Electronic device and control method for electronic device

Abstract

Image forming machines that do not support IPP cannot perform IPP. [Solution] An electronic device that is capable of relaying information between a terminal device and an image forming apparatus and includes a control unit, wherein the control unit obtains specification information from the image forming apparatus in response to a specification request command, and if it determines based on the obtained specification information that the image forming apparatus is not compatible with a predetermined communication protocol, it receives image data in a predetermined format along with a print request using a predetermined communication protocol that is independent of the model of the image forming apparatus from the terminal device, converts the image data to match the command system of the image forming apparatus, and transmits it to the image forming apparatus.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic device and a control method for an electronic device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as shown in Patent Document 1, an image forming apparatus having communication means for communicating by an Internet protocol as IPP (Internet Printing Protocol) is known.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, an image forming apparatus that does not support IPP cannot support printing or the like by IPP.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] An electronic device capable of relaying information between a terminal device and an image forming apparatus and including a control unit, wherein the control unit acquires specification information from the image forming apparatus by a specification request command, and based on the acquired specification information, when it is determined that the image forming apparatus does not support a predetermined communication protocol, when receiving predetermined format image data together with a printing request by the predetermined communication protocol independent of the model of the image forming apparatus from the terminal device, converts the image data into the image data conforming to the command system of the image forming apparatus and transmits the image data to the image forming apparatus.

[0006] An electronic device that is capable of relaying information between a terminal device and an image forming apparatus, and includes a control unit, wherein the control unit obtains specification information from the image forming apparatus in response to a specification request command, and if it determines, based on the obtained specification information, that the image forming apparatus is not compatible with a predetermined communication protocol, when it receives an image acquisition request from the terminal device using the predetermined communication protocol which is independent of the model of the image forming apparatus, it converts it into an image acquisition command that matches the command system of the image forming apparatus and transmits it to the image forming apparatus.

[0007] A control method for electronic equipment capable of relaying information between a terminal device and an image forming apparatus, wherein, upon receiving a specification request command, specification information is obtained from the image forming apparatus, and if, based on the obtained specification information, it is determined that the image forming apparatus is not compatible with a predetermined communication protocol, the terminal device receives a print request using the predetermined communication protocol, which is independent of the model of the image forming apparatus, along with image data in a predetermined format, converts the image data to match the command system of the image forming apparatus, and transmits it to the image forming apparatus. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] A schematic diagram showing the configuration of an image forming system including electronic equipment. [Figure 2] A flowchart illustrating the processing of electronic devices. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] 1. Configuration of the image forming system As shown in Figure 1, the image forming system 1 is comprised of a terminal device 10, an electronic device 20, and an image forming apparatus 30. The terminal device 10 and the electronic device 20 can communicate with each other via a WAN (Wide Area Network) 40, such as the Internet. The WAN 40 may also be a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network). The terminal device 10 and the electronic device 20 are each assigned a unique IP address (Internet Protocol Address). These devices can communicate with a communication destination by specifying the IP address assigned to that destination. The electronic device 20 and the image forming apparatus 30 can communicate with each other, for example, via USB (Universal Serial Bus).

[0010] The electronic device 20 can be, for example, a concentrator equipped with the function of communicating with multiple devices. The concentrator may also be simply called a hub. Alternatively, the electronic device 20 may be a device equipped with communication functions such as a smartphone, tablet terminal, or PC (personal computer), or it may be any other electronic device. The electronic device 20 is not limited to a portable device but may also be a stationary device. The electronic device 20 is composed of a second control unit 21, a second communication unit 22, and a second storage unit 23. The second control unit 21 comprehensively controls each part of the electronic device 20. The second control unit 21 is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter) for managing input / output, and logic circuits such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) and a PLD (Programmable Logic Device). The second control unit 21 is also called the processor. The CPU of the second control unit 21 is sometimes specifically called the processor. Hereafter, the second control unit 21 will also be simply referred to as the control unit.

[0011] The second storage unit 23 is composed of memory such as flash ROM (Read Only Memory) and HDD (Hard Disk Drive), which are rewritable non-volatile memories, and RAM (Random Access Memory), which are volatile memories. The non-volatile memory of the second storage unit 23 may also include an SSD (Solid State Drive). The CPU of the second control unit 21 reads the program stored in the non-volatile memory of the second storage unit 23 and executes it using the RAM of the second storage unit 23 as a working area.

