JP6326161B2 - Printing apparatus, control method therefor, and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a printing apparatus, a control method therefor, and a program.

  In recent years, apparatuses equipped with a wireless LAN function are increasing in printing apparatuses such as multifunction peripherals and printers. A printing apparatus equipped with a wireless LAN generally has a function of wirelessly connecting to an access point as a client. On the other hand, a PC or a mobile terminal communicates with a printing apparatus via an access point and transmits desired data to the printing apparatus for printing, or receives apparatus information from the printing apparatus and uses it for apparatus management. .

  On the other hand, in recent years, Wi-Fi Direct (registered trademark) (hereinafter referred to as Wi-Fi Direct) has been established by Wi-Fi Alliance. In this Wi-Fi direct, a protocol for determining whether each wireless terminal operates as an access point or a client is defined. By executing this protocol, it is possible to automatically determine which of the wireless terminals becomes the access point and which becomes the client. By using this Wi-Fi Direct, it is not necessary to prepare an access point separately, and various application services (image sharing, printing, etc.) can be executed by directly communicating between wireless terminals.

  In a printing apparatus that can execute the above-described protocol, a user determines whether to perform direct wireless communication using Wi-Fi Direct or indirectly through a third-party access point from an operation panel or the like. Is configured to be able to instruct.

  The printing apparatus can use a SEND function for transmitting image data of a document scanned by the printing apparatus to an external apparatus. In the SEND function, an address book is displayed to designate a destination to which image data is transmitted, and the user can select a destination from the address book.

JP 2011-160463 A

  The conventional SEND function has been provided to the user on the premise of communication using a wired LAN or wireless communication communicating via an access point that is a third party. When a network for directly performing wireless communication between a device using Wi-Fi Direct and another device is constructed, it has not been considered how to provide the SEND function to the user. An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art.

The present invention is, for example using a Wi-Fi Direct, aims if you build a network for performing external device and directly wireless communication, improving the user's convenience to use SEND function And

In order to achieve the above object, a printing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention has the following configuration. That is,
A printing apparatus having a transmission function for transmitting image data obtained by reading a document ,
A wireless communication unit having a direct wireless communication function in which an external device and the printing device directly perform wireless communication without using an external access point;
Display means for displaying a setting screen for the transmission function in which a user can set at least a destination of the image data ;
Determining means for determining whether or not the printing apparatus is operating in a direct wireless communication mode for executing the direct wireless communication function ;
Control means for prohibiting a user from setting an address using an address book on the setting screen when the determination means determines that the printing apparatus is operating in the direct wireless communication mode. It is characterized by that.

According to the present invention, for example, when using a Wi-Fi Direct are building a network for performing external device and directly wireless communication, thereby improving convenience for the user to use the SEND function.

FIG. 2A illustrates a Wi-Fi direct processing sequence, and FIG. 2B illustrates a configuration of a communication system according to the embodiment. 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a printing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating a software configuration of the printing apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a top view of an operation panel of the printing apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen displayed on the operation panel of the printing apparatus according to the first embodiment. 5 is a flowchart for explaining processing of a SEND function by the printing apparatus according to the first embodiment. 9 is a flowchart for explaining processing of a SEND function by the printing apparatus according to the second embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The following embodiments do not limit the present invention according to the claims, and all combinations of features described in the embodiments are not necessarily essential to the solution means of the present invention. .

  FIG. 1A is a diagram for explaining a processing sequence of Wi-Fi direct.

  Here, it is assumed that both the printing apparatus 100 and the mobile terminal 110 support Wi-Fi Direct.

  First, in step S <b> 101, the printing apparatus 100 and the mobile terminal 110 detect whether there are other communication terminals in the vicinity that are trying to establish a wireless connection using Wi-Fi direct, and detect each other. When a partner is detected, it is determined in S102 which is an access point (GroupOwner) and which is a client (Client). Here, it is assumed that, as a result of the role determination, the printing apparatus 100 becomes an access point and the portable terminal 110 becomes a client.

