JP2018206428A - Communication system, information processing device, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

Provided is a communication system capable of easily installing a printing program for a multifunction machine suitable for a user in an information processing apparatus without forcing the user to perform complicated operations. An information processing apparatus constituting a communication system receives a third transmission process (S24) for transmitting request information for requesting transmission of stored information to a mobile terminal and receives the stored information as a response to the request information from the mobile terminal. Information receiving process (S25: Yes), program receiving process (S27) for receiving a print program from the acquisition source specified by the specific information included in the accumulated information, and installation for enabling the information processing apparatus to execute the print program The process (S28) is executed. [Selection] Figure 6

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication system that supports installation of a printing program that instructs execution of a recording process.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known a system capable of instructing an image recording apparatus from an information processing apparatus connected via a communication network to execute a recording process for recording an image on a sheet. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses such a printing system.

  In the printing system configured as described above, in order for the information processing apparatus to instruct the image recording apparatus to execute the recording process, it is necessary to install a print program instructing the execution of the recording process in the information processing apparatus in advance. Therefore, the user downloads a print program corresponding to the image recording apparatus to be subjected to the recording process from, for example, a vendor website and installs it in the information processing apparatus.

JP-A-2005-202824

  When a plurality of image recording devices are connected to the communication network, for example, the user selects an image recording device on which a recording process is to be executed on the display screen of the information processing device. Thereby, the printing program of the image recording apparatus is installed in the information processing apparatus. However, the display screen generally displays a list of model names of the respective image recording apparatuses, and selecting a desired image recording apparatus from among the list is problematic for the user. is there.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to easily install a printing program for an image recording apparatus suitable for a user into an information processing apparatus without forcing the user to perform complicated operations. It is to provide a possible communication system.

  (1) A communication system described in this specification includes an image recording device, a portable terminal carried by a user, and an information processing device. The image recording apparatus has predetermined information for specifying a recording unit that executes a recording process for recording an image on a sheet, a first communication unit, and an acquisition source of a print program that instructs execution of the recording process. A first control unit that executes a first transmission process of transmitting through the first communication unit as a wireless signal that can be wirelessly received within a distance range of The portable terminal includes a storage unit, a second communication unit, and a second control unit. The second control unit is included in a signal reception process for receiving the radio signal from the image recording apparatus located within the predetermined distance range through the second communication unit, and the radio signal received in the signal reception process. In response to the storage control processing for storing the specific information to be stored in the storage unit as storage information and the request information for requesting transmission of the storage information received from the information processing device through the second communication unit, And executing a second transmission process for transmitting the stored information stored in the storage unit to the information processing apparatus through the second communication unit. The information processing apparatus includes an operation unit, a third communication unit, and a third control unit. Then, the third control unit receives the user operation for instructing the image recording apparatus to execute the recording process via the operation unit. A third transmission process for transmitting the request information to the mobile terminal through a communication unit; an information reception process for receiving the stored information from the mobile terminal as a response to the request information through the third communication unit; and the information reception A program reception process for receiving the print program through the third communication unit from the acquisition source specified by the specific information included in the stored information received in the process, and the print program received in the program reception process. An installation process that can be executed by the information processing apparatus is executed.

  According to the above configuration, the specific information received from the image recording apparatus is accumulated in the mobile terminal when the user carrying the mobile terminal passes by the image recording apparatus. Then, the print program received from the acquisition source specified by the specific information stored in the mobile terminal is installed in the information processing apparatus. In other words, the print program of the image recording apparatus existing within the user's action range is installed in the information processing apparatus. The mobile terminal may be, for example, a mobile terminal such as a smartphone, or a card on which an IC chip is mounted.

  (2) As an example, the second control unit of the mobile terminal uses the second communication unit to store a plurality of pieces of accumulated information including the specific information received from the different image recording devices in the second transmission process. To the information processing apparatus. The third control unit of the information processing apparatus receives one of the plurality of stored information in the information reception process, and selects one of the plurality of image recording apparatuses that are transmission sources of the specific information. A selection receiving process for receiving a user operation to be selected via the operation unit is further executed. Then, in the program reception process, the third control unit transmits the print program through the third communication unit from the acquisition source specified by the specific information transmitted by the image recording apparatus selected in the selection reception process. Receive.

  (3) As another example, in the second transmission process, the second control unit of the mobile terminal receives a plurality of pieces of the stored information including the specific information received from the different image recording devices in the second transmission process. The information is transmitted to the information processing apparatus through a communication unit. The third control unit of the information processing device receives the plurality of pieces of accumulated information from the acquisition source identified by the specific information included in each accumulated information in response to receiving the plurality of accumulated information in the information receiving process. The program reception process for receiving a plurality of the print programs through a unit, the installation process for enabling each of the plurality of print programs received in the program reception process to be executed by the information processing apparatus, and the transmission source of the specific information A selection acceptance process for accepting a user operation for selecting one of the plurality of image recording apparatuses via the operation unit, and causing the image recording apparatus selected in the selection acceptance process to execute the recording process. Notification processing for notifying the OS of the information processing apparatus as the print program to be preferentially used. Row.

  (4) Preferably, the first control unit of the image recording device transmits the wireless signal further including identification information for identifying the image recording device through the first communication unit in the first transmission process. . The second control unit of the portable terminal causes the storage unit to store the accumulated information further including the identification information included in the wireless signal in the storage control process. The information processing apparatus further includes a display unit. Then, the third control unit of the information processing apparatus, in the selection receiving process, for each of a plurality of the identification information, a count process for counting the number of times of proximity indicating the number of the accumulated information including the identification information, Display processing for displaying a list on the display unit in association with identification information and the number of times of proximity, and a user operation for selecting one of the plurality of identification information displayed in the display processing via the operation unit The acceptance process is executed.

  According to the above configuration, the image recording apparatus installed in a place where the user frequently passes can be easily selected, so that a print program for the image recording apparatus suitable for the user can be further easily installed in the information processing apparatus.

  (5) More preferably, in the storage control process, the second control unit of the mobile terminal causes the storage unit to store the accumulated information further including timing information indicating a reception timing when the wireless signal is received. In the counting process, the third control unit of the information processing apparatus counts only the accumulated information within a threshold period that goes back from the reception timing to the past.

  According to the above configuration, the print program of the image recording apparatus existing within the user's recent action range can be easily installed in the information processing apparatus.

  (6) Preferably, in the first transmission process, the first control unit of the image recording apparatus transmits the wireless signal further including identification information for identifying the image recording apparatus through the first communication unit. . In the storage control process, the second control unit of the mobile terminal stores the stored information further including the identification information included in the wireless signal and intensity information indicating the radio field intensity of the received wireless signal. Store in the department. In the selection reception process, the third control unit of the information processing apparatus uses the identification information based on the maximum value of the radio wave intensity indicated by the intensity information corresponding to the identification information for each of the plurality of identification information. A specifying process for specifying a proximity distance corresponding to the closest distance between the image recording apparatus identified by the mobile terminal and the mobile terminal, and a display process for displaying the list on the display unit in association with the identification information and the proximity distance And a reception process for receiving a user operation for selecting one of the plurality of pieces of identification information displayed in the display process via the operation unit.

  According to the above configuration, the image recording apparatus closest to the user's action range can be easily selected, so that a print program for the image recording apparatus suitable for the user can be further easily installed in the information processing apparatus.

  (7) Preferably, in the first transmission process, the first control unit of the image recording apparatus transmits the wireless signal further including identification information for identifying the image recording apparatus through the first communication unit. . The number of times that the second control unit of the mobile terminal continuously receives the identification information included in the wireless signal and the wireless signal including the identification information with a radio wave intensity equal to or higher than a minimum threshold in the storage control process. The accumulated information further including the number-of-times information indicating “” is stored in the storage unit. The image recording apparatus in which the third control unit of the information processing apparatus is identified by the identification information based on the number-of-times information corresponding to the identification information for each of the plurality of identification information in the selection receiving process Displayed in the display process, the specifying process for specifying the proximity time corresponding to the time when the mobile terminal and the portable terminal are in close proximity, the display process for displaying the list on the display unit in association with the identification information and the proximity time A reception process for receiving a user operation for selecting one of the plurality of pieces of identification information via the operation unit is executed.

  According to the above configuration, an image recording apparatus close to a place where the user has stayed for a long time can be easily selected, so that a print program for the image recording apparatus suitable for the user can be more easily installed in the information processing apparatus.

  (8) Preferably, in the first transmission process, the first control unit of the image recording apparatus transmits the wireless signal further including identification information for identifying the image recording apparatus through the first communication unit. . The portable terminal further includes a position output unit that outputs position information indicating a current position. The second control unit of the portable terminal further includes the identification information included in the wireless signal and the position information output from the position output unit at the time of receiving the wireless signal in the storage control process. The accumulated information is stored in the storage unit. The information processing apparatus further includes a display unit having a display screen. The third control unit of the information processing device specifies the position of each of the plurality of image recording devices based on the position information associated with the identification information of the image recording device in the selection receiving process. A display process for displaying on the display unit a map image in which the identification information of the image recording apparatus is arranged at a position on the display screen corresponding to the position specified by the specifying process; and the display process And a reception process for receiving a user operation for selecting one of the plurality of pieces of identification information displayed in (5) via the operation unit.

  According to the above configuration, since one of the image recording apparatuses whose relative positions are indicated on the display screen is selected, the user can easily specify a desired image recording apparatus.

  (9) Preferably, in the second transmission process, the second control unit of the mobile terminal uses the position information output from the position output unit when the request information is received as the current position information. Further transmitting to the information processing apparatus through the second communication unit. In the display process, the third control unit of the information processing apparatus includes an image indicating the information processing apparatus at a position on the map image corresponding to the position indicated by the current position information.

  According to the above configuration, since the relative position of each image recording apparatus can be grasped with reference to the information processing apparatus, the user can easily specify a desired image recording apparatus.

  (10) Preferably, in the first transmission process, the first control unit of the image recording apparatus transmits the wireless signal further including identification information for identifying the image recording apparatus through the first communication unit. . In the storage control process, the second control unit of the portable terminal stores the storage information further including the identification information included in the wireless signal and timing information indicating a reception timing when the wireless signal is received. Remember me. The information processing apparatus further includes a display unit. In the selection reception process, the third control unit of the information processing device uses the combination of the identification information and the timing information included in the accumulated information to determine the order in which the mobile terminals are close to the plurality of image recording devices. A specifying process that is specified based on the display information, a display process that causes the display unit to display a movement locus that represents the plurality of pieces of identification information and the proximity order specified in the specifying process, and a plurality of the display that is displayed in the display process. A reception process for receiving a user operation for selecting one of the identification information via the operation unit is executed.

  According to the above configuration, since it is possible to grasp how each image recording device is arranged on the movement path of the user, the user can easily specify a desired image recording device.

  (11) Preferably, in the first transmission process, the first control unit of the image recording apparatus transmits the wireless signal further including function information indicating a function implemented in the recording unit to the first communication unit. Send through. The second control unit of the portable terminal causes the storage unit to store the accumulated information further including the function information included in the wireless signal in the storage control process. The third control unit of the information processing apparatus causes the display unit to display the identification information and the function information in association with each other in the display process.

  According to the above configuration, since the functions implemented in the recording unit are displayed together, the user can easily specify an image recording apparatus having a desired function. The “function information” may indicate, for example, whether color printing is possible, whether double-sided printing is possible, an image recording method (for example, an inkjet method, a laser method), or the like.

  (12) As an example, in the first transmission process, the first control unit of the image recording apparatus repeatedly transmits the wireless signal that is a preset radio wave.

  (13) As another example, the first control unit of the image recording apparatus includes: a beacon transmission process that repeatedly transmits a beacon signal that is a preset radio wave through the first communication unit; The first transmission process is executed in response to receiving signal request information for requesting signal transmission from the portable terminal through the first communication unit. In response to receiving the beacon signal through the second communication unit, the second control unit of the portable terminal sends the signal request to the image recording apparatus that is a transmission source of the beacon signal through the first communication unit. A fourth transmission process for transmitting information is executed.

  (14) As another example, the second control unit of the portable terminal repeatedly transmits a beacon signal, which is a radio wave having a preset output, through the second communication unit, and the beacon signal. The signal receiving process for receiving the wireless signal through the second communication unit from the image recording apparatus that received the signal is executed. The first control unit of the image recording apparatus executes the first transmission process in response to receiving the beacon signal through the first communication unit.

  (15) The information processing apparatus described in the present specification includes an operation unit, a communication unit, and a control unit. The communication unit transmits, as a wireless signal that can be wirelessly received within a predetermined distance range, specific information for specifying an acquisition source of a print program that instructs execution of a recording process for recording an image on a sheet It is possible to communicate with an apparatus and a portable terminal that stores the specific information included in the wireless signal received from the image recording apparatus located within the predetermined distance range as accumulated information. The control unit requests transmission of the accumulated information in response to receiving a user operation through the operation unit that instructs the information processing apparatus to prepare the image recording apparatus to execute the recording process. The request information to be transmitted to the portable terminal through the communication unit, the stored information from the portable terminal to be received as a response to the request information through the communication unit, and received by the information reception process A program reception process for receiving the print program through the communication unit from the acquisition source specified by the specific information included in the stored information, and the information processing apparatus executing the print program received in the program reception process Perform the installation process that you want to enable.

