 for inputting an instruction for outputting setting information necessary for the information terminal to connect to the terminal device 1; and an output unit 3 for printing out image information including the setting information when the input unit 2 inputs the instruction. The output unit 3 may print out a two-dimensional code that can be read from the information terminal. The output unit 3 may print out the image information when a content of the setting information is changed.

Description

  The present invention relates to a terminal device, a setting information output method, and a communication system.

  When a dynamic IP address is assigned to a printer installed on the communication network, there is a possibility that an IP address different from the previous connection may be assigned to the printer. Since the terminal using the printer needs to know the IP address assigned to the printer, it is required to change the setting on the terminal side in accordance with the change of the IP address. Therefore, a normal fixed IP (Internet Protocol) address is assigned to the printer.

  Even when a dynamic IP address is assigned to a printer, a terminal using the printer can solve the above problem by using a printer search protocol. The printer search protocol is a communication procedure that can acquire the name of a printer that exists on the communication network.

  That is, even if a dynamic IP address is assigned to the printer, the user can acquire the name of the printer existing on the communication network by using the printer search protocol. From the acquired printer name, the user can select a printer to be connected and can connect to the selected printer. As a method of assigning a dynamic IP address, for example, there is a method of using a DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) function of a router device.

  FIG. 12 is a system configuration diagram illustrating a configuration example of a terminal device that uses the printer search function. In FIG. 12, the router 100 is communicably connected to the information terminal 40, the printer 20, and the printer 30. The information terminal 40 can search for the printer 20 and the printer 30 existing on the communication network via the router 100.

  The information terminal 40, the printer 20, and the printer 30 each have a printer search protocol as a printer search function. The information terminal 40 can detect the name of a printer installed on the communication network using a printer search protocol.

  As shown in FIG. 12, when a plurality of printers are installed on the communication network, when the information terminal 40 uses the printer search function, a plurality of printers are detected as shown in the screen image of FIG.

  When a plurality of printers are detected by the printer search function, the user is required to know the correspondence between the detected printer name and the physical printer in order to specify the printer to be connected.

  In the case of the example shown in FIG. 12, “Printer α” and “Printer β” are shown as the names of the searched printers in the screen image. “Printer α” is the name of the printer 20, and “Printer β” is the name of the printer 30.

  If the user does not know the correspondence between the printer 20 or the printer 30 and the printer name, the user cannot reliably print to the printer he / she wants to print. When a plurality of printers are detected in this way, there is a problem that it is difficult for the user to select a printer.

  When the printer search protocol is not used, the user can manually change the printer IP address and the network settings necessary for the printer connection each time a different IP address is given to the printer. There is a problem that is required.

  Patent Document 1 describes an image display system including an image display device that displays an image and a mobile terminal device that supplies image information that can be reliably connected to the image display device.

JP2007-31179A

  However, in the image display system described in Patent Document 1, the image information for connection is a projected image, and it is difficult for the mobile terminal device to input the image information accurately.

  Therefore, the present invention provides a terminal device, a setting information output method, and a communication system that can accurately input image information for connection.

  A terminal device according to the present invention includes a connection unit that is communicably connected to an information terminal via a communication network, an input unit that inputs an instruction to output setting information necessary for the information terminal to connect to the device, and an input unit And an output unit that prints out image information including setting information when an instruction is input.

  A setting information output method according to the present invention is a setting information output method that is executed in a terminal device that is communicably connected to an information terminal via a communication network, in order for the terminal device to connect the information terminal to the device. An instruction for outputting necessary setting information is input, and the terminal device prints out image information including the setting information when the instruction is input.

  A communication system according to the present invention includes a router having a DHCP function, a plurality of printing apparatuses, and an information terminal. The printing apparatus includes a connection unit that is communicably connected to the information terminal via the router, and the information terminal is an apparatus. An input unit that inputs an instruction to output setting information necessary for connection to the network, and an output unit that prints out image information including setting information when the input unit inputs the instruction. And a reading unit that acquires setting information.

  According to the present invention, image information for connection can be accurately input.