  In step S103, parameters for wireless connection are provided from the printing apparatus 100 serving as an access point to the mobile terminal 110 of the client using WPS (Wi-Fi Protected Setup). In step S104, wireless connection is performed between the printing apparatus 100 and the portable terminal 110 using the parameters. When the wireless connection is established in this way, addressing for performing IP communication between the printing apparatus 100 and the portable terminal 110 is performed in S105. At that time, the printing apparatus 100 as an access point plays a role as a DHCP server, and gives a predetermined IP address to the mobile terminal 110 as a client.

  The above is the basic sequence of Wi-Fi direct. By executing this sequence, direct communication between the application service installed in the printing apparatus 100 and the application service installed in the mobile terminal 110 becomes possible.

  FIG. 1B is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a communication system according to the embodiment.

  In this system, the printing apparatus 100 can perform wireless communication with the mobile terminal 110 via the access point 130. As described with reference to FIG. 1A, the printing apparatus 100 can communicate with the mobile terminal 110 in the Wi-Fi direct mode. Furthermore, when the printing apparatus 100 functions as a DHCP server at the access point in the Wi-Fi direct mode, it can communicate in parallel with a plurality of mobile terminals that are clients.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the printing apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  A control unit 201 including a CPU 202 controls the operation of the entire printing apparatus 100. The CPU 202 develops a control program stored in the ROM 204 or the HDD 214 in the RAM 203 and executes various programs such as communication control by executing the program. The RAM 203 is used as a main memory, work area, or the like for the CPU 201. The HDD 214 stores data, various programs, or various information tables. The printer I / F 206 serves as an interface for outputting an image signal to the printer 207 (printer engine). The scanner I / F 208 serves as an interface for inputting an image signal obtained by reading a document with the scanner 209 (scanner engine). During the copying operation, the CPU 202 processes the image signal input via the scanner I / F 208 and outputs print data as a recording image signal to the printer 207 via the printer I / F 206 for printing. The operation panel I / F 210 connects the operation panel 211 and the control unit 201. The operation panel 211 includes a display unit having a touch panel function, a keyboard, and the like. The configuration of the operation panel 211 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The wireless LAN I / F 212 wirelessly transmits information to an external terminal such as the mobile terminal 110 or receives various types of information from these external devices. The wired LAN I / F 213 transmits information to an external terminal (not shown) via the wired LAN, or receives various types of information from these external devices. Each block in the control unit 201 is connected to each other by a system bus 205.

  FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram illustrating a software configuration of the printing apparatus 100 according to the embodiment. Each functional unit illustrated in FIG. 3 is realized by the CPU 202 included in the printing apparatus 100 executing a control program loaded in the RAM 203 from the ROM 204 or the HDD 214.

  The operation control unit 300 controls the operation panel 211. An operation menu is displayed on the operation panel 211 to wait for an instruction input from the user, an instruction content received on the operation panel 211 is notified to other functional units, and an instruction result is displayed on the operation panel 211. The storage unit 301 stores designated data in the RAM 203 or the HDD 214 or reads out data stored in the RAM 203 or the HDD 214 according to instructions from other function units. As an example of data managed by the storage unit 301, there is an address book 316 in which destination information used when the printing apparatus 100 transmits data is stored.

  The mode switching unit 302 performs a communication mode switching process of the printing apparatus 100. The communication mode includes a mode in which communication is performed using a wired LAN (wired mode) and a mode in which communication is performed using a wireless LAN (wireless communication mode). The wireless communication mode further includes a first wireless communication mode and a second wireless communication mode. The first wireless communication mode is a mode in which wireless communication is performed via the access point 103 when the printing apparatus 100 wirelessly communicates with the server 120 or the mobile terminal 110. The second wireless communication mode is a mode in which the printing apparatus 100 and the mobile terminal 110 perform direct wireless communication using Wi-Fi Direct, for example. In the second wireless communication mode, when the printing apparatus 100 communicates with the mobile terminal 110, either the printing apparatus 100 or the mobile terminal 110 is wirelessly connected as an access point and the other is a client, and performs direct communication.