  (16) The program described in this specification can be executed by a computer including an operation unit and a communication unit. The communication unit transmits, as a wireless signal that can be wirelessly received within a predetermined distance range, specific information for specifying an acquisition source of a print program that instructs execution of a recording process for recording an image on a sheet It is possible to communicate with an apparatus and a portable terminal that stores the specific information included in the wireless signal received from the image recording apparatus located within the predetermined distance range as accumulated information. The program requests the transmission of the stored information in response to receiving, through the operation unit, a user operation that instructs the information processing apparatus to prepare the image recording apparatus to execute the recording process. A transmission process for transmitting request information to the mobile terminal through the communication unit, an information reception process for receiving the stored information from the mobile terminal through the communication unit as a response to the request information, and the information reception process. A program reception process for receiving the print program from the acquisition source specified by the specific information included in the stored information through the communication unit, and the print program received in the program reception process are executable on the computer The computer executes the installation process.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to install a printing program for an image recording apparatus existing within the user's action range in the information processing apparatus.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system 100 according to the embodiment. 2A is a functional block diagram of the multifunction device 10, and FIG. 2B is a functional block diagram of the information processing apparatus 50. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the mobile terminal 70. FIG. 4 is an example of accumulated information stored in the data storage area 82B. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the processing of the control program 85 when receiving a beacon signal. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of printer addition processing according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the selection reception process. 8A and 8B are display examples of the display unit 53, where FIG. 8A shows a printer setting screen and FIG. 8B shows a proximity instruction screen. FIG. 9 is a display example of a printer selection screen, where (A) corresponds to the embodiment and (B) corresponds to the first modification. 10A and 10B show display examples of the display unit 53. FIG. 10A shows a printer selection screen according to the second modification example, and FIG. 10B shows a printer setting screen according to the third modification example. FIG. 11 is a flowchart of printer addition processing according to the third modification. It is a functional block diagram.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings as appropriate. The embodiment described below is merely an example of the present invention, and it is needless to say that the embodiment of the present invention can be changed as appropriate without departing from the gist of the present invention. Moreover, the following embodiment and the modifications 1-3 can be combined with arbitrary combinations.

[Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system 100 in the present embodiment. A communication system 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes multifunction peripherals 10A and 10B (hereinafter, these may be collectively referred to as “multifunction peripheral 10”), an information processing apparatus 50, and a portable terminal 70. Composed. The multifunction machine 10 and the information processing apparatus 50 can communicate with each other via a communication network. Although the specific example of a communication network is not specifically limited, For example, wired LAN (abbreviation of Local Area Network), wireless LAN102, or these combination may be sufficient.

[Multifunction machine 10]
As shown in FIG. 2A, the multifunction machine 10 includes a printer unit 11, a scanner unit 12, a display unit 23, an operation unit 24, and a Wi-Fi (registered trademark of Wi-Fi Alliance) communication unit. 25, a proximity communication unit 26, a CPU 31, a storage unit 32, and a communication bus 33. Each component constituting the multi-function device 10 is connected to each other via a communication bus 33. The multifunction machine 10 is an example of an image recording apparatus. The Wi-Fi communication unit 25 and the proximity communication unit 26 are examples of a communication unit or a first communication unit.

[Printer 11 and Scanner 12]
The printer unit 11 executes a recording process for recording an image indicated by the image data on a recording sheet. The recording paper is an example of a sheet or a recording medium. As a recording method of the printer unit 11, a known method such as an ink jet method or an electrophotographic method can be adopted. The printer unit 11 is an example of a recording unit. The scanner unit 12 executes a scan process for reading an image recorded on a document and generating image data. The multi-function device 10 may further include a FAX function for performing FAX transmission / reception, a copy function for reading an image recorded on a recording sheet and recording it on another recording sheet.

[Display unit 23]
The display unit 23 includes a display screen that displays various types of information. As the display unit 23, a liquid crystal display (abbreviation of Liquid Crystal Display), an organic EL display (abbreviation of Organic Electro-Luminescence Display), or the like can be adopted.

[Operation unit 24]
The operation unit 24 receives a user operation for selecting an object displayed on the display screen of the display unit 23. Specifically, the operation unit 24 has a button, and outputs various operation signals associated with the pressed button to the CPU 31. Further, the operation unit 24 may include a film-like touch sensor superimposed on the display screen of the display unit 23. That is, the display unit 23 may be configured as a touch panel display.

  The “object” refers to an image that can be selected by the user operating the operation unit 24. As an example, the object is a character string displayed on the display unit 23. One of the objects is highlighted when the direction key of the operation unit 24 is pressed, and the object is highlighted by pressing the enter button of the operation unit 24. A light-displayed object may be selected. As another example, an object when the operation unit 24 is a touch panel is an icon, a button, a link, or the like displayed on the display unit 23, and the object displayed at the touch position may be selected.

  The operation unit 24 realized as a touch panel receives a user operation for touching the display screen of the display unit 23. The operation unit 24 outputs position information indicating the position on the display screen touched by the user. The position information can be expressed, for example, as coordinates (x, y) on the xy plane with the upper left corner of the display screen as the origin, the right direction as the positive direction of the x axis, and the downward direction as the positive direction of the y axis. For the touch sensor, a known method such as a capacitance method or a resistance film method can be adopted.

  Note that “touch” in this specification includes all operations for bringing an input medium into contact with a display screen. That is, a tap operation to move the touched input medium away from the display screen within a predetermined time, a long touch operation to make the touched input medium stand still on the display screen, a slide operation to slide the touched input medium on the display screen, a display screen Flick operation where the acceleration of the input medium sliding above the threshold is more than a threshold, pinch-in operation to slide two input media touched at different positions on the display screen toward each other, two touched at different positions on the display screen A pinch-out operation or the like that slides the input medium away from each other is an example of a touch.

  In addition, even if the input medium is not touching the display screen, the concept of “touch” may include bringing the input medium close to a position where the distance from the display screen is very small. Furthermore, the input medium may be a user's finger or a touch pen.

[Wi-Fi communication unit 25]
The Wi-Fi communication unit 25 is an interface for performing wireless communication with an external device. For example, the multifunction device 10 can transmit and receive various types of information or data to and from the information processing device 50, the portable terminal 70, a server device (not shown) on the Internet, and the like through the Wi-Fi communication unit 25.

  The Wi-Fi communication unit 25 can perform indirect communication that is communication with an external device via a communication device (for example, a router, an access point, etc.) and direct communication that is communication with an external device that does not pass through the communication device. It is. For example, the Wi-Fi communication unit 25 performs communication according to a procedure based on the IEEE 802.11 standard. In this case, indirect communication refers to communication in infrastructure mode, and direct communication refers to communication in ad hoc mode or communication using Wi-Fi direct.

[Proximity communication unit 26]
The proximity communication unit 26 transmits a beacon signal of a radio wave having a preset output. The beacon signal is, for example, NFC (abbreviation of Near Field Communication), Bluetooth (registered trademark of Bluetooth SIG, Inc.), Bluetooth Low Energy, Bluetooth Smart, or a registered trademark of Apple Inc. (registered trademark of Apple Inc.). Is. Each of the above protocols is an example of a proximity communication protocol. Wireless communication through the proximity communication unit 26 is an example of proximity wireless communication or direct wireless communication.

  The near field communication unit 26 according to the present embodiment repeatedly transmits a beacon signal at a predetermined time interval. The beacon signal includes, for example, identification information, specific information, function information (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “identification information etc.”) and the like. The beacon signal transmitted from the near field communication unit 26 propagates through the air while gradually attenuating. That is, the radio wave intensity of the beacon signal tends to be stronger as the distance from the multifunction device 10 is shorter and weaker as the distance from the multifunction device 10 is longer. A beacon signal is an example of a radio signal that can be wirelessly received within a predetermined distance range.

  The identification information is information for identifying the multifunction peripherals 10A and 10B. The identification information in the present embodiment is, for example, a printer name set in the multifunction machine 10. In this embodiment, the printer name of the multifunction machine 10A is “printer A”, and the printer name of the multifunction machine 10B is “printer B”. However, the identification information is not limited to the printer name, and may be a serial number assigned to the multifunction device 10 or the like. The identification information may not be uniquely assigned to all the multifunction devices 10 as long as the plurality of multifunction devices 10A and 10B that can be used by the same user can be distinguished.

  The identification information is information for identifying the acquisition source of the print program that instructs the multifunction device 10 to execute the recording process. The print program is a so-called device driver. More specifically, the printing program converts the data selected by the information processing apparatus 50 into a format in which the multifunction machine 10 can execute the recording process, and records the recording instruction information including the converted data as a Wi-Fi communication unit. 55 is a program for transmitting to the multifunction machine 10 through 55. That is, the information processing apparatus 50 in which the printing program is installed can cause the multifunction machine 10 to execute the recording process.

  The specific information in the present embodiment is a URL (abbreviation of Uniform Resource Locator) indicating the acquisition destination. The acquisition destination indicated by the URL may be, for example, a server device on the Internet. In this case, when the information processing apparatus 50 communicates with the server apparatus using the URL, the server apparatus returns a print program. However, the specific information is not limited to the URL, and may be the model number of the multifunction machine 10 or the like. The acquisition destination of the print program in this case is specified by, for example, a combination of a common URL indicating a server device storing a plurality of print programs and the model number of the multifunction machine 10. In this case, when the information processing apparatus 50 communicates with the server apparatus using the URL and the information processing apparatus 50 transmits the model number of the multifunction machine 10 to the server apparatus, the server apparatus returns a print program.

  The function information is information indicating function information indicating functions installed in the printer unit 11. The functions implemented in the printer unit 11 are, for example, color printing, monochrome printing, double-sided printing, single-sided printing, A3 printing, A4 printing, B4 printing, and L plate printing. The function information includes, for example, color information (for example, “color”, “monochrome”) indicating the color of ink used for the recording process, and recording surface information (for example, “ Size information (for example, “A3”, “A4”, “B4”, “L version”, etc.) indicating the size of the recording paper on which the recording process can be performed. In this embodiment, the function information of the multifunction peripheral 10A is color information “color”, recording surface information “single-sided printing”, and size information “A4” and “B4”. The function information of the multifunction peripheral 10B is color information “monochrome”, recording surface information “double-sided printing”, size information “A3”, “A4”, and “L version”.

[CPU 31]
A CPU (abbreviation of Central Processing Unit) 31 controls the overall operation of the multifunction machine 10. The CPU 31 acquires various programs described later from the storage unit 32 based on various information output from the operation unit 24 and various information acquired from an external device through the Wi-Fi communication unit 25 or the proximity communication unit 26. Run. The CPU 31 and the storage unit 32 constitute an example of a control unit or a first control unit.

[Storage unit 32]
The storage unit 32 includes a program storage area 32A and a data storage area 32B. In the program storage area 32A, an OS (abbreviation of Operating System) 34 and a control program 35 are stored. The OS 34 and the control program 35 are programs built in a binary format. The control program 35 may be a single program or an aggregate of a plurality of programs. Data or information necessary for execution of the control program 35 is stored in the data storage area 32B.

  Note that “data” and “information” in this specification are common in that they are bits or bit strings that can be handled by a computer. “Data” refers to data that can be handled by the computer without taking into account the meaning of each bit. On the other hand, “information” refers to information that the operation of the computer branches depending on the semantic content indicated by each bit. Furthermore, the “instruction” is a control signal for prompting the destination apparatus to perform the next operation, and may include information or itself has a property as information. There is also.

  In addition, even if the format (for example, text format, binary format, flag format, etc.) is changed for each computer, “data” and “information” have the same data and information as long as they are recognized as the same meaning content. Are treated as For example, information indicating “two” is stored as text information “0x32” in ASCII code in one computer, and binary format information “10” in binary notation in another computer. May be.

  However, the distinction between the above “data” and “information” is not strict, and exceptional handling is allowed. For example, data may be temporarily treated as information, or information may be temporarily treated as data. Also, what is handled as data in a certain device may be handled as information in another device. Furthermore, information may be extracted from the data, or data may be extracted from the information.

  The storage unit 32 includes, for example, RAM (abbreviation of Random Access Memory), ROM (abbreviation of Read Only Memory), EEPROM (abbreviation of Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), HDD (abbreviation of Hard CPU) 31 (HDD). It is configured by a buffer or the like or a combination thereof.

  The storage unit 32 may be a computer-readable storage medium. A computer-readable storage medium is a non-transitory medium. Non-transitory media include recording media such as CD-ROM and DVD-ROM in addition to the above examples. A non-transitory medium is also a tangible medium. On the other hand, an electrical signal that carries a program downloaded from a server on the Internet is a computer-readable signal medium that is a kind of computer-readable medium, but a non-transitory computer-readable storage. Not included in the media.

  The program stored in the program storage area 32A is executed by the CPU 31. However, in this specification, the operation of each program may be described with the CPU 31 omitted. That is, in the following description, the description that “the program A executes the process A” may indicate that “the CPU 31 executes the process A described in the program A”.

  Further, the program stored in the program storage area 32A determines an event and operates according to the determination result. However, in this specification, the operation of each program may be described by omitting the determination. That is, in the following description, the description to the effect that “the control program executes process A according to condition A” is “whether or not the control program is condition A. The control program makes an affirmative determination. In response to this, the processing A may be executed.

  The OS 34 is an API (Application) for controlling the printer unit 11, the scanner unit 12, the display unit 23, the operation unit 24, the Wi-Fi communication unit 25, the proximity communication unit 26, and the like that are hardware constituting the multifunction machine 10. This is a basic program that provides Programming Interface. That is, each of the above programs controls each hardware by calling an API provided by the OS 34. However, in this specification, the operation of each program may be described with the OS 34 omitted. That is, in the following description, the description “the program B controls the hardware C” may refer to “the program B controls the hardware C through the API of the OS 34”.

[Information processing apparatus 50]
As shown in FIG. 2B, the information processing apparatus 50 includes a display unit 53, an operation unit 54, a Wi-Fi communication unit 55, a proximity communication unit 56, a CPU 61, a storage unit 62, and a communication unit. A bus 63 is mainly provided. The Wi-Fi communication unit 55 and the proximity communication unit 56 are examples of a communication unit or a third communication unit. The CPU 61 and the storage unit 62 constitute an example of a control unit or a third control unit. The information processing apparatus 50 is, for example, a PC (abbreviation of Personal Computer). The operation unit 54 included in the information processing apparatus 50 in this case is, for example, a keyboard or a mouse. However, the information processing terminal 50 may be a tablet terminal or the like.