[0012] The second communication unit 22 is configured to include a circuit capable of communication by wireless or wired means. The second communication unit 22 has an antenna in the case of wireless communication and a connector in the case of wired communication. The second communication unit 22 can communicate with the terminal device 10 via the first communication method, the Internet. Furthermore, the second communication unit 22 can communicate with multiple image forming apparatuses 30 via the second communication method, USB. Although the electronic device 20 transmits and receives data with the communication partner via the second communication unit 22, for the sake of brevity, the transmission and reception by the second communication unit 22 will be omitted in the following explanation. The same applies to the first communication unit 12 of the terminal device 10 and the third communication unit 32 of the image forming apparatus 30, which will be described later.

[0013] The image forming apparatus 30 is comprised of a third control unit 31, a third communication unit 32, and a third storage unit 33. Since these components of the image forming apparatus 30 are substantially the same as those of the electronic device 20 described above, a detailed explanation is omitted. The third communication unit 32 can communicate with the electronic device 20 via USB. In the image forming system 1, multiple image forming apparatuses 30 may be connected to the electronic device 20.

[0014] The image forming apparatus 30 includes a printing unit 34. The printing unit 34 is composed of a printing mechanism including a head and transport rollers (neither of which are shown in the illustration). The medium printed by the printing unit 34 may include, for example, plain paper, synthetic paper, photographic paper, or film. The print head is, for example, an inkjet type, which prints by ejecting multiple colors of ink such as CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black). However, the print head may also be a thermal type or an electrophotographic type.

[0015] Furthermore, the image forming apparatus 30 includes an image acquisition unit 35. The image acquisition unit 35 has a scanner (not shown) and can acquire an image of a document as a medium. The image forming apparatus 30 can perform media processing such as printing, scanning, copying, and FAX through the printing unit 34, the image acquisition unit 35, etc. Such an image forming apparatus 30 is also referred to as a multifunction peripheral.

[0016] The terminal device 10 is, for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a computer, etc. The terminal device 10 includes a first control unit 11, a first communication unit 12, and a first storage unit 13. Since these configurations of the terminal device 10 are substantially the same as those of the aforementioned electronic device 20, the description thereof is omitted. Note that the first communication unit 12 can communicate with the electronic device 20 via the WAN 40.

[0017] Furthermore, the terminal device 10 includes an input / output unit 14. The input / output unit 14 is a user interface for the user. The input / output unit 14 is, for example, a touch panel display. The input / output unit 14 includes a display panel that is an output unit for displaying various information and a detection panel that is an input unit. The detection panel is configured to be overlaid on the display panel. The detection panel can detect operations such as a user's finger by methods such as the capacitance method, the resistive film method, the optical method, etc. Note that in the input / output unit 14, the input unit may be a keyboard, a mouse, buttons, etc., and the output unit may be a stand-alone liquid crystal display, etc.

[0018] 2. Regarding IPP Here, for the sake of convenience of explanation, although different from FIG. 1, it is assumed that the terminal device 10 and the image forming apparatus 30 communicate with each other in accordance with IPP (Internet Printing Protocol), which is a predetermined communication protocol, without going through the electronic device 20. As an example, the processing when both parties transmit and receive image data will be described. The image data is assumed to be configured in a predetermined format such as PWG-Raster, Jpeg, PDF, etc. In the following description, actually, the first control unit 11 of the terminal device 10 and the third control unit 31 of the image forming apparatus 30 execute their respective processes. For the sake of brevity, in the following, the description will be made by omitting the execution of the processes by each control unit.

[0019] Before explaining IPP, the so-called vendor driver will be explained. In the following, the vendor driver will be simply referred to as the driver. The manufacturer or seller that provides the image forming apparatus 30 prepares a driver for each model of the image forming apparatus 30 and provides it to the user of the image forming apparatus 30. The user can install the driver in the first storage unit 13 of the terminal device 10 and issue a print instruction or the like from the terminal device 10 to the image forming apparatus 30.