  The communication control unit 303 performs communication control when the printing apparatus 100 communicates with an external apparatus such as the mobile terminal 110. Specifically, the transmission data from the application unit 310 is sent to the wireless communication unit 307 or the wired communication unit 309 and sent over the network. Also, the received data received via the wireless communication unit 307 or the wired communication unit 309 is passed to the application unit 310.

  The wireless communication mode control unit 304 controls the wireless communication mode. The wireless communication mode control unit 304 further includes a first wireless communication mode control unit 305 and a second wireless communication mode control unit 306. The first wireless communication mode control unit 305 performs communication control when the printing apparatus 100 operates in the first wireless communication mode. The second wireless communication mode control unit 306 performs communication control when the printing apparatus 100 operates in the second wireless communication mode (Wi-Fi direct). The wireless communication unit 307 controls the wireless LAN I / F 212 (FIG. 2), and the application unit 310 communicates with an external device such as the mobile terminal 110 when the printing apparatus 100 is operating in the wireless communication mode. Send and receive data.

  A wired communication mode control unit 308 performs communication control in the wired mode. A wired communication unit 309 controls the wired LAN I / F 213, and transmits and receives data when the application unit 310 communicates with an external device when the printing apparatus 100 is operating in the wired mode.

  The application unit 310 has various services such as a print service 311 and a SEND service 312. The print service 311 receives print data received from the wireless communication unit 307 or the wired communication unit 309 via the communication control unit 303 and outputs the print data to the printer 207 via the printer I / F 206. The SEND service 312 passes the scan data received from the scanner 209 via the scanner I / F 208 to the communication control unit 303 and transmits it by the wireless communication unit 307 or the wired communication unit 309. The SEND destination setting unit 313 controls destination setting when scan data is transmitted by the SEND service 312. The mail service 312 includes an SMTP control unit that transmits mail and a POP control unit that receives mail. The SMTP control unit transmits the mail data to be transmitted from the wireless communication unit 307 or the wired communication unit 309 to the SMTP server via the communication control unit 303. The POP control unit transmits mail reception request data from the wireless communication unit 307 or the wired communication unit 309 to the POP server via the communication control unit 303. The SMB protocol control unit 315 performs protocol control when using the SMB protocol as a transmission protocol when transmitting scan data with the SEND service 312.

  Here, in order to simultaneously operate any two or more of the wired communication mode, the first wireless communication mode, and the second wireless communication mode, the application unit 310 and the communication control unit 303 have a plurality of modes. It is necessary to support simultaneous operation. However, in some printing apparatuses, the installed application unit 310 and communication control unit 303 do not support simultaneous operation in a plurality of modes. In such a printing apparatus, the wired communication mode, the first wireless communication mode, and the second wireless communication mode are exclusive, and only one of the communication modes can operate. In this case, the user can select in which communication mode the printing apparatus is operated via the operation panel 211.

  FIG. 4 is a top view of the operation panel 211 of the printing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment.

  The printing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment has a scanning function by the scanner 209, a facsimile transmission / reception function, a copying function by the printer 207 and the scanner 209, and the like. In addition, the wireless LAN I / F 212 and the wired LAN I / F 213 have a function of performing printing (printing) in response to an instruction from an external device such as the terminal device 110.

  Next, the operation panel 211 will be described.