[Portable terminal 70]
As shown in FIG. 3, the mobile terminal 70 includes a display unit 73, an operation unit 74, a Wi-Fi communication unit 75, a proximity communication unit 76, a GPS (abbreviation for Global Positioning System) unit 77, and a CPU 81. And a storage unit 82 and a communication bus 83 are mainly provided. The Wi-Fi communication unit 75 and the proximity communication unit 76 are examples of a communication unit or a second communication unit. The CPU 81 and the storage unit 82 constitute an example of a control unit or a second control unit. The mobile terminal 70 is, for example, a smartphone or a tablet terminal. However, in the present invention, a card including an IC chip on which the proximity communication unit 76, the CPU 81, and the storage unit 82 are mounted may be used.

  The GPS unit 77 receives a radio wave transmitted by a GPS satellite (not shown), and calculates position information for specifying the current position of the mobile terminal 70 based on the radio wave. The GPS unit 77 outputs the position information. The GPS unit 77 is an example of a position output unit. Further, the data storage area 82B can store accumulated information as shown in FIG. Each record shown in FIG. 4 corresponds to accumulated information. The accumulated information includes, for example, timing information, identification information, intensity information, specific information, number-of-times information, function information, and position information.

  The identification information is information included in the beacon signal received from the multifunction device 10 through the proximity communication unit 76. The strength information is information indicating the radio wave strength of the beacon signal received from the multifunction device 10 through the proximity communication unit 76. The timing information is information indicating the reception time of the beacon signal received from the multifunction device 10 through the proximity communication unit 76. The number-of-times information is information indicating the number of times that the beacon signal including the same identification information and having a radio field intensity equal to or higher than the minimum threshold is continuously received. The position information is the position information output from the GPS unit 77 when the beacon signal is received. The position information may be a combination of the latitude and longitude of the mobile terminal 70, for example. However, the position information illustrated in FIG. 4 is an example, and does not accurately represent the positions of the multifunction peripherals 10A and 10B illustrated in FIG.

  The display units 53 and 73, the operation units 54 and 74, the Wi-Fi communication units 55 and 75, the proximity communication units 56 and 76, the CPUs 61 and 81, and the storage units 62 and 82 included in the information processing apparatus 50 and the portable terminal 70. The communication buses 63 and 83 are common to the display unit 23, the operation unit 24, the Wi-Fi communication unit 25, the proximity communication unit 26, the CPU 31, the storage unit 32, and the communication bus 33 included in the multifunction machine 10. The description will not be repeated.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the proximity communication unit 26 of the multifunction machine 10 can perform proximity wireless communication compliant with Bluetooth LE. Further, the near field communication unit 56 of the information processing apparatus 50 is capable of near field wireless communication compliant with NFC. Furthermore, the proximity communication unit 76 of the mobile terminal 70 is capable of proximity wireless communication compliant with Bluetooth LE and proximity wireless communication compliant with NFC. However, the combination of the proximity communication protocols with which the proximity communication units 26, 56, and 76 are compliant is not limited to the above example.

[Operation of Communication System 100]
The operation of the communication system 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. Note that the control program 35 of the multifunction device 10 repeatedly transmits a beacon signal having a predetermined radio wave intensity conforming to Bluetooth LE to the proximity communication unit 26 at a predetermined time interval (for example, 10 msec). That is, this beacon signal is a radio signal that can be wirelessly received within a predetermined distance range centering on the multi-function device 10 as indicated by a broken line in FIG. The beacon signal includes identification information, specific information, and function information. The process in which the multifunction machine 10 transmits a beacon signal is an example of a first transmission process.

[Process when receiving beacon signal]
With reference to FIG. 5, the process at the time of the beacon signal reception which the portable terminal 70 which received the beacon signal performs is demonstrated. The user of the information processing apparatus 50 can move while holding the portable terminal 70 inside and outside the room shown in FIG. In addition, the control program 85 of the mobile terminal 70 includes a beacon signal compliant with Bluetooth LE (hereinafter referred to as “BT beacon”) and a beacon signal compliant with NFC (hereinafter referred to as “NFC beacon”). To the state in which the near field communication unit 56 can receive. That is, the proximity communication unit 56 monitors the beacon signal (S11).

  The control program 85 receives the BT beacon from the MFP 10 through the proximity communication unit 76 when the portable terminal 70 is brought into the range indicated by the broken line in FIG. 1 (S11: Yes). In addition, the control program 85 counts the number of BT beacons continuously received through the proximity communication unit 76 as the frequency information. The BT beacon to be counted is a BT beacon that includes the same identification information and has a radio wave intensity of a minimum threshold value or more. The minimum threshold is a value smaller than a first threshold described later. The process in which the portable terminal 70 receives a BT beacon is an example of a signal reception process.

  Next, the control program 85 determines whether or not the radio wave intensity of the received BT beacon is less than the minimum threshold value. The control program 85 ends the counting of the BT beacon in response to the affirmative determination. Alternatively, when the control program 85 receives a BT beacon including different identification information, the control program 85 determines whether or not the radio wave intensity of the BT beacon including different identification information is stronger than the radio wave intensity of the counting BT beacon. . The control program 85 ends the counting of the BT beacon in response to the affirmative determination.

  That is, the control program 85 counts the BT beacon in response to the portable terminal 70 being taken out of the range indicated by the broken line in FIG. 1 or the BT beacon transmitted from another multifunction device 10 being received. finish. In addition, the control program 85 acquires the radio wave intensity of the received BT beacon from the near field communication unit 76 as intensity information. The strength information may be the signal strength of the first or last BT beacon among a plurality of consecutively counted BT beacons, or the maximum or average value of the signal strength of all the counted BT beacons. May be.

  Next, the control program 85 acquires timing information and position information (S12). The timing information may be the value of the clock counter of the CPU 61 when the BT beacon is received, or time information included in the BT beacon. The position information is the position information output from the GPS unit 77 when the BT beacon is received. The timing information and the position information acquisition timing may be, for example, the timing at which the first BT beacon is received or the timing at which the last BT beacon is received among a plurality of counted BT beacons. Also good.

  Then, the control program 85 stores accumulated information including the identification information extracted from the BT beacon, the counted number information, the intensity information acquired from the proximity communication unit 76, and the timing information and position information acquired in step S12. The data is stored in the data storage area 82B shown in FIG. 4 (S13). The process in step S13 is an example of a storage control process.

  In addition, when the distance between the information processing apparatus 50 and the portable terminal 70 is extremely close due to the portable terminal 70 being held over the information processing apparatus 50 that transmits the NFC beacon, the control program 85 passes the proximity communication unit 76. An NFC beacon is received (S11: NFC beacon). Then, the control program 85 establishes a Wi-Fi direct connection with the information processing terminal 50 that is the transmission source of the NFC beacon (S14).

  In step S14, the control program 85 establishes an NFC communication link between the proximity communication unit 76 and the information processing apparatus 50. Next, the control program 85 transmits connection information (for example, SSID) necessary for the Wi-Fi direct connection to the information processing device 50 through the proximity communication unit 76, or the information processing device 50 through the proximity communication unit 76. Receive from. Then, the information processing apparatus 50 and the mobile terminal 70 make a Wi-Fi direct connection using the connection information.

Next, the control program 85 receives request information from the information processing apparatus 50 through Wi-Fi communication unit 75 by communication using Wi-Fi direct (S15). Note that in the mobile terminal 70 connected via Wi-Fi direct, the communication of the control program 85 via the Wi-Fi communication unit 75 by Wi-Fi direct communication is simply “Wi-Fi direct connected Wi-Fi. It communicates through the communication part 75 ".
The request information is information for requesting transmission of accumulated information.

  Next, the control program 85 acquires the position information output from the GPS unit 77 when the request information is received as the current position information (S16). Then, the control program 85 transfers the accumulated information stored in the data storage area 82B and the current position information acquired in step S16 to the information processing apparatus 50 through the Wi-Fi communication unit 75 that is Wi-Fi directly connected. Transmit (S17). The process of step S17 is an example of a second transmission process.

  In step S17, the control program 85 may transmit all the accumulated information stored in the data storage area 82B, or the control program 85 goes back to the past from the present time among the accumulated information stored in the data storage area 82B. Only the accumulated information included in the threshold period may be transmitted, or only the accumulated information of the threshold number retroactive from the present time may be transmitted. The threshold period is a period limited in advance, for example, one week. The threshold number is a limited number in advance, for example, 16. Further, the control program 85 may delete the accumulated information stored in the data storage area 82B that is older than the threshold period or accumulated information older than the threshold number of accumulated information at an arbitrary timing.

[Add Printer]
Next, a printer addition process executed by the information processing apparatus 50 will be described with reference to FIG. First, the control program 65 of the information processing apparatus 50 can display the printer setting screen on the display unit 53. FIG. 8A is an example of a printer setting screen. The printer setting screen shown in FIG. 8A includes an “Add Printer” icon 111. Further, the printer setting screen may include printer icons 119 and 120 of the multifunction peripherals 10A and 10B in which the printing program has already been installed, as shown in FIG. 10B, for example.

  Then, the control program 65 executes the printer addition process shown in FIG. 6 in response to accepting a user operation for selecting the “add printer” icon 111 via the operation unit 54. The selection of the “Add Printer” icon 111 is an example of a user operation that instructs the information processing apparatus 50 to prepare the MFP 10 to execute a recording process. More specifically, selection of the [Add Printer] icon 111 is an example of a user operation that instructs the information processing apparatus 50 to install a print program. However, the trigger for the printer addition process is not limited to the above example. For example, in the information processing apparatus 50 in which the print program is not installed, the printer addition process may be executed in response to a user operation that instructs execution of the recording process through the control program 65.

  The control program 65 displays a proximity instruction screen on the display unit 53 in response to selection of the [Add Printer] icon 111 (S21). FIG. 8B is an example of the proximity instruction screen. The proximity instruction screen shown in FIG. 8B includes messages “Please hold your mobile terminal.” And “-Beacon signal is being sent out”. In addition, the control program 65 repeatedly outputs the NFC beacon to the proximity communication unit 56 at a predetermined time interval (for example, 10 msec) (S22). The process of step S22 is continued until a response signal is received from the mobile terminal 70 that has received the NFC beacon.

  Next, the control program 65 establishes a Wi-Fi direct connection with the mobile terminal 70 that has received the NFC beacon (S23: Yes). Since the procedure for the Wi-Fi direct connection between the information processing apparatus 50 and the portable terminal 70 has already been described, the description thereof will be omitted. Next, the control program 65 transmits the request information to the portable terminal 70 through the Wi-Fi communication unit 55 that is directly connected by Wi-Fi (S24). Then, the control program 65 receives the stored information from the portable terminal 70 through the Wi-Fi communication unit 55 that is directly connected by Wi-Fi (S25). The process of step S24 is an example of a third transmission process. Step S25 is an example of information reception processing.

  Next, the control program 65 executes a selection receiving process shown in FIG. 7 (S26). The selection reception process is a process of receiving a user operation for selecting one of the multifunction peripherals 10A and 10B via the operation unit 54. The selection receiving process is executed in response to receiving a plurality of pieces of accumulated information including different specific information in step S25, for example. That is, the selection reception process is a process for allowing the user to select one of the multifunction machines 10A and 10B that is the transmission source of the specific information. On the other hand, the control program 65 skips the selection reception process in response to the fact that the same specific information is included in all the stored information received in step S25.

  First, the control program 65 counts the number of times the MFPs 10A and 10B have approached based on the accumulated information received in step S25 (S31). Specifically, the control program 65 counts the number of stored information including the identification information “printer A” among the plurality of stored information received in step S25 as the number of times of proximity of the multifunction machine 10A. That is, the number of times of proximity is a number different in concept from the number of times indicated by the number of times information, in other words, the number of BT beacons that the control program 85 continuously receives through the proximity wireless communication unit 76. Similarly, the control program 65 counts the number of pieces of accumulated information including the identification information “printer B” among the plurality of pieces of accumulated information received in step S25 as the number of times of proximity of the multifunction machine 10B. The process of step S31 is an example of a count process.

  When the mobile terminal 70 transmits all the accumulated information stored in the data storage area 82B, the control program 65 may count only the accumulated information within the threshold period or the accumulated information of the threshold number. . On the other hand, when the portable terminal 70 transmits only the stored information within the threshold period or only the stored number of stored information, the control program 65 may count all the received stored information. In the example of FIG. 4, the number of times of proximity of the multifunction device 10A = 3, and the number of times of proximity of the multifunction device 10B = 2. The same applies to other specific processing described later.

  Further, the control program 65 may further specify the proximity distance based on the intensity information included in the accumulated information in step S31. The proximity distance is information indicating the distance at which each of the MFPs 10A and 10B and the mobile terminal 70 are closest to each other. There are three types of proximity distances in the present embodiment: “very close”, “close”, and “slightly far”. However, the method of expressing the proximity distance is not limited to this, and may be “2 m”, for example. The process for specifying the proximity process is another example of the specifying process.

  For example, the control program 65 extracts intensity information indicating the maximum radio wave intensity (hereinafter referred to as “maximum radio wave intensity”) from the stored information including the identification information “printer A”. Then, the control program 65 sets the proximity distance of the multifunction peripheral 10A to “slightly far” in response to the maximum radio wave intensity being less than the first threshold. Further, the control program 65 makes the proximity distance of the multifunction peripheral 10A “near” in response to the maximum radio wave intensity being equal to or greater than the first threshold and less than the second threshold. Furthermore, the control program 65 sets the proximity distance of the multifunction peripheral 10A to “very close” in response to the maximum radio wave intensity being equal to or greater than the second threshold. The second threshold is larger than the first threshold. The method for specifying the proximity distance of the multifunction machine 10B is the same.

  Next, the control program 65 displays a printer selection screen on the display unit 53 (S32). FIG. 9A is an example of a printer selection screen. The printer selection screen shown in FIG. 9A includes one or more printer icons 112 and 113. Each of the printer icons 112 and 113 is associated with different identification information among the identification information included in the accumulated information. That is, the number of printer icons 112 and 113 included in the printer selection screen matches the number of MFPs 10A and 10B identified by the identification information included in the stored information.

