JP2018056738A - Electronic apparatus and function execution program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic device and a function execution program capable of improving security performance. An MFP that establishes a Wi-Fi Direct connection as a wireless connection that can directly communicate with a computer has a Wi-Fi Direct connection that has a radio strength equal to or higher than a specific radio strength. In some cases (YES in S133), the computer performs the requested function via the Wi-Fi Direct connection (S134), and the strength of the Wi-Fi Direct connection established with the computer is a specific radio wave. When it is less than the strength (NO in S133), the computer rejects the execution of the requested function via the Wi-Fi Direct connection (S135). [Selection diagram] Fig. 6

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device and a function execution program that determine whether or not to execute a function in accordance with radio field strength of a wireless connection that can be directly communicated with another device.

  Conventionally, a server that enables the application distribution function to user terminals as an electronic device that determines whether to execute a function according to the radio field strength of a wireless connection that can be directly communicated established between other devices Is known (for example, see Patent Document 1). The server described in Patent Document 1 is an application for a user terminal when the radio field strength of a wireless connection capable of direct communication established with another server at the time of starting the server is within a specific range. Enable the delivery function.

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2015-194937

  However, the server described in Patent Document 1 does not execute the application distribution function to the user terminal according to the radio field strength of the wireless connection that can be directly communicated with the user terminal. There is a possibility that the application is distributed to a user terminal that is not an appropriate user terminal, and there is a problem in security.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device and a function execution program that can improve security performance.

  The electronic device of the present invention includes a wireless connection establishment unit that establishes a wireless connection capable of direct communication with another device, and a function execution unit that executes a function, wherein the function execution unit includes the wireless connection establishment When the radio field strength of the wireless connection established with the other device by means is equal to or higher than a specific radio field strength, the function requested from the other device via the wireless connection is executed, When the radio connection strength established with the other device by the wireless connection establishment means is less than the specific radio field strength, the other device requested the wireless connection via the wireless connection. It is characterized by rejecting the execution of the function.

  With this configuration, the electronic device of the present invention specifies the function requested from this “other device” via a wireless connection that can be directly communicated with another device, and the radio wave intensity of this wireless connection is specified. This is executed when the signal strength is greater than or equal to the specified signal strength, and is not executed when the signal strength is less than the specified signal strength. Therefore, there is a wall between the “other device” that is far from the location of the electronic device itself and the electronic device itself. It may not be permitted to request functions from the electronic device itself via a wireless connection that can be directly communicated with the electronic device itself, such as "other devices" where there are radio wave obstacles such as There is a high possibility that the function requested by the “other device” is not executed. Therefore, the electronic device of the present invention can improve security performance.

  The electronic apparatus of the present invention includes a function execution radio wave intensity management unit that manages the specific radio wave intensity for each function, the function execution radio wave intensity management unit manages a plurality of types of the specific radio wave intensity, Each of a plurality of types of specific radio wave intensities may be associated with different functions.

  With this configuration, the degree of security is determined for each function of the electronic device of the present invention, so that convenience can be improved.

  In the electronic device of the present invention, when the function requested by the other device via the wireless connection may cause the electronic device to be in an unusable state, the function execution unit establishes the wireless connection. The function is executed when the radio wave strength of the wireless connection established with the other device by the means is equal to or higher than the specific radio wave strength, and between the other device with the wireless connection establishment means. When the radio field strength of the established wireless connection is less than the specific radio field intensity, the execution of the function is rejected, and the function requested from the other device via the wireless connection uses the electronic device. If there is no possibility of making it impossible, the radio connection establishment means establishes the radio connection with the other device regardless of whether or not the radio wave intensity of the radio connection is equal to or higher than the specific radio wave intensity. It may perform the function.

  With this configuration, the electronic device of the present invention determines whether or not to execute a function that may make the electronic device unusable according to the radio field strength of a wireless connection established with another device. The functions that do not have the possibility of making the electronic device unusable are executed regardless of the radio field strength of the wireless connection established with other devices, so that convenience can be improved. .

  In the electronic device of the present invention, the function execution means is more than a specific possibility that the function requested from the other device via the wireless connection may make the electronic device unusable. The possibility that the function requested from the other device via the wireless connection makes the electronic device unusable is less than the specific possibility, The radio field strength may be strong.

  With this configuration, the electronic device according to the present invention has a function that is unlikely to make the electronic device unusable compared to a function that is likely to make the electronic device unusable. Since it is executed even when the radio field intensity of the wireless connection established during the period is low, the convenience can be improved.