It is a system configuration figure showing an example of composition of one embodiment of a terminal unit by the present invention. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a first embodiment of a printer 200. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of 1st Embodiment of the information terminal. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement of the connection process of 1st Embodiment of a terminal device. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an image of a two-dimensional code output by a printer. FIG. FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a printer 200 according to a second embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of 2nd Embodiment of the information terminal. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of IP address management information stored in a storage unit 205. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the operation | movement of the connection process of 2nd Embodiment of a terminal device. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a two-dimensional code image output from a printer. FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the outline | summary of the terminal device by this invention. It is a system block diagram which shows the structural example of the terminal device which uses a printer search function.

Embodiment 1. FIG.
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing a configuration example of an embodiment of a terminal device according to the present invention. FIG. 1 shows a printer 200 and a printer 300, a router 100, and an information communication terminal 400, which are terminal devices according to the present invention. The name of the printer 200 is “Printer α”, and the name of the printer 300 is “Printer β”.

  The router 100 is communicably connected to the information communication terminal 400, the printer 200, and the printer 300.

  The printer 200 and the printer 300 generate a two-dimensional code indicating the IP address assigned to the printer and other network settings necessary for communication with the printer. Then, the printer 200 and the printer 300 output the generated two-dimensional code by a method such as printing (step S1).

  The information terminal 400 reads the output two-dimensional code. Then, the information terminal 400 analyzes the read two-dimensional code (step S2).

  The information terminal 400 includes a printer connection application having a function of connecting to a printer. After the information terminal 400 analyzes, the printer connection application takes in the printer IP address and network settings included in the two-dimensional code (step S3). As a result, the information terminal 400 can be connected to a printer that has output the read two-dimensional code.

  In this embodiment, when the user approaches the printer that the user wants to use and instructs the printer to output a two-dimensional code, the instructed printer directly outputs the two-dimensional code in front of the user as described above. Therefore, even when there are a plurality of printers on the communication network, the user can connect without hesitation to the printer he wants to use. In addition, the user can easily perform network setting for connecting the information terminal to the printer by reading the two-dimensional code.

  Even if the IP address of the printer is assigned by the DHCP function of the router device to which the printer is connected, if the printer outputs a two-dimensional code each time the IP address is changed, the user can Network settings can be easily changed by simply reading a two-dimensional code from

  Even when the IP address of the printer is not assigned by the DHCP function of the router device to which the printer is connected, the network setting to be set in the information terminal is added to the two-dimensional code to be output. Can easily set the network by simply reading the two-dimensional code from the information terminal.

  Next, the detailed configuration of the printer 200 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the printer 200 according to the first embodiment. Note that the configuration example of the printer 300 is the same as the configuration example of the printer 200.

  2 includes an apparatus operation unit 201, a connection information generation unit 202, a control unit 203, a display unit 204, a storage unit 205, a network control unit 206, and an output unit 207. Each unit is connected by a bus 210.

  The apparatus operation unit 201 has a function of operating various setting items of the printer 200. The device operation unit 201 is, for example, an operation panel.

  The connection information generation unit 202 has a function of generating a two-dimensional code including setting information necessary for the information terminal 400 to connect to the printer 200. In addition, the connection information generation unit 202 has a function of storing temporary data generated during execution of a two-dimensional code generation process.

  The connection information generation unit 202 acquires the printer IP address and other network setting information from the storage unit 205. The connection information generation unit 202 generates a two-dimensional code based on the acquired information. The two-dimensional code is, for example, a QR code (registered trademark).

  The control unit 203 has a function of controlling the operation of each unit via the bus 210. The control unit 203 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit).

  The display unit 204 has a function of displaying a result of an operation performed via the apparatus operation unit 201, a message during printing processing, and the like. The display unit 204 is a display, for example. If the user does not need a display function, the printer 200 may not include the display unit 204.

  The storage unit 205 has a function of storing an IP address assigned to the printer 200 and other network setting information. The storage unit 205 is a non-volatile memory or RAM (Random Access Memory).

  The network control unit 206 has a function of connecting to the router 100 via a communication network. The network control unit 206 is, for example, a network controller.

  The output unit 207 has a function of outputting a two-dimensional code image generated by the connection information generation unit 202. The output unit 207 is, for example, a printing unit of a printer. When the user does not want to output the two-dimensional code on paper, the output unit 207 may display the two-dimensional code on the display unit 204.