  The printer icons 112 and 113 display the identification information, the proximity distance corresponding to the identification information, the number of times of proximity, and the function information. The identification information and function information are extracted from the stored information. The number of times of proximity and the proximity distance are those specified in step S31. The process of step S32 is an example of a display process in which identification information, proximity distance, proximity count, and function information are displayed in a list in association with each other. However, the display of the proximity distance, the number of times of proximity, and the function information is not essential on the printer selection screen, and some or all of them may be omitted, or other information may be further added.

  Next, in response to receiving a user operation for selecting one of the printer icons 112 and 113 included in the printer selection screen via the operation unit 54 (S33: Yes), the control program 65 performs a selection reception process. finish. In the present embodiment, the following processing will be described assuming that the printer icon 112 corresponding to the multifunction machine 10A has been selected. The process of step S33 is an example of a reception process.

  Returning to FIG. 6, the control program 65 extracts specific information from the stored information corresponding to the printer icon 112 in the selection reception process. Then, the control program 65 receives a print program from the acquisition source specified by the extracted specific information through the Wi-Fi communication unit 55 (S27). The control program 65 according to the present embodiment receives a print program from the specific information “other.com/printer A” corresponding to the identification information “printer A”. The process of step S27 is an example of a program reception process.

  Next, the control program 65 installs the received print program in the information processing apparatus 50 (S28). Installation is processing for enabling the information processing apparatus 50 to execute the print program. For example, in step S28, the control program 65 stores the print program in a predetermined location in the program storage area 62A, and registers the information of the print program in the registry of the OS 64. The process in step S28 is an example of an installation process. As a result, the information processing apparatus 50 can cause the multifunction peripheral 10A to execute a recording process in accordance with an instruction from the user.

  Specifically, the control program 65 of the information processing apparatus receives a user operation for designating data to be subjected to recording processing via the operation unit 54. Next, the control program 65 causes the print program to generate recording instruction information that instructs to record the image indicated by the designated data on the recording paper. Then, the control program 65 transmits recording instruction information to the multifunction machine 10 through the Wi-Fi communication unit 55. On the other hand, the control program 35 of the multifunction machine 10 receives the recording instruction information from the information processing apparatus 50 through the Wi-Fi communication unit 25. Then, the control program 35 executes a recording process according to the received recording instruction information.

[Operational effects of this embodiment]
According to the above embodiment, when the user carrying the mobile terminal 70 passes by the multifunction peripherals 10A and 10B, the specific information received from the multifunction peripherals 10A and 10B is accumulated in the mobile terminal 70. Then, the print program received from the acquisition source specified by the specific information stored in the mobile terminal 70 is installed in the information processing apparatus 50. That is, it is possible to install the printing programs of the multifunction peripherals 10A and 10B existing within the user's action range in the information processing apparatus 50 without forcing the user to perform complicated operations.

  In the above embodiment, an example in which identification information or the like is included in the BT beacon has been described. However, a method for transmitting and receiving identification information and the like between the multifunction device 10 and the portable terminal 50 is not limited to this. For example, the control program 85 of the portable terminal 70 may repeatedly transmit a BT beacon having a predetermined radio wave intensity to the proximity communication unit 76 at predetermined time intervals. Then, the control program 35 of the MFP 10 that has received the BT beacon may wirelessly transmit identification information or the like to the mobile terminal 70 that is the transmission source of the BT beacon.

  Further, the control program 85 of the portable terminal 70 may establish a communication link with the multifunction device 10 in response to receiving the BT beacon through the proximity communication unit 76. Then, the control program 85 may transmit signal request information to the multifunction device 10 through the established communication link. The signal request information is information for requesting transmission of identification information and the like. Then, the control program 85 may receive identification information or the like from the multifunction device 10 through the established communication link as a response to the signal request information. The communication link here may be, for example, a communication link compliant with NFC, a communication link compliant with Bluetooth, or a communication link compliant with Wi-Fi Direct.

  Similarly, the method for transmitting and receiving stored information between the information processing apparatus 50 and the portable terminal 70 is not limited to the combination of NFC and Wi-Fi Direct. As an example, the control program 85 of the mobile terminal 70 may cause the proximity communication unit 76 to send out an NFC beacon. Then, the control program 85 may transmit the accumulated information to the information processing apparatus 50 in response to receiving the request information from the information processing apparatus 50 that has received the NFC beacon. As another example, the control program 85 may transmit the stored information to the information processing apparatus 50 through a communication link based on NFC established with the information processing apparatus 50. As yet another example, the control program 85 may transmit / receive stored information to / from the information processing apparatus 50 through a wireless LAN.

  In the printer selection screen in the above-described embodiment, the proximity distance, the number of times of proximity, and the function of the multifunction peripherals 10A and 10B are displayed in association with the identification information. Accordingly, the user can easily select the multifunction device 10 closest to the action range or the multifunction device 10 having a desired function. Further, by using only the accumulated information within the threshold period that goes back from the present time to the past, the print program of the multifunction machine 10 existing within the user's recent action range can be easily installed in the information processing apparatus 50. However, the information displayed on the printer selection screen is not limited to the example of FIG.

  For example, the control program 65 of the information processing apparatus 50 can calculate the proximity time by multiplying the number-of-times information included in the accumulated information by the transmission interval of BT beacons (for example, 10 msec). The proximity time refers to the time during which the user who has the mobile terminal 70 stays near the multifunction device 10. Then, the control program 65 may display the proximity time in association with the identification information on the printer selection screen. Thereby, it becomes easy to select the multifunction machine 10 near the place where the user stays for a long time. In addition, in Modifications 1 and 2, another example of information displayed on the printer selection screen will be described.

[Modification 1]
With reference to FIG. 9 (B), the selection reception process which concerns on the modification 1 is demonstrated. Note that a detailed description of the points in common with the above embodiment will be omitted, and the differences will be mainly described.

  First, the control program 65 of the information processing apparatus 50 identifies the relative positions of the multifunction peripherals 10A and 10B and the information processing apparatus 50 based on the accumulated information and the current position information received in step S25 (S31). The positions of the multifunction peripherals 10A and 10B are specified by the position information included in the accumulated information in association with the identification information. The information processing apparatus 50 is specified by the current position information received together with the accumulated information.

  That is, the position at which the portable terminal 70 receives the BT beacon is regarded as the position of the multifunction machine 10A, 10B that is the transmission source of the BT beacon. Further, the position of the portable terminal 70 held over the information processing apparatus 50 is regarded as the position of the information processing apparatus 50. In addition, when there are a plurality of pieces of accumulated information including the same identification information, the control program 65 may specify the position of the multifunction machine 10 using position information corresponding to the intensity information indicating the maximum radio wave intensity, for example. Alternatively, the position of the multifunction machine 10 may be specified using an average value of all the position information.

  For example, in step S31, the control program 65 uses the position of the information processing apparatus 50 as a reference, and the multifunction machine 10A exists at a position 2 m away from the information processing apparatus 50 in the southwest direction. It may be specified that the multi-function device 10B exists at the specified position. However, the method for specifying the relative positions of the multifunction peripherals 10A and 10B and the information processing apparatus 50 is not limited to this.

  Next, the control program 65 displays a printer selection screen on the display unit 53 (S32). FIG. 9B is another example of the printer selection screen. The printer selection screen shown in FIG. 9B includes a plot 84 indicating the position of the information processing apparatus 50, plots 85 and 86 indicating the positions of the multifunction peripherals 10A and 10B, and a composite indicated by the plots 85 and 86, respectively. And a balloon displaying the printer names and functions of the machines 10A and 10B.

  The printer selection screen shown in FIG. 9B is a map image in which the identification information of the MFPs 10A and 10B and an image showing the information processing device 50 are arranged at positions on the display screen corresponding to the positions specified by the specifying process. It is an example. Note that the information displayed on each balloon is not limited to the example of FIG. 9B, and may be, for example, the number of times of proximity, the proximity distance, the proximity time, and the like.

  Next, the control program 65 ends the selection reception process in response to receiving a user operation for selecting one of the plots 85 and 86 of the multifunction peripherals 10A and 10B via the operation unit 54 (S33: Yes). To do. Since the processing (S27, S28) for receiving and installing the printing program of the multifunction peripheral 10A indicated by the selected plot 85 is common to the above-described embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

  That is, the control program 65 can receive selection of the multifunction machine 10 corresponding to the plots 85 and 86 selected by the user in the selection receiving process according to the first modification. According to the first modification, the relative positions of the MFPs 10A and 10B can be grasped with the information processing apparatus 50 as a reference, so that the user can easily specify the desired MFP 10.

[Modification 2]
Next, with reference to FIG. 10A, the selection receiving process according to the second modification will be described. Note that a detailed description of the common points with the above embodiment and the first modification will be omitted, and the description will focus on the differences.

  First, the control program 65 of the information processing device 50 specifies the order in which the portable terminal 70 comes close to the multifunction peripherals 10A and 10B based on the combination of identification information and timing information included in the stored information received in step S25 ( S31). For example, the control program 65 can specify the proximity order by arranging the identification information included in each accumulated information in ascending order of timing information. The proximity order in the example of FIG. 4 is the order of printer A, printer B, printer B, printer A, and printer A from the past to the future.

  Next, the control program 65 displays a printer selection screen on the display unit 53 (S32). FIG. 10A shows another example of the printer selection screen. The printer selection screen shown in FIG. 10A includes printer icons 117 and 118 on which identification information of the multifunction peripherals 10A and 10B is displayed, and a movement trajectory representing the proximity order specified by the specifying process. The movement trajectory in the example of FIG. 10A is indicated by arrows arranged between straight lines extending from the printer icons 117 and 118. The direction of movement of the user carrying the mobile terminal 70 is indicated by the direction of the arrow, and the speed of movement of the user is indicated by the inclination of the arrow.

  Note that the arrow shown in FIG. 10A does not represent that the user who has the mobile terminal 70 has proceeded straight from one of the multifunction peripherals 10A and 10B toward the other. The arrows shown in FIG. 10A indicate that the user who has the portable terminal 70 has approached the multifunction device 10B after approaching the multifunction device 10A, and has once again approached the multifunction device 10B after leaving the multifunction device 10B. It just shows that.

  Next, in response to receiving a user operation for selecting one of the printer icons 117 and 118 included in the printer selection screen via the operation unit 54 (S33: Yes), the control program 65 performs a selection reception process. finish. Since the process (S27, S28) for receiving and installing the printing program of the multifunction peripheral 10A indicated by the selected printer icon 117 is common to the above-described embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  That is, the control program 65 can receive selection of the multifunction machine 10 corresponding to the printer icons 117 and 118 selected by the user in the selection receiving process according to the second modification. According to the second modification, since it is possible to grasp how each of the multifunction peripherals 10A and 10B is arranged on the user's moving path, the user can easily specify the desired multifunction peripheral 10.

[Modification 3]
Next, a printer addition process according to the third modification will be described with reference to FIG. Note that a detailed description of the common points with the above embodiment and the first and second modifications will be omitted, and the description will focus on the differences. Steps S21 to S25 in FIG. 11 are the same as those in FIG. On the other hand, the printer addition process according to the modified example 3 is performed in the manner described above in that all the print programs specified by the specific information included in the stored information are installed in the information processing apparatus 50 in steps S41 to S44 of FIG. It differs from the form.

  First, the control program 65 of the information processing apparatus 50 extracts all the specific information from the stored information received in step S25. Next, the control program 65 receives a print program through the Wi-Fi communication unit 55 from the acquisition sources specified by the extracted specific information (S41). Next, the control program 65 installs the received print program in the information processing apparatus 50 (S42). In the example of FIG. 4, the printing programs for the multifunction peripherals 10A and 10B are installed. The process of step S41 is another example of the program reception process. The process of step S42 is another example of the installation process.

  Next, the control program 65 executes a selection acceptance process (S43). In step S43, a selection reception process that combines any of the selection reception processes described in the embodiment and the first and second modifications or a combination thereof is executed. Then, the control program 65 notifies the OS 64 of the print program of the multifunction machine 10 selected in step S43 as a print program to be used with priority (S44). The process of step S44 is an example of a notification process.

  Note that the print program to be preferentially used is, for example, a print program selected by default when the MFP 10 is to execute a recording process through an arbitrary program executed by the information processing apparatus 50. Point to. That is, when the multifunction device 10A is selected in step S43, a printing program that causes the multifunction device 10A to execute a recording process is selected unless the user explicitly selects the multifunction device 10B. The print program to be used with priority can be confirmed by a “re” mark added to the printer icon 119 on the printer setting screen shown in FIG. 10B, for example.

  According to the third modification, the printing programs of all the multifunction devices 10A and 10B located within the user's action range are installed, and the printing program to be used with priority by the printing program of the multifunction device 10A selected by the user is used. Is set. As a result, the user can easily cause the suitable multifunction peripheral 10 to execute the recording process.

  In the MFP 10, the information processing apparatus 50, and the portable terminal 70 according to the embodiment and the first to third modifications, various programs stored in the program storage areas 32 </ b> A, 62 </ b> A, 82 </ b> A of the storage units 32, 62, 82 are stored in the CPU 31. , 61, 81, the example in which each process executed by the control unit of the present invention is realized has been described. However, the configuration of the control unit is not limited to this, and part or all of the configuration may be realized by hardware such as an integrated circuit (also referred to as an IC (Integrated Circuit)).

  Furthermore, the present invention can be realized not only as the multifunction machine 10, the information processing apparatus 50, and the portable terminal 70 but also as a program that causes the multifunction machine 10, the information processing apparatus 50, and the portable terminal 70 to execute processing. . Then, the program may be provided by being recorded on a non-transitory recording medium. The non-transitory recording medium includes a storage unit mounted on a server device that can be connected to the MFP 10, the information processing device 50, and the portable terminal 70 via a communication network in addition to a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, and the like. May be included. And the program memorize | stored in the memory | storage part of the server apparatus may be delivered via communication networks, such as the internet, as the information or signal which shows the said program.