  The function execution program of the present invention causes an electronic device to realize a wireless connection establishment means for establishing a wireless connection capable of direct communication with another device, and a function execution means for executing a function. The wireless connection established with the other device by the wireless connection establishing means is requested from the other device via the wireless connection when the radio connection strength of the wireless connection is equal to or higher than a specific radio wave strength. And when the radio connection strength established between the wireless connection establishment means and the other device is less than the specific radio field strength, the wireless connection is established from the other device via the wireless connection. The execution of the requested function is rejected.

  With this configuration, the electronic device that executes the function execution program of the present invention can perform the function requested from the “other device” via the wireless connection that can be directly communicated with the other device. This is executed when the radio wave strength of the connection is higher than the specific radio wave strength and not when the radio wave strength is lower than the specific radio wave strength. Therefore, the "other device" that exists far from the location of the electronic device itself or the electronic device Request functions from the electronic device itself via a wireless connection that can be directly communicated with the electronic device itself, such as "other devices" where there are obstacles such as walls, etc. There is a high possibility that the function requested from “another device” which is highly likely not to be permitted is not executed. Therefore, the electronic device that executes the function execution program of the present invention can improve the security performance.

  The electronic device and the function execution program of the present invention can improve security performance.

1 is a block diagram of a function execution system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the MFP shown in FIG. 1. It is a figure which shows an example of the function execution radio wave intensity information shown in FIG. It is a block diagram of the computer shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a sequence diagram of operations of the MFP and the computer shown in FIG. 1 when establishing a Wi-Fi Direct connection. 3 is a flowchart of the operation of the MFP shown in FIG. 2 when execution of a function is requested from a computer via a Wi-Fi Direct connection.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  First, the configuration of a function execution system including an MFP (Multifunction Peripheral) as an electronic apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a function execution system 10 according to the present embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the function execution system 10 includes an MFP 20 and a computer 30 such as a PC (Personal Computer) capable of communicating with the MFP 20 via a network 11 such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet. .

  The function execution system 10 may include one or more MFPs similar to the MFP 20 in addition to the MFP 20. Further, the function execution system 10 may include one or more computers similar to the computer 30 in addition to the computer 30.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the MFP 20.

  As illustrated in FIG. 2, the MFP 20 includes an operation unit 21 that is an input device such as buttons for inputting various operations, and a display unit 22 that is a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) that displays various information. And a scanner 23 that reads an image from a document, a printer 24 that prints an image on a recording medium such as paper, an external facsimile apparatus not shown, and a communication line such as a public telephone line And a communication device that communicates with an external apparatus directly or via the network 11 without using the network 11 (see FIG. 1), or via the network 11. A communication unit 26 and a semiconductor memory for storing various information, A storage unit 27 that is a nonvolatile storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) and a control unit 28 that controls the entire MFP 20 are provided.

  The storage unit 27 stores a function execution program 27 a for executing the functions of the MFP 20. The function execution program 27a may be installed in the MFP 20 at the manufacturing stage of the MFP 20, or may be additionally installed in the MFP 20 from an external storage medium such as an SD card or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) memory. 11 may be additionally installed in the MFP 20 from above.

  The storage unit 27 has a specific radio wave intensity for executing a function requested from another apparatus via a wireless connection as a radio wave intensity of a wireless connection established directly with the other apparatus. Function execution radio wave intensity information 27b shown for each function is stored.

  Here, as a wireless connection capable of direct communication with other devices, that is, a wireless P2P connection, for example, a connection using Wi-Fi Direct (registered trademark) of Wi-Fi Alliance (hereinafter referred to as “Wi-Fi”). "Direct connection" is known.). In the following, Wi-Fi Direct connection will be described as wireless connection capable of direct communication with other devices, but other wireless connection may be used.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the function execution radio wave intensity information 27b.

  In the function execution radio wave intensity information 27b shown in FIG. 3, the radio wave intensity is defined in three stages of “weak”, “medium”, and “strong”. Note that the ranges of “weak”, “medium”, and “strong” are actually defined by specific numerical values, for example, in dbm units indicating the radio wave intensity. Further, the radio wave intensity in the function execution radio wave intensity information 27b may be defined in four or more stages.

  The function execution radio wave intensity information 27b targets only a function that changes whether or not to execute according to the radio wave intensity. For example, in the function execution radio wave intensity information 27b shown in FIG. 3, the function that is allowed to be executed when the radio wave intensity is “weak” is “none”, but whether or not to execute the function varies depending on the radio wave intensity. The function that does not exist is executed even when the signal strength is “weak”.