  Next, a detailed configuration of the information terminal 400 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the information terminal 400 according to the first embodiment.

  The information terminal 400 illustrated in FIG. 3 includes a device operation unit 401, a connection information analysis unit 402, a control unit 403, a display unit 404, a storage unit 405, a network control unit 406, and a reading unit 407. Each unit is connected by a bus 410.

  The device operation unit 401 has a function of operating various setting items of the information terminal 400. The device operation unit 401 is, for example, an operation panel.

  The connection information analysis unit 402 has a function of analyzing a connection information code included in a captured image and extracting connection information. The connection information analysis unit 402 may include a two-dimensional code analysis program, which is a code analysis unit for connection information codes, as a subroutine. The two-dimensional code analysis program is, for example, a QR code analysis program.

  The control unit 403 has a function of controlling the operation of each unit via the bus 410. The control unit 403 is, for example, a CPU.

  The display unit 404 has a function of displaying a result of an operation performed via the apparatus operation unit 401 and a message during print processing. The display unit 404 is a display, for example.

  The storage unit 405 has a function of storing settings of the information terminal 400. The storage unit 405 is a nonvolatile memory or a RAM.

  The network control unit 406 has a function of connecting to the router 100 via a communication network. The network control unit 406 is, for example, a network controller.

  The reading unit 407 has a function of capturing an image of a two-dimensional code. The reading unit 407 is, for example, a CCD camera equipped with a CCD (charge-coupled device) as an image sensor. Note that the imaging element may be any element as long as imaging is possible, such as a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the connection processing of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the connection processing of the first embodiment of the terminal device.

  The user presses the “two-dimensional code output” button of the device operation unit 201 of the printer to be connected to the information terminal 400 (step S101).

  The connection information generation unit 202 of the printer whose “2D code output” button is pressed acquires an IP address assigned to the printer stored in the storage unit 205. The connection information generation unit 202 generates a two-dimensional code including the acquired printer IP address (step S102).

  The connection information generation unit 202 may generate a two-dimensional code after adding not only the IP address of the printer but also the port number and protocol which are network setting information. As a result, the user can confirm the port number and protocol necessary for the printer connection.

  In addition, the connection information generation unit 202 does not set when the “two-dimensional code output” button is pressed by the user, but the network control unit 206 makes settings necessary for the printer connection for the user, such as the printer IP address, protocol, or port number. When it is detected that has been updated, a two-dimensional code may be generated. As a result, the user can confirm that the settings necessary for the printer connection have been updated.

  The output unit 207 outputs the two-dimensional code generated by the connection information generation unit 202 (step S103). That is, the output unit 207 prints the two-dimensional code on the output paper.

  An example of a two-dimensional code image output by the output unit 207 in step S103 is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, a QR code to be read by the information terminal 400 is printed on the output paper. The QR code includes the IP address of the printer that has printed the QR code.

  The user presses the “printer connection” icon on the device operation unit 401 of the information terminal 400 (step S104). When the “printer connection” icon is pressed, a connection establishment program with the printer is executed. Thereafter, the control unit 403 executes each step of the connection establishment program.

  The control unit 403 changes the display unit 404 to a two-dimensional code reading screen (step S105). That is, the user can check the two-dimensional code facing the reading unit 407 via the display unit 404. In such a state, the user reads the two-dimensional code output in step S103 by the reading unit 407 (step S106).

  The connection information analysis unit 402 executes the code analysis program and analyzes the connection information code included in the two-dimensional code read by the reading unit 407 (step S107). When connection information is extracted by analyzing the connection information code (Yes in step S108), the network control unit 406 sets the extracted information (step S109).

  As a result, the IP address of the printer is set, and the information terminal 400 can connect to the printer. After the information is set, the information terminal 400 ends the process.

  When the connection information is not extracted by analyzing the connection information code (No in step S108), the control unit 403 displays a message indicating that the reading has failed on the display unit 404 (step S110).

  The reason for the failure to read is that when the user reads the two-dimensional code from the information terminal, the pattern of the two-dimensional code is not clearly reflected due to shooting from an oblique direction, camera shake, or light reflection. It is done.

  The user who recognizes that reading has failed from the display on the display unit 404 reads the two-dimensional code again (step S106).