10: MFP 11 ... printer unit 31, 61, 81 ... CPU
53: Display unit 54: Operation unit 25, 55, 75 ... Wi-Fi communication unit 26, 56, 76 ... Proximity communication unit 32, 62, 82 ... Storage unit 35, 65, 85 ... Control program 50 ... Information processing device 70 ... Portable terminal 77 ... GPS unit 100 ... Communication system

The present invention relates to a communication system that supports setup of an information processing apparatus that instructs execution of a recording process.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is known a system capable of instructing an image recording apparatus from an information processing apparatus connected via a communication network to execute a recording process for recording an image on a sheet. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses such a printing system.

  In the printing system configured as described above, in order for the information processing apparatus to instruct the image recording apparatus to execute the recording process, it is necessary to install a print program instructing the execution of the recording process in the information processing apparatus in advance. Therefore, the user downloads a print program corresponding to the image recording apparatus to be subjected to the recording process from, for example, a vendor website and installs it in the information processing apparatus.

JP-A-2005-202824

  When a plurality of image recording devices are connected to the communication network, for example, the user selects an image recording device on which a recording process is to be executed on the display screen of the information processing device. Thereby, the printing program of the image recording apparatus is installed in the information processing apparatus. However, the display screen generally displays a list of model names of the respective image recording apparatuses, and selecting a desired image recording apparatus from among the list is problematic for the user. is there.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a communication system capable of instructing printing to an image recording apparatus suitable for a user.

The communication system described in this specification includes an image recording device, a portable terminal carried by a user, and an information processing device. The image recording apparatus includes a recording unit that executes a recording process for recording an image on a sheet, a first communication unit, and identification information for specifying the image recording apparatus as an execution instruction destination of the recording process. A first control unit that executes a first transmission process of transmitting through the first communication unit as a wireless signal that can be wirelessly received within a distance range. The portable terminal includes a storage unit, a second communication unit, and a second control unit. The second control unit is included in a signal reception process for receiving the radio signal from the image recording apparatus located within the predetermined distance range through the second communication unit, and the radio signal received in the signal reception process. The storage control processing for storing the identification information to be stored as storage information in the storage unit, and the request information for requesting transmission of the storage information received from the information processing apparatus through the second communication unit, And a second transmission process for transmitting the stored information stored in the storage unit to the information processing apparatus through the second communication unit. The information processing apparatus includes an operation unit, a third communication unit, and a third control unit. The third control unit receives the user operation through the operation unit that instructs the information processing apparatus to prepare the image recording apparatus to execute the recording process. A third transmission process for transmitting the request information to the portable terminal through an information reception process for receiving the stored information from the portable terminal as a response to the request information through the third communication unit, and an information reception process. A setup process for setting up the information processing apparatus so that the image recording apparatus specified by the identification information included in the received stored information is set as the execution instruction destination of the recording process ; In the second transmission process, the second control unit of the portable terminal transmits a plurality of pieces of the accumulated information including the identification information received from the different image recording devices to the information processing device through the second communication unit. Send. The third control unit of the information processing apparatus receives one of the plurality of stored information in the information reception process, and selects one of the plurality of image recording apparatuses that are transmission sources of the identification information. A selection receiving process for receiving a user operation to be selected via the operation unit is executed, and the image recording apparatus selected in the selection receiving process is preferentially set as an execution instruction destination of the recording process in the setup process. The information processing apparatus is set up.

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According to the present invention, it is possible to instruct the image recording apparatus existing within the user's action range to print .

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system 100 according to the embodiment. 2A is a functional block diagram of the multifunction device 10, and FIG. 2B is a functional block diagram of the information processing apparatus 50. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the mobile terminal 70. FIG. 4 is an example of accumulated information stored in the data storage area 82B. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the processing of the control program 85 when receiving a beacon signal. FIG. 6 is a flowchart of printer addition processing according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the selection reception process. 8A and 8B are display examples of the display unit 53, where FIG. 8A shows a printer setting screen and FIG. 8B shows a proximity instruction screen. FIG. 9 is a display example of a printer selection screen, where (A) corresponds to the embodiment and (B) corresponds to the first modification. 10A and 10B show display examples of the display unit 53. FIG. 10A shows a printer selection screen according to the second modification example, and FIG. 10B shows a printer setting screen according to the third modification example. FIG. 11 is a flowchart of printer addition processing according to the third modification. It is a functional block diagram.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings as appropriate. The embodiment described below is merely an example of the present invention, and it is needless to say that the embodiment of the present invention can be changed as appropriate without departing from the gist of the present invention. Moreover, the following embodiment and the modifications 1-3 can be combined with arbitrary combinations.

[Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system 100 in the present embodiment. A communication system 100 shown in FIG. 1 includes multifunction peripherals 10A and 10B (hereinafter, these may be collectively referred to as “multifunction peripheral 10”), an information processing apparatus 50, and a portable terminal 70. Composed. The multifunction machine 10 and the information processing apparatus 50 can communicate with each other via a communication network. Although the specific example of a communication network is not specifically limited, For example, wired LAN (abbreviation of Local Area Network), wireless LAN102, or these combination may be sufficient.

[Multifunction machine 10]
As shown in FIG. 2A, the multifunction machine 10 includes a printer unit 11, a scanner unit 12, a display unit 23, an operation unit 24, and a Wi-Fi (registered trademark of Wi-Fi Alliance) communication unit. 25, a proximity communication unit 26, a CPU 31, a storage unit 32, and a communication bus 33. Each component constituting the multi-function device 10 is connected to each other via a communication bus 33. The multifunction machine 10 is an example of an image recording apparatus. The Wi-Fi communication unit 25 and the proximity communication unit 26 are examples of a communication unit or a first communication unit.

[Printer 11 and Scanner 12]
The printer unit 11 executes a recording process for recording an image indicated by the image data on a recording sheet. The recording paper is an example of a sheet or a recording medium. As a recording method of the printer unit 11, a known method such as an ink jet method or an electrophotographic method can be adopted. The printer unit 11 is an example of a recording unit. The scanner unit 12 executes a scan process for reading an image recorded on a document and generating image data. The multi-function device 10 may further include a FAX function for performing FAX transmission / reception, a copy function for reading an image recorded on a recording sheet and recording it on another recording sheet.

[Display unit 23]
The display unit 23 includes a display screen that displays various types of information. As the display unit 23, a liquid crystal display (abbreviation of Liquid Crystal Display), an organic EL display (abbreviation of Organic Electro-Luminescence Display), or the like can be adopted.

[Operation unit 24]
The operation unit 24 receives a user operation for selecting an object displayed on the display screen of the display unit 23. Specifically, the operation unit 24 has a button, and outputs various operation signals associated with the pressed button to the CPU 31. Further, the operation unit 24 may include a film-like touch sensor superimposed on the display screen of the display unit 23. That is, the display unit 23 may be configured as a touch panel display.

  The “object” refers to an image that can be selected by the user operating the operation unit 24. As an example, the object is a character string displayed on the display unit 23. One of the objects is highlighted when the direction key of the operation unit 24 is pressed, and the object is highlighted by pressing the enter button of the operation unit 24. A light-displayed object may be selected. As another example, an object when the operation unit 24 is a touch panel is an icon, a button, a link, or the like displayed on the display unit 23, and the object displayed at the touch position may be selected.

  The operation unit 24 realized as a touch panel receives a user operation for touching the display screen of the display unit 23. The operation unit 24 outputs position information indicating the position on the display screen touched by the user. The position information can be expressed, for example, as coordinates (x, y) on the xy plane with the upper left corner of the display screen as the origin, the right direction as the positive direction of the x axis, and the downward direction as the positive direction of the y axis. For the touch sensor, a known method such as a capacitance method or a resistance film method can be adopted.

  Note that “touch” in this specification includes all operations for bringing an input medium into contact with a display screen. That is, a tap operation to move the touched input medium away from the display screen within a predetermined time, a long touch operation to make the touched input medium stand still on the display screen, a slide operation to slide the touched input medium on the display screen, a display screen Flick operation where the acceleration of the input medium sliding above the threshold is more than a threshold, pinch-in operation to slide two input media touched at different positions on the display screen toward each other, two touched at different positions on the display screen A pinch-out operation or the like that slides the input medium away from each other is an example of a touch.

  In addition, even if the input medium is not touching the display screen, the concept of “touch” may include bringing the input medium close to a position where the distance from the display screen is very small. Furthermore, the input medium may be a user's finger or a touch pen.

[Wi-Fi communication unit 25]
The Wi-Fi communication unit 25 is an interface for performing wireless communication with an external device. For example, the multifunction device 10 can transmit and receive various types of information or data to and from the information processing device 50, the portable terminal 70, a server device (not shown) on the Internet, and the like through the Wi-Fi communication unit 25.

  The Wi-Fi communication unit 25 can perform indirect communication that is communication with an external device via a communication device (for example, a router, an access point, etc.) and direct communication that is communication with an external device that does not pass through the communication device. It is. For example, the Wi-Fi communication unit 25 performs communication according to a procedure based on the IEEE 802.11 standard. In this case, indirect communication refers to communication in infrastructure mode, and direct communication refers to communication in ad hoc mode or communication using Wi-Fi direct.

[Proximity communication unit 26]
The proximity communication unit 26 transmits a beacon signal of a radio wave having a preset output. The beacon signal is, for example, NFC (abbreviation of Near Field Communication), Bluetooth (registered trademark of Bluetooth SIG, Inc.), Bluetooth Low Energy, Bluetooth Smart, or a registered trademark of Apple Inc. (registered trademark of Apple Inc.). Is. Each of the above protocols is an example of a proximity communication protocol. Wireless communication through the proximity communication unit 26 is an example of proximity wireless communication or direct wireless communication.

  The near field communication unit 26 according to the present embodiment repeatedly transmits a beacon signal at a predetermined time interval. The beacon signal includes, for example, identification information, specific information, function information (hereinafter sometimes referred to as “identification information etc.”) and the like. The beacon signal transmitted from the near field communication unit 26 propagates through the air while gradually attenuating. That is, the radio wave intensity of the beacon signal tends to be stronger as the distance from the multifunction device 10 is shorter and weaker as the distance from the multifunction device 10 is longer. A beacon signal is an example of a radio signal that can be wirelessly received within a predetermined distance range.

  The identification information is information for identifying the multifunction peripherals 10A and 10B. The identification information in the present embodiment is, for example, a printer name set in the multifunction machine 10. In this embodiment, the printer name of the multifunction machine 10A is “printer A”, and the printer name of the multifunction machine 10B is “printer B”. However, the identification information is not limited to the printer name, and may be a serial number assigned to the multifunction device 10 or the like. The identification information may not be uniquely assigned to all the multifunction devices 10 as long as the plurality of multifunction devices 10A and 10B that can be used by the same user can be distinguished.

  The identification information is information for identifying the acquisition source of the print program that instructs the multifunction device 10 to execute the recording process. The print program is a so-called device driver. More specifically, the printing program converts the data selected by the information processing apparatus 50 into a format in which the multifunction machine 10 can execute the recording process, and records the recording instruction information including the converted data as a Wi-Fi communication unit. 55 is a program for transmitting to the multifunction machine 10 through 55. That is, the information processing apparatus 50 in which the printing program is installed can cause the multifunction machine 10 to execute the recording process.

  The specific information in the present embodiment is a URL (abbreviation of Uniform Resource Locator) indicating the acquisition destination. The acquisition destination indicated by the URL may be, for example, a server device on the Internet. In this case, when the information processing apparatus 50 communicates with the server apparatus using the URL, the server apparatus returns a print program. However, the specific information is not limited to the URL, and may be the model number of the multifunction machine 10 or the like. The acquisition destination of the print program in this case is specified by, for example, a combination of a common URL indicating a server device storing a plurality of print programs and the model number of the multifunction machine 10. In this case, when the information processing apparatus 50 communicates with the server apparatus using the URL and the information processing apparatus 50 transmits the model number of the multifunction machine 10 to the server apparatus, the server apparatus returns a print program.

  The function information is information indicating function information indicating functions installed in the printer unit 11. The functions implemented in the printer unit 11 are, for example, color printing, monochrome printing, double-sided printing, single-sided printing, A3 printing, A4 printing, B4 printing, and L plate printing. The function information includes, for example, color information (for example, “color”, “monochrome”) indicating the color of ink used for the recording process, and recording surface information (for example, “ Size information (for example, “A3”, “A4”, “B4”, “L version”, etc.) indicating the size of the recording paper on which the recording process can be performed. In this embodiment, the function information of the multifunction peripheral 10A is color information “color”, recording surface information “single-sided printing”, and size information “A4” and “B4”. The function information of the multifunction peripheral 10B is color information “monochrome”, recording surface information “double-sided printing”, size information “A3”, “A4”, and “L version”.

[CPU 31]
A CPU (abbreviation of Central Processing Unit) 31 controls the overall operation of the multifunction machine 10. The CPU 31 acquires various programs described later from the storage unit 32 based on various information output from the operation unit 24 and various information acquired from an external device through the Wi-Fi communication unit 25 or the proximity communication unit 26. Run. The CPU 31 and the storage unit 32 constitute an example of a control unit or a first control unit.

[Storage unit 32]
The storage unit 32 includes a program storage area 32A and a data storage area 32B. In the program storage area 32A, an OS (abbreviation of Operating System) 34 and a control program 35 are stored. The OS 34 and the control program 35 are programs built in a binary format. The control program 35 may be a single program or an aggregate of a plurality of programs. Data or information necessary for execution of the control program 35 is stored in the data storage area 32B.

  Note that “data” and “information” in this specification are common in that they are bits or bit strings that can be handled by a computer. “Data” refers to data that can be handled by the computer without taking into account the meaning of each bit. On the other hand, “information” refers to information that the operation of the computer branches depending on the semantic content indicated by each bit. Furthermore, the “instruction” is a control signal for prompting the destination apparatus to perform the next operation, and may include information or itself has a property as information. There is also.

  In addition, even if the format (for example, text format, binary format, flag format, etc.) is changed for each computer, “data” and “information” have the same data and information as long as they are recognized as the same meaning content. Are treated as For example, information indicating “two” is stored as text information “0x32” in ASCII code in one computer, and binary format information “10” in binary notation in another computer. May be.