  The operation panel 211 includes a copy function button 401, a FAX function button 402, and a SEND function button 403, which are keys for selecting the functions described above, and the user presses the button of the function that the user wants to use. Further, the display unit 404 for notifying the user of the setting state and the device state of the printing apparatus 100 is provided. An arrow key 405 is used for moving a cursor or the like displayed on the display unit 404. The arrow key 405 includes buttons in four directions, up, down, left, and right. An OK key 406 is arranged at the center of the arrow key, and has a function of a “decision key” for setting and inquiry. For example, to change the copy setting (paper size), press the copy function button 401 to enter the copy function screen, select the item (paper size etc.) you want to change with the arrow keys 405 and press the OK key 406. Transit to selectable setting screen. Then, the user can confirm the setting by operating the arrow key 405 on the setting screen to move the cursor to a desired setting position and pressing the OK key 406. The user uses the numeric keypad 407 to input numerical values such as the number of copies.

  There are a monochrome start key 408 and a color start key 409 as keys for instructing the start of copying and scanning. In the present embodiment, the color start key 409 is illustrated assuming a color copy function. On the other hand, in a printing apparatus having only a monochrome reading function or a monochrome printing function, the start key may be the monochrome start key 408 alone. Further, a printing apparatus having a function capable of discriminating between a color original and a monochrome original when the original is read is not limited to the start key shown in the drawing. The stop key 410 is a key for giving an instruction to stop the operation of each function. On the other hand, as a means for stopping the operation, the user operates the status confirmation / cancel key 411 to display a status confirmation screen for processing performed by the printing apparatus 100, and selects the canceled processing on the status confirmation screen. The processing can be stopped. Also in this case, the aforementioned arrow key 405 and OK key 406 are used for selection / determination. The address book button 412 is a button for instructing display of an address book for designating a transmission destination when executing a function such as FAX or scanning. By pressing this button, the address book is displayed on the display unit 404. . When the desired address is designated using the displayed address book, the aforementioned arrow key 405 and OK key 406 are used.

[Embodiment 1]
Next, Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described.

  In the first embodiment, when the Wi-Fi direct connection is not used (general wireless communication using a wired LAN or an access point), the user can select a desired destination from the address book.

  On the other hand, during Wi-Fi direct connection, the IP address of the connection partner (for example, a mobile terminal) is automatically set as the destination of the SEND function when the SEND screen is displayed. At this time, the destination cannot be selected from the address book (for example, the address book is grayed out).

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a screen example displayed on the display unit 404 of the operation panel 211 of the printing apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment.

  This screen is displayed when the SEND function button 403 on the operation panel 211 shown in FIG. 4 is pressed. In FIG. 5, reference numeral 501 denotes an area for inputting a destination as a transmission destination, and 502 denotes a button for instructing display of an address book. When this button 502 is pressed, a list of address books stored in the address book 316 of the storage unit 301 is displayed on the display unit 404.

  A “scan and send” button 503 is a button for instructing to read and send a document in accordance with the reading setting displayed on the screen 504. The reading setting indicates a reading condition by the scanner 209 set by the user via a menu screen (not shown) of the SEND function. Thus, the scanned image data obtained by reading the document is transmitted to the designated destination.

  FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining processing of the SEND function by the printing apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment. This process is realized by the CPU 202 executing a program expanded from the HDD 214 or the ROM 204 to the RAM 203 at the time of execution.

  The process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6 is started when the user presses the SEND function button 403 on the screen of FIG. 4 to display the screen of FIG.

  First, in step S <b> 601, the CPU 202 determines whether communication is being performed with the mobile terminal 110 in the second wireless communication mode, that is, the Wi-Fi direct mode. If it is determined that communication is not being performed in the second wireless communication mode, the process advances to step S602, and the CPU 202 determines whether the address book button 502 has been pressed on the screen of FIG. If it is determined in step S602 that the address book button 502 has been pressed, the process advances to step S603, and the CPU 202 reads the address book 316 in the storage unit 301 and displays a list of addresses on the display unit 404. When the user operates the operation unit 211 to select a desired address in S604, the process proceeds to S606, and the CPU 202 sets the selected address as a destination, and proceeds to S609. On the other hand, when the user directly inputs a destination without instructing the address book button 502 in S602, the process proceeds to S605, receives the destination input by the user, and proceeds to S606.