[0020] The image forming apparatus 30 has a unique command system in the third storage unit 33. Each of the various commands included in this command system is optimized for each model in accordance with the specifications of the printing unit 34, the image acquisition unit 35, etc. that the image forming apparatus 30 has. Therefore, the drivers also differ for each model. Note that the driver also includes functions for image processing such as color conversion and halftone processing for the image data acquired from the application. The driver of the terminal device 10 generates and transmits a command in accordance with the command system of the image forming apparatus 30 based on an instruction from the application or an input by the user to the input / output unit 14. The image forming apparatus 30 reads out the firmware stored in the third storage unit 33, controls the printing unit 34, the image acquisition unit 35, etc. in response to the received command, and executes printing, image acquisition, etc.

[0021] On the other hand, OS (Operating System) providers may include functions such as printing and image acquisition in their OS offerings. These functions included in the OS are not dependent on the model of the image forming apparatus 30, but are implemented using IPP as a standard common to various image forming apparatuses 30. The OS is installed on the terminal device 10. The OS of the terminal device 10 can send and receive information using IPP, which is common to all models of the image forming apparatus 30. IPP is a communication protocol that allows control of an image forming apparatus 30 from a terminal device 10 via the internet. IPP is an extension of HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) and also supports access control, authentication, and encryption. Furthermore, the terminal device 10 and the image forming apparatus 30 are connected via USB, and may be configured to support the "IPP over USB" standard, which is compatible with IPP, as described later.

[0022] The terminal device 10 acts as a web client making HTTP requests, and the image forming apparatus 30 acts as a web server making HTTP responses. The terminal device 10 and the image forming apparatus 30 can send and receive web data. In particular, when both sides support IPP, the terminal device 10 is also referred to as the IPP client that makes an IPP request, and the image forming apparatus 30 is also referred to as the IPP server that makes an IPP response to the IPP request. The IPP request is a request using IPP, a predetermined communication protocol that is independent of the model of the image forming apparatus 30, and the IPP response is a response using IPP, a predetermined communication protocol that is independent of the model of the image forming apparatus 30.

[0023] If the image forming apparatus 30 supports IPP, it stores a program called an IPP object in the third storage unit 33. The image forming apparatus 30 reads the IPP object from the third storage unit 33 and executes it. The IPP object also includes image processing functions for image data, such as color conversion and halftone processing.

[0024] The image forming apparatus 30 can receive an IPP request from the terminal device 10, execute an IPP object, and send the result to the terminal device 10 as an IPP response. In this case, the terminal device 10 does not need to use the various commands included in the unique command system of the image forming apparatus 30. That is, the terminal device 10 does not need to use different commands for each model of the image forming apparatus 30, and only needs to send an IPP request in accordance with the IPP standard. Therefore, the terminal device 10 does not need to use a driver.

[0025] However, there are cases where the image forming apparatus 30 does not store IPP objects and is not IPP compatible. In this case, even if the terminal device 10 makes an IPP request, the image forming apparatus 30 cannot respond and perform printing or other operations. Furthermore, there are cases where the terminal device 10 attempts to use both an IPP-compatible image forming apparatus 30 and an IPP-incompatible image forming apparatus 30. For this reason, the electronic device 20 plays a relay role, handling each case as described below.

[0026] 3. Regarding relaying using electronic devices As shown in Figure 1, the electronic device 20 also functions as a relay device that can act as an intermediary between the terminal device 10 and the image forming apparatus 30, relaying the information being transmitted and received. Specifically, the electronic device 20 transmits the information received from the terminal device 10 to the image forming apparatus 30. Conversely, the electronic device 20 transmits the information received from the image forming apparatus 30 to the terminal device 10. The electronic device 20 is compatible with both IPP-compatible and non-IPP-compatible image forming apparatuses 30. In the following explanation, it is actually the second control unit 21 of the electronic device 20 that performs each process. However, for the sake of brevity, the fact that the second control unit 21 performs the processes will be omitted in the following explanation. The same applies to the control units of other devices.

[0027] 3-1. When the image forming apparatus 30 is IPP compatible First, let's explain the case where the image forming apparatus 30 is IPP-compatible as described above. In this case, the electronic device 20 relays the information transmitted and received between the terminal device 10 and the IPP-compatible image forming apparatus 30 without performing any conversion or other actions. Hereafter, "relaying without conversion or other actions" and "relaying without conversion" will also be referred to as "passing through". In other words, the electronic device 20 transmits the information received from the terminal device 10 to the image forming apparatus 30 without performing any conversion or other processing. In this case, the electronic device 20 and the image forming apparatus 30 are connected via USB, and the connection is compatible with a standard called "IPP over USB." "IPP over USB" is a standard that enables communication in accordance with IPP via USB. Communication between the electronic device 20 and the image forming apparatus 30 can be conducted via USB using IPP. The electronic device 20 will perform any necessary changes to the USB communication format for the image forming apparatus 30. As an example, the process of sending and receiving image data in the predetermined format described above via the electronic device 20 will be explained below.