  However, the distinction between the above “data” and “information” is not strict, and exceptional handling is allowed. For example, data may be temporarily treated as information, or information may be temporarily treated as data. Also, what is handled as data in a certain device may be handled as information in another device. Furthermore, information may be extracted from the data, or data may be extracted from the information.

  The storage unit 32 includes, for example, RAM (abbreviation of Random Access Memory), ROM (abbreviation of Read Only Memory), EEPROM (abbreviation of Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), HDD (abbreviation of Hard CPU) 31 (HDD). It is configured by a buffer or the like or a combination thereof.

  The storage unit 32 may be a computer-readable storage medium. A computer-readable storage medium is a non-transitory medium. Non-transitory media include recording media such as CD-ROM and DVD-ROM in addition to the above examples. A non-transitory medium is also a tangible medium. On the other hand, an electrical signal that carries a program downloaded from a server on the Internet is a computer-readable signal medium that is a kind of computer-readable medium, but a non-transitory computer-readable storage. Not included in the media.

  The program stored in the program storage area 32A is executed by the CPU 31. However, in this specification, the operation of each program may be described with the CPU 31 omitted. That is, in the following description, the description that “the program A executes the process A” may indicate that “the CPU 31 executes the process A described in the program A”.

  Further, the program stored in the program storage area 32A determines an event and operates according to the determination result. However, in this specification, the operation of each program may be described by omitting the determination. That is, in the following description, the description to the effect that “the control program executes process A according to condition A” is “whether or not the control program is condition A. The control program makes an affirmative determination. In response to this, the processing A may be executed.

  The OS 34 is an API (Application) for controlling the printer unit 11, the scanner unit 12, the display unit 23, the operation unit 24, the Wi-Fi communication unit 25, the proximity communication unit 26, and the like that are hardware constituting the multifunction machine 10. This is a basic program that provides Programming Interface. That is, each of the above programs controls each hardware by calling an API provided by the OS 34. However, in this specification, the operation of each program may be described with the OS 34 omitted. That is, in the following description, the description “the program B controls the hardware C” may refer to “the program B controls the hardware C through the API of the OS 34”.

[Information processing apparatus 50]
As shown in FIG. 2B, the information processing apparatus 50 includes a display unit 53, an operation unit 54, a Wi-Fi communication unit 55, a proximity communication unit 56, a CPU 61, a storage unit 62, and a communication unit. A bus 63 is mainly provided. The Wi-Fi communication unit 55 and the proximity communication unit 56 are examples of a communication unit or a third communication unit. The CPU 61 and the storage unit 62 constitute an example of a control unit or a third control unit. The information processing apparatus 50 is, for example, a PC (abbreviation of Personal Computer). The operation unit 54 included in the information processing apparatus 50 in this case is, for example, a keyboard or a mouse. However, the information processing terminal 50 may be a tablet terminal or the like.

[Portable terminal 70]
As shown in FIG. 3, the mobile terminal 70 includes a display unit 73, an operation unit 74, a Wi-Fi communication unit 75, a proximity communication unit 76, a GPS (abbreviation for Global Positioning System) unit 77, and a CPU 81. And a storage unit 82 and a communication bus 83 are mainly provided. The Wi-Fi communication unit 75 and the proximity communication unit 76 are examples of a communication unit or a second communication unit. The CPU 81 and the storage unit 82 constitute an example of a control unit or a second control unit. The mobile terminal 70 is, for example, a smartphone or a tablet terminal. However, in the present invention, a card including an IC chip on which the proximity communication unit 76, the CPU 81, and the storage unit 82 are mounted may be used.

  The GPS unit 77 receives a radio wave transmitted by a GPS satellite (not shown), and calculates position information for specifying the current position of the mobile terminal 70 based on the radio wave. The GPS unit 77 outputs the position information. The GPS unit 77 is an example of a position output unit. Further, the data storage area 82B can store accumulated information as shown in FIG. Each record shown in FIG. 4 corresponds to accumulated information. The accumulated information includes, for example, timing information, identification information, intensity information, specific information, number-of-times information, function information, and position information.

  The identification information is information included in the beacon signal received from the multifunction device 10 through the proximity communication unit 76. The strength information is information indicating the radio wave strength of the beacon signal received from the multifunction device 10 through the proximity communication unit 76. The timing information is information indicating the reception time of the beacon signal received from the multifunction device 10 through the proximity communication unit 76. The number-of-times information is information indicating the number of times that the beacon signal including the same identification information and having a radio field intensity equal to or higher than the minimum threshold is continuously received. The position information is the position information output from the GPS unit 77 when the beacon signal is received. The position information may be a combination of the latitude and longitude of the mobile terminal 70, for example. However, the position information illustrated in FIG. 4 is an example, and does not accurately represent the positions of the multifunction peripherals 10A and 10B illustrated in FIG.

  The display units 53 and 73, the operation units 54 and 74, the Wi-Fi communication units 55 and 75, the proximity communication units 56 and 76, the CPUs 61 and 81, and the storage units 62 and 82 included in the information processing apparatus 50 and the portable terminal 70. The communication buses 63 and 83 are common to the display unit 23, the operation unit 24, the Wi-Fi communication unit 25, the proximity communication unit 26, the CPU 31, the storage unit 32, and the communication bus 33 included in the multifunction machine 10. The description will not be repeated.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the proximity communication unit 26 of the multifunction machine 10 can perform proximity wireless communication compliant with Bluetooth LE. Further, the near field communication unit 56 of the information processing apparatus 50 is capable of near field wireless communication compliant with NFC. Furthermore, the proximity communication unit 76 of the mobile terminal 70 is capable of proximity wireless communication compliant with Bluetooth LE and proximity wireless communication compliant with NFC. However, the combination of the proximity communication protocols with which the proximity communication units 26, 56, and 76 are compliant is not limited to the above example.

[Operation of Communication System 100]
The operation of the communication system 100 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. Note that the control program 35 of the multifunction device 10 repeatedly transmits a beacon signal having a predetermined radio wave intensity conforming to Bluetooth LE to the proximity communication unit 26 at a predetermined time interval (for example, 10 msec). That is, this beacon signal is a radio signal that can be wirelessly received within a predetermined distance range centering on the multi-function device 10 as indicated by a broken line in FIG. The beacon signal includes identification information, specific information, and function information. The process in which the multifunction machine 10 transmits a beacon signal is an example of a first transmission process.

[Process when receiving beacon signal]
With reference to FIG. 5, the process at the time of the beacon signal reception which the portable terminal 70 which received the beacon signal performs is demonstrated. The user of the information processing apparatus 50 can move while holding the portable terminal 70 inside and outside the room shown in FIG. In addition, the control program 85 of the mobile terminal 70 includes a beacon signal compliant with Bluetooth LE (hereinafter referred to as “BT beacon”) and a beacon signal compliant with NFC (hereinafter referred to as “NFC beacon”). To the state in which the near field communication unit 56 can receive. That is, the proximity communication unit 56 monitors the beacon signal (S11).

  The control program 85 receives the BT beacon from the MFP 10 through the proximity communication unit 76 when the portable terminal 70 is brought into the range indicated by the broken line in FIG. 1 (S11: Yes). In addition, the control program 85 counts the number of BT beacons continuously received through the proximity communication unit 76 as the frequency information. The BT beacon to be counted is a BT beacon that includes the same identification information and has a radio wave intensity of a minimum threshold value or more. The minimum threshold is a value smaller than a first threshold described later. The process in which the portable terminal 70 receives a BT beacon is an example of a signal reception process.

  Next, the control program 85 determines whether or not the radio wave intensity of the received BT beacon is less than the minimum threshold value. The control program 85 ends the counting of the BT beacon in response to the affirmative determination. Alternatively, when the control program 85 receives a BT beacon including different identification information, the control program 85 determines whether or not the radio wave intensity of the BT beacon including different identification information is stronger than the radio wave intensity of the counting BT beacon. . The control program 85 ends the counting of the BT beacon in response to the affirmative determination.

  That is, the control program 85 counts the BT beacon in response to the portable terminal 70 being taken out of the range indicated by the broken line in FIG. 1 or the BT beacon transmitted from another multifunction device 10 being received. finish. In addition, the control program 85 acquires the radio wave intensity of the received BT beacon from the near field communication unit 76 as intensity information. The strength information may be the signal strength of the first or last BT beacon among a plurality of consecutively counted BT beacons, or the maximum or average value of the signal strength of all the counted BT beacons. May be.

  Next, the control program 85 acquires timing information and position information (S12). The timing information may be the value of the clock counter of the CPU 61 when the BT beacon is received, or time information included in the BT beacon. The position information is the position information output from the GPS unit 77 when the BT beacon is received. The timing information and the position information acquisition timing may be, for example, the timing at which the first BT beacon is received or the timing at which the last BT beacon is received among a plurality of counted BT beacons. Also good.

  Then, the control program 85 stores accumulated information including the identification information extracted from the BT beacon, the counted number information, the intensity information acquired from the proximity communication unit 76, and the timing information and position information acquired in step S12. The data is stored in the data storage area 82B shown in FIG. 4 (S13). The process in step S13 is an example of a storage control process.

  In addition, when the distance between the information processing apparatus 50 and the portable terminal 70 is extremely close due to the portable terminal 70 being held over the information processing apparatus 50 that transmits the NFC beacon, the control program 85 passes the proximity communication unit 76. An NFC beacon is received (S11: NFC beacon). Then, the control program 85 establishes a Wi-Fi direct connection with the information processing terminal 50 that is the transmission source of the NFC beacon (S14).

  In step S14, the control program 85 establishes an NFC communication link between the proximity communication unit 76 and the information processing apparatus 50. Next, the control program 85 transmits connection information (for example, SSID) necessary for the Wi-Fi direct connection to the information processing device 50 through the proximity communication unit 76, or the information processing device 50 through the proximity communication unit 76. Receive from. Then, the information processing apparatus 50 and the mobile terminal 70 make a Wi-Fi direct connection using the connection information.

  Next, the control program 85 receives request information from the information processing apparatus 50 through the Wi-Fi communication unit 75 by communication using Wi-Fi direct (S15). Note that in the mobile terminal 70 connected via Wi-Fi direct, the communication of the control program 85 via the Wi-Fi communication unit 75 by Wi-Fi direct communication is simply “Wi-Fi direct connected Wi-Fi. It communicates through the communication part 75 ". The request information is information for requesting transmission of accumulated information.

  Next, the control program 85 acquires the position information output from the GPS unit 77 when the request information is received as the current position information (S16). Then, the control program 85 transfers the accumulated information stored in the data storage area 82B and the current position information acquired in step S16 to the information processing apparatus 50 through the Wi-Fi communication unit 75 that is Wi-Fi directly connected. Transmit (S17). The process of step S17 is an example of a second transmission process.

  In step S17, the control program 85 may transmit all the accumulated information stored in the data storage area 82B, or the control program 85 goes back to the past from the present time among the accumulated information stored in the data storage area 82B. Only the accumulated information included in the threshold period may be transmitted, or only the accumulated information of the threshold number retroactive from the present time may be transmitted. The threshold period is a period limited in advance, for example, one week. The threshold number is a limited number in advance, for example, 16. Further, the control program 85 may delete the accumulated information stored in the data storage area 82B that is older than the threshold period or accumulated information older than the threshold number of accumulated information at an arbitrary timing.

[Add Printer]
Next, a printer addition process executed by the information processing apparatus 50 will be described with reference to FIG. First, the control program 65 of the information processing apparatus 50 can display the printer setting screen on the display unit 53. FIG. 8A is an example of a printer setting screen. The printer setting screen shown in FIG. 8A includes an “Add Printer” icon 111. Further, the printer setting screen may include printer icons 119 and 120 of the multifunction peripherals 10A and 10B in which the printing program has already been installed, as shown in FIG. 10B, for example.

  Then, the control program 65 executes the printer addition process shown in FIG. 6 in response to accepting a user operation for selecting the “add printer” icon 111 via the operation unit 54. The selection of the “Add Printer” icon 111 is an example of a user operation that instructs the information processing apparatus 50 to prepare the MFP 10 to execute a recording process. More specifically, selection of the [Add Printer] icon 111 is an example of a user operation that instructs the information processing apparatus 50 to install a print program. However, the trigger for the printer addition process is not limited to the above example. For example, in the information processing apparatus 50 in which the print program is not installed, the printer addition process may be executed in response to a user operation that instructs execution of the recording process through the control program 65.

  The control program 65 displays a proximity instruction screen on the display unit 53 in response to selection of the [Add Printer] icon 111 (S21). FIG. 8B is an example of the proximity instruction screen. The proximity instruction screen shown in FIG. 8B includes messages “Please hold your mobile terminal.” And “-Beacon signal is being sent out”. In addition, the control program 65 repeatedly outputs the NFC beacon to the proximity communication unit 56 at a predetermined time interval (for example, 10 msec) (S22). The process of step S22 is continued until a response signal is received from the mobile terminal 70 that has received the NFC beacon.

  Next, the control program 65 establishes a Wi-Fi direct connection with the mobile terminal 70 that has received the NFC beacon (S23: Yes). Since the procedure for the Wi-Fi direct connection between the information processing apparatus 50 and the portable terminal 70 has already been described, the description thereof will be omitted. Next, the control program 65 transmits the request information to the portable terminal 70 through the Wi-Fi communication unit 55 that is directly connected by Wi-Fi (S24). Then, the control program 65 receives the stored information from the portable terminal 70 through the Wi-Fi communication unit 55 that is directly connected by Wi-Fi (S25). The process of step S24 is an example of a third transmission process. Step S25 is an example of information reception processing.

  Next, the control program 65 executes a selection receiving process shown in FIG. 7 (S26). The selection reception process is a process of receiving a user operation for selecting one of the multifunction peripherals 10A and 10B via the operation unit 54. The selection receiving process is executed in response to receiving a plurality of pieces of accumulated information including different specific information in step S25, for example. That is, the selection reception process is a process for allowing the user to select one of the multifunction machines 10A and 10B that is the transmission source of the specific information. On the other hand, the control program 65 skips the selection reception process in response to the fact that the same specific information is included in all the stored information received in step S25.