  When using the terminal device of this embodiment, the user who uses it can easily select a printer to be connected. The reason is that the user sets the connection by directly outputting the two-dimensional code using the printer that the user wants to connect and reading the output two-dimensional code.

  When using the terminal device of this embodiment, the user who uses it can easily set the information terminal to connect to the printer. The reason is that the two-dimensional code output from the printer includes settings for connecting to the printer such as the protocol and port number, and the connection setting to the printer is made only by having the information terminal read the two-dimensional code. This is because it is not necessary to manually set connection to the information terminal.

  When using the terminal device according to the present embodiment, the user who uses the terminal device can easily set the information terminal to connect to the printer at an appropriate time even when a dynamic IP address is assigned to the printer. Can be done. The reason is that since the printer outputs a two-dimensional code each time the setting for connecting to the printer is changed, the connection setting can be changed simply by causing the information terminal to read the two-dimensional code. In addition, the user can output a two-dimensional code from the printer when he / she wants to connect to the printer.

  When the terminal device of this embodiment is used, even when a fixed IP address is allocated to the printer and used, a new user who wants to connect to the printer can easily set the information terminal to connect to the printer. be able to. The reason is that the connection setting can be completed simply by causing the information terminal to read the two-dimensional code output by the printer.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the printer 200 according to the second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the information terminal 400 according to the second embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the IP address management unit 208 is included in the printer 200 as a difference from the first embodiment. Also, as shown in FIG. 7, the information terminal 400 includes an IP address management unit 408 as a difference from the first embodiment.

  The IP address management unit 208 has a function of managing an IP address assigned to an information terminal connected to the printer 200. The IP address management unit 408 has a function of applying and holding an IP address acquired by reading a two-dimensional code.

  In the present embodiment, the storage unit 205 of the printer 200 stores IP address management information for managing IP addresses set for each of a plurality of information terminals. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of IP address management information stored in the storage unit 205.

  When using IP address management information, the printer user can manage the IP address assigned to the information terminal. Also, the printer itself can dynamically set an IP address for the information terminal.

  The IP address management information stored in the storage unit 205 includes a management number, an assigned IP, a subnet mask, an assigned time, a time limit, a PIN (Personal Identification Number), and the like. There is an upper limit to the number of IP address management information stored.

  The management number is information for identifying IP address management information. The assigned IP represents the IP address of the information terminal itself assigned for the information terminal to use the printer. There is one IP address assigned to the information terminal.

  The subnet mask represents the subnet mask of the information terminal assigned to use the printer by the information terminal. Note that the IP address management information may include network setting information other than the assigned IP and subnet mask.

  The allocation time represents the time at which the connection information generation unit 202 acquires the IP address allocated to the information terminal from the IP address management unit 208. The time limit represents the valid time of the IP address assigned to the information terminal. The PIN code represents a number for identifying the owner of the information terminal to which the IP address is assigned.

  Hereinafter, the operation of the connection processing of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the connection process of the terminal device according to the second embodiment. The flowchart of FIG. 9 shows the operation of the connection information generation process performed in step S102 of the flowchart of FIG. 4 when the process of the IP address management unit 208 is added.

  The user presses the “two-dimensional code output” button of the device operation unit 201 of the printer to be connected to the information terminal 400 (step S101 in FIG. 4). The connection information generation unit 202 of the printer whose “2D code output” button has been pressed determines whether there is IP address management information to which no IP address is assigned to the assigned IP (step S201).

  If there is no IP address management information to which no IP address is assigned (No in step S201), the connection information generation unit 202 completes the process without performing the two-dimensional code generation process.

  When there is IP address management information to which no IP address is assigned (Yes in step S201), the connection information generation unit 202 acquires an IP address to be assigned to the information terminal 400 from the IP address management unit 208. The IP address management unit 208 transfers the IP address to the connection information generation unit 202 (step S202).

  After transferring the IP address, the IP address management unit 208 sets the assigned IP address in the IP address management information having the smallest management number and no IP address assigned. The IP address management unit 208 sets the allocation time and the time limit in the IP address management information to which the IP address is allocated (step S203).