  On the other hand, if the CPU 202 determines in S601 that communication is being performed with the mobile terminal 110 in the second wireless communication mode, the process proceeds to S607, and the IP address of the mobile terminal 110 of the communication partner is set to the destination 501 of the screen in FIG. Set, and proceed to S608. In the second wireless communication mode, that is, the Wi-Fi direct mode, the communication partner of the printing apparatus 100 is specified as the portable terminal 110. That is, it is considered that the user is trying to transmit image data to the mobile terminal 110 using the SEND function. Therefore, in this embodiment, by automatically setting the IP address of the mobile terminal 110 to the destination 501 in S607, it is possible to save the user from setting (inputting) the destination.

  In step S <b> 608, the CPU 202 displays the address book button 502 in gray on the screen of FIG. 5 (suppresses display) so that a destination cannot be selected from the address book. At this time, the address book button 412 of the operation unit 211 is also invalidated so that an operation to the address book button 412 is not accepted. This is because during Wi-Fi Direct communication, it is considered that the user is trying to send a scanned image to the mobile terminal 110 of the communication partner, so the address book is disabled and the user makes an incorrect destination from the address book. This is to prevent setting.

  Further, as described above, in the present embodiment, the wired communication mode, the first wireless communication mode, and the second wireless communication mode are exclusive. That is, the printing apparatus 100 can execute only one communication mode, and cannot execute a plurality of communication modes at the same time. In the second wireless communication mode, that is, the Wi-Fi direct mode, even if a destination is selected from the address book, image data cannot be transmitted to the destination. Therefore, in this embodiment, by disabling the address book in S608, the user can be prevented from setting a useless destination.

  When the destination is set in this way, the process proceeds to S609, and the CPU 202 determines whether or not the “scan and send” button 503 is pressed, and if it is determined that the button 503 is pressed, the process proceeds to S610. In step S610, the CPU 202 controls the scanner 209 to read a document, and transmits image data of the document obtained by the reading to the destination set in step S606 or S607.

  Note that either of the processes of S607 and S608 may be executed first.

  As described above, according to the first embodiment, when the SEND function is instructed during communication in the Wi-Fi direct mode, the IP address of the communication terminal of the connection partner is automatically set as the destination of the SEND function. Further, at this time, by making it impossible to set the destination using the address book, there is an effect that it is possible to prevent the user from setting an incorrect destination from the address book.

[Embodiment 2]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the second embodiment, when Wi-Fi Direct is used and a plurality of mobile terminals are connected by Wi-Fi Direct, the user is made to select a desired mobile terminal on the SEND screen. Then, a destination corresponding to the selected portable terminal is automatically set. Others are the same as in the first embodiment. Note that the configuration and the like of the printing apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment are the same as those of the above-described first embodiment, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining processing of the SEND function by the printing apparatus 100 according to the second embodiment. This process is realized by the CPU 202 executing a program expanded from the HDD 214 or the ROM 204 to the RAM 203 at the time of execution.

  The process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7 is started when the user presses the SEND function button 403 on the screen of FIG. 4 to display the screen of FIG.

  First, in step S <b> 701, the CPU 202 determines whether communication is being performed with the mobile terminal 110 in the second wireless communication mode, that is, the Wi-Fi direct mode. If it is determined that communication is not being performed in the second wireless communication mode, the process proceeds to S710. In step S710, the CPU 202 executes the processing shown in steps S602 to S606 in FIG. 6 and proceeds to step S706. Description of this process is omitted.