  First, the control program 65 counts the number of times the MFPs 10A and 10B have approached based on the accumulated information received in step S25 (S31). Specifically, the control program 65 counts the number of stored information including the identification information “printer A” among the plurality of stored information received in step S25 as the number of times of proximity of the multifunction machine 10A. That is, the number of times of proximity is a number different in concept from the number of times indicated by the number of times information, in other words, the number of BT beacons that the control program 85 continuously receives through the proximity wireless communication unit 76. Similarly, the control program 65 counts the number of pieces of accumulated information including the identification information “printer B” among the plurality of pieces of accumulated information received in step S25 as the number of times of proximity of the multifunction machine 10B. The process of step S31 is an example of a count process.

  When the mobile terminal 70 transmits all the accumulated information stored in the data storage area 82B, the control program 65 may count only the accumulated information within the threshold period or the accumulated information of the threshold number. . On the other hand, when the portable terminal 70 transmits only the stored information within the threshold period or only the stored number of stored information, the control program 65 may count all the received stored information. In the example of FIG. 4, the number of times of proximity of the multifunction device 10A = 3, and the number of times of proximity of the multifunction device 10B = 2. The same applies to other specific processing described later.

  Further, the control program 65 may further specify the proximity distance based on the intensity information included in the accumulated information in step S31. The proximity distance is information indicating the distance at which each of the MFPs 10A and 10B and the mobile terminal 70 are closest to each other. There are three types of proximity distances in the present embodiment: “very close”, “close”, and “slightly far”. However, the method of expressing the proximity distance is not limited to this, and may be “2 m”, for example. The process for specifying the proximity process is another example of the specifying process.

  For example, the control program 65 extracts intensity information indicating the maximum radio wave intensity (hereinafter referred to as “maximum radio wave intensity”) from the stored information including the identification information “printer A”. Then, the control program 65 sets the proximity distance of the multifunction peripheral 10A to “slightly far” in response to the maximum radio wave intensity being less than the first threshold. Further, the control program 65 makes the proximity distance of the multifunction peripheral 10A “near” in response to the maximum radio wave intensity being equal to or greater than the first threshold and less than the second threshold. Furthermore, the control program 65 sets the proximity distance of the multifunction peripheral 10A to “very close” in response to the maximum radio wave intensity being equal to or greater than the second threshold. The second threshold is larger than the first threshold. The method for specifying the proximity distance of the multifunction machine 10B is the same.

  Next, the control program 65 displays a printer selection screen on the display unit 53 (S32). FIG. 9A is an example of a printer selection screen. The printer selection screen shown in FIG. 9A includes one or more printer icons 112 and 113. Each of the printer icons 112 and 113 is associated with different identification information among the identification information included in the accumulated information. That is, the number of printer icons 112 and 113 included in the printer selection screen matches the number of MFPs 10A and 10B identified by the identification information included in the stored information.

  The printer icons 112 and 113 display the identification information, the proximity distance corresponding to the identification information, the number of times of proximity, and the function information. The identification information and function information are extracted from the stored information. The number of times of proximity and the proximity distance are those specified in step S31. The process of step S32 is an example of a display process in which identification information, proximity distance, proximity count, and function information are displayed in a list in association with each other. However, the display of the proximity distance, the number of times of proximity, and the function information is not essential on the printer selection screen, and some or all of them may be omitted, or other information may be further added.

  Next, in response to receiving a user operation for selecting one of the printer icons 112 and 113 included in the printer selection screen via the operation unit 54 (S33: Yes), the control program 65 performs a selection reception process. finish. In the present embodiment, the following processing will be described assuming that the printer icon 112 corresponding to the multifunction machine 10A has been selected. The process of step S33 is an example of a reception process.

  Returning to FIG. 6, the control program 65 extracts specific information from the stored information corresponding to the printer icon 112 in the selection reception process. Then, the control program 65 receives a print program from the acquisition source specified by the extracted specific information through the Wi-Fi communication unit 55 (S27). The control program 65 according to the present embodiment receives a print program from the specific information “other.com/printer A” corresponding to the identification information “printer A”. The process of step S27 is an example of a program reception process.

  Next, the control program 65 installs the received print program in the information processing apparatus 50 (S28). Installation is processing for enabling the information processing apparatus 50 to execute the print program. For example, in step S28, the control program 65 stores the print program in a predetermined location in the program storage area 62A, and registers the information of the print program in the registry of the OS 64. The process in step S28 is an example of an installation process. As a result, the information processing apparatus 50 can cause the multifunction peripheral 10A to execute a recording process in accordance with an instruction from the user.

  Specifically, the control program 65 of the information processing apparatus receives a user operation for designating data to be subjected to recording processing via the operation unit 54. Next, the control program 65 causes the print program to generate recording instruction information that instructs to record the image indicated by the designated data on the recording paper. Then, the control program 65 transmits recording instruction information to the multifunction machine 10 through the Wi-Fi communication unit 55. On the other hand, the control program 35 of the multifunction machine 10 receives the recording instruction information from the information processing apparatus 50 through the Wi-Fi communication unit 25. Then, the control program 35 executes a recording process according to the received recording instruction information.

[Operational effects of this embodiment]
According to the above embodiment, when the user carrying the mobile terminal 70 passes by the multifunction peripherals 10A and 10B, the specific information received from the multifunction peripherals 10A and 10B is accumulated in the mobile terminal 70. Then, the print program received from the acquisition source specified by the specific information stored in the mobile terminal 70 is installed in the information processing apparatus 50. That is, it is possible to install the printing programs of the multifunction peripherals 10A and 10B existing within the user's action range in the information processing apparatus 50 without forcing the user to perform complicated operations.

  In the above embodiment, an example in which identification information or the like is included in the BT beacon has been described. However, a method for transmitting and receiving identification information and the like between the multifunction device 10 and the portable terminal 50 is not limited to this. For example, the control program 85 of the portable terminal 70 may repeatedly transmit a BT beacon having a predetermined radio wave intensity to the proximity communication unit 76 at predetermined time intervals. Then, the control program 35 of the MFP 10 that has received the BT beacon may wirelessly transmit identification information or the like to the mobile terminal 70 that is the transmission source of the BT beacon.

  Further, the control program 85 of the portable terminal 70 may establish a communication link with the multifunction device 10 in response to receiving the BT beacon through the proximity communication unit 76. Then, the control program 85 may transmit signal request information to the multifunction device 10 through the established communication link. The signal request information is information for requesting transmission of identification information and the like. Then, the control program 85 may receive identification information or the like from the multifunction device 10 through the established communication link as a response to the signal request information. The communication link here may be, for example, a communication link compliant with NFC, a communication link compliant with Bluetooth, or a communication link compliant with Wi-Fi Direct.

  Similarly, the method for transmitting and receiving stored information between the information processing apparatus 50 and the portable terminal 70 is not limited to the combination of NFC and Wi-Fi Direct. As an example, the control program 85 of the mobile terminal 70 may cause the proximity communication unit 76 to send out an NFC beacon. Then, the control program 85 may transmit the accumulated information to the information processing apparatus 50 in response to receiving the request information from the information processing apparatus 50 that has received the NFC beacon. As another example, the control program 85 may transmit the stored information to the information processing apparatus 50 through a communication link based on NFC established with the information processing apparatus 50. As yet another example, the control program 85 may transmit / receive stored information to / from the information processing apparatus 50 through a wireless LAN.

  In the printer selection screen in the above-described embodiment, the proximity distance, the number of times of proximity, and the function of the multifunction peripherals 10A and 10B are displayed in association with the identification information. Accordingly, the user can easily select the multifunction device 10 closest to the action range or the multifunction device 10 having a desired function. Further, by using only the accumulated information within the threshold period that goes back from the present time to the past, the print program of the multifunction machine 10 existing within the user's recent action range can be easily installed in the information processing apparatus 50. However, the information displayed on the printer selection screen is not limited to the example of FIG.

  For example, the control program 65 of the information processing apparatus 50 can calculate the proximity time by multiplying the number-of-times information included in the accumulated information by the transmission interval of BT beacons (for example, 10 msec). The proximity time refers to the time during which the user who has the mobile terminal 70 stays near the multifunction device 10. Then, the control program 65 may display the proximity time in association with the identification information on the printer selection screen. Thereby, it becomes easy to select the multifunction machine 10 near the place where the user stays for a long time. In addition, in Modifications 1 and 2, another example of information displayed on the printer selection screen will be described.

[Modification 1]
With reference to FIG. 9 (B), the selection reception process which concerns on the modification 1 is demonstrated. Note that a detailed description of the points in common with the above embodiment will be omitted, and the differences will be mainly described.

  First, the control program 65 of the information processing apparatus 50 identifies the relative positions of the multifunction peripherals 10A and 10B and the information processing apparatus 50 based on the accumulated information and the current position information received in step S25 (S31). The positions of the multifunction peripherals 10A and 10B are specified by the position information included in the accumulated information in association with the identification information. The information processing apparatus 50 is specified by the current position information received together with the accumulated information.

  That is, the position at which the portable terminal 70 receives the BT beacon is regarded as the position of the multifunction machine 10A, 10B that is the transmission source of the BT beacon. Further, the position of the portable terminal 70 held over the information processing apparatus 50 is regarded as the position of the information processing apparatus 50. In addition, when there are a plurality of pieces of accumulated information including the same identification information, the control program 65 may specify the position of the multifunction machine 10 using position information corresponding to the intensity information indicating the maximum radio wave intensity, for example. Alternatively, the position of the multifunction machine 10 may be specified using an average value of all the position information.

  For example, in step S31, the control program 65 uses the position of the information processing apparatus 50 as a reference, and the multifunction machine 10A exists at a position 2 m away from the information processing apparatus 50 in the southwest direction. It may be specified that the multi-function device 10B exists at the specified position. However, the method for specifying the relative positions of the multifunction peripherals 10A and 10B and the information processing apparatus 50 is not limited to this.

  Next, the control program 65 displays a printer selection screen on the display unit 53 (S32). FIG. 9B is another example of the printer selection screen. The printer selection screen shown in FIG. 9B includes a plot 84 indicating the position of the information processing apparatus 50, plots 85 and 86 indicating the positions of the multifunction peripherals 10A and 10B, and a composite indicated by the plots 85 and 86, respectively. And a balloon displaying the printer names and functions of the machines 10A and 10B.

  The printer selection screen shown in FIG. 9B is a map image in which the identification information of the MFPs 10A and 10B and an image showing the information processing device 50 are arranged at positions on the display screen corresponding to the positions specified by the specifying process. It is an example. Note that the information displayed on each balloon is not limited to the example of FIG. 9B, and may be, for example, the number of times of proximity, the proximity distance, the proximity time, and the like.

  Next, the control program 65 ends the selection reception process in response to receiving a user operation for selecting one of the plots 85 and 86 of the multifunction peripherals 10A and 10B via the operation unit 54 (S33: Yes). To do. Since the processing (S27, S28) for receiving and installing the printing program of the multifunction peripheral 10A indicated by the selected plot 85 is common to the above-described embodiment, the description thereof will be omitted.

  That is, the control program 65 can receive selection of the multifunction machine 10 corresponding to the plots 85 and 86 selected by the user in the selection receiving process according to the first modification. According to the first modification, the relative positions of the MFPs 10A and 10B can be grasped with the information processing apparatus 50 as a reference, so that the user can easily specify the desired MFP 10.

[Modification 2]
Next, with reference to FIG. 10A, the selection receiving process according to the second modification will be described. Note that a detailed description of the common points with the above embodiment and the first modification will be omitted, and the description will focus on the differences.

  First, the control program 65 of the information processing device 50 specifies the order in which the portable terminal 70 comes close to the multifunction peripherals 10A and 10B based on the combination of identification information and timing information included in the stored information received in step S25 ( S31). For example, the control program 65 can specify the proximity order by arranging the identification information included in each accumulated information in ascending order of timing information. The proximity order in the example of FIG. 4 is the order of printer A, printer B, printer B, printer A, and printer A from the past to the future.

  Next, the control program 65 displays a printer selection screen on the display unit 53 (S32). FIG. 10A shows another example of the printer selection screen. The printer selection screen shown in FIG. 10A includes printer icons 117 and 118 on which identification information of the multifunction peripherals 10A and 10B is displayed, and a movement trajectory representing the proximity order specified by the specifying process. The movement trajectory in the example of FIG. 10A is indicated by arrows arranged between straight lines extending from the printer icons 117 and 118. The direction of movement of the user carrying the mobile terminal 70 is indicated by the direction of the arrow, and the speed of movement of the user is indicated by the inclination of the arrow.

  Note that the arrow shown in FIG. 10A does not represent that the user who has the mobile terminal 70 has proceeded straight from one of the multifunction peripherals 10A and 10B toward the other. The arrows shown in FIG. 10A indicate that the user who has the portable terminal 70 has approached the multifunction device 10B after approaching the multifunction device 10A, and has once again approached the multifunction device 10B after leaving the multifunction device 10B. It just shows that.

  Next, in response to receiving a user operation for selecting one of the printer icons 117 and 118 included in the printer selection screen via the operation unit 54 (S33: Yes), the control program 65 performs a selection reception process. finish. Since the process (S27, S28) for receiving and installing the printing program of the multifunction peripheral 10A indicated by the selected printer icon 117 is common to the above-described embodiment, the description thereof is omitted.

  That is, the control program 65 can receive selection of the multifunction machine 10 corresponding to the printer icons 117 and 118 selected by the user in the selection receiving process according to the second modification. According to the second modification, since it is possible to grasp how each of the multifunction peripherals 10A and 10B is arranged on the user's moving path, the user can easily specify the desired multifunction peripheral 10.

[Modification 3]
Next, a printer addition process according to the third modification will be described with reference to FIG. Note that a detailed description of the common points with the above embodiment and the first and second modifications will be omitted, and the description will focus on the differences. Steps S21 to S25 in FIG. 11 are the same as those in FIG. On the other hand, the printer addition process according to the modified example 3 is performed in the manner described above in that all the print programs specified by the specific information included in the stored information are installed in the information processing apparatus 50 in steps S41 to S44 of FIG. It differs from the form.