[0028] In terminal device 10, the OS obtains image data in the predetermined format described above from the application. The OS transmits the image data in the predetermined format, along with an IPP request requesting printing, to the image forming apparatus 30 via electronic device 20. Electronic device 20 relays this IPP request, the image data in the predetermined format, etc., without conversion. In this case, the image forming apparatus 30 will receive image data in a predetermined format directly along with the IPP request, rather than receiving a command that includes image data generated by the driver.

[0029] The IPP object has the function of interpreting the received IPP request and converting it into a command in the command system of the image forming apparatus 30. This function is stored in the third storage unit 33 as part of the program that constitutes the IPP object, and can be read and executed by the image forming apparatus 30. The image forming apparatus 30, by having the conversion function included in such an IPP object, can respond to IPP and convert information internally. The IPP object also includes the aforementioned image processing function.

[0030] The image forming apparatus 30 executes an IPP object and converts the received IPP request and image data in a predetermined format into a print command that includes image data in accordance with its own command system. Next, the image forming apparatus 30 executes the firmware described above and controls the printing unit 34 in response to the converted print command, enabling it to print the image data included in the print command. The image forming apparatus 30 transmits the print result, which is the processing result, as an IPP response to the terminal device 10 via the electronic device 20. The electronic device 20 relays the print result without conversion. The terminal device 10 can receive the print result as an IPP response. The print result is, for example, information indicating whether the printing was successful or unsuccessful.

[0031] As another example, in the terminal device 10, the OS can send an IPP request to the image forming apparatus 30 via the electronic device 20, based on a user's instruction to scan the input / output unit 14, requesting image acquisition. This IPP request can also specify the format of the image data to be acquired. The electronic device 20 relays the IPP request without conversion.

[0032] The image forming apparatus 30 executes an IPP object in response to a received IPP request. Specifically, the image forming apparatus 30 interprets the received IPP request using the IPP object and internally converts it into an image acquisition command that conforms to its own command system. The image forming apparatus 30 controls the image acquisition unit 35 in response to the converted image acquisition command using the aforementioned firmware, and can then acquire image data.

[0033] Next, the image forming apparatus 30 uses its firmware to generate image data in a format that matches its own command system. The image forming apparatus 30 executes an IPP object and converts the image data generated by the firmware into the format specified in the IPP request, creating an IPP response. The image forming apparatus 30 transmits this IPP response to the terminal device 10 via the electronic device 20. The electronic device 20 relays the IPP response without conversion. That is, the electronic device 20 transmits the information received from the image forming apparatus 30 to the terminal device 10 without conversion or other processing. The terminal device 10 can receive the image data in the specified format as an IPP response.

[0034] The image forming apparatus 30 can respond to IPP requests from the terminal device 10 via the electronic device 20 using the aforementioned IPP objects. Specifically, the image forming apparatus 30 has a conversion function included in the IPP objects, enabling it to respond to IPP requests related to printing and image acquisition from the terminal device 10 via the electronic device 20.

[0035] 3-2. When the image forming apparatus 30 is not compatible with IPP Next, we will explain the case where the image forming apparatus 30 does not support IPP. In this case, the image forming apparatus 30 does not support IPP and instead uses its own command system via firmware. The electronic device 20 is IPP-compatible and performs conversion of transmitted and received information between the terminal device 10 and the IPP-incompatible image forming apparatus 30, similar to the IPP-compatible image forming apparatus 30 described above.

[0036] The electronic device 20 stores IPP objects in the second storage unit 23, similar to the IPP-compatible image forming apparatus 30 described above, and reads and executes them. In this case, the electronic device 20 operates as the IPP server described above. In the following, we will explain the electronic equipment 20, focusing on the differences from the IPP-compatible image forming apparatus 30 mentioned above, and will omit some of the same information.