  For example, a function that may cause the MFP 20 to be in an unusable state can be employed as the function that changes whether or not to execute depending on the radio wave intensity. Functions that may cause the MFP 20 to become unusable include, for example, a “setting change” function for changing various settings in the MFP 20 and a “print” function for executing printing on a recording medium by the printer 24. A “firmware update” function for updating the firmware of the MFP 20, a “network restart” function for restarting the network connection by the MFP 20, and a “device restart” function for restarting the MFP 20 can be employed.

  The “change settings” function, for example, changes login information, changes whether or not an IP (Internet Protocol) address is assigned, changes whether or not printing is permitted, It is possible to change whether or not to permit the use of each printing protocol such as (Internet Printing Protocol). The MFP 20 may become unusable by the user depending on the content of the setting changed by the “change setting” function.

  When printing is executed based on a large amount of print data by the “print” function, the MFP 20 is dedicated to processing a large amount of print data, so that the MFP 20 is not a user who has requested the execution of the “print” function. May become unusable by some people.

  When inappropriate firmware is updated by the “firmware update” function, the MFP 20 may become unusable by the user.

  When the “network restart” function is continuously executed, the MFP 20 is dedicated to the execution of the “network restart” function, so that the MFP 20 is not a user who has requested the execution of the “network restart” function. May become unusable by some people.

  Since the control unit 28 is dedicated to executing the “device restart” function when the “device restart” function is executed continuously, the MFP 20 is not a user who has requested the execution of the “device restart” function. May become unusable by some people.

  As a function that does not cause the MFP 20 to be unusable, for example, a “reference setting” function that refers to various settings in the MFP 20 can be employed.

  Among the settings that are changed by the “change settings” function, there are also settings that are unlikely to make the MFP 20 unusable. The setting changed by the “change setting” function can be returned to the original via the operation unit 21 of the MFP 20. Accordingly, in the function execution radio wave intensity information 27b shown in FIG. 3, only the “setting change” function among the functions that change whether or not to execute depending on the radio wave intensity is permitted to be executed with the radio wave intensity “medium” or higher. Among the functions that change whether or not to execute in accordance with the radio wave intensity, functions other than the “change setting” function are permitted when the radio wave intensity is “strong” or higher. That is, in the function execution radio wave intensity information 27b shown in FIG. 3, among the functions that change whether or not to execute according to the radio wave intensity, the “change setting” function is compared with functions other than the “change setting” function. Therefore, execution is easily permitted.

  As described above, among the functions that may cause the MFP 20 to be in an unusable state, the “setting change” function is less likely to cause the MFP 20 to be in an unusable state than other functions. In such a case, the function execution radio wave intensity information 27b cannot use the MFP 20 that has a relatively high possibility of making the MFP 20 unusable among functions that may make the MFP 20 unusable. It may be indicated that a function is permitted to be executed with a stronger radio field strength than a function that is relatively unlikely to be brought into a state. That is, the function execution radio wave intensity information 27b is established between the computer 30 and a function that is unlikely to make the MFP 20 unusable compared to a function that is likely to make the MFP 20 unusable. It may be indicated that the MFP 20 executes even when the radio field intensity of the Wi-Fi Direct connection is low.

  2 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory) storing programs and various data, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) used as a work area of the CPU. And. The CPU executes a program stored in the ROM or the storage unit 27.

  The control unit 28 executes a function execution program 27a stored in the storage unit 27, thereby establishing a Wi-Fi Direct connection with another device, and a function for executing the function. The execution means 28b and the function execution radio wave intensity management means 28c for managing the function execution radio wave intensity information 27b are realized.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the computer 30.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the computer 30 includes an operation unit 31 that is an input device such as a mouse and a keyboard to which various operations are input, a display unit 32 that is a display device such as an LCD that displays various types of information, A communication unit 33 that is a communication device that communicates with an external device directly or not via the network 11 (see FIG. 1) by wire or wireless, or a semiconductor memory that stores various types of information , A storage unit 34 that is a nonvolatile storage device such as an HDD, and a control unit 35 that controls the entire computer 30.

  The storage unit 34 stores a function use program 34a for using functions of the MFP 20 (see FIG. 1). The function use program 34a may be installed in the computer 30 at the manufacturing stage of the computer 30, or may be added to the computer 30 from an external storage medium such as a USB memory, a CD (Compact Disc), or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc). It may be installed, or may be additionally installed on the computer 30 from the network 11.