  First, the control program 65 of the information processing apparatus 50 extracts all the specific information from the stored information received in step S25. Next, the control program 65 receives a print program through the Wi-Fi communication unit 55 from the acquisition sources specified by the extracted specific information (S41). Next, the control program 65 installs the received print program in the information processing apparatus 50 (S42). In the example of FIG. 4, the printing programs for the multifunction peripherals 10A and 10B are installed. The process of step S41 is another example of the program reception process. The process of step S42 is another example of the installation process.

  Next, the control program 65 executes a selection acceptance process (S43). In step S43, a selection reception process that combines any of the selection reception processes described in the embodiment and the first and second modifications or a combination thereof is executed. Then, the control program 65 notifies the OS 64 of the print program of the multifunction machine 10 selected in step S43 as a print program to be used with priority (S44). The process of step S44 is an example of a notification process.

  Note that the print program to be preferentially used is, for example, a print program selected by default when the MFP 10 is to execute a recording process through an arbitrary program executed by the information processing apparatus 50. Point to. That is, when the multifunction device 10A is selected in step S43, a printing program that causes the multifunction device 10A to execute a recording process is selected unless the user explicitly selects the multifunction device 10B. The print program to be used with priority can be confirmed by a “re” mark added to the printer icon 119 on the printer setting screen shown in FIG. 10B, for example.

  According to the third modification, the printing programs of all the multifunction devices 10A and 10B located within the user's action range are installed, and the printing program to be used with priority by the printing program of the multifunction device 10A selected by the user is used. Is set. As a result, the user can easily cause the suitable multifunction peripheral 10 to execute the recording process.

  In the MFP 10, the information processing apparatus 50, and the portable terminal 70 according to the embodiment and the first to third modifications, various programs stored in the program storage areas 32 </ b> A, 62 </ b> A, 82 </ b> A of the storage units 32, 62, 82 are stored in the CPU 31. , 61, 81, the example in which each process executed by the control unit of the present invention is realized has been described. However, the configuration of the control unit is not limited to this, and part or all of the configuration may be realized by hardware such as an integrated circuit (also referred to as an IC (Integrated Circuit)).

  Furthermore, the present invention can be realized not only as the multifunction machine 10, the information processing apparatus 50, and the portable terminal 70 but also as a program that causes the multifunction machine 10, the information processing apparatus 50, and the portable terminal 70 to execute processing. . Then, the program may be provided by being recorded on a non-transitory recording medium. The non-transitory recording medium includes a storage unit mounted on a server device that can be connected to the MFP 10, the information processing device 50, and the portable terminal 70 via a communication network in addition to a CD-ROM, a DVD-ROM, and the like. May be included. And the program memorize | stored in the memory | storage part of the server apparatus may be delivered via communication networks, such as the internet, as the information or signal which shows the said program.

10: MFP 11 ... printer unit 31, 61, 81 ... CPU
53: Display unit 54: Operation unit 25, 55, 75 ... Wi-Fi communication unit 26, 56, 76 ... Proximity communication unit 32, 62, 82 ... Storage unit 35, 65, 85 ... Control program 50 ... Information processing device 70 ... Portable terminal 77 ... GPS unit 100 ... Communication system

Claims (16)

A communication system comprising an image recording device, a portable terminal carried by a user, and an information processing device,
The image recording apparatus includes:
A recording unit that executes a recording process for recording an image on a sheet;
A first communication unit;
A first transmission process for transmitting, through the first communication unit, specific information for specifying an acquisition source of a print program instructing execution of the recording process as a wireless signal that can be wirelessly received within a predetermined distance range; A first control unit to execute,
The portable terminal is
A storage unit;
A second communication unit;
A second control unit,
The second controller is
A signal reception process for receiving the wireless signal from the image recording apparatus located within the predetermined distance range through the second communication unit;
A storage control process for storing the specific information included in the wireless signal received in the signal reception process in the storage unit as accumulated information;
In response to receiving request information for requesting transmission of the stored information from the information processing apparatus through the second communication unit, the stored information stored in the storage unit is transmitted to the information processing apparatus through the second communication unit. Performing a second transmission process to transmit to
The information processing apparatus includes:
An operation unit;
A third communication unit;
A third control unit,
The third control unit
When the information processing apparatus receives a user operation for instructing the image recording apparatus to execute the recording process through the operation unit, the request is made to the portable terminal through the third communication unit. A third transmission process for transmitting information;
An information reception process for receiving the stored information from the portable terminal as a response to the request information through the third communication unit;
A program receiving process for receiving the print program through the third communication unit from an acquisition source specified by the specific information included in the stored information received in the information receiving process;
A communication system that executes an installation process that allows the information processing apparatus to execute the print program received in the program reception process. In the second transmission process, the second control unit of the portable terminal transmits a plurality of pieces of the accumulated information including the specific information received from the different image recording devices to the information processing device through the second communication unit. Send
The third control unit of the information processing apparatus
In response to receiving a plurality of the accumulated information in the information receiving process, a user operation for selecting one of the plurality of image recording apparatuses that are transmission sources of the specific information is received via the operation unit. Further execute the selection acceptance process,
The said program receiving process WHEREIN: The said printing program is received through the said 3rd communication part from the acquisition source specified by the said specific information which the said image recording apparatus selected by the said selection reception process transmitted. Communications system. In the second transmission process, the second control unit of the portable terminal transmits a plurality of pieces of the accumulated information including the specific information received from the different image recording devices to the information processing device through the second communication unit. Send
The third control unit of the information processing apparatus
The program for receiving a plurality of the print programs through the third communication unit from the acquisition source specified by the specific information included in each storage information in response to receiving a plurality of the storage information in the information reception process Receive processing,
The installation process enabling each of the plurality of print programs received in the program reception process to be executed by the information processing apparatus;
A selection acceptance process for accepting a user operation for selecting one of a plurality of the image recording apparatuses that are the transmission source of the specific information via the operation unit;
A notification process for notifying the OS of the information processing apparatus as the print program to be preferentially used as the print program for causing the image recording apparatus selected in the selection reception process to execute the recording process; The communication system according to claim 1, wherein: The first control unit of the image recording device transmits the wireless signal further including identification information for identifying the image recording device through the first communication unit in the first transmission process,
The second control unit of the mobile terminal causes the storage unit to store the accumulated information further including the identification information included in the wireless signal in the storage control process,
The information processing apparatus further includes a display unit,
The third control unit of the information processing apparatus, in the selection reception process,
For each of a plurality of the identification information, a count process for counting the number of times of proximity representing the number of the accumulated information including the identification information;
Display processing for associating the identification information with the number of times of proximity on the display unit and a user operation for selecting one of the plurality of identification information displayed in the display processing via the operation unit The communication system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein reception processing is received. The second control unit of the portable terminal causes the storage unit to store the accumulated information further including timing information indicating a reception timing at which the wireless signal is received in the storage control process,
5. The communication system according to claim 4, wherein the third control unit of the information processing apparatus counts only the accumulated information within a threshold period that goes back from the reception timing to the past in the counting process. The first control unit of the image recording device transmits the wireless signal further including identification information for identifying the image recording device through the first communication unit in the first transmission process,
In the storage control process, the second control unit of the mobile terminal stores the stored information further including the identification information included in the wireless signal and intensity information indicating the radio field intensity of the received wireless signal. To remember
The third control unit of the information processing apparatus, in the selection reception process,
For each of the plurality of identification information, based on the maximum value of the radio wave intensity indicated by the intensity information corresponding to the identification information, the distance at which the image recording apparatus identified by the identification information and the mobile terminal are closest to each other Specific processing for specifying the proximity distance corresponding to,
Display processing for displaying the list on the display unit in association with the identification information and the proximity distance, and a user operation for selecting one of the plurality of identification information displayed in the display processing via the operation unit. The communication system according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein a reception process is received. The first control unit of the image recording device transmits the wireless signal further including identification information for identifying the image recording device through the first communication unit in the first transmission process,
The number of times that the second control unit of the mobile terminal continuously receives the identification information included in the wireless signal and the wireless signal including the identification information with a radio wave intensity equal to or higher than a minimum threshold in the storage control process. And storing the accumulated information further including the number of times information indicating,
The third control unit of the information processing apparatus, in the selection reception process,
For each of a plurality of pieces of identification information, a specification for specifying a proximity time corresponding to a time when the image recording apparatus identified by the identification information and the portable terminal are close based on the number-of-times information corresponding to the identification information Processing,
A display process in which the identification information and the proximity time are associated with each other and displayed on the display unit as a list, and a user operation for selecting one of the plurality of identification information displayed in the display process via the operation unit. The communication system according to any one of claims 2 to 6, wherein reception processing is performed. The first control unit of the image recording device transmits the wireless signal further including identification information for identifying the image recording device through the first communication unit in the first transmission process,
The portable terminal further includes a position output unit that outputs position information indicating a current position, and the second control unit of the portable terminal includes the identification information included in the wireless signal in the storage control process, And storing the accumulated information further including the position information output from the position output unit at the time of receiving the radio signal in the storage unit,
The information processing apparatus further includes a display unit having a display screen,
The third control unit of the information processing apparatus, in the selection reception process,
A specifying process for specifying the position of each of the plurality of image recording apparatuses based on the position information associated with the identification information of the image recording apparatus;
A display process for causing the display unit to display a map image in which the identification information of the image recording apparatus is arranged at a position on the display screen corresponding to the position specified by the specifying process;
The communication system according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein a reception process for receiving a user operation for selecting one of the plurality of identification information displayed in the display process via the operation unit is performed. . In the second transmission process, the second control unit of the portable terminal uses the position information output from the position output unit at the time of receiving the request information as the current position information through the second communication unit. Send further to the information processing device,
The third control unit of the information processing apparatus includes an image indicating the information processing apparatus at a position on the map image corresponding to the position indicated by the current position information in the display processing. Communication system. The first control unit of the image recording device transmits the wireless signal further including identification information for identifying the image recording device through the first communication unit in the first transmission process,
In the storage control process, the second control unit of the portable terminal stores the storage information further including the identification information included in the wireless signal and timing information indicating a reception timing when the wireless signal is received. Remember
The information processing apparatus further includes a display unit,
The third control unit of the information processing apparatus, in the selection reception process,
A specifying process for specifying the order in which the mobile terminals approach the plurality of the image recording devices based on a combination of the identification information and the timing information included in the accumulated information;
A display process for causing the display unit to display a movement locus representing the plurality of pieces of identification information and the proximity order specified in the specifying process;
The communication system according to any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein a reception process for receiving a user operation for selecting one of the plurality of identification information displayed in the display process via the operation unit is performed. . The first control unit of the image recording apparatus transmits, through the first communication unit, the wireless signal further including functional information indicating a function implemented in the recording unit in the first transmission process.
The second control unit of the portable terminal causes the storage unit to store the accumulated information further including the function information included in the wireless signal in the storage control process.
The communication system according to any one of claims 4 to 10, wherein the third control unit of the information processing apparatus causes the display unit to display the identification information and the function information in association with each other in the display process.   The communication system according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the first control unit of the image recording apparatus repeatedly transmits the wireless signal that is a preset output radio wave in the first transmission process. The first control unit of the image recording apparatus includes:
A beacon transmission process for repeatedly transmitting a beacon signal, which is a radio wave having a preset output, through the first communication unit;
In response to receiving signal request information for requesting transmission of the wireless signal from the portable terminal through the first communication unit, the first transmission process is performed.
In response to receiving the beacon signal through the second communication unit, the second control unit of the portable terminal sends the signal request to the image recording apparatus that is a transmission source of the beacon signal through the first communication unit. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein a fourth transmission process for transmitting information is executed. The second control unit of the portable terminal is
A beacon transmission process for repeatedly transmitting a beacon signal, which is a radio wave of a preset output, through the second communication unit;
From the image recording apparatus that has received the beacon signal, the signal reception process for receiving the wireless signal through the second communication unit, and
The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the first control unit of the image recording apparatus executes the first transmission process in response to receiving the beacon signal through the first communication unit. . An operation unit;
A communication department;
An image recording apparatus comprising a control unit,
The communication unit is
An image recording apparatus for transmitting, as a wireless signal that can be wirelessly received within a predetermined distance range, identification information for identifying an acquisition source of a printing program that instructs execution of a recording process for recording an image on a sheet;
The specific information included in the wireless signal received from the image recording device located within the predetermined distance range is communicable with a portable terminal that stores as accumulated information,
The controller is
In response to receiving a user operation through the operation unit for instructing the image recording apparatus to execute the recording process, the information processing apparatus receives request information for requesting transmission of the accumulated information. A transmission process for transmitting to the mobile terminal through a communication unit;
An information reception process for receiving the stored information from the mobile terminal as a response to the request information through the communication unit;
A program receiving process for receiving the print program through the communication unit from an acquisition source specified by the specific information included in the stored information received in the information receiving process;
An information processing apparatus that executes an installation process that enables the information processing apparatus to execute the print program received in the program reception process. A program that can be executed by a computer including an operation unit and a communication unit,
The communication unit is
An image recording apparatus for transmitting, as a wireless signal that can be wirelessly received within a predetermined distance range, identification information for identifying an acquisition source of a printing program that instructs execution of a recording process for recording an image on a sheet;
The specific information included in the wireless signal received from the image recording device located within the predetermined distance range is communicable with a portable terminal that stores as accumulated information,
The program
In response to receiving a user operation through the operation unit for instructing the image recording apparatus to execute the recording process, the information processing apparatus receives request information for requesting transmission of the accumulated information. A transmission process for transmitting to the mobile terminal through a communication unit;
An information reception process for receiving the stored information from the mobile terminal as a response to the request information through the communication unit;
A program receiving process for receiving the print program through the communication unit from an acquisition source specified by the specific information included in the stored information received in the information receiving process;
A program that causes the computer to execute an installation process that allows the computer to execute the print program received in the program reception process.

Images