[0037] In terminal device 10, the OS sends image data in a predetermined format to electronic device 20 along with an IPP request requesting printing. The electronic device 20 executes an IPP object on the received IPP request and image data in a predetermined format. Specifically, the electronic device 20 interprets the received IPP request using the IPP object and converts the image data in the predetermined format into a print command that includes image data in accordance with the command system of the image forming apparatus 30.

[0038] The electronic device 20 transmits the converted print command, which is received by the image forming apparatus 30. The image forming apparatus 30, using the aforementioned firmware, controls the printing unit 34 in response to the print command and can execute the printing of the image data. The electronic device 20 receives a print result as a processing result from the image forming apparatus 30 in response to a processing result request command, which is a command that matches the command system of the image forming apparatus 30. The electronic device 20 converts this print result as an IPP response and transmits it to the terminal device 10.

[0039] As another example, in terminal device 10, the OS sends an IPP request to electronic device 20 requesting image acquisition. This IPP request can also specify the format of the image data to be requested. The electronic device 20 executes an IPP object in response to the received IPP request. Specifically, the electronic device 20 interprets the received IPP request using the IPP object and converts it into an image acquisition command related to image acquisition.

[0040] The electronic device 20 transmits a converted image acquisition command, which is received by the image forming apparatus 30. The image forming apparatus 30 executes its firmware, controls the image acquisition unit 35 in response to the image acquisition command, and acquires image data. The image forming apparatus 30 then generates image data in a format that matches its own command system and transmits it to the electronic device 20. The electronic device 20 receives the image data generated by the image forming apparatus 30, converts it to the format specified in the IPP request using an IPP object, and transmits it to the terminal device 10 as an IPP response. The terminal device 10 can receive the image data in the specified format.

[0041] The electronic device 20 can respond to IPP requests from the terminal device 10 using the IPP object described above. Specifically, the electronic device 20 can respond to IPP requests related to printing and image acquisition from the terminal device 10 by having a conversion function included in the IPP object. Furthermore, the electronic device 20 can convert IPP requests from the terminal device 10 into commands that match the command system of the IPP-incompatible image forming apparatus 30, and then perform printing and image acquisition.

[0042] 4. Control methods for electronic devices The control method for the electronic device 20 will be explained with reference to Figure 2. Communication between the electronic device 20 and the terminal device 10 is performed using IPP. Furthermore, the electronic device 20 transmits and receives information by passing it through or converting it, depending on whether the image forming apparatus 30 is IPP-compatible or not. In the following explanation, the same content as described above in "Relay by Electronic Devices" will be omitted.

[0043] The electronic device 20 starts processing and acquires specification information from the image forming apparatus 30 (S101). The image forming apparatus 30 stores specification information, which is information about the specifications of the image forming apparatus 30, in the third storage unit 33. The specification information includes, for example, the specifications of the printing unit 34 and the image acquisition unit 35, the command system it has, and whether or not it is IPP compatible.

[0044] The electronic device 20 sends a specification request command, which is a command requesting specification information, to the image forming apparatus 30. The image forming apparatus 30 reads the specification information from the third storage unit 33 in response to the specification request command and sends it to the electronic device 20. The specification request command is assumed to be a common command that does not depend on the command system of each model of the image forming apparatus 30. Furthermore, the electronic device 20 can also transmit the acquired specification information of the image forming apparatus 30 as an IPP response to an IPP request from the terminal device 10.

[0045] The electronic device 20 determines whether it is incompatible with IPP based on the specification information obtained from the image forming apparatus 30 (S102). If the acquired specification information indicates that the image forming apparatus 30 is not IPP compatible, the electronic device 20 determines that the image forming apparatus 30 is not IPP compatible (S102: YES). Thereafter, the electronic device 20 executes the IPP object and processes the IPP related to printing and image acquisition on behalf of the image forming apparatus 30.

[0046] For example, the electronic device 20 receives image data in a predetermined format from the terminal device 10 along with an IPP request requesting printing (S103). The IPP request requesting printing is a print request using IPP, which is a predetermined communication protocol independent of the model of the image forming apparatus 30. The electronic device 20 executes an IPP object on the received IPP request and image data in a predetermined format, and converts it into a print command that includes image data in accordance with the command system of the image forming apparatus 30 (S104).