  The control unit 35 includes, for example, a CPU, a ROM that stores programs and various data, and a RAM that is used as a work area of the CPU. The CPU executes a program stored in the ROM or the storage unit 34.

  The control unit 35 implements a function use unit 35a that uses the function of the MFP 20 by executing the function use program 34a.

  Next, the operation of the function execution system 10 will be described.

  First, the operation of the MFP 20 when the function execution radio wave intensity information 27b is updated will be described.

  The function execution radio wave intensity management unit 28c updates the function execution radio wave intensity information 27b in response to an instruction from the operation unit 21.

  Next, operations of the MFP 20 and the computer 30 when establishing a Wi-Fi Direct connection will be described.

  FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram of operations of the MFP 20 and the computer 30 when establishing a Wi-Fi Direct connection.

  As illustrated in FIG. 5, the control unit 35 of the computer 30 requests the MFP 20 to perform Wi-Fi Direct connection (S101).

  Therefore, the wireless connection establishment unit 28a of the MFP 20 establishes a Wi-Fi Direct connection with the computer 30 (S102).

  Next, the operation of the MFP 20 when a function execution is requested from the computer 30 via the Wi-Fi Direct connection will be described.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the operation of the MFP 20 when the execution of the function is requested from the computer 30 via the Wi-Fi Direct connection.

  The control unit 28 of the MFP 20 executes the operation shown in FIG. 6 when a function execution is requested from the function use unit 35a of the computer 30 via the Wi-Fi Direct connection.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the function execution radio wave intensity management unit 28 c is a function requested by the computer 30 via the Wi-Fi Direct connection (hereinafter referred to as “request function”) as the target of the function execution radio wave intensity information 27 b. (S131).

  When the function execution radio wave intensity management unit 28c determines in S131 that the requested function is included in the target of the function execution radio wave intensity information 27b, the function execution radio wave intensity management unit 28c checks the radio field intensity of the Wi-Fi Direct connection established with the computer 30. (S132).

  Next, the function execution radio wave intensity management unit 28c determines whether or not the radio wave intensity confirmed in S132 is set as the radio wave intensity permitted to be executed for the requested function in the function execution radio wave intensity information 27b (S133). ).

  When it is determined in S131 that the requested function is not included in the target of the function execution radio wave intensity information 27b, the function executing unit 28b executes the requested function (S134) and ends the operation shown in FIG. For example, if the requested function is a function other than a function that changes whether or not the requested function is executed according to the radio wave intensity, the function executing unit 28b executes the requested function.

  The function execution unit 28b executes the requested function when it is determined in S133 that the radio field intensity confirmed in S132 is set as the radio field intensity permitted to be executed for the requested function in the function execution radio field intensity information 27b. In step S134, the operation shown in FIG. For example, when the requested function is a “setting change” function, the function executing unit 28b executes the requested function when the radio field intensity confirmed in S132 is “medium” or higher. In addition, when the function execution unit 28b is a function other than the “change setting” function among the functions that change whether or not the requested function is executed according to the radio wave intensity, the radio wave intensity confirmed in S132 is “high” or higher. When the request function is executed.

  When the function execution unit 28b determines in S133 that the radio field intensity confirmed in S132 is not set as the radio field intensity permitted to be executed for the requested function in the function execution radio field intensity information 27b, the function execution unit 28b executes the requested function. Is sent to the computer 30 via the Wi-Fi Direct connection (S135), and the operation shown in FIG. 6 is terminated. In other words, the function execution unit 28b rejects the execution of the requested function requested from the computer 30 via the Wi-Fi Direct connection in S135. For example, when the requested function is the “change setting” function, the function execution unit 28 b transmits an error notification to the computer 30 when the radio wave intensity confirmed in S 132 is less than “medium”. Further, when the function execution unit 28b is a function other than the “change setting” function among the functions that change whether or not the requested function is executed according to the radio wave intensity, the radio wave intensity confirmed in S132 is less than “strong”. If so, an error notification is sent to the computer 30.

  When the function use unit 35 a of the computer 30 receives the error notification from the MFP 20, the function use unit 35 a displays the received error notification on the display unit 32.