  The IP address management unit 208 transfers the printer IP address stored in the storage unit 205 to the connection information generation unit 202 (step S204). The connection information generation unit 202 executes a code generation program for the setting information acquired in steps S201 to S204, and generates a two-dimensional code (step S205).

  An example of a two-dimensional code image output by the output unit 207 in step S205 is shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 10, a QR code to be read by the information terminal 400 is printed on the output sheet. The QR code includes the IP address of the printer that has printed the QR code and the IP address set in the information terminal 400.

  The connection information generation unit 202 may add a PIN code included in the IP address management information when generating a two-dimensional code. As a result, when the user reads the two-dimensional code from the information terminal, the information terminal can display a screen for inputting the PIN code. Security is improved by performing authentication using a PIN code.

  The processing after the two-dimensional code is generated is the same as the processing after step S103 in the flowchart shown in FIG. Similar to the first embodiment, in this embodiment, the information terminal can read the two-dimensional code output from the printer so that the user using the information terminal can easily set the printer IP address and other network settings. Can be set.

  In this embodiment, when the IP address assigned to the information terminal exceeds the time limit, the IP address and other network setting settings are deleted from the printer and the information terminal. As a result, it is possible to avoid conflicting IP addresses assigned to information terminals.

  Next, the outline of the present invention will be described. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an outline of a terminal device according to the present invention. The terminal device 1 (for example, the printer 200) according to the present invention includes a connection unit 4 (for example, the network control unit 206) that is communicably connected to an information terminal (for example, the information terminal 400) via a communication network, and the information terminal Input unit 2 (for example, device operation unit 201) for inputting an instruction to output setting information necessary for connection to terminal device 1, and image information including setting information when input unit 2 inputs the instruction are printed out. Output unit 3 (for example, output unit 207).

  With such a configuration, when using the terminal device, the user who uses the terminal device can accurately input image information for connection.

  The output unit 3 may print out a two-dimensional code that can be read from the information terminal.

  With such a configuration, when using the terminal device, the user who uses the terminal device can easily set the setting information necessary for connecting to the printer in the information terminal.

  The output unit 3 may print out the image information when the content of the setting information is changed.

  With such a configuration, when the terminal device is used, the user who uses the terminal device can detect that the setting information necessary for connecting to the printer has been changed.

  The terminal device 1 may include a deletion unit that deletes the setting information when a predetermined time has elapsed since the acquisition.

  With such a configuration, when the terminal device is used, the user who uses the device can avoid the setting information being assigned to the information terminal.

1 terminal device 2 input unit 3 output unit 4 connection unit 100 router 20, 30, 200, 300 printer 201 device operation unit 202 connection information generation unit 203 control unit 204 display unit 205 storage unit 206 network control unit 207 output unit 208 IP address Management unit 210 Bus 40, 400 Information terminal 401 Device operation unit 402 Connection information analysis unit 403 Control unit 404 Display unit 405 Storage unit 406 Network control unit 407 Reading unit 408 IP address management unit 410 Bus

Claims (8)

A connection unit that is communicably connected to the information terminal via a communication network;
An input unit for inputting an instruction to output setting information necessary for the information terminal to connect to the device;
An output unit that prints out image information including the setting information when the input unit inputs the instruction. The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the output unit prints out a two-dimensional code that can be read from the information terminal. The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the output unit prints out the image information when the content of the setting information is changed. The terminal device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a deletion unit that deletes the setting information when a predetermined time has elapsed since the acquisition. A setting information output method executed in a terminal device that is communicably connected to an information terminal via a communication network,
The terminal device inputs an instruction to output setting information necessary for the information terminal to connect to the device,
A setting information output method, wherein the terminal device prints out image information including the setting information when the instruction is input. The setting information output method according to claim 5, wherein the terminal device prints out a two-dimensional code readable by the information terminal. A router having a DHCP function;
A plurality of printing devices;
Including information terminals,
The printing apparatus includes:
A connection unit that is communicably connected to the information terminal via the router;
An input unit for inputting an instruction to output setting information necessary for the information terminal to connect to the device;
An output unit that prints out image information including the setting information when the input unit inputs the instruction;
The information terminal
A communication system, comprising: a reading unit that reads the image information and acquires the setting information. The communication system according to claim 7, wherein the output unit prints out a two-dimensional code readable by the information terminal.

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