[0047] The electronic device 20 transmits the converted print command to the image forming apparatus 30 (S105). The image forming apparatus 30 controls the printing unit 34 in response to the converted print command using its firmware, and can then print the image data included in the print command. The electronic device 20 can send a processing result request command to the image forming apparatus 30, which is a command that conforms to the command system of the image forming apparatus 30 and requests a print result as the processing result, receive the print result from the image forming apparatus 30, and send it to the terminal device 10 as an IPP response (S106). The electronic device 20 terminates processing. Thus, even if the image forming apparatus 30 is not IPP compatible, the electronic device 20 can respond to IPP related to printing, etc., for the terminal device 10 by executing an IPP object, and can respond to the IPP-incompatible image forming apparatus 30 with commands that match the command system.

[0048] Furthermore, when the electronic device 20 acquires specification information from the image forming apparatus 30, it can also acquire detailed information related to the printing unit 34 and the image acquisition unit 35, including paper information such as paper width, margins, and length, as well as the resolution of the print head and the resolution of the scanner. The electronic device 20 can convert the acquired specification information into commands that are more appropriately matched to the command system of the image forming apparatus 30, based on the detailed information contained therein. For example, the electronic device 20 can convert image data into print commands that perform actions such as enlargement, reduction, and layout. Furthermore, the electronic device 20 can also respond with detailed information included in the acquired specification information based on an IPP request from the terminal device 10 regarding the specification information. The terminal device 10 can then make detailed IPP requests related to printing or image acquisition based on the detailed information included in the received specification information.

[0049] On the other hand, if the electronic device 20 determines that the image forming apparatus 30 is not incompatible with IPP (S102: NO), it passes through the information to be transmitted and received (S107). In other words, if the electronic device 20 determines that the image forming apparatus 30 is compatible with IPP, it passes through the IPP request, etc., without converting it. The electronic device 20 does not convert the image data in a predetermined format along with the IPP request that requests printing. In this case, the image forming apparatus 30 can execute IPP objects and respond to IPP requests related to printing and image acquisition received from the terminal device 10 via the electronic device 20.

[0050] An example of image acquisition will be explained separately. Note that, as described above, the electronic device 20 obtains specification information from the image forming apparatus 30 (S101) and is determined to be incompatible with IPP (S102: YES). The electronic device 20 receives an IPP request from the terminal device 10 requesting image acquisition (S103). The IPP request requesting image acquisition is an image acquisition request using IPP, which is a predetermined communication protocol that is independent of the model of the image forming apparatus 30. The electronic device 20 executes an IPP object in response to the received IPP request and converts it into an image acquisition command, which is a command related to image acquisition, in accordance with the command system of the image forming apparatus 30 (S104). The format of the image data can also be specified in the IPP request.

[0051] The electronic device 20 transmits the converted image acquisition command to the image forming apparatus 30 (S105). The image forming apparatus 30 controls the image acquisition unit 35 in response to the image acquisition command using its firmware, and can then acquire image data. The image forming apparatus 30 generates the acquired image data in a format that matches its own command system and transmits it to the electronic device 20.

[0052] The electronic device 20 executes an IPP object, converts the image data received from the image forming apparatus 30 into the format specified in the IPP request, and sends it to the terminal device 10 as an IPP response (S106). The terminal device 10 can receive the image data in the specified format. The electronic device 20 terminates processing. Thus, even if the image forming apparatus 30 is not IPP compatible, the electronic device 20 can respond to IPP related to image acquisition, etc., with the terminal device 10 by executing an IPP object, and can respond to the IPP-incompatible image forming apparatus 30 with image acquisition commands that match the command system.

[0053] Furthermore, the electronic device 20 can be connected to multiple image forming apparatuses 30. The electronic device 20 can acquire specification information for each image forming apparatus 30 and determine whether it is IPP compatible or not. The electronic device 20 can provide IPP compatible information to the terminal device 10 and, depending on the determination, can relay the information to each image forming apparatus 30 by converting it or passing it through without conversion, as described above.