  As described above, the MFP 20 performs the function requested from the computer 30 via the Wi-Fi Direct connection as a wireless connection that can be directly communicated with the computer 30, that is, the requested function. -It is executed when the radio wave intensity of the Fi Direct connection is equal to or higher than the specific radio wave intensity (YES in S133) (S134) and is not executed when the radio wave intensity is lower than the specific radio wave intensity (NO in S133). Functions to the MFP 20 itself via a Wi-Fi Direct connection established with the MFP 20 itself, such as the computer 30 located far from the computer 20 or the computer 30 with a radio wave obstacle such as a wall between the MFP 20 itself. Computer 30 likely not to be allowed to request Likely not perform et requested function. In other words, the MFP 20 executes all the requested functions without limitation when the radio wave intensity of the Wi-Fi Direct connection established with the computer 30 is strong, and the Wi-Fi Direct connection established with the computer 30 is performed. Limit the functions that can be executed when the signal strength is weak. Therefore, the MFP 20 can improve the security performance.

  For example, even if an unauthorized access is made via Wi-Fi Direct connection by the computer 30 existing outside the building where the MFP 20 is installed, the MFP 20 can be executed because the signal strength of the Wi-Fi Direct connection is low. Restricted functions. Therefore, the MFP 20 can minimize damage caused by unauthorized access.

  The MFP 20 has a plurality of types of specific radio wave strengths that are standards for permitting execution of functions, ie, the lowest value of the radio wave strength “medium” and the lowest value of the radio wave strength “strong”. Since the lowest value of “medium” and the lowest value of radio field intensity “strong” are associated with different functions, the degree of security is determined for each function. Therefore, the MFP 20 can improve convenience.

  As described above, the MFP 20 determines whether to execute a function that may cause the MFP 20 to be in an unusable state according to the radio field strength of the Wi-Fi Direct connection established with the computer 30. When a function that does not possibly cause the MFP 20 to become unusable is executed regardless of the radio wave intensity of the Wi-Fi Direct connection established with the computer 30, the convenience can be improved.

  As described above, the MFP 20 compares the function that is unlikely to make the MFP 20 unusable with the function that is likely to make the MFP 20 unusable. -Convenience can be improved when it is executed even when the radio wave intensity of Fi Direct connection is low.

  The electronic apparatus of the present invention is an MFP in this embodiment, but may be an image forming apparatus other than an MFP, such as a printer dedicated machine, a fax dedicated machine, a scanner dedicated machine, a copy dedicated machine, or an image forming apparatus such as a PC. Other electronic devices may be used.

20 MFP (electronic equipment)
27a Function execution program 28a Wireless connection establishment means 28b Function execution means 28c Function execution radio wave intensity management means 30 Computer (other equipment)

Claims (5)

Wireless connection establishment means for establishing a wireless connection capable of direct communication with other devices;
And a function execution means for executing the function,
The function execution means includes
The function requested from the other device via the wireless connection when the radio connection strength established with the other device by the wireless connection establishing means is equal to or higher than a specific radio field strength. Run
When the radio connection strength established with the other device by the wireless connection establishment means is less than the specific radio field strength, the other device requested the wireless connection via the wireless connection. An electronic device characterized by rejecting execution of a function. A function execution radio wave intensity management means for managing the specific radio wave intensity for each function;
The function execution radio wave intensity management means manages a plurality of types of the specific radio wave intensities,
2. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of types of specific radio wave intensities is associated with the different functions. The function execution means includes
When there is a possibility that the function requested from the other device via the wireless connection may make the electronic device unusable, the wireless connection establishment means establishes it with the other device. The function is executed when the radio field intensity of the wireless connection is equal to or higher than the specific radio field intensity, and the radio field intensity of the radio connection established with the other device by the radio connection establishing means is the specific radio field. Refusing to execute the function when the signal strength is less than
If there is no possibility that the function requested from the other device via the wireless connection may make the electronic device unusable, the wireless connection establishment means establishes it with the other device. 3. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the function is executed regardless of whether the radio wave intensity of the wireless connection is equal to or higher than the specific radio wave intensity.   The function execution unit is configured to execute the function when the function requested from the other device via the wireless connection makes the electronic device unusable more than a specific possibility. The specific radio field intensity is higher than the case where the possibility that the function requested through the wireless connection causes the electronic device to be unusable is less than the specific possibility. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. Wireless connection establishment means for establishing a wireless connection capable of direct communication with other devices;
A function execution means for executing functions is realized in an electronic device,
The function execution means includes
The function requested from the other device via the wireless connection when the radio connection strength established with the other device by the wireless connection establishing means is equal to or higher than a specific radio field strength. Run
When the radio connection strength established with the other device by the wireless connection establishment means is less than the specific radio field strength, the other device requested the wireless connection via the wireless connection. A function execution program characterized by rejecting execution of the function.

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