  On the other hand, if the CPU 202 determines in S701 that communication is being performed in the second wireless communication mode, the process advances to S702, and the address book button 502 is displayed in gray on the screen of FIG. 5 so that a destination cannot be selected from the address book. The address book button 412 of the operation unit 211 is also invalidated. Next, the processing proceeds to S703, and the CPU 202 determines whether there are a plurality of portable terminals that are communicating in the second wireless communication mode. If it is determined in step S703 that communication is being performed with a plurality of portable terminals, the process advances to step S704 to display a list of identification information such as user names of the plurality of portable terminals on the display unit 404. In step S705, when the identification information selected by the user in the list is acquired, the process advances to step S706 to set the IP address of the selected mobile terminal as a destination. On the other hand, when not communicating with a plurality of portable terminals in S703, the IP address of the communicating portable terminal is set as the destination in S706 as in the first embodiment.

  Thus, the process advances from step S706 to step S707, and the CPU 202 determines whether or not the “scan and send” button 503 is pressed. If it is determined that the button 503 is pressed, the process advances to step S708. In step S708, the CPU 202 controls the scanner 209 to read the document, and transmits the image data of the document obtained by the reading to the destination set in step S706.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, when the SEND function is instructed at the time of Wi-Fi direct connection, the user sets an incorrect destination from the address book by preventing the destination from being selected from the address book. There is an effect that can be prevented. In addition, when there are a plurality of mobile terminals that are communicating in the second wireless communication mode, a mobile terminal desired by the user can be selected as a transmission destination.

(Other embodiments)
In the above-described embodiment, Wi-Fi direct is described as an example of the second wireless communication mode, but the present invention is not limited to Wi-Fi direct. If a certain device and another device can directly perform wireless communication, the other wireless communication can be applied as the second wireless communication mode.

  In the above-described embodiment, the example in which the IP address is used as the destination of the image data has been described. However, other information may be used as the destination.

  The present invention can also be realized by executing the following processing. That is, software (program) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus via a network or various storage media, and a computer (or CPU, MPU, etc.) of the system or apparatus reads the program. It is a process to be executed.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Printing apparatus 110 ... Portable terminal 202 ... CPU 211 ... Operation panel 301 ... Memory | storage part 304 ... Wireless communication mode control part 310 ... Application part

Claims (8)

A printing apparatus having a transmission function for transmitting image data obtained by reading a document ,
A wireless communication unit having a direct wireless communication function in which an external device and the printing device directly perform wireless communication without using an external access point;
Display means for displaying a setting screen for the transmission function in which a user can set at least a destination of the image data ;
Determining means for determining whether or not the printing apparatus is operating in a direct wireless communication mode for executing the direct wireless communication function ;
Control means for prohibiting a user from setting an address using an address book on the setting screen when the determination means determines that the printing apparatus is operating in the direct wireless communication mode;
A printing apparatus comprising: The setting screen includes an address book button for displaying the address book,
2. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the determination unit determines that the printing apparatus is operating in the direct wireless communication mode, the control unit invalidates the address book button. . The printing apparatus has a plurality of communication modes including the direct wireless communication mode,
The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the printing apparatus is operating in the direct wireless communication mode, the printing apparatus does not perform an operation in another communication mode. The printing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of communication modes include at least a wired communication mode. The printing apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the plurality of communication modes include at least a mode in which the printing apparatus communicates with an external apparatus via an external access point. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the direct wireless communication function is a function of executing wireless communication based on Wi-Fi direct. A control method for controlling a printing apparatus having a transmission function for transmitting image data obtained by reading a document and a direct wireless communication function for performing direct wireless communication without using an external device and an external access point. ,
A display step of displaying a setting screen of the transmission function in which a user can set at least a destination of the image data ;
A determination step of determining whether or not the printing apparatus is operating in a direct wireless communication mode for executing the direct wireless communication function;
A control step for prohibiting a user from setting an address using an address book on the setting screen when the determination step determines that the printing apparatus is operating in the direct wireless communication mode;
A control method for a printing apparatus, comprising: The program for making a computer perform each process of the control method of Claim 7.

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