[0054] Furthermore, the electronic device 20 obtains status information from the image forming apparatus 30 using a status request command that corresponds to the command system, which is a command request command that requests status information relating to the state of the image forming apparatus 30. The electronic device 20 can transmit the acquired status information to the terminal device 10 using an IPP object. The status information of the image forming apparatus 30 includes, for example, the status of the printing unit 34, such as printing in progress, idle state, and printing completed, and the status of the image acquisition unit 35, such as image acquisition in progress, idle state, and image acquisition completed. The status information also includes information indicating the remaining amount of consumables such as ink and media. Furthermore, the status information includes information related to warnings such as errors that have occurred in the printing unit 34 and the image acquisition unit 35, no consumables, and the cover being open. The terminal device 10 can use IPP to acquire status information of the image forming apparatus 30 from the electronic device 20 and display it using the input / output unit 14, and can make IPP requests based on the status information.

[0055] As described above, the electronic device 20 is capable of relaying information between the terminal device 10 and the image forming apparatus 30, and includes a second control unit 21 which is a control unit. The second control unit 21 obtains specification information from the image forming apparatus 30 based on a specification request command. Based on the obtained specification information, if it determines that the image forming apparatus 30 does not support IPP, a predetermined communication protocol, it receives a print request via IPP, which is independent of the model of the image forming apparatus 30, along with image data in a predetermined format from the terminal device 10. The second control unit 21 then converts the image data to match the command system of the image forming apparatus 30 and transmits it to the image forming apparatus 30. As a result, even if the image forming apparatus 30 does not support IPP, such electronic device 20 can relay information between the terminal device 10 and the image forming apparatus 30, convert the information, and enable IPP-based printing, etc.

[0056] Although embodiments have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments and may be modified, substituted, deleted, etc., as long as it does not depart from the spirit of this invention. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0057] 1…Image forming system, 10…Terminal device, 11…First control unit, 12…First communication unit, 13…First storage unit, 14…Printing unit, 20…Electronic equipment, 21…Second control unit, 22…Second communication unit, 23…Second storage unit, 30…Image forming apparatus, 31…Third control unit, 32…Second communication unit, 33…Third storage unit, 34…Printing unit, 35…Image acquisition unit, 40…WAN.

Claims

1. An electronic device that is capable of relaying information between a terminal device and an image forming apparatus, and includes a control unit, The control unit, The specification request command obtains specification information from the image forming apparatus, If, based on the acquired specification information, it is determined that the image forming apparatus is not compatible with a predetermined communication protocol, An electronic device that, upon receiving a print request via a predetermined communication protocol independent of the model of the image forming apparatus, along with image data in a predetermined format from the terminal device, converts the image data into a format compatible with the command system of the image forming apparatus, and transmits it to the image forming apparatus.

2. The control unit, If, based on the acquired specification information, it is determined that the image forming apparatus is compatible with the predetermined communication protocol, The electronic device according to claim 1, which, upon receiving the image data in a predetermined format along with the print request from the terminal device, transmits it to the image forming apparatus without conversion.

3. The electronic device can be connected to multiple image forming apparatuses, The control unit, Based on the acquired specification information, it is determined whether each of the image forming apparatuses is incompatible with or compatible with the predetermined communication protocol. The electronic device according to claim 2, which, upon receiving the image data in a predetermined format along with the print request from the terminal device, transmits the image data to each of the image forming apparatuses, either converted or not converted, depending on the result of the determination.

4. The control unit, The electronic device according to claim 1, which acquires status information from the image forming apparatus by means of a status request command and transmits it to the terminal device by means of a predetermined communication protocol.

5. The control unit, The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the acquired specification information is transmitted to the electronic device by the predetermined communication protocol.

6. An electronic device that is capable of relaying information between a terminal device and an image forming apparatus, and includes a control unit, The control unit, The specification request command obtains specification information from the image forming apparatus, If, based on the acquired specification information, it is determined that the image forming apparatus is not compatible with a predetermined communication protocol, An electronic device that, upon receiving an image acquisition request from the terminal device using a predetermined communication protocol independent of the model of the image forming apparatus, converts it into an image acquisition command that matches the command system of the image forming apparatus and transmits it to the image forming apparatus.

7. A control method for electronic equipment that can relay information between a terminal device and an image forming apparatus, The specification request command obtains specification information from the image forming apparatus, If, based on the acquired specification information, it is determined that the image forming apparatus is not compatible with a predetermined communication protocol, A control method for electronic equipment, which, upon receiving a print request via a predetermined communication protocol independent of the model of the image forming apparatus along with image data in a predetermined format from the terminal device, converts the image data into a format compatible with the command system of the image forming apparatus and transmits it to the image forming apparatus.

Images